Ark Simulator, Don't I Lack a Physical Body?

"Mr. Su Rui's voice is so beautiful..." Blue Poison exclaimed, cupping her face in her hands, "Like the first snow of winter."

Istina's fox ears perked up. "The piano piece was even more amazing! That key change was simply genius!"

Orchid, carrying a teacup, passed by and couldn't help but stop. "What are you looking at?"

"This!" Blue Poison raised her terminal. "A new video from Moe Moe Xiang!"

Orchid's ears twitched slightly. "Ah, this..." Her gaze swept over Su Rui's profile in the video, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Indeed... very exciting."

In a corner of the rest area, Hoshiguma was scrolling through comments with a dark expression. Although Moe Moe Xiang had deleted most of the extreme comments, quite a few had still slipped through the net.

[What type of girl does Mr. Su Rui like?]

[These hands are amazing! How can piano fingers be so beautiful!]

Does anyone know his dorm room number? A friend of mine wants to...

"Bang!"

The Hannya Shield was deeply embedded in the wall. The entire rest area instantly fell silent.

Su Rui hugged Hoshiguma from behind, her silver hair falling over her shoulder. "... Don't be angry."

Hoshiguma's green eyes softened slightly. "I'm not angry."

"You're lying." Su Rui rested her chin on her shoulder. "Your horns are glowing."

That's something that only happens when Hoshiguma is emotionally agitated.

Hoshiguma turned her face away. "... So annoying."

Su Rui chuckled softly, her warm breath brushing against her earlobe. "Mine."

"What?"

"I'm yours," Su Rui's voice was soft, but every word was clear, "So don't worry."

Hoshiguma's ears instantly turned bright red. She turned around and grabbed Su Rui's collar. "... Say it again."

"I am yours."

"Not enough."

Su Rui's silver hair shimmered softly under the lamplight as he leaned down and whispered in her ear, "Forever."

A scream suddenly erupted from the rest area—it turned out that Moe Moe Xiang had accidentally turned the video to maximum volume, and Su Rui's piano music echoed throughout the space.

Hoshiguma's green eyes swept over the group of female operators who were covering their mouths and snickering, then she suddenly grabbed Su Rui and pulled her outside. "Let's go home."

"Etc..."

"Now."

Su Rui stumbled a few steps as she pulled him along, his silver hair fluttering behind him. Before leaving, he glanced back at Moe Moe Xiang, the silver dust forming two words in the air: "[Thank you]".

Moe Moe Xiang grinned and gave an "OK" sign, mouthing, "You're welcome~"

The corridor lights cast long shadows of the two of them. Hoshiguma's pace quickened, until she was almost jogging. Su Rui, her wrist being pulled, couldn't help but ask, "... What's the rush?"

"I'll go back and listen to you." Hoshiguma said without turning her head, "Just tell me."

Su Rui's ears turned red again. This time, he didn't respond with silver dust, but gently squeezed her hand back. "Okay."

In the conference room of Rhodes Island's Medical Department, the smell of disinfectant mingled with a faint aroma of coffee. Kal'tsit's white coat looked particularly cold in the morning light, and the fountain pen on her fingertips tapped out a rhythmic sound on the table. Hoshiguma sat opposite her, the demon horns in her green hair gleaming faintly under the light, her Hannya Shield leaning against the back of her chair.

"His metabolic system is still different from that of ordinary people." Kal'tsit handed over a test report, "Although Originium crystals can break down most toxins, excessive sugar intake will affect energy balance."

Hoshiguma's green eyes swept over the densely packed data on the report, "Specific restrictions?"

"No more than 20 grams of sugar per day." Kal'tsit tapped her pen on the paper, "Especially those snacks that Moe Moe Xiang gave him."

The conference room door was suddenly pushed open, and Su Rui's silver hair shimmered softly under the corridor lights. He held a steaming cup of black tea in his hand, and his amber eyes narrowed slightly when he saw the report on the table.

"Speak of the devil, and he appears." Kal'tsit without looking up. "Perfect, take a look at the blood sugar curve on page three."

Su Rui put down his teacup, and silver dust drifted from his sleeve as he gently flipped through the report. His gaze fell on the undulating lines, and the corners of his mouth drooped slightly. "... error."

"Three repeated experiments, with an error not exceeding 0.3%." Kal'tsit's pen tip struck the peak of the chart. "Last Friday at four o'clock in the afternoon, you ate half a box of macarons that Moe Moe Xiang gave you."

Hoshiguma's green hair instantly bristled. "When did this happen?"

Su Rui's silver hair fell down, obscuring half her face. "... She cried terribly."

"So you ate it all?" Hoshiguma pressed her thumb against his slightly bulging stomach. "No wonder your Originium Arts went out of control that night."

Su Rui's ears turned red, and the silver dust formed words of defense in the air: [Full of energy.]

