Invincible Me Only Wants to Slack Off

Looking at Kitagawa's eyes—so full of anticipation, anxiety, and even a hint of grievance—the refusal rolled on his tongue again and again before finally turning into a delaying tactic tinged with compromise:

"Marin," Rin's voice softened, gentle. "Please wait a little longer."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over Chen Tian's eyes, which had returned to calm but seemed as deep as a pool, before finally settling on Kitagawa's face.

"Wait until I come back from Fuyuki City, okay?"

The light in Kitagawa's face dimmed instantly, like a deflated balloon. Her shoulders slumped, and she pouted, muttering under her breath, "Still have to wait..."

Chen Tian reached out at just the right moment, soothingly ruffling her soft blonde hair. His voice returned to its usual warmth: "Alright, Marin. Respect Miss Tohsaka's decision."

Though still a bit sulky, Kitagawa's mood eased slightly after Chen Tian tousled her hair.

She looked up at Rin, a trace of reluctance still in her eyes, but she nodded. "Fine... Rin-chan, come back and we'll get the paperwork done!"

"Mm." Rin replied softly, the tension in her heart loosening a little at Marin's simple, genuine concern.

A soft click of a door closing came from the second floor, and the living room fell completely silent.

Chen Tian remained lounging on the single sofa, legs crossed, posture unchanged. The light from his phone screen illuminated his calm face as his thumb swiped quickly across it, seemingly handling messages.

Soon, light footsteps came down the stairs. Kitagawa Marin appeared at the entrance to the living room. She didn't bounce over as usual; her steps carried a subdued gloom.

Her eyes locked onto Chen Tian on the sofa, she dashed over and buried herself in his arms.

"Mmm..." She pressed her face into his chest, her lips pouted high, her voice muffled and full of grievance.

The corner of Chen Tian's mouth lifted. He set down his phone, his arms naturally wrapping around her, one hand gently stroking her smooth blonde hair.

"Still upset?" His voice was low and warm.

The head in his arms nodded vigorously. "I'm just worried about Rin-chan..."

She nuzzled against his chest, then looked up, her big eyes filled with sincerity and concern. "Rin-chan and I are really, really close. You don't know—when we were kids, whenever she came to my place, I was the one who took her around."

She adjusted her position, leaning against Chen Tian's shoulder, and began counting on her fingers. "When she first arrived, she was so reserved. I'd drag her to read my manga, braid her hair, take her to the convenience store for ice cream... She didn't talk much, but I know she remembered everything."

Chen Tian listened quietly, his fingers absently running through her long hair.

"Later, when we got closer, she'd smile once in a while. It was really beautiful." Kitagawa's voice gradually softened, tinged with the tenderness of memory. "She's had it so hard... Tian Jun, do you think when she goes back this time, the Tohsaka family will give her a hard time?"

She let out a small sigh, her brows furrowing. "I know Rin-chan must have something she can't talk about. Ah... I've met Rin-chan's father a few times before. He seemed like a very gentle person, but there was always this indescribable mystery about him, like you couldn't really see through him."

After saying that, she seemed even more deflated. Her arms tightened around Chen Tian's waist, as if drawing strength from him, or perhaps pouring out her worries for her cousin.

Chen Tian held her, his chin gently brushing the top of her head. His tone was soothing: "Don't worry too much. Miss Rin is much stronger than you think."

The head in his arms rubbed against his chest, her voice muffled. "I just can't help worrying..."

Chen Tian smiled silently, saying nothing, just gently patting her back.

Just then, the phone beside him lit up and vibrated. He reached over to glance at it, and the curve of his lips deepened.

"Xiao Meng," he said, lowering his chin to rub against her hair, "I've got a new concert scheduled."

"A new show?" Kitagawa immediately lifted her head, her earlier gloom replaced by curiosity. She blinked at him.

Chen Tian hummed in affirmation and directly turned the phone screen toward her.

On the screen was a message from his manager, Tatsuzuka Yayoi, concise and clear:

? "Tian Jun, the new venue is confirmed. Fuyuki City Gymnasium." ?

"Fuyuki City... Gymnasium?" Kitagawa read it out slowly, her eyes suddenly lighting up like a light bulb switched on. She perked up completely.

Her earlier worries were almost swept away, replaced by pure excitement.

She snatched Chen Tian's phone and double-checked. "Really, Fuyuki City? Tian Jun, you're going to hold a concert in Fuyuki?!"

"Mm." Chen Tian looked at her instantly radiant face, the amusement in his eyes deepening.

