Can Lixi look at me alone?

It seems like I want to give you a hug.

But then you felt a sharp headache, and by the time your body calmed down, Chika Yuki had disappeared.

The room has a bathroom, a bedroom, a kitchenette, and a relatively basic living room.

You went into the bathroom.

The faucet seems to be broken, only dripping water little by little.

You look at yourself in the mirror.

The person in the mirror is also staring blankly at themselves.

With nothing to do, you choose to go into the bedroom, lie down on your wet sheets, and go to sleep.

……

Your rumbling stomach compels you to get out of bed, leave the bedroom, and head to the refrigerator for something to eat.

But that figure appeared on the sofa once again.

Chika Yuzuki was staring blankly at the TV, and even if you walked up to her, she would still be lost in thought.

You patted her on the shoulder.

She looked at you and gave you a gentle smile.

"Good afternoon, darling!"

She cupped your cheeks and playfully pinched them. Then she took your hand and led you to the kitchen. She opened the refrigerator, took out a pile of… raw meat, and began to cook.

With nothing to do, you sit at the dining table. Watching her busy figure, you use her to pass the time…

Soon, or maybe slowly, but you don't care. You're just focused on cutting up the huge plate of roast meat that's been served and devouring it.

She propped her chin up with her hand, smiling as she watched you eat the lunch she had prepared.

They ask you questions from time to time.

"Is it tasty?"

You nodded, and she beamed.

"How does it taste? Isn't it excellent?"

You nodded again, but she stopped smiling and tapped you on the head.

"You're lying, I can't cook at all."

You were stunned.

He quickly swallowed the piece of meat in his mouth, trying to salvage the situation... but his throat felt itchy, as if something was stuck there.

Qianhua Jieyue quietly watches you, as if encouraging you to cough, to spit out what's in your throat, and to examine it closely.

It was a silver ring, and it seemed to have some words engraved on it...

Which finger should it be worn on? You don't remember, and you don't understand.

Jieyue stood up from the dining table and gently hugged you.

A warm and lively voice rings in your ears.

"You must keep your important things safe, I've found them for you."

She gently patted your shoulder.

"Don't lose it again."

You put the ring on your finger and nodded vigorously, as if the ring on your finger was something very important.

"Well... see you tomorrow, darling."

She smiled at you.

You want to return a smile, but you find... she's disappeared again.

You walk up to the TV and look at the program that Chika Yuzuki had been watching.

It's a very well-made puppet show, and the blue puppet at the head is waving at you.

My head started hurting again.

……

When you wake up again, the setting sun outside the window reminds you that it is evening.

You feel irritable and depressed. An inexplicable sadness and suffocation take over your body.

But it's not without good news.

You comfort yourself.

At least, my head doesn't hurt anymore.

Your hands brush over your head, gently stroking the areas that once caused you countless pains. At this moment, they are all silent, no longer tormenting you with the usual subtle yet undeniable pain.

That's really good.

You felt a sense of comfort that you hadn't felt in a long time.

But then... they heard someone knocking on the door.

You don't want to pay attention to them.

But they kept knocking.

The noise got louder and louder, making it impossible for you to calm down and daydream, and impossible for you to hide in your room and rest.

You walked to the door and gently turned the doorknob.

Yes, you locked it.

You reach out to unlock the door, only to find you don't have a key. It seems this door requires a key to unlock from both the inside and outside.

Left with no other choice, you sat down in front of the door, intending to listen to what the people outside had to say.

You heard a girl's voice.

She said she misses you.

She said, "Darling." Yes, just like Chika Yuzuki, I'll call you "Darling."

She said she wanted to eat the matcha parfait you made.

She said she wanted to see you.

She said, "You're a stingy woman."

She said she would forgive you as long as you opened the door.

You didn't answer, remaining seated on the floor, waiting for the sounds outside to fade away.

After an unknown amount of time, you heard her voice again.

"See you tomorrow, darling."

You opened your eyes again.

A thousand flowers and a moon hang right in front of you, gently stroking your cheek with their outstretched hand.

She noticed you were awake and clapped her hands happily in front of you.

Good morning, darling~

She smiled at you, helped you up, and led you by the hand toward the bedroom.

"Sleep a little longer, darling~"

You didn't resist; she carried you to the bed and covered you with a blanket.

She kissed your forehead, stood at the door of the room, and waved to you with a smile.

See you at noon, darling.

She closed the bedroom door.

You closed your eyes too.

You just don't understand... why does she call you "darling"?

But you're used to being called that by her, and even if you wanted to ask her about it now, you probably wouldn't have the chance.

Do you want to sleep?

You ask yourself that question.

It seems like there's nothing else to do but sleep.

The warm, safe bed allows your consciousness to drift away, and sunlight streams through the curtains onto your face, making you feel exceptionally comfortable.

"bang bang"

You frowned.

"bang bang bang"

You rolled over.

"bang bang bang"

You begin to sincerely pray that the noise will disappear soon.

"Bang~ Bang bang~ Bang~ Bang bang bang bang~"

It has already started to be used

The knocking on the window, playing music, made you finally open your eyes.

"Are you there? Are you there? Are you there?"

A lively voice bursts into your bedroom, and your anger is slightly calmed.

You mean to say, "I'm here."

But you chose to express this signal in a different way.

You knocked on the glass through the curtains.

The girl outside seemed quite pleased with the outcome.

"Great! Great! You're finally awake! I missed you so much! When are we going to get mango juice together? You promised me, right?"

The lively and cheerful voice gave you a sense of familiarity.

You cautiously lifted a corner of the curtain, wanting to sneak a peek at the girl's face.

……

You are disappointed.

The view outside the window was pure white.

Pure white without any embellishment, and blinding white light everywhere.

Wow! Long time no see~ It's been a really long time~

But the voice seemed unaffected, as if she could see your changes, your expression, and your every move through the white light encasing the glass.

She's overjoyed to see you again, but you just feel awkward.

Because you can't see her, you can't touch her, and you don't even... remember her.

"I didn't expect you to be the same as before... Hmm, remember to wake up soon, okay? We're all waiting for you~"

"What do you mean...wake up?"

You voiced your question, word by word, but she abruptly said goodbye at that moment.

"Remember not to lose anything important! It's under your pillow~ See you tomorrow!"

See you tomorrow…?

Will I see you again tomorrow?

Her brain was still processing her identity and the meaning behind her words. Her hand, however, idly slid across the bed, gradually touching something under the pillow.