Aunt Xiangzi, how did you manage to live?

However, anyone's so-called unwavering determination and preference will gradually wither away if they do not receive a response.

After experiencing a series of being used, ignored, and treated as unimportant, Kazama had gradually come to realize his current situation and the fact that the girls were no longer the aunts he remembered.

He had already given up on all expectations of anyone and was determined to begin searching for his own meaning in this world.

"Yes, I finally understand—I will actually become your aunt in the near future, and you, who know all this, have returned to this time and space by a twist of fate, and have been silently helping us out of our past friendship... right, Xiao?"

But the woman's sweet voice stirred the most dangerous nerve in his heart.

With a blush of happiness on her face, Nagasaki Motoyo told the whole truth that she had been able to verify without reservation.

"It's okay, you've worked hard during that time. I'll try my best to make up for everything I owe you. Or... if there's anything you want me to do, Xiao, I'll do my best to do it. Even if you give me some very strict orders, that's fine, okay?"

It seemed that as long as the secret was made public, a happy ending could be achieved. However, Nagasaki Motoyo did not notice that every sincere word she uttered made the boy's brow furrow more.

She didn't realize that this belated "confession" was a crueler form of torture for Xiao, who had persisted for so long but ultimately chose to accept reality.

Whether Su Shi wanted to rekindle the relationship between her aunt and nephew, or whether she was actually plotting something more greedy like that blonde girl who wished to remain anonymous.

Kazama Akatsuki could sense that his own emotions and Sose's emotions had long since become out of sync.

At first, he did hope that Su Shi would treat him like the Su Shi aunt he remembered, and not just Su Shi—he hoped to rebuild familiar bonds with everyone.

But such thoughts are undoubtedly wishful thinking, and those who regard him as a strange stranger are destined not to respond to his ardent and unreserved emotions.

When he calmed down and stopped obsessively chasing after the old feelings flashing back in these people who seemed similar to but were completely different from those in his memories, they suddenly realized everything under the influence of irresistible forces, as if waking from a dream.

But by the time they suddenly looked back and wanted to pursue something based on this kinship, Kazama had already decided to look forward.

To say it's fate playing tricks might be a bit too deliberate and overly literary. But Kazama also harbors a deep resentment that their feelings for each other are always misaligned.

The boy remained silent for a long time before finally letting out a weak sigh.

"Ugh……"

"What's wrong, Xiao?"

Noticing that Xiao's taciturnity was indeed a bit off, Su Shi reluctantly removed her arms from his shoulders and then looked at the boy, whose expression had darkened, with a worried gaze.

"...Although I don't know how you found out about this, listen to me, Su Shi."

Kazama quickly composed himself, neither confronting Sose nor taking the opportunity to vent his pent-up frustrations.

"That's all in the past for me now, so let bygones be bygones. Let's maintain our relationship as it is now—what do you think?"

His seemingly rational and polite inquiry successfully caused Su Shi's smile to gradually disappear.

"………What did you say?"

When the last trace of a smile disappeared from his face, Nagasaki Soseto's expression was left with only an eerie emptiness.

Chapter Ninety-Two: A Belated, World-Shaking Kneel

Completely unaware of the grand drama unfolding at the Nagasaki Sue family's residence, Mikasa Hatsuka, with dark circles under her eyes and a weary body, dragged herself to the apartment building where the Kazama family lived.

Although staying up until the early hours of the morning and only getting two or three hours of sleep can really drain your energy for the whole day, Misaka Hatsuka is no ordinary person.

Whether it was during her activities with Sumimi or Ave Mujica, she worked tirelessly, following the work schedule non-stop. For a girl in a band like her, this was just another ordinary all-nighter that wouldn't affect her going out the next day.

She arrived at Kazama's apartment building around 1 or 2 p.m. after lunch, and as she slowly raised her baseball cap, she took the opportunity to look up and lock her gaze on the windows of Kazama's house.

