Chapter 102: True Intentions
Upon hearing this response, a subtle shift occurred in Reze's eyes. However, she maintained perfect control over her facial expressions, allowing her countenance to gradually fade into a mask of utter disappointment.
"I see... I suppose there's nothing to be done if Master doesn't feel anything for me..." Reze's tone was sorrowful. Her pitiful expression was the kind that easily stirred protective instincts in others.
Yet, that minuscule shift in her gaze didn't escape the perception of Chiya's Mangekyo Sharingan. In his eyes, that was a subtle ripple of realization that her plan had failed; everything else was pure theater.
"..."
Chiya sipped his post-meal tea in silence, saying nothing. Reze's performance failed to elicit even a shred of pity from him; in fact, he almost felt like laughing. Reze played her role to the very end—instead of losing her cool, she simply turned and left with a face full of dejection.
"Goodbye, Miss Reze," Chiya said, bidding her farewell as she made her exit.
"Master, you're so cruel!" Reze left behind those resentful words before stepping out of his dormitory.
Chiya shook his head helplessly. Even at a time like this, she was keeping the performance at maximum level. One had to admit, she was truly dedicated to her craft.
The moment the door clicked shut behind her, Reze's expression transformed instantly. There wasn't a trace of the previous disappointment or sorrow; she was cold and entirely devoid of emotion.
Carrying this icy expression, she walked down to the dormitory entrance. But the second she encountered other Devil Hunters, her face shifted again—changing faster than one could flip a page in a book. Now, a sweet, sugary smile beamed from her face.
The surrounding Devil Hunters were immediately captivated by this cute and beautiful girl, while simultaneously wondering when such a lovely girl had joined the Leningrad Military Department.
Meanwhile, back in his room, Chiya continued to drink his tea calmly.
After what just happened, Reze has probably developed a killing intent toward me... Chiya theorized. While I don't know what her ultimate goal was in trying to seduce me, if she fails the honey trap and doesn't leave, she'll likely move in for the kill.
He would simply wait for her to make her move, let her strike first, and then counter-kill her.
The following morning.
Early in the day, there was a knock at the door.
"Master, Master! It's time to get up, Master!"
The voice was unmistakably Reze's. Chiya had been lying in bed hoping for a few more minutes of sleep, only to be jolted awake by her noise. He had no choice but to get up and open the door.
"Is there a reason you're looking for me this early?" Chiya asked, feeling somewhat speechless as he looked at the smiling Reze standing outside.
This caught him off guard. He had basically laid his cards on the table yesterday, yet here she was the next morning, grinning as if nothing had happened. What kind of trick was she trying to play now?
"I came to wake Master up! Don't tell me Master was still being a lazybones in bed?" Reze teased.
"..."
Chiya didn't bother answering; he went straight to brush his teeth and wash his face.
Reze walked right in without asking for permission and sat down on the sofa, acting as if the events of the previous night had never happened. After finishing his morning routine, Chiya prepared to head into the kitchen.
"Have you eaten breakfast yet?" he asked in passing as he walked through the living room.
"Not yet~" Reze replied instantly.
"Then I'll make a portion for you too." Chiya put on his apron. He planned to cook a large, filling plate of beef for Reze, while he stuck to his usual routine of eggs, bread, and hot milk.
From her spot on the sofa, Reze could see Chiya's back as he worked in the kitchen. She had rushed over this morning primarily to ensure a seamless transition to her second plan. After yesterday's encounter, she was certain Plan A had no hope of success. However, she couldn't let her cover blow in front of him yet, or it would make transitioning to Plan B difficult.
Plan B was the assassination of Otonashi Chiya—or at least incapacitating him—and bringing him back to the "Secret Room" for Hybrid transformation experiments. That way, Chiya would become "one of her kind," stripped of personal freedom and turned into a permanent "war machine" for the Soviet Union.
The ultimate goal of Plan A had actually been the same: to use seduction to trick Chiya into the "Secret Room." If possible, she preferred not to use force to complete the mission. Unfortunately, it seemed she would now have to resort to violence.
The second reason she hurried over so early was that Reze wanted to mooch a meal...
Although she was a vital operative and war machine, her Hybrid physiology meant she didn't technically need to eat; being essentially immortal, her days were usually filled only with rigorous training. But "not needing to" did not mean "not liking to."
The Soviet military didn't care about her preferences. Knowing she didn't require food, they didn't bother spending resources on her diet. The internal system was a rigid, old-fashioned, and decaying bureaucracy from top to bottom. Consequently, Reze hadn't eaten a decent meal in years. Chiya's cooking was exceptionally good, and after tasting it once yesterday, she was instantly hooked.
A few minutes later, Chiya brought out a large plate of beef.
"Eat up. This portion should be enough for you," Chiya said.
"Awesome! I really do love Master the most!" Reze said with joy. Part of the joy was acting, but the other part was genuine; the aroma of the stir-fried beef alone was enough to make her mouth water.
Throughout the day, Reze managed to mooch all three meals at Chiya's dorm. She nearly cleared out the meat in his fridge, and his system notification chimed again.
[Ding! Host has activated the achievement 'Reze's Favorability (Lv. 2)'. Attribute Points gained: 4!]
Reflecting on Reze's behavior throughout the day and the activation of this achievement, Chiya felt a bit bewildered. Is this girl executing some deep scheme, or is she literally just here to eat and drink for free?
At that moment, Reze sat back on the sofa, resting contentedly. she let out a lazy, comfortable stretch, the curve of her figure pulling against her military uniform. She appeared to have zero guard against Chiya, who was sitting right next to her.
Reze suddenly thought that since she couldn't disobey the high command's orders, once Chiya was transformed into a Hybrid, she would just have him cook delicious food for her every day. Those rigid old fossils in the military probably wouldn't forbid something like that.
But she was overlooking one major problem: could she, the Bomb Hybrid, actually secure a guaranteed win against Otonashi Chiya?
If Chiya weren't a transmigrator, her hidden Hybrid identity would indeed catch anyone off guard. But the fact remained that he had "God's perspective"—and the nearly invincible power of Double Kamui.
AN-
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