Restricted Fantasy Invasion

Chapter 47

"Beep!" "Ah, we're finally in."

After waiting in line for so long, Yan Huan and Sakuramiya Hitomi finally passed through the ticket checkpoint and entered the enormous convention center.

If nothing else, the moment you stepped in, the sheer opulence of the Golden Lion Group just hit you in the face.

Light streamed through the glass ceiling between marble columns, illuminating the lion sculptures carved along the walls of the venue, giving this cultural extravaganza an extra touch of golden splendor.

And this was just the first hall.

Inside the Golden Lion Convention Center, which connected several venues together, there were more than a dozen halls, each with a different theme.

Official game launches, fashion shows of various styles, guest signing areas, doujin exhibitions, underground doujin exhibitions, entertainment zones, snack areas-

And finally, the "main hall" located at the very center of the convention center.

As the only venue with a stage, all official events were held there, including the upcoming guest meet-and-greet.

Bai Yi would also take the stage there.

Yan Huan glanced at the map and guide just handed out by the staff as they entered, planning to discuss with Sakuramiya Hitomi which section to visit first.

But as soon as she entered, Sakuramiya Hitomi closed her parasol, carried it in her hand, pointed in a direction, and said to Yan Huan,

"President, I'm going to the restroom."

"Okay, I'll wait for you here."

Sakuramiya Hitomi nodded with a smile and turned to leave.

Entering the empty restroom, Sakuramiya Hitomi hummed a tune and pressed a button hidden in her parasol, then started washing her hands.

"Ding ding~"

She hadn't waited long before a woman in a qipao and sunglasses walked in from outside.

It was Sakuramiya Hitomi's bodyguard, Nara.

Seeing Sakuramiya Hitomi looking so relaxed in the restroom, she silently sighed and turned off the alarm on her phone,

"My dear young lady Sakuramiya, I've told you, even if I'm always by your side, don't press that button unless it's an emergency."

But Sakuramiya Hitomi seemed not to hear, smiling at Nara while using the hand dryer to blow her hands dry,

"Hm hm~"

Nara blinked, not understanding what Sakuramiya Hitomi meant.

But soon, Sakuramiya Hitomi pulled out her phone, opened her album, and started showing something to Nara.

"......"

Nara raised an eyebrow, glancing at her phone screen.

On it, Yan Huan was holding up his phone, with Sakuramiya Hitomi leaning in close beside him. Both of them were smiling at the camera.

It was a rare photo of the Yuanyue student council president and vice president together.

But Nara just looked away, then turned to look at Sakuramiya Hitomi, who was holding her phone high, chest out, wearing a radiant smile,

"So?"

Hearing this, Sakuramiya Hitomi's smile instantly changed, her cheeks puffing out.

She swiped the screen even faster with her finger, so the photos started flipping through one after another,

"Eh, so?! Look, it's not just this one, there are a lot more! There are plenty with special effects and stickers too!"

"......"

Nara's mouth opened slightly, her eyes flicking through the stream of photos.

Only now did she finally realize what Sakuramiya Hitomi had called her over for.

"...Young lady Sakuramiya, you didn't call me over here just to show off your photos with Yan Huan, did you?"

At that, Sakuramiya Hitomi paused, then stubbornly replied in embarrassment,

"These are results, okay? And it's not just any photos-President refused everyone else's photo collecting and took these just with me!"

"......"

"He even said something cool like 'I can't leave you out when you can't take pictures.' Do you get it, Nara?!"

"...Yes, yes, you win, young lady."

"I win again?!"

Nara sighed, saying nothing, but her expression was written all over with the feeling of 'money is hard to earn, shit is hard to eat.'

That look made Sakuramiya Hitomi even more annoyed, her cheeks puffing up like balloons, her face growing redder.

But when she turned her phone back to look at the photo with Yan Huan, her face was instantly filled with a warm smile,

"Hm, I don't care, when we get home I'm printing all these photos and hanging them on the wall!"

