Aunt Xiangzi, how did you manage to live?

"I had no reason to fabricate such a photo, right? Besides, Su Shi should be able to tell whether the photo has been altered or not, right? Just use our high school girl instincts!!"

"Cough, cough... It seems that's indeed the case."

Ms. Hanami, like a suspect being interrogated, finally gained some of the approval of Inspector Motoyo Nagasaki by reasoning with her and appealing to her emotions.

Of course, the policewoman did not mention that she knew absolutely nothing about photo editing software until this day.

"This photo just suddenly appeared in my bag without any reason or warning—like something you can't find normally, but then it suddenly reappears when you don't need it anymore!"

Banami solemnly explained her thoughts, and regardless of whether she was fooling herself, Suze felt that what she said made some sense.

"【Haven't you ever encountered anything that suddenly appeared out of nowhere in your life?】That's how I explained it to Kazama, and he didn't ask any more questions, hmm."

The blue-haired girl nodded her head like a chick pecking at rice.

However, she was of course unaware that there was another reason why Kazama did not ask further questions.

He was that "mysterious" thing that suddenly appeared in this time and space without any warning.

The appearance of the photograph is indeed illogical, and his appearance in this time and space is even more illogical. But if it is precisely because of his existence that the photograph came into being, then everything makes sense.

However, this is "off-site information" that only belongs to Kazama.

"...I don't understand what you're talking about at all."

Su Shi was completely bewildered. She couldn't understand why Kazama hadn't pressed her for an explanation after Banai's explanation—it was full of flaws, wasn't it?

But looking at Banami's pitiful expression, she really didn't seem like the kind of person who could deliberately create this photo and directly insert a memory into Suze's mind.

"Hey……"

Su Shi rubbed her temples, feeling a bit of a headache. She wasn't someone who trusted her intuition much, but neither her intuition nor the evidence was enough to support the claim that Banami was the mastermind.

"Besides, instead of editing those photos for you two, I might as well just tell Kazama to stop interfering in your affairs—that would be a real one-and-done solution, wouldn't it?"

Banami's addition surprised Suze for a moment.

She pulled herself out of her reverie and found that the usually unserious Hanami was now looking at her with an unusually serious expression.

"Because if this accident hadn't happened, Su Shi wouldn't have taken Kazama's feelings into consideration at all, right?"

The blue-haired girl spoke calmly, as if she were simply recounting a trivial matter.

Su Shi could sense a clear distrust from her words.

"I wish you two would never cross paths again, so why did you have to edit that picture out like that... You can't be so malicious as friends."

Yes, Banami is considering Kazama's feelings by placing herself in his shoes as his friend.

Before this, he had only regarded him as a mysterious and unfamiliar boy with ulterior motives; to put it more bluntly, he simply wanted to use him to restore C-Group and achieve his own goals.

"……Feel sorry."

Su Shi lowered her head, not daring to look directly into Banami's eyes.

In fact, the feeling of regret had been building up in her heart for days and had never dissipated.

But a voice kept telling Su Shi that as long as she solved the mystery in that photo, she should be able to resolve the sorrow brought on by this frustration.

She has been guided by this voice to persevere to this day.

"I know I was wrong about this... Once I solve the mystery in that photo, I will apologize to Xiaojun properly."

"It's best that Su Shi thinks this way."

"Let's just assume for now that Banami isn't lying to me. If this photo just suddenly appeared in your possession... I guess I need to think about this again."

Seeing that she couldn't get an answer from Banami, Suze nodded to her and then went back the way she came down the corridor.

Since this approach wasn't working, Su Shi's thoughts drifted to another direction.

She hasn't contacted Mu in a long time.

After their near-miss at the hospital, Su Shi sent Mu a dozen or twenty text messages but received no reply.

And the name "Wakaba" that I saw in that memory today is indeed inextricably linked to her...

Even without considering the connection between Mutsumi, Kazama, and that boy, Mutsumi is currently the only one who might be able to unravel the mystery of Motoyo.

Su Shi secretly made up her mind.

Meanwhile, Banami, who was standing still, breathed a sigh of relief as she watched Suze's figure disappear into the distance.

1. Must we continue this investigation indefinitely...?

Just when she thought she had finally managed to fool them, Banami sounded the alarm in her mind again. However, things about the system were inherently illogical, and although Nagasaki Motoyo had doubts, she couldn't completely "convict" her.

"Excuse me—were you discussing something related to that child named 'Kazama'?"

Just as she was about to leave, a deep, calm voice blocked her path.

Hana turned around in surprise, and an unexpected figure appeared silently beside her.

An old woman called out to her.

Although she was an elderly woman, she possessed the vibrant energy of a middle-aged person at the peak of their career. Her silver hair was styled in a low bun, securely held in place by an old cherry wood hairpin. Her kimono was a subdued gray-blue, adorned with delicate pine needles and flowing water patterns.

She had a calm and elegant demeanor, and her manners were like those of someone who had stepped out of old Tokyo, but there was a certain confidence in her eyes that only a modern woman possesses.

"Ah... that Kazama is my friend."

Stopped by the rather dignified old man in front of him, Banami, who had already regained her nonchalant demeanor, immediately became serious again while copying.

"Hmm, I've noticed he hasn't been to RiNG for a while. Did something happen?"

"Ah, that's right. I have indeed encountered some issues recently... If you need to speak with him, I can pass on the message for you."

"Is there something you need from him...?"

Upon hearing this, the old man narrowed his eyes, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

"Please pass on this message: someone wants to see his previous performance on stage again."

Chapter Nine is about a woman who values ​​women, and even more so, a woman who is obsessed with women.

Although the days spent recuperating in the hospital were leisurely, Xiao was also somewhat bored.