"Whoohoo!" Kitagawa cheered, leaping straight out of Chen Tian's arms. She spun around happily on the spot, her golden hair flying. "Awesome! That's amazing!"

The moment her cheer faded, she darted back into Chen Tian's arms like a homing bird, a fragrant breeze trailing behind her. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

She tilted her face up, her eyes now dazzlingly bright, as if filled with crushed starlight, staring at him without blinking.

She got it! She understood instantly!

This wasn't some coincidental new show arrangement. This was her Boyfriend, seeing her worry and disappointment, specially arranging it for her!

He had his manager add a concert in Fuyuki City, so she could openly go with him, under the guise of work, legitimately set foot on Fuyuki's soil, and fulfill her wish to help Rin-chan!

This unspoken sentiment was silent yet burning hot.

"Boyfriend..." Her voice was like honey, soft and sweet, carrying a rare tenderness and allure. Her eyes held undisguised love and gratitude. "Thank you."

Chen Tian looked down at the brilliant light in her eyes, the corner of his mouth lifting. He raised a hand to naturally ruffle her hair, his voice low and amused. "You're welcome, Girlfriend."

Kitagawa's heart was filled with an overwhelming sense of happiness. She grinned, leaned in quickly, and planted a loud kiss on Chen Tian's lips.

Then, like a cat that had stolen a treat, she buried her flushed cheeks in the crook of his neck. Her warm breath brushed against his ear, her voice dropping very low, playful and slightly tempting:

"Hey... there's a bathroom upstairs. Rin-chan probably won't come down anymore." Her soft fingertips traced unconscious circles on his chest. "To protect the planet's environment and not waste water resources... Boyfriend,"

She paused, her breath drawing even closer to his sensitive earlobe, carrying a sweet hint. "Want to take a bath together later?"

Chapter 33: Heading to Fuyuki City

Warm steam filled the bathroom as Tohsaka Rin soaked in the tub, only her head above the water.

The mist swirled, but it couldn't dissolve the gravity etched between her brows.

Her mind, like a stuck tape recorder, replayed Chen Tian's calm yet resolute words over and over—"I'll handle it."

Handle what? How?

Tracing back further, there was that line in the car: "Tear it down."

Tear down the Holy Grail? Like discarding an unwanted toy? That was the root that countless Magician families had staked their lives on, schemed for generations, and stirred up bloodbaths over!

Rin closed her eyes, as if she could see the brutal scenes recorded in her family's secret archives: Magicians slaughtering each other, Heroic Spirits unleashing destruction, all to touch the Holy Grail that was said to grant any wish.

Every war meant death, injury, conspiracy, and betrayal. It was a ritual forged from blood and despair.

And in Chen Tian's mouth, ending it all seemed... as simple as swatting a fly?

"I'll handle it"—four light words, yet they carried an arrogance that ignored all rules and power.

Those powerful Masters, those mythical Heroic Spirits, seemed nonexistent in his eyes.

Rin's eyes snapped open, her ice-blue irises a mess of confusion.

Logic told her this was utterly absurd—what right did an ordinary person (at least on the surface) have? But deep in her heart, a strange flicker of doubt stirred, even... a sliver of "trust" she didn't want to admit to herself.

Annoyed, she raised a hand and roughly grabbed her wet hair.

"Ugh, stop thinking!" she muttered, as if trying to shake off those nagging thoughts.

Water splashed loudly as Rin stood up and stepped out of the tub. Droplets rolled down her smooth skin. She grabbed a large bath towel, haphazardly dried her body and hair, and quickly slipped into comfortable loungewear.

Her mind was still a bit jumbled, and a wave of thirst hit her. She needed some water—maybe something cold would calm her nerves.

Rin pulled open the bathroom door, her bare feet padding across the cool floor as she headed straight downstairs. Just as she reached the stairway, a deliberately muffled giggle drifted up, catching her ears.

She pricked up her ears. Kitagawa's soft moans mixed with the sound of water floated up from the first-floor bathroom.

Rin's brow furrowed slightly as she lightened her steps and descended.

Warm yellow light seeped through the bathroom door crack, the splashing water mingling with Chen Tian's low chuckle and Kitagawa's clingy whine: "Tian Jun... stop it..."

Then came a crisp slap of water and a burst of giggles.

Rin's steps halted abruptly.

Her Magician-enhanced hearing let her clearly catch the suggestive sounds of rippling water in the tub, along with wet, smacking kisses.

Her pupils contracted sharply, and the tips of her ears burned red in an instant.

"Idiots, both of them!" she mouthed silently, her bare toes unconsciously curling. As she turned, her toe thumped against the stair railing, nearly making her jump.

