Ark Simulator: Wasn't I Incorporeal?

Chen's dragon tail suddenly burst open, revealing its scales.

The training ground was deserted, with only the sound of rain pattering against the glass dome. When Chen pushed open the door, Hoshiguma was already standing in the center of the field, twirling the Hannya Shield in her hand in a beautiful arc.

"Explain." Chen's Chixiao was drawn half an inch from its sheath. "What do you mean by 'I don't want Chixiao anymore'?"

Hoshiguma's green hair glistened in the rain. "Literal meaning." Her green eyes swept over Chen's dragon horns. "Forget what you saw today."

Chen's dragon eyes narrowed slightly. "What do you see?"

Is that all for Volume 16, Chapter 921?

"Playing dumb?" Hoshiguma slammed her Hannya Shield heavily on the ground, splashing water everywhere. "You know perfectly well."

Chen's fingers tightened. "That's your private matter."

"Very good." Hoshiguma's green eyes softened slightly. "Maintain this attitude."

Chen's dragon tail swayed gently. "You called me here just for this?"

"Not entirely." Hoshiguma suddenly grinned. "Play a match with me."

"Now?"

"Now," Hoshiguma's green hair exploded in the rain, "You beat me, Chixiao's maintenance oil is plentiful."

Chen's Chixiao was fully drawn. "And what if we lose?"

A dangerous glint flashed in Hoshiguma's green eyes. "Shut up forever."

The rain intensified, and the lights in the training field blurred into hazy circles in the rain. Chen's Chixiao and Hoshiguma's Hannya Shield clashed, creating dazzling sparks as the two figures darted across the field, splashing water everywhere.

"Are you serious?" Chen's dragon tail swept across Hoshiguma's ankle, which she nimbly dodged. "Fighting over something like this?"

Hoshiguma's shield slammed heavily into Chen's sword. "Very serious."

Chen's dragon horns gleamed faintly. "He's not someone to be ashamed of."

"It's because I don't want to be watched." Hoshiguma's green eyes were particularly sharp in the rain. "Understand?"

Chen's Chixiao suddenly changed its move, the blade grazing Hoshiguma's shoulder armor. "When did you become so petty?"

Hoshiguma's Hannya Shield suddenly spun around, forcing Chen back three steps. "It's always been like this."

The battle between the two lasted for twenty minutes, finally ending with Chen's Chixiao being knocked out of his hand by the Hannya Shield. Chen, panting, the scales on his dragon tail slightly bristled. "... Satisfied?"

Hoshiguma's green hair dripped water, and a smile played on her lips, "Not bad."

Chen bent down to pick up Chixiao: "I won't tell." Her dragon eyes stared directly at Hoshiguma, "But you shouldn't have kept it from me."

"I didn't hide it." Hoshiguma's green eyes softened slightly, "It's just..."

"Just don't want to be teased?" Chen suddenly understood. "No wonder those guys from the Lungmen Guard Department said your temper has gotten worse lately."

Hoshiguma's green hair exploded. "Who said that?"

Chen's dragon tail swayed gently. "Guess for yourself."

When Hoshiguma returned to the dorm, Su Rui was already asleep. His silver hair was spread on the pillow, and he was still holding half a lemon tart in his hand. Hoshiguma's green eyes softened slightly as she gently took the dessert from his hand and pulled the blanket over him.

Su Rui's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she groggily opened her eyes. "... Hoshiguma?"

"Go to sleep." Hoshiguma's thumb brushed against the corner of his eye. "It's resolved."

Su Rui's silver hair brushed against her palm. "Chen...?"

"I won't talk nonsense." Hoshiguma's green eyes were exceptionally deep in the night. "Don't worry."

Su Rui's lips curved slightly upward, and the silver dust formed a small heart in the air: [Thank you.]

Hoshiguma's Hoshiguma boots clicked crisply on the metal floor, and the demon horns in her green hair gleamed coldly under the overhead light. Her uniform jacket was casually draped over her shoulders, revealing a black tactical vest underneath. The Hannya Shield at her waist swayed slightly with each step, its metal edges occasionally reflecting dazzling flashes of light.

Su Rui's silver hair was almost transparent in the sunlight, the ends swaying gently with the air conditioning. His gaze swept across the shop windows on both sides of the corridor, displaying a dazzling array of clothing—from the standard uniforms of the operators to Siesta- style resort wear.

"What are you looking at?" Hoshiguma's green eyes followed his gaze. "Want to buy clothes?"

Su Rui's fingertips lightly touched the glass, and silver dust formed words in the air: [You.]

