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Yasuda came back to his senses, took a sip of coffee, and his eyes were already bloodshot.
"What kind of book?" Eri was even more curious.
"Uh… I can't really explain it. It's a novel with a unique literary style. Every story is incredibly moving—the kind that would definitely be a bestseller if published."
He scratched his head, his words vague.
In fact, he himself didn't know exactly what he was looking for. He had simply had a long and vivid dream today—dreaming that he was in charge of this phenomenal, excellent novel, advancing with it, and directly paving his way to editor-in-chief…
Even from a pure reader's perspective, he wanted to see such an outstanding story—to be moved and shed tears by its touching plot.
So, as soon as he arrived at the office, he eagerly flipped through the company's recent submissions. He had a premonition that the moment he saw those words, he would definitely discover them and bring them to the readers.
But he didn't find it.
"Was it really just a dream…?"
Yasuda leaned back in his chair, lost in thought.
Just then, a new email arrived in his inbox.
He controlled the mouse, opened it, and casually scanned the first page.
In that instant, his eyes suddenly widened, as if a jolt of electricity had surged through his entire body.
The man abruptly stood up. The sound of his chair falling drew everyone's attention, but he didn't care, only mumbling excitedly:
"This is it—this is definitely it! You are, not to be forgotten…"
The boy ambled along a familiar road in his memories. Unconsciously, he found himself near the family restaurant, where a large "Urgent Hiring" sign on the bulletin board was particularly eye-catching.
Kiyono looked up. On the wide road ahead, two familiar Big Sisters were walking toward him. They seemed to notice his gaze; their eyes lingered on him for a moment before they walked past.
The distance between them gradually closed, then they brushed shoulders and disappeared into the crowd.
He could faintly hear the Big Sisters' conversation.
"Wow, what a cute boy! He's still looking at me, Ono. Do you think I should go ask for his contact information?"
"Is that a police officer? There's a female pervert here."
"I was looking at him from a 'little brother' perspective! I don't know why, but this boy always gives me a very intimate feeling…"
"Actually, I feel it too…"
The same location.
Encounter and separation.
As expected, they didn't remember him.
However, does this count as inheriting the previous favorability?
Kiyono smiled. If it was meant to be, time and dreams could be overcome, and they would meet again.
After waking up, she brushed her teeth, washed her face, clipped on her iconic yellow Lemon hair clip, flashed a bright smile at the mirror, and finally heated up the leftover toast from the morning for lunch.
"I'm heading out!"
The girl opened the door with great energy and stepped forward.
Her first target was the family restaurant.
This was the fixed spawn point for the wild Kiyono beast.
If she remembered correctly, Kiyono had been working there for a long time. All she had to do was ask an employee, and she could confirm his whereabouts!
The athletic girl, full of confidence, began to run. As an athlete, she prided herself on her speed, and soon she reached the familiar family restaurant.
But she drew a blank.
The manager Big Sister said there was no employee named Kiyono in the store… So, he hadn't applied yet?
No, don't panic. It just means I came too early. This is a good thing! Because I will definitely be the first person to stand by his side!
Good! Next, the internet café! He must be there, right? After all, he doesn't have much money at this time, nor does he have identification. He should be feeling frustrated and writing a novel now!
Cheering herself on mentally, Yakishio Lemon calmly arrived at her second destination—the internet café—cautiously asking the manager about Kiyono's whereabouts.
Still, she didn't get any information about Kiyono.
The girl walked out of the internet café dejectedly, a terrifying thought gradually rising from the bottom of her heart… Could it be that Kiyono doesn't exist in reality at all? That he only exists in simulated memories…
Her emotions tangled into a mess.
"Was this really just a dream of mine?"
Images flashed through her mind—conversations with Kiyono, and the words he had said to her. The more she recalled, the calmer her heart became.
It's okay. This is just the beginning. She would definitely find him!
Thinking of the past, the girl once again took a step forward.
From warm sun to dusk.
Streets, parks, overpasses…
Under the setting sun, she searched.
She couldn't find him anywhere.
In a daze, she seemed to see his figure on the bridge, but when she chased after him, he was already gone, like a phantom.
"Can't find him…"
A tide of worry enveloped the girl, and a hint of moisture appeared in her eyes.
Lemon's steps gradually slowed. She unconsciously walked through the places they had once gone together, as if confirming that none of it was a dream.
Tap, tap, tap.
Unconsciously, she reached the field where she had once raced Kiyono.
Boundless sky, clear river—empty and silent.
She was here…
As she walked, Lemon suddenly stopped.
