The sound of the footsteps, da, da, da, made Luo Cheng's heart pound. He felt like he had been dropped into a horror movie, facing a ghost head-on.
Bring it on! I've been through a lot; I'm not scared of you!
Mustering his courage, Luo Cheng spun around, only to see an aluminum can roll to his feet. The room was empty. There was nothing there. Luo Cheng swallowed. He should have brought someone back with him. Even if they were an unconscious doll, at least they could relieve his stress.
Knock, knock, knock.
Just as Luo Cheng was still immersed in the lingering terror of whether it was a bug or a ghost, a knock came from the door. At this moment, Luo Cheng's fear turned into rage.
You've gone too far! Whether you're a bug or a ghost, I'm not done with you!
Luo Cheng grabbed the doorknob with enough force to rip the door to shreds. But surprisingly, the door opened easily, and a shadowy figure stood in front of him. Looking at the smooth, fair face and the long, dark hair, Luo Cheng was stunned for a moment before calling out her name. "Cafe?"
"Good evening, Trainer." She lowered her head.
"You... what are you doing here?"
"I wanted to go for a walk and see the Trainer."
"I see." Luo Cheng looked down the hallway, and after confirming no one else was there, he invited Cafe inside. He needed someone to be with him right now. He had thought he was going to have a heart attack and die right there. It would be too bizarre if he died in the game world, not from a mental breakdown or being drowned in a horse girl's embrace, but from a system bug.
He had Cafe sit on the couch and took some desserts out of the fridge. These were things he had brought back from the cafeteria. Luo Cheng had wanted to buy some things in the real world, but he never got the chance. Teio and the others were too clingy. The moment he was free, they would appear as if they had sensed it. It was nice to have the horse girls stick to him all the time, but sometimes Luo Cheng wished they would slow down and give him a break. He wanted them to come over when he wasn't busy. Just like Manhattan Cafe now. She came over when Luo Cheng needed company the most. Her timing couldn't have been better.
"Would you like some coffee?"
"Yes, please." A smile appeared on Cafe's face, and Luo Cheng raised an eyebrow. Something about Cafe's expression felt strange. Although he couldn't put his finger on it, Luo Cheng felt like Cafe was much more cheerful than before.
Before, her smile always had a sense of tranquility, like a beautiful doll that was meant to be admired from afar and not touched. Of course, Luo Cheng had already touched her. In any case, Cafe now had a very cheerful vibe. The corners of her mouth curved into a subtle smile.
"Do you want sugar?"
"No, I want to drink black coffee."
Luo Cheng secretly glanced at her. Her starry golden eyes were staring right at him. He placed the coffee on the table and sat opposite her. Cafe took a sip, and her eyes moved slightly.
"Does it not taste good?"
"It's so-so..."
She licked her lips. Under the light, they looked vibrant and alluring.
"Why are you sitting over there, Trainer?"
"Huh?"
"Sit here. That way, I can touch you." Cafe patted the spot next to her. Her soft voice was like magic, pulling at Luo Cheng's heart.
"Cafe, nothing strange happened today, did it?"
"No, why do you ask, Trainer?"
"I feel like you're a little different from usual."
"Is that so? Maybe it's because the stars are particularly bright tonight. I love beautiful nights; I'm in a very good mood."
"I see..."
Luo Cheng didn't really understand these astronomy enthusiasts. But the night sky was indeed the only way to see a world beyond this narrow space.
"Trainer, I'll take you to see the stars sometime." Under the girl's captivating voice, Luo Cheng nodded. Her sweet breath brushed against his ear. If she was in a good mood, it was a little too good.
Under her silky hair, her clear eyes shone brightly. Her long black hair spread out on the couch. Her two small ears swayed from side to side, and the jade earrings on her right ear sparkled. Cafe placed her coffee on the table and leaned closer to Luo Cheng. Her white socks rubbed against Luo Cheng's thigh, and her round, full skin appeared before Luo Cheng as her skirt moved.
"What are you looking at, Trainer? I said I would take you to see the stars, but you're just looking at me. Am I the star?" With that, Cafe lifted her leg, leaned her body up, and brought her lips close to Luo Cheng's ear.
A shallow warmth wrapped around his earlobe. Luo Cheng was very confused. Cafe had been bold before, but her actions always spoke louder than her words. She would get straight to the point without any nonsense. Otherwise, she wouldn't have ambushed him at night or hidden under the covers to suck on him when there was someone else in the room. But now, not only were Cafe's actions bold, but her words were also incredibly aggressive. It made Luo Cheng wonder if she had specifically learned how to flirt with men.
The corners of her mouth slowly turned up, becoming more and more exaggerated and teasing. Her long eyelashes fluttered. One hand hooked around Luo Cheng's neck, and the other slid down his shoulder, her fingertips touching his chest. Her hand was cold. Even after holding a coffee cup, it seemed to have no warmth at all.
"I like interesting things, and the things about you, Trainer, fascinate me." With that, Cafe lifted her body, straddled the man's lap, and faced him. A sweet scent mixed with the rich aroma of coffee filled his nose.
Looking at her face so close to his, Luo Cheng swallowed.
"What do you mean by... things about me?"
"You know, Trainer. I'm just a bystander, but even from the sidelines, I can feel a lot of fun. Trainer, you are interesting. More interesting than anyone I've ever met. I really like that." Cafe licked her lips and hugged the man's head into her chest.
Although Cafe's flat chest couldn't give Luo Cheng a great experience, her alluring words and teasing actions made his heart race.
Was the person in front of him really Cafe?
No, she couldn't be.
Luo Cheng was certain that Cafe would never do something like this or say these things. He remembered the horse girl's character setting, specifically Cafe's. The friend who was always with her...
But before Luo Cheng could think any further, the person's actions interrupted his thoughts. Her slender arm slowly wrapped around Luo Cheng's waist, and she parted her pink lips.
"Let me get to know you more deeply, Trainer."