Chapter 69: Is It a Universal Happiness…?
Upon awakening, the sky was nearing dusk.
"I fell asleep?" Kichyō failed to realize that she had actually slept for such a long time.
She hastily got up, but due to the forceful movement, inadvertently collided with an obstacle. Looking around, she then realized that she was lying on a chair in the park.
On the left side, Yagyū Simozi sat peacefully, flipping through a book. Upon hearing the commotion, she abruptly closed the book with a snap.
"Awake?"
"How long did I sleep?" Kichyō hurriedly inquired.
"After approximately five hours?" Yagyū Simozi glanced at the time. "Only three more minutes until six o'clock precisely."
A full five hours?
I actually managed to be unharmed?
Even though there is a large crowd here, those people shouldn't have any reason to let me go.
The young girl was astonished on her own.
"You seem to have misunderstood something," Yagyū Simozi said, placing her hands neatly on her knees and maintaining a dignified posture. However, her tone was merciless, "The reason you are able to lie here unscathed is because I have been guarding you all afternoon."
"Ah… Thank you, thank you," Kichyō felt overwhelmed by the opponent's forceful demeanor and instinctively expressed her gratitude.
"You're welcome, but I won't help with this kind of troublesome matter again in the future," Yagyū Simozi's demeanor was not pleasant.
What she desired was a life of utmost tranquility, therefore any intrusion from outsiders into her life would not be welcomed.
Saki Jingūji was always like that, rejecting even those she didn't know, let alone this overly familiar high school girl who spoke intimately with her older brother.
She had intended to say something more, but she also noticed the bitter and almost self-mocking smile that appeared on Kichyō's face.
Earlier, she fell asleep, still murmuring in her dreams, occasionally trembling as if she had a terrible nightmare.
It is the same in dreams, there will only be more difficulties encountered in reality.
Yagyū Simozi swallowed the remaining words and her harsh tone softened slightly, "If you're hungry, we can go to a nearby restaurant."
"No, it's not necessary."
"I have already delayed the entire afternoon, and I don't mind a little longer. I promised my elder brother to take care of you until he returns. Do you want me to break my word?"
"Elder brother…"
Kichyō recalled the young man before falling asleep. She faintly remembered leaning on his shoulder as she drifted into slumber… How impolite of her.
She blushed instinctively and asked, "Where is he?"
Yagyū Simozi noticed the expression revealed by her, and the veins on the back of her hand holding the book became prominent.
"I don't know," she said calmly. "He will be back before nightfall, my elder brother always keeps his promises."
Kichyō was slightly lost in thought. She had a nap, and even though it wasn't quite restful, she experienced a certain degree of mental relaxation.
She never expected that she would fall asleep next to someone she had only met twice before. Merely being by that person's side brought about an indescribable sense of relaxation and reassurance.
"By the way," Yagyū Simozi narrowed her eyes, "it seems you have something to explain to me. How did you come to know my elder brother?"
As a sister, it was necessary for her to carefully investigate the other person's identity.
The young girl, however, didn't respond. She remained silent for a while, as if she hadn't heard.
"…. Are you feigning deafness and muteness?"
"It's not that." She said with a bitter smile. "Even if I were to say it, you wouldn't believe me. Besides, I am not acquainted with him, we have only met twice."
"Twice?" Yagyū Simozi raised an eyebrow. "That's quite interesting. Merely a passing encounter is enough for my brother to set aside an entire afternoon to deal with your matters?"
"What do you mean by 'deal with my matters?'" Kichyō fell silent for several seconds. Her mind felt like a rusty clock, only starting to tick after those few seconds, and her voice seemed rusty as well. "May I ask, what do you mean by that statement?"
"What else could it be?" Yagyū Simozi disrupted the poised posture of a refined lady, leaning slightly forward with her hands pressed against her knees, her gaze lowered. "After meeting you, he departed alone. If it wasn't to attend to your matters, what other possibilities are there? There's hardly anything my brother does that I am not aware of… except when it involves you."
It can be heard that she is very displeased about it.
However, after listening to these words, Kichyō was plunged into astonishment, her fingers trembling, clenched tightly and then released several times with force.
She didn't expect that her soliloquy would push another person into hell.
She should have already realized that with her own safety assured, someone must have taken over the position she had shouldered and dealt with the cult followers of the evil deity.
This was only to allow her to close her eyes and take a good nap.
She hastily got up and muttered to herself, "No, I must go find him, I must…"
The terrifying nature of the fanatical cult of the evil deity, she knew it all too well. While she could keep rewinding time, he might not have that ability. If he were to die, what would she do then?
