Chapter 016: Infection

Chapter 016: Infection

"Hoshino, how are you feeling right now?" Lin Ye asked.

Hoshino Ai looked up at Lin Ye, her gaze falling on him with a hint of embarrassment. She seemed hesitant to speak.

"Be honest. Tell me exactly how you feel. Don't be shy," Lin Ye encouraged.

After struggling for a moment, Hoshino Ai gripped the blanket tightly, her fingers digging into it as she finally broke through her inner restraint.

"I want… I want to sleep with you, Lin Ye-kun…"

"I want… you, Lin Ye-kun…"

Those two sentences clearly conveyed her current state.

"Don't be embarrassed. I feel the same. I also want to be with you, but like I said earlier, this is the influence of the sounds from the other room. We can't fall into the trap."

"Mm."

In fact, when Lin Ye had spoken just moments earlier, Hoshino Ai had nearly lost control and rushed toward him.

"But… I feel like if this goes on, the impulses will only get stronger… Maybe… Lin Ye-kun, could you… knock me out?"

It was a suggestion, but in the sinister environment of the game's hotel, if Hoshino Ai lost consciousness, would she truly be asleep, or would her body act entirely on instinct?

With consciousness, she could restrain her body's reactions. Without it, her body might be completely unshackled.

"On a scale of one to ten, with ten being the strongest impulse, where do you think you are now?"

"Five… or six, maybe!"

Hoshino Ai gave an estimated number.

Lin Ye felt he was likely at a similar level.

Was he wrong?

"I have a theory. I'm going to test it," he said.

Under Hoshino Ai's watchful gaze, Lin Ye began walking toward the bathroom.

The bathroom? What was he planning to do?

Suddenly,

Hoshino Ai stood up from the bed, as if realizing something.

"Lin Ye-kun, do you think taking a shower might be the key to breaking this… state?"

"Yes."

So far, the black-and-red shower water hadn't had any noticeable effect—neither positive nor negative. Yet, the rules explicitly mentioned taking a shower and linked it to "health."

The sound of water echoed as Lin Ye turned on the shower. Black-and-red liquid sprayed continuously, covering the clean bathroom in the eerie substance.

Just as Lin Ye extended his hand toward the water, Hoshino Ai interrupted him.

"Let me go first, Lin Ye-kun. I've touched the water before, so let me test it first."

With that, she stepped forward, approaching Lin Ye.

Without objection, Lin Ye stepped aside, giving her the opportunity. Her determination and effort earned his respect, so he let her take the lead.

As they passed each other, Hoshino Ai's heart suddenly raced. She felt a surge of emotion, an overwhelming impulse spreading through her. Reaching out, she touched the liquid spraying from the shower.

One second.

Five seconds.

"There's no change. The impulse hasn't… lessened at all."

If anything, it seemed to be growing stronger.

"Could it be… that we need to actually bathe?"

Puzzled, Hoshino Ai placed her hands on the buttons of her clothes, preparing to undress. But Lin Ye stepped closer and reached out toward the water himself.

"Let me try first."

Dark red water drenched Lin Ye's right hand, streaming steadily down his arm.

In just three seconds,

The impulsive desire burning within him began to fade rapidly, the unexplainable urges dissipating almost entirely.

"Showering is key, but it seems both people need to shower—possibly even together."

In a love hotel, the notion of a rule requiring couples to shower together wasn't entirely out of the question.

Lin Ye let out a sigh of relief.

"I feel better too. Lin Ye-kun, you're amazing," Hoshino Ai said.

But her praise did little to please Lin Ye. Though he realized the problem later than he'd have liked, at least he had found a solution.

Lin Ye grabbed a towel, drying his right hand, and turned to look at Hoshino Ai. His pupils contracted in that instant.

[Time Freeze] activated.

Everything froze.

Lin Ye's expression turned grave, his breathing slightly quicker.

Why?

When did this happen?

What rule had been triggered?

He stared at the girl.

At that moment,

Hoshino Ai's once-delicate face was now mottled with patches of black and gray. Her eyes had grown dimmer.

Lin Ye inspected her closely to confirm that he wasn't mistaken.

Hoshino Ai now looked identical to the female staff member who had mutated in the first-floor lobby.

Rip!

He removed Hoshino Ai's clothes and discovered faint black-gray patches on her pale skin as well.

There was no doubt—Hoshino Ai had been infected.

But when had it happened? Lin Ye suspected the liquid from the showerhead.

Which meant that in two hours, he would likely reach the same level of infection as Hoshino Ai.

With six hours remaining until 6 a.m., Lin Ye knew enduring until then would be no small feat.

He sank into thought.

Meanwhile, frozen in Time Freeze, Hoshino Ai couldn't see Lin Ye behind her but was lost in chaotic thoughts.

Why? Why had he suddenly lost control?!

Was the supernatural influence still at work, driving Lin Ye to the point of needing Time Freeze to deal with his desires?

No, no, no!

She didn't want to lose her first time like this!

At least… at least it should be in a bed!

These frantic thoughts filled Hoshino Ai's mind until, suddenly, Time Freeze ended, and she regained her freedom.

In the next instant,

She turned and saw Lin Ye standing in the shadows, his face obscured.

"Lin Ye-kun, um… at least… at least give me some time to prepare myself… okay?"

Hoshino Ai stammered as she watched Lin Ye step closer.

When the bathroom lights illuminated his face,

Hoshino Ai's eyes widened in shock.

"Lin Ye-kun… you're infected!"

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