Ayane was the classic petite onee-san type. Her figure was seriously hot, and even the way she walked had a rich, alluring sway.

Even Bai Ningning couldn't help sneaking a few extra looks.

"Sis Ayane, you're here." Brother Tian hurried over to greet her. "Bai Ningning just arrived. I've been taking very good care of her."

The AC was on, the sofa was ready, and there were snacks and drinks laid out for her. He was practically waiting on her hand and foot.

Ayane lifted her eyes and looked over. The girl was holding a piece of spicy rabbit snack, nibbling at it in small bites, elegant and cute.

Mm. Looks like she'd been treated pretty well.

"Got it," Ayane said. "I'll talk to her."

"Gotcha."

Brother Tian left the activity room, and before going, he pulled the door shut behind him.

Hearing the sound, Bai Ningning looked up and realized only she and Ayane were left in the room. The Heavenly Emperor knew where Brother Tian had gone, and the door was closed too.

This was pretty formal. It even had that vibe of some secret high-level club meeting. Look, they'd even locked the door. The confidentiality measures were on point.

She quickly put down what she was holding, wiped her hands and mouth, then sat up straight with a very professional look on her face.

Come on, then. Let's talk.

"No need to be so stiff." Ayane casually sat down across from her. "There's only one thing to discuss. If you want to keep your proposal, then we need to solve the attendance issue."

A club was an interest group, and club activities were basically entertainment. To put it plainly, attendance was like running a raid in a game guild. If people wouldn't show up, then at the root of it, the event just wasn't attractive enough.

But the anime club was aiming to become the number one club, so naturally, there had to be standards.

Bai Ningning thought for a long while, then said tentatively, "I'll think of a way to help. I'll do my best to raise everyone's initiative toward club activities. There are a lot of angles we could work from, like—"

"No need to make it that complicated."

Ayane flicked her fair hand. "I'll apply for a higher budget tier. Problem solved."

The activities aren't appealing enough, right? Then what if every event came with maxed-out comfort, plus lots of prizes? Like limited game gift pack codes, prize figures, free big meals, and things like that?

Bai Ningning blinked in surprise, deeply shaken by President Ayane's outrageously lavish way of thinking.

So this could work too?

"But." Ayane suddenly changed tone. "I could've used a simpler and cheaper method, which is just making it mandatory. But for your sake, I'm taking the long way around and solving it with money. Do you understand?"

"I understand." Bai Ningning spoke coolly, but sincerely. "Thank you."

"I'm not asking you to thank me." Ayane's presence suddenly surged. "I've done all this for you. So shouldn't you also agree to one request from me?"

She slowly stood up and looked down at Bai Ningning from above.

And at Bai Ningning's white pillows.

It couldn't be helped. They were too big. From that angle, they'd always be the first thing anyone saw.

Only then did Bai Ningning realize something seemed a little off. She drew her legs in slightly. "W-What do you want?"

"Heh."

Ayane let out a cold laugh and turned to glance elsewhere.

"Bai Ningning, do you think I'm still the same as I was a year ago? Coming to see you with no preparation at all?"

Bai Ningning quietly swallowed. "What did you prepare?"

"Still haven't noticed? In this activity room, it's just you and me," she said. "And the door is locked."

Bai Ningning froze slightly. What? Wasn't that for confidentiality?

Did I get the wrong idea?

President Ayane bent down and leaned close to her. In an excited yet restrained voice, she said, "What do you think I want?"

Bai Ningning started to panic.

A few tags from a certain pink app drifted through her mind again.

"I want you..."

Ayane's eyes reddened with excitement. "To join the club's otaku dance division, and dance for me often, exactly the way I want!"

Bai Ningning blinked, and it took her a long while to come back to herself.

T-That's it?

"If you don't agree, then you won't be leaving through this door so easily." Ayane folded her arms, full of confidence. "I've already agreed to your condition. As for mine, today, whether you agree or not, you're agreeing."

A year ago, Ayane had made three visits in earnest, only to fail in the end. She hadn't been willing to leave just like that, so she'd tried one last time to persuade her, only to hear that peerlessly radiant girl say—

"Is this person sick in the head?"

The club leader, who looked strong and capable on the outside, had her heart stabbed by a single sentence.

That year, at eighteen, by the edge of the track field, she hid like a nameless lackey. Back then, she swore she would make that girl notice her again.

Not just notice her. She'd make Bai Ningning dance too. Dance Gokuraku Jodo. Dance Togen Renka. Dance "girl." Dance all the popular ones. And do it wearing outfits from all kinds of modules too.

And today was the moment of revenge. The wounds and pain of the past. The shame and humiliation of the past.

"If you don't agree, then I'll—"

"I agree," Bai Ningning said crisply.

Ayane froze for a second. "Y-You agreed? Hmph, at least you know what's good for you!"

She agreed that easily? Could it be this condition wasn't actually Bai Ningning's psychological bottom line?

For a moment, Ayane suddenly felt like she'd somehow missed out on something.

Meanwhile, Bai Ningning let out a long breath of relief. Seriously, that was all? She'd thought she was about to get wrecked all over again.

That really scared her...

She quickly rubbed her legs and stretched her joints.

Otaku dancing, huh. Well, she didn't know how to dance anyway. As long as Ayane didn't get annoyed from teaching her, it was fine.

"Then that's that." Bai Ningning stood up, ready to head out. "I've still got some things to do, so I'll head back first."

"Mm."

Watching Bai Ningning leave, Ayane stayed seated where she was, unmoving for a long time.

She'd achieved her goal, but for some reason, she still felt a little empty inside.

...

"You're back even earlier today. It's not even noon yet." Qin Yue glanced at her as if nothing was unusual. "At this rate, are you just not going out at all tomorrow?"

Even after the massage and a full night's rest, her body had only recovered a little. Big Sis still had no real strength, and even after getting out of bed, she was lazily sprawled on the sofa.

"It's just a special case," Bai Ningning said casually. "I don't have classes these next few days, so if there's nothing going on, I can come back."

She sat down on the sofa too, tilting her head as she carefully looked at Big Sis.

Qin Yue had a bad feeling. "Are you about to say something again?"

Even if she couldn't do anything right now, she could still keep score, so Bai Ningning had better not act rashly.

"No. I just thought of something else." Bai Ningning withdrew her gaze. "Let's not talk. Let's watch TV."

She had thought of Qin Xin, that junior lying in her dorm bed. For some reason, Bai Ningning felt that Big Sis's current state looked very similar to the Qin Xin she'd seen that morning.

But that shouldn't be possible. One was weak from physical overexertion, and the other was sick. How could they look so alike?

The TV started playing. Qin Yue watched the drama with half-lidded eyes, while Bai Ningning held that old traditional Chinese medicine acupoint chart in her hands, glancing up at the screen from time to time. She was watching the show and learning massage at the same time. Two birds with one stone.

"What are you looking at?" Qin Yue grew curious about the book in her hands.