I said you are all war criminals

Nana bit her lip and said nothing.

"You are just that kind of person, Nana Ohba. You like helping others, you like being needed, you like being a hero."

Ichiri said in a voice devoid of emotion, "It's just that now you're faced with a 'mission' that could potentially kill you, and you're starting to waver."

"It's not because you're afraid of death, but because you know that when you die you'll hurt a lot of people."

"Your friends, your family, the people who really care about you are going to be sad because of your death, and you don't want to make them sad."

"That's why you have to convince yourself not to go."

A thick silence spread between the two of them, and the aroma of coffee could not dispel the stagnant atmosphere.

After a long while, Nana finally found her voice, which was as dry and hoarse as sandpaper rubbing against wood. "...How do you know all this?"

Ichiri didn't answer directly, "Oba Nana, can you go against your own nature?"

Nana was stunned. The question came too suddenly, too sharply. Going against nature? She subconsciously tried to retort, but found herself helplessly unable to find any reason to refute it.

"You're talking about... the natural tendency to be afraid of death?"

Nana smiled self-deprecatingly, with a hint of bitterness in her tone.

"No,"

Ichiri shook his head, "It's my nature to save others and help others."

"Those who really don't want to save people won't make excuses for themselves in the first place. They will just put the matter behind them and tell themselves that this matter has nothing to do with me."

"...Unfortunately, you are not that kind of guy."

Nana Ohba lowered her head.

She looked at the photo.

That photo of blood and flesh flying everywhere.

"help me……"

A faint cry for help seemed to seep out from the photo.

"help me……"

More and more voices joined in, men, women, old people, children... their voices intertwined, as if it were real.

"...If I weren't there, this matter might be resolved."

Nana said.

"Maybe."

Yili answered.

"I'm not that powerful. Even if I go, I may not be able to change anything..."

Nana said.

"You're right."

Yili answered.

"me……"

Nana covered her eyes again.

And Yili didn't say anything else.

Nana lowered her hand, tears still wet between her fingers. She said nothing more, silently standing up. The spilled banana latte formed a solidified river on the table, its sweet aroma seeming particularly ironic at this moment, just like her current mood: confused and bitter.

Just as she was about to turn and leave, Goto Ichiri spoke again, his tone so relaxed as if the heavy conversation just now had never happened.

"Nana, can you come with me to see Sumimi's concert?"

"...Is this what you should say to someone who wants to die?"

Nana's mouth twitched.

"That's what it means to 'come back alive,'"

Ichiri looked at Nana and said sincerely, "Please come back alive, Nana."

"You really know how to force people to do things."

Nana smiled bitterly and said, "I'm just... a half-demon."

Half demon.

Saying she's "different from humans," or even boasting, "stronger than humans," doesn't necessarily mean she's "omnipotent." Rather, aside from her slightly superior strength and speed, Nana doesn't have much to commend her.

If you get shot, you die.

Being cut by a knife will also hurt.

If someone punches you, your face will turn ugly.

...For someone like Nana, challenging an entire criminal organization alone is sheer folly.

Anyone would think that Nana would not come back alive.

but.

"You're the kind of person who keeps your promises, aren't you?"

Yili said in a clear voice.

"So, make a promise with me to come back together and watch Sumimi's concert."

…I’m not that kind of person.

Nana Ohba couldn't help but smile, "Okay, I have a deal with you."

If I can come back alive, I will go to my idol's concert with Ichiri.

【Ichiri has successfully invited Nana Ohba. 】

Hakuno pressed his chin against his hands.

Well, this unfolds...

"...Is Ichiri such a character?"

Hakuno asked the simulator.

First question.

"Is she really that brave? She went to talk to Nana, who she wasn't very familiar with, for such a long time without stuttering at all."

[Goto Ichiri's current courage points: 3 (Unyielding), enough to support this action.]

"...Brush too much?"

