This is not the date I wanted.

"Eh?"

Kuang San was stunned, and was a little at a loss when faced with Meng Yue's question.

What are you going to do? Isn't the answer obvious?

This world has no future. Now that DEM's evil plan has succeeded, the next step is to collect the reversed spirit crystals for their own use. By then, the world will definitely be under the control of DEM. Even if it is not the case, in a few years, this world will be completely destroyed by the reversed Tohka and others.

So, apart from going back to the past and changing this cruel reality, is there any other choice?

However, facing Meng Yue's gaze, Kuang San inexplicably turned away, as if as long as he looked into her eyes, his heart would be seen through.

Moreover, Meng Yue's relaxed attitude also made Kuang San feel inexplicably irritated.

"Haha - is there any need to say more? Of course I will go back to the past and eat up Mr. Shidao who is still alive without leaving even a bone! And those damned fellows from DEM actually dared to steal my prey. I will never forgive them."

With her usual smirk on her face, Kuang San looked at Meng Yue, waiting to see her irritated expression.

"Really..." After hearing what Kuang San said, Meng Yue thought for a moment and then said, "I know, I'll help you too."

"what?!"

Kuang San looked at Meng Yue in disbelief.

"Are you crazy? Didn't you hear what I just said?"

"I heard you. Aren't you going to save Shidao?"

"Goo-"

Kuang San was speechless and didn't know what to say for a moment.

"Anyway, after you return to the past, Kurumi, remember to find the 'me' in the past and explain the situation. Then 'me' should agree to help you."

Ignoring Kurumi's expression as if she was choked by a fish bone, Meng Yue continued.

——Will things go so smoothly? We are going to take Mr. Shidao's life. I think that with your suspicious personality, Miss Mengyue, you will not believe it easily even if you tell me about the future.

Before Kuang San could speak, the clone in the shadow took the lead in raising his doubts.

"Ah. Don't worry about that. I have a way to make my past self trust you 100%."

——Oh? What method?

"Wait! Why did 'we' take the initiative to continue the topic? I never agreed to cooperate!"

Seeing that her clone and Meng Yue continued the topic without her permission, Kuang San spoke hurriedly.

——Why? With our strength alone, it is already very difficult to resist the attack of DEM. Now we can't find a breakthrough. The best way is to find more help. To be honest, it's even to the point of wanting to borrow the hand of a cat.

——Moreover, as a partner, there is no one I can trust more than Miss Meng Yue.

"..."

Regarding "herself" very reasonable argument, Kuang San was speechless.

"Well, if you're worried about information leaks, don't worry. Because of my special physique, Westcott's 'Divine Eclipse' can't find me."

"...What is the method you mentioned to make the past 'Ms. Meng Yue' believe us?"

After a long psychological struggle, Kuang San still suppressed the unhappiness in her heart and asked.

"Ah... Actually, I have always had two dreams in my heart. And one of them, I haven't even told Shidou."

"dream?"

Kuang San showed a puzzled expression. Meng Yue walked to Kuang San's side and whispered in her ear.

Gradually, Kuang San's expression changed from confusion to shock, and she looked at Meng Yue in disbelief.

"Ms. Mengyue...you..."

"Well, it's a natural reaction. After all, it doesn't match the impression I give people. Ah——damn it, so embarrassing... I was planning to take this matter to my grave."

With a wry smile and a sigh, Meng Yue couldn't help but cover her face and whined softly.

Kuang San choked up for a moment.

Yes. Just as Meng Yue said, this was a dream that was completely different from the impression she gave people. It was a very pure and insignificant dream.

However, just such a simple sentence made Kuang San lower her head, and the anger in her heart turned into bitter guilt and self-blame.

Because, if this is true.

The calm and composed girl in front of Kurumi felt sad and desperate about the death of Gokawa Shido more than anyone else.

"Why... don't you use my ability to go back in time and save Shidou?"

Finally, Kuang San raised her doubts.

"Well... there are probably two reasons." After thinking for a moment, Meng Yue replied, "First, I don't have the ability to travel through time and space. If I fail to change history, I must rely on your power again. This process itself has a certain risk of failure. After all, I am not 100% sure that you can trust me."

After hearing Mengyue's explanation, Kuang San began to imagine the situation in which Mengyue was looking for her.

It was just like Meng Yue said. Even if Meng Yue said some information that only Kuang San knew to prove that she was from the future, she would probably think that she got the information through some unknown means and told such a lie to confuse Shidao in order to prevent him from being eaten by her.

After all, unlike Shidou who is obviously kind and harmless, Ryougi Yumezuki is too dangerous to be an opponent. Even if one knows that she has no ill intentions, one will subconsciously be wary.

"……Feel sorry."

"No need. Rather, I should be the one to apologize. For the sake of a little hope in my heart, I let you do such a painful thing alone."

Meng Yue shook her head and said with some shame.

"Then, the second reason is just my personal judgment. Compared to letting the present me go back to the past, the 'me' in the past should be able to help you better...Kyousan."

"What do you mean?"

"You'll know then."

After giving a vague reply, Mengyue walked over to Shidao's body, crouched down, and as if she didn't want to wake him, she carefully fiddled with his bangs with her fingers.

Looking at Shidao's face, which looked as peaceful as if he was sleeping soundly, Mengyue's eyes revealed a bit of sadness and helplessness.

"And...I've been left behind..."

After whispering to herself, Meng Yue quickly stood up and, under Kuang San's puzzled gaze, held her in her arms.

