Uneasy daily life

"Hmph!" Azusagawa Kaede retorted, unconvinced. "Then what about the story you made up?"

"You're practically courting death. You might as well just release the cat," Sakuta Azusagawa thought to himself, shaking his head at his sister's impulsiveness.

"Don't try to be unreasonable, or I'll steal your brother away—next contestant, brave one, please share the story you just made up."

Bai Ying tilted her head to observe for a moment, then nodded and said, "The hero is really full of fighting spirit. He seems to be very serious about the bet and has ulterior motives."

"Who asked Haku-kun to gamble a whole day?" Yukino Yukinoshita said calmly. "I believe Haku-kun won't do anything underhanded."

Bai Ying crossed her arms and asked, "Of course, how could I go back on my word? When the time comes, if you ask me to catch a chicken, I'll go catch a chicken, and I'll bring back the eggs too..."

"That's unnecessary."

Yukino Yukinoshita thought for a moment and realized that in order to win, she would have to make the story more exciting.

"On the first day, Mai Sakurajima had dinner with her older sister and made plans to go shopping at a certain time."

"The next day, Mai Sakurajima spent an ordinary day attending classes, studying, and doing homework."

"On the third day, during a casual family chat, the mother decided to go shopping the next day. After dinner, Mai Sakurajima thought about what to buy while shopping the next day and then fell asleep."

After waiting a moment, and seeing no further developments from Yukino Yukinoshita, Kaede Azusagawa couldn't help but ask, "Um, what happened next?"

“There’s nothing more after that,” Yukino Yukinoshita said softly, “because there are only three days.”

Azusagawa Kaede realized, "Huh? Is it one of those settings that Sakurajima Mai doesn't know about?!"

"Hmph, a story made up using information asymmetry tricks."

Bai Ying pointed and said, "The story attempts to express Sakurajima Mai's daily life and fulfilling existence. She makes a promise to go shopping with her family, and then brings everything to an abrupt end on the third day. Those of us who know the setting naturally understand that Sakurajima Mai only has three days to live. Once we realize this, we will speculate on the subsequent plot. The answers and emotions that readers come up with themselves will naturally be more profound."

"This is a tactic specifically designed for the current environment. If applied to a normal reader, it would only result in a completely baffling response."

Bai Ying sighed, "Even heroes resort to unorthodox methods now."

"This is a very simple creative method, but it can't compare to the fact that white fungus can proliferate on the spot at any time."

Yukino Yukinoshita simply retorted, "Azusagawa-kun, it's your turn."

"Hmm... In the story I made up, Mai Sakurajima knew she only had three days to live."

Sakuta Azusagawa glanced at Mai Sakurajima, who was sitting with her legs crossed, her expression indifferent, neither sad nor happy. She had probably given up on treatment and was preparing to settle accounts with Bai Qiuhou once the inability to intervene subsided. He hoped Bai was alright... Okay, now that he had expressed his concern, he should think about Shoko Makinohara's matter.

“During these three days, apart from saying three sentences to three different people, Mai Sakurajima’s life was no different from usual.”

Sakuta Azusagawa shifted his gaze slightly, glancing at Shoko Makinohara who was listening intently, and said in a calm and natural tone, "On the first day, Mai Sakurajima said she liked it the most. On the second day, Mai Sakurajima said thank you. On the third day, Mai Sakurajima said you had already tried your best."

Shoko Makinohara tilted her head and asked curiously, "Sakuta, who were you saying those three sentences to?"

"The first sentence is for my sister, the second is for my mother, and the third is for myself."

"Oh."

Shoko Makinohara nodded.

There seemed to be no particular reaction. How could the coincidence of Ms. Shoko and Makinohara Shoko's striking similarities be unraveled to find the answer? Azusagawa Sakuta asked with a smile, "Has Judge Shiro's criticism arrived yet?"

Bai Ying immediately said, "Since you asked so sincerely, I will mercifully comment on your story—it's too positive and beautiful, not realistic at all. There are no conspiracies, intrigues, bloodshed, or dramatic ups and downs. I don't really agree with it."

“The review should take into account the strengths as well,” Sakuta Azusagawa said.

"I was having a great time pointing things out, and now you suddenly want me to praise you?" Bai Ying said, quite displeased. "Tell me, what's the merit of your story? Can you even name one?"

Sakuta Azusagawa gave an example: "I think the ability to evoke the judges' enthusiasm for commenting is itself an advantage."

"Why should we care about looks when it comes to traffic? Dry wood and raging fire are easy to fuel. You're really clever. Now it's the last contestant's turn."

Bai Ying looked at Makinohara Shoko and said, "Please share the story you just made up."

“Hmm…” Makinohara Shoko rubbed the little white cat and said, “I was just thinking about the story Sakuta made up… Hmm, I think Sakuta’s story is very good, and I can’t think of any other stories for the time being, so I’ll just abstain.”