"Yeah, and you should add a 'solemn commemoration' sign, put a memorial tablet underneath, and write 'love lasts forever'..."

"Nara!!"

Sakuramiya Hitomi, fuming, raised her fist to teach her a lesson, but Nara easily blocked it with one hand again.

When it comes to anything about Yan Huan, young lady Sakuramiya's intelligence just disappears.

Yeah, when it's gone, like now, she acts all silly, says weird things, and does weird stuff.

As for when it shows, it's when she's secretly spying on Yan Huan or confronting potential love rivals like Ye Shiyu.

Yeah, she's really cute, totally radiating first-love vibes.

Easily fending off Sakuramiya Hitomi's pink fist, Nara sighed and said to her,

"Ah, looking closely, you and Yan Huan really are a perfect match-talented man, beautiful woman, a couple made in heaven."

Even though it sounded flattering, Nara said it with such perfect rhythm and tone, you couldn't spot a flaw.

Anyone else might have been fooled by Nara, but Sakuramiya Hitomi knew her too well, and didn't buy it at all.

Since showing off the photos didn't work, she snorted softly and looked at her own photo with satisfaction,

"Fine, whatever, you just don't know how to appreciate... So, how's the setup for the entertainment area going?"

"Mm-hmm, it's all ready: fortune-telling, two-player games, claw machines, and most importantly, the haunted house, right?"

"Good."

With that, Sakuramiya Hitomi's restless heart finally settled down.

Once again, her mind flashed a scheming grin, and of course, she couldn't help but start daydreaming.

With such a string of activities, the flames of love are bound to be kindled-President will be mine!

"As long as these activities succeed, it won't be long before Yan Huan confesses to me. He'll be mine."

That way, I won't break the persona I've always kept, and President won't notice anything strange. As long as I keep pretending...

"It'll never break the persona I've always kept, and Yan Huan will feel it's only natural for us to be together. Then I'll keep pretending, so he never sees the real me."

Lost in thought, Sakuramiya Hitomi absentmindedly touched her chin and looked up at Nara, who was expressionlessly reading her mind.

She had already guessed Sakuramiya Hitomi's thoughts almost exactly.

"Eh?"

".So easy to read, young lady, your thoughts are written all over your face."

Nara sighed, but then flashed a naturally charming smile,

"But I bet it's only in front of me that you can be this genuine, right, young lady Sakuramiya?"

Sakuramiya Hitomi pursed her lips, glanced at Nara and snorted,

"That's just because we're partners in crime. We both know each other's worst secrets. That's why we stick together for warmth, right?"

".Well, whatever the reason, since you trust me so much, I'll give you a little tip."

"Sister? You-"

Sakuramiya Hitomi was about to pull a face, but Nara raised her index finger and waggled it a few times,

"Don't you pride yourself on knowing Yan Huan really well, young lady?"

"Of course! I know exactly what President's doing every day, and everything else too..."

"Let's set aside the question of 'whether you can hide your true self for a lifetime.' I'll just ask you one thing."

Nara's eyes lifted to look at Sakuramiya Hitomi, like an arrow nocked to a bowstring, aiming straight at her heart,

"Yan Huan has to juggle studying, student council work, and his part-time job. Where does he have any extra time to date you, young lady?"

"."

"And even if your parents are open-minded and let you date freely, I bet they'll still nitpick every little thing about your future husband-especially his family background and abilities, right?"

"."

In just two sentences, Nara threw the bloody reality right in Sakuramiya Hitomi's face.

These problems were probably scarier than deciding to hide her true self from Yan Huan for a lifetime.

Yeah, President still has to work, and Dad and Mom also...

"I-"

Sakuramiya Hitomi was gasping, and no matter what, she couldn't refute these harsh realities that felt like mountains.

But in the very next second, Sakuramiya Hitomi suddenly thought of something.

