My daily life in various anime crossovers can't possibly be this sci-fi.

Jiang Jinghua decided not to comment on this.

"Hey, look, isn't it coming down?" Kato Megumi pointed to the stairs.

Eriri Sawamura, dressed in her new clothes, ran down the stairs.

Jiang Jinghua could hardly believe his eyes: even if he had hundreds of brains, he would never have imagined that the radiant girl in front of him was the same person as the green unidentified creature that had collapsed on the table a dozen minutes ago.

The old, light green tracksuit was gone, and Eriri was now wearing a dark red autumn outfit, with a black thin wool vest underneath. Jiang Jinghua, completely clueless about women's clothing and fashion trends, couldn't explain anything about the outfit, only confirming that it was incredibly beautiful. Beneath the black and red pleated skirt, her legs, now freed from their "cucumber" state and encased in pure white stockings, were like a powerful gravitational pull, drawing the eye involuntarily. The glimpse of shimmering white peeking through the hem of the skirt and stockings evoked sighs like, "This is the meaning of life."

After careful grooming and dressing, Eriri Sawamura, the blonde beauty now renowned in SCIC's first year, regained her former radiance. Even though she still looked a little tired and her eye bags hadn't disappeared, these minor imperfections only added a touch of languidness and down-to-earth charm to her otherworldly beauty, making her even more real and endearing.

"What are you staring at like that!" Eriri shouted, noticing Jiang Jinghua's unusual gaze. "What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and go! Didn't you say you were going shopping or something?"

"Okay, okay, I got it! Coming right now!" Jiang Jinghua quickly looked away, displaying the typical virgin reaction.

"Mom! We're leaving!" Eriri called out as she walked out of the house.

"Yeah, have fun!"

Although Eriri's tone carried a hint of weariness and lack of energy, it was mostly filled with joy and encouragement.

what

Section 25, Chapter Twenty-Five: The Right Way to Go Shopping with a Girl

The weather today is as beautiful as ever. There isn't a single cloud in sight, not even a wisp of white. The dazzling light from a G2-type star, some astronomical distance away, is currently shining down on the land of Tokyo without reservation.

Although it's a bit hot today, and you might break a sweat after just a few steps, it's still a good day for a walk overall.

"So, where do you think we should go, Jinghua-kun?" Kato Megumi asked.

"Although you asked me... unfortunately I don't know either." Jiang Jinghua shrugged. "Because this is also my first time going shopping with a girl, so I have absolutely no idea what to do."

“In that case,” Eriri Sawamura proposed, “we can walk all the way from here to Akihabara, then find a café nearby for afternoon tea, and after that, stroll around the area before coming back, how about that?”

“I’m fine with it,” Jiang Jinghua said. “What do you think, Kato?”

"I second that." Kato Megumi nodded. "Then let's do it that way."

And so, the three of them embarked on their journey to Akihabara on foot.

……

Eriri Sawamura kept her head down and didn't say a word, her hands in her pockets, seemingly lost in thought.

As she walked, Kato Megumi turned her head left and right, trying to take in as much of the surrounding scenery as possible, as if everything around her was a wonder she had never seen before.

As for Jiang Jinghua, who was caught in the middle, he stared blankly at the road ahead in the direction he was walking, paying attention to the oncoming vehicles and the changes in traffic lights.

So... Galaxy, does anyone know what I should say right now?

Jiang Jinghua wanted to do something to break the awkward atmosphere, but he didn't know what to do.

So... let's break the deadlock this time in the British way!

"Hmm." Jiang Jinghua cleared his throat. "The weather is really nice today."

“Yes, that’s right,” Kato Megumi replied. “It’s a beautiful day where even the birds are singing with extra enthusiasm.”

"Although I didn't hear any birds singing," Eriri said, "the weather is indeed very nice today."

……

No, I need to think of a way to keep the conversation going!

“But there are downsides to such great weather…” Jiang Jinghua said, “It’s so bright I can barely open my eyes.”

"Yes. If the sun's brightness increased by another thirty percent, I'm afraid people on the street really wouldn't be able to open their eyes," Kato Megumi said with a smile.

"Uh, seriously, if the sun's brightness really increased by thirty percent, it wouldn't just be as simple as not being able to open your eyes," Jiang Jinghua suddenly remembered something. "That would mean the Earth would receive thirty percent more heat all at once. Global warming would be quite alarming then..."

