Chapter 993: with translation of chapter title

NO．116：Confession is the most serious decision of adolescence.

Freed from the transparent yet oppressive neck of the ramune soda, the crystal-clear glass ball hanging in hand, as always, reflected reality, self, and the existence of precious things.

And in the red-haired boy's hand holding the original receiver, it refracted the surrounding scenery.

It was also handed by the black‑haired youth with moon‑streaked hair, directly standing out in the blue‑green‑haired boy's sight.

Furthermore, the latter, still clad in the stage‑play costume, inevitably froze for a moment, after all he was still looking down at the chaotic audience below the stage and the stage itself.

But even though it happened suddenly, he still cautiously reached out, allowing the youth to loosen his fingers so that the small glass ball fell into his hand.

And that youth gave no explanation for the act, simply propping his retracted elbow on the railing, just like the earlier blue‑green‑haired boy, looking down at the field below.

"This stage play got a decent response; it can be called a complete success." He said with a smile.

Compared to the earlier 'not bad' expression while seated, this smile clearly came from the heart, making the blue‑green‑haired youth smile and clutch the glass ball, also redoing the previous gesture as he looked down and laughed at the floor below.

"Can a decent response be called a complete success?"

"?" The two, not looking at each other's chat, instead made Yuta, who was holding the glass bead to look, turn his head and produce a question mark, torn over whether he should also imitate.

Regardless of whether he learns or not, the conversation beside him will continue.

"Evaluation must first be based on the whole; the whole is not just performance quality, but also the preparation premise."

"With your show's quality, preparation time, and the last‑minute script‑change maneuver, being able to make everyone smile knowingly and occupy a corner of others' memories naturally counts as a complete success."

"That's well said," he said, raising a hand to scratch the back of his neck; Utsumi fell slightly embarrassed into silence for a few seconds, then turned his head to the youth and said, "Thank you, Aomo."

The youth didn't turn his head to look at that embarrassed face, merely giving a light smile.

"What's there to thank for?"

"Well…… the things to thank for keep increasing; at first it was just being rescued, experiencing the same treatment as Yuta and Hayata‑san, and so on……"

"……"

Yuta, whose eyes showed surprise at being suddenly cued, but Utsumi merely felt embarrassed and scratched the back of his head, not noticing the doubt in his brother's eyes.

"After that came helping everyone plan, contributing greatly to the battle, and finally saving the world together with Ultraman and the others, and most importantly……"

"Shinjo‑san had me substitute for her; that was also your idea, right?"

"I was also worried you would mind Alexis's identity and stance."

"I do mind it quite a bit… but being able to fight side‑by‑side with Yuta, and even Shinjo‑san inviting Rokka, and so on……"

"Akane's actions weren't my idea," Aomo honestly said, distancing himself from the part unrelated to him, "According to my plan, I actually wanted her to stay on the second‑generation warship, taking care of Miss Zhi Jiang……"

But the result was that that aunt's nerves were truly thick; after witnessing a series of big events she still acted as if nothing happened, making his preparations somewhat excessive.

But he had also grown accustomed to his own excessive preparations.

"It's fine, I personally think you both deserve thanks……" Utsumi said, smiling indifferently.

"Like, everyone being able to save the world together…… that moment was truly exhilarating; I might never forget such a memory in my lifetime."

"Exactly, I feel the same, Utsumi," upon hearing this Yuta also couldn't help but speak, looking at Aomo gratefully: "Really, thank you so much for your and Shinjo‑san's help!"

"No need to be so polite and serious……" with both sides bowing to him, Aomo hadn't felt this uncomfortable in a long time.

This discomfort only occurs when meeting extremely earnest Jidong friends; after all, it's not mere polite friendliness, and Aomo doesn't mind it.

And he doesn't know many overly polite Jidong friends.

"The battlefield arrangements prioritize efficiency; second comes the point I want you to realize, Utsumi‑kun."

"Huh?" Utsumi blinked.

"You are neither ordinary nor dispensable; sooner or later there will be a day when you won't just be playing Ultraman, but will encounter your own Ultraman."

"Ah…… speaking of that, I think Aomo‑san, you're pretty much like Ultraman," Utsumi said with a smile, raising his left hand to show the glass ball in his palm, "Actually, this is the second time I've received this glass ball."

"The last time was from Ultraman's hand, right after He had just rescued Shinjo‑san."

"Then Utsumi handed it to me……" Upon hearing this, Yuta was instead stunned; recalling the past made him realize the significance he had previously missed.

"Ah, I once told Ultraman that if I ever got the chance, I hoped He would choose me," Utsumi said helplessly, "but in the end I still felt that Yuta is truly the most suited for Ultraman."

"……Utsumi."

"Ugh, don't cry, ah…… Yuta, don't be like that, Aomo, look at him……"

For a moment not knowing how to console that overly emotional brother, who in this regard is as fragile as a girl, he could only seek help from the senior in life, Aomo, but saw the latter's smile full of warmth.

"What's the matter? Expressing joyful feelings is always good; on the contrary, it's you, Utsumi," he said, raising a hand to point at the glass ball in the blue‑green‑haired boy's hand, "this time it truly belongs to you."

