Chapter 120: Unexpected Confrontation

“You know, don’t you think this is weird? The way we’re positioned now—it looks more and more like we’re about to confess something.”

Seeing Nanaya’s stunned expression, Menglinna decided to press her advantage.

Although Yushi’s argument made some sense, Menglinna still couldn’t believe that Nanaya might actually like her.

So she chose this moment to ask such a question—partly to make Nanaya back off, and partly to confirm the other’s feelings.

If Nanaya really didn’t have those kinds of thoughts, then her words would surely force her to let go.

As for the possibility that Nanaya might actually have feelings for her, Menglinna hadn’t even considered it.

“No, there’s another possibility for this pose.” Nanaya raised her palm. “Bullying.”

Menglinna’s face immediately froze. Right, bullying could also involve cornering someone and beating them up.

She never expected that just sleeping in would earn her a beating. Involuntarily, she closed her eyes.

Here comes the pain.

Seeing Menglinna’s trembling form, Nanaya suddenly found it amusing.

Was she really expecting a punch? Her eyes were already a bit moist. Was she that afraid of pain?

Thinking this, Nanaya reached out and pinched Menglinna’s cheek.

“Mmph…”

Although it wasn’t the slap she’d anticipated, having her face suddenly pinched wasn’t pleasant either. Nanaya wasn’t exerting too much force, but the feeling of someone tugging at her cheek was unsettling.

When Menglinna opened her eyes to meet hers, Nanaya increased the pressure and leaned in aggressively. “What? Not convinced?”

The pain on her face and the sudden closeness made Menglinna flustered. “Mm… n-no…”

“Remember, after all you’ve done to me, this is just tit for tat.” Nanaya slowly closed the distance. “Like this…”

Under Menglinna’s gaze, Nanaya’s face drew nearer and nearer until she could almost see the fine fuzz around the other’s lips.

“Ah, today I’m cleaning the church.”

The door to the pulpit suddenly swung open. It seemed a nun responsible for cleaning had let out a worker’s complaint.

Luckily, Nanaya was petite, and the stone pillar hid them both. The nun didn’t spot them immediately.

Silently, Nanaya pulled the holy mark from her pocket and channeled mana to cast an invisibility spell.

Shortly after obtaining the system, she had exchanged for this spell. After all, invisibility was obviously useful, right?

But ideal as it seemed, reality was harsh. Though the spell wasn’t demanding in terms of casting, the invisibility wasn’t as powerful as she’d imagined.

She could only stay invisible while standing still; moving would reveal her form. It had some use, but the practical applications were far fewer than Nanaya had hoped.

Of course, to avoid embarrassment, the spell included the clothing she directly touched.

Hearing the worker’s lament, Menglinna’s body suddenly trembled violently. She started to struggle, but glancing at Nanaya so close, she realized that if anyone saw them like this, she would never be able to explain it.

Other than that, Menglinna could do nothing.

Watching Menglinna’s expression change like a roller coaster, Nanaya suddenly felt a mischievous urge.

Undoubtedly, the other didn’t know she’d cast the invisibility spell. Why not use this chance to tease her?

Thinking this, Nanaya squeezed closer and whispered, “Scoot in a bit. My back’s almost exposed.”

Though utterly unaccustomed to—even repulsed by—such physical contact, Menglinna had no choice but to press tightly against the wall.

The two screws on the steel plate were poking into the chest in front of her.

Embarrassing as it was to say, it hurt a bit.

“You’re thinking something weird, aren’t you?”

Faced with Nanaya’s fierce glare, Menglinna could only use her eyes to signal the other to be quiet.

“Huh? Was that a noise?”

Startled, Nanaya had spoken a bit too loudly, and it inevitably drew the nun’s attention.

Not sure what had happened, the nun couldn’t help shouting, “Is anyone still in the church?”

No response, of course. The young nun scratched her head and muttered, “Strange, did I mishear?”

Occasionally, adventurers would hide in the pulpit to explore the church—it had happened before. So even without an answer, the nun stayed alert.

Her earlier words were just to fool any hidden adventurers. Now, she had to be serious.

Holding a mop as if genuinely mopping, she carefully inspected every chair for signs of an adventurer.

She even bent down while mopping to check each corner, but found no trace of anyone.

Could she really have misheard?

Even though she was constantly exploited by that vile bishop, the young nun still couldn’t believe she was young enough to be having auditory hallucinations.

Someone must be here!

Thinking it over, if there was any other hiding place in the church, it would undoubtedly be behind that damned stone pillar.

“Looks like there really is no one!”