"So much so that you blasted all the targets in the training room to smithereens?" Hoshiguma pinched his cheek. "Do you know how many times the maintenance department has complained to me?"

Kal'tsit's pen clicked shut. "Anyway, starting today, we'll implement food control." She opened a drawer and took out a magnetic card. "This is special rationing access; all food must be tested by the Medical Department."

Su Rui's silver dust exploded in the air into firework-like protest symbols.

"Invalid." Kal'tsit pushed the card in front of Hoshiguma. "By the way, tell that pink-haired idol that if she dares to smuggle sweets again, send her to clean the septic tank."

The cafeteria was busier than usual during lunchtime. Moe Moe Xiang was leaning over the dessert counter, gazing longingly at the strawberry cake in the glass case. Her fingertips traced patterns on the cabinet door, making soft "squeak" sounds.

"Stop looking." Kal'tsit grabbed her by the back of the collar and dragged her away, issuing a decree.

"It's just a small piece..." Moe Moe Xiang gestured pitifully, "Mr. Su Rui even helped me set up the equipment yesterday..."

"No way." Ling's snake-shaped tattoo danced on her cuff. "Unless you want to experience what it's like in a biohazard suit."

Moe Moe Xiang listlessly poking at the broccoli on her plate when her eyes suddenly lit up. "Ah! Mr. Su Rui!"

A silver-haired boy walked by carrying a tray containing a standard nutritious meal—quinoa rice, boiled chicken breast, and steamed vegetables. His silver hair looked duller than usual, and even his steps seemed reluctant.

Chapter 914 of Volume 16 is reserved for you.

Moe Moe Xiang ran over. "Um..." She secretly pulled a piece of fruit candy from her pocket, "I saved this for you..."

Su Rui's eyes lit up slightly. Just as Yin Chen was about to roll up the candy wrapper, Hoshiguma suddenly coughed softly behind him.

"You brat." The green-haired Oni Clan woman leaned against a pillar, her Hannya Shield gleaming coldly at her waist. "Take it out."

Moe Moe Xiang's hand froze in mid-air. "Just... just one..."

"Not even a little bit." Hoshiguma walked over, her green hair blazing like flames under the cafeteria lights. "Hand it over."

Su Rui's silver hair completely wilted. He gently shook his head, signaling Moe Moe Xiang to take the candy back.

"Waaah..." Moe Moe Xiang's eyes instantly reddened, "But Mr. Su Rui helped me so much..."

Hoshiguma's green eyes softened slightly, but her tone remained firm. "Rules are rules."

"Then, what about this?" Moe Moe Xiang suddenly pulled out another cardboard box, "Sugar-free chocolate! Specially supplied to the Medical Department!"

Su Rui's eyes lit up, and the silver dust floated merrily toward the cardboard box.

Hoshiguma stopped Yin Chen abruptly. "Kal'tsit approved it?"

"Of course!" Moe Moe Xiang hurriedly pulled out a piece of paper. "Look! It's signed by Dr. Warfarin!"

Hoshiguma squinted at the signature, then suddenly sneered, "Imitating handwriting? You've got some nerve."

Moe Moe Xiang's face instantly turned deathly pale. "I... I didn't..."

"Did you finish copying last week's <Originium Safety Code>?" Hoshiguma's green hair moved without wind. "How about another three hundred times?"

Su Rui gently tugged at Hoshiguma's sleeve. "... Never mind."

His voice was soft, tinged with a helpless gentleness. Hoshiguma met his gaze in her green eyes for three seconds, then finally sighed, "Don't let it happen again."

Moe Moe Xiang felt like she'd been granted a pardon and quickly shoved the chocolate into Su Rui: "Here, here, here!" She leaned closer and whispered, "The matcha cookies I hid in the infirmary cabinet..."

"Moe Moe Xiang," Ling's voice suddenly came from behind, "You're finished."

The training room was empty in the evening. Su Rui sat on a bench in the equipment area, his silver hair glowing with an orange-red hue in the sunset. He carefully unwrapped a chocolate, broke off a small piece, and put it in his mouth.

The door clicked softly, and Hoshiguma walked in with her arms crossed. "Is it good?"

Su Rui's chewing motion froze instantly.

"Warfarin confessed everything." Hoshiguma's green eyes gleamed slightly in the shadows. "She traded three boxes of blood for the signature privileges."

Su Rui's silver dust quietly hid the remaining chocolate behind her back: [...] Just one piece.

"Liar." Hoshiguma's thumb brushed against his lips. "There are still cookie crumbs between your teeth."

Su Rui's ears instantly turned bright red. He hesitated for a moment, then pulled out half a matcha cookie from behind him: [Moe Moe Xiang cried so hard.]

Hoshiguma's green hair stood on end. "You just keep spoiling her."

She suddenly leaned down, her tongue tracing a line across Su Rui's lips. "Confiscate."

