Chapter 19: The Battle of the Best Actor and Actress on Stage

Chapter 19: The Battle of the Best Actor and Actress on Stage

In Yan Huan’s eyes, what kind of person is Sakura Kyoko?

A serious, stern yet understanding and incredibly gentle girl.

For the past six months, though she rarely spoke up, she had been taking great care of everyone.

Quiet and possessing many elegant hobbies, she is knowledgeable, giving her a maturity and seriousness not often found in peers—she’s a delightful friend to be around.

In short, to Yan Huan, Sakura Kyoko is indeed a respectable and dignified person.

If he hadn’t already formed a basic judgment that the current situation was related to a Modifier, he would never have doubted her.

“I tell you, sigh, Sakura’s got no issues!”

Yan Huan truly wanted to say this like Lao Ba from “Taking Down the Tiger Mountain.”

But the problem is, the two of them were now alone, and the most suspicious person was her, followed by a possibly unknown third party.

It couldn’t be that Yan Huan was using a Modifier himself, right?!

Thinking of this, Yan Huan clenched that note tightly in his hand, slowly crumpling it.

Then, he smiled at the somewhat wary and uneasy Sakura Kyoko not far away and comforted her,

“Don’t worry, it’s probably just a prank. I’ll call the school staff to let us out.”

“Mm, President.”

Yan Huan took out his phone and glanced at the screen, which displayed a red exclamation mark with no signal bars.

Though calm inside, he still showed surprise on his face.

“No signal on the phone.”

Hearing this, Sakura Kyoko quickly took out her phone, frowned, and directly dialed the emergency number.

It couldn’t connect at all.

“The emergency number won’t go through either, President. What should we do?”

Sakura Kyoko looked increasingly anxious; although she maintained her calm exterior, one could catch a glimpse of her inner turmoil from her slightly trembling fair legs under her sports shorts.

“Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”

Yan Huan withdrew his gaze, temporarily abandoning the thought of whether Sakura Kyoko or the mysterious person was the Modifier’s host, and began examining the surrounding environment.

The Equipment Room was already cramped, with only the main door and a ventilation duct.

And in the corner of the room, a camera with a blinking green light was observing from the ceiling.

Yan Huan approached the vent, peering through the mesh to look outside, but only saw deep darkness.

It was as if the whole space had been yanked and thrown into an unknown otherworld, entirely cut off from the outside.

A sealed space where without xx you couldn’t get out.

This certainly reflected the nature of those restrictive Modifiers, but what about the effect of the Modifier itself?

Was it to create a room, and then you couldn’t leave without doing certain things?

That sounded a bit too weak; it couldn’t compare with those of the other two.

Bai Yi’s Indifference, Ye Shiyu’s Hypnosis—both were powerful abilities, making it hard for Yan Huan to believe the mysterious person’s Modifier effect would be so simple.

In which case, he could only hold back for now.

After pondering, Yan Huan helplessly sighed and sat down on a yoga mat facing Sakura Kyoko not far away.

Previously, he summarized two strategies for repressing a Modifier’s effects. The first point was: don’t let the Modifier’s host get their way.

So, if he didn’t know what to do right now, he wouldn’t consider following the instructions on that note.

Thus, he smiled at Sakura Kyoko and proposed,

“It seems we can’t leave right now, so let’s wait here. There’s still a basketball class in the gym; they’ll come to return the equipment. They’ll help us open the door.”

“Mm, okay, President.”

Upon hearing this, the Sakura Kyoko, sitting on the mat hugging her knees, finally nodded, waiting.

Yet within her deep gaze, an undetectable glint sparkled.

The President still thinks this is just a typical prank, huh?

Little did he know, the Barrier had completely isolated this place from the reality of the Equipment Room.

Even if people came to return equipment, once they opened the door, they would only see another Equipment Room, and wouldn’t notice the two trapped inside the Barrier.

This was an effect Sakura Kyoko had experimented with countless times in the Student Council Office. Sometimes, in order to check the cameras without being noticed, she would do this.

