Why wasn't I the one who got the male lead's script?

I wish you all a Merry Christmas Eve and all the best in 2021.

A Never-Ending Week at the World Line's Divergence: Chapter 8: Rules of Time Travel and New Events (Part 2)

Rather than letting this hidden danger lurk in an invisible corner, even if it will not affect future life and plans - it is better to find out the truth directly now.

To put it in a more understandable way, sometimes the most fundamental way to solve a problem is to face it head-on.

"Your way of thinking is actually quite suitable for a scientist."

Since Miss Futaba was not at all stingy with her appreciation, Mr. Hoshimi also smiled and responded in kind.

"Are you considering recruiting an assistant to help you, Futaba-san?"

"Not really, I just think your stubborn personality of single-mindedly figuring out how to solve a problem is really good. Yeah, but if you're planning on helping me, I won't be too disgusted."

"Couldn't we use a more emotional word like 'perseverance' to describe it?"

Besides, who would want to help? Who would want to help a guy who stays in the laboratory all day and no one knows what he is researching?

"Okay, let's get back to the point. Since Xingjian seems so confident, I guess you have further plans for what's next?"

"Hmm... I have some rough ideas and plans."

The two walked out of the open space in the park side by side, looking at everything that appeared before them in the time and space three years ago with completely different eyes.

In fact, the hustle and bustle of traffic and the neon lights gradually lighting up on the streets are no different from three years later. The only thing that can remind them that times have changed is the year indication on the electronic clocks on the streets.

It seems as if there is still an illusion that I am still in the original time and space.

Xingjian pursed his lips, and then shifted his gaze to Futaba beside him——

That is, in this time and space, the only person who is his companion.

"I think this supernatural phenomenon is actually related to the puberty syndrome that happened to me before."

"Oh?"

"No, rather..."

The young man secretly sorted out his words in his mind, and then tried to express his guess in the most calm and restrained tone.

"Is it possible that what I'm going through is, after all, just a bout of puberty?"

"...?"

It was his words that froze Miss Futaba's expression, who was absent-mindedly scanning the bustling streets. It took a long time for her expression to relax a little.

"...Wait, Hoshimi. Do you mean—"

"Ah."

As if to verify Futaba's guess and to echo her half-spoken words, Xingjian looked at her seriously and nodded.

"Perhaps, from the beginning, I have defined my past experiences incorrectly."

It's not about "feeling that one's sense of existence is blurred during a very ambiguous period of time" at all.

Perhaps it was because two individuals who could both be called Hoshimi Haru existed in the same space and time, and the world line was forced to "correct" everything back to normal in order to eliminate such a bug.

"Perhaps, it's because my current self, in this past time and space, did something that would affect my past self three years ago... which led to this ending where my sense of existence became blurred."

In other words, the time travel that is happening to Xingjian now is not unrelated to the adolescent syndrome that Xingjian experienced in the past.

It may be just the opposite, there is a close causal relationship between them.

Futaba was a little confused at first, but then her tightly furrowed brows relaxed a little, and her eyes, which were initially filled with confusion, shrank slightly - probably because she understood the implication of Hoshimi's words.

"...Your guess is a bit too bizarre, Xingjian."

Having said that, Futaba lowered her head and sighed softly, but there was not much denial of this conjecture between the lines.

"The most incredible thing is that this statement actually makes sense."

Xingjian smiled helplessly and pursed his lips. The bitter expression stayed on his face for only a brief moment, and then it was replaced by a focused and devoted calm concentration.

That's what he thought.

Perhaps the supernatural phenomena that happened to Xing Jianqing were not a straightforward linear state, but a circular model with causal relationships between them.

Why does he travel through time and space now, and why does he go back to the past? It must be related to what happened to Xing Jianqing in the past.

Or perhaps it is closely related to his mental state at the time.

Because if, if this is the same adolescent syndrome that spanned three years and appeared at two different ages in Hoshimi—

Isn't the key to the disease still in Xingjian's own heart knot?

"…………ah."

Futaba, who suddenly understood, opened her mouth slightly, and her steps, which were originally walking side by side with Hoshimi, stopped where they were because of his meaningful look.

She understood what Xingjian had not fully expressed.

The black-haired boy also looked at her expression, and silently stopped after Futaba stopped. He stood a few steps in front of her and looked at her.

"Ah."

Then he nodded firmly.

To explain the phenomenon of time travel in simple and straightforward terms, it would be something like this.

Now seventeen years old, Xing Jianqing was involved because of the adolescent syndrome she had three or four years ago.

And the one who understood best what the thirteen or fourteen-year-old Xing Jianqing was worried about, which led to the emergence of puberty syndrome, was of course only himself.

The two people who thought of this at the same time looked at each other, and Xingjian could only smile helplessly.

"It seems that this time I will be the poor princess trapped in the dungeon."

It's really a changing world.

Futaba, who was already accustomed to Hoshimi's dry self-deprecation to lighten the mood, raised an eyebrow and quickly recovered from the shock of her previous guess.

"...But the role of the prince who rescues Princess Jiaorou still falls to you, Hoshimi."

"………well."

The young man Xingjian sighed, rarely, feeling somewhat ashamed and helpless, and rubbed his short black hair in a troubled manner.

Honestly, it would be great if I could help a beautiful girl instead - why does it have to be the stupid and foolish me of the past?

