In a crossover anime, do you believe that a machine spirit can defeat a fake human?

Chen Yi clasped his hands together.

"It looks... so perfunctory."

Yuihama gave an awkward laugh.

"Otherwise, we can't really replicate that earth-shattering kneeling moment, can we?"

Chen Yi shrugged.

......

After school, I still walk and take the train home. But since I no longer have to take Yotsuya home, I have at least an hour free after school, which I can use as I please.

With the arrival of summer, the time of sunset is delayed, which means that there are many evening activities to enjoy in summer.

"It seems like it's been a while since I've made desserts, right?" Chen Yi pushed the shopping cart, with Mai Sakurajima helping him choose items next to him, and Ryo Futaba scrolling through her phone idly.

"Yi Jun can also make desserts?"

Futaba raised her eyes.

"Yes, I do know how, but I didn't have the materials at home during the summer vacation, so I didn't make it."

Chen Yi answered, casually taking a box of low-gluten flour with Chinese characters printed on it from the shelf next to him.

What do you need to do?

"How about trying lemon tart? The sweltering heat isn't over yet, so it's perfect to catch the tail end of the heatwave."

Chen Yi put the flour into the shopping cart.

Although strictly speaking, there's no such thing as a seasonal limitation...

But since it's an island nation, delicious fruit is only available in the summer.

And it's extremely expensive.

For Chen Yi, money is no object when it comes to food; he can't let anyone down, and he can't let his stomach down either.

If it weren't for the fact that authentic local ingredients are simply unavailable, I might really have to spend an exceptionally high budget to maintain my daily diet.

"...By the way, Futaba, the design for the previous smart helmet needs some modifications..."

After buying the groceries, the three of them chatted as they walked home.

"...Mai."

When they got back downstairs, a woman wearing sunglasses suddenly called out to the three of them.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but would it be convenient for you to come in and have a seat?"

Mai Sakurajima suddenly stopped in her tracks.

The other person took off their sunglasses, and Chen Yi stared at their face for a while, then understood.

She is Mai Sakurajima's mother.

......

"I apologize for using some personal channels to investigate Mai's address... Oh, I mean, I didn't mean to offend you, Mr. Chen."

Because Rio Futaba was an outsider, she went into the study to help him research the modification plan for the smart helmet, but Chen Yi stayed behind because he was partially involved in this matter.

...Although he didn't know what their relationship was like.

"To make a long story short, I'm here today to confirm one thing." Mai Sakurajima's mother picked up her paper cup, took a small sip, and looked at Mai Sakurajima.

Mai Sakurajima didn't back down and glared back at him.

"Don't look at me like that... I just want to know, are you really not going back to the entertainment industry?"

Mai Sakurajima's mother had a calm look in her eyes, as if she were just confirming something insignificant.

"I'm not going back."

Mai Sakurajima shook her head.

"I'm pretty good at this kind of life now."

"Alright, then I won't save your resources for you... Well then, Mr. Chen, I've heard so much about you."

Mai Sakurajima's mother stood up and bowed slightly.

Are you interested in working with me?

She asked.

"Not interested."

Chen Yi answered without hesitation.

"I'm sorry for the offense."

Mai Sakurajima's mother showed no emotion throughout the entire process, as if everything was just business, like a shrewd businesswoman.

"Then I'm sorry to have bothered you. Goodbye, and I wish you a happy life."

The tea was still warm when Mai Sakurajima's mother got up to say goodbye.

P.S.: Ugh... I've regressed to a two-chapter beast, oh dear~

QAQ, don't leave me, my little message baby...

When will the Great Stillness end...?

Grade 11: Chapter 161 Heart-to-Heart Talk

Lemon tarts are characterized by their sweet and sour, cool flavor. The crispy crust contrasts with the silky smooth lemon curd. It's a dessert that's not too difficult, but it's not exactly simple either.

Beginners can also succeed if they strictly follow the steps.

For Chen Yi, it was naturally not difficult at all.

The tart has a clean cut and a crisp crust. The pale yellow, translucent lemon curd is topped with dried cranberries and mint leaves, and sprinkled with powdered sugar.

It looks very appealing.

"Yi Jun is amazing."

After dinner, Mai Sakurajima couldn't wait to pick one up and try it.

After being cooled by the refrigerator, the refreshing lemon flavor enters the mouth along with the cool curd texture, and the crispy tart crust and the jelly-like curd showcase their respective characteristics on the lips and teeth.

His eyes lit up, and he chewed much faster.