"Moreover, Ultraman's cosmic warrior form also bears your contribution."

"I'm glad you said I'm similar to Ultraman; this means just as Yuta found through Ultraman something only he could do, you too have found your own goal through me, right?"

"Exactly!"

"Good, then in that case I am also playing Ultraman; we are comrades."

The youth smiled and raised his right arm.

This action made the boy excitedly glance at his companion, then look at the raised arm.

As the one who played Ultraman in the stage play, and also as a friend of the involved amalgamator, he naturally understood the meaning of this pose.

Even according to Rex‑san's account, he and that princess had previously followed the same etiquette of fighting side by side.

That is……

He himself also raised his right arm, turned his body, and clashed wrists interlocking.

Just like the classic handshake between Ultraman warriors, the warriors of this world have long followed the etiquette of interlocking arm collisions.

"It's also a pity that the bureau chief‑san got away," Yuta, happily watching the two's motion, suddenly recalled another party involved, "Even if he reverted to Alexis Kailifu, everyone would still thank him for his effort in this battle, but we lost that chance."

"If he really reverted, he probably wouldn't care for such thanks," bringing up the collaborator who fulfilled his hero dream, Utsumi's mood also became complex, "but forgetting to thank him then was my fault."

"Having this intention is enough; maybe He is still lurking somewhere listening," Aomo smiled, glanced at the floating light‑screen text in midair, then promptly raised his hand and gave a pat.

"But for now there's something more important, Yuta‑classmate, you won't forget it, right?"

"Eh?"

Yu Tai's doubt was obvious, but it wasn't just him; when the topic shifted too suddenly, even comrades who should be on the same side were equally doubtful.

What's wrong?

And Aomo only said a few words:

Nebula Divination.

"Oh——!" Nei Hai drew out his tone, looking at Yu Tai whose expression had suddenly stiffened.

Nebula Divination, to be precise, is Heart-moving Nebula Divination; when this was first mentioned, it was still before the war, and Aomo was using monster cards to give everyone a not-so-reliable divination.

That Heart-moving Nebula Divination, however, is a more popular online divination; in the Gu Li Te special edition it's famous for a hundred percent success rate, and according to Nei Hai's memory, the content of that episode was: "When the school festival ends, the Lucky Gate will be thrown open."

Divination isn't necessarily effective—although Aomo knows it's probably a hundred percent—but in the original story things always turn out contrary to expectation.

But no matter what, people must act.

Just like now, that stiff expression was also Yu Tai instantly grasping the meaning; he merely looked toward the edge in the distance downstairs, instantly locking onto Liu Hua thanks to the conspicuous pink hair of Xin Tiao Qian walking beside him.

After a few seconds, his expression changed from stiff to resolute.

Then I'll go over for a bit.

"All right." Nei Hai responded with a straightforward, unteasing calm.

And Aomo pointed at his wrist: "Need me to hold that for you?"

Oh oh! Thanks!

Yu Tai, upon glancing at the primitive receiver on his wrist, saw the sturdy traveler's aura vanish instantly.

Just wait a moment, Gu Li Te.

Speaking of the transformer that can theoretically contact Gu Li Te at any time and also receive his messages, and which also serves as the receiver of the communicator, he turned and ran downstairs.

And upon receiving that delicate little gadget, watching Yu Tai's back, Aomo sighed: "Finally we're taking this step; not easy, huh..."

"Exactly." Nei Hai, thinking he was talking to himself, chimed in.

And then he heard the other's trailing words:

Gu Li Te.

Huh?

Yeah, it's me who wasted his original courage.

Eh!

Staring at the receiver that actually emitted Gu Li Te's voice, Nei Hai grew even more astonished.

Don't say such ear‑callusing words anymore; he's now going to continue the time that had stalled, and this courage also comes partly from you.

Do you plan to just wait here?

"Eh!?" Nei Hai, who had already uttered the same syllable in three different emotions, stared at Chen, who had approached at some point.

Won't you go take a look? Chen asked again.

You wanna look?!

Nei Hai had originally wanted to be nonchalant when the calm brother returned as a good brother, but he hadn't expected someone to emit such a Shen yuan-like temptation.

Facing the temptation, he behaved as cautiously as Aomo.

But we're at school; if they're not off‑campus, we risk being exposed.

School, after all, isn't a long road with plenty of bushes for everyone to hide in; once discovered, given Yu Tai's overly emotional nature, he might not speak to himself for days.

Exactly, Aomo, this isn't right." Gu Li Te also advised against it via the receiver.

At the same time, Nei Hai saw Bi Ze and Na Te appear at the stairway entrance.

And Aomo merely waved at the two, then said flatly:

I can provide a disguise that fools the vision.

What are we waiting for!

The blue‑green‑haired good brother clenched his fists.

In his fist he held the glass ball given by the monster, seemingly yielding to the demon's words.

And the demon looked at the Dream Hero in his hand.

Then, any more advice? Gu Li Te.

……

Silence.

Amid that silence, the group strode down the stairs in a grand manner.

Everyone's face was solemn, Bi Ze included.