Until she decides to lift the Barrier, this space would not reconnect with reality.

Right now, the basketball students came to return the equipment.

Before her, an illusory light flickered, and it seemed she sensed someone entering the Equipment Room outside the Barrier.

After placing the basketball back in its designated spot, the student responsible for returning the equipment turned and left, closing the door behind them.

“Click.”

So, what should we do now, President?

They would likely soon realize no one was coming and then start considering the content of the note, right?

At that point, would you expose the emotions buried deep within you?

Either shy or anxious, would you then experimentally glance at me and make a request?

Sakura Kyoko excitedly thought this while inevitably glancing at Yan Huan.

As she looked over, she saw Yan Huan leaning back on the yoga mat with his eyes closed, his breathing gradually becoming steady.

“?”

Is… is he asleep?!

In a situation like this, he actually fell asleep?!

Sakura Kyoko slightly parted her lips, her heart jolting, and tentatively called out,

“President?”

“…”

However, there was no response.

In fact, Yan Huan hadn’t really fallen asleep.

No matter how drowsy he felt today, he would never be careless enough to fall asleep knowing there was a Modifier’s effect in play.

He was just trying to figure out who the host of the Modifier could possibly be.

He was testing whether the host was indeed Sakura Kyoko.

With perfect expression management, he could convincingly act as if he were asleep.

If Sakura Kyoko was the host, she would probably do something else once she confirmed he was asleep.

Whether enhancing supernatural powers or engaging in bizarre actions…

These could break the deadlock.

However, he truly underestimated Sakura Kyoko.

Even after Yan Huan had “fallen asleep,” she still displayed the most natural reactions.

The unease and anxiety in her heart gradually quieted down, especially upon seeing Yan Huan sinking into a deep sleep.

She took a deep breath and pulled out her phone, glancing at the screen from time to time, seemingly checking the time.

So, a little over ten minutes went by, and Sakura Kyoko made no extra moves, appearing to merely wait for rescue.

As for why, despite having a Modifier, she hadn’t taken any blatantly effective actions and was still maintaining her previous persona?

Sakura Kyoko had her reasons to explain:

First, of course, caution.

Originally, Sakura Kyoko’s nature of being discreet made her extremely sensitive to the potential for “exposure.” She couldn’t believe in the Modifier’s so-called “memory correction.”

What if it created a rough correction of memories and even a one-thousandth chance could alert someone to something off? That risk was too high for her.

So unless absolutely necessary, she would not use direct methods to alter common sense that could directly affect someone’s consciousness.

Second, Sakura Kyoko was currently keeping the two of them locked up to confirm whether Yan Huan had feelings for her.

If he didn’t, wouldn’t this “room effect” and intimate contact be enough to spark the corresponding flames?

But if she were to alter common knowledge or even change her persona, then would it be Yan Huan liking her, or would it be her liking Yan Huan?

Thus, even though she had not noticed Yan Huan’s probing, she inadvertently played the perfect counter card.

“…”

After over ten minutes, Sakura Kyoko revealed no flaws, making Yan Huan feel a little tense.

Mainly because if this keeps up, he would indeed fall asleep.

He was already feeling tired; with his eyes closed, pretending to relax, if he truly fell asleep, when he woke up would he find himself stripped and tied up in an unknown basement?

So, he could only helplessly open his eyes.

Rubbing his temples, he sat up and looked at the door.

It was still closed.

“Hasn’t anyone come yet? How long has it been, Sakura?”

“It’s been almost twenty minutes.”

“Twenty minutes?”

Yan Huan stood up in surprise, muttering,

“It shouldn’t be, they got out of class at the same time as us; they should have come to return the balls by now.”

“And there’s something even stranger. Just now we yelled loudly and banged on the door. With such a commotion, there’s no way the outside wouldn’t have heard it.”

“Could it be a supernatural event?”

Yan Huan rubbed his chin, intentionally steering the conversation in a supernatural direction.

