Chapter 54: The Ninth Day and Night
“So, I ran over here.”
On the blank, paper-white ground, I sat cross-legged and recounted all the unbelievable things that had happened recently.
It felt good to finally get it all out, mixing in some grievances, and I felt much better. Having someone to vent to really alleviates stress.
The sphere inside was silent, it just listened to me talk. When I was done and felt a sense of relief, it finally spoke.
“That’s fine too. I finally have time to recover my Spiritual Power.”
It was just a sphere that seemed like artificial intelligence, but I felt like it was smiling.
Although it had developed quite a bit, it didn’t seem to know much about what had been happening with Kuuga recently, so it asked.
“Kuuga, are you completely recovered now?”
If I were a little stronger before, I might have been able to replace you. Especially now that you’re in a state of spiritual weakness, I can replace you anytime I want.
I’ll sleep here for a while longer.
“If you like me so much, then go out and cover for me for a few days. I haven’t encountered any problems here, and I only…”
After speaking, I lay down, imagining a comfortable pillow. But since I couldn’t get one, I used my hands as a pillow, resting my head on them.
Isn’t this my consciousness space? Why can’t I conjure up whatever I want?
“You really… don’t worry about me at all.”
Then, Kuuga’s soul floated near my face. The soul fire around it dimmed, and it spoke to me with a hint of helplessness.
“Gah. What do I have to worry about? If you want to take this body, just take it. I’ll be happy to be free.”
“But there’s nothing here. Do you want to stay in such a place?”
“I can just watch what’s happening outside like watching TV. It won’t be boring, will it?”
When they talk intimately, I always feel like I’m NTRing myself.
But seeing Kuuga interacting intimately with Lianbing and the others outside…
Of course, Lianbing and Lan are so perceptive, they’ll notice immediately.
They’ve already seen through it. I have to say, their insight is terrifying.
When Zi’ai impersonated me for the exam last time, even her perfect performance was seen through.
Their perception is terrifyingly sharp.
“I hope you don’t say such casual things, Juncheng.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve never thought about replacing you, not even once.”
“It’s not casual at all, because I trust you.”
I smiled and reached out to catch the soul. It was soft and squishy like a marshmallow, with a texture comparable to a cat’s paw pad, making it irresistible.
“Hey, are you shy? Are you shy?”
At this moment, just hearing the voice, I could imagine a shy, blushing Little Loli appearing.
SH
2 Fuzhi
It’s just my imagination, but my impression of it has completely changed from what it was before, simply because of the change in voice.
This… is the power of imagination!
“Please don’t tease me.”
“—”
Right, Kuuga can read my thoughts!
But this reaction…
Pfft, the damage is too great.
“Your immunity to women is getting weaker.”
“…Don’t test me like this.”
How could my calm Kuuga possibly show such a soft and cute side?
It looks soft when it’s formed, but its personality can’t be that soft!
Although its soul looks soft,
“…Hmph.”
Let’s drop this topic. I quickly changed the subject.
Hearing Kuuga’s cold snort, I felt like this topic…
…Hasn’t I changed at all compared to that time?
“But after so long, this place is still the same old blank space.”
“There are still changes. No one’s consciousness space is completely blank. Unless that person’s memory has been wiped clean, but even someone with no memory at all will form new connections when they remember new things, and will have thoughts day and night.”
“Oh, then why is mine like this? Is something wrong with me?”
Is there something wrong with my head?
This is the problem I was worried about from the very beginning!
“No! It’s just because… the world… that’s why this place has always been like this. To be more precise, I… erased the appearance of this place.”
“Oh, oh…”
It can also freely use the abilities granted by the Magic Circle. She has been here for so long.
Amazing, Kuuga has this ability too? Oh, by the way, it can’t give me… that’s why I couldn’t conjure up a pillow.
Does it understand this space better than I do? It seems the authority is all with Kuuga.
“Juncheng, aren’t you going to ask me why?” The guardian in front of me told me, and I couldn’t fully understand it. So I simply…
“No, there must be an important reason, and even if you told me, I probably wouldn’t understand it anyway.”
“…One day, I will tell you.”
After saying that, it spun a circle in the air and then floated down to the ground. The round soul began to grow and change shape.
It actually became the shape of a pillow.
“Huh? Kuuga?”
“Didn’t you want a pillow? I’ll be your pillow.”
“Can it be like this?”
“Lie down.”
But in the end, I succumbed to my inner desires and lay down on the seemingly incredibly soft pillow.
…My head sank in. The softness and elasticity were both excellent!
