Is the person you sculpt as cute as me?

"Well... everyone hasn't eaten yet, right? Let's have hot pot together tonight." Xiaolu made way for the door and extended his hand to invite everyone who seemed to have already accepted the task. "Come on? There are guest rooms too."

"Okay, okay." 70 was very excited and seemed to like this very much.

Yu Man pushed everyone inside, adding some warmth to this spring day.

However, Senior Cat stared at Blackbird so intently that his fur stood on end, while Blackbird looked at Senior Cat in disbelief.

……

Perhaps, this is the first time that the dining table in this villa has been so lively.

Accompanied by the perfect sunset and the afterglow of the courtyard, the hot pot was bubbling slightly.

Yu Man unpacked the gift box sent by 70, which contained a bottle of genuine Cheval Blanc from a great vintage. However, since most of the guests were underage, the bottle had to be carefully stored in the wine cellar by the housekeeping robot. It was only then that Yu Man learned that the house had a basement wine cellar... Oh, it was really worth exploring.

The juice grown in his own yard was naturally placed on the table.

"Niao Laowu, you're quite a big eater." Yu Man noticed this.

"... Food... Food is a good thing. People need food as their first priority, and even Heaven needs food. You see, there are two kinds of eaters in the world..."

Yu Man had no choice but to use the serving chopsticks to pick up more food for her.

unconsciously--

Amidst the bustling dinner table, something strange happened.

Senior Cat gave Yu Man many crazy hints, and Yu Man added more food to it several times, but it was still very dissatisfied.

It wasn't until Blackbird reminded him that Yu Man realized what it was hinting at.

"...Speaking of which...the 'Watching' team is playing a preliminary match."

With just this one sentence, their already lively dining table became even more lively.

While having hot pot, they watched the online game that was going on.

In addition to the auditions, there are two pre-season tournaments for the Spring Split. These compact, small-scale qualifiers also serve to enhance the proficiency of the organizers and the understanding of the audience. Furthermore, they provide fresh candidates for various teams.

"...You fought...quite well."

"After practicing with us, do you feel that you have improved? It's not nice to say this, but that's how I feel."

However, in the eyes of Yu Man and Senior Mao, they just fought better than before.

It's not yet at the level where we can win.

With this game as a side dish, even Liu Tong Qi Hua started to talk more.

Only Senior Cat was feeling extremely distressed, listening to all these extra people talking at once but unable to say a word.

Alas, the coach who can't speak.

……

In addition to the guest room occupied by Yu Man, there are many empty rooms that have been prepared in advance.

Liu Tong and Qi Hua were surprised that they could actually live in such a place. 70 just whistled and moved in without any problems.

What was given to the blackbird was a room specially filled with books.

"They are all good books - unfortunately I have read them all." She just commented, and then said, "But we are always happy to read them again." She checked in smoothly.

No one is picky.

Everyone just suddenly felt that apart from the old world, real life is actually so beautiful.

Or rather—re-realization.

An atmosphere of tacit understanding lingered in the exceptionally lively room, and no one returned there without wearing a device.

Just under the guidance of the deer, we explore the villa, watch the moon in the garden... or chat in the night.

“It’s hard to imagine that ‘going against all things’ is you right here in front of me.”

"...It's hard to imagine that the supreme and most powerful being, 'Time,' is the one who just ate so much."

Senior Cat, who was lying on Yu Man's thighs, was bickering with the girl sitting next to Yu Man.

Yu Man looked at the remaining moon and listened to the screams coming from the villa.

Alas, on such a nice day, why do we have to talk about those crappy things in the old world again?

"I'm not the strongest, I just don't have to fight anyone. But you, the undisputed strongest player, can you answer a question first?"

"Oh? "Three Secrets" has something to ask me?"

"Can I touch you?"

……

ps

(I am an idiot, I am an idiot, I am an idiot, why don’t I work hard? Yesterday, the day before yesterday, today, and the future me?)

247 This chapter only

However, the price to pay for petting this cat is very high.

“Ha…ho…”

Facing the hand extended towards him, Senior Cat bared his teeth.

Two sharp white fangs and a row of small teeth were exposed, but what was even more ferocious was its eyes.

"So fierce?" Shi Guang withdrew his hand, feeling he was about to be bitten. "As expected of the strongest player."

"Humph."

In Yu Man's eyes, the scene was very wonderful.

This was supposed to be the final boss of the game... or at least one of that level. "Time" and the strongest player who had ever cleared the game, Cat Senior, were to engage in a terrifying final showdown... It should be the final showdown, right? But why is this the case?

Not far away, teammates I met in the game were on the top floor, looking at something through a telescope.

