Miss Riddler just wants to level up in peace.

Page 104

"I'll look forward to it."

Mei nodded seriously, clearly unhappy about being interrupted in the middle of something exciting.

But as Ziyao said, this is just an unwoven dream, and we will eventually wake up.

She was a little scared; what if Ziyao wasn't there when she woke up?

Mei didn't open the door, but instead hugged the girl and kissed her for a while, acting like a kissing maniac.

This was the first time Ziyao had ever seen Mei so proactive.

Mei is usually gentle and considerate, and she always asks questions like "How is it?" or "Is this okay?"

Aside from being rather cold to outsiders, there's nothing wrong with him.

When the door is opened, the visitor needs to duck to be seen.

"Nightingale, I'm so glad you're alright. This place is about to collapse, and I still haven't found Bronya..."

"Really, I'm definitely going to settle the score with Grandpa afterwards."

After confirming that Ziyao was safe, Theresa nodded.

She sighed; her nun's habit was covered in grass leaves.

In order to return and report, Rita deliberately stepped into the place where the space dissipated and disappeared along with the fluorescent light.

A faint orange scent wafted from the shrine maiden's room. Did she wear some perfume?

"see you later."

Mei arrived earlier, and her body gradually became transparent.

She smiled gently at Ziyao, offering no resistance but choosing to comply.

The girl quickly turned into particles of light and disappeared, returning to reality.

Theresa chose to continue searching for Bronya, feeling uneasy until she confirmed the situation.

It was there just the day before yesterday, but it disappeared overnight.

"The headmaster is really responsible."

Ziyao straightened her disheveled shrine maiden outfit, thinking that the only person who hadn't changed was Theresa, right?

There is indeed a personal route for her in the visual novel.

She likes to pursue all the characters in dating sims, and it would be even better if there were harem options, but unfortunately she can only follow a single route.

However, thinking about the stomach-churning plot, Ziyao felt terrible.

If all the female protagonists awaken their related memories, they'll definitely be killed with a hatchet, right...?

Just thinking about it sent chills down Ziyao's spine.

Stepping outside, the sky shimmered, and firefly-like lights drifted in the wind.

Apart from Yae Town, almost the entire consciousness space dissipated.

Soon, even the shrine beneath our feet will disappear.

"Cuckoo?"

A fox crouched low in the grass and crept out stealthily.

After confirming that Ziyao had seen it, it ran towards the main hall, then suddenly stopped after creating some distance, turning back to wait for the girl.

Without a doubt, judging from the scorched fur on its tail, it is Himeko.

Ziyao followed slowly, wanting to see what it wanted to do.

Pushing open the old door, the main hall was brightly lit.

With sandalwood as the base and jade as the platform, a layer of rice grains symbolizing a bountiful harvest is laid on the pillow, and a slightly yellowed ink painting hangs on top.

The fox in the painting is Inari, the god of agriculture.

The pillars lined up on either side create a sense of solemnity, and the space gradually shifts from oppressive to spacious.

The main hall was spotless, clearly indicating that it was cleaned constantly, as it is the core of the shrine's faith.

"Sakura, come out. I know you're behind me."

Picking up a few grains of rice, Ziyao said calmly, without even turning around.

In the darkness, a cherry blossom-colored figure slowly emerged; she had long anticipated that she would be discovered.

"The outside world is dangerous, please stay here..."

"Sakura doesn't want you to go through pain again and repeat meaningless cycles."

A flash of cold light, and Yae Sakura drew her demon sword.

With a determined look in her eyes, she was absolutely convinced of her conclusion.

There was no malice in her eyes; in fact, they were warm, but more than anything, they revealed an unconcealable melancholy.

To be at war with the person you cherish most...

She wouldn't have wanted to come to this if she hadn't been forced by reality.

"Sakura, you are no match for me."

After placing the ears of grain back on the jade platform, Ziyao took out a salted fish from her system space.

I had a premonition from the very first meeting, but the evidence was insufficient.

It wasn't until she fought Himeko and realized that Himeko had used Yae Sakura's swordsmanship that she dared to be sure.

It turns out that Yae Sakura was the real mastermind, and Himeko was just a puppet used to attract attention.

Being in the same room, with so many opportunities to take advantage, yet doing nothing, is that typical of Yae Sakura?

"..."

The girl did not deny it; her towering fox ears expressed her determination to fight.

Since the covert approach didn't work, the only option was to take forceful action and leave Ziyao inside the Jizo Soul.

She threw down her sword sheath, held the demon sword in one hand, and assumed the most standard starting stance in swordsmanship.

This gesture also has another meaning: it represents a challenge.

Himeko-maru transformed back into human form, shorter than Theresa, and sat on the roof beam watching.

This is a battle between the two of them, so Himeko will not interfere.

But... can the eldest sister really beat her?

"It's kind of undermining my own prestige," Himeko thought to herself.

Not long ago, if she had run even a fraction slower, she would have been roasted like a fox.

But the older sister said that Ziyao deliberately let her leave, which clearly meant she wasn't going to hold back at all!

"—Click."

Unexpected.

Ziyao threw the salted fish sword on the floor and raised her hands in surrender.

"Sakura, let's have a good talk."

The doll has entered a cooling-off period.

Upon closer reflection, it seems she really is no match for Yae Sakura.

Ziyao disliked putting on a brave face, so she decided to outsmart her.

"Don't worry about hurting me, I will do my best."

Yae Sakura felt a slight warmth in her heart, and her fox ears trembled.

She mistakenly thought that Ziyao was worried about her, and was immediately happy.

She would be very pleased with just a single word, even a perfunctory compliment.

Why must I stay?

Ziyao asked, unsure of Yae Sakura's thoughts.

"The Honkai is difficult to defeat... that's not a responsibility you should bear."

"By staying inside the Jizo-myo-tama, we can continue to live."

After saying that, several ropes suddenly appeared from behind her, binding her tightly and instantly restraining Ziyao.

She lost her balance and fell onto the chair that Himeko had prepared beforehand.

The fabric of the clothes was sticky and slippery, and it felt a little uncomfortable against the skin. This feeling was even more pronounced when sitting on the cold chair.

The girl closed her legs, trying her best to maintain a calm and mature demeanor.

"Wait, Sakura, calm down and listen to me..."

Yae Sakura sheathed her demon sword, her eyes softening considerably.

“Ziyao...”

She obediently bent down and knelt in front of the girl, looking up at her.

Just then, she noticed something was off about the other person.

"Do you need Sakura's help? I'm not very good at it, but I'll learn it seriously."

Seeing her distressed expression, she spoke up.

Her sincere voice was completely genuine; compared to romantic feelings, Yae Sakura's emotions towards Zi Yao leaned more towards love.

"Ahem... Sakura, this time is different from before."

Ziyao cleared her throat, correcting the increasingly off-topic conversation.

Although I don't know exactly what happened in the previous playthrough, in the visual novel, the only time I eloped was with Rita.