Hesitate, and You'll... Lose!

If it turns into a man-eating monster, then I'm sorry.

"Alright, would any child like to try commanding the dolphins?"

A young woman in work clothes approached the audience seats, flashing a friendly smile.

"I!"

"I!"

A group of elementary school students eagerly raised their hands.

"Exist!"

Takanashi Rikka's voice was clear and resonant. Although she was a high school student, judging from her size, she could indeed be called a 'little kid'.

"Then... the girl over there."

The female staff member looked reluctant and pointed to someone.

"Can you tell everyone your name and age?"

"Little... Takanashi Rikka is a high school student."

Standing on the command platform, she first conducted an interview, which immediately embarrassed Rikka.

"Liar!"

"You look like a primary school student just like me!"

"Don't pretend to be mature!"

Immediately, many children were filled with righteous indignation.

"Puff."

Fujiwara Chika, who was standing nearby, laughed.

"Rikka does look quite small."

"Creak."

Shinomiya Kaguya silently glanced down at her impressive chest and clenched her fists.

A sleek and beautiful dolphin swam over as instructed, head held high in anticipation.

Unlike its kind, its eyes are very lively, as if it is curiously observing the people on the command platform.

In the eyes of the Spirit Beast, the girl who had become an Ability User was naturally different from others, making it feel a desire to get closer to her.

"Look closely at the dolphin's face, then shake your head from side to side..."

"No need, I have my own way!"

The female staff member was about to teach the girl how to give instructions, but the girl immediately rejected the idea.

It wasn't because of arrogance, but rather because when Takanashi Rikka looked into the eyes of this dolphin, she suddenly felt a sense of unspoken understanding.

"Hey, Takanashi-san, controlling dolphins isn't as simple as it sounds..."

The staff looked ashamed.

"Jump up!"

Takanashi Rikka spoke up.

Then, to everyone's astonishment, the dolphin seemed to understand human language, leaping high into the air, its glistening water sparkling brilliantly in the sunlight.

"Hahaha!"

"Dolphin, follow my heart!"

The Takanashi Rikka, laughed several times, then gave verbal commands, and the dolphins would perform the corresponding actions.

In an instant, the audience was presented with a stunning display of animal conducting artistry.

"Impossible!"

The staff couldn't believe it; they spent every day with dolphins and still couldn't achieve this.

"Wow!"

"So cool!"

"Sister is so cool!"

The children in the audience cheered excitedly.

When the time was up, the dolphin stopped at the edge of the pool.

As Takanashi Rikka stroked the dolphin's head, she asked, "Do you want to make a contract with me?"

The dolphin nodded.

Then, after thinking for a moment, she gently shook her head.

"Feel sorry."

I can't give you the carefree life you have now.

The dolphin did not express any regret; it simply nodded again and then turned to swim back to its kind.

A strange feeling welled up in the Girlish Heart, and she made a decision, turning to the sage to ask Sage to fulfill the dolphin's true purpose.

20

Chapter 20: Decisiveness Will Lead to... Defeat!

"Big sister, please teach me how to command dolphins!"

"I want to learn too! I want to learn too!"

Just as Takanashi Rikka walked back to the audience seats, a group of children surrounded her, all looking at her with admiration.

The young woman couldn't help but feel a little smug; such a feeling of being the center of attention was usually something only Sage could experience.

"It's very simple. You just need to connect with the dolphin's brainwaves, and then you can communicate with it using your mind."

She raised a finger and said in a serious tone.

"Big sister, don't think you can fool me just because I'm young!"

A little girl said in a clear, crisp voice.

The other children chimed in.

"Yes, everything I said is true!"

Takanashi Rikka spread her hands and sighed.

"If you don't believe me, go ask the magic conch."

Hasegawa Izumi walked over and said something joking.

"Alright, we should go."

The adults around them finally realized that something was wrong with the two and quickly pulled the child away.

"Hahaha..."

The girl put her hands on her hips and laughed repeatedly, experiencing a strange kind of pleasure.

Where to go next?

"Hasegawa Izumi spoke up."

"Before that, Sage, I need to ask you for a favor."

Takanashi Rikka's expression softened.

"... I would like to ask the Sage to release that dolphin back into the sea."

Taking a dolphin from an aquarium wouldn't be difficult for a young girl these days, but doing it without anyone noticing would be a bit troublesome and would inevitably cause some commotion, so she chose a safer method.

"I see."

Hasegawa Izumi was not surprised at all by this request.

As intelligent beings, who would willingly choose to be imprisoned or domesticated for their entire life?

Someone once said: Life is precious, love is more precious, but freedom is the most precious of all.

Of course, sometimes after experiencing the hardships of life, some people might prefer a life of just getting by... provided that they have the value to be supported.

Put that matter aside for now and decide to finish today's observation activities first.

As dusk approached.

We rested and waited in a pavilion outside the aquarium.

"To the Sage."

Takanashi Rikka took out some coins from her pocket, bought two cans of cola from the vending machine, and tossed one of them to him.

"Consider this your payment for today's service."

Hasegawa Izumi smiled slightly, pulled the tab on the can, and then tilted her head back to take a sip.

"The Sage really does like cola."

Takanashi Rikka paused for a moment, then lowered her head and smiled slightly, a blush appearing on both cheeks, before sitting down on the bench.

"I guess so? But I actually like a lot of drinks."

Which ones?

"Like Sprite, Scream, Gatorade, Red Bull, Wanglaoji herbal tea, iced tea, and things like that."

"Huh... I've never heard of any of these before. Are they drinks from another world?!"

"This world should exist too."

"Then, I'll give these gifts to the Sage next time."

The sky was painted a golden hue, and the afterglow of the setting sun spilled onto the small river in front of the pavilion, where the shimmering water flowed quietly.

The young men and women sitting under the pavilion chatted and laughed, creating a serene and beautiful scene.

A menacing gaze came from behind.

"They seem to be having a great time."

Shinomiya Kaguya hid in the corner, peeking out half of her body.

"Fujiwara, do you want to know what they're talking about?"

She said in a low, languid tone.

"No! Kaguya-chan, if you get any closer, you'll be discovered!"

Fujiwara Chika quickly grabbed her.

"You're not really taking this seriously, are you, Fujiwara? I was just saying."

Shinomiya Kaguya turned around, leaned against the wall, closed her eyes, and chose to ignore it.

She realized that he had no chance.

Fujiwara Chika continued watching, noticing that the two people on the bench remained unchanged, and remembered her duties.

Although I might feel bad for Kaguya-chan, Love Detective always keeps his word!

Once she made up her mind, she took out her phone.

"Ring ring..."

Takanashi Rikka took out her phone and looked at it. Her expression turned serious, and a bead of cold sweat rolled down her forehead.

[Rikka, the atmosphere's right, it's time to test the waters! Now let's see how Izumi-chan reacts.]

Fujiwara Chika didn't make her statement definitively, because she also considered another possibility: that if her confession failed, they might not even be able to remain friends.

"That, that... Sage."

Takanashi Rikka turned off her phone and stammered.