Uneasy daily life

As soon as he stepped out of the school gate, Sakuta Azusagawa noticed the person standing at the intersection ahead. He greeted them and then quickly walked away.

After walking ten meters to create distance, signifying a clear boundary and leaving the stage clear, Sakuta Azusagawa turned around as an audience member.

A girl with long, straight black hair stood at the intersection, carrying a schoolbag. Her skirt swayed gently in the breeze, revealing glimpses of skin between her skirt and stockings. Her aloof expression made her seem unapproachable.

Yukinoshita Yukino...

Sakurajima Mai was taken aback. Wait a minute! The chance to verify the truth has arrived!

Noticing her target leaving the school gate, the girl crossed her arms over her stomach, gently raised her chin, and her bright blue eyes seemed to reveal a very cold expression. It was as if she had made an appointment with someone, but the other person was dawdling and late, so she was putting on airs and trying to make them pay.

"Oh, here to catch someone cheating?"

Bai Ying greeted him.

Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't hold back any longer. She awkwardly lowered her hand and coughed lightly. "Yes, I've come to meet the Mai Sakurajima you mentioned. Shiro-kun, please let me see what you're made of?"

Mai Sakurajima stepped in from the side, blocking Yukino Yukinoshita and the white shadow. She frowned and leaned closer, staring intently into Yukino Yukinoshita's eyes, even seeing her own reflection in them, but the other remained completely unaware...

Is it true? Can I reach out and touch her? Can she reach out and touch me? If Yukinoshita can't see herself, but the hater can, what will happen in this contradictory situation?

As Mai Sakurajima was lost in thought, she was suddenly pushed on the back of the head.

"The Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms—!"

Mai Sakurajima stumbled forward, her panic barely registering before her eyes widened as she rapidly approached Yukino Yukinoshita—about to collide with her…

As if passing through a non-existent phantom, Mai Sakurajima staggered forward a few steps to steady herself, then turned around and suddenly saw Yukino Yukinoshita's back... Did I pass through? She quickly looked up and around. There weren't many people coming and going at the school gate, and it seemed that no one had noticed the strange situation just now.

Surely there are others among them who can observe themselves?

Mai Sakurajima was somewhat confused, pondering the various logical flaws in her thinking.

Yukino Yukinoshita said coldly, "Shiraki-kun, are you trying to test my aikido skills?"

"Don't rush, it was just a joke. Now let me formally introduce you—"

Centered on Yukino Yukinoshita, the white figure moved sideways in a semi-circular arc, solemnly extending both hands, and loudly introduced, "This is Miss Mai Sakurajima. Her long, black hair is neatly styled, her delicate and lovely features are exceptionally harmonious, her deep and bright eyes are reflected in my heart, her slender and graceful figure is like a swan skimming across the water, and her legs, encased in black stockings, have beautiful curves..."

"Baijun!"

Curious glances were cast around them, probably because they thought someone was confessing their love. Yukino Yukinoshita had to interrupt with a blush of embarrassment and anger. She subconsciously stomped her foot, as if she couldn't help but want to kick someone, or as if she couldn't maintain her calm and composed demeanor: "Don't bother me!"

Bai Ying said innocently, "Am I harassing you? I'm seriously introducing Sakurajima Mai to you."

"No need for introductions." Yukino Yukinoshita managed to compose herself. "Can I take this as Haku-kun admitting defeat?"

Sakurajima Mai had a strange expression as she leaned closer to observe Yukino Yukinoshita's expression and eyes... The other woman's eyes held a mixture of shyness, anger, and joy.

Ok?

What are you thinking? You don't think I'm praising you, do you?

The white figure looked shocked.

Yukino Yukinoshita looked around: "Oh? Where is Sakurajima Mai you mentioned?"

"Right next to you, looking like she wants to get close to you," Bai Ying described vividly. "She's standing right next to you, studying your eyes and expression, less than three centimeters away..."

Yukino Yukinoshita glanced down and said, "I don't remember when my shadow was named Mai Sakurajima."

Bai Ying said earnestly, "Brave warrior, is it possible that you have truly misunderstood?"

Yukino Yukinoshita's tone suddenly turned cold: "Oh? Then tell me, what did I misunderstand?"

Bai Ying: "..."

Yukinoshita Yukino: "..."

Sometimes, many questions don't need answers, because no matter what action is taken, there is only one outcome...

The white figure sighed and opened its arms, saying, "Hit me!"

