I've already said this isn't a life simulator!

Considering the potential connection, the Fire-Chasing Moth has begun secretly watching you... Of course, you're unaware of this yet.

You suddenly learned of Sirin's disappearance and her father's death during your journey... You were somewhat taken aback and rushed over, but all you found were the anxious and flustered landlady and the seriously ill boss.

His condition worsened; he became extremely irritable and often got angry for inexplicable reasons. His wife had to calm down and comfort him, trying her best to soothe his anxious heart... In a very short time, their identities and personalities seemed to have completely switched, which was astonishing.

But... this was a helpless situation; the sudden harm and disaster had led them to this state.

Not knowing what to do, all you could do was offer some financial assistance and gently play a few soothing songs to calm him down.

Perhaps it's because music is the most romantic and direct "language" for conveying thoughts and emotions; under your playing, he gradually calmed down. Although he still seemed a little restless, he was much better than before.

You accepted the landlady and her son's thanks and, at their request, returned to the town to search for Sirin.

[But by this time, the town had been sealed off. A group of soldiers stopped you and refused you entry... Feeling somewhat helpless, you asked them if they had seen a girl with purple hair and golden eyes who had gone missing some time ago.]

The soldiers seemed momentarily surprised. After a brief briefing, a capable woman with fiery red hair approached, led you aside, and slowly explained the situation in Sirin and why they had sealed off the town.

According to them, a strange disease has broken out in the town, the same one the boss suffers from. It's a highly contagious, deadly new disease with no current cure. Furthermore, the rate at which it kills varies depending on each person's individual condition...

[In short, after rambling on for a long time, you summarized what she said—basically, a strange disease had broken out in the town, requiring quarantine. Most members were safe and received timely medical care, but a small number of people, due to their own health conditions, were quickly taken by the strange disease… Sirin was one of them.]

[And you also noticed that while she was explaining the situation, her gaze kept drifting towards you, and there was a hint of scrutiny in it, which you found a little strange... but you just assumed it was a habit of your superior and didn't pay much attention to it.]

You thanked her and planned to tell the landlady and the others the bad news later... Before leaving, she called you back and asked for an autograph, while also asking again if you had anything to say, and whether you had any relationship with that girl, Sirin...

You answered all the questions one by one, explaining that you simply had a crush on that lovely girl, since she had helped you out once and provided inspiration for the song. Therefore, you agreed to give her a copy after the song was finished… I wonder if Xilin ever actually heard your song in the end.

Having learned the situation, she nodded and said that Xilin must have listened to your song and cherished it... Afterwards, she carefully kept the autographed song you gave her and also told you her name.

Himiko—that's her name. Perhaps you'll meet again someday.

You responded to her politely and kindly, and then relayed the news about Celine to the boss and the others... Seeing their shocked and saddened expressions, you didn't have any good way to comfort them, so you could only quietly stay by their side, occasionally humming a few soft lines of a song when the conditions allowed.

Once their condition stabilized somewhat, you embarked on your own journey again... As for this slightly melancholic melody, let's leave it in our memories for now, along with the song we dedicated to her.

However, because of this, you've also made some discoveries... Your songs seem to be very effective at soothing those special patients, especially those with incurable diseases; your songs seem to be very effective at calming their agitated hearts.

Therefore, in addition to street performances, you also began to frequently visit hospitals, nursing homes, and other places to play for patients during your travels. Thanks to this, you received a lot of gratitude from medical staff and patients' families, since they didn't have many good solutions for this strange and unusual disease.

If a patient's emotions become uncontrollable, then sedatives or similar medications may be necessary. However, these patients develop strong drug resistance with repeated use of sedatives, eventually making them difficult to control.

Fortunately, they now have a more convenient and easier option: simply play your songs for the patients. This can at least stabilize their emotions, although not completely, but it saves the caregivers some trouble and prevents patients from having to endure high doses of sedatives.

[Furthermore, your songs seem to have a similar effect on other mental health patients, effectively calming their emotions, which has earned you praise from many doctors... Some have even jokingly said that you have provided them with a completely new form of "music therapy."]

[You're happy, which at least proves you've helped some people again, and... music really does have power.]

However, this was followed by some online accusations... These included things like you not keeping quiet in the hospital, and boasting that your music could stabilize patients' emotions. They even mocked you for "hiring" so many doctors to support you, and hiring "extras" to pretend to be patients' family members, all to highlight the uniqueness of your music... It's ridiculous and disgusting. And what's this talk of "music therapy"? It's just a way to promote your music, isn't it? It's truly nauseating.

