Why is my journey to the world of anime a strange tale of rules?

He carefully searched his vocabulary as an online novelist, only to find that he had never seriously written a love story, nor did he know how to compliment a girl's beauty, leaving him completely speechless at this moment.

So he simply stopped talking, stretched out his hand, and used his fairly considerable arm span to surround the girls, thus encircling them as they moved forward.

The expressions of the passersby became even more vivid. Several male passersby looked on in disbelief, unable to hide their envy. Then, some of the passersby with female companions started to quarrel.

"You should really be more mindful of the consequences."

Empress Zhenfei couldn't help but turn her head and say.

"It's alright, it's not alright at all, after all they won't remember."

Gao Hai, however, remained calm and casually spoke, seemingly unconcerned, and his steps became increasingly energetic.

"There's nothing we can do about it, after all, that's just Ah Hai's personality."

Chika leaned into Gao Hai's arms quite naturally, while fiddling with a black jade bracelet on her wrist.

This is an artifact named "Ring of Ignorance." It's a Twilight-level artifact, but a relatively low-grade one. It's essentially ineffective against ghosts and players, only effective against ordinary people. The effect is simple: it applies a stronger information-blocking effect to players within a certain radius of the artifact, causing ordinary people to forget these players more quickly upon seeing them, leaving no impression whatsoever.

Compared to the normal situation where a specific object is needed to trigger the forgetting effect, this bracelet only needs to be worn to function continuously, making it much more convenient. After receiving a request from Takami to find a special object that would allow Fujiwara Chika to participate in the [School Ghost Stories] dungeon despite being of a higher level, the [Market] gave this bracelet to Takami as a bonus, a gift intended to further strengthen their relationship.

Chika, who had been using the [Inducement Necklace], was naturally the first to become interested in this item and proactively asked Gao Hai for it. Apparently, she'd played several pranks with it in the past two days. Chika's enjoyment naturally pleased Gao Hai, who couldn't help but inwardly admire the [Market] group's resourcefulness. He had broken the Market's rules, but then joined the Red Moon-level dungeon rescue operation; the two situations could be considered fair, or arguably completely unfair, since the Red Moon-level dungeon and the Dark Night-level item were incomparable. However, these guys maintained a consistently humble attitude, whether it was bringing Gao Hai the item he needed or giving him small gifts, making it difficult for Gao Hai to truly feel any resentment.

However, the reason those people would take such actions is ultimately because of my own special circumstances.

"Ah Hai, want to try scooping goldfish?"

Before Gao Hai's thoughts could fully wander, Fujiwara Chika ducked out from under his arm and came up behind him with a grin.

"Going to catch goldfish? Great! Since we're here, we should definitely have some fun."

Refocusing his attention on reality, Gao Hai smiled at the expectant expression on Qian Hua's face and gestured for everyone to follow her.

The spacious park was now packed with people and bustling with activity.

Just like those familiar things you've seen in anime and comics, there are games like ring toss, water balloon catching, and target shooting, as well as snacks like takoyaki, shumai, marshmallows, and fried noodles for sale.

Chika bought a portion of almost every food item sold at each stall and tasted most of them. Only when she was completely unable to eat anymore did she hand the remaining portion to Gao Hai with a regretful look, and muttered a few words like, "It's so great that players don't get fat."

Maki remained quiet throughout, simply walking beside Takami, occasionally joining in on topics Kaguya racked her brains to come up with, or watching Kaguya awkwardly try to engage in conversation.

Hayasaka Ai tried her best to support Kaguya a few times, attempting to steer the conversation in a more positive direction. Unfortunately, Kaguya herself wasn't a very good teammate, so Hayasaka's efforts often ended up causing her own blood pressure problems, and before long, Hayasaka gave up with a helpless expression.

As for Kaguya herself, she's currently in a dilemma. On one hand, she's excited about participating in a festival for the first time in her life, and she can't help but want to happily join in the festive atmosphere like a child; but on the other hand, her plan to win over Takami hasn't been completed, and her rational side keeps reminding her that she can't get too caught up in the fun and has to do something more important.

This extremely contradictory mindset is probably difficult for anyone other than Hayasaka Ai, who has spent many years with her.

Yotsuya Miko: "..."

As the only ordinary girl present who only knew Gao Hai and was completely unfamiliar with everyone else, and whose social circles did not overlap with hers, she was under a lot of pressure and had no idea what to do.

These wealthy young ladies, who clearly knew each other, chatted about all sorts of things from time to time, but she could hardly understand any of them.

Her seniors would also chat with them about various things, but unfortunately, Jianzi couldn't understand any of it. At most, she could only know that Gao Hai might be talking about some game or something about a player organization.

It's like they were just some random stranger who suddenly barged in.

Seeing the child, I couldn't help but have this thought.

But just as she had this thought, Gao Hai reached out and slapped her on the head, interrupting her train of thought.

"What are you thinking about? Since you're out having fun, don't overthink it. The most important thing is to be happy."

There was no particular emotion in Gao Hai's voice.

But seeing her close her eyes and let herself be touched, a warm feeling welled up in her heart, and her previous bad mood dissipated.

What's wrong with me right now?

The girl pondered this with a sense of bewilderment.

Whether it's becoming a player or getting close to seniors like this, or joining groups of girls acting together with seniors, I don't feel any dislike or think there's anything wrong with it.

I guess I've been abnormal ever since I started seeing those strange creatures?

Yotsuya Miko seems to be showing signs of giving up on treatment.

As for Hayasaka, who had been watching Takami pat Miko's head the whole time, her expression was starting to show displeasure. Well, Takami noticed her expression after a while, so he started patting Hayasaka's head with his other hand. As a result, her reaction was even stronger than Miko's; she almost fell directly into Takami's arms.