With many people watching, Yukino Yukinoshita raised an eyebrow and glared at him, saying, "If you've made a mistake, you should be more aware of it."

The white figure gently touched its face, grimacing and saying, "Ouch, ouch, ouch..."

"Bai Jun, there are some lies that I really hate."

Yukino Yukinoshita gave a soft snort, slung her shoulder bag over her shoulder, and left, giving a slightly impolite eye roll as she turned around.

Why create a fictional character? To make yourself jealous, angry, or concerned?

Well, in a sense, it also means that my efforts are starting to pay off?

Yukino Yukinoshita pondered this, and her steps became lighter.

Sakurajima Mai: "..."

Chapter 55 Base Swap Tactics

"In my eyes, Sakurajima-senpai's sudden disappearance just now was without any warning, and I had no suspicions about it. It wasn't until you came over and discussed it again that I realized, 'Ah, it was Sakurajima Mai...'"

Sakuta Azusagawa said, "Now that I'm trying to recall what just happened, it feels a bit strange. It's like I can't remember something at all, but I have a general impression, an impression that doesn't seem strange at all... It's very peculiar."

“I passed through Yukino Yukinoshita and tried to speak and get closer, but I didn’t get any reaction from her.” Mai Sakurajima frowned and let out a long breath. “Even if I gave Black Fan a little slap, Yukino Yukinoshita, who could see Black Fan, still didn’t react in any particular way.”

This is normal.

Rio Futaba's voice came from Sakuta Azusagawa's old-fashioned mobile phone.

"Is this normal?" Mai Sakurajima asked, puzzled. "It's contradictory, isn't it? If some people can see me, and some people can't, it's such a contradictory situation..."

First, people easily trust their memories, but human memory is neither precise nor accurate—how many people can you remember? How many things? Can you give a number immediately? Memory itself is very vague, hence inaccurate. If a person is instilled with incorrect knowledge from childhood, they won't doubt what they know until they encounter correction, therefore it's incorrect.

The fact that puberty syndrome hasn't caused social problems seems to have this influence... Aside from the individuals involved, no one takes puberty syndrome seriously, so it's not considered a problem.

Mai Sakurajima pondered, "What if we try again, and let Yukino Yukinoshita observe me again..."

The white figure suddenly asked, "Hero Plus, do you know the setting?"

"Ok?"

"The so-called setting is the prerequisite for the creator when writing a story. As the weaver of the story, the direction is often determined before the story is written."

Bai Ying gave a simple example: "For instance, when I'm creating, the first thing I do is set the tone as 'tragedy,' then I refine it to the core of 'how to make people feel the tragedy,' and then I introduce plot lines and characters... The so-called setting is the conclusion that I've designed."

Sakuta Azusagawa pondered, "So, you mean, puberty syndrome is also a kind of setting?"

"I don't know." Bai Ying shrugged. "What's going on with this kind of thing, what is its essence, and whether it has bugs are not the point at all."

Mai Sakurajima frowned and said, "How can we solve this if we don't figure out what it is?"

"Lightning strikes wood and ignites it, roasting meat to its heart's content, and we kowtow in gratitude for the divine power. Our ancestors knew to preserve the embers to roast meat before climbing trees to be struck by lightning."

Bai Ying spread her hands and said, "I only have one solution—drink more hot water."

Mai Sakurajima rolled her eyes, somewhat doubtful. Could her own mental state have triggered puberty syndrome, leading to such an unbelievable situation? It was a bit outrageous... But the scene she just witnessed wasn't fake. Judging from the current situation, if someone couldn't observe her, she couldn't interact with them at all.

If you think about it for a moment, if this situation were to escalate, you wouldn't be able to buy things, talk to people, or even pick up objects. At some point, you might not even be able to eat...

If something is completely forgotten, then it is as if it never existed.

"Is this really a psychological problem of mine?"

"This is just my reasoning. Anyway, you must have thought things like, 'If no one knew me, I could have some peace and quiet.' After all, you are a popular idol."

Bai Ying said seriously, "Actually, this kind of reasoning has quite a few flaws. You're so shameless, you want the whole world to be unable to see you."

Sakurajima Mai said irritably, "Feet!"

"Here you go." The white-clad figure obediently extended one foot, her face full of kindness.

Mai Sakurajima stepped onto it, stopped, and said, "Azusagawa-senpai, my house is in the other direction."

Sakuta Azusagawa readily agreed, "Shiro has been staying at my house recently, so let's rent her out to Sakurajima-senpai for the time being."

