Already 95%! She had thought it would be a bit higher, but realizing it was just short of 100% made her feel suddenly anxious.

No, to be precise, she felt excited and thrilled. A vague sense of anticipation seemed to be rising within her.

Step by step. With each step she took toward him, the messages updated even faster than the narrowing distance.

McClain Lindhart’s affection has increased by 2%.

McClain’s affection: 95% ▶ 97%

McClain Lindhart’s affection has increased by 1%.

McClain’s affection: 97% ▶ 98%

McClain Lindhart’s affection has increased by 1%.

McClain’s affection: 98% ▶ 99%

Seeing McClain’s likability hit 99%, Natalie suddenly gasped.

Her approaching footsteps came to an abrupt halt.

Just 1% more to reach 100%.

She had half-expected this since she decided to follow him out. But seeing his likability just shy of 100% made her momentarily question whether this was the right decision.

But she had already made her decision, more or less. She couldn’t back down now, nor did she want to.

She wanted to reach an ending with this man. She felt that with him, she could create a proper happy ending.

Hiding her complex emotions, Natalie pretended to look around with relief and gave an awkward smile.

“At least there’s no one passing by here. If someone saw the two of us together, they would spread all sorts of gossip. We’ll have to be careful when returning to the banquet hall.”

But not understanding her feelings, his response was outrageous.

“I see. Would you like to go back in first, then? I’ll stay out a bit longer for some fresh air……”

Natalie flared up. His passive attitude was so disappointing. It was frustrating to see him trying to suppress his feelings when he was just 1% away from full likability.

Because of this, her voice came out filled with resentment before she could stop herself.

“Are you still so uncomfortable being with me? After I came all the way here, do you want to send me back so quickly?”

Natalie approached him with determined steps, raising her voice. He backed away as much as she advanced. Though he looked clearly flustered, his face also seemed to be restraining something.

But Natalie could no longer tolerate his evasion.

“Are you running away from me right now?”

When Natalie asked in a shrill, demanding voice, an unexpected answer came back from him.

“Natalie, this isn’t a good idea.”

This isn’t a good idea? What exactly? How does he know what I’m trying to do?

At this abrupt statement, she stopped in her tracks, and McClain, who had been backing away with a flustered expression, also stopped.

Avoiding Natalie’s direct gaze, he bit his lip tightly. His expression resembled a student caught doing something wrong by a teacher.

Seeing this made Natalie even angrier.

Why couldn’t this man be more assertive? When had she ever rejected him that he would still be holding back like this?

Before she could confront him, his dejected voice continued, as if trying to placate her.

“You mentioned that you already have a status window. If we change direction like this, you might not be able to return to reality.”

But Natalie shook her head firmly and took another step toward him.

“I don’t think so. You yourself said that the system applying to you seems different from my system.”

“But……”

“What are you so afraid of? Do you still find me disagreeable? Or are you still holding onto the fact that I rejected you in the corrupted area……”

But before she could finish, he vehemently shook his head in denial.

“Absolutely not.”

“Then what? You said you’d help me, treated me kindly, sent all sorts of gifts, even paid off debts for a family that isn’t even real, and now you’re running away. Why? Is it that you were willing to be nice but not give your heart? Was it just kindness and I’m misunderstanding?”

They had now come close enough that just a couple more steps would bring them into contact.

But McClain, unable to retreat further, was busy trying to clear up Natalie’s misunderstanding.

“Misunderstanding? No. But, but we……”

“The situation is so confusing now—we don’t know when we can return, or if we even can. I just want to rely on you comfortably, and I want you to rely on me too. That’s all. I just want us to have a relationship where we trust each other without worrying about what others think.”

“I already trust you. I already believe in and rely on you.”

“Then what?”

Natalie took another step closer and demanded. In response, McClain, looking as if he might burst into tears at any moment, confessed in a whisper.

“I’m scared.”

“What?”

“If we were to be in that kind of relationship, and then suddenly return to reality one day, how could I bear the emptiness you would leave behind……”

“Ah, McClain.”

“Would I even be able to find you again among countless strangers? Would you still trust and care for me then as you do now?”

Natalie’s heart raced. It felt like it would burst from swelling so much.

Her face flushed involuntarily and her breathing quickened. Her gaze automatically moved to above McClain’s head.

Above his head, the number 99 was still flashing frantically.

It seemed to represent his heart, desperately struggling not to cross that final line.

What’s so difficult for you?

Just find me. We can start again. Why are you trying so hard to close your heart?

She felt angry. The number that refused to increase any further was so irritating.

It wasn’t because she feared not seeing the ending. It was his lack of courage, his premature resignation that saddened her, and she was angry at the past that had made him such a timid person.

So before she knew it, she reached out and grabbed his clothes. McClain, suddenly seized by the collar, opened his eyes wide, unable to think of resisting.

“Let’s worry about the future later, Sir Lindhart. Right now, we’re in a situation where it’s hard enough to overcome the present.”

Natalie pulled at his collar with her hand and spoke in an angry voice.

Though she wasn’t particularly forceful, he allowed himself to be pulled toward her. As they came close enough to feel each other’s breath, the atmosphere between them suddenly changed.

Natalie flinched momentarily as she felt his hot, quickened breath touch the tip of her nose.

She hadn’t intended anything when she reached out. Pulling him toward her was merely an expression of her frustration.

But when she met his gaze fixed upon her, she found herself speechless.

Because she could feel it. His trembling, his emotions that had been suppressed but finally erupted, the desire that would surely lead to action.

As she had anticipated, he tilted his head toward her, muttering in a voice so husky it was almost broken.

“Natalie, you really…… make it impossible for me to hold back.”

Contrary to her thoughts of ‘surely not,’ her lips parted instinctively as if to welcome him.

When his hot, heavy breath brushed past the tip of her nose and reached her lips, she unconsciously squeezed her eyes shut. As she felt his breath consuming hers, Natalie’s mind went blank.

Soon, a fire ignited somewhere within her body. Her mind filled with a single thought.

She wanted to touch him. More, closer.

It was unbearable. His dark eyes, different from usual, staring at her as if she were the only one he could see, his expression so captivating it took her breath away. His trembling hand gripping her waist, even the heartbeat felt through their touching chests.

She simply couldn’t resist embracing him. She could only respond with a sound that might have been a sigh or an exclamation to his approaching lips.

McClain was showing with his entire body that he felt the same way. He caressed her with yearning hands, flinching then pulling her closer again, stroking her repeatedly.

Before she knew it, he had lifted her by the waist and was holding her as if she were sitting on his waist.

He held her so steadily that Natalie didn’t even realize her feet were suspended in the air. Or perhaps she was too busy responding to his hot lips to notice how strongly they were embracing each other or in what position.

She was so absorbed in accepting his lips that she didn’t even notice when the likability score flashing above McClain’s head updated to a three-digit number.

“KYAAAAH!”

A piercing scream struck the ears of the two people who were clinging to each other, having lost all reason.

However, the two who were so absorbed in each other as if they were the only ones left in the world didn’t notice what was happening around them.

“AAAAH! What on earth is that?”

“C-could it be demons? Have demons appeared?”

“Guards! No, mages, we need to send someone to the magic tower immediately to summon all the mages!”

Only after one scream was joined by others and the surroundings became extremely chaotic did the two belatedly realize the situation.

They finally managed to separate from each other, controlling their ragged breathing. Unable to hide their expressions of lingering regret, they turned their heads toward the commotion.

The two were absolutely shocked.