Next, Chika Fujiwara, who was paying attention to the situation, ran over and wanted Takami to pat her head. Then, Chika noticed Kaguya, who seemed to want to say something but hesitated, so she pulled her over and let Takami pat her head as well, successfully making the shy Kaguya freeze on the spot.

Of course, after everyone else had their heads patted, Princess Zhenfei, who hadn't made any requests, couldn't be spared either. Despite the little girl blushing and refusing several times, Gao Hai still "yoshi yoshi yoshi" as he styled Princess Zhenfei's hair.

Then the arrogant girl, enraged and embarrassed, almost bit him.

Amidst the bustling crowd, five girls and a young man chatted and joked as they continued on their way, seemingly no different from any other ordinary person.

It's really tiring.

Gao Hai himself has once again expressed his feelings.

Dating with multiple people is definitely a thankless and exhausting activity.

If Chika talks to Maki for even a little longer, she will definitely come over to interrupt and divert her attention.

If Kaguya spends even a little too much time with Chika, she'll inevitably find an excuse to join in and do something.

If I don't talk to Miko for a long time, this girl will start to become withdrawn.

Hayasaka, too, always remained silent, and when she ignored what Hayasaka said, she would show a resentful expression, like an abandoned puppy.

As for Kaguya herself, her biggest problem is probably that she can't handle conversations. Even just chatting with Takahashi, she easily gets stuck and doesn't know what to say. As for the reason why, Takahashi has no idea.

Time passed from nightfall to the deep of night.

The people in the square had not left yet; most of them had stopped and found a place they felt was suitable to wait.

Everyone was waiting for the last event of the fireworks festival, an event that would definitely happen at the end of the festival.

bang——

The explosive sound carried for a long distance.

The night sky is bursting with vibrant colors.

Bang - bang bang -

Colorful fireworks filled the entire sky in a very short time.

Kaguya stared intently at the fireworks, and for a moment even slowed her breathing.

Maki and Chika, who had seen fireworks many times before, didn't react much. Miko, on the other hand, secretly moved closer to Takami, but when she tried to get any closer, Hayasaka gave her a fierce look.

Gao Hai took out his phone.

click-

With a crisp click of the shutter, the figures of several girls, and Gao Hai surrounded by them, were captured in the photo.

"so good……"

Completely oblivious to the sound of the phone taking a picture, Kaguya Shinomiya was still softly remarking.

From childhood, due to her family's overly strict, almost pathological, and restrictive upbringing, she had never had the opportunity to truly appreciate fireworks up close, never truly witnessed such a spectacle unfold before her eyes.

Now that the opportunity had finally arrived, Kaguya was able to fulfill her childhood dream, which filled her with deep emotion.

Thump thump— Thump thump thump—

The dazzling fireworks exploded faster and more frequently, then gradually slowed down and became fewer, and the originally magnificent light and shadow gradually became monotonous.

Tourists had begun to leave in twos and threes; everyone knew it was time to leave.

Kaguya and Hayasaka left together because they now live in the same mansion.

Then, Chika, whose curfew was stricter, said goodbye first. I don't know why she, with that alluring necklace, still adhered to her family's curfew policy. She could have easily gotten rid of it by simply picking up the object of her obsession and saying a few words.

However, perhaps that's why Chika continues to follow the rules in such insignificant places, instead of acting recklessly based on her obsession.

Next to say goodbye was Miko. Although she didn't have a curfew, her mother would still worry if she went home too late. So, noticing that it was getting late, Miko said goodbye to Takahashi with an embarrassed look and left.

In the end, it was Zhenfei who remained. As Gao Hai expected, he was bound to be the last one standing.

However, judging from the girl's expression, Gao Hai could guess that Consort Zhen had chosen to stay until this time because she probably had something important to do.

"The player team roster has been sent over. It seems that because you and I were together that day, I've been treated as someone like a secretary. Haijun, do you have any new information about yourself?"

As she spoke, Maki took out her phone and showed Gao Hai the list of players participating in the operation.

[Participants of the Red Knot Society]

【1. Kenta Hayashibe; 2. Ren Nanagawa】

[Members of the "Slacking Off Gang"]

1. Bear Rice, 2. Jianbing Guozi (Chinese Crepe)

【market】

1. Nanami Aoyama; 2. Ichiri Goto

The names of the six people were clearly displayed on the list. Gao Hai could vaguely recall the names, as they had all appeared in previous meetings.

Speaking of which, it's about time we got to know our teammates a little better for the next mission.

Interlude 3-34: Personal Profile of Goto Ichiri, a Red Moon-Level Player

The old day ends and the new day begins.

The moment when the dungeon opens, and the moment when we return to the [Campus Ghost Stories] dungeon, are getting closer and closer.

Yesterday's fireworks festival has come to an end. Although not all the shops have closed down and there are still follow-up activities to participate in, those activities have become irrelevant to Gao Hai after he and Zhenfei received the list of participants from the market.

"Seriously, Maki, are you really just going to give up on our date alone like this?"

Looking at the brown-haired girl sitting next to him, Gao Hai hesitated for a moment before asking.

"Compared to dating, things here are more important. Even if you have that kind of power, you can't let your guard down. Don't forget, we're participating in a real death game, and we can't take any mission lightly."

Maki herself was very determined. It was clear that she had thought it through carefully and decided to give up her original date today and come with Takahashi to check the information.

"Okay, then I'll consider it a debt I owe you. You have to make up for the date later."

Seeing the other party's firm attitude, Gao Hai nodded slightly in reply, but still insisted on writing down what had happened.