Chapter 226: A Kiss in the Shadows

While she was drowning in shame, Jiang Jian Yue suddenly felt a hand against her cheek.

Rough calluses rubbed against her skin, making it itch — it was Yuki Asahi’s hand.

Jiang Jian Yue was startled. ‘Has my alertness dropped this much?’

But how did this guy get backstage?!

“Yue, your face is so hot.”

Jiang Jian Yue instinctively wanted to slap the hand away, but then she remembered she hadn’t been this close to Yuki Asahi in several days.

In the end, she didn’t do it. Instead, she stiffly tilted her head, letting his hand linger on her cheek a little longer.

“How… did you… get in?”

Jiang Jian Yue tried her best to make her voice sound cold and authoritative.

Unfortunately, the side effects of her “Double Login” hadn’t worn off yet.

Combined with the lingering embarrassment, her voice trembled slightly. Instead of being intimidating, she sounded like she was acting spoiled.

Dammit!

The moment the words left her mouth, Jiang Jian Yue knew she had messed up.

“I walked in.”

Yuki Asahi answered matter-of-factly, staring straight at Jiang Jian Yue. “For some reason, it’s like they all lost their sight when they saw me. They didn’t even ask questions.”

Ever since the incident where the black-clad bodyguards had pulled guns on Yuki Asahi, Koji Hattori had gone back and sent Yuki’s photo to everyone in DRG.

Now, not only did everyone know that the Young Lady had a boyfriend, but they also had his face firmly memorized.

In fact, Yuki Asahi was now listed as one of the “ten people you must know within the company” during new employee orientation.

“That was… intentionally… arranged by me… otherwise… do you think… someone like you… could get in?”

Jiang Jian Yue spoke stubbornly, trying to regain the upper initiative. “Also, your hand. Take it off. It’s sweaty and dirty.”

“It’s not dirty.”

Instead of letting go, Yuki Asahi became even more aggressive. He leaned forward, forcing Jiang Jian Yue to press herself tight against the cold wall.

The distance between them vanished instantly, until they could hear each other breathe.

Jiang Jian Yue could smell the faint scent of sweat on him… and a certain pheromone that belonged only to him.

“I haven’t seen you for several days…”

Yuki Asahi’s voice dropped low, carrying a hint of obvious grievance.

“So?”

Jiang Jian Yue turned her head away, not daring to look into his eyes. Her gaze drifted toward the dim overhead lights of the corridor.

“I couldn’t stand it.”

His answer was decisive.

Yuki Asahi suddenly lowered his head and rested his forehead against Jiang Jian Yue’s shoulder. His hair tickled her neck.

He took a deep breath, as if he were drawing energy from her.

“I missed you.”

His warm breath fanned against the sensitive skin of her neck, making half of Jiang Jian Yue’s body go numb.

“The opening ceremony speech earlier… was very cool.”

Jiang Jian Yue reached out to push against his firm chest, her face turning cold as she said, “Let go.”

Yuki Asahi knew that Jiang Jian Yue’s mouth said no, but her heart felt otherwise.

He wrapped both arms around her slender waist, pulling her into a tight embrace without saying a word.

His hug was hot and powerful, carrying a faint sense of aggression.

Jiang Jian Yue’s resisting hands stopped in mid-air before finally dropping weakly. Her fingertips lightly hooked onto the back of his combat uniform.

‘Is he… actually jealous?’

Her dress was indeed a bit revealing, but it was still within a normal range. Could he really have been upset by that?

Yuki Asahi didn’t speak. He only tightened his arms further, his heavy breathing serving as his response.

“I really… can’t do anything about you.”

She muttered softly, but the corners of her mouth curled up uncontrollably.

Meiguan’s voice sounded at an inopportune time: [Medical Tip: Your heart rate is currently 120. It is recommended that you do not measure your blood pressure at this time; otherwise, you may be misdiagnosed with late-stage hypertension.]

Clack!

Just as the two were enjoying this rare moment of tranquility in the deserted corridor, the handle of the nearby break room door suddenly turned.

Click.

Following that was Saori Saiyonji’s complaining voice. “I’m exhausted… high heels are literal torture devices…”

‘Hide!’

Jiang Jian Yue’s pupils constricted. Only one thought remained in her mind.

Before she could even react, Yuki Asahi clearly realized the situation was bad.

His reflexes were incredibly fast. With a long stride, he scooped Jiang Jian Yue up and ducked to the side.

He pushed open the door of a neighboring room — a utility closet or spare break room — and the two slipped inside, closing the door gently behind them.

Almost at the same moment the door shut, the door to the neighboring break room opened fully.

A group of lively young women poured out, their chattering voices filling the corridor.

“Torture devices? I think they’re okay…” Mizuki Hoshi replied with a smile.

“You girls will never understand in your entire lives.” Saori Saiyonji’s voice sounded a bit dejected.

Jiang Jian Yue leaned her back against the door panel, holding her breath in the darkness while her heart hammered against her ribs.

The narrow room was pitch black, with only a faint sliver of light peeking through the gap under the door.

The air was filled with the specific scent of a newly painted room.

And…

The even stronger scent of Yuki Asahi, which surrounded her completely.

In the corner of the room, behind a massive standing wardrobe, a pair of deep blue eyes was staring intently at the two intruders.