“That’s right!” Eriri clapped her hands. “First, there’s the dramatic increase in extreme weather events worldwide due to drastic climate change. Then, the melting of glaciers around the world is causing a significant rise in sea levels, which will submerge most of the world’s coastal cities.”

“Tropical areas are definitely uninhabitable… In addition, with the coastal areas being submerged, there will definitely be a catastrophic mass migration,” Jiang Jinghua added. “The global agricultural system will collapse, most existing commodity grain producing areas will experience catastrophic production reductions, and a world war to fight for hegemony in the cold inland regions will definitely break out.”

“Ah! In that case, Canada and Russia will be the biggest winners, right?” Kato Megumi added, “And the small Nordic countries too!”

“Definitely!” Eriri seemed quite interested in the topic. “Especially Russia, which could very well rise to become the world’s only superpower in this global warming catastrophe…”

“I think it’s unlikely. A nuclear war or a strategic-level magical war would have already broken out before that… or the legendary SCP-2000 would have already been officially activated,” Jiang Jinghua said. “But even if that time really comes, there’s still a slight possibility that we’ll be transferred to another dimension…”

"Actually, it's more likely we'd die as soldiers on the battlefield in World War III," Eriri pouted. "Students like us would definitely be used as reserve forces in times of crisis..."

The three then began a harmonious and friendly conversation on the street: from international trade to geopolitics, from modern information warfare to the application of strategic magic in conventional warfare, the possibility and likelihood of nuclear war, and the role the Foundation and other underworld forces would play in a world war...

When Jiang Jinghua suddenly realized that these were not topics that should be discussed when going out shopping with girls, the three of them were only a few minutes away from Akihabara.

Although the topic was strange, at least an awkward atmosphere was successfully avoided... congratulations.

"Ugh...it's so hot!" Eriri, covered in sweat, started to complain. "I really want to find a room with air conditioning to sit in!"

"Don't rush, we're on our way to the coffee shop." Jiang Jinghua soothed the flustered Eriri. "Although it's quite hot, we'll be there soon, so please be patient."

“If you feel hot, you can take off your clothes,” Kato Megumi said. “Sawamura-kun, it’s only natural that you feel hot wearing three layers of clothing.”

“Hmm, that makes sense.” Eriri took off her dark red coat. “Hey, Jinghua-kun, can you hold this for me?”

Jiang Jinghua took the coat without saying a word, folded it, and carried it in his hand.

The streets are now bustling with people, including students, unkempt otaku, and seemingly respectable middle-aged men, as well as cosplayers dressed as various anime characters. Among the tourists are even quite a few foreigners, ranging from England to Eastern Siberia.

"It's so hot... so let's find a cafe to sit down quickly..." Eriri Sawamura felt an urge to stick out her tongue to help cool down in the high temperature.

"Okay, okay, we're going now, don't rush," Jiang Jinghua said.

When it comes to cafes in Akihabara, maid outfits are definitely a must-see... but that's not the point. Based on Jiang Jinghua's experience in Tokyo over the past few years, the famous maid cafes are in no way inferior to regular cafes in terms of coffee and other food preparation, and some are even better.

Yes, having an iced latte or a Hong Kong-style milk tea in this kind of weather is truly a treat.

“Look, isn’t that it over there?” Jiang Jinghua pointed to a rather luxurious-looking shop on the side of the road. “If you feel hot, hurry up and go inside.”

"Huh?" Eriri Sawamura's eyes lit up when she saw the shop sign. "You have good taste! This shop is quite famous in the industry! Their coffee, tea, and juice are all excellent, and the service staff are top-notch..."

"Huh?" Jiang Jinghua scratched his head. "I just picked one randomly. I don't really understand these things myself..."

"...For example," Jiang Jinghua's interruption had no effect, and Eriri continued her long-winded explanation, "Minalinsky, the most popular newcomer in this area recently, works here, you know?"

"Minalinsky?" Jiang Jinghua was a little confused. "What kind of title is that? Marshal of the Soviet Army?"

"Jinghua Jun, you really are an idiot! It's one thing if you haven't heard of it, but why would you make such a connection!"