Wait a minute.

President doesn't actually have no background at all!

She still remembered that on Friday, Ye Shiyu and her mother Ye Lan had visited Yan Huan's rental apartment, and Sakuramiya Hitomi had almost lost it over that.

So on Saturday, besides having Nara set up today's "trap for Yan Huan" in the entertainment zone, she'd also investigated more about the Ye mother and daughter.

It wasn't hard to find out that Ye Lan was now a prominent executive in Ye International, with power not to be underestimated.

With Ye Lan backing up the president, not only would he not have to work so hard at his part-time jobs, but it would also fill in the gaps in his background!

At this thought, Sakuramiya Hitomi's eyes lit up just a little.

In the photo of Ye Lan from yesterday's materials, it was as if an angelic halo and wings had appeared, and she was giving Sakuramiya Hitomi a benevolent smile,

"Young lady, pray devoutly to the divine (Ye Lan), and she will surely bless your love~"

At this moment, Sakuramiya Hitomi wished she could convert and become a follower of the so-called 'Ye Lan Faith', even if it might not exist.

Under the illusion of Ye Lan's benevolent gaze, Sakuramiya Hitomi's brain started spinning faster and faster.

Her whole family doted on her from top to bottom, otherwise they wouldn't have agreed to let her come to Linmen to study all by herself.

And she herself knew that the President was truly outstanding, not just some pretty boy living off his looks.

As long as she worked hard and explained the President's merits to her parents, everything Nara said wouldn't be an obstacle at all!

Hiss, if you think about it carefully--

Isn't this basically having all the right time, place, and people on my side?

Isn't this proof that the President and I are destined for each other?!

Doesn't this mean that I've already...

Won for sure!!

Bathed in holy light under Ye Lan's benevolent gaze, Vice President Sakuramiya Hitomi looked as if she had achieved enlightenment.

But in the very next second, behind that benevolent divine figure, a cold-faced girl with a blank expression suddenly appeared.

She had horns on her head, a pair of bat wings on her back, and a devil's tail shaped like a heart.

Even though her face was expressionless, she made Sakuramiya Hitomi feel a deep sense of disgust and aversion.

It was Ye Shiyu.

Wait a minute.

If you follow this line of thinking, doesn't that mean I should actually thank that girl called Ye Shiyu for raising my chances of matching with the President?

Calm down.

Calm down, Sakuramiya Hitomi.

The President already said, that girl Ye Shiyu is just his older sister.

That's nothing, really. Who doesn't have siblings at home? It's totally nor-

In this instant, the scene from Tuesday in the principal's office flashed through Sakuramiya Hitomi's mind, when she'd suddenly wanted to believe that Spencer and the President were really just doing a study group together.

The way Ye Shiyu looked at the President-was that the look a sister should give her younger brother?

And why would I even think like that...

It's all Spencer's fault!!

Nara, seeing Sakuramiya Hitomi lost in thought, noticed her face shifting from excitement to coldness and couldn't figure out what she was thinking.

Oh well, I'm just a bodyguard anyway. I'm only giving the young lady a friendly reminder out of courtesy.

As for what she should actually do, that's not my problem to consider.

When it comes to relationships, it's always up to the two people involved to make it work-no one else can really help.

She smiled slightly, glanced out toward the bathroom, and gently patted the pale-faced Sakuramiya Hitomi to snap her out of her daze,

"Alright, I'll go wait for you guys in the entertainment area. Don't keep your President waiting too long, young lady Sakuramiya."

"Achoo!!"

Golden Lion Convention Center, Linmen doujin area.

In the spacious venue surrounded by curtains, a golden-haired beauty suddenly sneezed out of nowhere. She sniffled and looked puzzled,

"No way, is Santa Claus really that petty? Why does he keep cursing me?"

It was none other than the clever and sharp golden lion, Aria Spencer.