The windowsill was closed and the curtains were tightly shut, so it seemed unlikely that the homeowner was home.

Damn it, is she destined to make a wasted trip this time? Or should she quickly deduce his next destination so that she can still stop Xiao and Su Shi from meeting?

Chu Hua hesitated for a long time downstairs, but in the end she made up her mind, walked into the apartment building and pressed the elevator button leading to the Kazama residence.

In any case, she wouldn't let go of even the slightest possibility that Kazama was still at home.

And since we're already here...

About ten seconds later, the elevator doors slowly opened with a soft "ding-dong" sound. Chu Hua immediately stepped out of the elevator and quickly arrived at the door of the Kazama family's house, as she remembered it.

"…Excuse me, is anyone home, Xiaojun?"

Chu Hua first looked around to make sure no one was around before daring to call out the name of a certain boy in her voice, while also pressing the doorbell of the Kazama residence.

When she came to visit today, she deliberately changed into a more understated and composed tracksuit, her striking blonde hair and beautiful purple eyes concealed by a black baseball cap and sunglasses.

Even her most devoted fans might not be able to recognize her just by the way she calls the boy's name.

Well, actually, Chu Hua wasn't entirely confident about this either. But in order to find out exactly where Xiao was, she didn't mind taking a risk.

At worst, the next day's headlines would be filled with rumors about her relationship. She was already prepared for the worst—that her neighbors would discover her when she asked if anyone was home, and that the media would rush to report that she had sneaked to her rumored boyfriend's house.

Fortunately, even when she asked, no neighbor opened the door and noticed anything amiss.

The electronic doorbell's notification sound drifted from inside to outside, reaching her ears, but it seemed no one inside responded promptly to her uninvited arrival.

It seems no one is home; I'm a bit late.

A hint of disappointment flashed across Chu Hua's face, but she quickly recovered and rallied her spirits to move on to her next goal.

But where can I go now?

Is it RiNG's recording studio, or the beverage shop where Shiina Tatsuki works? Could they both possibly be there?

She took a step, then hesitated and pulled back. Chu Hua stood there for a long time, feeling troubled, unsure of where to go next.

It was at this time.

"what……"

The white-haired girl, who was crouching in the stairwell, entered her field of vision without her noticing.

Chu Hua rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't seeing things.

"...Is it Ryuna-chan from MYGO?"

The next second, she strode forward quickly.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Meanwhile, at Motoyo Nagasaki's home.

Kazama remained seated, though his expression still betrayed a hint of unease. Meanwhile, Nagasaki Motoyo, who was gently embracing him from behind, wore a blissful smile, completely oblivious to the boy's inner turmoil.

Until he said something completely contrary to her thoughts.

“I don’t know where you heard about these things from, Su Shi… After all, in my impression, you’re not the type to believe in stories with so many supernatural elements.”

Xiao shook his head firmly, and his seemingly dismissive attitude made Su Shi a little flustered.

"Whatever happens, let bygones be bygones. Isn't it good for us to just get along at our current pace?"

Su Shi was momentarily speechless.

She had thought that Xiao would be genuinely happy the moment the truth was revealed to the public.

"You finally understand my good intentions! Let's get along like before and never be apart!"—She had thought Xiao would say this with a smile.

The result was completely the opposite.

"I... I truly believe it from the bottom of my heart—"

“I know, and I don’t want to ask how you could know such things. But anyway… I’m still happy that you’re willing to believe this now, instead of covering your ears and refusing to listen like before.”

Su Shi wanted to explain something, but Kazama interrupted her first.

He knew what Su Shi was thinking.

"But I've already made up my mind, I've been determined for a long time."

As Su Shi released his arms from his shoulders, he leaned forward slightly, completely breaking free from Su Shi's grasp.

"You and the relatives I remember are not actually the same people."

Although these words might seem cruel to Su Shi, he had no choice but to say them now.

“You have no memory of that time spent with me, nor any corresponding experience. From this point of view, you are you, and they are them—since you each have your own lives, I can no longer lump you together.”