Hakuno felt it was a bit OOC, but if the courage level was high, it was understandable.

So, the next question is, "So, how did Ichiri know about Nana and Shoko and come over to talk to Nana?"

Bai Ye complained, "Isn't this something that can be solved with courage?"

[Goto Ichiri's current consideration points: 3 (understanding), enough to support this action.]

"Kind, considerate?"

Hakuno covered his mouth. "Hey, could it be that Ichiri has seen through Xiangzi's actions and knows Nana's thoughts... No, no, no, is this the extent of level three? But I remember that unlocking Futaba requires level four..."

【This point system has nothing to do with Persona. 】

"It's better that it has nothing to do with it!"

Hakuno complained loudly.

"So, this level three of consideration is so incredible? Did Goto Ichiri directly evolve into Holmes Ichiri?"

Hakuno scratched his head, feeling his worldview shaken. He imagined Ichiri, usually a bit naive and shy, now analyzing Nana's predicament like a seasoned detective. The contrast struck him as both amusing and unbelievable.

【Goto Ichiri's favorability towards Nana Ohba has reached a high level, so it is easier for him to notice the subtle changes in the other party.】

"What the hell, Ichiri has a high favorability towards Nana?"

Hakuno was completely bewildered. "I don't remember ever increasing Nana's favorability... Or rather, these two haven't met much, right? Could it be that Ichiri already has feelings for Nana... No, she doesn't know Nana either, does she?"

The mysteries are piling up.

but……

"Well, let's see if Nana can come back alive."

Hakuno decided to leave it alone and see how the situation developed.

After all, the current development seems to be quite interesting.

121

Chapter 121 Is this Yili?

Hakuno leaned back in his chair, as if enjoying a long-awaited movie.

Following his wishes, the simulator, originally a text simulation, transformed into a visual display. The image on the simulator screen continued to advance, and the perspective followed Yili. She walked out of the café, her steps brisk, yet with a subtle nervousness.

The street was empty, with only the dim light from the street lamps making her figure appear slender.

...This place doesn't look like Japan, but more like some rural area in the American West.

Instead of heading home, Yili turned down a small alley. Shiroya zoomed in, revealing she had entered a music store. She pushed the door open, and the doorbell chimed. The store was filled with a distinct aroma of wood and metal, and the shelves were filled with a dazzling array of instruments, from guitars and basses to saxophones and trumpets.

"welcome."

A man wearing a rock T-shirt and a big afro poked his head out from behind the counter and greeted them warmly.

Yili bowed lightly, "Good evening."

"You're still here to buy a musical instrument so late at night? You're such a music-loving girl."

The man said with a smile, revealing his slightly yellowed teeth.

"Um... I want to change a set of strings and... adjust the neck."

Yili said this and took out his guitar from the guitar bag behind him.

"No problem, leave it to me."

The man took the guitar and examined it expertly.

"Wow, this piano is well maintained. I can see that you take good care of it."

Ichiri smiled shyly, "Yes."

The man fiddled with his guitar while chatting with another clerk.

"Hey, have you heard? Someone has disappeared in the city again recently."

"That's right. I heard several of them are missing, and the police don't have any clues."

"It's really weird. In this day and age, how can someone just disappear in broad daylight?"

"Who knows, maybe it's a serial killer or something."

"Don't scare me. I don't want to be the next victim."

The two shop assistants spoke in low voices, but they were still audible enough. However, she just calmly picked the strings, as if she was oblivious to their conversation.

After Yili selected the strings, he handed them to the clerk.

"That's it."

"okay."

The clerk took the strings and started to get busy.

After about half an hour, he finally changed the strings.

And Yili took his guitar and immediately said, "It's better not to do it, stealing."

The clerk who was changing the strings was stunned. He opened his mouth like a fish out of water and couldn't utter a word for a long time.

"Steal...steal something?"

The clerk finally found his tongue and stammered, "Who... who stole the things?"