Ch.62 : The Strategist Arrives

A few moments later, the previously noisy internet café fell into sudden silence. A girl walked in, holding an elegant folding fan in one hand. Her steps were calm, her gaze sharp, and a strong air of confidence surrounded her. Every eye turned toward her as whispers filled the room.

"Wait… isn't that the strategist girl?"

"Talia?! What's she doing here? Isn't she on the same team as Rika?"

"Don't tell me… Rika actually called for backup against that guy?!"

Talia continued her graceful walk, ignoring the murmurs around her. Her eyes locked onto Rika, who was still in the private room with some unfamiliar guy. She narrowed her eyes with suspicion.

"Oh? Rika, since when did you start bringing guys into private rooms like this?" she teased.

"It's not like that! Don't get the wrong idea!" Rika quickly defended herself, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Listen, I need your help."

"Help?" Talia raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

Rika leaned in and whispered, "That guy… he's not normal. I'm pretty sure he's a pro player in disguise. He's beaten me over and over!"

Talia's light expression turned serious. "A disguised pro?!" She looked Nic up and down. "If he's really that good, then I need to see for myself."

Nic, who had been silently observing the whole time, smiled calmly. "So now it's two against one? This is getting interesting."

Rika and Talia huddled together, whispering rapidly and building a stronger strategy. This time, Nic was told to move to the corner so he couldn't eavesdrop. He had no choice but to sit and wait patiently.

After a few minutes, Rika turned back to Nic, her eyes gleaming with confidence. "Alright, I'm ready. We're playing City Conquest. You won't win so easily this time."

Nic shrugged and smiled. "We'll see."

---

The game started. This time, Rika was much more composed and strategic. Her movements were sharp, efficient. The result? Nic lost five rounds in a row.

"Hahahaha!" Rika laughed victoriously and hugged Talia. "You're a genius, Talia! Your strategies are like something out of Zhuge Liang's playbook!"

Talia smirked. "Of course. Now you understand—there's always someone better than you."

Nic stayed calm. "Hmm, I get it now. Let's go again."

But seeing Nic's confident expression made Rika uneasy. "Talia, come up with a new strategy. I have a bad feeling about this…"

Talia looked confused. "What? You just won five times. Why worry now?"

But Rika's instincts were right. In the next round, Nic got serious. Every time Rika went to capture a city, Nic was already there. And when she managed to take one of Nic's cities, he'd capture one of hers almost immediately. The match turned even.

Talia, who had been brimming with confidence, began to frown. "Wait… what's going on?"

The battle raged on until Nic finally captured the main city—Rika's power hub. His score skyrocketed, and he came out on top.

Talia was speechless. She glanced at Rika, then at Nic. Holding Rika by the shoulders, she asked with urgency, "Who is he?! Was he just pretending to lose earlier?!"

Rika could only sigh in defeat. "Let's just admit it… we lost. You're free to go, Nic."

Nic looked over at Talia, then smirked playfully. He raised his fingers like a gun and pointed at her. "Bam! I'm interested in your strategist skills."

Talia frowned. "Huh? What are you doing?"

Nic had just used Love Shoot on her. But he only shrugged. "Just kidding. You really giving up?"

Talia was annoyed, but deep down, she knew there was no point in continuing. If they kept pushing, they'd only get embarrassed more.

Then, Talia turned to look at Rika—and noticed something. Her face was slightly flushed. "Eh? Rika, are you sick?" she asked, placing a hand on her friend's forehead.

Rika flinched and shut her eyes tight. "You don't have to worry about me!. And just go already, Nic!"

Nic chuckled softly and decided it was time to leave. As he stepped out of the café, the sun was already setting. He took a deep breath, feeling satisfied with the day.

But when he reached into his pocket for his phone… it wasn't there.

"What?!" He smacked his forehead. "Ugh, crap. I forgot my phone at home…"

And then it hit him.

"Wait… someone's probably really mad about this…"

Back at Nic's house, Fanny was banging on the door, face fuming. "NIC! OPEN THE DOOR!" she shouted. But there was no answer. She tried calling him, but his phone was off.