"Let's not talk about it now, let's go inside the store and talk then," said Kato Megumi.

what

Section 26, Chapter Twenty-Six: Today the little bird doesn't want to sing enthusiastically.

"Ah... Sixteen degrees is the best..." Eriri Sawamura smiled contentedly, sprawling on the table in the cafe like a puppy. "I'm alive again..."

"Since the temperature in here is sixteen degrees, you'd better put your coat on." Jiang Jinghua handed the coat back to Eriri, who put it on without saying a word.

Due to the unique nature of this type of shop, there are only a few four-person tables; the vast majority of tables are for single use only. Luckily, Jiang was quick-witted and managed to find a table that could seat three people at once.

"Welcome, Master! What would you like to order today?"

Without Jiang Jinghua and the others even needing to call out, the waiter spontaneously came to their table within seconds of the three of them taking their seats. The waiter's voice was quite pleasant: clear and delicate, with a touch of gentleness and playfulness, reminiscent of the melodious chirping of a fledgling bird. If it weren't a seasoned elder like Jiang Jinghua sitting there, but rather that reclusive otaku Aki Tomoya, he would probably be completely smitten by now.

"Excuse me, this is my first time here, so could I see the menu?" Jiang Jinghua turned to look at the girl who was serving the three of them.

Familiar flaxen hair and familiar hairstyle... familiar amber eyes...

Jiang Jinghua suddenly remembered who the girl in front of him was. Although he had only seen her in photos and live videos so far, this level of contact was enough to leave a deep impression on him.

"Oh, hello Ms. Minami Kotori," Jiang Jinghua said. "You're here to work too?"

Kotori Minami's smile froze.

"Do...do we know each other?" Minami Kotori chuckled awkwardly, her hand holding the menu trembling.

“You may not know me, but I know you,” Jiang Jinghua said. “I’m the SCIC student who will be assigned to your class next Sunday…”

"Is this...is this how it is?" Minami Kotori almost dropped the menu in her hand.

We're doomed!

Minami Kotori desperately wanted to find a spatial rift to disappear into. She had kept her part-time job a secret from the rest of μ's, so who would have thought she'd run into someone she knew?

"Wow! Jinghua-kun, you're even scarier than I imagined!" Eriri Sawamura stared at Jiang Jinghua with eyes as sharp as knives. "You're actually acquainted with Nana-chan..."

"What the heck is Nana-chan?" Jiang Jinghua was a little confused. "Wasn't she supposed to be a Soviet Field Marshal before...?"

"Stop it, you two!" Kotori Minami shouted, clutching the menu, her face flushed. "Don't call me by such embarrassing nicknames! And Master, please, whatever you do, don't tell Honoka and the others about this!"

"Hey, hey, what's wrong, Nana-chan?" Another waiter in the distance called out to Minami Kotori, noticing something was amiss. "Are you being bothered by some strange customer?"

"No, not really... It's nothing, I just ran into someone I know." Minami Kotori declined her colleague's request for help.

Jiang Jinghua cleared his throat and turned to the two people across the table, saying, "Actually, we're not that close. I just met one of Nan's friends online, and then we just happened to be assigned to the same team during this research trip."

“I see…” Eriri Sawamura nodded seriously. “You’re truly a winner in life, Jinghua-kun!”

"Winner in life my foot!" Jiang Jinghua said. "Compared to that, what do you want to drink?"

"Hmm... I'll have one of these." Taking the menu from Minami Kotori, Kato Megumi pointed to an illustration on it.

“Then I’ll have one of those.” Eriri pointed to another illustration.

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Jinghua said, "Then I'll take this one."

“Hmm, I understand… this and that and this…” Minami Kotori quickly returned to work mode, jotting down the three people’s orders without using a pen.

"Okay, I know! Master, please be patient, it will be ready soon! See you later!" Nan Qinli gave a smile that was adorable enough to score 160 points, and then quickly ran away from Jiang Jinghua's table.

"She's really dedicated," Jiang Jinghua said, watching Qin Li's departing figure.

"Yes, otherwise why would it be called..."

"Speaking of which," Jiang Jinghua suddenly remembered something and asked, "Eri, you know a lot about these things..."

"What did you just call me?" Eriri Sawamura suddenly shouted. Although she lowered her voice because it was a public place, the decibel level was still quite high.