And in that very instant, the "Role-Play Points" in Lulu Lu’s mind finally shifted—rising from zero to five, now at 5%.

"So this means… this action fits a possessive yandere’s logic, right?"

Overjoyed, Lulu felt she was inches away from making a "save" right here at home.

With effort, she carried her childhood friend back to her room, pulled out a petite pink handcuff, and locked one of Lily Liu’s wrists to the wooden bedpost.

Ordered alongside the fake medicine, the bondage handcuffs were undeniably real—the metallic gleam alone proved brute force wouldn’t free her.

Lulu slipped the key into her shirt pocket. Just as she turned to leave—*ring ring*—Lily’s pager buzzed.

Correction: a Little Smart pager. Basic calls and texts only, generations behind Lulu’s smartphone.

Caller ID showed Lily’s mom.

Lulu took a deep breath and answered.

"You good-for-nothing! Where’ve you been? Why aren’t you helping at your aunt’s?!"

The roar forced Lulu to hold the pager away. Once it faded, she replied sweetly:

"Auntie, it’s Lulu Lu. Lily’s at my place."

A pause. Then a suddenly warm tone:

"Ah, Lulu! Sorry… So Lily’s with you?"

"Yes, she’s in the bathroom… Auntie, I’d like Lily to stay with me weekends."

"Stay? Why?"

"My parents are always traveling. I get lonely alone. I just want Lily’s company."

Silence. Then:

"I understand, but she has other plans. Let’s not."

*Predictably no…*

Defeated, Lulu let out an almost imperceptible sigh.

Kidnapping her childhood friend was easy. The aftermath? Not so much.

Reality wasn’t a novel. To keep Lily forever, parents and school stood as twin obstacles.

Without a fix, police would come in days. Yandere or not—game over.

Was surrender the only choice?

Lulu was just an ordinary girl—wealthy, yes ("little rich girl"), but powerless. No urban-novel-style influence.

Then—*flash*—it hit her.

Money *was* power.

"Money talks," right? Why not try it?

Tacky? Maybe. But worth a shot.

Steeled, Lulu spoke with hollow hope:

"Auntie… I’ve been stressed. I really don’t want to be alone. Lily’s company means everything…"

She gritted her teeth. Named a number.

Half a month’s allowance.

"…If you let Lily stay weekends, I’ll pay this—to honor her time."

Silence.

Lulu braced for rejection.

Then—a sugary voice:

"Hehe, Lily’s so lucky to have you! Lulu… can you transfer it straight to me? Don’t give it to her—she’ll waste it."

Stunned, Lulu replied automatically: "Right away, Auntie."

After hanging up, no smile touched her face.

*She really changed her mind… for money?*

Polite words couldn’t hide the transaction.

A bitter ache bloomed—worse than rejection. A vague, unsettling suspicion stirred.

Still… parents: temporarily handled.

Role-Play Points surged 20%, hitting 25%.

School? Fake sick leave. Play it by ear.

Lulu sighed upward. She’d once adored yanderes—their rule-breaking coolness.

Never knew it’d be this hard.

"Anyway… raise the points. Make one save at home. Should be easy."

She thought naively.

…

Night fell.

Lily stirred awake, shifted slightly—and froze.

"Huh? Lulu… why am I locked up?"

Lulu recited lines practiced a dozen times:

"To be with you… forever."

Lily let out a chuckle. "Haha… stop joking. Unlock me."

Lulu stayed silent, eyes unwavering.

Lily’s smile faded. "Lulu Lu… do you know what you’re doing? Teachers? My parents? What if I go missing? Please—don’t act on impulse."

Still thinking it a joke: "Unlock me. It’s late. My parents will worry."

Lulu smiled faintly. "Your mom’s already handled."

"What?" Lily’s pupils shrank.

Lulu summarized the call. Lily’s face paled, all warmth gone.

…

After a long silence, Lily locked eyes with her.

"Lulu. Let me go back."

"No." Lulu shook her head like a rattle drum.

"How long? Just the weekend?"

"Until death, I’ll never leave you! Lily Liu—I love you! Seeing you fills me with bliss. Others looking at you? Rage. I won’t let their gazes defile you. You’ll be mine—seen only by me. Isn’t that… beautiful?"

Lulu blurted the rehearsed monologue.

But Lily didn’t yell. Didn’t scold. Just watched quietly.

"Lulu… you’re still so immature."

Then—Lily leaned in. Cuffed right hand aside, her left arm wrapped around Lulu’s neck.

"Y-you…?"

Totally unprepared, Lulu froze.

"Lulu… I like you too."

A whisper in her ear. A soft breath on her lobe. Then—a gentle bite.

Lulu’s body went limp. A shiver. She collapsed into Lily’s arms, strength gone.

This body’s sensitivity shocked her. Mind blank for seconds.

"Which means… I know all your weaknesses too," Lily’s smug voice murmured.

Lulu jolted. The key—gone from her pocket.

In that blink, Lily freed herself… and cuffed Lulu instead.

"I’ve always known your habit—pocketing things right after use."

*Damn. Counterattacked.*

Despair flooded Lulu. She’d locked the door, but Lily held the main key. Escape was inevitable.

But Lily didn’t run.

She twisted bedsheets into rope, binding Lulu’s hands tight.

Smiling, she cupped Lulu’s flushed, trembling cheeks.

"Say, Lulu… your parents won’t be back this weekend, right?"

"Y-you… what are you doing?"

A chill ran down Lulu’s spine.

"Cook."

A deceptively light word.

Lily leaned close, voice slow and sweet:

"Lulu… since we both like each other… let’s enjoy this forbidden pleasure together~ 🎶"