Chapter 23: Hiding to Steal the Cup, Fearing to Startle the Miner in the Chair

The next morning, Su Buyu arrived at school early.

No other reason—just to get to Renyu Saiki’s office and grab her so-called “information.”

The cool morning breeze brushed his face, sharpening his focus.

After all, this was technically theft.

Sure, Renyu Saiki had allowed him into her office.

But on second thought…

First, he had no key.

Second, no one else knew she’d permitted it.

If anyone—especially a Lustful Defiled God apostle—caught him, things would get messy fast.

No way.

He had to move quickly.

The faculty building’s glass reflected his determined eyes.

He looked up, spotting Renyu Saiki’s office.

Second floor, end of the hallway, door locked tight. Without her key, no one could enter.

But Su Buyu had a plan.

After observing, he noticed a window ajar. He tossed his pen cap inside.

Old trick, new use.

In a flash, he teleported into the office.

But the moment he landed, the pomegranate scent hit, making him gag.

Even in her office, Renyu Saiki sprayed that stuff?

Her paranoia was unreal.

He grumbled inwardly, then pushed the window open wider, hoping the smell would fade.

After yesterday, that scent gave him chills.

Leaning on the frame, he gulped fresh air, then turned to search.

Renyu Saiki’s desk was massive, with ample space beneath, big enough to hide someone.

Why such a bizarre desk?

Some special use?

Curious, he peeked underneath, opened a drawer, and glanced inside—then instantly regretted it.

A dazzling array of sticks and rods crammed inside.

He calculated the space from her legs to the desk’s underside—perfect for discreet “venting” without being noticed.

…Freak.

In this world, she could probably sit naked in her office without issue.

Why go to such lengths?

Unless… it boosted her powers?

Ugh, no.

He was starting to think like her.

He shook his head, snapping out of it, and resumed searching.

In the second drawer, he found the “information.”

A Fiji water bottle, stuffed with a rolled-up note.

He pulled it out, unrolled it, and read.

The handwriting was neat, fresh, likely written within a day.

[Dear Teacher Renyu Saiki, your ability must be fully utilized by now. Don’t forget our deal. Come to the location. We have a task for you.]

…Ability? Location? Task?

Others knew about her powers?

Lustful Defiled God apostles?

Perfect. He’d been itching for a lead, and here it was.

Su Buyu pocketed the note, ready to leave, when a metallic click and door push rang out.

?

No way.

No footsteps?

That fast?

Zero-frame unlock?

Too late to toss the pen cap—he’d be caught!

Tch!

Creak—

The door’s groan hadn’t faded when a complaining voice, like jade wind chimes shattering on a heater, swept in with a girl’s annoyed huff.

“Ugh? Didn’t they say Teacher Renyu Saiki’s office reeks?”

She sniffed, then cursed.

“It’s barely there! What’s with that? Lousy intel, bunch of idiots, hmph!”

She exhaled heavily, tying her jacket around her waist, her eyes scanning the room irritably.

The floor was clean, no odd smells, the desk tidy.

Nothing stood out except the desk by the window.

But what puzzled her more…

“What’s with this desk? Why’s it so huge?”

It could fit half a person!

She stepped lightly, approaching the desk.

Ignoring the open window, she inspected it, finding nothing unusual.

Everything seemed normal, no sign anyone had been there.

“Hm… guess I’ll look for that note.”

Drawers rolled open, wood creaked, pages rustled, the sounds flooding Su Buyu’s ears.

He was hiding under the desk, hand clamped over his mouth, not daring to make a sound.

The moment she opened the door, he’d grabbed the note and bottle, ducking here.

He hadn’t expected her steps to be so silent.

Like her soles were padded with cotton—even now, her movements were as faint as leaves brushing dirt.

How?

How could someone move so quietly? She could probably sneak a Desert Eagle past the cops!

Su Buyu curled up, legs tucked, praying she wouldn’t notice him.

Thankfully, Renyu Saiki designed this space so large. A bit smaller, and he’d have been exposed.

But now what?

She’d find him eventually.

And from what she said, she was after the note too.

He’d be caught soon!

Think fast!

Super-Speed Hand Rush? No.

Pen cap toss? He’d be seen.

Super Perception Potion? That’d hit him too—useless.

Tch, he was cornered!

What now?

Her searching breaths grew frantic, the rustle of paper like an hourglass counting down to his discovery.

No choice—if he was caught, explanations wouldn’t help.

Last resort… fight!

“Pierce” her, then, while she’s caught in pleasure, toss the pen cap out the window and escape!

That’s the plan.

If she looked down, he’d act.

No other way.

Su Buyu steadied his breath, sensing her growing impatience, her steps pacing faster.

She was frustrated, unable to find the note.

Normally, if it’s not on the desk, she’d check underneath.

When she did, her focus would be on what’s in front of her.

That’d be his moment to strike.

He’d seize it, like a plane halting mid-takeoff, deadly precise.

He held his breath, eyes locked on her shoes nearing, stopping right in front.

Almost there, just a bit closer.

One more step, one lean down, and he’d strike with lightning speed, hitting her weak point.

To avoid detection, he had no choice.

Sorry, stranger girl.

Fingers poised like a sword, he crouched low.

As her feet shifted, he braced to attack, but a sigh came from above.

Her legs didn’t move forward—instead, they parted, revealing a glimpse of plain-colored scenery under her skirt.

“Ugh, so annoying, I’m done looking~”

“Didn’t sleep well this morning, no energy.”

“Hehe~ a quick sneaky rush won’t hurt, right?”

Her hand reached downward.

Su Buyu froze, mouth half-open, not daring to make a sound.