If You Love Me, Hug Me
Angela was reading a book nearby, and after Ayou left the Book World—
Angela noticed he had emerged, and then covered her mouth, secretly laughing to herself.
Hearing Angela laughing, Ayou turned his head to look and asked the Librarian,
"What are you laughing at?"
"I'm laughing at you."
"Wait, what happened? Why?"
"Were you looking for a page just now?"
"And then?"
"Then I tapped the book and helped you knock it down."
"That works too. Then why didn't you answer me just now?"
"I forgot."
At this moment, Ayou's expression was full of disbelief.
Just a moment ago, Angela had been reading there when, in a daze, she heard someone calling her.
She looked around, and seeing no one, prepared to continue reading.
She happened to glance into the book and saw Ayou's strange behavior, his feet flailing about.
"Do you really not want to laugh?"
"No, why would I? Since you think that is... well, that?"
"Wait, Librarian, did you just laugh?"
Angela heard the note of confusion in his tone.
"Huh? Yes, I did. What about it?"
"Laugh again, go on."
"I don't want to."
"Oh, come on, just give a smile. Don't always keep such a straight face. Come on, laugh with me."
At this moment, the expression on Ayou's face was, in a word, wretched.
"Just a little smile, I want to see you laugh."
"Fine." Angela offered an unnatural smile, looking quite forced.
Seeing Angela's smile, Ayou felt a chill run down his spine.
"Uh... it's very beautiful. It has your very own signature style, but I think you can do better. Just... like this... and then like this..."
"Stop, stop, stop. Cut it out. The invitation has reacted; it's time for a reception."
Angela walked to the door.
"Welcome, guests..."
Angela's words were physically interrupted before she could finish.
"Shut up. I don't need a pile of disgusting scrap metal greeting me."
"I'm going to take back Mars' book, kill all the monsters, and then knock your head off."
"Dear guest, I'm afraid your third wish will be difficult to fulfill."
"I told you to shut up!!"
"Sigh... May you find the book you are looking for."
This time, the History Floor is conducting the reception.
Lulu arrived with three friends. One of them was genuinely there to accompany Lulu.
The other two were hoping to fish some money out of The Library.
Lulu looked at the people on the field, and standing opposite them was...
Yes, it was her beloved Mars.
If you love me, hug me.
"Mars, you... why?"
"Acknowledge me, please."
But now, he wouldn't reply with a single word.
Marcus spoke up.
"Uh, Miss Lulu, you don't need to worry."
"Specifically, he is currently in a soul state. He is no longer the Mars you once knew."
"I don't care about that. Give him back to me!"
Before the words had even faded, Lulu's fire poker was already swinging toward Marcus.
"This... never mind, I'll explain later."
As the battle was about to break out—
Finn was acting like a super god of war, ready to solo Lulu immediately.
But in the end, he was still just a bit short, and Marcus had to step in to finish it off.
At the moment before Lulu was transformed into a book, Mars said to Lulu,
"Don't worry. You two will be able to meet in a moment."
"Hey, hey, hey, that's not right. I think I misspoke. Not that kind of meeting. Uh, don't worry..."
Upon hearing this, Lulu couldn't catch her last breath. She said one final sentence:
"Even if I go to hell, I will never forgive you."
She then turned into a book, and the battle ended.
Marcus clutched his head, feeling speechless.
"Sigh, why did I say something like that? Oh well, my apologies. I'll take you to meet him in a moment."
He then picked up Lulu's book and returned to his floor.
After returning to his floor, he called Mars out.
"Mars, you should know what I'm about to do, right?"
"I know. Thank you."
"No need. This is my job, after all."
A ray of golden light flashed across the book, and the book gradually vanished.
Lulu's figure gradually materialized in the air.
"Lulu, we meet again."
Hearing that familiar voice, Lulu suddenly opened her eyes, and upon seeing her beloved before her—
She didn't know what to say for a moment. Her mouth hung open, but no sound came out.
After a long while, she finally spoke.
"This... what is this?"
Mars then embraced her.
"Lulu, you were too impulsive."
"Now that we're both dead, dying together counts as something."
"Actually... you aren't dead. You've just become books. As long as someone completes the challenge, they can take your books. You can still be resurrected."
Upon hearing this, Lulu...
"Asked with confusion, 'Then what was that just now?'"
Mars explained.
"We are books now, belonging to The Library. From now on, we have to work here."
Lulu waved her hand.
"Forget it, forget it. As long as we're together, it's fine, you idiot."