Toyokawa Shoko doesn't want to become a witch

The sound of the lamp was as faint as a mosquito's buzz.

“Don’t think too much about it. Time stands still here. We have plenty of time to explore at our leisure.” Somniorum took the lamp’s hand.

He let the lamp wander freely through the deepest part of the dream.

This place is no different from the reed plains, except that there is no one around. In the empty city, it seems that if you speak loudly, you can hear a loud echo.

Following Somniorum through the streets and alleys, and into a CD store where Somniorum played many music albums, Dengtou finally understood what it felt like to have his "eyes opened".

"These were all shared with me by Xiao Xiang; otherwise, I wouldn't have known there were so many great songs," Somniorum said.

The lamp nodded blankly and continued to wander around the deserted city with Somniorum.

As they crossed the pedestrian crossing, Somniorum said he wanted to take a picture. He pulled out an instant camera from somewhere, placed it on the street, and then, holding the lights, struck a pose as if crossing the road, waiting for the flash to click.

After a while, the photo was developed. Somniorum held the photo, which resembled the composition of an album cover, and sighed regretfully, "It's a pity that the two of them aren't here, otherwise we would have had four people."

We'll continue later.

We boarded an unmanned tram and arrived at sea.

The crests of the waves, shattered into countless pieces, sprayed white foam as if spitting out countless fine threads, giving the sea a silky visual and tactile feel. The white sunlight shone on the silky sea surface, reflecting a shimmering light.

The lamp had no idea that there was a tram line running through the sea in the reed plains. It opened its mouth wide, peered through the glass, and took in the view of the outside scenery.

"What a nice view......"

“This is the route that Xiangzi imagined crossing Reed Plain Bay; it doesn’t actually exist.” Somniorum shrugged helplessly behind her. “There are quite a few differences between this place and reality.”

“Is that so…” the lamp murmured, “Hey…Somniorum, do you still believe me?”

“Yes.” Somniorum smiled and nodded. “I believe you.”

“Even if you stumble once and lose your way, it doesn’t mean you’ll be lost forever. Besides, isn’t life about moving forward while getting lost?” she said. “Sometimes, you just need someone to lend you a hand or accompany you through the fog.”

Somniorum looked at her.

“I don’t think you lack this kind of companionship.”

“But I…” Deng sighed, sat back down on the tram bench, and hugged her knees. “Xiao Xiang already told me there would be danger, and I still…”

"...She's not always right. At the very least, without you, Aine would be in danger, wouldn't she?"

"..."

"You're just afraid, afraid to face the pain."

“Those sounds… I can’t stand them…” Deng muttered, looking down at the tram floor.

“No, it’s not other people’s pain.” Somniorum stretched out his finger, lifted the lamp’s chin, and forced her to look at him. “What you’re afraid of is your own pain. You’re afraid of losing Su Shi, you’re afraid of losing Ai Yin, you’re afraid of losing Xiang Zi, you’re afraid of losing Li Xi, you’re afraid of losing Le Nai. You’re afraid of losing those who can accompany you. You’re afraid of losing what makes you feel pain. You’re feeling sorry for yourself and telling yourself, ‘I can’t bear this kind of pain.’”

"I......"

Somniorum's words are like peeling back the layers of a lamp's heart.

"When people are in a state of self-pity, they amplify the pain they feel, feel that they are the most miserable person in the world, and then immerse themselves in it, constantly ruminating on the painful experience, making themselves even more miserable."

Somniorum looked at her tenderly, brushed aside the hair that was covering her forehead, and gently kissed it.

"Such self-pity only wins sympathy and comfort, nothing more. Pain is a choice you make, and so is happiness."

"Pain...is it my own choice?" the lamp murmured.

Happiness too?

“Instead of wallowing in self-pity, it’s better to take the initiative and fight for it…” Strands of hair from a girl who looked exactly like him fell onto his face, and the lamp stared blankly at her. “Somniorum, is that what you mean?”

"You are me, and whatever you think, I will think the same way."

"Then what should I do?"

Somniorum smiled slightly, shook his head, and did not answer her.

Ding-dong-

The tram has arrived at the station.

"It's time. Goodbye."

Somniorum stepped out of the carriage.

"and many more!"

Lamp reached out, trying to grab Somniorum. But the car door closed just in time, blocking their way. She stood in front of the glass window, looking at Somniorum outside as if she were looking in a mirror.

Somniorum opened its mouth as if to say something, raised two fingers, made a V-sign towards the lamp, and playfully stuck out its tongue.

The train was moving, and the lights were getting further and further away from Somniorum.

You already know the answer, don't you?

Takamatsu lights.

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Somniorum: This trick really works.jpg

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Somniorum: This trick really works (scissor hand gesture)

The Tale of the Lost: The Lost Child - Chapter 427: Astounding Wisdom

The light opened its eyes and saw Xiangzi kneeling on the bed, pulling back the curtains.

The sunlight streamed in from outside, filling the entire room.

"How are you feeling? Are you feeling any better?"

