"Hm..."
My reaction remained flat, both hands supporting my chin lazily.
To be honest, I already had my own picture—especially from the info SIRI gave earlier, which might serve as a reference on its own.
Still, a few questions popped into my mind. First, if libido works that way, would concepts like reward vs punishment naturally arise? I couldn't help but.
Ah, honestly? Who cares. Maybe it's better if I just toss the question back. After all, I'm not a real thinker, just someone who enjoys vibing with any form of thoughts.
"What do you think? You're the one who started the bet, right?"
Yep, that felt like the right response, matching exactly what she was trying to offer. Especially since she was the one who initiated this.
She gave a small nod before saying,
"Okay, I'll lay out my theory based on what I've observed and know so far."
Her tone was neutral, calm—like putting together a puzzle.
"Maybe it goes something like this. Before Round One, we'll be paired as partners, kind of like that analogy I mentioned earlier—weapons and users. If you play games, you get the idea. So we might end up partnered like that."
Huh? Wait, what? That's it? Nothing else even?
I never saw this coming—turns out this femboy isn't as much of a data ace as she looks. Or maybe she's still trapped in her personal logic, unaware that reality can't be brushed aside—that just hours ago, she masturbated, fingered her pussy, and passed out. Maybe she's in denial. Refusing to believe that what happened hours ago is related to this game.
"That's it?" I pressed, making sure she had nothing else to add.
"Yeah, that's pretty much it. But there could be more. Or do you have something? I mean, you've been kinda obvious."
She even smiled faintly.
A surrendering smile, to be exact.
Like she was saying "I give up," before the fight even began.
As if waving a white flag before war. How cowardly of you, VelvetVice.
I let out a sigh and said,
"Don't assume I know everything. I'm not a know-it-all, you know."
"I'm not, really. I just feel like my prediction's still floating. Not clear enough."
"So? What's your prediction this time?" she asked in a calm but firm tone, like she was pushing me to speak.
"Alright so, let me explain." No small talk, I just went straight in.
"Later, before Round One—"
PIP PIP!
Ugh, now what? Just when I was about to start explaining something so crucial...
I was irritated, like there's always something interrupting just when things get serious. Like there's no better time for disruptions, duh.
Half annoyed, I checked the notification screen. No need for a tutorial, I got this.
[RESULTS FROM THE EXPERIMENT CAN BE FOUND IN THE ATTACHMENT BELOW - just now]
[Attachment - 23 kb]
Oh for fuck's sake. For crying out loud, that's it?
I rolled my eyes and turned back to the conversation.
But before I could tell Velvet to continue, she looked utterly shocked—like she'd seen a ghost.
Her hand flew to cover her mouth, her breathing ragged, as if she'd just run 100 meters.
"What's wrong?" I asked, trying to make sure.
"Oh, it's nothing," she replied calmly. Like I was hallucinating.
"Alright, shall we continue?" I offered, wanting to finish this bet.
"Sure. So, what's your theory... or rather, your prediction?"
I stared at her and said, "Don't you think there was something strange about that experiment?"
She reflexively shook her head. "Not really. Seemed normal to me."
Normal, you said? You literally pissed yourself and soaked your clothes, girl.
Honestly… I didn't expect this.
How could she deny it, when the proof was crystal clear?
There's no way this and that were unrelated at all to begin with.
"Why do you ask?"
"Velvet, that experiment relates to what's going to happen next."
"No, that's impossible..."
She denied, as if refusing to believe this was the intended consequence.
I'd had enough. I got up from the bed, walked over to her, and grabbed her shoulders.
She flinched, the blanket slipping and revealing her chest. But I didn't care enough.
I stared into her eyes sharply. "Velvet, you can't keep denying this."
"But Midnight, if this really is true… where's the proof? Is there any data?"
"Proof? What do you mean?"
She shook her head, then said,
"If the experiment is really connected, what's the evidence?"
Ah, so that's what she meant by proof...
Turns out she wasn't denying that speculation—it was a doubt. She needed clarity. Maybe she suspected something too, but wasn't fully convinced.
That means I held the upper hand—the data, and the deeper conviction.
The conviction of certainty or its lack thereof.
Or more precisely, her lack of it. Yeah, that's what this is.
But how do I prove it? All the data's on a screen she can't see. Should I just explain it?
Maybe if I do, she'll accept it.
She is a psychologist, after all—she'd get this kind of concept.
With that premise, I continued in a firm voice.
"The libido in that experiment determines the path we'll take next—both individually and as partners."
"And you know how libido works, right?" I coaxed, softening her doubt a little.
She nodded, "More or less, yeah. Whether Freud, Jung, or psychology in general."
"So, what form of libido are you talking about here? And what does it mean?"
"If we look at the game mechanics and from playing Shadow Mask, it seems more Freudian. That is: sexual need."
Her eyes widened—maybe in shock. "So that libido energy earlier?"
"Yes. That's it. The function, which is to arouse repressed sexual desire, depending on each player. Weren't you the one who talked about the object of desire earlier?"
"That's true, yeah." She nodded, looking convinced and a bit impressed.
"So, the prediction?" she urged, as if wanting me to tie it all together.
"The results of this experiment will grant advantages and disadvantages for Round One, based on our lust and the said desire."
"Basically, more or less, it's like..."
"Crime, reward, and punishment."