The night passed without a word.
The next day.
The lounge door quietly opened a crack. After confirming no one was outside, Miko clutched her chest, quietly breathed a sigh of relief, and then stealthily slipped out.
"No one should have noticed… Eh eh eh?!"
But as soon as she stepped out of the room, she saw a black-haired girl standing in the corner to her right. Who else could it be but Parallel World Miko?
No way?
She couldn't have been standing in the corner all night, could she?
Impossible!
She didn't have a special hobby for eavesdropping!
"Th-that…" Miko stammered, flustered as she tried to explain, "Last night…"
Unfortunately, as soon as she spoke, Miko's pretty face involuntarily flushed a beautiful crimson, and her gaze flickered away. The girl's sense of shame surged, making her unable to speak smoothly, even to explain.
Her brain must have been broken last night!
She clearly wanted to refuse, and she hadn't even agreed to date him yet, but her body simply wouldn't obey… if it happened again, she would definitely refuse firmly!
"Here."
Parallel World Miko walked over calmly and handed her a box of something.
The two Mikos still looked and were the same height, but Parallel World Miko no longer had the easygoing, laid-back demeanor; she was cold and distant.
"Eh?" Miko subconsciously took it, realizing it was a box of medicine, "What is this?"
Parallel World Miko calmly said:
"It's [beep—]."
"Eh eh eh?!"
Miko's hand trembled, and white steam immediately billowed from the top of her head.
"This world has already been destroyed, and it no longer has the ability to nurture the next generation." Parallel World Miko said calmly, "You don't know when you'll go back, so it's best not to cause a life… Of course, whether you take it or not is up to you."
W-why can you say these things so nonchalantly! It's super embarrassing, okay!
Miko lowered her head to look at her toes, suppressing the overflowing shame, and stammered with mixed feelings:
"I...I understand..."
In the girl's idle fantasies, she occasionally thought of some embarrassing scenarios, such as Natsuki imitating Romeo and climbing through the window one night, and the two getting carried away, only to be discovered by her mother, or perhaps being seen by Kyosuke... But no matter what, she never imagined a scene where she caught herself red-handed.
At this moment, Miko's feelings were exceptionally complex and subtle.
Miko stammered, explaining:
"Last night...I was tricked..."
Parallel World Miko calmly retorted:
"Although it's unclear what the Natsuki of another world has experienced, his nature has clearly not changed. If you firmly refused, nothing would have happened, right?"
"..."
Miko was speechless.
The girl in front of her was her parallel self, so lying was naturally meaningless.
Parallel World Miko continued:
"Tomorrow and accidents, you never know which will come first, just like a normal campus afternoon can suddenly plunge the world into Apocalypse... Even if you return to another world, that other world is very likely to be destroyed by a disaster."
Miko: "..."
Thank you.
But there's really no need to say it out loud.
Parallel World Miko said in a cold voice:
"What I want to say is, don't always run away from your inner self, don't care too much about what others think, don't be swayed by your shame, and don't leave regrets in your life... Everyone only lives once, you should live a happier life."
The advice from her parallel self naturally caused a great spiritual shock. Miko took a deep breath and said seriously:
"...I understand."
At the same time.
Natsuki had already eaten bread and was on his way to campus, continuing to beat up Strange Tales.
"Heh heh."
Momo crossed her arms over her chest, occasionally letting out a disdainful sneer.
"Momo-senpai," Natsuki turned his head to look over, "May I ask why you seem to have such a great prejudice against me?"
Momo's eyes showed disdain as she said:
"You know what you did in your heart."
Natsuki said nonchalantly:
"I don't know."
"How dare you lie," Momo couldn't help but say, "What did you do to Miko last night?"
Natsuki raised an eyebrow and said:
"I didn't expect Momo-senpai to have a hobby of eavesdropping."
"Pfft!"
Momo couldn't help but spit, and said with disdain:
"If you don't want others to know, don't do it... Miko was clearly crying last night, and you were still mistreating her!"
