Chapter 445

"This Misha is about to take us to see her, to clarify the whole situation. But before that, let's meet up with Jizi first? You should have been with her earlier."

"We previously encountered many stowaways in our residence; most came from neighboring star systems. It's said that places like Liúmèng Jiāo exist in more than one location in Asadena's memory realm, like islands in the sea, existing even before the family arrived."

"March 7 shared the information he had gathered: "It's said that when Liúmèng Jiāo was first taking shape, this place was the center of Pinokangni's dream realm.""

"Walter nodded: "If that's true, the many similarities between Beautiful Dream and this place make sense.""

"Following March 7's lead, they quickly found Jizi, and thanks to her they met a man named Mika i called a "Grave Keeper," one of the administrators of this land of exile."

"""A Grave Keeper…?"""

"Mikai nodded: "Life in Liúmèng Jiāo is quite free, with hardly any organization to speak of. Everyone goes about their own business, well water doesn't breach river water, and all I can do… is sweep a few tombstones on a regular schedule.""

"""Mikai is too modest. Whenever a lost Dreamchaser is brought here, it's always Mikai who takes up the guardian's responsibility—either sending them back to Beautiful Dream or teaching them how to survive in the chaotic dream realm," Misha added on the side.""

"""So he's a patriarch after all."""

"Mikai froze for a moment: "Huh? Mister Walter, are you talking to me?""

"Walter frowned: "…Huh?""

"——"

"Chainsaw Person."

""It's not the first time. Mikai can't even sense Misha's presence… How strange—isn't Misha a native of Liúmèng Jiāo?""

"Hayakawa Shu frowned, looking at the people chatting on the skyline; from start to finish, Mikai never directed his gaze toward Misha."

"As a public security officer, his intuition told him this bellboy was definitely problematic, but he couldn't immediately tell whether the other party's plan was good or bad, what they were scheming."

"(Could Misha be a family plant? Trying to get a bellboy job at the White Day Dream Hotel, the family is unavoidable anyway. Or is he the head of some clan… no, wait—could he be an infiltrator sent by the Dream Lord to Liúmèng Jiāo, tasked with monitoring its every move?)"

"(He acts so pure, yet you can still see the Clock Boy… could it be acting?)"

"(But his kindness… doesn't seem like an act.)"

"He rubbed his temples—ironically, the person who looks least like a bad guy is the most suspicious."

"""Denji." He suddenly spoke, "What do you think—is Misha a bad person?"""

"Although he usually doesn't ask for their opinion, Denji and Pawa's intuition often brings unexpected surprises."

"""Uh… you mean that guy who looks like a girl?" Denji lay on the sofa, picking his nose, "If that guy's bad, then Pinokangni has no good people."""

"""Denji, that might not be the case." Pawa plopped down beside Denji, "Last time Shajin looked so evil, who knew he was actually a great person! Right now Misha looks fine—he might even be the mastermind behind all of Pinokangni's schemes."""

——

The so-called graves refer to some clothed tombs; Mika invited a few people to go see the site in person, and there might be a considerable harvest there.

However, before that, there is still an important guest who needs to go with them.

Following Mr. Mika's steps, the group had just crossed a bridge when a clear, bright girl's singing voice floated on the wind, mixed with the tender choral voices of several children, sounding especially ethereal in this dreamscape.

"That really is… Miss Zhigengniao!"

March 7th leapt with joy; in the distance, Miss Zhigengniao was wholeheartedly teaching the chorus of four or five children, unaware of the group's arrival.

"I don't even know how to thank you, Miss Zhigengniao; in just a few short days, the children's progress has been tremendous," said Ms. Grisha gratefully.

"Ms. Grisha, I merely taught them how to vocalize, but it is you who taught them to hold hope for life." Miss Zhigengniao lowered her gaze, her tone carrying a hint of hidden sorrow, "…Surely life in reality must be very hard?"

"You've noticed that, huh."

"Every time we part, the children are reluctant to leave this land of flowing dreams. But I have explored every corner of Liúmèng Jiāo, visited everyone, and they all tell me this broken dream… is not worth lingering for."

——

Absolute Zone Zero.

Inside the office of the Anti-Air Sixth Division, Yuecheng Liu was intently appreciating Miss Zhigengniao's singing; the girl's voice flowed like a clear spring, but when the final note fell, Yuecheng Liu rested her chin and sighed.

"That's wonderful…" Liu looked envious, "If only she could teach me too."

"Huh? But Sister Liu's singing is obviously super nice!" Sango gave a doubtful look, "The last time we went with Public Security for a KTV team-building, didn't Sister Liu directly stun the whole division with a lullaby? Several of them were so moved they fainted!"

Hoshimiya Yae nodded: "To be precise, Liu at that time indeed suppressed all competing microphones with her voice alone. However, this also owes to Liu's singing style… which is quite distinctive."

"Really? Actually, I've recently been asking Aier from the Six-Four Street audio shop to be my singing teacher…" Liu's eyes lit up instantly, "Can I hum a little passage for you now? If it works out, next time we won't have to let Asuka handle the neighboring division alone during team-building."

"Of course you can; this time, listening to Liu sing in full will be your cultivation."

"Great! It's Sister Liu's concert!"

As they spoke, Hoshimiya Yae's gaze swept to the office door, where Asuka Yutama, who had just been arguing about taking leave due to a stomachache, had already pushed the door open and was preparing to tiptoe away sneakily.

"Asuka, where are you headed?"

Asuka Yutama broke into a sweat: "Ha, haha… I just remembered there's still a husk in the Hollow that needs cleaning up…"

"The Hollow is full of husks; it's not too late to go after listening to Liu's singing."

The young man's face instantly turned ashen, his expression full of despair.

Yuecheng Liu took a deep breath, cleared her throat, and the moment she sang the first note, Asuka Yutama felt as if he'd been slapped twice by a spirit beast, his head buzzing; he was certain he saw countless husks on the far shore waving at him, as if some mysterious welcome party were underway.