He had not touched his for decades.
Ever since the Silver-haired girl's body grew cold in his arms decades ago, never to be warmed again, he had never touched his since.
He told himself it was because of Guilt.
It was indeed the truth—however, as he stripped away the mask of self-deception, he understood in a daze for the first time.
—While feeling Guilt, it was also because he was unwilling to accept the reality of his Death.
Unwilling to touch, daring not to touch, afraid to touch.
It's okay.
He said to himself.
I will bring you back to life.
You will definitely, definitely come back to life.
He thought with a madness and rationality, a foolishness and obsession.
I can accept that you have a new life, I can accept that I am no longer in your new life, I can even die for you..
For you, I can do anything.
As long as you come back to life.
You must.. come back to life.
The old man, already quite aged, pressed his cheek against the corpse's forehead, his gaze as sharp as ever, looking nothing like a man nearing seventy.
He raised his head, closed his eyes, slowly, very slowly, pressed a kiss against the Silver-haired girl's forehead.
It was almost pious.
Just like many years ago, when the Silver-haired girl laughed heartily, his eyes curving into crescents, as she looked at the child before his who had clearly made a resolute vow to protect his despite his obvious nervousness: "Then I shall wait."
And then, a kiss fell upon the child's forehead, devoid of any romantic emotion, yet faintly shimmering with encouragement and joy.
..
Brandy looked at the report in her hands without a word; even after all these years, every time he saw this, he felt her head ache even more.
He has grown even more insane.
The man, who was also no longer young, raised his hand to press against his temple and let out a faint sigh.
His gaze was weary.
-----------------------
Author's Note: (1) Quoted from Wuthering Heights; the original sentence's "he" has been changed to "she."
(2) Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes, "Black Sheep" and "Liz Burton Picks Up the Axe"
(3) Quoted from Wuthering Heights
..
The above is all from??'s perspective; his views do not represent the truth.
It’s basically a feeling where if she dies, my world dies too, so I will stop at nothing to bring his back, even if the cost is the entire world—as for whether others are innocent, or what those people who had their skin peeled and hands cut off did wrong.. what does that have to do with me?
His worldview does not represent the author's worldview.
Shiratori Midori is also obsessed with Gin, but not to that extent (after all, she still has family); to Shiratori Midori, Gin is more important than her own life (as mentioned previously, she regards him almost like a faith). She finds it hard to imagine how she would go on living if he were to die, but Shiratori Midori is still quite restrained.
His emotions are not aggressive; even when she harms himself, she will not harm Gin, nor will she take the innocent of the whole world down with him.
This doesn't mean Shiratori Midori's mindset is without issues.. She actually has some issues herself, especially after being in the Black Organization for so many years—it was shown in her side story, relevant segments have also described it.
But is Shiratori Midori clearly not crazy?? She's so powerful..
I originally wanted to write it in a more eerie and mysterious style.. but I felt the art style didn't quite match.. so I'll leave it like this; it's relatively heartwarming in comparison..
Maybe I could try it in the second part of the?? Side story.
As for the summary of Volume Two that I mentioned before.. I will likely write it in the author's notes for Heine Side Story (Part 2) or?? Side Story (Part 2).. or perhaps when the first case of Volume Three concludes.
The next chapter marks the beginning of Volume 3~ *throws confetti*~
..
Thank you to the Little Angel who gave me a Tyrant Vote or provided Nutrient solution~
Little Angels who provided Nutrient solution:
Kongshan Jue, Yu Zhong 1 Glass bottle;
Thank you very much for everyone's support, I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 130 Chapter 114 Damn it.. I thought I..
.. The salary of the BIG Osaka Team's star player has increased again! According to the team's agent, this is the second salary increase since Huro Yū joined the BIG Osaka Team, his current annual salary is the highest in the team. Will this move cause..
.. The Kansai Figure Skating Championships have come to a close, the winner is..
.. Japanese player Echizen Ryoma has won the French Open championship! Niwang Yaji has taken the runner-up spot in the French Open..
The streets of Tokyo were bustling with people, the giant Screen on the Silver Commercial Building broadcasted one sports news report after another, adding a touch of vitality to the bright and clear morning light.
Logically speaking, a building located in a bustling district of Tokyo should be broadcasting advertisements at this time to catch people's eyes—after all, the advertising fees alone from renting out space would be a staggering sum of money. No matter how you look at it, this naturally eye-catching screen should not be repeatedly broadcasting things with no commercial value.
Unfortunately, the owner of this building is none other than Mr. Suzuki Jirokichi, a consultant for the Suzuki Group and the cousin of the chairman, Suzuki Shirou.
This old man, who is already over seventy years old and dedicated to the battle of wits and courage against Phantom Thief Kid, possesses a drive and stubbornness that ordinary elderly people do not have. This is vividly demonstrated in his so-called "duels" with Phantom Thief Kid.
—And it wasn't just reflected in his "duels" with Phantom Thief Kid.
