Honkai Impact 3rd, a simulator of lifelong regret!

It's about recognizing the Houmu Sword Saint, and it also carries the idea that you never have to worry about anything happening to you, that there's always someone taller to hold up the sky if it falls.

Because of trust in oneself, one then turns to trust the people one cares about and loves most; the root cause is simply trust in oneself.

They believed in their love, their abilities, and their family background, even though it was ultimately easily shattered by the violent actions of others.

Everyone is made up of labels. It is all external factors that make up our true selves. No one can see into another person's heart through their appearance. People may say they don't care about appearance, but if they really meet an ugly person, who will care about their heart?

This is the truth.

This is the truth.

No?

It's not that I don't believe in or agree with the existence of beauty and brilliance in the world. It's just that any beauty and brilliance, any wonderful idea, should have reason, evidence, and cause. Reality is not a light novel or anime/manga.

Some seemingly outrageous things may happen, but it's only because the source is so small that, like the butterfly effect, the root cause cannot be found.

Stones don't wear down out of thin air, and steel doesn't rust out of thin air. Even if a meteorite suddenly falls, the source of this absurd event is simply in space.

A person's existence is made up of all the labels they bear, and even they cannot escape this, let alone others.

There shouldn't be anything different, there shouldn't be anything strange, there shouldn't be anything opposite. How could anyone possibly transcend human nature?

some……

what……

some.

The boy's identification is the identification that comes after all other labels attached to the girl have been removed.

The boy's identification ignores everything he has experienced, and everything he attaches to it is based solely on the name, on Raiden Mei herself.

She's not the eldest daughter of the Raiden family, nor is she the descendant of a financial fraudster... All he sees is Raiden Mei. Even if he talks about her superb swordsmanship and excellent conditions, and mentions other factors like her cuteness, all he actually sees is Raiden Mei. He only praises Raiden Mei, believing that Raiden Mei can definitely do all of this, without needing any other reason, simply because Raiden Mei is Raiden Mei.

Just like someone with appraisal skills gambling on stones, they can easily choose what they want from seemingly worthless stones, and bystanders will almost certainly question their ease before the stone is cut open.

……

175. Jiang Cheng's pupils... seem to have changed color.

Differences in perception can also create barriers.

Information gaps are a major obstacle.

Just like when you want to chat with a friend, you're talking about some questions that might be on the college entrance exam, and he's asking you what one plus one equals.

You may still have common topics in other things, but at least in this aspect, there is nothing between you two to talk about.

Although it can serve as a stepping stone in many situations, after all, another name for a stumbling block is a stepping stone, a stone used to climb higher. If you don't even dare to lift your head, it will seem as unreachable as a mountain.

Jiang Cheng trusted her more than her father, her friends of many years, and even more than the girl herself. This trust was completely unfounded and without reason. It shouldn't exist. Trust without a source is something that a girl with limited horizons could never find.

Just like a genius who existed 50,000 years ago, possessing the most outstanding talent, yet still hesitant to even confess his feelings.

People often fail to properly evaluate themselves for various reasons, either exaggerating or belittling themselves excessively.

At this point, objective evaluations from others may be difficult for the person involved to understand, making them feel that the other party is intentionally belittling or intentionally praising them.

Just like the trust the boy is showing now, believing that it is possible, believing that it is possible, and even believing that it is inevitable, which is why he is showing an unquestionable sense of identification.

Why……

what……

This is a question that no longer needs to be explored.

Or perhaps they simply lack the capacity to investigate the root of the problem.

Picking up sesame seeds while missing watermelons is not something Raiden Mei would do. Why would she seek help from others when she has nothing and can't even climb out of the shadows herself?

What is there to exploit about someone who is hated by the world, hated by everyone, and whose family property has been confiscated and seized?

Being used actually proves that she still has meaning and value. If she has no value, it means that the girl named Mei is still cared about by everyone.

What's more tragic than being used by others is having no chance to be used at all; even if you're thrown into the shadows, no one will lend a helping hand.

If someone is treated this way even if they have no value, it can only mean that they have encountered a god, a selfless god like the sun.

Such rare individuals are beyond imagination; they shouldn't exist in real life at all. Shouldn't they be cherished and protected even more?

If every thought leads to a good outcome, and every choice is well-intentioned, why insist on getting to the bottom of it?

Moreover, the biggest question is whether we really want to investigate?

Is it really necessary to explore this kind of thing?

--unnecessary.

This was an answer that didn't even require thinking. Although she hadn't asked, the girl believed without hesitation that as long as she asked the question to herself in her heart, she would definitely get the same answer from within.

I am not a particularly curious person who likes to get to the bottom of things; emotions and feelings are inherently vague and indistinguishable.

That's enough.

That's it.

I will continue to improve myself diligently until I can leave a deeper impression on Jiang Cheng than anyone else, and respond to this recognition and expectation.

