(That's right. I hold the absolute advantage now. Acting with the compassionate heart of a Buddhist, I am making concessions to you. If you remain obstinate and refuse to accept my goodwill, then that is not my problem.)
Amamiya Rin looked compassionate, looking as if he were about to chant "Amitabha, Amitabha."
(...You are right.)
(Lord Rin is right, we were too unappreciative.)
(We are willing to listen to your arrangements.)
The thoughts of the Tomies rose one after another, carrying a deliberately fawning tone, scrambling to ring out within the [Tomie Network].
Although they felt incredibly stifled and knew Amamiya Rin could perceive their psychology, out of lingering fear of the [Dhyana], they instinctively hoped to curry favor with Amamiya Rin.
(Very well. Let's discuss how we can each take a step back, tolerate each other, and achieve a win-win situation where everyone is happy.)
Amamiya Rin smiled with the subtlety of a Buddha holding a flower, allowing his conception to emerge from the bottom of his heart into the [Tomie Network], sharing it with the Tomies.
(First, you can no longer intentionally do evil, such as inciting murder, seducing men, or destroying couples' relationships. This is the most basic requirement.)
(Tch! Do we even need to actively seduce others? Even if we just stand on the street without moving, countless men will come to hit on us.)
Kawakami Tomie was dismissive, and the other Tomies chimed in one after another; they alone were full of confidence in their own charm.
(Then why didn't I fall in love with you? That guy was called Toshiyuki, right? Why didn't he fall in love with you?)
Amamiya Rin asked back without haste or irritation.
(A matter of time.)
(The time spent together was too short.)
(Right! Our charm hasn't had time to work yet.)
(As long as we spend a bit more time together, any man will fall in love with us, and you are no exception.)
...
The Tomies argued one after another, their mouths extremely stubborn; not one was willing to admit their charm was insufficient.
(Fine, fine, fine, let's assume that's the case. My requirement is simply that you don't intentionally go out to do evil.)
Amamiya Rin spoke tolerantly.
(What do you mean 'assume that's the case'?!)
(It IS the case!)
Hearing Amamiya Rin's attitude, the Tomies flew into a rage out of humiliation. Amamiya Rin, however, did not intend to entangle himself with them on this matter endlessly, and continued to promulgate the rules he had formulated.
(Second, in some harmless trivial matters, if I need it, you must cooperate with me.)
(...For example?)
(Learning skills, constructing a more realistic dreamscape. Simply put, although I don't know exactly how old you are, your appearance is that of college age. I want you all to go to school, learn various cultural knowledge and professional skills, and come into contact with various things to make the [Dream World] become more real.)
(Are you kidding me? You want to manage this too? Are you my dad? You actually want to control me going to school?)
The Tomies once again generated thoughts of resistance.
Going to school was no problem; learning knowledge and skills was the problem.
All Tomies regarded seeking pleasure in the moment as their life's purpose; not one wanted to study hard and make progress every day. Even Amamiya Rin himself didn't want to study.
The premise was: if there was a choice.
(Learning is for the sake of survival.)
Amamiya Rin opened his mind, sharing the impressions of [Hellstar Remina], [Gyo], and [I Am a Hero: Spinoff] with the Tomies.
(What is this?)
(So disgusting!)
(This planet is too terrifying!)
Seeing the [Hellstar Remina] extending a long tongue in Amamiya Rin's memories, and the strange fish with legs darting everywhere, the Tomies were horrified, their eyes widening in shock and fear.
(Do you understand? Compared to real crises, you are far from qualified. If [Hellstar Remina] arrives at Earth, we must have a sturdy spaceship. If the Gas Fish Monsters and Zombies appear, we must develop devices to collect the gas and vaccines to eliminate the virus. This isn't saving the world, but saving ourselves!)
Amamiya Rin didn't want to talk about saving the world; even if he had the heart, he didn't have the power. He could only try his best to protect the people he knew.
For this, technology must be developed.
Although this era was in 1999, the technology level was not low. A certain university had already developed androids, and there was various black technology, pseudoscience, and even alchemy among the populace. Relying on the nature of the [Long Dream], perhaps they really could create a space fortress capable of sustaining hundreds of people for a hundred years.
If [Hellstar Remina] hadn't already set its sights on Earth, pulling a "Wandering Earth" maneuver wouldn't be impossible.
(That's too far off. If that day really comes, what is the meaning of wandering in the universe?)
The Tomies could not empathize with Amamiya Rin's thoughts. They could not detach themselves from human society. If they left human society, even if they could survive, what would be the point?
(Could it be that you want to be Adam and recreate human civilization with us?)
Kawakami Tomie teased.
(Human civilization? At that time, it should be the Tomie Civilization, right? However, it is indeed too far off.)
Amamiya Rin responded lightly.
Manufacturing a spaceship was still just a conjecture. He couldn't yet imagine what to do after that.
(Focusing on the present, you only need to memorize that cultural knowledge. I will pursue advanced studies in the dreamscape and then share the memories with you. It's equivalent to you getting my results for free. How about that?)
Although it was a questioning tone, Amamiya Rin's will was very tough. The Tomies could feel Amamiya Rin's attitude of not backing down anymore, and tactfully did not continue to oppose.
(Then, there is the third point.)
Amamiya Rin continued to speak.
(Some combat-type skills cannot be learned just by watching and listening; they also require actual action. I imagine with your personalities, you wouldn't go exercise, right?)
(How could a delicate and beautiful flower like me do such rough things?)
Kawakami Tomie answered as a matter of course.
(So my third requirement is that I will synchronize with one of you to practice combat-type techniques. This person will be the one among you who violates the first or second rule. If no one violates them, then it will be the person who studied the worst in the second rule that day. Any problems?)
A brief silence fell within the [Tomie Network].
The Tomies quickly weighed the pros and cons. The third requirement was called a rule, but in their eyes, it looked more like a punishment mechanism.
Asking if there were problems? There definitely were.
Asking who would object? There definitely was no one.
Amamiya Rin's will was already clear; the three conditions were his bottom line. If they refused to accept, it would mean returning to the initial relationship.
If they accepted the conditions, they wouldn't have to live in fear all day of being dragged to break some attachment or reveal some wisdom. They only needed to restrain their daily pranks and occasionally cooperate on small matters. The cost was merely that one unlucky person would be temporarily possessed for a while every day...
There were over thirty of them!
A one-in-thirty probability. If they found other Tomies and pulled them into the [Tomie Network], it would be a one-in-forty, one-in-fifty, or one-in-a-hundred probability.
No one felt they were that unlucky to be the one chosen to practice combat abilities.
Compared to the previous all-encompassing suppression, this could already be called preferential treatment.
____
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