"Besides, if that many identical people went, something was bound to happen." Her serious expression melted away, replaced by a thoughtful look that lasted less than half a second before she continued to Jiu Ming, "In that case, there'll be one more 'Ninth Sister.'"
"...Are you kidding me?"
"I'm completely serious."
"You sold me out over a few slices of pizza." Jiu Ming let out a long sigh, feeling that he was worth less than a few pieces of pizza.
"Don't worry. When it truly matters, I'll definitely abandon the pizza."
So that meant pizza ranked No. 1 in your heart whenever it didn't matter!? Though it was rather infuriating, he could still accept that.
"Of course, you'll have to compensate me double afterward."
Damn it!!
"Why are you here?" While Jiu Ming was gloomily agonizing over this by himself, a familiar voice sounded from behind them.
Seeing Jiu Ming turn around, Kallen could not help but stare in surprise. "Why are you balancing plates on your head? Performing some low-grade circus act?"
"Yo! Kallen. Never thought you'd still be attending school."
"What kind of greeting is that? I'm a student—going to school is perfectly normal, isn't it?" Kallen rolled her eyes at Jiu Ming. "More importantly, what are you doing here?"
"Performing acrobatics." Jiu Ming raised the plates balanced on both hands. No matter how he moved, the plates seemed glued to him, not wobbling in the slightest. Her gaze kept sweeping over him. Since the crushing pressure that had once weighed on her was gone, the students of Ashford Academy had all noticed in surprise that the frail red-haired young lady's health had improved lately. She talked more, too... and acted quiet and demure less often.
Well, she was simply playing herself.
"Come to think of it, I