Before it creates a greater illusion, before it leads to a greater mistake—he needed to pull back from the brink in time to stop it all.

"I now see everyone as friends I can play in a band with and hang out with privately. I don't expect you to treat me the way you will treat me decades from now."

So let everything proceed at the pace that the world should have.

However, this is clearly not the future that Su Shi wanted.

"Why...why..."

Su Shi, wanting to say something but unable to refute it, managed to utter a broken syllable from between her lips.

Why could she so easily let go of that experience? She had thought Xiao would value all of this.

Why is it that by the time he finally realized the truth, he no longer had any attachment to that memory?

"I... I know I did some things that you can't let go of, and besides, I should be a gentle and considerate person to you, like an elder... If you're still bothered by this, I'll definitely make it up to you until you're satisfied!"

Almost instinctively, Su Shi knelt down next to the boy who had just been held in her arms.

Chapter Ninety-Three: The Sinner's Confession and Elegy

Motoyo Nagasaki has never denied that she is a person with a strong sense of self-respect and high self-esteem.

However, years of social etiquette have taught her how to be insincere, how to use a seemingly gentle and considerate tone to distance herself from those around her, and how to use a friendly and kind smile to lower others' guard against her.

She's already used this method to deal with most people, and she's gotten used to using this technique to measure social distance between people—

But now, Nagasaki Motoyo has abandoned all the social skills she was once so proud of. She throws them all aside and suddenly kneels down beside the boy without warning.

Rather than saying it was intentional, it's more accurate to say that after hearing the boy's words, her legs could no longer support the weight of her upper body, causing her to collapse to the ground.

Why did Xiaogang say those things?

He probably wanted to be treated like the aunt he remembered, right?

If that's the case, then why be so heartless as to discard it like worn-out shoes?

"If you're still holding a grudge about what happened before... I'll definitely find a way to make it up to you! Really! I absolutely can do it, this isn't just an empty promise!"

Because a subconscious panic spread through her heart, Su Shi, who wanted to save the relationship, could only speak recklessly.

If Xiao's estrangement from him stemmed from a subconscious wariness she felt before she knew the truth, and she even considered abandoning the relationship—

"I will prove my sincerity with my actions and bring back all your former enthusiasm!"

If his past feud with Xiangzi has dragged CRYCHIC's former teammates into this mess—

"Besides, Xiao, you are far more important to me than Xiangzi. If you're bothered by that, I wouldn't care whether she can come back to us or not, and we can go back to the way things were! You are the more important future to me now!"

If he's simply disheartened because his enthusiasm went unrequited and wants to maintain a lukewarm friendship with everyone—

"So, please... I understand the truth behind your silence, Xiao... Please don't push me away now..."

She even gently grasped the boy's clothes, looking up at him like a pitiful, rain-soaked dog yearning for its owner's forgiveness.

This was the truth she had painstakingly pieced together through reasoning and deduction.

Xiao is a visitor from the future who descended from the sky, and all the warm and heartwarming things he did for everyone were simply because he had felt the kindness of these girls in the future.

Why did he become indifferent to the past they once shared, once he finally uncovered the truth?

Nagasaki Motoyo simply couldn't understand it.

It doesn't matter if it means sacrificing my dignity, or even if it means looking like a pathetic wretch who has lost all face.

She still wanted to try her best to persuade Xiao to change his mind.

"By the time I started to care, you were indifferent to it all... It's so unfair..."

Her delicate voice became slightly choked with sobs, and even Kazama, who was trying hard to remain calm, couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.

Based on Kazama's understanding of Motoyo, both the young Nagasaki Motoyo and the aunt Nagasaki Motoyo are social monsters with superb acting skills.

But the image before her, where she had shredded her dignity into a paper shredder and completely destroyed all her stubbornness, was definitely not an act she put on to make the boy lower his guard.

She was genuinely terrified that Xiaohui would just sever his future—his past—from her completely.