Hoshiguma raised an eyebrow. "Me?"

[Try this.] Silver dust drifted toward the deep blue dress in the center of the shop window, its hem embroidered with delicate silver threads that flowed like a galaxy under the light.

Hoshiguma's green hair instantly bristled. "Are you kidding me?"

Su Rui's silver hair fell down, obscuring half her face: [Very beautiful.]

"Not for me." Hoshiguma flicked his forehead with her thumb. "Let's go."

But Su Rui's silver dust stubbornly wrapped around her wrist: [Just this once.]

Hoshiguma's green eyes narrowed dangerously. "Don't even think about it."

Three hours later, Rhodes Island's shopping area was still bustling with activity. Blue Poison and Istina huddled around the jewelry counter, whispering about the new hair clips. Moe Moe Xiang, meanwhile, was carrying a pile of clothes as she moved through the fitting rooms, her pink twin ponytails swaying with each bouncy step.

"Mr. Su Rui!" she suddenly stopped the silver-haired boy who was passing by. "Do you think this headband suits me?"

Su Rui's silver dust gently brushed against the pale blue hair ribbon in her hand: [It suits you well.]

Moe Moe Xiang's eyes lit up. "What about this?" She held up another hair tie embroidered with cherry blossoms. "Mio-neechan said it's too flashy..."

Su Rui tapped her fingertip on the cherry blossom pattern: [Perfect for you.]

"Great!" Moe Moe Xiang happily twirled around, then suddenly lowered her voice, "By the way, where's Hoshiguma?"

Su Rui's silver dust quietly pointed to the rest area not far away— Hoshiguma was leaning back on the sofa with her arms crossed, the demon horns in her green hair gleaming with impatience, her green eyes staring intently in their direction.

Moe Moe Xiang shrank her neck. "Is she in a bad mood?"

[Waiting for me.] Su Rui's silver dust formed a helpless expression.

"What are you guys looking at?" Moe Moe Xiang asked curiously, peeking out. "Hoshiguma never goes to the clothing section."

Su Rui's silver hair swayed slightly, and a wisp of silver dust quietly pointed to the blue dress in the shop window.

Moe Moe Xiang's eyes widened instantly. "Wow! You want Oni-nee to wear that?" Her voice was a bit loud, and she was immediately locked onto by Hoshiguma's death stare.

"Kid," Hoshiguma's voice was forced out through clenched teeth, "Want to experience freefall?"

Moe Moe Xiang immediately hid behind Su Rui: "I... I didn't say anything!"

Su Rui gently patted her head with her silver dust: [Don't be afraid.]

Hoshiguma strode over, her green hair gleaming like a burning flame under the lights. "Have you had enough of shopping?"

Su Rui's fingertips subtly hooked onto her sleeve: [Just a little longer.]

"No." Hoshiguma's green eyes swept over the hairband in Moe Moe Xiang's hand. "If you dawdle any longer, I'll stuff you into Closure's mechanical box."

Moe Moe Xiang was so frightened that she ran away in a flash.

As evening fell, the setting sun tinged Su Rui's silver hair with a pale gold hue. He stood at the dormitory entrance, holding a delicate paper bag with the Rhodes Island shopping district logo printed on it.

Hoshiguma's green eyes stared at the bag. "You bought it?"

Su Rui nodded gently: [Mm.]

"I said I'm not wearing it," Hoshiguma's green hair stood on end. "Don't waste your money."

Su Rui tapped the paper bag with her fingertip: [Only at home.]

Hoshiguma's green eyes wavered slightly. "... Just once."

Su Rui's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and Yin Chen drew a small smiley face in the air: [Okay.]

The dormitory lighting was much softer than the hallway lighting. Hoshiguma's green hair fell over her shoulders, and her oni horns were no longer so sharp in the warm light. She stared at the dark blue dress on the bed, her expression like that of someone facing Originium Bomb about to explode.

"... What should I wear?" Her voice was unusually hesitant.

Su Rui's silver dust drifted by, gently unfolding her skirt: [Take off your coat first.]

Hoshiguma's green eyes swept over. "Turn around."

Su Rui obediently turned around, her silver hair falling down to obscure her vision. A faint rustling sound of fabric coming from behind her made Hoshiguma's breathing more rapid than usual.

"... alright."

Su Rui turned around, her silver hair momentarily frozen in the air.

Is Volume 16, Chapter 922 strange?

