Crossover anime, a daily life that begins with hunting supernatural beings.

"An unknown deity heard the girl's wish. The loving and great deity lowered His gaze in pity, allowing the girl to reunite with her deceased loved ones."

"A beautiful and touching story."

"Like Cinderella from the fairy tale?"

Do you think there's such a good thing in the world?

"Is it possible to get something for nothing without giving anything in return?"

Do you see yourself as Cinderella?

"And the bus you're riding is a carriage made of pumpkin, while I'm the coachman made of mouse?"

"Will someone then present you with glass slippers and beautiful clothes?"

"And then, embrace your departed family members one last time?"

Or perhaps...

"In your eyes, do such wonderful things really exist in the world?"

"If thinking this way makes you less scared, I have no objection."

Sakurai has always been indifferent to such things; he has never experienced them and never fantasizes about them.

But that doesn't prevent him from understanding this feeling; human beings always yearn for something beautiful.

The idea that "things might not be so bad" is something that people in difficult situations should have.

This can give them even the slightest bit of courage when they are filled with fear.

Beautiful stories and fantasies always bring hope and beauty.

He doesn't deny such things; rather, he sometimes feels that things are fine this way.

"The story of Cinderella is not actually that beautiful."

Now that things have come to this point, how could Fumino Furuhashi not understand what Sakurai meant?

With her eyes lowered, Fumino Furuhashi fought back her tears.

She suppressed her fear, her disappointment and sorrow, and the grief of her dream turning into a mere illusion just before it was to be realized.

His body trembled slightly, his fists clenched tightly, and he uttered those words in a low voice.

The fleeting expectations and fantasies, the unrealistic hopes, were shattered by Sakurai's cold words.

The story revolves around a kind but unfortunate female protagonist, the death of her mother, the tragic mistreatment she suffers from the new family members, the magical power that helps her overcome her difficulties and ultimately brings her happiness, and the happy ending.

This world isn't actually that wonderful.

Known as a genius in the humanities, the Sleeping Beauty of the Forest of Literature was well aware of this.

She understood that the world wasn't as wonderful as she imagined.

The world is both real and cruel.

By the time she reached the final stop on the bus, she had given up hope of ever seeing her mother again.

Even if I did see her, she probably wouldn't look like the mother I remember.

Or rather, was the mother in her memory really her real mother?

Or is it a phantom created through the embellishment of her memories?

She was unsure and dared not think about it any further.

She had grown accustomed to gazing at the night sky every night, searching for the star that belonged to her mother; it had long become a part of her life.

but--

Since Sakurai has already put it this far, she has accepted reality.

"What should I do, please..."

"help me."

Having accepted the current situation, Fumino Furuhashi was finally able to think clearly. She looked earnestly at Sakurai and pleaded with him...

It can save myself.

After the beautiful fairy tale is shattered, all that remains is the bloody reality.

Beneath the cloak of a fairy tale lies a cruel and desperate nightmare.

She will die. She will die right after the bus reaches its final stop.

Fumino Furukawa was clearly aware of this.

Now, the only one who can save her is this boy who has somehow ended up sitting next to her.

"I'll try, but it might not be in time."

Sakurai gave his answer to the girl's request.

He doesn't know what awaits him in the end, or what the final scene will be like.

Even after consuming the [item], he couldn't predict the final outcome. The only thing he was certain of was that he would win.

For the rest, there's no guarantee.

Therefore, what he hates most is being asked to save people.

The variables are too great, and the success rate is far too low compared to other types of tasks.

Even he has people he can't save no matter what.

he--

He was not a god, but just an extraordinary and unusual individual.

64. This world is beautiful and gentle.

Sitting by the Sakurai, Fumino Furuhashi secretly looked up at the boy's face, which showed no emotion whatsoever. There was no panic, no fear, only a calm composure as if he knew everything.

It seems that he has had this expression from the beginning until now.

An expression of confidence and assurance, as if everything is under control.

and...

Would you give it a try?

It's not a rejection, nor an agreement, it's just a trial, right?

This is enough.

Compared to a confident guarantee, the phrase "Give it a try" gave Fumino Furuhashi an unprecedented sense of security.

She silently memorized that face and kept it in her heart.

If she survives, she will find the boy no matter what and express her gratitude and thanks to him.

Before that, she could only pray silently in her heart.

I will be safe and sound, and this boy will be able to survive the unknown dangers ahead.

"Thank you, that's enough."

"Thank you so much."

Wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes, Fumino Furuhashi smiled and sincerely expressed her gratitude.

Thank you for not giving up on yourself under these circumstances.

Thank you to him for being willing to try to save me in danger.

Thank you for saying I would try when I asked for help.

This world is cruel, so cruel that it cannot even tolerate a girl's innocent fantasies.

But the world is also kind, at least when the girl is still in her prime, when she is in danger.

There was someone willing to try to protect her.

For a girl, that's enough.

"Very good, that expression is quite nice."

"I think your chances of surviving to the end have increased a bit."

Compared to those mindless individuals who lose their minds in the environment of haunted places, this girl...

They are worth saving.

Even if someone is incredibly stupid, he won't deliberately harm them as long as they don't get in his way.

But sure enough, he was in a better mood if the smarter guys survived.

After all, Sakurai's principle is that non-human things must never be used against humans.

absolute! ! !

Well...

I think I understand a little bit now why teachers like good students.

It really makes things much easier for people.

They remained silent the entire way. Sakurai sat upright and motionless, staring straight ahead, while Furukawa Fumino, fully aware of her role as a "burden" in this incident, sat there obediently.

Aside from occasionally glancing up to steal a look at Sakurai, who was indeed sitting next to her, Furukawa Fumino was certain that she wasn't alone.

There were no unnecessary movements throughout the entire process.

To prevent herself from interfering with Sakurai's thinking and ultimately causing the incident to develop in an inevitable direction, she even deliberately lowered her breathing to a minimum.

Apart from the rapid heartbeat caused by tension and the unknown, and the slight trembling of the body, there wasn't even the slightest extra sound.

It played its role as an accessory very well.

Unfortunately, Fumino Furukawa's maturity was completely in vain.

While Sakurai appeared to be deep in thought, she was actually just silently emptying her mind.