I really don't want to be reborn.

"You've worked so hard only to get this result, so you regret it?"

"Yes, it's natural to regret it, but I'm also incredibly envious."

"envious?"

"I envy you and Kasumigaoka-senpai. You're not much older than me, but you're so successful. Why can't I be like you?"

She let out a breath, sat down on the steps somewhat timidly, and her expression was faintly desolate.

That is the tragedy of trying hard but getting no reward.

Who will receive fair rewards for their efforts, and who will be recognized for doing things in their preferred way?

Ugh, how annoying.

She almost cursed her fate, sometimes thinking, "May I never wake up after I fall asleep, because the world after I wake up is just too awful!"

"I really wish a bomb would fall and destroy everything... Crackle crackle crackle crackle..."

The black cat made incomprehensible noises, and its expression became unusually terrifying, somewhat detached from human boundaries.

This guy must be in a really bad mood right now—he was sitting next to her too: “I’ve already said my words of comfort before. I think you should reflect on yourself. Isn’t it too unfriendly to readers to add two hundred pages of background to a fanfiction?”

"I……"

"I know you're trying to say that you like Fallen Beasts so much that you want to tell the whole world about it. But in life, you'll also have feelings for many people and things, but that doesn't mean they're the right things or the right people."

Kyosuke Kosaka felt this deeply, almost as if he could empathize: "It really resonates with me. However, they may not be the right people to spend your life with. Passion makes you overlook many important things. When you come to your senses, you'll find that the intense feelings you had before don't mean anything."

He raised his finger to conclude: "For example, a single guy might feel like masturbating on a whim, but after he finishes, he'll find that it not only harms his health but also doesn't do him any good."

The otaku who walked past them had vanished from their smiles, leaving only blank faces, like a group of gray-white NPCs.

"Does liking something have more advantages than disadvantages? Is the way you like it correct? Does the result of liking it align with your purpose? You need to think about these things carefully, Black Cat."

The black cat looked thoughtfully at the bag he was carrying: "If you weren't carrying a bag of erotic doujinshi, I would believe you even more... I basically understand what you mean, it's very straightforward."

"Yeah, it's pretty erotic too."

The little black cat clenched her little fist: "Anyway, no matter what, I will create well, and I will never abandon my hobbies and my world. But sometimes changing my style is also good."

That's what this person actually thought from the beginning.

Perhaps it was because she wanted to be comforted by her brother that she deliberately remained depressed for so long.

The black cat blushed, ashamed of her little thoughts.

"Oh, not bad."

Infected by the kid's rare enthusiasm, Kyosuke Kosaka also felt a little itchy, like an itch on his back that he couldn't scratch, an urge to make his own work the best it could be.

"Then let's cheer each other on."

"Hmm... Kousaka, what kind of ecchi doujinshi are you carrying in your bag?"

"Never mind, it's meant to be used anyway."

"A filthy male!"

Before getting up, the black cat couldn't help but nudge his arm with her shoulder, looking embarrassed: "Um..."

Kyosuke Kosaka half-jokingly said, "I'm just doing my duty as a friend and older brother to guide you, I don't mean for you to give yourself to me."

"I know!"

She turned her head away: "Thank...thank you."

His way of expressing gratitude was exactly the same as his sister's!

Otherwise, how could these two be such good friends?

They walked quickly toward Kasumigaoka Utaha and Sawamura Eriri, who were waiting outside.

Under the gloomy, overcast sky, a burning, intense passion resides.

------

I've fantasized about becoming Conan or something...

Today is the last day! Please send me some razor blades and a tip! (knocking on a bowl)

Chapter Thirty: Sharing the Bright Moon, Rippling on a Lonely Boat (3,000 words)

No poker tonight.

The cool weather blows away the summer heat and humidity, and the coolness lingers in the twilight of midsummer.

The evening was free time, and Eriri, who couldn't wait any longer, naturally wouldn't stay in her room reading doujinshi.

The new luxury items she just bought were like gourmet delicacies to a seasoned diners; she had to go home, take a bath, and slowly savor them while wearing a loose bathrobe.

As a qualified erotic manga artist, Ms. Eriri Sawamura naturally possesses such professional qualities, and I, the author, also share this habit: when I come across a good book, I want to embrace a volume of pure romance late at night, the scent of ink on the page, quietly waiting for someone far away...

Okay, to be honest, I personally prefer to savor good books at home, completely naked.

Ah, I'm naked because it's hot lately.

Anyway, whether you're reading a book or a notebook, whether you're wearing pajamas or completely naked, you can only read your favorite books at home without exception.

To paraphrase that blond loser, he can't focus on these things from the outside because he doesn't feel safe.