Hoshiguma stood by the bed, her deep blue dress outlining her slender figure. The silver threads at the hem shimmered like a flowing galaxy under the light, making her green hair stand out even more. Her fingertips unconsciously tugged at the waistband of her dress, her demon horns slightly reddening. "... Is it strange?"

Su Rui's silver dust drifted past gently, solidifying into a mirror before her: [Beautiful.]

Hoshiguma stared at her reflection in the mirror, her expression somewhat unfamiliar. Her fingertips unconsciously traced the hem of her skirt, the soft texture of the fabric making her pause slightly.

"... Unlike me."

Su Rui's silver hair swayed gently, a strand wrapping around her wrist: [Very beautiful.]

Hoshiguma's green eyes softened slightly. "... Really?"

Su Rui nodded, and silver dust formed starlight effects in the air: [Like.]

Hoshiguma's ear tips turned slightly red. "... Idiot."

Her fingertips gently tugged at Su Rui's silver hair, pulling it in. The fabric of her dress rustled softly as it rubbed against her shoulders, Su Rui's silver hair falling and intertwining with her green hair.

"Don't tell anyone." Hoshiguma's green eyes were inches away. "Otherwise..."

Su Rui's eyelashes trembled slightly. "... Otherwise?"

Hoshiguma pressed her thumb to his lips. "Or I'll make you patrol in women's clothing."

Su Rui's silver hair exploded, sending silver dust swirling in the air: [That's unfair.]

Hoshiguma's green eyes gleamed with amusement. "Who told you to provoke me first?"

It was late at night, and the dormitory lights were already off. Hoshiguma's green hair was spread on the pillow, and her dress was neatly folded at the head of the bed. Su Rui's silver hair hung down beside her neck, and her breathing was even and long.

Hoshiguma's fingertips gently brushed against the ends of his hair, his green eyes gleaming slightly in the darkness.

"... Good night."

Her voice was very soft, almost blending into the night.

Her hair fell down, obscuring their intertwined fingertips. "Idiot."

Morning light slanted into the room through the half-open curtains, drawing a golden line across the sheets. Su Rui's silver hair cascaded in Hoshiguma's arms, the ends tinged with honey by the sunlight, a few strands still tangled in her green hair like moonlight and vines intertwined. His eyelashes cast fine shadows on his cheeks, trembling gently with his breath, like butterflies shedding night dew.

Hoshiguma's green eyes woke up earlier than usual. Her arm, numb from being used as a pillow by Su Rui, remained still. The tips of her demon horns pressed against the pillow, leaving two small dents in the fabric. She stared at Su Rui's sleeping face for a long time, her thumb unconsciously rubbing a patch of skin on the back of his neck—where there was a barely visible light-colored scar, left three months ago in Chernobog.

Su Rui's eyelashes suddenly trembled.

Hoshiguma immediately closed her eyes and calmed her breathing. But her fingertips were still on the back of his neck, and she could clearly feel his pulse beating. One beat, two beats, like a young animal hiding in the snow.

"... Pretending to be asleep?"

Su Rui's voice was hoarse from just waking up, as light as a feather brushing against the eardrum.

Hoshiguma's green hair stood on end, and her oni horn nearly poked his forehead. "Who's pretending to be asleep?"

Su Rui's silver hair shimmered softly in the morning light. He tilted his head slightly, his amber eyes clearly reflecting Hoshiguma's face. "You."

"Nonsense." Hoshiguma retaliated by pressing his thumb against the back of his neck. "I woke up earlier than you."

Su Rui's lips curled up slightly. "... How long?"

"Ten minutes." Hoshiguma realized she'd been tricked after saying that, and her green eyes narrowed dangerously. "Needs a beating?"

Su Rui's silver hair brushed against her arm, strands brushing against her bare skin, sending a slight shiver through her. His voice was soft. "... Numb?"

Hoshiguma's green eyes flickered slightly. "Nonsense."

Su Rui's silver dust quietly wrapped around her arm, gently massaging her stiff muscles: [Wake me up next time.]

"Wake you up?" Hoshiguma's green hair brushed against the tip of his nose. "What time did you stay up last night?"

Su Rui's eyelashes drooped, casting deeper shadows under her eyes. "... three o'clock."

His Silver Dust had been debugging the new protective device all night. When Hoshiguma woke up in the middle of the night, he saw those light particles dancing in the darkness, like a miniature aurora.

Hoshiguma suddenly pinched his cheek with her thumb. "Good to know." Her green eyes swept over the digital clock on the bedside table, "It's your turn to make breakfast today."

Su Rui's silver hair swayed slightly: [Five more minutes.]