Although these comments quickly faded away, they truly disgusted a large number of people and thoroughly stimulated people's habit of "liking to doubt things," with people popping up online every now and then to ask you strange questions.

[If I answer, my words will be taken out of context and my statements and facts will be distorted; if I don't answer, I'll be accused of evading the question and being arrogant. They've really mastered this game, and they can justify themselves on both sides.]

At the same time, some people have started to question your relationship with Eden... Actually, these people are quite subtle. In their eyes, you've "climbed the social ladder" for Eden. After all, Eden's path is exceptionally "formal," and with the joint efforts of the Gunn couple, the number of people who know her, are familiar with her, and like her quickly surpasses yours. Consequently, some people feel that you are "unsuitable" and "shouldn't" stay by Eden's side.

Although these people's remarks were quickly met with resistance and criticism from your and Eden's mutual fans, after all, your relationship with Eden is beyond question, and you have both left clear traces of each other on your paths forward. This is not something those demons and monsters can say at will.

But...those people were also provoked. Their innate desire to "resist" and their belief that they were absolutely right permeated their hearts, so they began to make some...unpleasant remarks.

This behavior naturally provoked a backlash, which gradually escalated into a war of words... and eventually reached a point where it became somewhat irrational.

[You and Eden have issued several statements asking everyone not to discuss this matter and urging fans not to pay too much attention to it... After all, your relationship will not be strained by such a small matter, and it is impossible for you to break up because of it.]

The fans you both share naturally listened and gradually abandoned those extreme methods, instead supporting you even more. But as for the others... well, that's another story.

Some of Eden's fans believe that you, who are on the "outside path," shouldn't stay by Eden's side, who has always been on the "right path." Correspondingly, some of your fans accuse them of being "ungrateful," since both your statements and those of others prove that Eden's initial success was due to your efforts.

Even the Gunn couple, his agents, only came to Eden's side because of your connections. Eden himself has admitted this, and now they're ignoring that fact. It's laughable.

Of course, they also have their own explanation for this issue—given Eden's singing skills and family background, even without your help, Eden could have secured a debut opportunity and gotten to where he is today on his own. You, on the contrary, are the dispensable one.

In short, everyone has their own reasons. Although it's hard to see these people under your and Eden's accounts, it's hard to say what they might be like elsewhere on the internet.

However, as I said before, these comments are just their own self-entertainment, and they won't have any real impact on you or Eden.

You are still on your respective paths in pursuit of your "wishes"... until some time later, you receive a message from Oak, or rather, from Oak and Silver.

[Yin's hometown, the Far East, suffered a mysterious disaster, a near-devastating blow that wiped out all of Yin's influence there... Forced to leave, he had no choice but to bring some survivors to seek refuge with Li.]

[You are somewhat surprised, as you have just returned to Eden's side and learned of this terrible news along with Sakura... Although Sakura moved to Mu Continent with Rin early on because of you, the devastating news of her homeland being destroyed by disaster still shocked her somewhat.]

Meanwhile, Gin made a rather serious suggestion—she hoped that Sakura would pick up her sword again and stay by your side, you "record player" who's always causing trouble, to ensure your safety.

This is a bit strange to you all, but Yin doesn't seem to be planning to explain it too clearly. She just hopes that you can take Sakura with you when you go out in the future, so that you can have some security... Eden, on the other hand, doesn't need any worries. After all, her reputation and fame are much higher than yours now, and she has people specially arranged to protect her wherever she goes.

[On the contrary, it's you who always likes to run around alone, you're not someone I can trust at all. Gin remembered Sakura's original skills, so he simply decided to make Sakura your bodyguard... What can I do? After all, Gin is now practically Sakura's "superior." You know, you and Eden only "invited" Sakura over in the first place.]

After discussing it among themselves, everyone agreed to this plan. The main reason was that Yin's attitude was very firm and serious, making it clear she was genuinely interested. In addition, Li also maintained a similar stance, so you all felt it was best to accept this suggestion.

Fortunately, even after becoming a model, Sakura didn't give up her training and swordsmanship. After all, she needed to maintain her figure, so her combat skills didn't suffer much... Thus, while maintaining her modeling career, Sakura also took on the responsibility of protecting you.

[I heard that Ling was overjoyed when she heard the news. Perhaps for her, her older sister becoming the bodyguard of her favorite star and being able to stay by his side was something to be happy and proud of.]

Sakura's attitude was rather subtle, a little reserved and shy, but she was still very happy when she stood next to you, even with a hint of showing off, which left Eden completely bewildered.

And so, on your journey, you caught up with another girl, as beautiful as a cherry blossom.

【only……】

--------

"Sakura, do you think this hat suits me?"