As she said this, the nun walked toward the back of the pillar.

“Ha! Show yourself!”

Menglinna, who had thought the nun had given up searching, never expected this sudden tactic. Her heart nearly stopped.

From Menglinna’s perspective—entirely different—the young nun saw nothing. There was just the stone pillar.

“Strange, I’m sure the sound came from here…”

The young nun scratched her cheek, puzzled.

As a poor worker, she naturally hadn’t heard of any invisibility spells.

Though Menglinna didn’t understand why the nun right in front of her said no one was there, catching Nanaya’s amused look, she knew who was behind it.

Noticing Menglinna’s displeased expression, Nanaya felt a surge of anger. She wanted to thoroughly torment this delicious cake in front of her.

Deciding to act, Nanaya extended her finger.

Menglinna’s eyes widened as if to question, “Even now, you want to do that?”

Nanaya said nothing, just glared fiercely, as if saying, “The more you resist, the more I want to go against you.”

“Is there really no one here?”

But the young nun still couldn’t believe she had misheard. It had definitely sounded like someone speaking. Plus, the air in this area seemed warmer than elsewhere.

She was about to check under the seats when water stains suddenly appeared on the stone pillar.

“Why is the pillar sweating…”

Her voice trembled. As a properly educated nun, she had never heard of such a phenomenon. In church teachings, it was usually considered an omen of divine punishment.

Despite her fear, she shouted, “Who’s playing tricks!”

No response. She wanted to step forward, but then she spotted a pair of shoes on the floor.

Yes, since there was no direct contact, Menglinna’s shoes hadn’t turned invisible.

Just as the young nun was on the verge of collapse, the sound of a dripping water drop echoed on the floor.

Nanaya accidentally stretched her calf, and her bare skin brushed against the chair beneath her. Right before the nun’s eyes, the long chair vanished.

Thud.

The nun fainted without another word.

Seizing the chance as Nanaya looked back at the nun, Menglinna broke free from Nanaya’s hold, straightened up, and stood.

Without waiting for Nanaya to react, she grabbed her hand and fled.

Once inside her room, Menglinna finally breathed a sigh of relief and collapsed onto the sofa.

Looking at the somewhat tired blonde, who had been bracing herself for insults, Menglinna nervously opened her eyes.

“Nervous? Think I’m going to do something to you?”

Nanaya casually pulled a notebook from the bookshelf and started flipping through it.

Menglinna stared at the notebook in her hands. “Should I be expecting you to do something?”

“Just flipping through… seems this notebook has some sketches and weird rules.”

“Aren’t you supposed to expect something?” Nanaya countered. “Sit still.”

Menglinna obediently followed the command. Then Nanaya sat on the sofa and rested her head on Menglinna’s lap.

Nanaya casually pinched Menglinna’s thigh and commented, “Nice stockings.”

Menglinna felt so wronged. It was just an ordinary compliment, but somehow she detected a strange undertone in Nanaya’s voice.

Though Menglinna didn’t answer, Nanaya wasn’t annoyed. She just lay on her side, flipping through the notebook.

Turning a page, she found the lottery ticket number she had bought before.

Nanaya recalled that she had used the system to get the numbers for a likely winning ticket and had coincidentally run into Menglinna at the lottery shop.

Just a coincidence?

Thinking this, Nanaya flipped another page.

Though still somewhat afraid of Nanaya, Menglinna couldn’t deny that seeing such a small girl lying on her lap softened her heart.

The way she curled up reminded Menglinna of her sister’s ragdoll cat.

Nanaya suddenly closed the notebook and met Menglinna’s gaze. “What are you looking at?”

Guiltily, Menglinna looked away. “Nothing.”

How could she admit to staring at the little girl’s profile?

Nanaya wasn’t about to let her off. She reached out and grabbed Menglinna’s chin, forcing her to meet her eyes. “Tell me the truth.”

“I really didn’t…”

“If you don’t say it, I’ll have to punish you.”

Completely defeated.

Menglinna gave up and said, “I was just looking at your face!”

Instead of the expected anger, Nanaya asked plainly, “Is it pretty?”

The tone was so flat that Menglinna initially thought it was a trap.

“Mm.”

Nanaya didn’t respond. She just picked up the notebook again, but curled her legs tighter.

As if nothing had happened, the atmosphere between them was peaceful. Perhaps because Nanaya was surprisingly easygoing, Menglinna’s mind started working again.

They say outsiders see things clearly. Should she ask Nanaya?

Menglinna thought for a moment and then asked, “Do you think Jijige likes me?”

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