I was the fourth disaster in Yokohama and was loved by everyone.

Mori Ōgai was always on guard against having his employees poached.

Zhu Yu, of course, had no idea what the black-hearted red scarf was thinking, and with a "woof," she opened her mouth to accept Alice's loving feeding.

She swallowed what was in her mouth carefully before speaking: "No, Mr. Mori. Please don't act like a heartless, abandoned husband."

Wait, did I accidentally blurt out what was on my mind? Well... anyway, it was the truth.

"W-Wait, whine about my husband?" Mori Ougai felt like he'd been shot in the heart, and without any semblance of leadership, he complained to Alice, "Alice-chan, please speak up for me! Saying 'socks' is really going too far!"

"Hmph, it's normal for Rintaro to be disliked for being so suspicious." Alice didn't even glance at him, engrossed in feeding Zhu Yu.

Zhu Yu is a very well-behaved eater; she eats every spoonful offered and never refuses anything.

If it notices that a new spoonful hasn't been served, it will look at you expectantly, as if to say, "Is there more?"

Alice silently covered her nose.

Mori Ougai looked as if he had been struck by lightning, and turned to ask Zhu Yu, "Am I hated by [Socks]-chan?" He added a faint but definitely audible sigh.

Zhu Yu slowly swallowed the cake. Hmm, this piece was a bit too sweet.

“I don’t dislike it,” she said.

Anyway, players don't dislike those who like them.

"Does that count as liking?" Mori Ougai pressed.

Hmm! To be honest, aside from the fact that he becomes extremely perverted when talking to Alice, sometimes speaks in a very cryptic way that drives players crazy, and sometimes drags players into the "battle" when they are watching Dazai and Chuuya argue, he should be alright, right?

As for Dazai's complaint about "exploiting his subordinates," she sees it simply as NPCs being very concerned about players and frequently giving them tasks, which is actually a plus for her.

Of course, the most important point is...

Players are very particular about luck!

Even if the NPCs' appearance changes from a two-dimensional chibi style to a three-dimensional style, it can't stop players from appreciating their beauty.

Zhu Yu scrutinized Sen Ougai with a critical eye.

A few strands of hair fell across her forehead, adding just the right amount of casualness. Her facial features were soft yet three-dimensional, with thin, pale lips. What was most striking were her deep eyes. Once she narrowed them, the darkness suddenly came alive, revealing a cold glint like a drawn blade.

He exudes the composure and self-control characteristic of a mature man.

Seemingly noticing her gaze, Mori Ougai's lips habitually curled up, a half-smile that carried an unfathomable meaning.

Okay, well, it's actually quite pretty.

Zhu Yu silently withdrew her gaze, choosing to lower her head instead: "Fine, Mr. Sen is handsome, I like him."

The black-haired girl sat relaxed not far away, her eyes calm but serious as she spoke, as if discussing the weather as casually as if it were a conversation.

His eyebrows lifted very slightly, his eyelashes paused briefly in astonishment, and then quickly fell back down.

His gaze lingered on her, his eyes carrying an almost tangible weight, creating the illusion of a dense, oppressive pressure pressing down on her skin, as if a venomous snake were flicking its tongue and clinging to her...

Suddenly, a low laugh escaped his throat.

"......Ah."

Zhu Yu silently moved closer to Alice.

*

"...I should have listened to the famous detective and stayed away from that weird old man!" Ranpo complained bluntly as he took the cake from Zhu Yu.

"But Mr. Mori is my boss, so it's generally unavoidable."

Zhu Yu pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Edogawa Ranpo.

Ever since meeting Edogawa Ranpo, this famous detective with a sweet tooth has become smitten with her, or rather, her sweets. He frequently visits the shop to enjoy desserts or orders deliveries to the Armed Detective Agency.

However, after joining the Port Mafia, Zhu Yu went out early and returned late every day, rarely going to the dessert shop, which is why he ran into her less often.

She remembered seeing him in a shop not long after she joined the Port Mafia.

After only one glance, the other party opened its emerald green eyes in surprise and anger.

Chapter 64 made a mistake that every player in the world would make.

Like a cat with its fur standing on end, its cheeks puffed out roundly, its green eyes wide open, almost spitting fire.

He crossed his arms tightly to his chest in dissatisfaction, raising his chin high: "Didn't I already tell you? The leader of that organization is a heartless old man. If you join, be prepared to be used and exploited until you're completely drained of your last bit of value before being discarded."

As he spoke, his eyes drooped, making him look like a cat whose beloved dried fish had been stolen. His clear green eyes were filled with accusations of "you idiot," yet he couldn't help but steal worried glances at her reaction.

She looked completely bewildered, as if she had no idea what was going on.

"Hmph!" He suddenly turned around, a tuft of his short black hair sticking up in anger. "You didn't agree when the president invited you to join the detective agency, so why do you have to follow along just because that 'King of Sheep' joined?"

"...We invited them first, didn't we?"

He said the last sentence in a very low voice, and awkwardly kicked the ground with the tip of his shoe.

He's clearly a brilliant detective, but right now he's acting like a sulking three-year-old, his back view practically screaming, "Come and comfort me!"

After listening to everything, Zhu Yu understood—the famous detective was somewhat annoyed by her sudden joining the Port Mafia.

And Chuuya was also mentioned...

Although she did join the Port Mafia because of Chuuya (feeling guilty and sweating), that didn't stop her from finding herself having a great time there...

Zhu Yu looked at the small flames rising from Ranbu's head and was at a loss.