Xiangzi knelt on the bed, turned around and asked. The direct sunlight was diffused by the gauze window, like a veil draped over Xiangzi.

The lamp was so stunned that it forgot to answer. Xiangzi frowned slightly and came over to place the back of his hand on the lamp's forehead.

She thought the lights weren't working properly yet.

A faint fragrance enveloped the lamp as Xiangzi leaned closer, the sweet scent filling the lamp's nostrils. The lamp's face instantly felt hot, and Xiangzi's hand, when pressed against it, revealed a disappointed expression that said, "So it's still not better after all."

"No—no, no, no!" Deng scrambled backward, trying to distance himself from Xiangzi. "I'm ready!"

"Hey, wait a minute—" Xiangzi stretched out his hand.

With a thud, Deng sat down on the air and fell under the bed, her two little feet in white socks sticking out like bamboo shoots breaking through the soil, wobbling precariously.

"Uh..." The lamp fell under the bed, and my eyes turned into circles of mosquito coils.

"I already said I'd wait a bit." Xiangzi covered his forehead.

However... it seems to be much better now.

Xiangzi turned over and sat on the edge of the bed, propping her chin up with her hand, watching the lamp rise on its own. Knowing that the lamp was getting better, she felt embarrassed to go near it again.

"Ugh..." Deng rubbed his head, straightened his body, and sat cross-legged on the ground.

My head was still buzzing, and the painful cries hadn't disappeared, but the light seemed less concerned now. Pain was a choice I made; only by immersing myself in pain could I continue to feel it.

She shakily got up and looked at Xiangzi.

“鸸艺务〔q;i氿琉衫??〥qun小祥”

"Hmm?" Xiangzi tilted his head.

"Thank you, and Somniorum,"

“S…Somniorum?” Xiangzi blinked. “Lake of Dreams?”

Immediately, she realized what was happening, and a knowing smile appeared on her lips.

"Is this the name she gave herself...? It's quite my style." Xiangzi breathed a sigh of relief, got up from the bed, and brushed past the lamp. "Looks like you're alright, I'll be going now—"

"Wait!" Deng suddenly grabbed Xiangzi's wrist. "Xiao Xiang, I have something else to say."

"Eh?"

This was completely unexpected by Xiangzi.

The lights were very close together.

"Approaching" is relative. When you actively approach the lamp, you don't feel anything special. But when the lamp actively approaches you, Xiangzi feels something special and at a loss.

Her eyes were so big, her eyelashes so long, her face looked so soft... For some reason, Xiangzi noticed for the first time that Deng's face was so delicate and beautiful.

No, no, no, no, why should I pay attention to these things?

But it's really beautiful.

Yes, right?

Xiangzi's already tired mind became even more confused after this disturbance, and she didn't even hear what the lamp was saying to her.

"I'd like to try again..."

at this time--

Bang-!

A fluffy, pink ball of fluff pushed open the door to the room.

"Little Master, Dengdeng, I—"

Ai Yin looked at the two people who were so close that it wouldn't be surprising if they kissed, and her lips twitched. She pushed up her glasses.

"—I think I've arrived at the wrong time."

Xiangzi, who was lost in thought, was finally brought back to his senses by the commotion caused by Aine. As soon as he returned, he saw a face very close to his.

Then, just when I was about to lose my temper, the face moved away.

“No, Xiao Ai, you’ve come at just the right time.” Deng turned his gaze to Ai Yin. “I have a plan.”

“Hey, I was just about to say that too. I also have an idea. I just asked Xiaobai, and Xiaobai said it could work—” Aine looked into Deng’s eyes and saw the same thought in them. “—Should we go together, Dengdeng?”

"Mmm!" The lamp's eyes shone brightly.

"What are you talking about?" Xiangzi looked at the two of them in confusion, realizing that he seemed to have suddenly lost touch with them.

"It's like this, little master—"

"It's like this, Xiao Xiang—"

-

So, Xiangzi was dragged out of the room by Deng and Aiyin, one on each side.

"Hey, what are you doing? Let me go!" Xiangzi half-heartedly pushed them away as they dragged him. "Deng, do you know where she's going?"

The lamp shook its head and said it didn't know.

"Then why did you drag me along?!"

This looks like they were in cahoots!

"You'll find out soon, little master." Ai Yin winked mysteriously. "I have a surprise for you."

"What surprise? Wait, wait a minute, wait a minute, Desuwa!!!"

=======

"So the surprise you're talking about is the Rainbow Bridge Gate?"

Looking at the tightly closed Rainbow Bridge gate in front of him, Xiangzi's eyes twitched twice.

What's going on? Is this a prank?

"If it's a prank, I won't play along." She sighed and was about to leave.

"Hey, wait a minute, little master, Xiaobai is coming right away!"

Who is Xiaobai?

"It's me."

The White Queen followed them into the research institute where the Rainbow Bridge Gate was located. As Xiangzi watched the White Queen join them, his confusion deepened.

She really couldn't figure out what the lamp and Aine were trying to do.

"You'd better hurry up and tell me," Xiangzi said impatiently. "I'm here to rest, not to keep you company."