So she suggested going out shopping tonight, since it's cool there anyway.

When the topic of security comes up, Kasumigaoka Utaha naturally gravitates towards Mr. Kousaka Kyosuke—a small gesture they had discussed in the clubroom in late spring and early summer.

Eriri Sawamura clearly noticed this little action, and glared resentfully at these two bastards who seemed to want the whole of Tokyo to know they wanted to be in a relationship. A strong sweetness welled up in her stomach; she was feeling a bit bloated from eating too much dog food.

"I understand, I completely understand, okay, I'm going shopping with Black Cat right now, and I'll get out of your sight immediately!"

True to her word, Eriri Sawamura resisted the urge to whip or strangle them with her twin tails, and sure enough, she rolled away with the little black cat, ignoring all calls to her.

"You're acting a little strange today."

Across the river from the Statue of Liberty, and with the Fuji Television building's iconic sphere faintly visible in the distance, they strolled slowly along the riverbank, where the lights scattered like mist.

Kyosuke Kosaka's gaze lingered seven-tenths on the girl beside him, and he thought of Hai Zi's poem.

You came to this world for a while

You should look at the sun.

With your sweetheart

Walking together on the street

"What's wrong? It's just that he bought a bag of erotic books. That's a normal need for boys, Minister."

The way she addressed him as "Minister" was sarcastic, but Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't laugh. Instead, her expression became slightly serious: "Really, there's no problem? I always feel that even though you're standing very close, you're actually still standing quite far away."

The boy raised an eyebrow slightly: "What do you mean?"

She considered it for a moment: "It's like standing outside the crowd with a smile, watching us have a good time. That's the idea. It's that strange feeling of wanting to get close but also restraining yourself."

Kasumigaoka Utaha asked seriously, "Anyway, the way you stand in the secluded world makes me feel uneasy. Is this... just my imagination?"

Kyosuke Kosaka nodded without hesitation: "It's an illusion. Even if I'm a little precocious, it's not as exaggerated as you say. I also have hobbies that young people like, like erotic content and games, and I also like—"

He looked at her without saying anything, but his eyes were full of affection and a smile.

The unfinished words turned into a layer of rouge, mingling with the ambiguity of the night and settling on her pink face, or perhaps it was the shyness illuminated by the bridge lamplight.

He gently brushed the topic aside, slowed his pace, and fell slightly behind her. His eyes instantly dimmed, leaving only the joy of their unexpected encounter and the pain of their abrupt departure.

That's true. Every time you build a deep relationship, as soon as you reset it, the lover who was snuggling in your arms the day before can only be a classmate with a distant relationship the next day.

One day they could still hug each other and whisper sweet nothings, just like in a romance novel, but the next day they could only nod at each other with a slight distance, unable to get close.

The previous four years, the next four years, after the scorching heat of July comes the ghostly rain of March.

How many years have passed since they came and gone?

He couldn't tell Kasumigaoka Utaha the truth, nor could he tell anyone, because it would be pointless.

The girl walking in front had light steps and stretched her waist with a relaxed mood, as beautiful as a flowering tree, only her steps were a little fast.

The lights flickered, and Kyosuke felt his vision blurring.

Her silhouette seemed poised to fade from view at any moment, like a person disappearing or water vanishing into water; she too would vanish completely from his world.

My heart sank slowly.

At that moment, Kyosuke Kosaka wanted to reach out and grab her hand, but his fingertips could only touch her hair. This girl was like a dandelion drifting in the wind, impossible to hold onto.

Suddenly my hand felt warm.

The boy, who had been lost in thought, finally snapped out of it and subconsciously called her name: "Kasumigaoka Utaha...?"

"Oh, it's me. What's up?"

She asked, puzzled.

She didn't let go of the hand that was holding his.

Slowly tightening his grip on the warmth in his hand, Kyosuke remained silent for a moment before finally offering a smile: "It's alright."

So they continued their walk, hand in hand.

They are still doing the simplest and most romantic things under the guise of friendship—this couple, who absolutely refuse to admit they are in love, one is simply enjoying peace and tranquility, while the other is trying hard to enjoy her peace and tranquility.

Suddenly, a light appeared on the horizon, and a fleeting flash of lightning was followed by a faint rumble, indicating that a heavy rain was falling far away. Nevertheless, it still startled Kasumigaoka Utaha.

Afraid of thunder?

"Well... not entirely."

He shook his head, tightened his grip on her hand slightly, and showed no fear despite the distant roar. He remained silent for a long time before Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly spoke.

"You're amazing, Kousaka-kun."

"Ok?"

The girl gently squeezed his hand: "Actually, I... am afraid of the dark."

"Oh?"

"I'm also very afraid of thunder, especially in the summer."