Chapter 34: Illo’s Calculated Game and a Timely Encounter

Setting down the hot soup she held, Illo offered a ‘benevolent’ reminder.

“If the time comes, and I find you’re not home?”

Though a smile still graced Illo’s face as she spoke, Su Qianyu distinctly felt the temperature in the air drop several degrees.

“Of-of course!”

“You said one hour, and I’ll absolutely be back within that hour!”

Hearing the little one’s earnest declaration, Illo gently blew on her hot soup before taking another sip.

“I certainly hope so.”

What she called a reminder was, in truth, a clear warning.

After their exchange, Illo watched Su Qianyu’s retreating back, chuckling softly before turning her head to gaze elsewhere.

While outside, she might embody the magical girl who championed friendship.

Yet, in Su Qianyu’s presence, she was an entirely different person.

Illo, for one, was never truly that benevolent.

Setting Su Qianyu’s return time within an hour wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision.

Rather, it was the meticulously chosen and carefully considered outcome of Illo’s planning.

To put it plainly, Illo had come prepared.

An hour was neither a generous amount of time nor a paltry one.

Under this constraint, if Su Qianyu encountered even the slightest setback on her way, a delay would become inevitable.

Previously, she could have punished Su Qianyu without reason, but that would only sow seeds of rebellion in the other’s heart.

Now, however, she had established a seemingly reasonable rule for Su Qianyu.

As long as Su Qianyu followed the script, it would appear as though both of them adhered to the rules, fair and just.

In reality, this very adherence to rules was a form of injustice to Su Qianyu.

And this, too, had been part of her design from the very beginning.

“Alright~ Since you’re going out tomorrow, why don’t I help you pick out a couple of outfits?”

“N-no, I don’t think so?”

Considering the attire she had already designed and prepared, Su Qianyu waved her hands dismissively.

“Oh, then… you intend to go out dressed like *that*?”

Her eyes narrowed, Illo’s tone took on a dangerous edge.

She absolutely would not allow Su Qianyu to dress as revealingly outside as she did within the confines of their home.

As she always maintained, her possessions were for her eyes only; no one else was ever to lay a hand on them.

“I-I actually already have clothes prepared…”

Su Qianyu defended herself, opting to divulge only a partial truth.

‘Hmm, a partial truth is still truth.’

‘That’s how all true masters of deception operate!’

Illo offered no immediate reply to Su Qianyu’s defense, instead falling into a brief contemplation.

Fortunately, after a short while, the other party’s smile returned.

Seeing Illo’s smile, Su Qianyu also grinned.

‘No doubt, Illo must have read my mind to ascertain the truth of my words.’

‘That old hag, it’s a good thing Su Qianyu is one step ahead!’

As they exchanged lighthearted banter, the momentarily chilled atmosphere surprisingly warmed once more.

Just as Su Qianyu intended to seize this opportunity to escape Illo’s gaze and slip into the kitchen, the latter abruptly launched a new offensive, speaking again.

“Since you have clothes prepared, does that imply… you have some plan you’re keeping from me?”

“Ah, a-a-what?”

“Th-th-this… how could that be?”

Forcibly steeling her composure, Su Qianyu once again employed the same tactic to deflect Illo.

“Given my current state, I can’t possibly keep wearing my old clothes, can I?”

“So preparing some new attire… that’s perfectly normal, isn’t it!?”

Yet, no sooner had the words left her mouth than Su Qianyu instantly wished to slap herself twice.

‘This, this sounds entirely like an excuse!’

‘Why is my damn mouth failing me precisely at this moment?!’

Unexpectedly, upon hearing such an excuse, Illo merely nodded, then allowed her to depart.

‘Eh, she’s just letting me go like that?’

‘This good?’

For a moment, Su Qianyu couldn’t even process what had happened.

Noticing Su Qianyu still standing rooted to the spot, Illo set down her bowl.

“What’s wrong? Or are you… perhaps looking for another round with me?”

“N-no, absolutely not!”

Recalling Illo’s terrifying stamina and destructive power, Su Qianyu hastily retreated into the kitchen and began washing dishes.

‘A strategic retreat!’

Turning on the hot water, and seeing no indication that Illo intended to follow, Su Qianyu finally dared to mutter to herself.

‘Tsk, tsk, tsk, she truly lives up to her title as a magical girl.’

“Not only is she terrifyingly strong in every other respect — but when it comes to that kind of stamina, she’s simply unmatched.”

‘Anyone who marries this woman home would probably be reduced to a mere stick by the next day.’

‘Only a strong person like myself could possibly rein her in!’

‘Though it’s more like being pinned down and ridden, no matter how you phrase it, it’s still a form of control!’

‘Su Qianyu, you’re truly impressive!’

****

Outside the kitchen, Illo listened as the sounds of running water from within intertwined with the faint tapping of fingernails on the table, her mind a tangled mess.

Though she had been jesting with Su Qianyu just minutes before, one always had to return to reality.

The recent deluge of complex events was, for her, truly agonizing.

‘Was the strength of one person still too little?’

‘Too weak, without power.’