Catherine Windsor, the Captain of the Round Table Knights Team, was currently crouching in the shadows in an extremely awkward position.

As an excellent Knight, she normally disdained such methods.

However, in order to “investigate whether DRG is hiding any plots against European players in this tournament” — at least, that was how her superiors had grandly framed the mission — she had chosen to infiltrate.

Taking advantage of the chaotic backstage during the opening ceremony, she had disguised herself as a cleaner and slipped into this room.

She had planned to wait until the dead of night to investigate the server room of the legendary Backtrack Backup System.

But before she could even get settled, the door had been burst open.

Catherine instantly tensed her muscles, her hand reaching for the dagger strapped to her outer thigh.

Had she been discovered?

Was DRG’s security really that tight?

However, by that faint sliver of light, she saw the people who had entered.

A man and a woman.

That man… was that Yuki Asahi from the Special Response HQ?

And that woman…

Catherine narrowed her eyes.

Although the light was dim, that signature ash-gray hair and the dress that shimmered even in the dark…

Jiang Jian Yue?

Alarm bells rang in Catherine’s mind.

Was this a secret meeting? Were they plotting some shady business?

A trade? An exchange of intelligence? Or a hunting plan targeting other teams?

She held her breath and pricked up her ears, prepared to record this earth-shattering conspiracy.

Then, she heard…

“Shh…” Yuki Asahi’s voice sounded exceptionally deep in the darkness. “They haven’t gone far yet.”

“I know, I don’t need you to… remind me.” Jiang Jian Yue’s lowered voice carried a hint of irritation. “Also, where… are you putting your hand?!”

“I was in too much of a hurry just now.”

“Then now… can you… let go?”

“Yue, it’s so dark in here.”

“So?”

“I can’t see your face, but I can smell your scent.”

“Are you a pervert?”

Immediately following that was the rustling sound of fabric rubbing together, along with a certain wet sound.

Catherine, hiding behind the wardrobe: “…”

She slowly withdrew her hand from her weapon and covered her forehead in agony.

There was no secret meeting. This was clearly just a couple hiding backstage for a secret tryst!

By the doorway.

Jiang Jian Yue had no idea there was a third pair of eyes in the depths of the room.

The darkness amplified her other senses, and Yuki Asahi’s presence was everywhere.

He pinned Jiang Jian Yue against the door, cupping her face with his hands while his thumb rubbed her burning earlobe.

“Yue.”

“What…”

Jiang Jian Yue felt like she was about to melt in this small space. Her voice was a complete mess of softness.

“Your dress is so slippery.” Yuki Asahi’s hand slid down her back, the heat of his palm transferring through the thin fabric.

“Don’t touch me like that!” Jiang Jian Yue gave a soft gasp, grabbing his hand as it wandered around her waist.

He leaned in through the darkness, his nose lightly brushing against hers.

“Wait… what are you…”

The rest of her words were swallowed between their lips.

Jiang Jian Yue’s hand, which had originally been pressed against his chest to push him away, gradually changed into a grip on his collar.

Although her reason told her they were backstage.

Anyone could pass by at any moment — the members of Southern Cross were right outside the door. This behavior was practically playing with fire.

But…

To hell with it.

She closed her eyes, clumsily responding to the kiss.

Behind the wardrobe, Catherine stared expressionlessly at the ceiling.

She silently counted the seconds in her heart.

10 seconds.

20 seconds.

1 minute.

…It still wasn’t over?

She could even hear the sounds of them catching their breath and more aggressive rustling of fabric.

“Enough… that’s enough…”

Finally, Jiang Jian Yue pushed Yuki Asahi away, gasping for air. Her voice was filled with obvious panic.

An explosion of jealousy was truly terrifying. She felt like if she didn’t stop him… she would be eaten alive!

Yuki Asahi licked his lips as if he hadn’t had enough. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and nodded slightly.

The footsteps outside had faded, and the corridor had returned to silence.

Jiang Jian Yue smoothed out her disheveled dress and hair. She took a deep breath, trying to regain her cold and elegant posture.

“Fine. Morita… should be… looking for me by now.” Jiang Jian Yue pursed her lips. “Work hard… in the preliminaries… tomorrow.”

They had agreed beforehand that Jiang Jian Yue would not rig the Team Free-for-All.

There was a chance that Special Response HQ Unit 1 could be eliminated under the double elimination format.

The first round of the preliminaries used a Double Elimination System to weed out the weaker teams.

“Okay.” Yuki Asahi nodded obediently. Though she couldn’t see it in the dark, Jiang Jian Yue could feel him smiling. “I’ll bring back the championship trophy. I’ll give it to Yue as a gift.”

‘You’re quite confident, kid.’

‘But this is a team competition. The trophy will be sent to the Special Response HQ…’

‘Besides, isn’t the trophy coming from DRG in the first place? What’s the point of giving it back to me!’

“I’m leaving.”

When Catherine heard these words, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. The torture was finally over!

‘Must be nice to be a young couple… I haven’t been in a relationship for a long time. My last boyfriend… I hate him… no, I should say “her” now.’

‘I want to fall in love too!’

‘I don’t want to see a couple much younger than me flirting and being all lovey-dovey!’

‘It makes one feel like they’re getting old!’