—That's the only thing that needs to be done.

……

"Well... let's go."

The girl finally decided to leave the cubicle. Forcing herself to muster some strength, she continued with the plan she had prepared long ago, just as she had done at the beginning.

The limp body reluctantly withdrew from the boy's slightly warm back, and the back, which should have been as cold as the night, was now warmed by the body's warmth.

No longer like before, where they would only take a step forward when pushed, their feet, hidden in the shadows, now actively step into the range of light.

Her toes, encased in purple high heels, were exposed, and her pearl-like toes were clearly visible through the open-toed sandals. Perhaps due to slight discomfort from the sunlight, she shifted slightly, revealing her perfectly rounded and smooth profile.

Even though she made the same mistake again, the girl was reluctant to leave the shadowy room where she could be with Jiang Cheng, in a world that seemed to belong only to them and where they wouldn't be disturbed by anything else or those mean classmates.

The next choice is easier to make than the last. The accumulation of time can indeed cause attachment to multiply, but if you already know in advance that the ending will be beautiful, then you have a reason to move forward and the awareness to give up everything you have to pursue a better result.

At least the gift is ready. If Raiden Mei can't give it to me in the best way and at the best time, she feels like her life will be meaningless—and that's not an exaggeration, it's really true.

It will be like a flower that has been carelessly tossed and played with in the wind, rain, thunder, and lightning; the next day, not only will there be no petals left, but not even a single leaf.

A girl who is incompetent and useless, who feels guilty but commits heinous acts in an attempt to get the attention of a boy, will absolutely be killed by self-loathing and self-denial.

Even a loser will move forward.

In that case, we only need to complete the last step.

Just like taking the last bite with a spoon in a dessert shop, now we need to take the final step to bring everything together and give this story of taking photos at the video store a definitive ending.

Although we've taken many photos with Wilvi and the others, especially Ellie who takes a picture almost every few steps, we've never actually taken a photo together in real life.

Unlike the vague and ethereal nature of simulations, these photos are probably the first memorable thing left in this world.

I'm inexplicably a little excited.

Perhaps it's because I've finally integrated into this world.

……

Jiang Cheng opened the latch of the movable door, pushed open the cubicle door, and lifted a corner of the curtain. The long-lost light pierced through the gap, and the small patch of light that could only occupy a small space quickly expanded, dispelling the intense emotions that were brewing, and also illuminating some of the sins hidden in the darkness.

Such entertainment activities are something only the poor would engage in. Even ordinary students at Chiyu Academy, the lowest tier of students, wouldn't care about them. Mei, who was once at the top of the social ladder, probably wouldn't use them.

Before any problems arose in Lei Dian Long Ma's family business, the wealth he controlled had reached a level that was so vast that even casual conversation wouldn't dare to be written down.

She is the queen, revered by everyone, at the most prestigious academy in Nagasora City, which is even more advanced and prestigious than Tokyo in some respects.

Even this street, which has a style reminiscent of the last century, was probably a place that a noble lady found by chance after her father's accident.

Although Raiden Ryoma ran into trouble, which theoretically could affect these ordinary forms of entertainment, she also lost a friend with whom she could take photos.

No matter where you look from.

Raiden Mei had no chance of coming into contact with any of these things.

"Then I'll go get the photos. Assuming my memory isn't too far off, the process seems a bit troublesome, so please wait a moment." Jiang Cheng naturally prepared to take over.

Until one's fingertips are gently touched, pressed down, and squeezed tightly like a vise, making contact with another pair of soft fingers.

Like a sandwich, she made her hands the filling, her slender, comfortable, and soft fingertips never letting up.

"Do not……"

"Jiang Chengjun, please leave it to me."

The moment I turned around, my eyes met those of the girl. The pupils I had seen countless times before seemed to radiate a completely new look at this moment—no longer as dark as before, like a humble girl hiding in endless dark clouds, without even a highlight, unable to find any sense of self.

At this moment, the purple light had condensed into a spear as sharp as lightning, dispelling and shattering the dark, oppressive clouds. Just looking at it, one could almost feel the numbing sensation of being touched by an electric current.

The girl had already made up her mind that she might descend from the sky at any moment to pursue her goal, and bravely move forward in the direction she had decided to pursue.

Have you decided to take the initiative yourself?

Have you decided to solve your own problems?

Yes.

Raiden Mei lowered her head, her gaze shifting once more. After only a brief touch, her purple eyes disappeared into darkness, leaving behind a fleeting moment of mingled feelings and a determination to do something.

"Leave this to me, Jiang Chengjun. Since I invited you today, how could I trouble you with such trivial matters?"

Ok……

—It's quite obvious.

Perhaps because he had seen through a flaw in himself before, he wanted to use other things to prove that he could also do ordinary things.

……

"As expected of Mei."

In such a short time, he achieved the results that Kiana took so long to obtain, even though his skills are indeed quite outrageous.