She glanced at the long lines at the booths around her, with signs for doujinshi and games on sale-titles Spencer couldn't make heads or tails of.

She had no idea what those... symbols even meant.

Reading was already hard enough for her, and she didn't understand why they had to make things even more complicated with secret codes and abbreviations.

Is it so people can't understand?

Actually, those are age ratings, meaning under-eighteens are not allowed in.

Linmen's rating system was very thorough, so people with all sorts of tastes could always find works to satisfy them.

But of course, there were downsides-for example, some age-restricted products always found their way into the hands of the wrong groups through all kinds of tricks.

No matter how strict the checks, there's always a loophole somewhere.

Like right now, there was no ID check at all. As long as you didn't look blatantly like an elementary schooler, you could just lift the curtain and walk in without anyone stopping you.

An Le was super excited after coming here, saying she wanted to buy something she'd been wanting for ages.

Spencer didn't understand any of it, so she just sat at the door waiting for her to come out.

"Wow, this new release from Teacher Charcoal is insane!"

"Yeah, the way they take everything from the poor protagonist who had it all, that feeling-"

Bored and sitting nearby, Spencer suddenly perked up, having heard something interesting.

Her golden hair seemed to shine a bit brighter as she turned her head, spotting two otakus with masks on, each carrying a black bag and chatting away.

"Especially that part about the downfall..."

"Right? Right?! That part was amazing! Even though she still had feelings for her lover, she had to give in to instinct. That gradual breakdown from holding back, then finally falling apart completely-that expression-"

As they chatted, a sudden chill seemed to run through them.

It felt like something precious was about to be taken away.

A strange sense of loss suddenly welled up inside.

The two of them froze and turned their heads, only to see a very beautiful golden-haired girl standing there with her arms crossed, watching them.

"Hey, what are you two talking about? I'm really interested, you know~"

"I-"

Even though she was so pretty, the two of them still felt a wave of disgust and fear.

One of them wanted to say something, but the other shook his head and quickly pulled his friend away.

"Tch, cowards."

Spencer yawned and curled her lip as she watched the two of them, clutching their black bags, scurry off in a panic.

"Um... Spencer, I'm back."

"Huh?"

Arms crossed and chin held high in her usual tough-girl pose, Spencer turned around and saw An Le, still wearing her mask, carrying seven or eight black bags in her hands.

"It took some effort getting help from net friends, but I managed to buy all the new releases I was interested in."

Even with the mask on, Spencer could still catch a hint of the flush on her face that matched her excited tone.

On her shoulder, the phantom Little Finger rolled its eyes,

"The games you play and the comics you read get wilder and wilder, but when it comes to real life, you're totally clueless. What's the point?"

An Le glanced at Little Finger on her shoulder, snapping back to reality from the thrill of buying new releases.

Embarrassed, she lowered her head a bit more and clutched the black bags in her arms even tighter.

"So, what's actually in all these black bags? You all seem so excited after buying them."

"Ah, this?"

An Le looked at the puzzled Spencer in front of her, wanting to explain, but just couldn't get the words out.

How are you supposed to explain these weird works to someone outside the scene...

And besides, she was buying them on commission for someone else-totally not something to brag about!

Seeing An Le stammer, Spencer grew even more impatient with her arms crossed.

"Never mind, I'll just go see for myself!"

"Wait, Spencer!"

But timid An Le could never stop the headstrong Spencer.

So, she could only watch helplessly as Spencer, arms crossed and head held high, marched right up to one of the booths.

There was a sign on it,

"Pure Ballet~"

"Teacher Charcoal's latest plundering masterpiece, now on fire sale!"

Without any hesitation, Spencer strode straight to the front of the line of dozens, with zero intention of queuing up.

Please, her family owned this expo-why would she need to wait in line here?

It's over.

I'm doomed!!

An Le clapped her hand over her mouth, but it was already too late to stop Spencer.

She watched as Spencer walked right up to the booth and said to the masked muscle guy inside,

"Give me a copy."

