41 - Transmigrated as the Villainess Fake Young Lady, Please Spare Me, Female Lead Sister

**The Wicked Fake Daughter, Crossed Over: Chapter 41 - No Such Post-Rain Story** Can rain be... suspended mid-air? Listening to Claire's words, Laftia looked up at the sky. A gentle drizzle fell continuously, and the cool mist filled the air. The terrace featured an arched eave that shielded against wind and rain. Standing beneath it would keep one dry. Raindrops dripped from the eave like strings of crystalline pearls. Laftia extended her slender arm out from under the eave, feeling the rain touch her fingertips. Hmm, for now, let's try to focus. Feel the rain, feel the water element... Laftia closed her eyes, allowing the raindrops to pool in her palm. The water then trickled down her fingers and wrist, leaving faint, chilly trails as it descended... Laftia tried to recall the sensation she had experienced before, falling silent for a moment. Claire, standing beside her, subconsciously held her breath. After about half a minute, the system couldn't hold back any longer and asked: "Host, why did you make the number eight hand gesture?" Claire frowned: "What number eight?" "Could it possibly be two checkmarks?" "Idiot, I'm framing a photo with my fingers! How do you not know that? You need a few more updates." Claire positioned her thumbs and index fingers from both hands to form a rectangle, framing the meditating Laftia within it. She then closed one eye, observing Laftia through the "frame" with the seriousness of a photographer admiring a model through their camera lens. The system fell silent for a moment: "Okay, so why is the host photographing the protagonist?" "Oh, you're mistaken. I'm capturing the rainy scenery; Laftia accidentally entered the frame." "Look at how grand this terrace is, how pristine the crystal ball, how classy the rain." "Am I really to be blamed for getting caught up in the moment? It doesn't interfere with mission progress!" System: "..." Yes, I was photographing the scenery. I absolutely did not think that the scene of my sister elegantly extending one hand to catch the rain was breathtakingly beautiful, like a painting. And I certainly wasn't considering rendering it as a CG or making it a computer wallpaper, absolutely not. System: '(눈_눈)... you better be.' A moment later, Laftia slowly opened her eyes. She seemed to have made no progress and gently shook her head. Just as Claire was about to speak, she saw Laftia withdraw her arm and take a handkerchief from her coat pocket, wiping her hand as she lowered her head in thought. Within Claire's finger frame, Laftia gazed thoughtfully at her damp right hand, her long lashes casting a delicate shadow. Her left hand held the handkerchief, gently and meticulously wiping. First, the water traces that wound their way down her smooth white wrist... At this, Claire's face suddenly flushed, her gaze transfixed. The human imagination is, at times, quite... Quite indescribable. Laftia, unaware of Claire's gaze, was deep in her own musings. Hmm, she sensed the abundant water element earlier and even saw it, but couldn't control it. Moreover, the brief pause last time felt different from merely controlling the element... What was the difference? Her wrist now dry, Laftia spread out her wet palm, the left thumb smoothing the handkerchief's fabric, applying pressure to wipe. With her thoughts at a deadlock, her actions took on a slightly forceful edge. ...Control... Control? No, it didn’t feel like control. Perhaps it was altering some sort of rule momentarily... Or, rather, was it her reaction speed increasing, rather than slowing down Claire's fall? So maybe the training should focus on reaction speed...? Or perhaps this skill only activates during urgent moments? Laftia knit her brows, somewhat disdainful of the persistent rain. She unfolded the handkerchief, carefully wiping each of her damp fingers from the delicate pinky onwards, the rain-enhanced sheen of her smooth, well-manicured nails clearly visible. As she reached her long middle and index fingers, they curled up, holding the handkerchief between them. The residual rain on her knuckles soaked the handkerchief, leaving a dark spot blossoming on the white fabric. Suddenly, Laftia realized the truth. ...That’s it. Rather than focusing on feeling, she should try "observing" instead? The key was to observe the path of the rain’s movement, imagine intervening to interrupt it midway...? That's it! Laftia abruptly lifted her head, causing Claire to jump in surprise, unable to hide her reaction as their gazes met for a brief moment. The look of sudden enlightenment in Laftia's eyes was quickly replaced by confusion. "...Claire, are you really okay?" "Why does your face seem even redder than before?" --- Afterwards, Laftia tried several more times, seemingly to no great effect. Her eyes getting sore from staring at the rain. Laftia had to temporarily concede. It seemed the practice of time suspension couldn’t be so easily grasped and couldn’t be rushed. Moreover, Claire’s state was very concerning. Laftia couldn't help but worry, constantly distracted. After all, ever since meeting this morning, the young lady had been in such a daze, anyone would be worried. Was she really okay? Could she have caught a chill from bathing last night... Incidentally, I meant to apologize for losing my temper with her last night. But I've been so absorbed in practice. Walking along the corridor, Laftia looked at the girl's figure ahead. Claire walked briskly in her small heels, the puff of her skirt and ends of her golden hair bouncing like a piece of runaway cream cake. Unexpectedly, Laftia smiled silently. After all, how could Claire, the great young lady, be running away? She would be standing there with hands on hips demanding, "Why are you practicing so slowly, you can’t even match a tenth of my talent!" She must just be hungry for milk pudding. With this thought, Laftia adjusted the coat draped over her shoulders and quickened her pace. Yet only Claire knew she was indeed running away. Not from fear, but an unspeakable shyness and tension. Nothing to be done, she didn’t know why her heart was racing so. All she knew was if she didn’t hurry up and run, she might slip and land in her sister's arms. Oh, beauty is such a distraction, Claire... Hold it together! Admire from afar, don’t reach out! Hugging her would be surely blissful, but if her favorability plummets, what then? Claire’s face turned bright red, trying to suppress her discomfort. Behind her, Laftia suddenly spoke: "Miss, it's a rainy day, the ground is slick, please be careful even if in a hurry." ...Had she not known Laftia’s character or that her favorability was still negative, Claire might have misconstrued this as an attempt to lure her in! You have no idea how hard I'm trying not to slip, ugh...!