Su Rui's pupils dilated slightly, and tiny sparkles appeared at the tips of her silver hair. As Hoshiguma stepped back, a crumb of cookie still clung to her lips. "... Too sweet."

Su Rui's Adam's apple bobbed. "... Unreasonable."

"Who taught you to talk back?" Hoshiguma pinched his chin. "If you steal sweets again, the punishment won't be just this."

Su Rui's silver dust formed a white flag of surrender in the air, but it also quietly condensed into a picture of Moe Moe Xiang hiding outside the door, secretly laughing.

Hoshiguma suddenly turned her head. "Kid!"

The training room door slammed shut, followed by hurried footsteps and Moe Moe Xiang's scream, "Mio-neechan, help! Oni-neechan is going to kill someone!"

Su Rui couldn't help but chuckle softly, her silver hair shimmering like honey in the sunset. Hoshiguma turned to look at him, the anger in her green eyes gradually turning into helplessness. "... I give up."

She reached out and ruffled Su Rui's silver hair. "Don't let it happen again."

Su Rui looked up at her, her amber eyes filled with the sunset. "... Mmm."

This time, he didn't use Silver Dust, but directly agreed. His voice was very soft, but it completely softened Hoshiguma's green hair.

"Let's go home." She grabbed Su Rui's wrist. "I'll make you some tea to cleanse your palate."

Su Rui's silver dust merrily wrapped around her fingertips, leaving long streaks of light in the sunset.

The wooden floor of Rhodes Island's training ground gleamed warmly in the morning light, and Su Rui's silver hair was tinged with a pale gold by the sunlight streaming through the high windows. He sat on a bench beside the weapon rack, a wisp of silver dust swirling between his fingertips as he rearranged several scattered training darts into a constellation pattern.

Suddenly, the soft clatter of wooden clogs came from the doorway.

"Excuse me."

A clear, cool female voice carried the unique rhythm of the Eastern Kingdom. Su Rui looked up and saw a woman dressed in a dark blue kendo uniform standing by the door. Her long, dark pink hair was tied into a high ponytail with a white ribbon, and two katana of different lengths were at her waist. Her eyes were like the waters of an autumn lake, calm yet with a hint of icy coldness.

"Akafuyu?" Su Rui asked softly, his voice like a stream flowing beneath the ice.

The woman raised her eyebrows slightly. "You know me?"

"Tetsusai mentioned it," Su Rui said, his silver dust forming Eastern Kingdom characters in the air, "Saying you're a very skilled swordsman."

A barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of Akafuyu's lips, "You flatter me." Her gaze swept over Su Rui's silver hair, "You're the 'Silver Dust Envoy'?"

Just as Su Rui was about to answer, the training ground door was suddenly pushed open. Hoshiguma's green hair exploded in the morning light, and the Hannya Shield vibrated hummingly at her waist. Her gaze swept back and forth between Akafuyu and Su Rui, and her demon horns gleamed dangerously.

"Good morning." Hoshiguma's voice was eight octaves lower than usual. "Having a pleasant chat?"

Akafuyu nodded slightly. "Hoshiguma," she said calmly, "I've long admired your name."

Hoshiguma's green eyes narrowed. "The 'Snow Slash' Akafuyu from the Eastern Kingdom?" She strode over to Su Rui, her fingers casually resting on his shoulder. "What brings you to Rhodes Island?"

"A short-term exchange." Akafuyu's gaze swept over Hoshiguma's hand resting on Su Rui's shoulder. "Dr. Kal'tsit's invitation."

Su Rui's silver dust quietly wrapped around Hoshiguma's wrist: [What are you doing? We were just chatting.]

However, Su Rui's clandestine communication only fueled Hoshiguma's competitive spirit.

Hoshiguma's green hair swayed slightly. "Oh?" She suddenly grinned, revealing sharp canines. "Perfect, how about a spar?"

A hint of interest flashed in Akafuyu's eyes. "I couldn't be happier."

In the center of the training field, the two stood facing each other. Hoshiguma's Hannya Shield gleamed coldly in the sunlight, while Akafuyu's twin swords were as clear as autumn water.

"Rules?" Akafuyu asked.

Hoshiguma's green eyes flashed with fighting spirit. "Fight until we're satisfied."

The words had barely left his lips when the Hannya Shield shot out with a whoosh. Akafuyu's figure dodged with the lightness of snowflakes, his short sword slicing through the shield and leaving a trail of sparks. The two moved so fast that they almost left afterimages, and the sound of metal clashing echoed throughout the training ground.

Su Rui sat on the sidelines, his silver hair swaying slightly in the air currents. A packet of strawberry daifuku that Moe Moe Xiang had secretly slipped to him was now between his fingers, and he was nibbling on it. A barrier of silver dust formed around him, blocking the flying wood chips and sparks.

Volume 16, page 915 is amazing! I want to take a picture of it!