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

Reaching out, Gao Hai gently embraced the girl in his arms.

She didn't feel her body trembling. She was very strong. Even though she was very scared and uncomfortable, she didn't tremble like an ordinary girl.

However, Gao Hai couldn't help but wonder if, if it were Maki, Chika, or Miko pretending to be emotional or in a certain state in front of him, he would be able to detect it, or would he only realize what was going on when Hayasaka herself revealed a flaw, as is the case now.

No.

Will not.

Gao Hai closed his eyes, gently inhaling the delicate fragrance emanating from the girl's hair, a fragrance unique to Hayasaka Ai, and found the answer in his heart.

He wouldn't be fooled by Maki, Chika, and Miko's disguises because he knew these three girls too well. They had no reservations or resistance towards each other and could entrust themselves to one another wholeheartedly, sharing a certain degree of spiritual connection.

However, his relationship with Xiao Ai had not yet reached that stage.

Even though they had kissed and engaged in numerous intimate activities, he was still somewhat lacking in understanding of the distance between their hearts. He couldn't comprehend or see through all of Hayasaka Ai's actions and thoughts, and the intimacy between the girl and him didn't seem to develop naturally; rather, it had a casual, almost haphazard feel to it.

Could that be the reason?

Gao Hai was thinking seriously.

The black watch has yet to connect him and Hayasaka's spirits, even though everything that was supposed to happen has already happened, and even though the conditions for their actions to meet the watch's rules have long been met, the connection still cannot be established.

If the physical connection has been fulfilled, then there might be something lacking, and the only thing Gao Hai can think of is the mental aspect.

Perhaps he doesn't understand this girl who has already entrusted herself to him enough?

If that's really the case, then he's truly a scumbag. The girls have given him everything, yet he still feels inadequate—it's utterly wrong of him. But thinking about it carefully, it's understandable. After all, Maki, Chika, and Miko were all girls who shared hardships with him when he was weak. Under such extreme circumstances, it's normal to achieve such a complete and heartfelt interaction. However, when he went through the dungeon mission with Hayasaka, he had already become stronger. From the very beginning, there was a huge gap between him and Hayasaka. Unlike Miko's supersensory abilities, Hayasaka's talent hadn't bridged that gap much. Therefore, his mindset when interacting with Hayasaka was different from the previous three girls.

However, if this theory is correct, then why can't Kaguya and Ichiri establish a spiritual link?

Well, as for Kaguya… although we've been through thick and thin together, and have now broken through the final barrier, I know her quite well. But given her personality, I'm afraid she can't truly open her heart to others yet; she'll still hold back to some extent. Just like in the original work, Kaguya needed a whole year to complete her personality and values ​​transformation. Even if Kaguya has changed somewhat now, the time hasn't been long enough, so they still need to continue working things out.

As for Yili, well, that's quite simple and clear: she and Gao Hai haven't had sex yet.

Cough cough, oh no, no, that's not right.

He had not yet established a fluid exchange with Yili.

During the journey to reverse time and save the victims of the school's alternate reality, Takami and Ichiri spent a considerable amount of time together. This time was enough for them to understand each other, trust each other, and work together. In a sense, he and Ichiri could even be considered family, a step beyond the romantic relationships of Chika Maki and others. However, well, how to put it? Perhaps because the process of building their relationship went wrong, there's little romance left between them, and they haven't progressed in any intimate direction. Therefore, the exchange of bodily fluids, a crucial condition for the watch's connection, has never been fulfilled.

Since that's the case... then let's kiss... no, let's just have her and me drink each other's blood. Although my heart is yearning for that kind of thing, everything should be done step by step and according to the occasion. What kind of thing is it to make a girl lose her first kiss in this stupid dungeon?

While thinking, Gao Hai had already made up his mind.

Then, he opened his eyes and looked down at Hayasaka Ai, who was now drowsy and at ease in his arms.

{Xiao Ai}

Gao Hai spoke through the temporary mental link.

{Master? What's wrong?}

The girl opened her sky-blue eyes and looked up at Gao Hai with some confusion.

