I Am Looking Forward To It

Time rewind to the moment of the phone call.

"Hey, young master, what are your orders?"

Chisato Nishikigi's ever-energetic voice came through the phone, with the faint noise of distant club activities in the background—clearly she was in the middle of her "socializing with the senior students" mission.

"Chisato, there's a temporary mission."

Mazumi Mami quickly laid out Sakayanagi Arisu's situation, his own judgment, and the plan in concise terms.

Their communication devices had long been deeply encrypted and anti-eavesdropping modified by Walnut, so there was no need to worry about the conversation leaking.

"So, the young master needs me to use my life mana to concoct a... hmm, a 'nutrient solution' that only takes effect with long-term consumption, meant to 'attract' that young lady from the Sakayanagi family, right?"

Chisato Nishikigi quickly grasped the core and accurately pinpointed the key requirement of "long-term effect."

"Exactly. This is just a lure—let her see hope and taste the sweetness, but never satisfy her all at once. She needs to develop a sustained dependence and anticipation."

Mazumi Mami confirmed, then added, "Also, when you're mixing it, remember to add a 'marking' function. If I recall correctly, as long as an individual is steeped or marked by your life mana over time, you can roughly sense their location and condition, no matter the distance?"

"Saying I can sense their 'every move' might be a bit of an exaggeration..."

Chisato Nishikigi's voice carried a smile, but her tone was firm.

"But pinpointing exactly where she is and judging whether her vital signs are stable—that's absolutely no problem. Even if she runs to the other end of the Chongying Protectorate, as long as my mana imprint is still inside her, I can 'tag' her out from a sea of people."

Chisato Nishikigi said.

"That's enough. Keeping tabs on this young lady's movements is hugely beneficial to us. She's the director's daughter, after all... she might even become our 'guide' to finding the S System's core server room or other key facilities."

Mazumi Mami's voice dropped even lower.

"Got it! Then I'll go find Takina right now—she's sure to have some specially sealed bottles suitable for storage in her space. Since it's a 'nutrient solution,' the packaging has to look 'premium' enough, right?"

Chisato Nishikigi immediately had a plan of action.

"Mm, the packaging does need some effort."

"Also, make sure to disguise it well and counter any detection. Our 'abilities' are one of the world's greatest secrets, and at least for now, it seems the Chongying Protectorate hasn't grasped anything similar. We can't let any abnormal readings show up under conventional testing."

Mazumi Mami said.

"Don't worry, young master!"

Chisato Nishikigi's tone brimmed with confidence.

"The essence of my life mana is extremely unique. Under standard scientific instrument testing, its properties and energy fluctuations are almost indistinguishable from high-quality nutritional supplements or certain rare biological extracts."

"This is a power that surpasses the current level of mortal technology. Their existing knowledge systems can't even begin to understand or identify its true nature."

"After all, this is the fruit of over a thousand years of Shenzhou Empire's technological advancement. For them to think they can crack it in a single generation—that's pure wishful thinking."

Chisato Nishikigi said.

"Good. I'm counting on you, Chisato."

Mazumi Mami said.

"Leave it to me!"

Chisato Nishikigi said.

After the call ended, Mazumi Mami didn't have to wait long.

About twenty minutes later, accompanied by a light patter of footsteps, Chisato Nishikigi's figure appeared at the entrance of the small garden.

She jogged over, her face flushed from exertion, carefully holding a delicately crafted, frosted long-necked glass bottle in her hands.

The bottle's lines were smooth, catching the sunlight with a soft sheen. The mouth featured a complex screw-seal structure, with an intricate dropper design attached.

The liquid inside was a pure milky white, slightly thicker than water when swirled, shimmering with a pearl-like luster.

"Young master, the goods are here!"

Chisato Nishikigi handed the bottle to Mazumi Mami, her movements brisk yet steady.

"Thanks for the trouble. Want to sit down and rest a bit?"

Mazumi Mami took the bottle—it was cool to the touch, with a fine texture.

"Hehe, no need. My 'intel gathering' over there isn't done yet. A few of the senior students seem to know some interesting things."