However, Sakura Kyoko sighed and said,

“President, please don’t scare yourself; believe in science.”

“You’re right, Sakura, but is there any other explanation…”

“…”

Sakura Kyoko furrowed her brows, seemingly pondering this possibility seriously.

Could it really not be Sakura Kyoko?

But excluding Sakura Kyoko, the only other possibility Yan Huan could think of was the other one.

What if that mysterious person was so malevolent as to lock him and Sakura together just to watch them do “that”?

It would imply that guy’s desire was for something voyeuristic, then how would he find the host of that hidden guy?

Moreover, wouldn’t they be trapped here forever if they didn’t do that?

Yan Huan’s expression grew grim, yet he tried to remain spirited, turning his gaze towards this Equipment Room.

The cramped ventilation duct could not sustain proper airflow, causing the air in the Equipment Room to feel somewhat stagnant.

A faint scent of youthful perfume wafted through, entwining with the subtle scent of sweat from Yan Huan, unconsciously stirring their gazes towards each other.

The temperature seemed to be gradually rising.

Yan Huan took a deep breath and turned to walk into the Equipment Room.

Seeing this, Sakura Kyoko hurriedly covered herself protectively with her hands, slightly leaning back,

“W-what’s wrong, President?”

“Looking for a way out.”

Yet Yan Huan simply walked past her, starting to rummage among the various pieces of equipment inside.

Then, he directly picked up a shot put.

“You should step back a little, Sakura.”

“Mm.”

Sakura Kyoko quickly stepped back, watching as Yan Huan crazily smashed various pieces of equipment against the door.

In an instant, the whole room sounded like a demolition crew at work, various loud noises erupting.

Shot put? No good. Javelin? No good. Barbell? No good…

That door was as solid as a brick wall, not budging an inch.

Even the lock seemed as tough as Captain America’s vibranium, capable of deforming a dumbbell if struck.

Using brute force would absolutely not work.

Both Yan Huan and Sakura Kyoko had this thought in mind; only, one was the explorer and the other was the instigator.

And the instigator, Sakura Kyoko, standing behind Yan Huan, couldn’t help but wonder:

Does the President want to break out so desperately without even considering following the instructions on the note?

Her performance seemed fine; it was perfectly in line with her usual persona.

But what she hadn’t expected was that the President was indeed so upright; he hadn’t even glanced at her.

A President like this is appealing.

But doesn’t that also mean I have no charm to attract him at all?!

Could it be that my appearance has no allure whatsoever?

Having lived for fifteen years, it was the first time Sakura Kyoko felt a lack of confidence in her looks.

Yet then she thought it shouldn’t be, leading her to another possibility.

Could it be that the President isn’t interested in small-framed girls?

Would he prefer tall older sisters instead?

Ah, that’s why he seems particularly taken with that older sister, Ye Shiyu.

As Sakura Kyoko thought more and more, the light in her eyes gradually dimmed.

And unfortunately, at that moment, her body—more specifically, her lower abdomen—suddenly felt an urge to go.

She suddenly really wanted to go to the restroom.

Sakura Kyoko pressed her small abdomen, her otherwise perfectly performed expression showing a slight crack.

Thus, an eerie, dark moment enveloped the entirely sealed Equipment Room.

Yan Huan, who was probing and observing yet failing to locate the host, found himself defeated in the journey to solve the Modifier issue, sinking into self-doubt.

Sakura Kyoko, flawlessly performing and revealing no weaknesses, attracted the upright President, yet because he hadn’t even glanced at her plus her slight physiological issues, she also fell into distress.

What will today’s victory or defeat between Yan Huan and Sakura Kyoko ultimately be?

At this time, Yan Huan turned his head and looked at the somewhat pale-faced Sakura Kyoko holding her abdomen.

Feeling unwell?

Right, this week…

He froze for a moment, and suddenly remembered that Sakura Kyoko seemed to be on her period today.

“Are you okay, Sakura?”