What kind of image do you have of me? How do you view me?

Gao Hai asked very seriously.

{Ugh, do we really have to bring up this kind of topic now?}

Hayasaka paused, not quite understanding why Takami brought this up.

{Anyway, it's my break time now, and I don't have much to do. Besides, I'm really curious about this; I want to know what I look like in your eyes.}

In the mental link, Gao Hai's tone was very solemn, and you could tell he was serious.

Since her master had asked the question seriously, as a maid, she had to answer it properly.

But this kind of question... well, never mind, I'll just answer truthfully. After all, my master isn't the kind of person who cares about reputation or can't accept criticism.

{Very arousing}

Hayasaka then gave the first evaluation.

{Hmm, I know that. Anything else?}

Gao Hai nodded without changing his expression. He was always honest about his desires and didn't think there was anything wrong with having this kind of thing pointed out.

{Tsk...}

Kita Ikuyo, who had been quietly observing the couple's public display of affection, couldn't help but shake her head and sigh at Takami's candid attitude, and even made a sound. She really didn't want to be a third wheel during this romantic moment, but unfortunately, she couldn't leave.

[Hehehe, the teacher is indeed very frank, never hiding or denying her own physical desires, openly and honestly living her own life. Such a teacher is truly a remarkable person. However, Alice is very curious: does the teacher have any feelings for me? Even though the real Alice has been defeated, the teacher is going to bring a new Alice into the world. Does this mean that Alice is also important to the teacher, and that the teacher has feelings for Alice too?]

Another thing that had been quietly watching the show started to speak up, and immediately began laughing and joking, making Gao Hai want to clench his fist and punch it.

I'm really sorry, but my only thought for you, Alice, is to beat you up. Even if I had no choice but to use your personality template, it doesn't mean my opinion of you will change.

While gritting his teeth inwardly, Gao Hai tried his best to maintain a normal demeanor on the surface, while inwardly he said fiercely.

【Huh? Alice doesn't believe it. The teacher's mouth is full of lies. If she really disliked Alice, she wouldn't have let Alice come back. It's just a matter of personality templates; the teacher can just use her own. Hehe, she doesn't even dare to speak the truth. What a noob teacher! Noob~ Noob teacher~ Hehe, how's it going? Alice's pronunciation is correct, right?】

Sure enough, I shouldn't have paid any attention to her. She's such an uncontrollable and shameless thing; I can't possibly win against her with words alone.

Gao Hai decisively chose to ignore Alice's version of the mountain god's voice and continued to focus his attention on Hayasaka.

At this moment, the girl sitting in his lap spoke up again while she was thinking.

{The owner is a kind person}

Hayasaka made this assessment.

{Kindness? Me? I don't think I'm kind at all...}

Gao Hai was puzzled. He felt that this statement had nothing to do with him. In his opinion, people like Lin Xusheng and Hirano Sosuke could be called kind, and he asked himself if he could do that. He couldn't possibly sacrifice too much for others.

{Yes, the owner is very kind.}

But Hayasaka's attitude toward this was very firm.

Kindness isn't limited to acts of compassion for all living beings. Being kind to family, loved ones, and those you care about; offering help where you can; and adhering to moral and legal rules—these are all forms of kindness, the kindness of an ordinary person. It's not about giving everything; even if you pause in the face of hardship, even if you're unwilling to give too much for others, as long as you have compassion and can correctly distinguish between good and evil, you are still kind.

In my opinion, the owner is a kind person. Even if the owner themselves might be unwilling to accept such talk because they have witnessed so-called great kindness and love, I believe that the kindness the owner possesses as an ordinary person is already incredibly shining. One could even say that the owner's kindness is on a higher level. Because the owner doesn't indiscriminately scatter their love; they weigh the costs involved, considering whether those in need are worth helping and how much effort is required. Compared to indiscriminate kindness, I believe the owner can be called a truly kind person.

The girl spoke very seriously.

Gao Hai scratched his head somewhat awkwardly.

Well, it feels a bit strange to be praised so earnestly by a girl. Am I really as good as she says? Tsk tsk, I'm even feeling a little flushed. Turns out I'm actually quite sensitive!