"Where the heck is he?! He's not home, and his phone's dead," she grumbled.

Jenny stood beside her, sighing. "Just forget it for now, Sis. Let's look for him tomorrow. I'm emotionally hurt right now~" she said dramatically, clutching her chest.

Fanny eyed her suspiciously. "Hurt? What do you mean?"

But seeing Jenny's dreamy, blushing face, Fanny could only sigh again. "You really are a full-blown masochist now."

Just then, Nic appeared at the end of the alley, scratching his head with an apologetic look. The moment Fanny saw him, she rushed over to punch him. "You idiot! Why didn't you tell anyone?!"

Before her fist connected, Nic reflexively caught her hand. Their position accidentally turned into a hug. Fanny's eyes widened, and her face flushed red. "W-What is this?!"

Nic gave her a slight smile. "Don't be so rough. I might cry."

Fanny quickly pushed him away. "Where were you?! Why didn't you tell us anything?!"

Nic raised both hands in defense. "Okay, okay, I'll explain inside. Let's go."

They went inside, and Nic began to explain. "I just missed playing at the café. It's been so long since I gamed, ever since I started dating you guys. So I went over there, and ran into Rika and Talia—the pro players."

Jenny immediately perked up. "Seriously?! I know them! They're super good! Did you beat them?"

Nic smiled. "Yeah… eventually."

Jenny leaned into his shoulder and whispered seductively, "I want to be defeated by you too, Nic~."

Nic frowned. "Uh… what do you mean?"

Jenny got even closer, lips brushing near his ear. "Defeat me in every way… on our date…"

Before she could finish, Nic slapped his hand over her mouth. But that only made Jenny blush harder, eyes sparkling with joy.

Fanny just stared blankly at her little sister. "I don't know if I should be proud or ashamed to have a sister like you."

Nic turned to both of them. "Oh right, since you're sisters, want to go on the date together?"

Fanny scoffed. "No way! That's not a date anymore if it's the three of us!"

Nic gave her a pointed look. "You sure? Don't you want to keep an eye on your sister?"

Fanny started imagining all the things Jenny might do if left alone with Nic. Her cheeks turned a bit red, but she shook her head. "I trust Jenny. Even if she's… kind of nuts, she can control herself."

Nic nodded. "Alright then. Jenny, date's tomorrow?"

But Jenny suddenly gripped Nic's hand tightly. "Let's go now."

Nic blinked. "Now? But we won't have much time."

Jenny shook her head. "Doesn't matter."

She looked at her sister and gave her a clear signal to leave. Fanny sighed and started walking out. But before she left, she paused, looking a little conflicted. Nic noticed and stood at the doorway.

"You sure you don't want to come?" he asked.

Fanny glanced back briefly, cheeks slightly pink. "Shut up, Nic." Then she left.

As soon as Fanny was out of sight, Jenny turned to Nic, eyes sparkling. "Let's play!"

Nic raised an eyebrow. "Play what? Don't tell me it's something painful again…"

Jenny pouted. "Ugh! I'm not like that anymore! Here, touch my cheek!"

Nic obeyed and gently patted her cheeks. "Hmm… still soft. No signs of slaps. Good." Then he patted her head.

Jenny smiled in satisfaction, then grabbed his hand. "Let's go to your room!"

Nic stiffened. "Uhh… what for? Don't tell me it's slap games again?!"

Jenny huffed. "I told you, I'm over that!"

They entered Nic's room, and Jenny sat on the bed, leaning against his shoulder.

"Nic, you know what? Even though I like pain, I like comfort more. And being near you… it feels better than anything."

Nic stayed quiet for a moment, then gave a small smile. He hugged Jenny tightly and gently kissed her cheek.

Jenny froze. Her face turned beet red, and her breathing grew shaky.

Then, in a whisper, she said into his ear, "I want to sleep here tonight… with you…"

Nic flinched. "S-Sleep together?!"

To be continued…