My love game with them that will lead to certain death

Ming Hai completely ignored him and threw his jacket onto the passenger seat. Yukino let out a small cry of surprise, but caught it steadily.

"I appreciate your kindness, but you need to rest well so as not to fall behind."

Driving all the way from Tokyo to Miyazaki is quite a journey, and as a patient, Yukino certainly doesn't have enough energy.

"…How rude but also very insightful."

Although she was still being stubborn, Yukino awkwardly accepted Minghai's kindness and awkwardly covered herself with the thick jacket.

The jacket is filled with the unique scent of youth, which makes people feel unfamiliar yet with an indescribable sense of security.

This is the scent of the only person she can rely on now.

The dark-haired girl buried her nose beneath her collar, silently letting herself be filled by the scent.

"We went to Miyazaki to see the comet, right?"

Then he raised the question in a muffled voice.

"Are you the kind of person who believes that if you make a wish when a comet passes by, your dream will come true, senpai...?"

"Let's not talk about that for now. It's romantic to elope to see a comet, isn't it?"

"Well, it feels like a third-rate plot that would appear in a cheesy romance movie, and the ending is basically a tragedy where the character is caught up by a force that symbolizes power."

"You have predicted the most likely destination of this elopement in a calm tone, Ms. Yukino."

As it was getting dark, Ming Hai turned on the low beam headlights as he drove onto the highway.

"But sometimes you don't have to be too obsessed with the destination, otherwise 80% of the road movies in the world will become boring, right?"

"Streetlights" was playing on the car radio, and the soothing music did not drown out the sound of their conversation.

"Even in life, I think death is not necessarily the end of life. The myths and legends handed down from ancient times to the present day about heaven, hell, and the underworld are very interesting, although they cannot be confirmed."

Ming Hai held the steering wheel and stared straight ahead at the flat road, as if he was looking forward to the end of this straight highway.

"But I think the most interesting theory is that people go to the cinema after they die."

"...?"

"After you die, you will find yourself in a movie theater, holding popcorn and iced cola...Is ice-free also good? Then you will sit in the best position to watch the big screen, watching one interesting movie after another, and it will be shown forever...If this is the destination of death, at least I will accept it with pleasure."

“…Something a bit fanciful.”

But Yukino, who was in the simulation, could not deny this. And after imagining it, it seemed like it would be a good idea.

"...I wanted to ask you before, what kind of movies and TV shows do you like to watch, senior?"

"Hmm? There are quite a lot of movies. If I have to say, I have a special liking for those movies from the 1980s and 1990s and the golden age of Hollywood. "Citizen Kane", "8 1/2", "Pierrot le fou"... these are all I can think of at the moment. If it's anime, then it's definitely "Cowboy Bebop" and "Chaos Samurai."

"It's a pretty old-fashioned hobby. It's almost like..."

Yukino pursed her lips and smiled slightly, but her eyes involuntarily looked out the window.

It's so lifelike, just like a real person in real life.

Chapter 14: The Madman

Symbols and labels are convenient things that exist in this world and can efficiently define and classify specific groups of people, but they also limit many people who are not fully summarized by the labels or who are unwilling to be limited by labels.

Ming Hai often feels that he is stuck between labels and does not completely belong to either of them.

He is the kind of guy who is neither mentally normal nor normal, neither correct nor incorrect in his zz, not substandard enough in his behavior, not completely rock when listening to rock music, seems very realistic among secondary characters, but in reality looks like a otaku who doesn't like to go out. He has an awkward positioning.

Normal people think he is too sick, and sick people think he is too normal. He is like a mud fish crawling and rolling around on the African savannah during the dry season, and no one cares about him.

But no matter what, the fastest way to understand a person is to check his labels - it's not efficient, but it's fast. So in school, there is a standard step for new students to introduce themselves and their hobbies when they first meet. Labels can also help everyone find like-minded partners based on their preferences.

Of course, some people like labels, while others hate them.

"In fact, we are all label men and women, and no one is nobler than the other. What makes people laugh is not Quentin, Penicillin and Borges, but the embarrassment of being eager to spread the peacock's tail after decorating the self-proclaimed niche label. But if I can watch a movie with like-minded people, I think it's not bad..."