{...Besides these two points, what other thoughts or feelings do you have about me?}

After adjusting his mindset for a while, Gao Hai asked again.

{Yes, I think my master is incredibly strong. Even in the most dangerous and difficult situations, he always manages to overcome them. No amount of torment can defeat him. Sometimes, I feel like my master is like the sun, fearless of burning, forever shining—a great person I could never become in my entire life.}

The girl gave a serious answer once again.

This time, Gao Hai finally caught the subtle emotional changes in the other person's words.

Hesitation, self-doubt, and a little frustration.

These emotions were well hidden, but Gao Hai still sensed them.

So that's what she was thinking.

Because from the very beginning, she had only seen Takami, who had become powerful, and because all she had ever seen was Takami relentlessly overcoming difficult challenges, Takami's image in Hayasaka's heart was extremely lofty. So lofty that even though the two had established such a close relationship, she still had doubts in her heart, feeling that she might not have truly entered Takami's heart. She felt that he was like a distant sun, whose scorching heat she could feel at all times, yet which was difficult to truly touch.

I'm not the sun, you know. What kind of sun dies so easily in a dungeon and then you have to start over, hero?

However, if I hadn't asked about it, given Hayasaka's personality, she probably would have just kept these thoughts to herself and never told anyone.

I failed to notice the hidden negative emotions of those around me in time, and I didn't understand the true feelings of the girl next to me. I was really terrible at that. But now that I understand what I should do, it's probably not too late.

I don't want to be a saint or a demon. All I want is to overcome all obstacles and transcend the "Sacrifice Game" with the girls around me, escaping this distortion and madness. I will do everything in my power for this; I will not abandon anyone. This is who I am.

{So, let me tell you about my experience at Shirakawa Apartment.}

Gao Hai said softly in the mental link.

{Shirakawa Apartment? Is that the instance where the master, the young lady, and Miss Maki first met?}

Hayasaka blinked; clearly, she had already heard about this instance from Kaguya.

{Yes, back then I wasn't nearly as strong as I am now. I was just an ordinary person, and my physical abilities were even inferior to Kaguya and Maki. Therefore, I suffered a lot in that dungeon, and it took a lot of hard work to finally clear it…}

With a touch of nostalgia, Gao Hai slowly recounted his experience in the first dungeon, telling Hayasaka about how he was still very weak and far from being as powerful as he is now.

Back then, he was always in a very sorry state, and of course, he's not much better off now. But back then, Gao Hai didn't even have the ability to make mistakes. When faced with danger, he could only either run away desperately or risk his life to test the rules, which was in some ways even more difficult than it is now.

Hayasaka listened quietly in his arms without saying a word.

Gao Hai lowered his head once again and gently touched the tip of his nose to the girl's long golden hair.

In the dimly lit cabin, the atmosphere between the two seemed to soften.

It wasn't until Gao Hai vaguely sensed something approaching that he realized the arrival of a danger he had never truly been able to escape.

……Mother……

...Mom is here...

Even from a great distance, the distorted emotions and voices remained remarkably clear.

Even if space is distorted and disordered, can it still catch up?

{It's time to go, some inconsiderate guests have arrived.}

Without a second's hesitation, Takami picked up Hayasaka and acted swiftly.

The dim night outside the window continued to emit a faint glow, unnoticed by anyone.

Chapter 80: Escaping the dangers from behind, in front, and beside.

Under the cover of night, in the forest where only charred tree trunks remained after the fire, Takami carried Hayasaka and ran quickly along the dirt road.

Gao Hai could smell an even stronger stench than before, like something was burning, and the smell was like the air was being heated and scorched.

Although the surrounding environment appeared no different from before, this unusual odor undoubtedly indicated that some unknown change was spreading in this space. And change often means danger, and the arrival of unpredictable emergencies.

Could the changes be caused by my and Xiao Ai's actions? Or is it the bloodstains that followed me in that caused something else to react?

As Gao Hai ran faster, he considered the possible scenarios in his mind.