And noticing Yan Huan’s gaze, Sakura Kyoko thought she had exposed an abnormality and hurriedly forced herself to maintain her persona.

Thus, to Yan Huan, she looked even more like she was putting on a brave front.

Her face was pale, her eyes blinking unnaturally, her breath quickening.

Yet she still stood straight, maintaining her defenses against the restless yearning in her heart.

“I’m fine, President. Let’s think of another way to see if we can get out.”

Seeing her like this, Yan Huan felt some sympathy.

Well, unknown Modifier host, you really are ruthless.

Yan Huan took a deep breath, then looked at Sakura Kyoko, conceding,

“Sakura, though it may be a bit abrupt, how about we try what’s on that note? See if it works to get us out?”

“Eh?”

There… there’s such a good thing?

Sakura Kyoko blinked, her heart lifting slightly, but the relentless feeling from her abdomen rushed back to her mind.

Wait a minute…

She suddenly recalled that she had intentionally made the timing a bit long so as to not fail to spark anything.

Holding hands for ten minutes, hugging for ten minutes, kissing for ten minutes…

If they just did them one by one, wouldn’t that take half an hour?!

Why, oh why, did you just daydream during volleyball class, Sakura Kyoko?!

Couldn’t you just sneak to the restroom first?

But seeing the handsome young face before her, marked with hesitation, seemingly having struggled for a long time before speaking tentatively.

Plus, there was a shyness in his eyes, could it be that—

He’s shy?

This President is so cute.

N-No matter, I have to hold it until then!

If I really can’t bear it, I’ll try to shorten the time quietly; if it’s intolerable, I’ll just lift the Barrier early.

On the surface, Sakura Kyoko bit her lip, showing some hesitance.

But looking around her environment, she took a deep breath and her gaze grew resolute.

Then, she nodded slightly at Yan Huan and said,

“Okay, if there’s no other way, then let’s give it a try. Once we get out, we absolutely must check the surveillance to see who dared to do this.”

Surveillance?

That’s right, this place does have surveillance.

Yan Huan blinked, suddenly looking towards the corner, where a monitoring camera with a light was observing the sealed space.

That Modifier’s host was also likely watching through that camera, right?

What a downright pervert.

Yan Huan took a deep breath, then stepped towards Sakura Kyoko.

Sakura Kyoko’s eyes widened while her breath hitched.

In the dense air, she felt a powerful male presence drawing near.

She didn’t dare look up since the tall figure completely overshadowed her.

Standing at one hundred fifty-four centimeters, she could barely reach Yan Huan’s chest level, needing to tilt her head back to meet his gaze.

“…Sorry, Sakura,” Yan Huan said.

D-Don’t apologize, President!

Sakura Kyoko’s eyes slightly trembled, and yet Yan Huan had already lifted his hand, gently grasping Sakura Kyoko’s hand.

His warm hand enveloped her icy, delicate fingers, and in that moment, Sakura Kyoko felt as if the world had fallen quiet.

She opened her mouth, her heartbeat quickening.

Yet on the surface, she still had to act nonchalant and unconcerned.

Her expression could be acted, but the slight flush on her cheeks was a physiological response she couldn’t control.

“…Is this okay?”

But Yan Huan raised her held hand a little higher, directing it towards the monitoring camera, his face stoic, stating coldly.

Eh?

Does the President think someone else is monitoring us through the camera?

Startled by the raised arm, Sakura Kyoko blinked as she followed Yan Huan’s gaze towards the camera.

Then, she lowered her arm.

Ten minutes, huh…

Sakura Kyoko took a deep breath, the pleasure of having her hand held oddly alleviating the discomfort in her lower abdomen at that moment.

And wanting more, she was even more eager for the upcoming hug and kiss.

“President… maybe we can do the actions together; this way, the time will be shorter.”

Sakura Kyoko maintained her surface calm, analyzing her suggestion to Yan Huan.