"That's good. That way, there will be one less competitor, and it will be my turn to be Mai Sakurajima's funeral attendant, suona player, and priest."

Bai Ying pondered for a moment and said, "On the first day, the most painful thing in life is dying before you've spent all your money! You've worked hard since birth, it's time to enjoy yourself to the fullest."

"The next day, I realized that life is nothing more than having enough food and clothing, and sleep is only about three feet of shelter. I should donate the money I can't spend and become a sophisticated person who has transcended vulgar interests, leaving my name in history."

"On the third day, which treacherous villain decided I only have three days to live? I'm not reconciled!"

Chapter 84 Who is Mai Sakurajima?

What if you only had three days to live?

On the first day, I will spend all my money and take out all the value I have created in my life so far. If I don't spend all my money, my life will be in the red. The thought of actually losing money seems to be more painful than death.

I want to spend money, eat delicious food, wear beautiful clothes, drive the coolest luxury cars, and cash out all my achievements so far from the bank.

I went to eat my favorite ramen, and I specifically ordered the deluxe version, and even asked the owner to add an extra portion of char siu.

Unfortunately, one bowl was enough to fill me up, and after that, even my favorite ramen didn't taste as delicious.

I passed by a bubble tea shop and wanted something sweet, but I was worried about gaining weight. Then I remembered that I only had three days left to live, so I happily bought a super-sized bubble tea with extra sugar.

I went to a clothing store to buy clothes. The clothes were very beautiful, but I hesitated. I was about to die, so why did I need to buy clothes for others to see and to get their praise? So I simply picked out a new outfit and prepared to wear it for my last three days.

I was a little tired from walking home, so I took a taxi home without hesitation.

I spent a lot of money on the game, making up for all my previous hesitations and indecision. Halfway through, I realized I was about to die, and suddenly I felt bored. I was about to casually put the account up for sale, but then I thought that selling it would be pointless, and giving it away would make me feel guilty, so I did nothing.

I did the math before going to bed last night, and I realized I spent very little money and had a lot left over.

When life becomes within reach, I find myself so rich.

The next day, the extravagant spending plan continued.

Simply trying to enjoy life won't be enough to squander all my wealth in such a short time; I must work harder.

Leave 10% for yourself to indulge in luxury.

I will leave 30% to my mother, since she raised me for one-third of my life, so I will leave one-third of my life's value.

Finally, I had 60% of my belongings left with nowhere to go. Should I leave them to my mother? I couldn't get over the emotions in my heart. I remembered my mother's sacrifices and the hurt she caused. Should I try buying her some more expensive luxuries? With only two days left to live, what could I possibly enjoy? Donating to charity to do good deeds still felt strange. When did I become a good person? With only a few days left to live, do I need to be a good person?

If I don't use it, what does the time and effort I've put in matter? I can't just give it to the bank for nothing, can I? But if I do use it, I don't know how to use it. Giving it to my mother is choosing forgiveness, donating it is choosing to be a good person—I'm about to die, and life is opening up a path for me to do good deeds. It's really absurd.

Before I knew it, half the day had already passed. I quickly stopped thinking and focused on going out to enjoy myself.

On the third day, I finally ran out of money.

Yesterday I rushed out to spend money, and spent it all. I even burned my mouth while eating my favorite ramen. I didn't feel happy at all, and my tongue still feels numb and uncomfortable from the burn today.

It's not about spending money to enjoy yourself; it's about spending money to suffer.

Fortunately, I've finally spent all the money, so I don't need to think about how to spend it anymore. I can just wait to die in peace.

I felt relaxed, but as time went by, that relaxation gradually became heavy, with more and more distracting thoughts piling up in my mind, blocking my emotions that should have been smooth and peaceful.

Life is like a series of rivers, each with its own unique name. The waves surge and the waters flow gently, eventually reaching the vast ocean. Once a river flows into the ocean, it loses its own name.

I flow eastward, sometimes with strong winds and waves, sometimes with scorching sun. Just when I am about to enter the sea, I cannot help but churn and stir up waves, squeezing myself out of the riverbanks, not wanting the flowing years to take me to the end.

Living a life of idleness, yet feeling fulfilled at the moment of death.

I don't want to die, but I have no choice but to die. The thought of this makes me angry.

"TMD!"

……

"I think this is how Mai Sakurajima reacts when she only has three days to live."

The white figure stared into the deep gaze coming from somewhere and said with certainty, "Because of the pain of living, she passively longed for death, and because of the fear of death, she lived actively and fulfillingly. Sakurajima Mai must have done just that. No one understands Sakurajima Mai better than me."

"The philosophy of life and death, the meaning of living, the issue of human value, how to spend all the money..."