Upon hearing this, Natsuki's gaze became subtle, and he whispered:
"Momo-senpai hasn't had a boyfriend yet?"
Momo lifted her chin: "None of your business."
"No wonder," Natsuki said nonchalantly, "There are many kinds of crying; there's crying from sadness and pain, and there's crying from joy."
Momo was slightly startled, then reacted:
"Lewd! Ecchi!"
Natsuki said without changing his expression:
"Miko and I are in love, and we are both high school students. It's neither illegal nor unconventional. Instead, someone who eavesdrops should reflect on herself."
Momo's pretty face flushed, and she glared at him in annoyance:
"I told you I wasn't eavesdropping, I just accidentally heard it when I passed by!"
"..."
While talking, the two arrived at the school, skillfully caught an anomaly, and after a beating, once again 'made friends' with it.
Unfortunately, today's luck was still not good, and no spatial mist for crossing over appeared.
Back at the internet cafe.
"Natsuki-kun?"
The passing customers all cast expectant glances.
Natsuki shook his head, and the atmosphere in the internet cafe instantly dimmed.
It had been over a week since they crossed over to the parallel world, and most people's spirits had been completely worn down. They spent every day in a daze, just getting by, and even lost interest in going out to scavenge for gold—if they couldn't return to their original world, gold was completely useless.
Natsuki also had no mind to boost morale. He walked straight through the hall to his exclusive lounge:
"Miko, I'm back."
Miko's pretty face flushed, and she turned her head to look elsewhere: "You're back, you're back... Hurry up and take a shower, then go eat."
"Yes, yes."
Natsuki finished washing up, ate, and came back to see Miko sitting in the corner, her eyes vigilant, clearly on guard against him.
"I'm all set."
Natsuki walked to the desk and sat down, resting his chin in his hands, displaying a pensive expression.
One minute passed.
Two minutes passed.
Three minutes passed in a flash, and Miko finally couldn't bear it. She closed the manga book in her hand and asked in a low voice:
"What are you doing?"
Natsuki said:
"I'm thinking."
"Huh?" Miko was curious, "Thinking about what?"
"I'm thinking, what if we can't go back..." Natsuki paused for two seconds, then smiled, "What should we name our child."
Miko's pretty face flushed, and she couldn't help but throw the manga book in her hand over, saying in shame:
"Don't even think about that!"
Her parallel self was right, it was already the end of the world, having a baby would be super irresponsible!
Thud.
The manga book hit Natsuki on the head.
Natsuki closed his eyes and fell onto the bed.
"Get up quickly," Miko couldn't help but chide.
"..."
Natsuki remained motionless, with no response.
Miko said speechlessly:
"You were just hit by a book, how could you possibly faint?"
"..."
Natsuki still gave no response, no sound at all.
"You..."
Even though she knew Natsuki was tricking her, Miko couldn't help but feel a little worried. Biting her lip, she cautiously approached him, extended a finger, and gently poked Natsuki.
The next second.
Natsuki suddenly opened his eyes and grabbed Miko's wrist.
"Liar, let go of me!"
Miko's pretty face flushed, and she struggled.
Natsuki lowered his voice and said:
"Miko, you don't want everyone to hear, do you?"
"..."
Miko's struggling movements then paused.
It proved that when threats didn't fall on oneself, one would think it was nothing, calling the police in minutes. But when it actually fell on oneself, one could only cover one's mouth with a hand, enduring tearfully and aggrievedly.
A night without words.
The next day.
Natsuki left the internet cafe refreshed, continuing his daily routine: eating, sleeping, and fighting Strange Tales.
First, he beat it up, then made friends with it, and learned from the Strange Tale that new spatial mist had appeared in Tokyo today.
Natsuki hadn't had much expectation initially. He had found spatial mist several times in the past few days, but this thing wasn't guaranteed to take him back to his original world; it could also lead to an unknown place.
Who knew that after finding the spatial mist according to the intelligence, Natsuki was surprised to see a prompt:
[You carefully observed and found the spatial mist in front of you reassuring... You chose to pass through the spatial mist, and you successfully returned to the original world]
"I can go back?!"