Chisato Nishikigi winked, a sly glint flashing in her amber eyes.

"But... once all today's tasks are finished, you'd better give me a good shoulder rub, okay? Running around like this is pretty tiring~"

Chisato Nishikigi said.

"No problem, you've got my word."

Mazumi Mami replied, a smile in his eyes.

"Then I'm off! Good luck, young master!"

Chisato Nishikigi waved, turned, and dashed away like a gust of wind, her short golden hair bouncing in the sunlight.

Sakayanagi Arisu, seated on the bench, watched the scene quietly. Only after Chisato's figure vanished into the greenery did she slowly speak.

"That maid of yours... her style of action is quite unique. Lively and outgoing, full of energy—she doesn't seem like someone who's undergone strict, professional training at all."

Her tone was flat, impossible to tell if it was praise or criticism.

"That's exactly what I appreciate about her."

Mazumi Mami turned around and gently placed the nutrient solution bottle on the bench, between the two of them.

"If all maids were stamped from the same mold—rigid, proper, devoid of personality—how dull would life be? Rather than binding them into puppets with stiff rules, I'd rather see them show their true selves and unique traits. As long as they're reliable when it counts, what's wrong with a little liveliness the rest of the time?"

Mazumi Mami said.

"That's true."

A faint, almost imperceptible flicker of agreement passed through Sakayanagi Arisu's violet eyes. "I also detest... overly boring people and things."

"Then, back to the main topic."

Mazumi Mami tapped the delicate glass bottle with his finger.

"This is a sample of a 'Special Nutrient Solution' I take regularly. It's not a miracle cure that directly heals illness, but rather, through long-term, stable supplementation of the body's required special nutrients and gentle regulation of physiological functions, it fundamentally improves constitution, laying the groundwork for possible further treatment."

He pointed to the clear, precise markings on the bottle.

"This bottle is a one-week supply. Take it once a day, roughly one-seventh of the amount each time. It can be taken orally directly, or mixed into warm or plain water without affecting the results. I recommend taking it at a fixed time to maintain stable concentration of the components in your body."

Mazumi Mami said.

"Is it really that simple?"

Sakayanagi Arisu's gaze shifted from the bottle to Mazumi Mami's face, scrutinizing him.

"Of course, this is just the 'foundation' and 'prelude.'"

Mazumi Mami replied frankly. "Deeper, more direct treatment plans require mutual trust and a specific evaluation.

For now, this 'introductory gift' should be enough for you to feel its difference and believe that I'm not lying, right?"

Sakayanagi Arisu was silent for a moment, then reached out and picked up the glass bottle, still carrying a slight chill.

Her fingers traced the smooth surface of the bottle, her gaze as if trying to pierce through the milky white liquid and see the secrets within.

"Aren't you afraid I'll secretly take it for analysis and then break free from my dependence on you?"

Sakayanagi Arisu said.

"Do as you please."

Mazumi Mami said with a smile.

"You really are confident."

Sakayanagi Arisu smiled.

In the end, Sakayanagi Arisu nodded and carefully stowed the bottle into a small bag she carried with her.

"Then, I'll accept this 'introductory gift.'"

Sakayanagi Arisu said.

"I look forward to Classmate Sakayanagi's feedback and impressions after using it."

Mazumi Mami smiled, his amber-gold eyes appearing especially deep in the dappled light of the tree shadows. "And even more, I look forward to the day you finally agree to my little proposal."

"Then... we'll wait and see."

Sakayanagi Arisu let out a soft breath, her violet eyes regaining their usual calm detachment, but deep within, there seemed to be a faint, unprecedented ripple.

The afternoon sunlight filtered through the branches, casting shifting patches of light between the two.

A covert transaction concerning health and loyalty, potential and control, had quietly established its first silent contract with the handover of this seemingly ordinary bottle of "nutrient solution."

How the future would unfold depended on how real the "change" brought by this liquid was, and on how these two equally intelligent and unwilling-to-be-outdone youths would weigh, strategize, and choose in the school life ahead.