I really don't want to be reborn.

What did you find when you opened the bedroom door?

A black cat wearing a trademarked outfit is lying on his bed reading a comic book magazine.

Saori, on the other hand, was sitting on the floor, assembling a Gunpla in her hands.

"I opened the door."

The temporary mistress of the house walked in carrying a plate of fruit and looked straight at him: "Do you have any objections?"

No, no.

"Your Highness is truly awe-inspiring!"

…………

He was just feeling fortunate.

Fortunately, Saori did not become the kind of person Dazai Osamu described—secretly hiding her frustrations in a small empty box in her heart, constantly concealing her melancholy and neuroticism, and trying hard to pretend to be innocent and optimistic, thus gradually becoming a weirdo who entertains others.

Thankfully, Saori was genuinely happy and genuinely angry.

So he was relieved.

Now he's conflicted again.

After seeing Saori off, Kyosuke Kousaka was torn about accepting Saori's invitation to visit Yokohama.

Did he go alone, or did he bring his sister-in-law along?

My girlfriend definitely won't go. She prefers to stay at home and, apart from necessary exercise to maintain her figure, she'll sit rather than stand the rest of the time.

Menopause will come very soon!

Kyosuke Kosaka had tried to persuade his girlfriend to go out and get some exercise more than once, but she was like an orange cat, lazy and unwilling to move no matter the season.

"You should really drag your sister out for a good workout every day and make her go for a morning run with you."

Sinon pouted and said, "Oh."

She thought to herself, "How could my sister, who's so lazy, possibly get up early?"

The idea of ​​"dragging her out" is utter nonsense. Shino simply cannot bring herself to force her sister to do anything, because she is a complete sister-complex.

"Shinyo, would you like to come to Yokohama with me? It'll be a two-day trip."

Shi remained silent.

She stared intently at the TV screen, seemingly focused, but in reality, she was completely distracted: "Are you taking me?"

The final note sounded like glass about to shatter, hesitant and indecisive.

Kyosuke Kosaka keenly realized that this problem was an option.

Should we bring Shino along?

She gave herself the choice...

The petite girl suddenly turned to look at him, feeling wronged and resentful. Unhappiness surged to her head, as if God had squeezed a lemon into her brain.

Her eyes were filled with the still lake, devoid of spring flowers, only the dreams of autumn and winter.

Kousaka Kyosuke was horrified.

He had a premonition that if he didn't answer this question well, it might lead to a bad outcome. It was a premonition of failure, like a tear in a stocking, creeping up his calf in the shadows.

This feeling is something I haven't experienced in a long time, since I haven't worn stockings for many years.

This premonition came out of nowhere, but he knew he was indeed facing a choice. Without realizing it, when did life become a visual novel?

Which one should I choose?

A, don't take her.

B, none of them will go.

C, take her there.

This multiple-choice question is just like Sinon herself—Kousuke Kousaka subconsciously chooses option C, which is a feeling of affection, and that affection is the black hair tie that the girl wears on her wrist year after year, regardless of the occasion or the weather.

(I will absolutely not admit that I deliberately arranged the options in this order.)

He felt he wouldn't regret his choice.

Forcing things is certainly not advisable, but we shouldn't be timid or hesitant either.

Many things are like that; people often regret them afterward and blame it on fate. This is common human nature.

Shino watched him quietly, and as the expression on his face, which resembled that of a bulldog that had suffered a stroke for many years, gradually became peaceful and calm, her heart was inexplicably clenched.

"Of course we'll bring Shino along!"

"……it is good."

She silently turned around and touched her chest. For a moment just now, she felt as if this place was butter that had been easily sliced ​​open with a knife.

Now, the heart there is beating as fast as the plastic bags in the strong wind, whooshing!

------

I really want some razor blades...

Chapter Twenty-Two: Empty Principles, Profound Feelings

The final snowfall reached Yokohama.

Yokohama.

