Mash-Up Anime World: Anything for Money

Even as Hakuto maintained his usual smile, deep inside, he was cringing so hard that he had metaphorically dug an entire Barbie Dreamhouse with his toes.

However, thanks to his professional ethics, he didn't let any of it show. After all, the girl in front of him—Takanashi Rikka—was his primary source of income.

Meanwhile, Rikka, brimming with excitement, struck a dramatic pose. Covering her eye with one hand, she smirked triumphantly.

"Since the Hero has sworn an oath..."

"Then I, the wielder of the Dark Lord's Mystic Eyes, shall accept it!"

"With that settled... I should head bac—"

Before Rikka could finish her sentence, Hakuto suddenly took her hand, putting on an expression of deep concern.

"Dark Lord's Mystic Eyes, where shall we meet tomorrow?"

Seeing Hakuto's unusually enthusiastic expression, Rikka instinctively took a few steps back.

But as a seasoned practitioner of chuunibyou, she quickly regained her composure. Placing her hand over her eye again, she declared in a solemn tone,

"In the domain of the Iron Fist of Destruction, the Dark Lord's Mystic Eyes and the Undefeated Weakest Hero shall reunite."

Hakuto didn't react to her cryptic phrasing, maintaining his calm demeanor as he continued to ask,

"Would you like me to bring you lunch?"

"Or do you need breakfast as well?"

"Huh?"

Rikka was completely caught off guard by Hakuto's behavior today. 

She had engaged in these kinds of transactions before, but breakfast and lunch had always been monopolized by that golden-haired girl.

"Does the Hero not need to prepare food for the Golden-Haired Ice Block?"

Hakuto shook his head with a gentle smile.

"How could the Golden-Haired Ice Block ever be more important than the Dark Lord's Mystic Eyes?"

Hearing those words, Rikka nearly stumbled right then and there. However, her years of experience allowed her to recover instantly.

"It seems the Hero has finally broken free from the illusions of the Golden-Haired Ice Block and returned to the side of the Dark Lord's Mystic Eyes!"

"No wonder my eyes sensed a disturbance today—so this is what happened!"

As she spoke, Rikka instinctively pressed a hand against her covered eye, as if immense power was about to burst forth at any moment.

"So, what does the Dark Lord's Mystic Eyes wish to eat to replenish her energy?"

"Heh, Hero, you should already know the source of my power, shouldn't you?"

Hakuto nodded, not just to humor her, but because he genuinely did know.

"Now that the message has been delivered, the Dark Lord's Mystic Eyes must return to her base."

Seeing that Rikka was finally willing to leave, Hakuto smiled and once again gestured toward the door.

"That won't work. If I leave like this, the Holy Disciplinary Squad will definitely catch me..."

"What?"

Just as Hakuto furrowed his brows in confusion, Rikka spun dramatically on her heel and strode toward the balcony.

"This... is my escape route!"

Standing on the railing, she grabbed hold of a rope she had set up earlier and, using both her hands and feet, began climbing up with surprising agility.

Hakuto was left standing there, utterly dumbfounded.

"Sometimes, I seriously think she has superpowers..."

Running a hand through his hair, Hakuto turned to head back inside and resumed his interrupted bath. 

But just as he was about to step away, Rikka suddenly started sliding back down the rope.

The two locked eyes, neither speaking for a long moment.

Finally, still dangling from the rope, Rikka gave him an awkward grin and muttered,

"Hero... help me."

"...On my way..."

Hakuto really wanted to make a snarky remark. He really, really did.

But then he remembered—she was his client. And as a professional, he couldn't afford to get a bad review.

"Thank you for your assistance, Hero. The Dark Lord's Mystic Eyes shall remember your kindness."

Sighing, Hakuto reached out and gently supported Rikka's small feet, still wrapped in black stockings, helping her regain her footing.

Only after she successfully climbed back up and put away the rope did Hakuto finally, finally step away from the balcony.