The water sounds in the bathroom suddenly stopped. "Rin-chan?" Kitagawa's nasal voice called out.

Rin darted up the stairs like a startled cat, dashed into the guest room, and dove headfirst into the futon.

She buried her burning face in the pillow, her mind full of the sounds she'd just heard.

"Per... vert..." she muttered stuffily, yet inexplicably recalled the reassuring look in Chen Tian's eyes when he said "I'll handle it."

The girl under the covers tossed and turned in irritation, hiding her hot ears as well.

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains into the living room, and the scent of fried eggs wafted from the kitchen.

Kitagawa hummed a tune while hanging laundry in the yard, wet sheets swaying gently in the morning breeze.

Rin walked into the living room with dark circles under her eyes, bumping straight into Kitagawa, who was carrying an empty laundry basket back.

"Morning, Rin-chan~" Kitagawa greeted her energetically, a bright smile on her face.

Rin rubbed her eyes. "Morning, Marin-nee..." Before she could finish, the kitchen door swung open, and Chen Tian came out carrying three steaming bowls of noodles.

He wore a simple white T-shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing sturdy forearms.

"Morning, Miss Tohsaka." Chen Tian set the noodles on the dining table and gave Rin a gentle smile.

The moment her eyes met his face, the suggestive water sounds from last night replayed in her mind.

Her ears grew hot, and she stammered back, "M-morning..." before darting toward the bathroom like a startled rabbit, nearly smacking into the doorframe.

Kitagawa tilted her head, watching Rin's retreating figure. "Rin-chan's acting really weird today..."

Chen Tian glanced thoughtfully at the closed bathroom door, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "Maybe she didn't sleep well."

He neatly arranged the chopsticks. "Eat the noodles first—they'll get cold."

In the bathroom, Rin splashed cold water on her burning face. The girl in the mirror had flushed cheeks.

"Idiot..." she muttered softly, unsure who she was scolding.

Tokyo Station, in front of the ticket gate.

"Rin-chan, make sure to message me when you get home! Every day!" Kitagawa grabbed Rin's hands and shook them vigorously, her eyes sparkling.

"Mm." Rin nodded quietly.

"If you run into any trouble, even the smallest thing, tell me right away!" Kitagawa emphasized, still worried.

"I know, Marin-nee." Rin's voice was calm.

"Got enough money? Want me to give you some more pocket money? How's the weather in Fuyuki City? Did you pack enough clothes..."

Rin listened to Kitagawa's fragmented, warm nagging, her gaze shifting slightly to land on Chen Tian standing nearby.

He wore a black baseball cap and a white mask over his face, only a pair of emotionless eyes visible, like a backdrop prop.

"The Shinkansen bound for Fuyuki City is now arriving. Please board..." The station announcement rang out.

Kitagawa immediately snapped to attention, flinging her arms wide and giving Rin a solid hug. "Rin-chan, take care on the road!"

Rin froze for a moment at the embrace, then awkwardly patted her on the back. "Mm."

Letting go, Kitagawa's eyes reddened slightly as she waved reluctantly. "Message me when you get there!"

Rin pulled her small suitcase, nodded, turned, and swiped her ticket through the gate, her figure quickly disappearing into the passageway.

The moment Rin vanished from sight, the trace of parting sorrow on Kitagawa's face evaporated instantly.

She whirled around to face Chen Tian, shedding her gentle older-sister demeanor entirely, stomping her feet impatiently like a child about to go on an outing:

"Hurry, hurry! Boyfriend!"

Chen Tian looked at Kitagawa helplessly. "Don't rush."

"How can I not rush!" Kitagawa raised her right hand, forming a knife-hand, and slashed it through the air in front of her with a "swish, swish," her eyes sparkling like stars. "Find a secluded spot, quick, and pull out that thing of yours! 'Swish—' just like that!"

She made an excited chopping motion through the air. "We'll 'whoosh' appear in Fuyuki City and give Rin-chan a huge surprise!"

A surprise? Chen Tian watched his girlfriend's excited, naive face, the corner of his mouth twitching beneath the mask.

Rin-chan's probably going to be so startled she'll unleash magecraft on the spot... Fuyuki City's a powder keg right now.

He sighed inwardly, but his words were soothing. "Alright, alright, let's get out of here first."

Kitagawa immediately nodded as if she'd received a royal decree, grabbing Chen Tian's arm and tugging him outward. "Let's go, let's go! I know a hidden alley behind the station!"

She dragged Chen Tian as she charged forward, as if she could activate a space jump at any second.