"Ms. Meng, Miss Mengyue?!"

Kuang San was at a loss for words. To be honest, she didn't know how many times Meng Yue's unexpected actions had disrupted her pace.

"I'm sorry, Kurumi. In exchange for not stopping you, no matter what difficulties you encounter or what kind of pain you endure next. Whether you are sad, in pain, angry, crying, or giving up on yourself, I will stand by your side."

Meng Yue's calm yet firm words rang in her ears, and Kuang San felt as if her head was being gently stroked.

(So ​​comfortable...)

Kuang San couldn't help but think. Gradually, her stiff body began to relax.

Warmth, calmness, and peace of mind - these feelings gradually welled up in her heart, slowly healing her broken heart.

(A mother’s embrace… maybe that’s what it feels like.)

Such thoughts emerged in her mind. Then, just like a spoiled child, Kuang San unconsciously hugged Meng Yue a little tighter.

——I promise you, Kurumi, no matter what the outcome, the future will never be hopeless.

40 Kurumi's Choice

==============================

After that, with the help of Liang Yi Meng Yue, Kuang San began her short yet long cycle of reincarnation again.

It was only six days, but during these six days, Kurumi and Mengyue protected Shidao countless times, and lost Shidao countless times.

And every time Shidao dies, Kurumi will take back the "Six Bullets" from Shidao, go back to the past, and start everything over again.

Fortunately, although the Six Bullets consume a lot of spiritual energy, since it is only the consciousness that travels through time, the consumed spiritual energy will be reset every time she goes back to the past.

Of course, this is just a small blessing in disguise.

The enemy is the vicious DEM, not to mention the magicians such as Allen Mathers and Artemisia Bell Ashcroft who are as powerful as the elves. In each reincarnation, Westcott, who possesses the Demon King "Divine Eclipse", can use the information he obtains to set up various incredible traps and tricks to take Shidao's life.

143 times - this is the number of times Kurumi has reincarnated, and also the number of times Shidou has been killed that she has witnessed.

Saving a person is a million times more difficult than killing a person - Kuang San deeply understands this fact.

During these more than one hundred reincarnations, Kuang San had been angry, mad, discouraged, tired, numb... She had also collapsed because she couldn't stand the torture.

However, that being the case, she finally picked up her pistol and returned here.

——I promise you, Kurumi, no matter what the outcome, the future will never be hopeless.

"……call."

Thinking back to what Meng Yue said at that time, Kuang San sighed with mixed feelings and couldn't calm down for a long time.

Standing on the building bathed in moonlight, Kuang San walked to the edge of the rooftop, leaned against the fence, raised her head, and stared in trance at the lonely, clear moon in the night sky.

When the stars twinkle in the night sky, the moon does not compete with them, but quietly hides its own light.

However, when the stars lose their brilliance and the sky falls into darkness, only the moon chooses to face the darkness, leaving a ray of gentle light for the world.

(Perhaps, Miss Mengyue is a person like the moon.)

--I'm back.

Just then, a voice rang in her ear, interrupting Kurumi's thoughts.

Under the moonlight, her own shadow slowly spread out like spilled ink, and the blindfolded "Kyousan" wearing a Gothic lolita skirt slowly walked out from the shadow.

"...Have Mr. Shidou and Ms. Mengyue known about this?"

After recovering from her sadness, Kurumi asked 'herself'.

——Well, as you requested, I have already told them about Shidou-san's murder and the matter of reincarnation.

"Kyousan" nodded slightly.

"…You didn't say anything you shouldn't have, did you?"

——Alala, which one are you talking about? Is it the one where you have to "kiss goodbye" to Mr. Shidao every time you reincarnate? Or is it the one where you are immersed in the gentle embrace of Miss Mengyue like a child?

With an intriguing smile, "Kyousan" said so.

"..."

——Just kidding. Of course, I only told them the necessary parts. I didn't tell them about the kiss, hug, or that thing. Don't get excited, 'me'.

After feeling the silent pressure emanating from the main body, "Kyousan" quickly waved her hands and clarified with a wry smile.

"...What were Mr. Shidou and Ms. Mengyue's reactions?"

Kuang San let out a breath and asked with some exhaustion.

——Well, Mr. Shidao didn't expect that he had died before, and he seemed quite shocked. Miss Mengyue was very calm, but although she accepted this statement, she was not completely convinced.

After answering the original character's question, "Kyousan" shrugged and said speechlessly,

——Really? If you care so much about their attitude, why don’t you explain things clearly in person?

Regarding the complaints about "herself", Kuang San hesitated for a moment before muttering softly.

“…I’m really shy.”

——? ! Pfft——Hahahahahahahaha!

"Kuang San" widened her eyes in surprise, as if she had seen some unknown creature. Then she couldn't help laughing.

"Hey! What's that reaction? What's so funny!?"

Kuang San shouted angrily.

——No...really not. It's just like what I said, saying it out loud is like confessing your secret love...it's normal to be shy...haha...

As she said this, "Kyousan" couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Do you think I'm an idiot..."

Kuang San felt the corners of her eyes twitching, but after struggling for a long time, she decided not to bother with her clone and let out her anger.

"…So, what should we do next?"

Kuang San couldn't help but mutter to herself in distress.

Now that the matter of reincarnation has been discussed, the fact that she has fallen in love with Shidao has naturally been exposed, so this match will undoubtedly be her defeat. Shidao himself also refused to entrust his spiritual power to Kurumi. Now unless she violently seizes it, she can no longer go back thirty years ago to kill the original spirit.