On the yacht at sea, Xi Wang put on a dark blue hunter's hat and turned to ask her handsome guard.

"...It's a bit strange, but surprisingly it suits me."

"Really? This was a gift from everyone in the small town we visited before... consider it a souvenir?"

Xi Wang took it off again and examined it carefully. Although he felt that something was a little strange, since Ying said it was suitable, then it should be suitable.

"Sakura, what do you think? Should I go back and design a hunter's outfit? Something to match this hat... Hmm... Dark blue, it could be designed with a sea theme... Ah, I have some ideas, I'll sketch them out when we get back to shore!"

While muttering to herself, Xi Wang put her hat back on and then looked at Ying with some confusion.

"What's wrong, Sakura? Are you unhappy? If you have any worries... you can tell me about them~ That way I can share some of your burden~"

"No... but... is this really okay?"

"Hmm? Which aspect do you mean?"

"It's like... me staying by your side... or something like that."

Sakura hesitated before speaking.

“Miss Eden… although you didn’t say anything, you must still mind, right? And online… people keep taking pictures of you and me traveling together, and there are some rumors going around, so… um… it’s had a bit of a negative impact on you, so I was thinking… maybe we should just…”

"Don't say that, Sakura."

Xi Wang gently placed her finger on her lips as a gesture to her.

“Eden and I have a relationship that is more subtle and deeper than you think… Moreover, as people who are both immersed in art, we have a way of communicating that is more direct and easier to understand than words… That is music.”

“If Eden really cared, she would show it directly when she sings in front of us, and you could easily hear it. So... since you didn't feel it, it means that Eden herself doesn't care much.”

Xi Wang explained with a smile.

Do you think I can't possibly interfere with your relationship...? What an arrogant thought—Sakura thought to herself.

However, Xi Wang's words actually eased her worries considerably.

"As for those people online... well, just ignore them."

Xi Wang tilted her head again and continued to speak softly.

"They are just a very small group of people, similar to those who previously accused me on behalf of Eden and those who accused Eden on my behalf. They are just a very small number of people, only they are shouting the loudest... As for the others, Eden and I have both come forward to explain that you are my friend and just wanted to travel with me, that's all, and everyone has expressed their understanding and support."

"Even if there are any strange claims... we haven't actually shown any signs related to them, have we? Their lies will be exposed, and they will be condemned by everyone."

"so……"

Xi Wang seemed to have thought of something funny, and her smile became exceptionally happy.

"Sakura, you don't need to worry about those things. You're my friend, I like you a lot, and you're willing to stay by my side. Isn't that enough?"

Instead of paying attention to those fabricated and imagined rumors, why not focus your attention on me instead?

"........."

Sakura paused for a moment, looking into his eyes that were like stars in the night sky, and then nodded subconsciously.

She... did not object to Xi Wang's statement, and in fact... she was quite willing to do so.

"Speaking of which, the first time I met you was also because of cherry blossoms... Hmm, I even told Gin about it back then, saying that cherry blossoms gave me some inspiration... And just like that, I perfected it right here."

Xi Wang smiled and took light steps, gently pulling on both ends of her hat to prevent it from falling off.

"Consider this a song for you~ After all... cherry blossoms and cherry blossoms really complement each other~ They're both equally beautiful~"

???~

After saying that, Xiwang didn't wait for Ying's response and started singing the melody on her own.

Gently, softly, as gentle and beautiful as falling cherry blossoms.

"........."

Sakura listened quietly to his song, the song he had given her, and a feeling of joy welled up in her heart.

She opened her mouth, as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she swallowed it back.

I felt I didn't need to act reserved in front of him, I felt I could rely on him, he had already helped me so much, but...

She still wasn't used to expressing her feelings.

Therefore, she could only listen quietly to the song he gave her, and then gently clap her hands at the end to express her praise and joy, showing him her smile.

Silent as falling cherry blossoms, beautiful as falling cherry blossoms.

Chapter Thirty: Enjoy liking and loving to your heart's content, that's all that matters (6321)

The conversation with Sakura lasted only a short time. To the strain of a gentle melody dedicated to Sakura and cherry blossoms, the barrier between you and Sakura quietly melted away. Although Sakura still habitually keeps her distance from you, at least she won't deliberately distance herself from you because of what others say...

Although Sakura often feels that she seems somewhat "humble" when she's with you, the cherry blossom, which blooms for only a moment and is most easily lost, is compared to the glittering stars. No matter how beautiful the flower is, people are always drawn to the starlight, and even the flower itself is no exception.

But... just as you said, instead of caring about other people's opinions and comments, it's better to focus more on you, on that shining star... You are friends, you like her, and she likes you, that's enough.