Chapter 995: NO. 118: Confession (Part 2)

NO. 118: Confession (Part 2)

"I've always been missing the opportunity..."

The boy lowered his head, looking back not only at recent times but also at the past.

Not just love, life from start to finish is like a simulation-raising game; from birth we face many choices, and when facing those choices, let alone making a decent choice, many people even miss the timing to choose.

This is like how, in electronic card games you can play freely, while in real-life card games players often miss the timing, and reality doesn't offer such thoughtful reminders or waits.

Whether it's dullness or cowardice, hesitation or ignorance, even if there is no choice, it still counts as a choice, as your behavior, leaving no room for argument.

And the boy also understands this.

"Although it's all my fault."

His lowered eyelids carried a hint of gloom, and the metal object in the young man's hand likewise emitted a similarly gloomy call.

"Yuta..."

By now, with the soundproof barrier in place, Gurite speaking up like this is no problem, let alone his whisper being so quiet.

But Aomo still covered it with both hands, allowing the girl over there to whisper as well:

"Timing..."

"Then... even if we miss the timing, we can still keep our relationship with Rikka, so I've always thought that's fine enough..."

'He seems a bit anxious.' Nate noticed the urgency in the trailing speech.

'Being nervous isn't strange,' Bi Ze retorted, 'Who isn't like this the first time around——'

'Shut up!' x2

This time, Akane and Aomo simultaneously struck Nate and Bi Ze with a knife-hand, causing Chen nearby to glance up, hesitate a moment, then still turn to look at the man and woman here.

Gagula still prefers to eat something ordinary.

He stared at it and said:

"But today is different."

After that, he raised his head, gazing at the girl's profile with those clear blue eyes, listened to her silence for a moment, then bluntly said:

"Since my first year of high school, I've always liked Rikka."

"It's too late..."

"Ah..."

Just turning her head to the other side, the girl covered her cheek with her falling black hair; this unreadable answer left the boy's gaze stunned, and then he fell silent.

"Really... huh..."

"Oh no! Yuta is about to——"

"Shut up… wait!"

Good friend Neihai absolutely didn't want to see Yuta cry again, but when Aomo suddenly clapped a hand over his mouth, the force was so strong that Neihai couldn't even step forward.

Aomo himself, seeing that she had turned to Rikka's side, carefully crouched and lifted his head to look at Rikka's expression; Akane over there gave a stern 'OK' sign, whereupon he loosened his grip a little.

"But, it's good that I spent so much time…… because this way……" The girl who always seemed as if some wall had a strong pull, able to keep her eyes fixed, at this moment finally turned her head, lifted her hand to sweep aside her bangs, shielding her flushed face, and whispered, "I've also come to like Yuta……"

Her voice was extremely soft, yet even so, in this moment when almost everyone was holding their breath, it was crystal clear.

And the first to react was undoubtedly the boy who widened his eyes, his facial blood flow likewise quickening, after a tiny inhale he spoke!

"Please go out with me!"

"Hmm… please take care of me."

A hesitant response she could barely raise her voice to make, and the girl's silent motion of shifting half a step closer.

In that extremely tense silence between the boy and girl, where only sobs and breaths could be heard, there was no intimate contact, no direct kiss—just one lowering his head, raising a fist to cover his forehead, the other raising his head, raising a fist to cover his neck, both embarrassed.

Then, in the next moment——

The low hum of uni-verse began to play from somewhere unknown.

"WOWWOWWOWWOW!!!"

"Wow!!"

"Bi, Bi Ze-san?!"

Suddenly a youth appeared from midair, as excited as four foreigners, greeting the girl and boy's shock, and the latter's voice nearly rising to a pitch change in his questioning.

But before this newly formed couple could confront them, an even angrier girl rushed forward to demand an explanation!

"You two! Why are you just like this!!!"

"Xin, Shinjou-san?!"

"Akane?!"

"Congratulations, Yuta." Aomo said, smiling and waving his hand in midair as if drawing something.

Beside him, Nate, who rarely showed even a hint of a smile, replied in a more concise tone.

"Congratulations."

"Congratulations." Chen also spoke.

"Nate-san… Chen-san…"

"Me too!" Neihai grabbed Yuta's neck in one sweep, "Although it's impolite, please let me turn back and apologize later—first let's congratulate! Now I don't have to see Yuta's miserable look anymore!"

Yet none of this could quell Shinjou Akane's 'anger'.

"This isn't the point, you guys!! Don't interrupt!! Yuta-kun! Rikka!!"

"Here!"

"Ah, ah… what?"

The girl's stern stare left Rikka somewhat dazed, and Yuta, startled as if about to snap to attention, the next second heard her sternly say:

"You two! After confessing, is this all you do!!"

Eh?

Holding hands! Holding hands!! Just like earlier in front of the gym, Miss Qian, who was almost rolling on the ground, shouted loudly.

She even walked up to Aomo, yanking his hand that was still waving in midair.

She gave her a helpless glance; Aomo, who had switched to drawing with his left hand in midair, pulled them in front of these juniors.

Confession isn't over just because you said it!

Uh... um... Liu Hua, who was hesitating whether to follow her friend's advice, had her hand grabbed by Yu Tai first.

Well, then let's do that, okay, huh...

Seemingly complying with the other's request, but actually seizing the opportunity... Aomo, while typing, glanced at Yu Tai and thought, You're not missing any chance starting now.

This is just the first step! First step! You still need to do this!!

