Walking boldly toward the future amidst playfulness, completely unaware.
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Author's Note: Thank you for the support, my little angels. Mwah 030
Chapter 100
Are you still thinking about what happened just now?
Matsuda Jinpei and Kisaragi Chiyo boarded the train leading to the next timeline; it wasn't difficult to find the station where the paranormal train was located. Matsuda had already memorized the other's scent, so it only took him a little time to confirm his destination.
“.. Perhaps?” Kisaragi Chiyo wasn't actually sure how he felt right now. He gazed at the train's floor, which was covered in scorched marks, realized that the damage was even more severe than when he had first stepped off the train.
The dark shadows on the train were the same as always, each standing in their own place, completely ignoring the presence of Kisaragi Chiyo and Matsuda Jinpei.
"I am wondering if the letter we wrote will truly be able to reach their hands successfully?" Kisaragi Chiyo lowered her eyes and chose a seat near the door. She hadn't felt it while she was running just now, but as soon as she relaxed slightly, she felt a surge of exhaustion welling up from the depths of her heart.
"Is it because I haven't been sleeping well lately?" Kisaragi Chiyo felt his thoughts beginning to grow hazy, his eyelids were heavy, refusing to stay open.
"Don't think too much." Matsuda Jinpei sat down beside Kisaragi Chiyo, his shoulder pressed against hers, leaving almost no space between them.
"Since we have already tried, then no matter what kind of future awaits us, we won't feel any regrets." Matsuda Jinpei hesitated for a moment, but ultimately he reached out and gently took Kisaragi Chiyo's left hand, which was hanging at her side.
"Sleep." Having likely noticed the young man's exhaustion, Matsuda raised his hand and gently pressed the other's head against his own shoulder.
I'll wake you when we reach the station.
"Then I'll leave it to you.." After saying that, Kisaragi Chiyo closed her eyes. Perhaps because she was simply too exhausted, she fell into a deep sleep after only a few seconds.
Total darkness. Looking around, he could see nothing. He had already forgotten how long he had been walking in this darkness, he couldn't remember how he had even ended up in such a place.
Forward.. go forward, but why go forward? The young man thought with great effort, eventually dredging up a tiny bit of memory from his blurred mind.
To go forward.. to find ■■■■.
But who is ■■■■?
The young man truly could not remember, but he knew he could not stop, so even though his legs felt as if they were filled with lead and his mind was exhausted to the extreme, he had no choice but to press on.
Keep walking, keep walking.. until a warm halo appeared before his eyes.. He saw a tall figure ahead, surrounded by a soft white light, descending upon this darkness like an angel.
Stop," the angel urged him. "There is nothing ahead but darkness and nothingness. You will never reach the end; do not waste your efforts like Sisyphus.
No," the young man refused flatly, "I must go.
Why?" The angel was puzzled, tilting his head as he looked at him in confusion, "You are already very tired.
Because someone is waiting for me.
What if that person has already left?
"He won't." The young man didn't actually know for sure who was waiting for him, but deep down, he had a feeling that the other person would absolutely not leave until he arrived.
But there's no one ahead!" The kindhearted angel continued to persuade, "There is only a terrifying evil spirit ahead. He is dark, horrific, wicked, with eighteen tentacles and dark purple eyes that are like a swirling abyss. You will definitely be eaten by him if you go over there.
"Perhaps that evil spirit is the person I am looking for." After hearing the angel's words, the young man was not frightened; instead, his pace quickened even further.
Wait.." The angel flashed in front of him to block his path. "You are human, humans cannot mix with evil spirits. His mortal body has long since rotted and died; he has already been driven by hunger and ***, his soul can no longer be saved.
Human," the angel said to him with heavy emphasis, "if you go, you will only fall into Hell alongside him.
“Even so.. are you still going?” Looking at the silent human, the angel lowered his eyes, a soft white light enveloping him. He gazed at the bewildered human and gently cupped his face.
"Leave this place, leave this darkness behind." The angel lowered his head, resting his forehead against the young man's forehead, as if reluctant to let go of something.
"Thank you for your kindness." The young man looked up, he found that the angel had a pair of beautiful purple eyes.
Even so, I am still going.
"Humans will all die one day; even Hell is nothing to fear." The young man truly felt this way; in his consciousness, he always felt as if someone had once invited him to go to Hell after death.
You are truly stubborn." The angel sighed softly, spreading his arms to embrace the young man, said in a gentle, tempting voice, "Why not stay? Stay here and be with me.
The gates of Heaven will open to you, your soul will break free from this darkness to welcome salvation.
"Forgive me, kind angel." The young man shook his head. "Because I have indulged by my own will, I have no need for salvation, even in death."*
You don't regret it?
Never.
"Alright." The angel released him, gentle kisses fell upon his forehead, his eyes..
“In that case, my human, it is time for you to awaken from your dream.”
Soft halos peeled away from the angel, an evil spirit emerged, breaking through the angel's skin.
..
*
By the time Kisaragi Chiyo woke from her dream, the train had just come to a stop.
"How long was I asleep?" Kisaragi Chiyo rubbed the space between her eyebrows, a look of fatigue on her face. Although she could no longer clearly remember the dream she just had, fortunately, the sense of exhaustion in her body had lessened considerably.
"Twenty-five minutes." Matsuda Jinpei looked down at the head resting on his shoulder and spoke the answer quickly.
"I wonder what kind of timeline we've arrived in this time." Kisaragi Chiyo stood up to stretch, she raised her hands to pat her cheeks, attempting to regain her previous state of alertness.
"We'll find out when we get there." Matsuda Jinpei stood beside Kisaragi Chiyo, as the train doors opened, a piercing white light appeared before the two of them.
