While I was chanting a curse, the system said I was Xiao Yan?

"You two."

Shoko's voice suddenly rang out, pulling Tenen back from his thoughts. He turned his head and saw Shoko looking at them with an expression that said, "I can't stand you two."

"What are you thinking about?"

Shoko placed the empty takoyaki box on the ground and patted the crumbs off her hands: "One treats life's problems like playing a video game, while the other remains silent, lost in thought."

She stood up, put her hands in her pockets, glanced at the balcony upstairs, then looked away, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"However, since you've all said that, I won't worry about it anymore."

She turned and walked towards the hotel, but after taking two steps, she stopped and glanced at Gojo Satoru: "Don't forget to take the takoyaki to Natsume-kun; it won't taste good if it gets cold."

"I know, I know."

Gojo Satoru waved his hand, stood up from the ground, dusted off his trousers, picked up the box of takoyaki for Xia Youjie, and waved to Tianyan: "I'm going to check on Jie, you guys continue."

He strode into the hotel, his flip-flops making a 'pat-pat' sound on the stone pavement, his steps light and quick, just like when he arrived.

Tianyan sat on the steps, watching his figure disappear into the hotel entrance. He remained silent for a moment, then lowered his head and stared blankly at the empty takoyaki box on the ground for a while.

The sea breeze, carrying a salty and damp scent, blew in and made his hair flutter slightly.

He recalled what Gojo Satoru had just said, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly.

"Playing video games."

He said something in a low voice, his tone carrying an indescribable meaning.

Then he stood up, dusted off his pants, and walked into the hotel.

They spent another day in Okinawa.

Riko recovered quickly, or rather, she was hiding something with a smile.

She ran around on the white sand beach, her feet leaving shallow footprints in the soft sand.

She collected seashells, built sandcastles, and splashed in the water on the beach, her laughter as clear and crisp as a wind chime, sparkling in the sunlight.

They spent another day in Okinawa.

Riko recovered quickly, or rather, she was hiding something with a smile. She ran around on the white sand, leaving shallow footprints in the soft sand.

She collected seashells, built sandcastles, and splashed in the water on the beach, her laughter as clear and crisp as a wind chime, sparkling in the sunlight.

Gojo Satoru followed behind her, wearing those flashy beach shorts, huge sunglasses, and holding a drink with a small umbrella in his hand. He looked even more like he was on vacation than Riko Tennen.

The two chased and played on the beach. Gojo Satoru deliberately kicked water at Tennori Riko, who screamed and retaliated by throwing sand at him. Gojo Satoru dodged with a smile, and the sand fell to the ground and was washed away by the waves.

Kuroi Misato sat on a beach towel, watching them frolic on the beach. A faint smile played on her lips, but there was something indescribable in her eyes, like worry, or perhaps a deeper, more complex reluctance.

Shoko Ieiri lay under the parasol, her face covered by a straw hat, breathing evenly, seemingly asleep. But she was still holding the half-finished Coke in her hand, the glass tilted, the drink about to spill.

Nanami Kento and Haibara Yu sat a little further away, side by side, looking at the distant sea, neither of them speaking.

Haibara Yu's spirits have recovered considerably, but he occasionally frowns and touches the back of his head, as if his head still hurts a little.

There was a faint red mark on Nanami Kento's neck, a mark left by Shinji. It had faded a lot, but you could still see it if you looked closely.

Xia Youjie sat on the balcony on the second floor of the hotel. The bandages on his body had been removed, but he had been on the hotel balcony all day.

He sat in a chair, holding a book in his hand. The book was half-open, but his hand never moved. His gaze was on the pages, but his eyes were empty, as if he were looking at a very, very far place.

A breeze blew by, causing his hair to flutter slightly. He didn't move; he just sat there, like a sculpture forgotten on the balcony.

Gojo Satoru ran back from the beach, carrying two drinks, and pushed open the balcony door to come in.

"Jay, have a drink." He placed one of the cups on the table next to Xia Youjie, picked up the other one for himself, took a big gulp, then sat down in the chair next to him, crossed his legs, and looked at the blue sea in the distance.

Xia Youjie turned her head, glanced at him, and smiled slightly: "Thank you."

Gojo Satoru waved his hand without saying anything. The two sat side by side on the balcony, looking at the sea in the distance and listening to the sound of the waves crashing on the beach. Neither of them spoke.

The silence lasted for a long time.

Then Gojo Satoru spoke, his voice very soft, as if talking to himself: "That brat is having a lot of fun, isn't he?"

Xia Youjie followed his gaze and saw that on the beach, Tian Lizi was squatting on the sand, drawing something in the sand with her hand. Her expression was very serious, and there was a faint smile on her lips. The sunlight shone on her, making her shadow very long.

"Mmm," Xia Youjie responded softly.

"I'm going back tomorrow."

Gojo Satoru placed the drink on the table, put his hands behind his head, and looked up at the sky: "To be honest, I kind of don't want her to leave."

Xia Youjie turned his head to look at him, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Gojo Satoru didn't look at him, but just stared at the sky, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Although that brat has a foul mouth and a bad temper, and hits people at the drop of a hat, well... how should I put it, with her around, it feels quite lively."

Xia Youjie was silent for a moment, then smiled.

The smile was faint and gentle, but a hint of warmth appeared in his eyes: "Wu, are you reluctant to part with her?"

"No way!"

Gojo Satoru lowered his hand from behind his head, picked up his drink and took another sip, his voice muffled: "I just feel that going back and having to face those annoying things again is a bit... troublesome."

Xia Youjie looked at him without saying a word.

Gojo Satoru placed the drink on the table, stood up, walked to the balcony, leaned on the railing, looked at the distant sea, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke, his voice very soft: "Jay, do you think we can protect her?"

Xia Youjie paused for a moment, then stood up, walked to his side, and placed his hands on the railing as well, looking at the distant blue sea.

"able......"

...right.

He touched the scar on his chest that was no longer there, his former determination gone.

Gojo Satoru turned his head to look at him, and the corners of his mouth slowly curved up, his smile carrying a knowing look that said, "I knew you would say that."

"Yes, of course!"