They called it a prize draw, but really, it was just gambling.
Four blind boxes – what you pulled was purely down to luck. How was that not betting? Imagine fifteen rounds: you've drawn some good things early on, but you don't stop, eager for even more prizes. Then, suddenly, you pull the 'End the Draw' item.
Once you get that item, if you want to keep the prizes you've already won, you have to pay for a chance to continue the game. Of course, you could just cut your losses, end the game right there without paying a single Ryo. But if you do, you naturally forfeit everything you've drawn so far.
Only a small fraction of guests could actually resist the temptation and walk away.
As for the prizes themselves? They were mostly expensive-looking products crafted at low cost by the Senju Clan, some even being vouchers for premium spa treatments. To outsiders, these items seemed incredibly valuable. But for the Senju Clan, compared to the silver players had to fork over when they drew the 'End the Draw' item, the actual cost of these goods was appallingly low. Even if they deliberately let a guest win prizes from all fifteen rounds, the Senju still came out comfortably ahead.
Tsukuyo led Hyuga Bai to her private quarters first, allowing him to change into a standard-issue Senju Clan yukata. Her reasoning was that the festival grounds were crowded, and with most people eating as they walked, it was easy to accidentally bump into someone and get something spilled or smeared. This was simply a precaution to keep Bai's own clothes clean.
Hyuga Bai remained silent, letting Tsukuyo handle all the arrangements.
Once changed into the Senju attire, blending in somewhat, Bai walked alongside Tsukuyo, looking almost like a member of the Senju Clan himself. Tsukuyo wore a constant smile, like a cheerful little sparrow, endlessly pointing out the signature foods and games of the festival to Bai. When they approached various food stalls, Tsukuyo would procure snacks from the Senju managing them, offering them to Bai to taste.
If Bai didn't know better – that he was here representing the Hyuga Clan on an official visit – he might have mistaken Tsukuyo for nothing more than a lively girl-next-door, constantly finding ways to cheer him up. This kind of treatment was something entirely alien to him, something he'd never experienced even within his own Hyuga Clan.
No one had ever treated Hyuga Bai with such attentiveness before – not other girls, not even his male clansmen or family members. Within the Hyuga Clan, his aptitude and appearance were considered mediocre, his status humble. The Main Family members were high above. Those in the Branch Family shared his rank, yet due to his age and abilities, he always felt a step below them.
But here, with Tsukuyo, Bai experienced the feeling of being valued.
The depth of that feeling was perhaps something only Bai himself could truly understand.
Yet, gazing at the silver-haired girl with her natural, gentle, and warm smile, Hyuga Bai felt a distinct chill – he was truly sensing the terrifying aspect of the Senju Clan. In that moment, Bai genuinely understood why Hyuga Miyu had become so utterly obsessed.
This beautiful girl before him, Tsukuyo, was Senju Kawarama's younger sister. The siblings likely grew up in a similar environment. Just Tsukuyo standing there, smiling, was enough to captivate most people with her beauty. Combine that with such a "pleasant" personality, and many would willingly face death itself for her sake. As Tsukuyo's elder brother, Senju Kawarama was probably just as fatally charming to the opposite sex – that had to be the core reason for Hyuga Miyu's deadly infatuation.
Even Hyuga Bai felt himself being drawn in, tempted by this Senju princess. He knew he shouldn't, yet the thoughts rushing through his mind were impossible to halt.
"This is beef tongue and beef rib meat. I wasn't sure if you eat beef, so I didn't get much. Try it first, see if you like the taste. If you do, I can get you some more."
The plate and chopsticks Tsukuyo handed him jolted Bai from his reverie. He silently regarded the offering: thinly sliced meat arranged neatly on a pristine white ceramic plate. In the empty spaces on the plate were three dollops of sauce – red, white, and black.
Tsukuyo explained with a smile that the sauces were sweet chili, garlic oil, and black pepper. Her beautiful eyes shone with hopeful anticipation, the curve of her lips holding an intoxicating charm.
Unable to refuse her, Hyuga Bai sighed softly, picked up the chopsticks, and tasted the food. Eating reservedly, he gave his honest assessment, "The texture and flavor are quite good."
Receiving this response, Tsukuyo seemed genuinely delighted, her happiness radiating. "Really? I'm so glad you like it! Would you like some more?"
"No, thank you very much. You've gone to enough trouble." Bai shook his head. When Tsukuyo had gone to the stall moments ago, there weren't many people, but now a considerable queue had formed.
Smiling, Tsukuyo collected the empty plate and chopsticks, placing them at a nearby collection point for used tableware. She had repeated this action many times already. The streets were dotted with self-service cutlery stations for guests to use freely. Designated spots were available for depositing used dishes and leftovers. The level of service here was exceptionally thoughtful, and smiles graced the faces of all the guests.
"I apologize... about the Young Mistress... She must have caused you trouble, didn't she?" Bai asked quietly, referring to Hyuga Miyu.
"We merely gave her a few expensive gifts. Nothing really happened," Tsukuyo replied with a slight smile. "It wasn't any trouble."
"I will report everything I've seen and heard faithfully to the Clan Head," Bai stated with a nod. Then, abruptly changing the subject, he asked, "Princess... what is it you truly want from me?"
"Want from you?" Tsukuyo's smile didn't waver. "There's nothing I need to get from you."
This was the truth. Even if Tsukuyo wanted intelligence on the Hyuga Clan, she wouldn't need Bai to relay it. If she desired secrets, she could simply dispatch her legions of animal spies to get the gist of things, rendering Bai unnecessary. The chance of human betrayal was far greater than that of animals; why bother with such an unreliable and thankless method?
Tsukuyo's actual reasoning was simpler: she recognized the Hyuga Clan's innate talent with the Byakugan. If their clans eventually merged into a village, the Hyuga could leverage their unique visual prowess to elevate the Tui Na massage industry to its peak. Therefore, Tsukuyo merely intended to give the Hyuga a glimpse of the Senju Clan's enterprises, laying the groundwork for future cooperation.
But this plain truth sounded entirely different in Hyuga Bai's ears.
From Bai's perspective, anyone capable of constructing such a massive hot spring resort and devising such an addictive lottery game couldn't possibly be the kind, beautiful princess she appeared to be on the surface. This was clearly a femme fatale, a venomous beauty.
Bai inexplicably felt that Tsukuyo was deliberately seducing him, aiming to gain some unknown advantage from him. After all, she herself had once said that in her eyes, there was no love, only benefit.
Yet, despite knowing – or suspecting – her ulterior motives, Bai found himself unable to harbor any dislike for her. Throughout their walk, Tsukuyo's words had been pleasing, her conversational skills superb. No matter the topic, Bai couldn't help but sense her high emotional intelligence. Even when he broached sensitive subjects, Tsukuyo's responses always managed to soothe his mood, leaving him feeling comfortable.
It was an unprecedented experience, and once tasted, utterly difficult to relinquish.
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