Hoshimi, who felt completely demoralized at the thought of this, pouted, but Futaba next to her seemed to be enjoying it for some reason.

She really liked seeing Hoshimi like this - just like adults like to observe the strong self-righteous emotions revealed by students when they deal with their own second-year black history.

How does the saying go? People more or less have a complex of hating their past selves. For example, every three years when they look back at their past selves, they will have the urge to slap them to death.

Mr. Hoshimi Haru, who has a particularly severe complex, actually needs to solve problems for his past self.

For Ms. Futaba, this is a human observation that is more interesting than any scientific experiment.

----

Merry Christmas!

Good luck to everyone who has an exam tomorrow! You can get in!

Thank you to everyone who has sent me private messages and chatted with me in the group during this period!

Knowing that there are people reading my code is very motivating√

The World Line Divergence: A Never-Ending Week: Chapter 8: Crossing Rules and New Events (Part 3)

"Alright—in short, the rough strategic plan has been finalized."

As the sunset gradually disappeared into the sky, Futaba and Hoshimi, who had been staying near the lawn where few passers-by passed by, stood in a corner and nodded to each other.

In any case, the two people have reached a consensus for now.

The inspiration came from Hoshimi, while the extension and details of the plan were thought up by Futaba.

"Since we have the ability to come to this time and space, it must mean that there are events in this time and space waiting for us to resolve. And this is very likely the key factor in determining the adolescent syndrome in you, Xingjian."

Futaba briefly explained her various preconceived ideas and nodded thoughtfully.

"And this is the ultimate goal for both of us."

"Yes, I know."

Xingjian nodded as she stared at him with her sharp eyes. The two of them understood each other so well that they didn't need any extra explanations.

"Find the knot in my past self and untie it."

"Yes. Regardless of whether we successfully return to our original time and space, this is something we must complete—because no one knows what kind of trouble will arise in the future if we leave it alone."

Futaba did not hesitate to express her approval and nodded gently. The fact that Hoshimi could follow her thoughts was indeed a plus point for her.

"So, Xingjian, it's up to you to get in touch with your past self and find the things that you cared about in the past. After all, you are the only one who knows you best. I believe Xingjian, you should be able to do it."

"Ha... I'll try my best."

"Then I can help you analyze the cause of the syndrome, and we can discuss specific methods together."

"Well, it seems that this is the only way."

"Then—right now there is one most crucial and fundamental thing we need to confirm first."

Having said that, Futaba rolled her eyes, and her expression, which had just been extremely confident and sure of itself, now looked a little more helpless.

"...how long will it take us to resolve this series of events, and is it possible to return to our original time and space during this period?"

Yeah... generally speaking, this is what I'm most worried about.

Not only are they penniless, but their existence cannot even be recognized. The two people have been staying in a past time and space. With no place to live and no way to settle themselves, wandering the streets may be the best solution.

This was a truly unacceptable possibility for the two boys and girls who had been living their daily lives as students in an orderly manner.

"...Well, I'm just a little worried, but I don't think it's that outrageous."

Futaba probably realized that after she asked this question, Xingjian suddenly looked a little sad, and she comforted him in a somewhat clumsy tone.

"Xingjian, think about it. We were able to travel to this time and space before because of your thought, so we can definitely go back in the same or similar way."

The gray-haired girl stretched out her hand and gently made a button-pressing gesture in the air.

"I guess your ability to travel through time and space is like a switch - a unique ability given to you by puberty syndrome."

Of course, in other words, if this adolescent syndrome is resolved, this ability will disappear.

"Well... now that things have come to this, all we can do is make good use of every available opportunity to resolve the situation fundamentally—and then return to our normal lives."

After a moment of silence, Hoshimi nodded, which meant she agreed with Futaba's opinion.

"Of course, let's move as fast as possible. I can't wait to get rid of this ability."

"Oh? I thought Hoshimi, you would think it would be cool to have the ability to travel through time."

"The ability is cool, but the potential impact that comes with it is something I don't think I can afford."

Hoshimi glanced disapprovingly at Futaba, who raised her eyebrows and looked interested, her expression still calm and solemn.

"I'm just an ordinary high school boy who worries about test scores and three meals a day. I don't want to be a superhero with super powers."

His plan for the future during this period is to protect the happiness he has had so far and move steadily towards the next step in life.

He cannot let any uncertainty take away everything he has now, even if there are some experiences he does not like.

Moreover, when it comes to time travel, if you are not careful you might end up getting into trouble and becoming a double-edged sword, and end up cutting your own hands - or even others.

"This stuff is like a hot potato. Whoever wants it can have it. Anyway, I will stay away from it."

The black-haired boy waved his hand indifferently. He really had no attachment to this ability that many people might envy.

The metaphor of it as Pandora's box may be a bit inappropriate, but if this ability is used improperly, it will cause a series of butterfly effects with unpredictable consequences.

"Hey, Xingjian, I really like your ordinary daily life that doesn't cause any waves."

"I can't help it, because I'm just a very boring person."

Who doesn’t like time-travel adventure? But this kind of thing is just for reading in novels. When it really happens to you, you still have to consider what important things you might lose and make choices accordingly.

Family, parents, kinship, friendship, and a stable life.

"Besides, who knows if the abilities induced by puberty syndrome are reliable."

Xingjian shook his head helplessly, and finally decided not to think about it anymore and put it all behind him.

The most urgent task is to deal with this syndrome incident.