Qian said, suddenly lowering Aomo's collar, brushing past like a dragonfly touching water, then turned back: "Where's the kiss?"

Facing the dazed couple, she continued to shout.

Meanwhile, Aomo, still maintaining a slight forward-bent posture, had his fingers suspended in midair.

Hey hey? Can you see? How many? Bi Ze waved two fingers in front of the other's dark red eyes.

Bi Ze.

Huh?

Just now, wasn't it...

You were molested. Bi Ze said solemnly.

Can't that be counted?

Nate on the side glanced with a subtle look at Xin Tiao Qian, who was still criticizing the two, and now he could even say: "Those two are also dating."

That's sexual harassment; where we're from, even spouses can file a complaint! One thing equals one thing!

At times like this you're so abnormal you don't even seem normal... Aomo sighed, glanced at Qian, tried a little, and his collar slipped free from her already loosened grip.

And your reaction seems like it's your first time. Bi Ze approached, smirking, as Aomo simply tidied his collar and tie.

What's going on with you two?

See what her reaction will be when she comes to her senses later.

Aomo said irritably, turning to Chen beside him: "Why are you getting so close?"

Do I need to answer?

Never mind, do as you please; I'll leave for a bit.

Going to the bathroom? Bi Ze asked.

You could think that. Aomo, giving up on explaining, waved his hand, still holding the Original Receiver in his other hand, and walked downstairs.

After just descending seven steps, he felt at least six layers of overlapping data chaos, then heard that familiar voice:

You've passed.

His own voice was naturally familiar, especially since it lacked the maturity of a Chief Executive Officer, nor the strong otherworldly feel of the King of Beasts, as if his armor were empty, like His voice echoing from the Abyss.

The Observer's appearance and voice resembled his the most, but when he appeared, the faint song became clear, making Aomo's expression subtle.

Come on, lift your head.

Show me freely.

The universe you possess.

The guy who secretly played music after Yu Tai's successful confession has been found!

Aomo fully believed that the one who secretly played "uni-verse" during the big battle back then was also him, but thinking about it...

Your change is quite big.

Thanks to you. The Observer said blandly, as if those messy operations didn't hinder him from keeping a straight face.

Thanks to me? That's also good, but you're probably not here to talk about Yu Tai's confession, right? He said, glancing at the black-clad Qian hiding behind the other, who flinched at his gaze.

Am I that scary?

Forget it...

Aomo, well aware of this, also couldn't be bothered with meaningless comfort, simply turned back to the Observer and heard him say lightly: "I'm here to say goodbye, to you and to Gurite."

You are... Aomo's Original Receiver glowed slightly, transmitting the words once called "a handsome voice" by Liu Hua's mom: "That gentleman who first spoke to me?"

At first?

Ah, when I hadn't yet been rescued by everyone, that gentleman told me just to wait.

I didn't expect you to be able to tell.

Your voice is very distinctive, a suppressed sound that makes one feel sad.

Pfft...

You also have the right to laugh at me? The Observer coldly glanced at Aomo.

Now I have every right, right?

... Anyway, after seeing the final me, I should also leave; next is her time to choose.

Changing the subject, huh?

Black Qian, make a decision.

The Observer ignored Aomo's words, turned to the black-haired girl beside him, and explained to himself:

Although I don't need to introduce her, it's worth mentioning that her original world has been destroyed; she can stay here, after all, Xin Tiao Qian will probably go back with you, but——

But if she doesn't want to stay here, you can give her a ride," Aomo understood his meaning, "then is there still any room for choice?

He shrugged his shoulders, looking at the timid black-haired girl.

If she has to choose, at least make it a situation where I'm not there; right now it feels like you're forcing her.

"It's that she doesn't want to see those high schoolers, or rather, she feels she isn't worthy to meet them," the observer said calmly, "and she also wants to thank you."

If you can't do it, don't force yourself.

No, thank... thank you...

Eventually, Black Tea emerged from behind the observer, carefully stepping down the stairs to the same level as Oumu, and bowed to him.

Then she quickly ran back behind the observer.

Thank you... for changing Black Tea, for bringing her, and thank you for saving these universes.

Everyone has contributed, including you; also thank yourself—give yourself the opportunity to thank others, how does that sound?

No, not possible... but if someday I get a chance to help them again, perhaps I could appear before them with dignity...

Like Tea? She was already thinking of coming back to apologize halfway there, and she started preparing your gift long ago.

...... Then I'll try to ask Mister Observer.

"?" The observer turned his head, "I only intend to send you to the world you wish to stay in; you don't have much observational value."

I want to stay in a world where at least I know someone, other than here.

...... Just send her to your place," Oumu remarked, noticing the subtle interaction between them, curling his lips, "With your talent, opening a door in the data realm would be trivial, wouldn't it?"

Is that the problem?" the observer said displeased, "You clearly know the future risks."

Are you afraid?

「……」

If someone has already paved the way for you, are you still afraid?

...... Let's go, Black Tea.

Huh?

If you fall behind, I won't look after you.

Ah, please wait for me.

Oumu spread his hands silently at the surprised Black Tea, watched the little girl follow the observer into the ripple of the data-constructed space, gave a silent smile, then said:

Gulet, please look out for him if you get the chance.

Ah, of course, Rex-san is currently touring around; I heard the princess has many places she wants to visit, including yours.

I naturally welcome guests, but please don't come when I'm too busy.

Okay.