Her eyes widened, fixed on the spot.
She found him.
That person.
Right ahead, in the warm evening sun.
Familiar eyebrows and eyes, familiar temperament. He looked a little more youthful and cute, but she would never mistake him.
And at that moment, the boy seemed to sense something and slowly turned his head. The distant twilight cast its glow, and their gazes—crossing a corner of time—met again.
It really is him… It's the Kiyono who truly lives in reality!
The girl instinctively walked toward him, an inexplicable emotion welling up within her.
Now, what should I say? "Nice to meet you"? Or "Long time no see"? Ahh, I can't think of anything at all. I'm not good at handling these kinds of situations. Never mind, I'll just go with my own style!
Lemon stopped in front of him, her hands behind her back, and smiled with narrowed eyes.
"I feel like I've seen you somewhere before."
—What a familiar line!
Kiyono looked at the girl in front of him, feeling equally strange. The current Lemon was bathed in the afterglow, her hair gently fluttering. She looked whiter and more innocent than in the simulation… By the way, how should he respond to this!
He scratched his head and tentatively said, "Me too?"
"Why is it a question?"
Lemon's face broke into a smile, her voice carried by the wind.
"Hey, do you want to race me? The loser has to grant the winner a wish."
This familiar line—could it be…
Kiyono was stunned for a moment, then he smiled.
"Okay."
"From here to the riverbank, is that alright?"
"Mm."
After getting his response, Lemon excitedly stretched her body, adjusting her state.
Ah, it's truly nostalgic. Whether it's the excitement before the challenge, the emotion of recreating the original scene, or the passion of running alongside him—everything made her incredibly nostalgic.
These were things she wanted to cherish.
Before this, she had also worried: what if Kiyono wasn't the familiar person? What if he was wary of her and the story developed in a different direction? But the moment she saw him, these worries naturally vanished.
The "you" of now—that passionate and gentle "you"—will indeed attract me again.
When she came back to her senses, she found herself already at the finish line. She looked at Kiyono running toward her, unable to contain the many surging emotions in her heart, and directly embraced him with the force of a flying tackle.
"Please take care of me, Kiyono."
Because it happened so suddenly, Kiyono stumbled, taking two steps back before he managed to steady himself and not fall. As he felt the girl's sweet scent and words, he also sighed with a complicated heart.
As expected, it still turned out this way… The simulated heroine having memories, suddenly showing up at his door—at least this isn't some regretful-ending type of story.
While complaining inwardly, he also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, a hint of emotion added… After all, they had spent so much time together; it would be false to say there was no feeling.
And since Lemon had memories, that meant Yanami and Komari probably did too…
He tried his best not to mind the girl's body temperature transferring directly to him. He raised one hand, hesitated, and finally placed it gently on her back, patting it twice.
At that moment, Lemon finally realized what she had done. Her whole body stiffened, but after holding the pose for a little while longer, she finally let go, retreated two steps, her smile still as vibrant as ever.
"That was a hug for a long-awaited reunion, don't misunderstand."
"Of course—what's wrong with comrades hugging?" Kiyono said calmly.
"…"
Don't take everything literally.
Lemon looked up at him, letting out a soft hum that carried a hint of inexplicable charm—by the way, wasn't Kiyono's attitude a little too natural? Did he remember too…?
After two seconds, the girl dismissed these trivial matters and hopped behind him, giggling as she gently pushed him forward.
"Let's go play some more ball! After playing, we'll eat, and then I'll take you to find a place to stay…"
Next, she could naturally find Kiyono a house, naturally buy him furniture, naturally help him… He would definitely be very touched!
Where Kiyono couldn't see, the girl's cheeks were burning hot.
She had already secured the best possible start, and before Yanami, Komari, and Kiyono could revert to their previous intimate relationships, they had forged an unshakable bond.
Her pretty face was flushed, but her lips couldn't help but curl upward.
No—hold it in, don't smile, but… this time, I was first!
I will be the heroine of the new world!
At this moment—
In the dim room, Komari slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze held a fire that others would find hard to understand, as if it wasn't a gloomy girl awakening, but a dark demon lord.
——————
The city under the night was bustling and noisy. Walking alone on the street inevitably brought a sense of loneliness, but with two people, it turned into comfort.
Kiyono tilted his head and glanced at the short-haired girl beside him, feeling a little incredulous, as if two worlds were connected. Coincidentally, the girl also looked over, and the two smiled at each other knowingly.
"What do you want to eat?" Lemon asked proactively.
"Whatever. I'm fine with anything," Kiyono replied.