Just as a human trafficking deal was about to be finalized, Bai Ying, the person being traded, protested, shouting, "You're selling me and not paying me? That's outrageous!"

Mai Sakurajima: "?"

Sakuta Azusagawa: "I didn't receive any money, so this is a charitable act."

The white figure seized the moment when the opponent was stunned, forcefully pulled out its toes, and grabbed Azusagawa Sakuta in the opposite direction.

"Dream on! Go home and drink more hot water—Sakuta, let's go!"

"Please wait, Bai!"

No sooner said than done, Sakuta Azusagawa relaxed his entire body and used his weight to forcefully stop the white shadow's third-gear start, then followed up with a strongman lock-on man.

"Damn it! You betrayed me too?!"

"I'm trying to help you."

"Nonsense—you naive good-natured fool who got tricked by Makinohara Shoko!"

"Thanks for the compliment."

"Give up? Can I still inject some chicken blood into the Hero Plus?"

Bai Ying and Azusagawa Sakuta became entangled. Sakurajima Mai stood by with her arms crossed, her brows twitching slightly as she reflected on whether she was a little weak-willed and had panicked in the face of such a situation. Even so, it seemed that the only person she could rely on right now was Black Fan.

Telling Mother and Kaori about this would only add to their worries, and they even worried that the mother might have forgotten them... Only the hater, who seemed to know a little more, could barely be of any help, provided that the hater didn't make them explode with anger.

Choosing the lesser of two evils is a valid approach.

……

……

Mai Sakurajima currently lives in an apartment building near Minebara High School.

"Rented?"

“Of course I’ll buy it.” Mai Sakurajima pondered her decision, wondering if it was a desperate gamble. “I started working when I was six, and with some good luck, my financial problems are basically solved.”

"Hmm... stopping here won't do."

Bai Ying spoke eloquently: "Economic changes, international situation, shifts in the global landscape. You may seem to be living a smooth and worry-free life now, but you still have to consider your retirement decades from now, your burial a hundred years from now, the environmental issues a thousand years from now, and the survival of humanity ten thousand years from now... I have a plan here. Do you want to add some challenges to your life, or rather, provide some security for your life?"

"Hey hater, do you think I'm a normal student?"

Mai Sakurajima crossed her arms and leaned against the elevator wall.

"Life is less than a hundred years, yet worries last a thousand. What need is there for medicine for heartache? It flows eastward to the sea on its own."

Bai Ying, carrying her backpack, said earnestly, "Brave Plus, I've given you all the advice I can. Why would you invite a wolf into your house?"

"I admit that I may have some issues with my mindset, but it's very difficult to resolve."

Mai Sakurajima didn't try to hide anything and said frankly, "Letting the hater stay here temporarily can improve my living environment when I'm living alone... Lately, living alone and having retired from the entertainment industry has made me feel like I'm easily getting depressed and down. If the symptoms are my mental illness, then I think changing my mindset through the environment is the most effective way."

Bai Ying slammed her fist down: "I get it! You think you don't have enough homework!"

"The hater has played a good role."

The elevator stops.

Mai Sakurajima led Bai Ying into her home. The spacious kitchen, ordinary dining table and chairs, sofa and LCD TV did not seem to show much signs of life.

The white figure looked around warily: "Wait a minute! You don't have a demon in your house—I mean, a cat, right?!"

"Hmm..." Mai Sakurajima pretended to ponder, "Perhaps buying a cat wouldn't be bad? A more lively atmosphere would probably be beneficial to my situation, right?"

"As your doctor, I advise you not to keep any felines and to focus your energy on solving your own problems."

"The attending physician's suggestion was perhaps too biased."

Sakurajima Mai led the white-clad figure to the guest room assigned to him and also planned out the time they would spend using the bathroom.

Bai Ying opened her backpack and quickly arranged her few personal belongings—several sets of identical clothes, a laptop, and a thin blanket she had brought herself, which she had left in her backpack since the guest room had bedding.

how to say……

Mai Sakurajima stood at the doorway, watching the white figure's busy movements, and said with a strange expression, "Why do you seem so skilled at this kind of thing?"

"Hmm?" Bai Ying, who was plugging in the laptop's power strip, said upon hearing this, "Ever since I met that hero, I seem to have been homeless and constantly asking for lodging... This must be the hero's conspiracy, right?"

"What does this have to do with Yukinoshita?"