Can you see the stars? Can you see the moon? Is it just the city lights?

And Yu Man himself.

How did it all turn out like this?

"'Time'—can I call you that?"

Senior Cat retracted his claws and used words to dissipate the last bit of reality that Yu Man could touch.

"Is that my pen name?" "Time" responded with a smile.

"Anyway, this should be our first meeting, right? I'm honored to see a being like you... arriving in this reality. The strongest being I know of, the most ancient secret. When Xiaoman mentioned it, I never imagined such a thing could actually be true..."

"Huh? Why did she mention me?" After going through many words, "Time" was only curious about this.

"Uh--"

Senior Cat looked at Yu Man and froze.

What I heard from Yu Man... didn't seem like much, did it? Just the nickname "Bird Old Five," that's all.

Rather, it was Senior Cat who told Yu Man about the matter of "time".

"Compared to this, Time, if you want to touch me, that's fine. I just want to communicate with you properly."

After hearing Senior Mao avoid the topic and not being able to hear Yu Man talking about himself, "Shi Guang" felt a little lonely.

But when he heard her selling the right to touch him, Time became very excited.

"What's the price?"

"I have a few small questions—regarding the Old World, as a transcendent being that resides outside of it, looking down upon everything, are you willing to condescend to answer questions from an insignificant person like me?"

"A small person?" But "Time" was picking on its words.

Yu Man couldn't help but say, "Little animals, right?"

Now, Senior Cat's angry claws and sharp fangs were directed at both of them at the same time.

After making a fuss for a while, "Time" gently stroked its back.

The soft, short fur exudes warmth, which is very pleasant in this early spring.

"Kitty, what's troubling you?" "Time" is willing to pay for the ticket.

"Well... first of all, what is your purpose in becoming our teammate?"

"...I don't have any purpose. I just want to make some money and fulfill my little wish."

"Aren't you here to block our way through?" Senior Cat asked bluntly.

"Time" withdrew his hand and blew gently into his palm, and a few cat hairs flew away.

Then she breathed in the stillness of the night garden, then broke the silence.

"You see, in 'The End of the World,' there are essentially only two possible endings for the story—a good ending... or a bad ending. Where it goes isn't up to me, or any other creator."

"...What do you mean?" asked Senior Cat.

Time stared at the cat and said, "That's another ticket. It's your turn to pay the price."

"...What do you want? I guess it's not just as simple as touching me anymore, right?"

"Of course! Now—time to tickle your little chin."

This is really all the need for "time".

She felt good when she was tickled.

Then he answered casually: "There is a misunderstanding. No one in this world will hinder your progress. I hope you understand this. However, everyone hopes... that the road will lead to the place they hope. Whether it is you, them, or me..."

Cat Senior was still thinking seriously, trying his best to understand Time's words.

Yu Man, who was already accustomed to the birdsong, just listened casually.

She knew very well that—

"This original mystery of the world is just a poet who likes to exploit a topic, spouting meaningless words to fool people. Senior Cat, please ignore her."

"As always... you are still the one who understands."

For the first time, "Time" showed a thoughtful expression, savoring the memory sincerely.

But she corrected herself, "I didn't say that casually. Every poem and every line has meaning. In short, I'm not your enemy. On the contrary, your perfect completion is what we desperately hope for. But we can't help you with this process. This is your path... yours."

Yu Man didn't think about it too much.

Only Senior Cat was still in deep thought, because she was getting to know "time" for the first time.

Can--

This made "Time" very happy because someone was trying to listen to her again.

As a thank you gift, she revealed the secret like this:

"'Going against all things', how about this round? Is this the opportunity you've been waiting for after so much hardship?"

"...You." Senior Cat was very shaken.

What do you mean?

Even Yu Man, who didn't take these words seriously, finally realized that "Time" seemed to be saying something quite heavy.

Time looked at Yu Man: "Yu Man—my reader. This cat on your lap has waited longer than you can imagine... a much longer time."

"……What's the meaning?"

Senior Cat remained silent, seemingly unwilling to mention it.

But Time is still narrating: "She——"

"Don't." Senior Cat interrupted Time's voice, "Xiao Man, I'm a liar. Most of what I told you were lies. I hope you can understand."

what?

Being looked at by those sincere eyes, Yu Man fell into a bit of confusion.

"What exactly did you lie to me about? I don't mind being lied to or having things hidden from me. Cat-senpai, if you don't have to, then don't speak up. Don't let the Three Secrets find any excuse to sow discord between us."

"...Not really." Senior Cat was distressed. "Rather, this is a good opportunity. I really hope to tell the truth."