Watching Jean and Kuki Shinobu give up the trade, the people from Mondstadt and Inazuma in the livestream all let out a sigh of relief.
That thing absolutely couldn't be bought. Whoever bought it would cry themselves to death.
Even though no one knew exactly what it was, just judging by its crude appearance, it clearly didn't look like something worth three points.
However, seeing the two of them playing Tetris—not competing for high scores, but for who got more blocks—left everyone speechless.
Were they really that bored already?
And they'd even come up with a punishment.
Inside Room No. 2.
"Buying it or not? Three points."
"No."
This time, Himeko spoke first. Having already fallen for it once, she wasn't about to fall for it again.
"What if Valerius repeats the same trick?" Kafka had a different opinion. Knowing how inhuman Valerius could be, what if this was another grand prize?
"No. Trust me. There's no way he'd pull out a gacha machine twice."
Kafka thought about it and found Himeko's reasoning convincing.
"Alright then… not buying."
"Got it."
But the moment her words fell, Valerius instantly pushed the box and ran—accompanied by suppressed laughter.
"Hey, wait—"
Bang!
The door slammed shut.
"…Uh, did we miss something again?"
Valerius's eagerness made it feel like the box contained something extraordinary, which immediately shook Himeko's confidence.
Why did he ask for confirmation before, but this time ran off so fast?
Could it be something even more valuable than the gacha machine—something that actually hurt Valerius to give up?
She glanced at Kafka beside her, and her mood instantly worsened.
[Star]: What's Himeko being disappointed for? Whoever buys that thing, I'll laugh at them for a year.
[Welt]: Thankfully, we dodged it.
[March 7th]: That was close. Buying that for three points would make anyone want to jump off a building.
[Silver Wolf]: As long as we don't buy it, we still have nine points and a shot at final victory.
[Firefly]: That was close—I was nervous just watching.
[Yoimiya]: What's there to be nervous about? We Inazumans would never fall for that.
[Raiden Ei]: Naturally. A petty trick.
[Kujou Sara]: The Shogun is absolutely right.
[Yae Miko]: Why didn't you buy it? I was really hoping to see little Ayato fall for it.
[Raiden Ei]: Yae, come to Tenshukaku. I'll treat you to a big-brand walnut milk.
[Yae Miko]: Get lost. Drink that stuff yourself.
[Kamisato Ayaka]: Something's wrong… this is bad.
[Lynette]: Big brother… unreliable.
[Keqing]: Oh? Looks like they're buying it.
[Arlecchino]: This child… hm…
[Freminet]: Father, please calm down. This isn't Lyney's fault.
[Thoma]: They decided together—how can you blame the head of the household alone?!
At this moment, inside Room No. 3.
"Y-you're really buying it?"
Valerius was shocked, his eyes filled with disbelief.
"Heh." Seeing his reaction, Kamisato Ayato knew he'd nailed it. Calmly, he said,
"Mr. Valerius, you're planning to repeat the same trick, aren't you? Smashing the prize in front of us again so future trades become easier."
Ayato had already analyzed Valerius's scheme before. Normally, when a trade failed, Valerius never destroyed the item.
So there could only be one explanation—Valerius was laying groundwork.
But Ayato considered himself sharp-minded. How could he possibly fall for it?
"Don't make things up. I'm not that dark-hearted," Valerius denied immediately.
"I'll give you one more chance. You can still change your minds."
"No need."
Seeing Valerius panic, Ayato revealed a victorious smile.
Nice try. Still pretending? I've caught you this time.
"…Alright."
With great reluctance, Valerius took out two items from the box and handed them to Kamisato Ayato and Lyney.
The two looked puzzled. It was still a box, just smaller. Shaking it lightly produced a thump-thump sound.
"Don't open it yet. Wait until I leave."
Valerius wore a pained expression, pushing his cart away, glancing back every few steps.
Bang.
The door closed.
"Quick—see what it is."
Valerius's heartache had already given him away, so Ayato immediately wanted to see what could make him so distressed.
He opened the box and took out the item inside.
Ayato froze.
It was a plastic box with a cartoon bear printed on it. Beneath the bear were several buttons.
"…What is this?"
No matter how he looked at it, it seemed like a toy.
He pressed a button experimentally.
The box lit up with colorful lights, and cheerful music began to play.
[Now playing: Big-Headed Son and Small-Headed Dad]
🎵 Big-headed son and small-headed dad,
A pair of good friends, a happy father and son~
The son's head is big, his wrists are small,
The dad's head is small, his wrists are big~
Big hands holding small hands,
Walking without fear of slipping~ 🎵
Pfft!
Ayato collapsed, spitting blood.
What the hell is this thing?!
Seeing Ayato fall, Lyney had no energy left to help him—
because the thing in his hands looked just as bad.
Trembling, he reached out and pressed a button.
[Now playing: The Haier Brothers]
🎵 Why does it thunder and rain,
Why are there winter and summer~ 🎵
Pfft!
Lyney collapsed as well.
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