Five minutes ago.
Barbara and Klee were still voice acting in Ken's study. Barbara hadn't even started reading up on Genshin when she saw the pair of white lace stockings.
If she wasn't mistaken, those stockings were her own.
She was the only one in Mondstadt who wore that style.
Judging by the marks and scent—they had even been worn recently.
But… why did her stockings appear in Ken's study?
Touching the still slightly warm, sweaty stockings, Barbara's face blushed as red as an apple, her heart pounding as she fled back to Mondstadt.
Had it been someone else, Barbara might have scolded them for taking her clothes.
But since it was Ken, she felt all kinds of complicated emotions.
After all, after spending a brief time together the day before, she felt Ken wasn't that kind of perverted, sleazy man, but a true gentleman.
And besides, he was someone Ms. Alice had chosen—steady, low-key, and elegant.
Though she'd only known Ken for a day, if he really wanted to do something bad, with his power, he could have done whatever he wanted yesterday on Blue Star.
A man capable of breaking the barrier between two worlds—his power was unimaginable. She couldn't resist.
Why would someone so powerful pretend to be mature and gentle, even treating her and Klee to so much good food?
There was no need.
So, whether by instinct or logic, Barbara didn't think Ken was a bad person. She felt this was probably a misunderstanding.
Maybe it was just a similar style from Blue Star, worn by someone else, and she'd panicked and assumed it was hers because she was so embarrassed.
Or maybe…
"Maybe… Mr. Ken likes me and bought a pair just like mine… He can't have gone all the way to Mondstadt to take my worn stockings, right?"
"He doesn't even know where I live… He'd never do that… Barbara, you're overthinking it."
Barbara muttered to herself, analyzing every possibility.
Once she calmed down, Barbara suddenly thought… maybe this meant Ken liked her too. That's why this happened.
With that thought, Barbara covered her face, listening to her racing heartbeat, not knowing how to react.
…
Blue Star.
"Klee, what just happened?"
Ken was still confused.
Since coming to Blue Star, Barbara had been even more enthusiastic than Klee. Thinking back on her expression just now, Ken felt something was off.
"Klee doesn't know…"
Little Klee thought hard, then shook her head.
Ken was about to say something more when suddenly the system's voice rang in his mind.
[Ding—]
[Congratulations, host, you have formed a bond with Barbara: Favorability Bond.]
Huh?
Ken was even more confused. Barbara had just left Blue Star, and now he'd formed a bond with her?
And it was a favorability bond?
Did Barbara really have feelings for him?
Ken pondered. It wasn't impossible.
Girls often admire the strong, and to Barbara he must seem extremely powerful.
Plus, he was extremely handsome, had a unique, elegant temperament, and could cook—being instantly attracted was normal, let alone developing feelings.
At that moment, Lisa's voice broke his train of thought.
"Mr. Ken, you have quite a collection of books here. Could I borrow a few before I leave?"
Since entering the study, Lisa's eyes had been fixed on Ken's bookshelf.
As the Knights' librarian, she'd read many books, but never any from Blue Star—she was curious.
"Of course, take whichever ones you like," Ken replied automatically.
Lisa sashayed over, laughing, "Then as payment, should I dub for your game, like Klee and Barbara?"
"Deal," Ken agreed readily.
A few books in exchange for Lisa's work, plus getting to see her curvy, seductive figure every day—an absolute win.
Upon hearing this, Lisa gave him a lazy, sultry look.
Suddenly, Lisa felt… maybe this was Ken's real reason for summoning them all.
To have them do voice acting for his game.
"Mr. Ken… was this your real goal all along?" Lisa asked suspiciously.
If she was right, then Ken had summoned all these pretty girls just to do something so trivial?
Lisa felt a bit weird about it.
"Of course not. I'm not that boring."
Ken immediately denied it. Besides, he wanted to discuss the mysteries of life's legacy with Lisa—how could it be just for voice acting?
No normal man would do that.
"Hehehe…"
Seeing Ken's serious expression, Lisa burst out laughing.
After a while, she finally looked away from him and turned to Klee. "Little cutie, can you teach big sis how to use this 'computer'?"
Little Klee was sitting in a chair, looking up with big bright eyes—her gaze, however, was on Lisa's white shirt.
After a long silence, Klee asked loudly, "Big Sister Lisa, why are you wearing my daddy's white shirt?"
Lisa's smile instantly froze: "..."
Uhh…
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