Ah~ I’m so happy~
When I was still an ordinary person, the thing I enjoyed most was sleeping.
My requirements for pillows and blankets were naturally a bit demanding.
And now I can confidently say that this is definitely one of the most luxurious pillows in the world!
My external self is resting on Zi’ai’s lap, and here I am resting on Kuuga’s pure soul. This is simply the greatest enjoyment!
Wow, you’re really willing to let me rest on you, Kuuga, you’re amazing!
“If you have any wishes, just say them. I will definitely fulfill them for you.”
“From now on too.”
These words sounded a bit strange.
And it wasn’t the first time I’d heard them.
Kuuga seems to have said similar things to me many times? Why is it so insistent on me making wishes, like a genie in a lamp?
“No… I just want to fulfill your wishes. Could it be that you’ve been influenced by those memories?”
Suddenly, I remembered. Kuuga relies on the part of its past life memories…
Recalling the feeling back then, I couldn’t help but frown. It was almost like brainwashing. When you forget your original self, you essentially become another person.
At that time, what’s the difference from being dead?
Thinking of this, I couldn’t help but worry and quickly asked.
“You haven’t been influenced by my past life memories, have you?”
“No, you’ve received those memories, but they don’t affect your personality. Rather than that, I am Kuuga, where would I have self?”
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I felt a little sad, thinking Kuuga was… but I didn’t know what I was pitying it for.
“My existence is to fulfill your wishes.”
“Think of me as a smoking teapot, a glass ball with stars, a wish card from the evening, a Holy Grail, or even a small hammer.”
“I don’t have any special wishes…”
“I’m already very happy as it is. If I really had to wish for something, it would be…”
That’s no longer possible, after all, it’s something that has already happened.
Other wishes…
…Suddenly I remembered an old manga I read. A guy wished to a goddess, “I hope you, the goddess, will always stay by my side.”
I have the same urge now. I’ll try it while I have the chance.
“I hope you’ll always stay by my side.”
Before I could finish, Kuuga doused me with a bucket of cold water.
“That’s not a wish.”
“Uh, is that so…”
“Because I was already planning to stay by your side forever.”
“So, so cool.”
I was actually struck by its coolness.
“Ah, it’s about time. Juncheng, you should go back.”
“Huh? So soon?”
It feels like not much time has passed. We just talked for a bit and I lay down for a while.
“The concept of time here is inherently blurry.”
“You felt like a long time had passed in Nana Li’s Spiral Nightmare, but in reality, not much time has passed, right? The reverse is also true. Dreams and reality are not synchronized.”
“Then I’ll be going. I’ll come see you again next time.”
“Originally… ah… I can always accompany you…”
“Ugh?”
What does that mean…?
Before I could ask, I had already left Kuuga’s consciousness space.
I opened my eyes and was met by Zi’ai’s face. She noticed me and gave a big smile.
“How long have I slept?”
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“Three days and three nights.”
“…Ah, you’re joking again.”
I immediately understood that it was just a joke.
“Hoho, you saw through it immediately this time.”
“…I didn’t know before. I’m really terrible at lying.”
“The last time I saw you, I thought the same thing—you slept for a day, and now it’s nighttime again. My legs are numb. Rub them for me later.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll get up now.”
I must have slept for so long because I took three Antidotes at once.
But as soon as I tried to get up, Zi’ai pushed me down and asked with a smile.
“How was it? Did you rest enough?”
“Yeah, thanks to you, I rested very well.”
And also thanks to Kuuga.
Zi’ai touched my forehead, brushing my bangs aside, and asked again.
“So, Juncheng, have you put down those responsibilities?”
“No, some responsibilities cannot be put down, Zi’ai.”
It’s like a swimmer seeing someone drowning; saving them becomes an inescapable responsibility. It’s not because of kindness or conscience, but because one cannot coldly turn away.
Things are not put down; they become responsibilities.
I have a lot of things I feel I should do. But I still have to keep thinking and doing them.
Sometimes, the burden can be hurtful.
However, even if I am gentle and kind…
There are some things I have to do.
“So, in order not to hurt them, I have to do my best.”
Is this considered stubbornness?
Perhaps it is.
I got up and touched Zi’ai’s soft hair, stroking it aside like she did mine, and said.
“Although it’s very old-fashioned, I still have to say, I want to protect you all.”
“…It is indeed very old-fashioned, but when you say it, Juncheng, you’re so– handsome!”
“Whoa!”
I told you not to pounce!
My legs are numb.
“Heh, haha…”
“Roar, ^.