Outside was a noisy station, normal and ordinary, a station filled with nothing but humans.
The dark shadows surrounding them had already vanished, replaced by normal passengers, the train appeared clean and undamaged.
"Matsuda, do you think we're fare dodging?" Kisaragi Chiyo said to Matsuda Jinpei half-jokingly. They had already gotten off the train and were planning to leave the station first to find something to eat to replenish their strength.
Although Matsuda Jinpei didn't feel hungry, this level of activity had caused him almost no exhaustion, but Kisaragi Chiyo was a human after all; calculating the time, she had not eaten anything for more than half a day.
Whatever the plan was for the next step, it would have to be carried out while conserving his physical strength in order to be executed more effectively.
That was how Matsuda Jinpei was thinking, but as he habitually scanned his surroundings, a familiar figure suddenly entered his line of sight from not far away.
"What's wrong?" Kisaragi Chiyo naturally noticed Matsuda Jinpei's movement as well. She followed his gaze, upon seeing that figure, she fell silent for a few seconds.
I think it would be better not to keep the beard," Kisaragi Chiyo said tactfully. ".. Compared to before, he looks more like the uncle type now.
Perhaps it's because it makes him look more mature and steady." Matsuda Jinpei refused to mention that it was his own idea. "You have to realize.. in this line of work, if you're too young, you might be looked down upon.
"That makes sense." Kisaragi Chiyo nodded, successfully being persuaded by the reason given by Matsuda Jinpei.
"Then, that long-haired man in the knit cap next to him.." Kisaragi Chiyo's gaze couldn't help but drift downward, landing on the little green-eyed girl standing beside Morofushi Hiromitsu.
Is he from there? I didn't expect him to stop and play the bass to entertain a child.. Won't he be considered too kind-hearted if he's there?
Maybe this is just his persona?" Matsuda Jinpei speculated reasonably. "A wolf in sheep's clothing? A smiling tiger? A refined scoundrel?
He seems gentle and easygoing on the surface, but in reality, he is more ruthless than anyone.
"That's quite trendy." Kisaragi Chiyo curled her fingers against her chin, feeling that she might be able to use this character archetype as material for her next novel.
You two.
As they were chatting, a sinister voice drifted from behind them, accompanied by a gust of cold wind.
“May I ask if you have finished chatting here?” With a voice that was equally familiar, Kisaragi Chiyo instinctively turned his head, he couldn't help but let out a startled "oh" in his heart.
Because this was also the face of an acquaintance.
Detective Amuro.
Kisaragi Chiyo looked at the other man's face, which had remained almost unchanged from her memories, she couldn't help but feel a sense of daze.
"It's you." Matsuda Jinpei turned around, raising an eyebrow as he looked with a casual air at the blond man who was continuously casting him death glares.
"Officer Matsuda." Amuro Tooru smiled, imperceptibly sizing up the young man standing beside Matsuda Jinpei. It was a completely unfamiliar face, but judging by the tone of their recent conversation, he seemed to be very close to Matsuda Jinpei.
What made Amuro Tooru's heart race even more was the content of the conversation they had just had.
If it hadn't been for Hiro quietly sending him a message saying he felt someone was watching them, he wouldn't have discovered that the peeping stranger was his good colleague and dear friend, Matsuda Jinpei.
Naturally, he would not have discovered a stranger who seemed to know Hiromitsu's identity and acted so familiar with Matsuda.
Just as Amuro Tooru was about to demand answers, Matsuda Jinpei stepped in a moment earlier and cut him off.
What time is it now?
Amuro Tooru opened his mouth, his mind racing as he wondered if there was some hidden meaning behind this question. Was he trying to convey something? Or was it a code?
"Heisei." Amuro Tooru thought for a moment before giving a rather vague answer.
Matsuda Jinpei: ".."
Kisaragi Chiyo: ".."
"Hey!" Amuro Tooru was infuriated by the 'are you an idiot?' look that Matsuda gave him.
“Officer Matsuda, don't you know what time it is?” Amuro Tooru felt that Matsuda Jinpei was intentionally playing with him. If it weren't for the fact that he had already drawn Rye's attention, Amuro Tooru would have wanted to turn around and leave on the spot.
"We truly don't know." Kisaragi Chiyo's sincere tone actually caused Amuro Tooru to choke for a moment.
Oh?" Amuro Tooru stared at Kisaragi Chiyo with a smile, scanning the young man from head to toe. "May I ask who you are?
"I suppose I could be considered Matsuda's family?" the young man replied leisurely.
Family? A question mark appeared over Amuro Tooru's head. Especially seeing that Matsuda Jinpei didn't even bother to object, the question marks in Amuro Tooru's head only multiplied.
So that's how it is." Amuro Tooru let out an enlightened "oh," "So you are Officer Matsuda's family.
"Nice to meet you, I am Detective Amuro Tooru." Amuro extended his hand toward Kisaragi Chiyo.
"Perhaps it is a first meeting for you." Kisaragi Chiyo looked at the blonde detective with a meaningful gaze. He now knew, judging by the other's reaction, that the detective's identity might be fake, even the name Amuro Tooru might be a disguise.
“But for me, it should be long time no see.”
After Kisaragi Chiyo said those words, she ignored the scrutiny in his eyes and simply asked again, "What time is it now?"
Amuro Tooru was silent for a moment, then stated a time with precision, from the year, month, day down to the hour, minute, second, without a single detail missed.
"Thank you very much for your help." Although Morofushi Hiromitsu in this timeline was still alive, it would still be quite a while before his identity was exposed, he could not stay in this timeline for too long.
Besides, judging by Morofushi Hiromitsu's current situation, it didn't seem like a suitable time for conversation.