Of course, Yan Huan knew this would save a bit of time. He smiled slightly and replied,

“I’m just worried that Sakura might not be comfortable.”

“Mm, a bit. So, we can hug first… About the next one, um… I’m not quite ready.”

“Oh, I see.”

Now that it had come to this, since Sakura seemed to be sacrificing a lot, Yan Huan didn’t linger on his reservations.

He gently pulled Sakura into his embrace, but it felt more like a polite hug.

Just leaning against each other, there was actually still a wide gap between them.

W-wait, can this even be called a hug?!

Sakura Kyoko felt a bit disappointed and secretly puffed up her cheeks when suddenly, the sound of rustling paper came from behind the door.

And she, appearing completely uninterested in this hug, patted Yan Huan’s back and said,

“President, something is coming in from behind!”

Oh?

Yan Huan squinted, releasing Sakura Kyoko and walking over to the door to pick up the paper on the ground.

It read,

[Hugging doesn’t count; hold tighter.]

Sakura Kyoko stared in surprise at Yan Huan, who, already speechless over that guy’s vile humor.

Just wait until I discover who in the school has this preference; you’ll definitely become infamous!

Yan Huan turned back, looking at Sakura Kyoko, seemingly seeking her opinion, “Is it okay?”

Sakura Kyoko pursed her lips but still imperceptibly nodded.

Then, she slightly opened her arms towards Yan Huan.

“Sorry.”

Yan Huan apologized again, while Sakura Kyoko’s gaze shifted slightly away.

Don’t say sorry!

Yan Huan’s apologies made Sakura Kyoko, who had orchestrated all this, feel a bit embarrassed. That blend of regret and tension slowly morphed into excitement as she anticipated him drawing closer to hug her.

Yan Huan took a deep breath, then opened his arms, gently embracing the small figure of Sakura Kyoko.

The soft hug deepened gradually, turning Sakura Kyoko’s expression dreamy.

A kiss…

I want to kiss…

She thought.

But just as she plotted the next step and indulged in the hug—

The once-closed door suddenly flew open with a bang.

“Boom!!”

Both Yan Huan and Sakura Kyoko froze instantly.

It wasn’t just the tightly shut doors of the Equipment Room that broke open.

“Click, click, click!”

Simultaneously, Sakura Kyoko’s Barrier shattered, violently cascading down to the floor, reconnecting the surrounding environment with reality.

Yan Huan felt a slight pain in his head; when the Barrier collapsed, the memories of what had just transpired flowed away like water, yet were stopped by the Modifier’s resistance, allowing him to recall everything.

“Hiss!”

He inhaled sharply, hastily releasing Sakura Kyoko from his embrace and turning to look behind him.

“The door is open? But we haven’t kissed yet.”

He inwardly thought.

Detaching from Yan Huan’s embrace, Sakura Kyoko felt a lingering reluctance as she quickly turned her gaze in disbelief and anger towards the doorway.

In the light streaming from the doorway, a girl in sportswear with long golden hair, looking like a lion, was furiously retracting her foot.

Just now, she had kicked open the door.

Along with that, she had shattered the Barrier she had quietly set up.

Sakura Kyoko never anticipated that her Barrier could be breached.

Others should only see another Equipment Room when they opened the door, so how could this girl touch the Barrier and shatter it?

However, even though she had a thousand thoughts swirling in her mind, Sakura Kyoko didn’t reveal any of them, instead appearing thoroughly pained as she clutched her head.

“Ugh, I told everyone not to lock the door because there are still people who haven’t returned the balls. Wait, are there people in there?”

The girl seemed unaware that there were others in the Equipment Room, pausing slightly.

Then she looked at the boy and girl inside—the exceptionally familiar handsome young man, and another girl looking dazed as she clutched her head.

What in the world were they doing?

Oh~

The blonde girl, no, today’s new transfer student, Aria Spencer, understood immediately and soon revealed a smile full of mischievousness.

Then, she silently took out her phone from her pocket.

Was she ready to take a picture?