Mr. Suzuki, who was often excessively willful, had recently become obsessed with sports news. Consequently, with a grand wave of his hand, he installed the latest model of screens in the newly renovated building in the city center. He unhesitatingly ignored the cooperation offers from advertisers, choosing instead to reach agreements with several sports news magazines.
According to him, it was because, "Aside from dueling with Phantom Thief Kid, I also need to pay attention to the sports industry in Japan!"
Although it was unclear whether it was just the old man's sudden whim, the benefits were real; at the very least, many curious ordinary people would look up at the big screen during their leisure time to see what was being broadcast.
But these passersby were only looking for entertainment; those who truly cared about sports news were not that many.
Even so, in the hearts of figure skating fans, football fans, tennis fans, various major competitions and all types of news were still well worth paying attention to.
For example, Playing tennis.
The new year's French Open has already come to an end, with both the men's singles champion and runner-up hailing from Japan, which gave Japanese tennis fans a great sense of pride.
Following the legend of the 'Samurai' Echizen Nanjiro, Japanese tennis fell into a period of silence, but now a new generation of geniuses has emerged, revitalizing many veteran fans.
Of course, the handsome faces of the two tennis rising stars also drew many screams and applause from many Little sisters.
During the final showdown, many dual fans felt a heartfelt heartache: What should I do, what should I do! Which side should I support?!
I'll be heartbroken no matter who loses QAQ
At the moment the yellow ball grazed the edge of the racket, the very second the victory and defeat were decided, the Silver-haired youth's look of disappointment made many girls feel equally sorrowful.
Even more than half a month after the match ended, they still felt a profound sense of regret whenever they discussed it.
"Niwang returned to Japan shortly after the awards ceremony.. I wonder if she is feeling lonely all by herself.." The young female fan held a bottle of mineral water in one hand, her medium-length hair tied up in a high Ponytail, her tanned neck radiating the brilliance of youth, though her black eyes held a melancholy gaze.
“Stop talking.. QAQ” The slightly shorter girl beside his also became dejected. She wiped the sweat from her forehead; a bead of sweat slid down the tip of her nose and fell lightly to the ground, splashing into a tiny droplet. "I really do like Niwang-kun!"
After speaking with such conviction, the girl lowered his eyes. "But.. but if Echizen loses.. I will be very sad too."
“Stop complaining, you two!” A few steps away, a girl in a sports skirt stood with one hand on his hip, looking aggressive. “Hurry up with the training!”
"The captain is so strict!" The Ponytail girl blinked her eyes and leaned toward her Companion's ear, yet her Voice was not quiet at all, clearly making a deadpan complaint.
.." Veins bulged on the captain's forehead. He gave a cold glance at the two teammates who were courting death and let out a cold snort. "It's nothing but Echizen and Niwang every single day! Do you even remember that we play badminton? If you're going to worship someone, worship Senior Shindo Arisaka!
Not far away, a Little girl who had vaguely overheard their conversation froze for several seconds, his whole body trembling.
It seemed as though she had heard a certain name.
Tore open the hidden wound.
“Ohhh..” the Ponytail girl whispered in response, then added in a very low voice, "For some reason, I don't really like Shindo Senior.."
"What's wrong?" Her Companion also lowered her voice, muttering under her breath.
A vein pulsed on the Captain's forehead a few steps away.
“I heard.. before that Senior left Japan, he had a Daughter.. but then..”
Shut up, both of you!
*Thud!*
Ah—!" "Pain—!
With decisive movements, he gave each of them a hard flick to the head. The Captain looked at them with a cold sneer, her voice icy as he squeezed out a few words through her teeth: "Do—you—not—want—to—train—?!"
“Training! Training!” the two girls submissively admitted defeat.
Hmph!" The tsundere Captain finally received a satisfactory answer, which barely allowed her to shake off her sulking mood. She tossed her head and was the first to walk toward the tennis court, complaining as she went, "All you talk about is that Men's singles player who plays tennis, yet you don't even know if he has a girlfriend!
“I know a little about that!” the petite girl spoke up quickly. “I heard Echizen has a girlfriend already.. but Niwang really didn't know..”
“Wha.. What did you say?!” The Ponytail girl felt as if the world were collapsing. “Echizen has a girlfriend?!”
Ye-yes.." Startled by her companion's reaction, the girl gave a timid affirmation, but then she immediately sensed something was wrong. "Aren't.. aren't you a fan of Niwang?!
She opened her eyes and kicked her Friend [female].
I'm also an Echizen fan!" the Ponytail girl roared in grief. "Damn it.. I thought I had a chance! I'm only four years apart from him!
"What a shame.." Agreeing words seemed to drift from the horizon. Just as the Ponytail girl was about to nod, her intuition was screaming of danger!
In the next second, she realized exactly where the danger was coming from.
The Ponytail girl raised her head tremblingly, only to meet her Captain's face, which was blooming with a radiant, spring-like smile.
Ahhh—Captain, I was wrong!—
A shrill scream pierced through the clear sky.
..