"Are you trying to change the subject with such a meaningless remark, Archer? If it were someone else, they would definitely be led astray, but I won't."

"Uh... I don't have that intention at all, Ms. Yangno."

Late at night, near a highway rest stop, Ming Hai, who got off the bus to rest, received a call from Yukinoshita Haruno.

Not surprisingly, it was to find out where they were.

"It seems that you and Yukino get along very well. We have been together for a while before we started discussing these topics that may sound boring and meaningless at first."

Uh...it doesn't look like you're here just to find out their location...?

"Let's get back to the topic. Anyway, I have nothing to say and I haven't told anyone my destination."

Ming Hai shrugged and leaned against the fence on the side of the road, looking back at Yukino who was sleeping in the car.

"So don't embarrass those two kids from the Service Department. They don't know the truth."

"You don't think you can hide forever, do you, Archer?"

"Of course not. I know it's only a matter of time before I'm found, so I'll just delay it as long as possible."

The sleeping face of the girl, which his eyes were directed at, was still pale and sickly, but exceptionally relaxed and peaceful.

"You really do whatever you want... But indeed, this is the Archer I know. Sometimes he can suddenly go crazy and make people confused."

Of course not, the degree of madness has brought the synchronization rate to over 80%.

"Mother has already noticed it. Even if you were lucky enough to avoid a direct confrontation with her this time, you never know if you'll run into her again in the future. Well, no matter what the outcome, we'll definitely meet again. In the meantime, take good care of Yukino-chan for me."

Haruno hung up the phone, and Narumi returned to the car. Although he tried to reduce the noise he made, his movements still woke up Yukino who was sleeping in her jacket.

“…It’s my sister, right?”

Yukino rubbed her eyes and hit the nail on the head; her intuition was always very good.

"Well, it was discovered in less than half a day."

Ming Hai nodded readily. He saw dozens of missed calls flashing on the screen of Yukino's mobile phone placed next to him, and probably understood why she turned her phone to silent mode.

"A phone number from home?"

"Yes, it was my mother who called."

Yukino simply turned off her phone and put it in the storage drawer of the passenger seat, then yawned lazily.

"Sister is asking you where we are now, right?"

"She didn't say it explicitly, but I guess she meant it that way."

"If you think I'm a nuisance now, I can understand if you just leave me here or go back the same way, Toru-senpai."

The black-haired girl who was resting with her eyes closed spoke softly. The fact that Ming Hai dared to step forward and bring her here was actually far beyond her expectations.

"If this continues, it will be too much of a stretch and there's no need for it."

The fact that someone had recklessly helped her escape from that suffocating environment was something that Yukinoshita Yukino had never imagined.

This is actually enough.

"That won't work. We haven't seen the comet yet."

Ming Hai, who was leaning on the steering wheel, curled his lips. He was not the kind of person who would give up halfway.

"Make a wish when the comet comes, maybe it will come true."

"Senior, do you believe in something that has no scientific basis..."

"Whether it's credible or not, it doesn't hurt to make a wish first. Anyway, I definitely hope that you get better soon, Yukino-chan, just in case your wish comes true."

“…It’s not going to work if I tell you my wish in advance.”

The girl muttered softly and tilted her head slightly. The pink spots on her cheeks betrayed her calm and cold voice.

"Then just pretend you didn't hear it. I'll recite it silently in my mind when we get there."

The curly-haired young man joked with a smile, and after a short rest, he stepped on the clutch and started the accelerator, returning to the highway to Miyazaki.

The street lights quickly receded behind her, and Yukinoshita Yukino stared blankly at the scenery outside the car window - and also at her own reflection in the glass window.

His face was pale and he looked haggard and tired. He no longer had the calm and confident aura he once had.

Yukinoshita Yukino had no idea when this nightmare simulation would end.

But what is certain is that the young man sitting next to her is the only one who can make her feel relaxed and at ease in this nightmare.

Or in other words, he is the one who can help me escape from the nightmare.