Kaede Azusagawa asked, somewhat puzzled, "In your story, how exactly did Mai Sakurajima run out of money?"

"You only care where the money went," Bai Ying commented arrogantly. "You're so shallow! In short, Mai Sakurajima died a very unsettling death, so where the money went is irrelevant."

You might also die a very unpleasant death...

Rio Futaba and Sakuta Azusagawa glanced at Mai Sakurajima, whose face was dark and filled with murderous intent.

Yukino Yukinoshita asked, "Why are you so sure it will be that kind of scene, Haku-kun? This is just Haku-kun's love for creating tragedies, isn't it?"

“That’s right, that’s right.” Azusagawa Kaede nodded in agreement.

"You're not Mai Sakurajima, how do you know she won't swear? Won't get angry?"

Bai Ying stroked his chin and said, "Anyway, I'll curse, and if I have the energy, I'll give the middle finger to the sky."

Yukino Yukinoshita was startled, her calm expression flickering slightly. Her gaze fixed blankly on the white figure, still unable to glean any clues from him… Wait! The story Azusagawa-kun made up earlier…

'Sakurajima Mai realized she had misunderstood; people weren't praising her, but her older sister...' If we expand on the story of Azusagawa-kun and apply it to ourselves...

"Does Bai-kun, who isn't Sakurajima Mai, really know what Sakurajima Mai is thinking?"

Yukino asked in a sarcastic tone.

The white figure retorted, "You're not me, how do you know I don't know what Sakurajima Mai is thinking?"

Yukinoshita Yukino: #!

A familiar bounce, a variation of your bounce.

"Shiro, shouldn't we announce the winner now?" Sakuta Azusagawa said. "You've staked a whole day on this, so it's necessary to choose the winner based on whose story is the most exciting."

The white-clad figure stood with his hands in his pockets, leaning back on the sofa, his face radiating an air of invincibility. He scoffed, "Ha! Besides me, could there be any other victor? Can your stories be any more exciting than mine?"

How could I lose by making up a story? According to the rules of the game, I'm bound to get all the votes next... votes...

Pointing fingers, displaying aggression, slandering, hurting feelings, provoking...

Bai Ying said solemnly, "I think the democratic voting system is too subjective and cannot reflect the professionalism of decision-making. It cannot be considered correct. An outsider should be invited to make the decision."

"Is it possible that the story itself is a creation with a very strong subjective influence?" Sakuta Azusagawa remarked.

"I think my brother's is the best."

Kaede Azusagawa immediately initiated a vote.

"Ha, nepotism." Bai Ying said dismissively.

Rio Futaba adjusted her glasses and casually said, "Then I'll vote for Yukinoshita."

Bai Ying: "Deliberate revenge."

“I voted for Sakuta,” Makinohara Shoko explained with a smile. “Um… I really liked the three-sentence story Sakuta just told.”

Bai Ying: "Tsk, do I perhaps lack the charm to please children?"

"Whether white fungus has that kind of charm is hard to say, but it definitely has the ability to get along with children, literally."

Yukino Yukinoshita coldly retorted, "I'm casting my vote for Shiro-kun, thank you for your generosity."

"Damn it—whatever, not losing to you means I've already lost half." The white figure waved his hand and said, "Then I'll rent this day out to Sakuta..."

"No need for that. I'll transfer the right to use this day to Yukinoshita."

Sakuta Azusagawa added, "Thank you for Yukinoshita's help."

Yukino Yukinoshita was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled and said, "That's not bad."

"Vote trading! Treating people as commodities! Do you two know you've broken the law?!"

The white figure protested loudly.

"Then isn't it Shiro who mortgaged his day? The law stipulates that people have no right to dispose of themselves, so the first person to break the law is Shiro." Yukino Yukinoshita gave a brief explanation, then suddenly realized, "Hmm, I almost forgot that Shiro doesn't have human rights. Since he doesn't have human rights, then of course he doesn't break the law."

Yukino Yukinoshita spoke in a cold tone, revealing a hint of aggression.

"If you attack me again, I'll attack you," the white figure said in a deep voice. "You won the commission and received the reward for winning the game, but that's not all. If you continue to take advantage of the situation and launch a massive attack, if you dare to take another step forward, it will be a cataclysmic event!"

"Oh? What kind of upheaval does Baijun want to cause? I'd like to see it for myself."

Yukino Yukinoshita took a deep breath to calm herself down.

Bai Ying said sincerely, "Hero, you are not Mai Sakurajima. I swear I can never create again."

The moment the words left her lips, the white figure sprang into action, flung open the door, and rushed out of the Azusagawa residence.

Yukino Yukinoshita sat on the sofa, her mind filled with exploding fireworks. Even though she had a vague premonition, she was still stunned by the sudden revelation of the truth, and her thoughts were all stuck and malfunctioning.