Even with Time Stasis active, I accelerated the aging of the rope’s material binding me. In moments, the cords crumbled to ash.

As for the key in Yumiko’s mouth—I reached in. When my fingers brushed her slick tongue tip, my body shivered involuntarily. I wasn’t sure why.

I unlocked the bomb strapped to me. Its material was far sturdier than the rope. I didn’t want to waste unnecessary time on it. Absolutely no other reason. None at all!

I snapped my fingers, canceling Time Stasis. To Yumiko, it seemed like magic—my ropes and bomb vanished instantly. Her eyes lit up as she cheered, “As expected of my darling! It’s like sorcery. Is this your power?”

“Don’t call me that. We’re not that close,” I replied flatly. Right now, all I cared about was getting back. “Where’s your father?”

Yumiko blinked. “Eh? Is my darling proposing already?”

“I’m not proposing anything. I need to ask him about my return arrangements.” I shot her a glare and strode out the door.

“Darling, wait!” Yumiko chased after me. “I never planned to let you leave, so Father hasn’t prepared anything.” I sighed. Just as I thought.

Ignoring Yumiko, I stepped out of the villa. Night had fallen, stars speckling the sky. The view here was actually beautiful. Yumiko trailed behind me, impossible to shake off.

I walked ahead; she followed exactly one meter back. Silent. I moved, she moved. I stopped, she stopped. But I didn’t know the way here. Finally, I turned to her. “Where exactly is your father?”

Yumiko lunged forward, wrapping her arms around mine. I felt the softness of her chest. I pushed her head away with my free hand. “Don’t get so close.” Honestly, her skin was incredibly tender. She grinned mischievously. “How can I tell you like this, darling?”

I dropped my hand. “Now can you speak?” Her eyes darted, scheming something. “Darling, kiss me?”

“Don’t push your luck.” If kissing were that easy, I’d have learned from Makoto long ago.

But Yumiko stood firm. “If you don’t kiss me, I won’t tell you.” She puffed her cheeks, turning her head away—though her hands stayed locked on my arm. Such an indecisive girl.

We僵持 for minutes. Seeing no move from me, she leaned her face closer, as if urging me on. Truth was, I’d never kissed a girl willingly. But just a peck on the cheek should be fine.

I sighed and brushed my lips lightly against her cheek. “Now take me there.” Yumiko retaliated by planting a hard kiss on my face—not a quick peck, but a fierce one, as if trying to leave a teeth mark.

She showed no sign of pulling away. I pried her off, rubbing my stinging cheek. “What was that for?”

“A punishment for your lack of sincerity, darling,” she pouted. Then she beamed. “Alright, darling. I’ll take you to Father.”

She still wouldn’t say where Kurokawa Fujio was. Instead, she led me through endless twists and turns. “Hey, it’s been an hour. If you don’t guide me properly, I’ll find him myself.” My patience snapped.

Yumiko put on a pitiful act. “Darling, it’s so dark… my eyes aren’t sharp. I got a little lost. Sorry! I’ll take you now.” I held my tongue.

Soon, she brought me to a private restaurant beside the main villa. Inside, a long metal table draped in red cloth held white candles and dishes.

Kurokawa Fujio sat there with his wife—Yumiko’s mother, one of the tearful actors from earlier. Servants and maids stood behind them.

“Father, Mother, I brought my darling!” Yumiko nuzzled her head against my arm. I bowed slightly. “Mr. Kurokawa, Mrs. Kurokawa.”

Kurokawa Fujio smiled. “No need for formality. Call me Uncle. I’ll call you Xiao Xi. We’ll be family soon. By the way, Yumiko—how far have you and Xiao Xi progressed?”

From his words, I guessed Yumiko’s antics were his doing. Clever. Are all Japanese this open about selling their daughters?

Yumiko blushed, lowering her head. “We’ve… done intimate things, darling.” Neither Kurokawa Fujio nor his wife batted an eye. Their worldview truly differed from mine.

Explaining now would only make things worse. Who’d choose death over a beautiful woman? Every man would pick the same.

Kurokawa Fujio gestured for me to sit. Yumiko clung to my arm beside me. Honestly, I’d barely touched Western food. I struggled to cut the steak on my plate. Kurokawa Fujio exchanged a glance with Yumiko. She nodded, smiling as she offered me a pre-cut piece. “Here, darling. Let me feed you.”

Can’t you tone it down? When I ignored her, her face flushed. “Does darling want me to feed you mouth-to-mouth? Well… I don’t mind.” I changed the subject. “Uncle Kurokawa, when can I return?”

He chuckled. “No problem. I’ll arrange it tomorrow. But may I ask, Xiao Xi—what’s so urgent back home?”

I met his gaze. “Something more important than life and death.” My icy stare made him pause briefly. He laughed it off. “Let’s eat, then.”

Kurokawa Fujio assigned me a room. Yumiko insisted on sharing, but I refused firmly. She grumbled, settling next door.

The next morning, Yumiko in pink pajamas was asleep on my bed. Seems it’s natural for girls to sneak into guys’ rooms—but guys doing it are perverts.

My arm felt numb. She’d used it as a pillow, now rubbing her cheek against it like a kitten. I looked away quickly. Staring longer might be dangerous.

“Hey. Time to get up.” I tried waking her. She stirred lightly, rubbing her eyes. “Morning, darling.” I didn’t bother asking why she was here. This was their territory; spare keys were no surprise. “Can you get off me now?”

I finally freed my lifeless arm. First thing in the morning—I had to use Time Reversal to restore it. After shooing Yumiko back to her room and rushing through my routine, I headed to the restaurant. Kurokawa Fujio promised a flight to China today.

I hadn’t seen the hostages from before. Maybe freed—or more likely, fed to the sharks. Not my concern.

I’d just entered the restaurant when Yumiko dashed in after me. Unlike yesterday, her giant bow was now purple.

“Darling, wait for me!” She latched onto my arm. “Today’s love lucky color is purple!” Probably from some horoscope show.

Inside, Kurokawa Fujio and his wife waited as yesterday. I gave a casual greeting and sat down. “Uncle Kurokawa, is my trip to China ready?”

He smiled faintly. “The ship to China is prepared. But I have a request: I want you to take Yumiko with you.”