Translator:	Author:	Original Source:
MJCross	Cat’s Glasses	SFACG

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In a secluded corner of the underground shopping district, there was a three-step staircase leading down, flanked by lush green bamboo and a simple wooden sliding door in the style of a Japanese ryokan.

Hanging on the door was a small blackboard sign with “Lose Moonlit” written in bold English letters, along with a few promotional posters.

At first glance, it looked like some unknown, low-key Japanese restaurant. If Haitang hadn’t repeatedly assured me that this was the right place, I’d never have connected this serene, traditional storefront with a bar.

…Did “Lose Moonlit” refer to a missing Princess Kaguya or something?

Xiao Lei and I stood at a distance, making our final mental adjustments before heading in.

I was already naturally timid, and with Haitang constantly implying this place was shady, my cowardice was at an all-time high.

If Xiao Lei weren’t with me, I might have already turned tail and run.

My outfit—a blue-white button-up shirt, gray-green plaid trousers, and a leather belt—looked ordinary enough. But slap on a brand name I couldn’t pronounce, and suddenly, it became luxury fashion for the elite.

…The rich people’s world is incomprehensible to me.

That said, it was comfortable.

Haitang had also confiscated my new oversized glasses, replacing them with a sleek black-framed pair.

“These might look a little delicate,” she said, “but the frame has a hidden camera. You have to wear it, or I won’t be able to monitor you inside—or coach you on how to act rich.”

While I was recalling on the details, through the tiny, bean-sized earpiece, her voice came through:

“Testing, testing—Commander, can you hear me? Nod if you can.”

This high-tech earpiece wasn’t just a communication device—it also enhanced surrounding sounds, essentially boosting my hearing.

I nodded, signaling that the connection was clear.

“Alright, listen up. Your new identity is a rebellious rich girl disguising herself as a man. You’re a spoiled heiress, born into wealth, but you act like a high-and-mighty aristocrat. Now, let’s start with a classic noblewoman’s laugh, shall we?”

“Ohohohoho—cough cough—nope. Can’t do it. My voice isn’t high enough for that!”

I mean, come on—I’m a guy! The best I could do was sound vaguely androgynous.

“Relax, I was just messing with you. I just want you to adjust your mindset—get into character. You need to be as arrogant as possible. You’re a rich young lady now.”

…Arrogant? That felt like a foreign concept to me.

Was I supposed to say something like, “If you don’t have bread, just eat cake”?

“And Xiao Lei, you’re playing her childhood friend and companion. Since I can’t see what’s happening from your perspective, I’ll only be handling most of the dialogue for Commander. But if needed, feel free to improvise.”

“Got it! Leave it to me!”

Unlike me, who was a nervous wreck, Xiao Lei was excited, like a kid on a field trip.

As if we were about to enjoy a casual night out at a bar, instead of storming into a gangster hideout.

“You don’t have to worry about the budget—just use the card I gave you. Even if you order cocktails all night, you won’t even put a dent in my pocket money. Consider it my treat. This is a bar open to the general public; they won’t overcharge on drinks. The commerce bureau isn’t just for show, you know.”

So no matter how I looked at it, this was a perfectly legitimate bar.

…She was just holding a grudge because they wouldn’t let her in, wasn’t she?

I lowered my gaze to the sleek black credit card in my hand. The matte finish, the elegant gold lettering—this thing screamed wealth.

As expected of a rich girl, even her spare change had an air of luxury.

In my hands, though? I was literally shaking.

And no, that wasn’t just a figure of speech.

“Pffft—Commander, are you shaking?” Haitang’s laugh crackled through the earpiece. “Relax. This card isn’t as exclusive as you think. It’s not some ultra-limited, billionaire-only deal. The only requirement is an annual income of, like, 150k. That’s it.”

150k? That’s it?

Wasn’t she a middle schooler?!

Had I just glimpsed a side of Haitang that was never meant to be known?

Forget being friends—I should just become her devoted servant.

But beyond my financial anxiety, I had another problem.

If Lei Laohu really was hiding in this bar, all I’d find was a delinquent girl who used to be Lei Laohu.

If that was all, I could just say, ‘Oops, no sign of him here!’ and let Haitang’s plan crash and burn.

But knowing her, she’d piece things together from the tiniest clues—then it wouldn’t take long for her to link Lei Laohu to Zhao Zhao, and then Zhao Zhao to Xiao Lei, and then…

Once she connects that dot, it wouldn’t be long before she figures out that Tangerine’s transformation was also my doing.

And when that happens—

Me, the God of Bishoujo, will be utterly doomed.

So from my perspective, I had two priorities. One: make sure Haitang’s plan fails. Two: keep her from realizing Lei Laohu is now a girl.

But with her watching my every move, pulling off both at the same time would be anything but easy.

I turned my eyes to the blackboard hanging on the bar’s wooden sliding door. Various posters and event announcements were pinned to it.

One of them caught my eye.

A flyer with a spotlight silhouette of a girl holding a microphone.

“The Light of the Future Begins Here—A Budding Star’s First Performance!”

…That slogan sounded like something from an elementary school talent show.