As Hakuto was about to enter the bathroom again, a faint but sharp camera shutter sound suddenly echoed in the quiet room.

I'm doomed...

Hakuto rubbed his forehead helplessly. He knew that sound all too well—so well that he was practically conditioned to react to it.

The next second, he turned around with a smile, looking eagerly at Ginko, who was standing at the doorway.

"Ginko, what's wrong?"

"Can't sleep?"

"Or are you hungry? Want me to get you something to eat?"

Ginko didn't respond immediately. She simply flipped through her phone, her gaze cold as she stared at him.

I'm really doomed...

At this moment, Hakuto had completely lost the mood for a bath. Ginko was his most important client, his golden sponsor—he wished he could worship her like a deity.

Putting on his best smile, Hakuto walked up to her, standing before her with utmost sincerity.

He was sure Ginko had seen his interaction with Rikka earlier, which explained her current mood.

"You lolicon! Pervert! Go die!"

"I'm calling the cops right now!"

Ginko kicked Hakuto's knee without hesitation, forcing him to kneel on the floor.

Lolicon?!

Hakuto wanted so badly to argue, but he couldn't—not with his golden sponsor standing before him.

Still, he couldn't help but complain in his mind.

What do you mean, lolicon?! Rikka has been my classmate since middle school. She's fifteen now, only a year younger than me!

Meanwhile, Ginko—she's still in middle school! 

She's only fourteen, a whole year younger than Rikka!

In China, this age difference is literally on the edge of legality. 

Any wrong step and I'd be eating prison food!

Sure, Rikka had a childlike appearance, but Ginko seemed to have conveniently forgotten that she was the same—just a loli on the outside with a mature heart.

Despite his mental complaints, Hakuto kept his expression neutral, enduring the slight pain in his knee.

Forcing a smile, he said, "No, you've misunderstood, Ginko… Rikka and I are just normal friends."

"You bastard! Who asked for your explanation?!"

Ginko pressed a folded fan against Hakuto's chin, her expression dangerous—like she was ready to skin him alive at any moment.

"Is it because you care about me so much, Ginko…?"

Hakuto's voice was sincere, innocent even, as he smiled through his supposed pain. 

But with his devilishly handsome face, the expression looked more like a mischievous smirk, enough to make anyone want to punch him.

Ginko was no exception. She took slow, deliberate steps around him, finally seating herself beside the freshly arranged shogi board.

This was typical of Ginko. Whether she was in a good mood or bad, she always turned to shogi as a way to vent. 

In her world, shogi was the second most important thing.

As for the first…

Without a word, Ginko glanced at Hakuto, still kneeling on the floor. Then, she casually pointed at the seat across from her.

"What are you waiting for?"

"Ah… coming…"

Although Hakuto was helpless in the situation, he obediently sat across from Ginko. What else could he do? 

She was the almighty client.

Honestly, Hakuto had no idea why Ginko got so worked up. 

This wasn't the first time—every time he so much as had a close interaction with another girl, she'd put on this terrifying expression, as if she wanted to murder someone.

Fortunately, they weren't in the same school. If Ginko ever found out that he had been in the same class as Eriri for two years, she might just roundhouse kick his head off.

But perhaps it wasn't surprising. In Ginko's mind, Hakuto was already her possession. Someone else touching what was hers? 

Of course, she'd be furious.

Even though she'd told herself before that she should give Hakuto some personal space, she just couldn't help but get angry.

Hakuto watched as Ginko played her shogi pieces with swift, precise movements. The crisp sounds of the pieces hitting the board filled the air.

He knew she was still fuming.

To ease the tension, Hakuto took the initiative to start a conversation.

"Ginko, do you remember why I started playing shogi?"

"If I recall correctly, you said it was because of a classmate…"

"No, no—it was for survival."

Seeing Ginko's confused expression, Hakuto smirked to himself, ready to recount his tale of survival.

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Ginko, you should try and look at the mirror...

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