Besides the regular visits from the band members and the chat sessions that Banami would have every day or two, there was also Hatsuka's meticulous care, who would always be there whenever she could spare the time.

To be honest, Chu Hua is keeping a bit too close an eye on things.

Whenever she visits the hospital, Xiao has no chance to have a moment of peace and quiet under her watchful eye.

When he gets out of bed, she helps him with his rehabilitation exercises. When he is hungry or thirsty, she always brings him fruit and food immediately. It can be said that except for situations where he goes to the men's restroom to relieve his physiological needs, Xiaodu is always within Chuhua's sight.

"Xiaojun, do you think what I'm doing is a bit inappropriate? I'm sorry... I'm just worried that as soon as you disappear from my sight, something unexpected will happen again, just like that day..."

Whenever Kazama had something to say, Hatsuka would pitifully put on an endearing expression, drooping her head like a golden retriever being disliked by its owner.

Once that point is reached, Xiao can no longer say anything harsh to her.

A heavy love, very much in line with Hatsune Miku's style.

But no matter how much he cherished Chu Hua's undisguised care and concern, people inevitably need time to be alone.

Such as now.

After completing today's rehabilitation training, Xiao returned to her ward accompanied by Chu Hua.

"The doctor said you're recovering very well and can be discharged on your own at a later date! Oh, of course you'll probably still need to take your crutches with you and come back for regular checkups... It's okay, I'll come pick you up and drop you off then!"

Chu Hua still seemed very concerned about Xiao's affairs, but Xiao was somewhat distracted at this moment.

Mu never came to see him again.

Ever since that day when I vaguely heard her arguing with someone, Mu has completely disappeared.

She didn't visit Kazama at the hospital, and it seems she's lost contact with Sose and the others.

The photo that Banami showed him that day was clearly a picture of Akatsuki and Aunt Suze when they were young. The reason he didn't ask any further questions was simply because Banami's casual remark successfully convinced him.

Perhaps the appearance of this photo, like her own time travel, was completely illogical. Its presence in Banami's bag was purely accidental—or perhaps she still had some secret she hadn't told her.

However, Kazama decided to put the latter possibility aside for the time being. After all, if someone is really determined to keep a secret, even if that person is Hanami, they will not tell him in a short time.

But what if this photo, like the butterfly effect, influences others?

What if it affects harmony?

Could it be that Mu's recent bizarre loss of contact is also related to this?

The matter of Mu remained firmly in Xiao's mind, so much so that he didn't pay much attention to Chu Hua beside him.

"Xiaojun..."

It wasn't until Chu Hua looked directly into his eyes, with a gaze that was both pitiful and inexplicably chilling, that she raised her question.

"Why haven't you been looking at me since the beginning..."

Are you thinking about someone else?

Kazama suddenly felt a jolt throughout his body. Although Chu Hua hadn't said those words aloud, he could already sense it from her eyes.

Oh no, Aunt Hatsune's domineering power is already suffocating him.

If you want to escape, now is the time.

"I want to rest early today, Chuhua, you should go back now."

"Okay... If Xiaojun wants someone to be with her, just send me a message anytime."

Although he used a rather tactful tone to ask her to leave, Chu Hua seemed to obediently respect his wishes...

However, Kazama also knew perfectly well that Hatsuka wouldn't be so willing to turn back.

He changed into casual clothes in the ward and walked out of the room with a slight limp, leaning on his cane.

Sure enough, a footstep appeared about ten meters behind him.

Based on her years of experience being followed by a girl, Xiao immediately recognized that it was Hatsune Miku's (youth version) footsteps.

Whether it was because Chu Hua was genuinely worried, as she claimed, or because she was concerned that Kazama might meet with someone else, she appeared behind Akatsuki anyway.

However, shaking off Chong Nu's stalking was quite easy for Xiao, who had long taken the intense love between the two aunts for granted.

Leveraging his years of experience dealing with two women with multiple births, he circled around crowded areas before suddenly running into the elevator, successfully shaking off one of the women who "might" be following him within the hospital ward.

Then he rushed out of the hospital and headed straight for the address of Ruoye's house that he remembered.

Although he felt very sorry for Aunt Hatsune who had taken such good care of him, he had no choice but to let her be present if he went to check on Mutsu's condition.

To say that he didn't sense Chu Hua's concern for him would be a lie.

However, perhaps, as Chu Hua herself said, she was just worried that Kazama might get hurt again without her noticing, which is why she was always by his side and it was a little hard to breathe.

Let's try to accept Hatsune Miku's kindness at another time.

Unfortunately, Xiao's mind is currently focused on Mu, and she doesn't have any free time to arrange for anyone else.

He hailed a taxi on the roadside, leaning on his cane. After a ten-minute ride, the driver stopped near Ruoye's house at the address he had given him.

After closing the car door and walking to the side of the road, Kazama took out his phone and opened Mutsu's chat window.

He looked up, and next to him was the Ruoye family's duplex villa.

Something must have happened.

Even though Mu wasn't a talkative person, she would still reply with a sentence or two when Xiao messaged her, at least sending an emoji or a thumbs-up.

However, she hasn't replied to any messages at all in the past few days.

It was precisely because she couldn't get in touch with her that Xiao resorted to this desperate measure.

That's like how Pixel World and Hatsune Miku, if they want to see someone, they just go to their doorstep and wait for them.

Although this is indeed not a good idea, it's the only way to ensure Mu's safety, isn't it?

Kazama let out a long sigh, then put his cane aside and rang the doorbell with a nervous heart.

As for why I felt uneasy—

"Phew... I hope Minami isn't at home."

In the original timeline, he didn't get along well with this grandmother, so it's hard to imagine that she might be even more difficult to deal with now that she's younger.