The event was scheduled for 5 PM today.

Somehow I felt like this peculiar detail was hinting at something.

Chances that it affects us seems low, but according to Murphy’s Law, if something can go wrong, it will.

With a swift slide, I pulled open the wooden door, and a rush of cool, air-conditioned air swept over me, a sharp contrast to the warmth outside. Stepping inside, I found myself in a narrow, distinctly Japanese-style entryway.

The hallway stretched about five meters long. On the right, a row of lush, emerald-green bamboo stood tall, their leaves gently rustling in the artificial breeze. Curious, I reached out and brushed my fingers against them—real.

To the left, a waterfall feature cascaded down a bed of smooth river stones, the water pooling beneath a glass walkway. Walking forward felt almost surreal, as if I were stepping across the surface of a tranquil pond.

Above, the deep-red beams resembled the torii gates of a shrine, though no overhead lights adorned them. The only illumination came from the soft ambient glow of the waterfall and glass flooring.

The exception was the bamboo grove on the right, where a row of hidden spotlights cast intricate, shifting shadows onto the waterfall, blending nature and architecture into an almost dreamlike scene.

“The atmosphere is nice, but it’s a little too dark—huh?!”

Just as Xiao Lei stepped onto the glass pathway, the floor lit up beneath her feet, a soft, azure glow spreading outward like ripples in water.

The bamboo’s flickering shadows were instantly replaced by a breathtaking display of fish silhouettes swimming across the ceiling.

There were actual fish in the water beneath the glass.

This place was on a whole other level.

“Damn, this is way too cool,” I muttered, stunned.

Xiao Lei, who had just complained about the dim lighting, went silent. Then, awkwardly, she covered her face with both hands.

“…That was too fast,” she groaned. “I totally jinxed myself.”

“Is the floor pressure-sensitive? I’ve never seen a design like this before,” Haitang’s voice crackled through my earpiece, her surprise evident.

At the end of the hallway, a left turn led us to the reception desk of Lose Moonlit. A receptionist stood behind the counter—a woman in her twenties, dressed in a sharp vest and tie.

As the face of the bar, the young woman was strikingly beautiful, with long, flowing wine-red hair that immediately drew the eye.

With a polished, customer-service-perfect smile, she greeted us warmly.

“Good evening, ladies. Is this your first time visiting our establishment?” Her voice was soft, smooth, and oddly relaxing.

“Look again. I’m a man.”

Originally, I hadn’t planned to argue over something so trivial—getting in was all that mattered. But Haitang had specifically instructed me to insist on my male disguise.

The receptionist gave me a slightly puzzled look, scanning me from head to toe before smiling once more.

“…Ah, my apologies. Sir, is this your first time here?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“It’s just a formality, but by law, we’re required to check IDs for underage guests. May I see yours?”

I hesitated for a moment before clicking my tongue in annoyance. “This is the first time I’ve ever heard of a bar checking IDs at the door. What, do I look like I can’t afford a drink?”

Oddly enough, once I got into character, my nerves disappeared entirely. That meant my role immersion was solid. Compared to Xiao Lei, my acting skills might actually be Oscar-worthy.

“My apologies, sir,” the receptionist said smoothly. “It’s just store policy. I hope you understand.”

Of course, I couldn’t actually walk away, so in the end, I handed over the completely fake but technically real ID cards.

As the receptionist took them, she glanced at mine for a moment, then nodded to herself—like she had just confirmed some kind of assumption.

“The underage check is just an excuse,” Haitang’s voice drifted in through the earpiece. “Even if an old grandpa walks in, they’d still find a way to ask for an ID.”

She then started tapping away at her computer, presumably verifying our IDs. Seizing the moment, Haitang continued in a mischievous, hushed tone.

“Even though your fake IDs won’t pull up any real records, this is the step where they profile customers. If someone looks like a trust fund baby or a wealthy heir, the bar’s sales team will swoop in to push high-end services. There are even… hidden services if you know the right people. Of course, you two will just get the normal guest treatment… unless some rich second-gen brat takes an interest in you. After all, you’re both pretty cute.”

I rolled my eyes. Yeah, right.

Haitang had been hyping up this place as some kind of seedy underworld establishment, but aside from the ID verification, nothing about it seemed particularly sketchy.

“Thank you for your cooperation,” the receptionist said, returning our IDs along with two semi-transparent plastic cards.

“These are your Lose Moonlit membership cards. You can load money onto them here or at the bar counter—recharging offers more benefits than direct payment. Additionally, from now on, presenting your membership card at the entrance means you won’t need to verify your ID again.”

Ah.

So that’s how Lei Laohu was able to get in despite not having a female ID.

“Got it,” I said, tucking the card into my pocket.

“Then I hope you both have a wonderful evening~”

Something about the way she said that felt… genuinely friendly.

Was it just me, or was there a flicker of amusement in her gaze when she looked at me?

As Xiao Lei and I stepped further inside, my earpiece’s sound enhancement picked up a soft whisper from behind.

“Ohhh, a gorgeous girl dressed as a boy, insisting she’s a man… ahhh, so cute~”

I nearly tripped.

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