Anime Crossover: Master is Not Here Today

Yueqiu Xianglian couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, and Huang Gongxiao was also somewhat surprised, saying:

"I never imagined you were in this kind of profession. No wonder you're interested in this kind of thing, but..."

He glanced at Nanakawa Hizuru beside him, wondering how she had gotten involved with Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others, and how they had become good friends.

Nanfang Rihe remained calm and completely ignored the other party's observation.

So he could only look away, bored, then, as if remembering something, he raised an eyebrow slightly at Fujimaru Ritsuka and said:

"Since you're leaving so soon, it means the [Blue Spider Curse] isn't a real curse after all, right?"

Although it was a question, Huang Gongxiao's tone was quite certain.

Although he was interested in events like Zashiki-warashi and the "Blue Spider Curse," he didn't believe in the existence of mysterious forces unless he could see them with his own eyes.

"No, I think..."

Hearing him say that, Fukami Natsuhiko, who already had a general understanding of the situation, couldn't help but want to refute him, but was stopped by Renka who was standing to the side.

Fujimaru Ritsuka smiled noncommittally as well:

"maybe."

Now that all the problems have been resolved, her and Mashu's planned two-day, one-night short trip has come to an end, and it's time to prepare to go back.

However, Nanakaku and Fukami Natsuhiko, who also knew the inside story, chose to stay here and accompany Kouki Akira and the others in their investigation.

Although the Blue Spider Curse has been completely eliminated by Fujimaru Ritsuka and others, this matter cannot be told to others, and the rumors that have just spread throughout the school will not be so easily dispelled.

Huang Gongxiao was prepared to explain the previous phenomena from a scientific perspective, which was a good opportunity to dispel rumors.

For Nanfang Rihe, the reactions and behaviors of these innocent girls who were misled by fabricated rumors throughout the process are also a valuable source of writing material.

A cold-blooded writer.

On the other hand, Fukami Natsuhiko's reason for staying was quite simple.

Although he never explained it, it was obvious to everyone that he simply wanted to stay with Lianhua.

So, after returning to the Azusa Inn in the afternoon, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mashu prepared to check out and leave.

At this moment, Lianhua's figure reappeared in front of them.

"Ritsuka, Mashu."

"Lianhua?"

Seeing Renhua suddenly appear, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mashu were somewhat surprised. Then, Fujimaru Ritsuka asked with a smile:

"Is there a problem?"

"...I've come to thank you all."

After a moment of silence, Lianhua bowed deeply to them, but the two looked at each other, somewhat puzzled.

How come they don't remember doing anything that would earn them gratitude?

Seeing this, Lianhua lowered her head slightly and said:

"I came here to thank you for removing the resentment left by the fox girl and for showing me the story of the past."

"Only then did I finally remember my identity."

Upon hearing this, Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mashu exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with curiosity.

Indeed, they still don't know what kind of existence Lianhua is. In addition, thinking back, Lianhua's expression was indeed a bit strange after watching the past footage last night.

Faced with their curious gazes, Lianhua explained in a deep voice:

"The fox spirit is one of my past lives."

"……Eh?!"

After dropping a bombshell, she then began to tell her story, much to the astonishment of Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mashu.

This is a tragic love story, or rather, countless tragic love stories.

The story begins in ancient Rome, where a young girl, a slave, falls in love with her master, but they are both murdered for defying societal norms…

Then, time passed.

Sometimes, the maiden is a queen, and the one she loves is the knight she has knighted;

Sometimes, the young girl is the target of a witch's hunt, and the man she falls in love with is the inquisitor...

Two souls in love, reincarnated time and again, meeting and parting... No matter how many times they are reborn, the two lovers always end up in tragedy, never truly together...

"...In my previous life, I was reborn as a fox demon, and my lover was that innocent young villager who died tragically..."

As she spoke, Lianhua's eyes filled with sorrow.

Countless reincarnations, yet they can never truly be together—what a cruel curse this is!

Lianhua continued:

"In this life, in the 'Doll Room' of the inn, through the emotions that the dolls were once possessed by their owners, and with the help of the Kaleidoscope, I was accidentally born into this world and became the guardian of 'Reason'."

"……【reason】?"

Renge's own story evoked mixed feelings in them, but the unfamiliar words that suddenly appeared in her last sentence also made Fujimaru Ritsuka a little concerned.

So she asked:

What is "reason"?

"...Life, in its essence, is the beginning of everything, but also an inescapable shackle of suffering."

"...Death is the end of everything, the last moment of peace in life."

"Life and death, that is the principle of the world."

As Lianhua explained, a heavy, bitter smile involuntarily appeared on her face:

"And he and I are beings who defy the principles of reason."

"The curse we carry may be the punishment for violating reason."

Their ability to reincarnate repeatedly clearly transcends the concept of death, which represents the end, as defined by "reason." This is why Lianhua believes they can never truly be together.

At that moment, Mashu seemed to have thought of something and cautiously asked Lianhua:

"Miss Lianhua, who is 'him' in this life...?"

Lianhua sighed deeply and said:

"It's Fukami Natsuhiko."

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 391 Lotus's Request and Wish

On the first day, when they entered the illusion of the shrine for the first time and met Nanayama Moeyoka for the first time, the other party treated Fukami Natsuhiko with unusual kindness.

It's likely that by then, the other party had already seen through Fukami Natsuhiko's true identity, while she was completely unaware of it at the time.

However, at this point, this matter is no longer important.

For Lianhua now, what's more important is—

"Ritsuka, Mashu, I have a favor to ask."

Suddenly, Lianhua knelt down before the two of them and earnestly requested in the dogeza posture:

"I hope you can kill me completely."

"……Eh?"

……

...

Lianhua's request startled the two, but after careful questioning, they realized it was a misunderstanding; Lianhua's so-called 'complete killing' did not mean it literally.

"So it was to remove the curse?"

Upon learning the truth, Mashu breathed a sigh of relief, while Fujimaru Ritsuka said, both amused and exasperated:

"Really, don't say things that could be misunderstood!"

"sorry."

Lianhua sincerely apologized.

“I just wanted to express the feeling of ‘ending’ and I thought it would be more impactful to say it that way.”

"That is indeed quite impactful."

Fujimaru Ritsuka was speechless upon hearing this. She hadn't expected that Renka, who appeared aloof, had a personality that didn't quite match her appearance.

Lianhua believes that she and Fukami Natsuhiko are cursed by the world because they violated the world's "reason" and are able to reincarnate continuously, unable to truly reach the end of their lives.

Therefore, Renka hopes that Fujimaru Ritsuka and the other person can help her break the curse.

Specifically, it means preventing them from being reincarnated in the future, so that she and Fukami Natsuhiko can truly be together in this life and have a less tragic ending.

From this perspective, it can indeed be said that 'she was completely killed'.

Then, Fujimaru Ritsuka asked with some curiosity:

Why did you come to us?

Lianhua bowed her head and replied:

"Because you are the most amazing people I know."

This understanding extends beyond the present moment, encompassing her first life, from ancient Rome to this very moment.

In this span of over a thousand years, the abilities that Fujimaru Ritsuka and Mashu displayed last night are already the two most powerful people she knows.

Thinking of this, Lianhua said somewhat pessimistically:

"If even you can't help us, I don't know what to do next."

"senior……"

The story of Renka and her determination moved Mashu, and she subconsciously looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka, her eyes conveying her desire to help.