Chapter Forty-Four: Kurumi vs Origami

Outside the lingerie shop.

Su Mo watched the stream of women coming and going, his face clouded with hesitation and discomfort. Generally, this was a place frequented only by women; would he, a man, be seen as a pervert if he entered? In fact, many already regarded him as one.

The surrounding gazes landed on Su Mo, especially when they noticed the two stunning beauties by his side. The men cast him looks of envy and admiration, marveling at how he could so openly walk with two women, his harem apparently harmonious. The women, on the other hand, viewed him as a degenerate, a scoundrel, some aunties even approaching Kurumi and Origami to advise them to wake up, turn back before it was too late, and escape from this pit of fire.

Kurumi met these well-meaning admonitions with a perpetual smile, while Origami responded with icy indifference. Yet, both shared a common trait: neither paid the slightest heed to the advice.

"Maybe... I shouldn't go in after all," Su Mo muttered after a few seconds of contemplation at the shop entrance. Though the matter promised him some benefit, he couldn't ignore the stares. This was more than he could bear.

Kurumi paid no mind to his misgivings, turning instead to Origami, "Miss Origami, dare to go in with me?"

Origami ignored Kurumi, grabbing Su Mo's hand and leading him boldly inside.

"Interesting," Kurumi's lips curled in amusement, her smile unwavering. Without regard for Su Mo's feelings, the two dragged him forcibly into the lingerie shop.

Once inside, Su Mo was stunned by the dazzling array of lingerie—styles so bold they made his cheeks flush. It was, without exaggeration, a paradise for men. In that moment, he even imagined Kurumi and Origami changing into these alluring outfits before him, wondering if he would be like those men, nosebleed and face crimson.

Of course, he also felt the intense gazes of the other women in the shop, hostile and wary, piercing him to the core.

Soon, a sweet-looking sales assistant in uniform approached.

"Sir, are you here to help your girlfriend pick out clothes?"

"Sort of," Su Mo glanced at Kurumi and Origami, nodding in reply.

"I see. Which one is your girlfriend? Our store boasts the most complete selection in Heavenly Palace City, including this year's most popular styles. I can recommend some for you," the salesgirl asked politely, her eyes appraising both women.

Standing side by side, Kurumi and Origami exuded contrasting auras. One was enchanting, captivating; the other cold and aloof. Anyone facing them would think Kurumi approachable, her ever-present smile a mask of friendliness. But in truth, Kurumi's heart was ruthless—she could converse with you cheerfully and kill you without hesitation. Origami, meanwhile, though seemingly unsociable and difficult, was genuinely kind. In essence, their exteriors were the exact opposites of their natures.

Before Su Mo could answer, both Origami and Kurumi spoke at once: "I'm his girlfriend."

The salesgirl's face was painted with shock.

Su Mo, seeing her stunned expression, waved his hand helplessly, "No need for introductions. We'll just browse."

Having dismissed the sales assistant, Su Mo led Kurumi and Origami through the shop. He noticed, perhaps it was just his imagination, but the crowd that had filled the store began to thin out after they arrived. People hurried out, and no new customers entered. Su Mo guessed Ratatoskr had intervened—after all, Kurumi was an unstable Spirit, and Kotori wouldn't leave the public at risk, surely employing various means to clear them out.

As the crowd dispersed, only Su Mo and his companions remained. Kurumi and Origami, unperturbed, became even more focused on selecting clothes.

"Su Mo, what do you think of this one?" Kurumi held up a black-and-pink lace design, tugging it outward and marveling, "It looks so big—it's bigger than my face!"

She shot a glance at Origami, her eyes deliberately lingering on Origami's flat chest—a clear provocation.

From the start, Kurumi had sinister intentions in choosing the lingerie shop as the date venue. Though not exceptionally voluptuous, Kurumi's figure was alluringly curvaceous, with all the necessary attributes. Compared to Origami, whose physique could only be described as impoverished, the difference was stark.

Origami took no notice, scanning the shop before quietly disappearing, returning shortly with a bundle of mysterious items and heading for the changing room.

Minutes later, Origami emerged transformed.

For her date with Su Mo, Origami had dressed carefully—a soft blouse, a ruffled skirt, and a sparkling necklace around her neck. Now, however, she wore a school swimsuit, topped with adorable dog ears, and a fluffy tail wagged behind her. Most strikingly, she had a collar around her neck, and squatted before Su Mo, offering him the leash attached to it.

"What do you think?" Origami spun in place, the deep blue fabric hugging her pale, delicate body. Her eyes held a trace of anticipation as she looked at Su Mo, even letting out a few playful "woof woof" sounds.

Unable to compete with Kurumi in figure or appearance, Origami had taken this extreme approach to surpass her rival.

And it worked.

Su Mo's cheeks reddened, his gaze struggling to look elsewhere but inevitably drawn back to Origami. Her outfit was simply too provocative, too irresistible—any man in his position would be moved.

Even Kurumi was dumbfounded, finally covering her mouth and murmuring, "So this is the kind of thing Su Mo likes!"