As an international port city, Yokohama is most famous for its harbor-related tourist attractions, such as the "Great Pier," which is renowned for its beautiful seascape and unique design, in addition to its Chinatown.

"I can't believe that something so magnificent is actually a finely crafted wooden building... Is it really made of wood?"

"Yes, yes, Black Cat, you've asked four times."

"I...I want to go and see..."

As expected, after getting out of the car, the black cat hurriedly ran to the pier to look out. It knocked on the ground and the wall, refusing to believe it was made of wood, before finally accepting that it was indeed made of wood.

"Hmph, humans... humans can actually accomplish such a feat... I really underestimated you."

"..."

The two people traveling together exchanged a silent glance.

Well, although being a bit of a chuunibyou (a person with delusions of grandeur) can sometimes be a nuisance, it's actually quite nice to have it once in a while. If you treat the little black cat's silly chuunibyou moments as a spice in life, then it will undoubtedly be much more flavorful.

As they strolled around, they visited the Landmark Tower, known as the tallest building in Japan, and stepped onto the observation deck of the Sky Garden to enjoy a panoramic view of Yokohama.

Looking out over the harbor from here immediately reminded Shino of Glover Park in Nagasaki, where you can also overlook the Goddess Bridge.

Why did I think of Nagasaki again...?

Shina pouted slightly, displeased, forcing herself not to think about it or recall it, trying to suppress the restless feelings in her heart by using her sister's angry expression.

Kyosuke Kosaka had no idea what his sister-in-law was thinking. He called Saori to tell her the address of the hotel where he would be staying that night, and politely declined her invitation to stay at her house.

If it were just him and the black cat, it wouldn't be a problem, but Shino's relationship with her was just so-so. Kyosuke took this into consideration and couldn't care less about Saori's complaints.

"Next time I have time, I'm definitely going to your house to steal your maid! Hmm... and Kirino will come with me!"

"Hey hey! I'm looking forward to it!"

"Stay tuned."

The three of them visited Sankeien Garden, located near Yamate, to admire its beautiful and classic Japanese garden. It is also a famous spot for viewing plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, and autumn leaves.

The cherry blossoms haven't bloomed yet; only some dark green branches silently stretch towards the sky, as if the earth is writing poetry on the heavens with them.

Shi Nai looked up blankly at the distinct lines of the branches and suddenly felt that the gaps between the branches were really empty.

She has been reading "Nineteen Eighty-Four" rather casually lately. She doesn't understand its deeper meaning, but she still thinks some of the sentences make sense.

"They say time heals all wounds, they say you'll always forget about it."

"Hey, Shino, what are you muttering to yourself?"

Shino suddenly reached out and grabbed his sleeve, her expression very serious: "But the smiles and tears you've seen over the years still make my heart ache like it's being cut by a knife!"

Kousaka Kyosuke: "..."

what happened?

"Ah, isn't that a line from that novel? Why are you suddenly bringing this up?"

"If you love someone, love them. Even if you can't give them anything, still give them love."

"..."

"When you make love, you use up all your energy; afterwards you feel pleasure and don't care if the sky falls down."

"Shut up! Black Cat is still a minor! You can't hear this!"

The black cat's little ears perked up, and it scurried over to listen to their conversation.

"They can't let you feel that way. They want you to be full of energy all the time. All the marches, cheers, and flag waving are just tainted, sour sex."

Kousaka Kyosuke looked around, panicking to death.

What nonsense is this brat spouting?

She released his sleeve again and looked up again: "...thought crimes are the root of all other crimes."

said it.

She felt much better and lighter.

Then she lightly jumped up and broke off a few twigs: "Can we make paper from them?"

"Should be, yes."

"Well, then I'll cut down the trees to make paper and record the emptiness that has no outlet."

Kyosuke Kosaka was completely dumbfounded: "What...what nonsense have you been talking about? Are you sick with a cold? Have you lost your mind?"

Sinon brushed his hand away from her forehead, her eyes bright: "Did you recite it wrong just now?"

Is he really just reciting from a book?