Natsuki's spirits suddenly lifted.
The parallel world destroyed by the Strange Tale apocalypse was no match for the original world, no matter what. Moreover, more than a week had passed, and he missed Kaguya and Hayasaka terribly.
"This mist... can I cross back?"
Seeing the surprised expression on Natsuki's face, Momo couldn't help but ask.
"That's right, I finally found a spatial mist that can take us back." Natsuki took a deep breath and turned his head, saying, "Momo-senpai, you go back first and call everyone over. I'll stay here and watch, to prevent monsters from getting there first."
Once spatial mist appears, it doesn't last forever. Once a monster enters the mist, the fragile balance will be broken, and the mist will disappear in a short time, so someone must guard it.
"...I understand."
Upon hearing that they could really cross over and leave, Momo's mood instantly became exceptionally complex. She took a deep breath, suppressed her complex emotions, and then turned and ran off.
As soon as Momo left, Natsuki's ears twitched slightly, and he turned to look behind him.
He saw a monster in a suit, holding an umbrella, but without a head, walking out of a dark alley not far away. It was clearly attracted by the spatial mist and instinctively wanted to enter it.
"Seeking death."
Natsuki reached out and gripped a blood-stained fire axe out of thin air, directly chopping it down.
After so many days, he finally found a mist that could take him back. No one should think of destroying it; whoever moves dies.
Facing the swinging axe, the headless suited man even raised the transparent umbrella in his hand, trying to block it, but it was completely ineffective.
One axe shattered the umbrella, and another axe split the entire person open. His body turned into black mist and disappeared, leaving only a tattered suit floating on the ground.
Indeed, only powerful, wide-ranging attacks can bring enough pleasure.
At the same time.
Momo ran all the way, without any stop or rest, and finally returned to the underground internet cafe.
"Hey, Senpai, where's Natsuki?"
Seeing only Momo enter, Miko couldn't help but ask.
Momo was slightly out of breath, clutching her chest and taking a deep breath. After steadying her breathing, she called out, "Natsuki has found the spatial mist to return, and he's staying there to guard it. He sent me back to tell you all to come over."
"What?"
"Natsuki-kun found the way back?"
"Can we really go back?"
The previously lifeless and numb-faced unlucky passengers, upon hearing Momo's news, suddenly 'came alive' like wilting flowers encountering rain. Every face showed an expression of excited surprise and joy.
Watching everyone's expressions change, Momo, for some reason, suddenly felt a sense of shared glory.
The feeling of being a savior... it really is quite good.
"That's right," Momo said, crossing her arms over her chest and raising her voice again, "You can all go back."
This time, everyone heard clearly, and shouts of surprise and cheers suddenly echoed throughout the underground internet cafe.
Those who were still dazed were immersed in the surprise, unable to extricate themselves.
The more quick-witted ones had already quickly gotten up to pack their 'found' gold and jewels.
Momo said loudly, "Pack up, then hurry up and leave."
Unfortunately, the subsequent developments soon made her frown.
After hearing they could go back, the underground internet cafe quickly descended into chaos. Everyone started packing, and there were even instances of theft and snatch gold and jewels. As for hurrying, the warning that the spatial mist could disappear at any time had been forgotten.
If they couldn't return to their original world, gold and jewels were trash, but now that they could return, greed resurfaced. Some were even caught red-handed stealing jewels, and the two sides immediately started fighting.
"What should we do?"
Miko couldn't help but get anxious.
Crack!
Thunder suddenly boomed in the air, blue spiritual power lightning swirled in mid-air, and the oppressive pressure instantly made it hard to breathe. The chaotic and noisy underground internet cafe instantly quieted down.
Parallel World Miko stood with her arms crossed, her black hair swaying without wind, suppressing the entire scene as the strongest spiritual power user.
"Let's go."
Her gaze swept over everyone, and Parallel World Miko turned directly and walked out, cutting through the confusion decisively: "Those who want to go back, follow me. Those who don't want to go back, stay."