Has it been five hours already? Is there still enough time now?
She thought about too much, became discomposed, and lost control as well.
She was unsure of how to face Yagyū Simozi, fearful of the imminent possibility of facing her reprimand in the next moment.
The flustered state of Kichyō was clearly visible to Yagyū Simozi. She furrowed her slender eyebrows, initiating certain unfavorable conjectures. Perhaps the concealed matters were even more serious and challenging than speculated?
"You…"
"Indeed…"
They were about to speak, one after the other, but coincidentally hesitated, causing their words to remain unfinished.
At this moment, someone appeared ten steps away, and without delay, began taunting, "Wow, this composition of yours… Did I arrive at an inopportune time?"
The two girls turned their heads simultaneously, and Bai Wei was walking towards them with his back to the setting sun. The large sun and the flowing crowd formed a lonely backdrop.
The returning young man was covered in numerous injuries. He temporarily changed into new clothes, with a bandage wrapped around his left hand, although the craftsmanship of the bandage wasn't very refined, revealing partially scarred fingers.
"Return before it gets dark," Bai Wei glanced at the time, "6:35, neither too early nor too late."
"Brother!" Yagyū Simozi rushed forward, carefully examining his wounds. Upon seeing the severe burn marks, her eyes immediately reddened, and she cast a fierce gaze at the nearby Jingūji. "Is this how you take responsibility?"
Saki Jingūji, having been scolded, didn't retort. She lowered her head and bowed, saying, "I'm sorry, I am lacking in ability."
Sigh… Is this a bittersweet family comedy where the first instinct of a biological mother upon seeing her son injured is to scold her daughter-in-law?
Bai Wei gently tapped Yagyū Simozi's forehead and said, "Don't be silly, she has helped us a lot. At the very least, say thank you."
Yagyū Simozi reluctantly uttered a single word, "Thanks…" Then, she glanced at Jingūji, her dissatisfaction overflowing once again. "Thanks, my foot! You don't have a single wound on your entire body, looking radiant as if you just had a skincare treatment. Brother must be protecting you!"
Saki Jingūji hesitated to speak, realizing that it was difficult to explain, but this particular matter needed to be clarified.
She crossed her arms in front of her chest, turned her head, and let out a disgruntled hum, saying, "I don't want him protecting me!"
Why does this statement sound a bit off?
Are you being proud now?
Yagyū Simozi suddenly felt a little lost, wondering what's behind this atmosphere where it seems like I'm the only one unable to keep up.
Bai Wei rubbed his forehead, feeling perplexed by the chaotic situation.
So be it.
He left the two chattering girls beside him and approached Kichyō. The young girl stood in place, nervously gripping her sleeve, as if awaiting judgment like a condemned prisoner.
"It has already been taken care of," he said.
She suddenly lifted her countenance, her pupils contracting and then dilating, her breath catching in her throat.
Bai Wei continued, "You are safe now."
Her body swayed slightly, nearly stumbling.
Bai Wei extended his right hand, gently grasping her shoulder.
She instinctively leaned closer, clutching Bai Wei's sleeve, lowering her head, her forehead almost touching his chest, concealing subtle emotions.
"Really?"
A feeble voice, resembling the hum of a mosquito, inquired with a pleading tone.
She was afraid, afraid of this sense of liberation, like snowflakes drifting in the sky, falling into the palm of her hand, only to melt away in a second.
"Indeed," Bai Wei raised his gaze, observing the setting sun gradually sinking in the distance. "I have returned alive. Is there any further proof required?"
"Thank you…" she gritted her teeth, her voice trembling. "Thank you for coming back alive."
"Not at all, I was merely acting in my own self-interest."
"Is that so?" the young girl asked softly.
"Yes, you have died a hundred times, but I am indifferent to it."
"You truly are a cruel person," Kichyō asked in a hushed tone, "May I shamelessly make one more request?"
"Let me consider it once you speak it out."
"I would like to taste the meal you made once again… Would it be possible to join you for a meal?"
"Sure." Bai Wei agreed cheerfully.
The girl broke into laughter, wiping away her tears.
"I'll go too!" Jingūji exclaimed upon hearing the dish name and the opportunity to enjoy a free meal.
Yagyū Simozi glared and said, "Don't come near, you are all wicked women!"
Amidst the clamor and bustle of voices, as dusk descended, the 6:20 train set off on its journey, without any sounds of explosion.
On auspicious days of peace, when time rests tranquilly, all conflicts come to a joyous resolution…
