Chapter 652: with translation of chapter title

NO. 21: Walking with You

Starting an experiment: equipment confirmed undamaged, your transfer device is of good quality.

Monsters are necessary: it's not mine; it was provided by an enthusiastic club member, who says it's 80% new.

Starting an experiment: the so-called personally used 80% new?

Monsters are necessary: don't learn this weird talk from Xiao She; this is club-exclusive property, and its quality is still guaranteed.

Starting an experiment: you've already joined the club? Really surprising, Qianjun; I thought you wouldn't be interested in club activities.

Monsters are necessary: there will also be club activities that interest me, but Suzi-chan, aren't you busy over there?

Starting an experiment: thanks for the reminder, anyway thanks for the equipment—I'll focus on the experiment now.

Monsters are necessary: alright~ I'll be waiting for your results!

The girl standing in front of the large freezer was still tapping the screen, but another girl approached, rubbing her arms, and unconsciously glanced into the large freezer.

"To be honest, Xiao Qian, shouldn't we consider inviting Lord Aomo to do some promotion?" she said, then turned her gaze to the sign being renovated nearby.

The writing of the 'Monster Research Department' above had already been completed, but someone apparently dissatisfied had crossed out the 'department' and replaced it with 'Centre'.

Naturally, this required reorganization, after all they hadn't chosen to simply replace it.

"Don't make me repeat myself again, President‑chan!" said the cherry‑haired girl who had slid her finger to put the screen on standby, smiling as she turned her head.

Her smile was gentle, her voice soft, yet it made the girl's face tense, and the primitive warming motion of her arms also stopped.

"When you act crazy online nobody minds, but in real life you have to speak normally."

"... Um, Mr. Aomo…?"

"Yes, that makes sense." She shrugged, then turned her gaze to the massive organism inside the freezer.

The vague pressure instantly eased, making the girl exhale, but before she could shift her mood she heard her continue: "But no matter what, do you still remember the forum's top principle?"

"No… I don't want to disturb Mr. Aomo's life…"

"Yes, yes, so stop doing such foolish things as hanging the office number on publicity notices and such—I couldn't pull off such a selfish act even if I tried." The girl said, picking up the sling bag placed on the table behind her, and in the other girl's tense gaze she pulled out one monster model after another.

There were traditional figures like Godzilla, Gamera, and Jetton, as well as special works that made the girl's eyes narrow—'**** Monster Nameless A/B', 'Revenge Monster Machine Gurukiras'—and even models not belonging to traditional monster classifications, appearing only in some sci‑fi works, sufficiently bizarre and fantastical clay models.

They were merely models, but in the girl's eyes they seemed like living creatures, conveying oppression, making the air feel viscous, making pacing difficult; only the other's unfinished words could give her heart a chance to retain a little breath.

"To be honest, when I saw that this school actually had a Monster Research Department club, I was quite surprised, but how can it be so amateurish?"

"..."

"The clubroom being so small is fine, but as a research club you don't even have a research lab, and member cohesion is so low—are you guys just collecting magazine settings for your monster research?"

"... Ugh."

Finally able to muster a little strength—or perhaps the humiliation of being looked down on was simply unbearable—the president spoke up amid the mire‑like stagnant pressure: "High school clubs are actually…"

But she was easily cut off.

"Don't use the limitations of high school clubs as an excuse—even the schools in Dongyan emphasize club education, you know~"

"... Guh." Indeed inept at organization and unable to do anything practical, the person whose club situation was so lax and dire let out a cry of unbearable humiliation.

"If it weren't for me, President‑chan, your wish would probably never come true in a lifetime~" Having placed the last model back in the bag, the girl touched the edge of the freezer with her index finger, walking around it, her gaze falling only on the wall.

She seemed to be pondering where those models were supposed to go.

"Now the lab application has come through, activity funds have been invested, everyone's seen Xiao She in person, popularity's gathered and a meeting would get full response, so…"

She stopped, turned back, stepping slowly with a cheerful smile, gazing at the president who could barely manage a retreat.

In just five steps she was already right before her.

"Wouldn't it be better to just honestly leave it to me to take care of? ~"

Under the gaze of countless models, the cherry‑haired girl raised her hand and placed it on the shoulder of the president who was barely standing, her whirlpool‑like eyes reflecting her wavering heart.

"How about it? Want to genuinely try researching monsters?"

Whether it's a passing fancy or genuine affection, boys and girls who like monsters ought to have in their hearts a desire that deviates from the norm.

Called twisted, called strange, called mad, it hides within the ordinary and yet blooms under extreme pressure.

She understands this all too well, for she is such a person too, and has also been easily guided and used.

But when she looks back, she can't help but wonder…

Can that really be called guidance?

Right?

All the way up to the end, weren't they all her own choices?

Awakened by warm light from the extreme, the purifying power known as the Restorative Beam granted her the clarity to look back on everything.

Then she could no longer deny her guilt, while in her heart arose a realization she had never voiced to anyone at that time.

It should not be spoken; speaking would only bring trouble.

Just let them immerse themselves in the joy of saving the world and saving themselves, let them put their minds at ease and go their own way.

The darkness that the Restorative Beam couldn't wash away is also a self she must learn to face and coexist with, just as she once heard someone say.

"The darkness of the human heart can never be fully eradicated, for it, together with light, is rooted in desire itself……"

A person who has lost desire is merely a lump of rotten meat, and she is clearly not that.

The desire to start anew is utterly genuine, and the darkness residing within her heart is an indisputable fact.

She had even sung her character's song from that so‑called work directly at a KTV, which certainly included the factor of wanting to see Xiao She's jokes, but also contained her genuine acknowledgment of the lyrics.

Especially the opening part.

Uniforms, morals, and the school bell.

Dragged out from the binding cage / Locked me in a cage, who can come and free me?

These lyrics might also be the inner voice of many students.

Even now, Shinjou Akane occasionally still has such thoughts, though she is no longer as impulsively extreme.

The ticket clip in the notebook reminded her of the past, and the person who had said those words set an example for her on the road ahead.

That road was dim and rugged, yet full of the other's footprints, flashing with silver light, pointing straight to the lone crescent moon hanging in the distant sky.

It was the same color.

Soft and icy, it left only an illusory warmth on her body.

Yet it was not blinding like the sun, making it hard for her to face.

As long as she could see it, she would feel……

"……Then I'll leave it to you."

"Okay, this way you won't be alone."

Monster Research Society (crossed out), Monster Research Center, the second-term president Xintiao Xi laughed lightly and said.

At the same time, she also saw on the phone screen that had lit up again a short notification bar.

【Start an experiment: I'll first send you a set of data to help check the status】