Chapter 1421

NO．37：Spring is still a somewhat cold season.

"The human heart is a very delicate thing; you can carve it slowly and carefully, but you cannot expect to shape it all at once."

"Based on this reason, we have never been able to expect that a person's synchronization with a monster card could drop significantly."

"But can it be greatly increased?"

Ailisuzhi asked, gazing at the upright Manchester Chazuo.

"But can it be greatly increased?"

Aomo Lindun answered, he likewise looked at the uneasy little girl, his tone still as calm and composed as before.

"Isn't this self‑contradictory?"

"In the absence of any other variables, this statement is indeed self‑contradictory, but the difference between reality and the ideal model lies precisely here."

He lightly tapped the book Reviewing the Past World resting on his knee; it was an educational book on how to interact with children, intended to make all adults who grew up from childhood recall their former selves.

Placing this purpose on a demon is somewhat subtle, after all, Aomo Lindun's own childhood lacks universality.

But it's not to say that having a somewhat unique experience loses all reference value; at least on this topic, Aomo feels no particular dissonance.

"Do you still remember what I just said, about carefully carving the human heart?"

"Your present is forged from the past; all your accumulations have shaped the you of now, just like the process of carving."

"At this point everyone would think everything ought to form naturally, but in fact…… the will that shaped you over those ten‑odd years is neither singular nor limited to the individual; their natural convergence in you is also where the contradiction lies, giving rise to your hesitation on certain notions."

"Each hesitation stems from a tug‑of‑war among multiple beliefs; all those tug‑of‑war results together make up the you of now, without a doubt."

Gazing at Suzi, also glancing at Chazuo in the corner of his eye, Aomo said lightly: "At the same time, however, this does not mean…… the beliefs you lost will simply vanish."

In the midst of speech, a card rose from his lifted palm.

At the moment it appeared, the Chazuo that had been drooping its head also lifted its head.

Its pale gold eyes followed the card, which was largely an unconscious reaction; two seconds later, those eyes showed a startled awakening, as if surprised by this unfamiliar feeling.

"They still exist." Clenching his fist, the Ghatanothoa card vanished from his grasp, and Aomo's gaze withdrew from Chazuo's reaction.

"Especially those that make you hesitate greatly, yet you ultimately still chose the other side."

He looked toward Suzi, who had likewise just withdrawn her gaze from Chazuo: "Their very existence is the result of their influence on you."

"The more they can make you hesitate, the more they show how deeply rooted they are in your marrow; such things, given a suitable opportunity, can turn the tables and turn you into someone utterly different from your usual self,"

"Is a monster card the opportunity? Or are you yourself, Tunshujun?"

By now Suzi no longer felt the need to beat around the bush, and she replied bluntly and sharply.

Although this has nothing to do with her interests, rather, Chazuo's radical action could instead become a positive variable, giving the entrenched, rigid situation a chance to shift—namely, an impact on Tunshujun's thinking.

It could also spread as news among the 'players', just like the earlier Xintiaoxi, or like Bicuikes at the initial banquet, creating an atmosphere of imminent danger where everyone feels threatened and must act.

Under this atmosphere, whether student or office worker, minor or adult, each person exposes the fact that their emotional experience is especially lacking; blunders occur frequently, and although Suzi herself is likewise devoid of emotional experience, at least in this Saichang she views as an alternative experiment, she possesses that consistent researcher's patience.

Although patience does not guarantee she can reap rewards passively, it certainly lets her see plenty of jokes and also gives her the right to point and comment.

Especially pointing at some formerly lofty bigwigs, Suzi really looks forward to seeing that scene again.

But...

All those speculations based on the present situation have nothing to do with her discomfort with Manchester Chazuo's current state.

Why do you look so anxious? Where has your former self gone?

Half an hour ago you spoke with me plainly, as if you had prepared for everything; now that the guinea pig has arrived, you are utterly at a loss—was that all just a pretense after giving up?

That shouldn't be, nor should it be like this.

The guy who has stared at me for two years shouldn't be so childish and foolish; the guy I've regarded as an opponent for months, who has made me wary countless times, shouldn't be so pathetically fragile.

You should put on your usual silent, bland demeanor—even admitting you're wrong could still be threatening; did that woman completely crush your will?

Was it just in a dream?

Just based on that shock-bomb-like move? Or is it that you simply don't want the trainer to see you like that?

As for the answer, she actually knows it.

But she suddenly realized her own past immaturity, which she used to mock others for.

Gazing at the Manchester Chazuo where they had spent countless days together, even if one side hardly acknowledged being friends, it remained exceedingly familiar; at this moment, Ailisuzhi, amidst that discomfort, felt something stemming from the unknown of human hearts, from anxiety about some change.

Is it liking? Or that so-called love?

It can bring such a huge change to a person, making them lose their usual most prominent charm.

If that isn't love, what kind of feeling is it?

What is the guinea pig cultivating? Could my future self also undergo such a change?

Along with that discomfort, the various problems weighing on her mind are rapidly turning into a reluctance-to-admit worry, becoming the main driving force behind her blunt remarks now.

At the same time, it made Aomo opposite her fall silent for a moment under the sudden accusation, then he sighed.

"Indeed, although I would also like to list the countless factors in life that promote the conception of thought, but given the situation, there's no need to go into such detail from shallow to deep."

"... Trainer?"

Hearing the implication of those words, the Chazuo's raised face was full of astonishment.

"Don't worry, I won't deny your pursuit." His tone was gentle, even more warm than before, causing Suzi, arms crossed opposite him, to frown slightly.

"I admit that the opportunity for all this lies with me; if there's any fault, I cannot escape my share." He said.

Even that order specially made to provoke the Chazuo should have a place at the pot-allocation meeting, but here and now she is obviously not suitable to be mentioned.

So Aomo simply continued:

"But I don't dislike the Chazuo's yearning, whether as Aomo Lindun or as Aomo the trainer."

"..."

In silence, light appeared in the Chazuo's eyes.

"Huh?" Even though Suzi thought to herself, "as expected," she couldn't help but look disgusted.

Don't rush, hey; I actually wanted to ask you, Suzi classmate, you who should happily accept all this—why are you resisting this conclusion, and why do you keep asking these unnecessary questions?

Don't say it's just for show, and don't give an answer meant to let Chazuo relax.

Your attitude has changed—when? Was it this morning? Why? Me? Chazuo? Ling?

Or is it because of yourself?