It must be said that Parallel World Miko's handling method was super effective. The more chaotic the situation, the more decisive measures were needed to suppress it.
As Miko left the internet cafe, everyone became restless. No one argued or pushed anymore, and they didn't even have time to dress neatly, hurrying to catch up with Miko's steps in a panic.
Even the most greedy person knew that if they couldn't go back, no amount of gold would be meaningful.
Whoosh.
A group of people poured out of the underground internet cafe, and the cool rain mist blew in their faces.
The rain was still falling.
Because of the existence of the rain doll, the rain in Tokyo had never stopped. Who knows how many people secretly cursed, feeling that the rain was annoying and made them uncomfortable all over.
But at this moment, the rain was the same rain, but the mood was completely different, extraordinarily happy.
"Miko, ride a bicycle."
Momo pointed to a bicycle nearby, reminding her.
"Okay."
Miko nodded quickly and got on a bicycle.
When a car is needed, there are always too few. There were many bicycles parked at the entrance, but no one had ever paid attention to them. At this moment, they once again became the target of Scramble.
There weren't enough bicycles, but the back seat of a bicycle could carry people. At this time, no one cared about the laws and regulations prohibiting carrying passengers. In the end, those who really had no bicycle to ride could only run behind in the rain, looking disheveled.
In short, at this time, no one was willing to be left behind.
Just like that, a large group of people rushed through the cold, rainy night of Tokyo, sprinting all the way.
Twenty minutes later.
Natsuki, holding an axe, with a pile of clothes scattered around him, suddenly heard shouts from a distance. He turned his head and saw a group of people riding bicycles majestically.
"Natsuki, we're here."
Miko jumped off the bicycle and trotted to Natsuki's side.
"Natsuki-kun." Mrs. Ozawa followed closely behind Miko, excitedly saying, "Can we go back through this mist?"
Natsuki nodded:
"That's right, Madam, you'll be able to go home and see your daughter very soon."
As he spoke, the unlucky passengers behind them arrived one after another.
Looking at the mist pervading the park, these people were excited but also somewhat uneasy, worried about the truthfulness of going home, and they all asked Natsuki about the situation.
Natsuki didn't waste words, directly held Miko's right hand, and then said, "Miko and I will go in first. You all can do as you please."
At this time, only by stepping forward first could he dispel the doubts of these unlucky passengers.
"Mm."
Miko nodded seriously, tightly gripping Natsuki's right hand. No matter what happened after entering the mist, she would not separate from Natsuki.
However, Natsuki was not in a hurry to leave. Instead, he turned to look at Momo and Parallel World Miko, inviting them, "Momo-senpai, and Miko, would you two like to come along too?"
Momo was tempted and said, "Can we... also cross over to another world?"
This world had already been destroyed by the Strange Tale disaster. Although there were a very small number of survivors, only despair remained for them.
"Of course you can." Natsuki said gently, "We can cross over, so of course you can go over too."
Momo touched the white bones on her face with some worry and couldn't help but say, "What if I go to your world... will I be locked up for research?"
Natsuki mused, "If you were a unique alien in the entire world, then Momo-senpai would most likely be locked up for research. But if you're a refugee from a parallel world... You probably wouldn't qualify."
"Bah~"
Momo lightly spat, biting her silver teeth, but ultimately walked to Natsuki's side.
At this moment, Parallel World Miko suddenly said softly, "You all go back, I won't go."
"Eh?"
Miko was startled, looking at her parallel self in surprise, and anxiously said, "Why are you staying? Mom would definitely be very happy to see you."
"I still have other things to accomplish." Parallel World Miko shook her head gently, "If we are fated, we will naturally meet again."
Parallel World Miko's mind was made up, and persuasion was useless.
Natsuki glanced at the spatial mist, which was slowly thinning and fading, and could only nod, "Then, farewell, if fate allows."
With one hand holding Miko's, and the other holding Momo's, Natsuki stepped into the spatial mist.
The mist swirled, and the figures of the three instantly disappeared.
Seeing this, the others no longer hesitated and rushed into the spatial mist one after another...