"..."

The masked guy packing books inside-who was actually the artist himself-froze for a moment, but seeing the girl who'd cut in line so naturally, he was momentarily dumbfounded.

The people in line behind frowned and were about to tap her on the shoulder, but Spencer had already turned around.

The moment they saw her face, a mix of dread and revulsion hit them, and they actually took a step back,

"Huh?"

After a second, he finally mustered up the courage to speak,

"We're in line, you know?"

"Yeah!"

"How can you just cut in line?!"

Spencer didn't say anything, she just silently pulled out her bulging wallet.

Then she grabbed a thick wad of large bills and placed it into the hand of the man behind her, lifting her chin as she claimed the prime spot,

"The spot's mine now."

"I-"

The man behind her had originally refused with backbone, because he knew he wasn't the kind of man to bow down for money.

He was a man of principle!

But-

She gave him way too much!!

The man behind her instantly went silent, and the rest of the people in line realized this newcomer wasn't to be trifled with, so they all stayed quiet.

Only then did Spencer turn around, fully satisfied, and look at the masked artist inside the booth, saying,

"Give me one. What's this comic of yours?"

"."

The man inside was brawny, but surprisingly, he had social anxiety.

He frowned, clearly displeased by Spencer's behavior, but it took him a while before he finally spoke up again,

"Did you line up?"

Spencer was momentarily stunned at his words, then honestly shook her head,

"No, I didn't."

"."

Upon hearing this, not only the artist sitting in the booth, but even the man behind her who was still holding the money, looked utterly shocked.

Seriously, aren't you being a little too honest?!

"...If you didn't line up, you can't buy."

The artist stared her down for several seconds before he finally remembered to reply.

Spencer opened her mouth, glanced up at the R16 emblem above, touched her chin thoughtfully.

Oh.

So that's what that emblem means!

She blinked, looked at the artist in the booth again, and continued,

"Then I'm lining up. Sell it to me."

"."

"."

The whole scene instantly fell into an awkward silence.

And in the next moment, An Le, her face bright red, finally overcame her embarrassment and rushed over, grabbing Spencer by the arm,

"Sorry!! Sorry, everyone! So, so sorry!! Spencer! Let's-let's go!"

"Huh?! But I haven't bought it yet!"

"I'm begging you! Please, Spencer..."

An Le was on the verge of tears, her face as red as an apple.

It was just too humiliating!

If this kept up, she'd absolutely, absolutely lose all face...

Although Spencer was still very reluctant, seeing An Le's face about to burst into tears, she clicked her tongue in annoyance and let herself be dragged away bit by bit.

If she really didn't want to go, not even ten An Les could drag her away.

"Oh, right."

Just as they were about to leave, Spencer turned back and looked at the man who had originally been in line behind her.

She snatched the money from his hand and stuffed it back into her pocket,

"One thing has nothing to do with another. Since I didn't buy it, the money I gave you doesn't count, okay?"

"."

An Le's face was about to catch fire, apologizing to everyone around as she dragged Spencer away from the scene.

"Hey, stop pulling me."

"Ugh~ I'm sorry, let's just go. We can go play somewhere else, okay, Spencer?"

Pushed out of the underground doujin event by An Le, Spencer crossed her arms, her expression dark.

"Huh? What else is there to do?"

"Anywhere you want to go, I'll go with you, as long as we don't stay here any longer, please..."

"...You said it."

Seeing An Le so embarrassed she wanted to bury her head in her chest, Spencer grinned mischievously and pulled out the map and guide the staff had given her at the entrance.

Then, her pale finger jabbed at a certain spot on the map, pushing it in front of An Le with a crisp "pop",

"Then I want to go here!"

"Th-this place is..."

An Le looked up and saw where Spencer was pointing,

"Entertainment Area: Killer Vine Slasher School~"

Yes.

The haunted house!!

(End of this chapter)