In the world of anime with the power to stop time.

Chapter 034: Your Name

There was no answer.

The female receptionist still remained silent, but at this moment, her silence spoke louder than words. Lin Ye's assumption had been confirmed.

Why would she want to die?

Lin Ye wouldn't normally have considered this possibility, but Taisuke is final words before his death gave him a rough idea of the receptionist's true identity.

Like him,

The female receptionist had once been a participant dragged into the "eerie game." However, after failing the game, she chose to accept the invitation to become staff at the Loveheart Hotel to avoid death.

But this job, repeated countless times and cycles,

Had eventually inflicted immense damage on her spirit and psyche. Over time, the accumulated pain drove her to the point of seeking release through death.

No wonder Taisuke had mentioned that "she's already broken." Her current state no longer aligned with what the "eerie game" required.

However, the "eerie game" neither resolved the issue nor could it address it directly. At the same time, she lacked the qualifications to die and couldn't end her own life to escape her torment.

And so,

This scene unfolded before him.

Lin Ye looked at her, his eyes reflecting the serene visage of the receptionist in her suit. A trace of regret and sympathy flashed through his gaze.

Though they were on opposing sides, she had undeniably helped him. Perhaps she had even shown him leniency in ways he didn't know.

Had she truly adhered strictly to her duties as the receptionist, he doubted he could have cleared this round of the game so easily.

"I'll help you," he said.

"I'll set you free."

At that moment, the receptionist's eyes flickered briefly with relief.

Lin Ye saw it.

Hoshino Ai and Kuroda Hikaru, who had been observing from the sidelines, also noticed.

They hadn't expected Lin Ye to guess everything correctly even her hidden desire for death.

Sadness welled up in the hearts of both girls.

After all, the receptionist had helped them too. Moments ago, she had even beaten Taisuke to a pulp, venting their frustrations on their behalf.

If possible, they didn't want this kind-hearted receptionist to die. But this was her wish, and Lin Ye had agreed. Their urge to dissuade him caught in their throats, unable to be voiced.

And so,

Under the watchful eyes of the two girls, Lin Ye bent down, picked up the bottle of lubricant, and walked toward the receptionist.

Hoshino Ai couldn't help but avert her gaze, and Kuroda Hikaru wanted to close her eyes, unable to bear watching what was about to happen.

The receptionist remained calm and composed, showing no trace of fear as she faced her impending death. Instead, there was only a faint sense of relief and liberation.

How long had it been?

Finally, it was all coming to an end.

What a pity she was never able to match her brother. She could only chase his shadow. But soon, she could let go of everything, welcoming her conclusion.

Slap...

Lin Ye grasped the receptionist's wrist and lifted it. The receptionist allowed him to do so without a hint of resistance.

"Here, for you..."

Suddenly, something appeared in her hand. The female receptionist looked down, and the moment her eyes landed on the object, even she showed a rare expression of surprise.

This... was a pack of condoms!

Hoshino Ai was utterly dumbfounded.

She suddenly remembered this was the pack Lin Ye had taken from Miho is small bag!

"An inn focused on romance, and they don't even stock condoms? This place is awful. They don't even prepare the most essential item among all the adult products. This is unacceptable."

Neither Room 306, 304, nor 307 had any condoms.

This was supposed to be a romance inn! Even regular hotels often provided condoms, so how could a romance inn not have them?

Was this truly an oversight by the "eerie game," or was it another hint of some sort?

"This is for you. If future guests need it, just hand it to them. The inn shouldn't lack such essentials."

Lin Ye grinned.

"I'll set you free that's my promise. But it won't be by killing you here. Instead, I'll find a way to get you out of this place. If the eerie game could make you part of the staff here, there must also be a way to release you."

After all, Taisuke had just confirmed as much.

There was indeed a way. It was just highly challenging or perhaps something no one was willing to attempt.

Lin Ye turned and signaled for Hoshino Ai and Kuroda Hikaru to follow him toward the self-service kiosk.

"Kuroda-san, you go ahead."

"Then I'll... take care of it first,"

Kuroda Hikaru inserted the card for Room 307 into the machine and pressed the checkout button.

With a single beep, the checkout process began.

Lin Ye followed by inserting the card for Room 306 and completing the checkout as well.

Everything seemed normal, without any issues.

But just as Hoshino Ai was about to leave instinctively, she suddenly noticed Lin Ye pulling out another key card the one for Room 304.

"Lin Ye-kun, are you planning to return the key for Room 304 too?"

"Well, it's in my hand. Might as well return it no reason to waste the opportunity."

That logic sounded suspiciously like picking up free money!

But Hoshino Ai had no grounds to stop him. She knew Lin Ye must have thought of something and wanted to give it a try.

Beep...

All three key cards were returned, and the checkout process was complete.

However, the three of them still found themselves standing in the lobby of the Loveheart Romance Inn.

Lin Ye glanced at the exit door and began walking toward it.

Hoshino Ai immediately followed, grabbing Lin Ye's hand, while Kuroda Hikaru trailed close behind, holding onto his other hand.

The entrance door slowly opened.

"Welcome back next time."

Who would ever come back here again?!

That mechanical voice was as unpleasant as ever.

Out of the corner of his eye, Lin Ye glanced at the female receptionist.

"Tha…nk… you…"

Her voice was soft, but compared to the formal tone she'd used earlier, these words felt far more genuine spoken from her heart.

"By the way, I still don't know your name. Surely that's not your real name, is it?"

Lin Ye looked at the name tag on her suit.

"Suzune... Horikita."

"That's a beautiful name,"

It felt strangely familiar.

Lin Ye continued,

"I'll keep my promise. Wait for me."

The glass doors closed, separating the interior and exterior into two different worlds.

With a smile, he bid her farewell, leaving only his silhouette behind as he walked away.

In the lobby, she watched Lin Ye's retreating figure, clutching the box of condoms in her hand. A faint shimmer of light flickered in her bright eyes.

"You haven't… told me… your name…"

Even though she had overheard the others calling him by his name.

Once his figure disappeared completely, she withdrew her gaze and, after a moment, returned to the reception desk.

There, she began logging the new adult product into the system.

The most difficult task had been completed just like that.

It all felt like a dream.

But at least, now, there was hope.

She could go back.

...

...

Lin Ye and the two girls re-entered the fog.

By their reckoning, it should still be daytime. However, as they walked further, it grew increasingly dark.

Then, Lin Ye suddenly remembered where he had heard the name "Suzune Horikita" before.

"Could it be the heroine from Classroom of the Elite?"

It really seemed possible!

Just then,

A mechanical voice echoed in his ears, and a sensation of weightlessness engulfed him.

Lin Ye found himself transported to an unfamiliar space.

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