"I apologize for Ranpo." Zhu Yu walked around him, leaned closer, and squeezed his fingers. "Please forgive me, Lord Edogawa."

"...Call me Ranpo."

“Okay, Ranpo.” Zhu Yu obediently replied.

"What's wrong with you? Why are you listening to me so much now?" Ranpo muttered, but his body still turned back obediently.

He would never admit that he's so easy to fool!

Ranpo deeply resented the heartless leader who had hurt Yosano Akiko, but he never expected that his trusted friend would turn around and join the Port Mafia after rejecting the Detective Agency.

It will take at least a month, no! A year of discounted desserts to calm me down!

Zhu Yu scratched his head, feeling a sense of helplessness that his misdeeds had been exposed and there was nothing he could do to make amends.

The player simply made the same mistake that all players make—loving every NPC they like equally.

Edogawa Ranpo naturally knew that her joining the Port Mafia was a done deal and could not be changed.

"Stay away from that shady old man from now on, or don't come looking for my help if you get entangled with him!"

Ranpo was all bravado as he spoke, but his spirits soon deflated, and he stammered, "But if you really run into trouble... it's not like I can't help you."

As an all-powerful detective, he will still choose to protect her!

Wow, the little detective is helping the player! Hello, little detective!

Zhu Yu spun around on the spot and offered sweets to the famous detective.

This matter is finally over.

*

Rewind the timeline—

"Awoo—" Zhu Yu sat opposite Edogawa Ranpo, enjoying the cake she had made.

It's no wonder she worked so hard to reach level 9 [Pastry Chef], how can she make such delicious desserts!

Moreover, you don't have to worry about gaining weight or getting cavities while eating in the game!

Heaven...this must be heaven~

Zhu Yu is so happy she's dizzy.

Ranpo, in a moment of great compassion, pushed his favorite dessert toward her.

Hmph, [Kuzi] finally managed to taste it, so let the famous detective have her way...

Zhu Yu noticed his action and naturally accepted, "Thank you, Ranpo."

"Good to know!" He immediately raised his chin, like a cat that had been stroked comfortably, its tail already wagging but still trying to act arrogant. "Others don't get this treatment. The famous detective has been very good to you, hasn't he... So, don't let the black-hearted uncle win you over so easily."

"Ranpo is good, Mori is bad." Zhu Yu was very supportive.

"Hmph..." Ranpo hummed softly, but the tips of his ears were secretly turning red. "Since you admit that being a famous detective is great, then you have to come with me to the 'Detective Reasoning Competition' in America in a few months!"

"While famous detectives don't need assistants... well, it wouldn't be bad if you were my assistant."

Famous detective Edogawa Ranpo will be traveling to the United States in a few months to participate in a "Detective Mystery Competition." He warmly invites you to go with him. What will you choose?

A. refused with a serious expression: "That's a different price."

B slammed his hand on the table, lit his pipe, and said, "Oh~ what are you talking about, my dear little assistant? Now I'm the real detective."

C. Reaching out his hand to him: "I have indeed heard your wish. You are the one destined to receive it. Please give me five yen."

Zhu Yu really wanted to accept this quest, which might unlock a new side quest, in a perfectly normal way, but unfortunately the system options wouldn't allow it (shaking his head).

Anticipating that the little detective might get angry if she chose B, she chose C with a mix of regret and secret joy.

That's five yen!

No matter how small a mosquito is, it is still meat!

The moment she made her choice, time began to flow again, her body automatically performed the actions chosen in the options, and she spoke each word clearly.

But because it was a natural reaction, she paused for a moment after making the choice, blinked, and silently savored it.

It's a strange feeling, not the subtle feeling of being controlled by another person, but more like the subconscious actions of the body.

So, will games add an idle mode in the future?

Zhu Yu waited silently for three seconds.

"Five yen?" Ranpo repeated slowly, his tone rising subtly at the end, instantly understanding the meaning behind it.

5 yen（ごえん）——Fate（ご縁）

He reached into his wallet and precisely pulled out a five-yen coin, the metal tracing a gleaming arc in the air—

"Give."

The coin was pressed into Zhu Yu's palm.

"So—" Ranpo maintained the position of placing his fingers on Zhu Yu's palm without moving, the warmth of his fingertips seeming to penetrate the cold metal and reach her palm, "The bond is formed."

"There's no going back now. We're already connected by fate."

Ranbu raised his wrist, as if a "fate thread" truly connected him to Zhu Yu was tied there.

As he moved, a system notification popped up—

Chapter 65: Faction Switch?

Congratulations on obtaining the CG "Bound by Your Fate"!

Suddenly a gust of wind picked up, and the faint sound of wind chimes drifted from the direction of the doorway. The black-haired detective raised his right hand smugly, his profile incredibly soft in the backlight.

Zhu Yu, belatedly realizing that her words could actually be interpreted in this way: I've learned something new!

Although the CG was achieved by accident, it didn't stop her from proudly putting her hands on her hips, radiating happiness.

Haha, that's so me!

After admiring the CG image, Zhu Yu operated the panel that appeared in the void and paid attention to a new side quest in the task list - [Participate in the "Detective Reasoning Competition" with Edogawa Ranpo (not yet unlocked)].

This task is currently grayed out and "unlocked," meaning it will likely only unlock after a specified in-game time.

She had encountered tasks with a pre-determined timeframe before, where the task could only officially begin at the exact time.

Having a general idea in mind, Zhu Yu chose to continue the game.

After saying those words, Edogawa Ranpo exuded a pleasant aura and continued to enjoy the delicious dessert.

Zhu Yu naturally joined in happily.