"good to eat!"

Futaba, sitting on the other side of the sofa, looked worried and seemed to still be immersed in the plan she had just discussed.

"Rio, how about trying some dessert first?"

"Thank you, Yi." Rio Futaba replied subconsciously, reaching out to the plate of desserts on the coffee table as if waking from a dream.

Chen Yi didn't try the dessert; instead, he took advantage of the cozy moment to maintain his weapon, occasionally explaining to Sakurajima Mai how to identify and troubleshoot any structural malfunctions.

"Come to think of it, I already have so many weapons..."

G28, HK416 with a whole host of tactical accessories, DSR-50, M4 SOPMOD II with automated modifications, and two Uzi submachine guns with similar modifications to the bolt action.

While it might not be described as a dazzling array, it's certainly quite diverse.

After taking good care of the G28 and M4, Chen Yi devoutly recited a prayer, while the two people beside him seemed unsurprised by it.

This is a "superpower" that cannot be explained by science, and even Futaba admits it.

After reading it aloud, Chen Yi carefully put the two guns back into the gun bag.

My gaze shifted to the DSR-50.

Strictly speaking, the maintenance process for this high-precision sniper rifle is completely different from that for a regular rifle.

Rifle maintenance ensures it won't malfunction in harsh environments, while high-precision sniper rifle maintenance ensures its shooting accuracy remains consistent.

After exchanging a word with the two people in the living room, Chen Yi carried the sniper rifle to the study and slowly and meticulously disassembled the gun's parts on the workbench using professional tools.

"Whoosh—hah—"

In the quiet environment, one could almost hear faint breathing sounds.

Chen Yi paused for a moment and put on his noise-canceling headphones.

"Whoosh—"......

It's clearer now.

Chen Yi put down his tools and glanced at the sniper rifle on the table.

"commander."

Kroos asked from the side.

"...I'll take some medicine first."

Chen Yi picked up the bottle of medicine that suppressed boiling on the desk in the study, unscrewed the cap, and shook out two pills.

The inexplicable breathing sound disappeared, and in the world completely blocked out by the noise-canceling headphones, only the pulse continued to beat.

...I'm a little disappointed. I thought the sniper rifle was about to awaken.

Chen Yi's thoughts inevitably wandered for a while before he regained his composure and began his maintenance work.

Speaking of which, if the sniper rifle were to truly awaken, judging from the weapons corresponding to the game characters in my previous life... it should be Lorelei, right?

Hmm, what intensity was it again?

Chen Yi pondered. When he played the game, he only remembered the difficulty of the Mysterious Motorcycle Girl and the "Please Enter Text" challenge; the others felt like filler.

The mysterious woman on the motorcycle is Kroos. Please enter the text; don't ask who she is.

I only have two magazines left.jpg

......

After finishing the maintenance of the sniper rifle, Chen Yi saw Rio Futaba come in to continue modifying the unfinished smart helmet design. He simply put the rifle away and took a short break, going to the balcony to get some fresh air.

"Yi Jun".

Mai Sakurajima came out and stood beside her, their shoulders only a fist's distance apart.

"...You probably still want to go back, don't you?"

After a long while, Chen Yi asked.

The evening breeze was cool; compared to the sweltering heat of the morning, summer nights were undoubtedly pleasant.

“Yi-kun, although I enjoy acting, I have no attachment to that place anymore.” Mai Sakurajima shook her head, silencing Chen Yi’s attempt to persuade him.

"Well, did you know that I actually retired for a while?"

"Yes, I know that."

Whether it's the original plot or something I happen to come across in my daily life, it's all about Xiaoxi.

"The reason I retired is because of my mother..."

Just like in the original work, there's that swimsuit photo shoot thing.

"I really enjoy acting. When I was very young, I thought I would be a shining star on stage for the rest of my life..."

“But I don’t think so now,” Sakurajima Mai said, changing the subject.

"A person's life is a full 30,000 days. Although many people in this world may not live to see 30,000 days, if they spend all 30,000 days on acting..."

"...Won't you get tired of it eventually?"

Chen Yi remained silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

"Well... what I mean is, it's not that I hate acting anymore, it's just that I think something more important has come up, so I'll put acting aside for now."

"So, you've really decided not to go back?"

Chen Yi seemed to have already guessed what she was going to say.

"Yes, ten years ago, I was a star on screen, but now..."

Mai Sakurajima suddenly took two steps back, turned her body towards Chen Yi, raised her right hand as if making a gun, and aimed it at his heart.