“…That would be great.”

Thinking of this, Yukino closed her eyes. The long journey should have made her feel uncomfortable all over, but at this moment, the symbol of peaceful sleepiness gradually came over her heart along with peaceful mindfulness.

"If wishes could really come true, what would you wish for, Yukino?"

Before she fell completely asleep, the young man's vague voice echoed in the girl's ears.

"If it's possible... I think..."

Before she could even voice out the thoughts in her mind, she fell into a deep sleep.

Ming Hai glanced at Yukino who didn't respond, smiled and stopped talking, but freed his right hand to turn down the volume of the car music a little.

The journey finally came to an end when Yukinoshita Yukino expressed her wish.

Chapter 15 Love Before Dawn

[You made a rebellious decision and drove south with Yukinoshita Yukino, ignoring the obstruction of the Yukinoshita family from Tokyo to Miyazaki. 】

[Of course, during this period, you also encountered many troubles that are common in road movies. For example, the rest station staff who don't know how to read people's eyes kept looking at you and Yukinoshita Yukino, as if questioning your relationship. ]

Well, after all, it would be normal for a criminal investigation enthusiast to be a little wary of an adult male carrying a delicate beautiful female patient on a long journey.

[“Can I ask about your relationship with that cute girl over there?” The salesperson asked cautiously as you were carrying snacks and drinks to check out.]

"Oh, that girl is my girlfriend."

[The salesperson, who expected you to respond in this way, still looked suspicious. After all, if you were a couple who were in love, you wouldn't go on a long trip when one of you was obviously sick. Rather than a couple's trip, your low-key and secretive behavior seemed more like a secret date.]

“好吧。跟您说明一下本人的恋爱观：1找个能让你笑的人。2.找个有稳定工作的人。3.找个喜欢做家事的人。4.找个诚实的人。5.找个和你在玩的方面能契合的人。6——不要让他们五个人见面。所以……”

[The salesperson showed a disgusted expression that was unique to a scumbag, paid for you with great disdain and waved to urge you to leave quickly, and you were able to get away from this situation.]

[After nearly a day and a night of driving, you arrived in Miyazaki. Unlike those travelers who camped in the wild and set up tents to wait for the comet to pass by, you found a relatively remote place near the sea and parked the car on the roadside.]

"It looks like I'll have to spend the night in the car."

The moment the car door was closed, the sea breeze mixed with salty and wet air blew across Minghai's cheeks. He took a blanket from the back seat and draped it over Yukino's shoulders, who was already wearing a large jacket.

"I have a feeling we'll be able to see a comet tonight - don't catch a cold, Miss Yukinoshita."

"Don't call me in that sarcastic tone."

Of course, the light teasing was met with some unpleasant resistance from the girl.

"…Just call me Yukino."

Of course, it is also accompanied by a little softness of hers.

The two walked side by side to the deserted beach and found a relatively clean and spacious place to sit down.

"I have a feeling we'll be able to see the comet tonight."

Ming Hai stared at the calm sea, regretting that he had never seen this scenery in reality outside of the simulation.

"If we can't see it, our trip will be in vain. And the wish won't come true."

The black-haired girl wrapped in a blanket with her legs together also fixed her eyes on the endless sea horizon.

"But at least at that moment you knew what you wanted to achieve, right? Just like the moment you toss a coin and decide on the head and tail, you actually already have a more preferred answer in your heart."

Ming Hai took off his coat and spread it on the sand behind him, then lay down leisurely with his hands on his head, taking in the sea and sky.

"Let's chat to kill time, shall we? It's just like my favorite love movie. Although the hero and heroine chat the whole time, the content of the conversation is very interesting. Besides, this is also the process of them gradually identifying with each other's values ​​and falling in love with each other, so it won't be boring at all."

"I don't want to act out any romantic scenes with you like in a love movie..."

"Hey, is this your main point?"

"…It doesn't matter. There's nothing wrong with using small talk to kill time."

Yukinoshita Yukino held her cheek with her palm, trying hard to shake off the sleepiness and cheer herself up.