This is not the date I wanted.

The first to react was Niya. She walked up to Shidou, patted his shoulder, and laughed.

Although it seemed like she was trying to smooth things over for Shidao, this made Shidao even more embarrassed.

"Naked, naked... naked... Shi, Mr. Shido..."

"Ah, I didn't expect that Shidao-kun would have such an erotic dream when he was asleep, it's really erotic~"

"So, when my spiritual power was sealed by you, I suddenly took off my clothes and became naked for some reason."

"Now that you mention it, it's true... We've all been seen naked by that stupid Shidou..."

"I suddenly realized that dreams reflect a person's subconscious mind, which means that Shidou has obscene feelings for Yui and Yakuya's bodies."

"Too, too insane! You're actually looking at me like that when it's my property?"

"Ah~ Darling is really H~"

"Is... is that so? Shidou."

"No, it's not."

Seeing that his reputation was damaged, Shidao hurried to clarify the misunderstanding.

"It's just a misunderstanding. I just answered what I remembered. Hey - Origami! Why did you suddenly start taking off your clothes?"

"Since Shidou desires it so much in his heart, then as a lover, I will naturally respond. I will not be afraid of the eyes of the public, no matter when or where - I have already made such a resolution."

Origami said as she unbuttoned her shirt.

"I won't admit defeat."

"What are you fighting against!?"

"I'm sorry... Mana. Please take Origami outside to calm her down before she goes on a life of crime."

"Ha~ There's nothing we can do. Go out and get some fresh air and calm down, Ms. Origami."

After watching the two leave the infirmary, Kotori pressed her temples and sighed with a slight headache.

"And then? Besides being naked, what other characteristics do you remember, Shidou?"

"……terribly sorry……"

After thinking for a long time, Shidao clenched his fists and lowered his head with great guilt.

"It's such an important matter...but I..."

"…It's okay, really. Don't worry, just think of other ways."

At this time, Lingyin walked up and stroked his head, speaking gently.

"Ms. Lingyin..."

"Well, forget it. That scene was too shocking for a virgin like Shidou, so I can't help forgetting other things. Although it's better than nothing, thank you for your hard work, Shidou."

She sighed helplessly. Although she was a little depressed that her expectations were not met, she quickly adjusted her mood.

Later, although Mana also wanted to try to use the Sealing Master to recall her past memories, there was a precedent of Shido suddenly falling into a coma, and Mana herself had experience working in DEM. She was worried that she would suddenly collapse after recalling her memories like Nia, so she gave up the idea.

For safety reasons, Shidao was asked to stay in the infirmary tonight in case of any emergency.

"Thank you for your hard work, Shidou."

"Meng Yue? Aren't you going back to the rest room with everyone?"

Seeing Mengyue remaining in the bed, Shidou asked with some confusion.

"Well, there's the DEM assassination after all. We can't leave you alone in the infirmary, so we decided to change shifts every two hours to look after you. And I'm on the first shift."

Meng Yue replied.

“Am I a baby who needs a diaper changed in the middle of the night?”

Shidao didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"Now that you mention it, they do look alike. Are you dissatisfied?"

"No. But if possible, I hope you can say something like 'I stayed by your side because I was worried about you'."

"Do you think I could possibly tell you, idiot~"

Meng Yue tapped Shidao's forehead lightly and said with a smile.

"Anyway, you should have a good rest today. I'll be reading a book to kill time, so I won't make any noise."

"Well, good night, Meng Yue."

"Good night."

As she spoke, Meng Yue turned off the fluorescent light, turned on another desk lamp that would not shine on Shidao, and quietly flipped through the novel.

Looking at Meng Yue like this, Shidao smiled bitterly, lay back on the hospital bed, covered himself with the sheets, closed his eyes and prepared to sleep.

Just like that, silent time flowed between the two of them, and the insignificant sound of turning pages every ten seconds or so told Shidao of Mengyue's existence.

"...Mengyue, are you there?"

After an unknown amount of time, Shidou asked from under the sheets.

"Oh."

Meng Yue responded softly.

"What's wrong? Can't you sleep?"

"Well... I'm a little scared."

"afraid of what?"

“I’m afraid that I’ll have dreams after I fall asleep.”

"I see. As expected, you have recalled your old memories."

Hearing this, Shidou couldn't help but stick his head out from under the sheets and look at Mengyue who was reading by lamplight at night without any surprise.

“You discovered it.”

"Well, you concealed most of the information on purpose, and only chose the feature of 'naked' to divert everyone's attention. In the face of Kotori-chan's questions, you didn't give a direct answer, but hinted through body language such as regret and shame, giving people the illusion that 'you don't remember anything except these'. You concealed the facts without telling any lies. Although it's hard to imagine that you, Shidou, are so clever."

"I learned all this from Mengyue."

"Don't blame it on me." Meng Yue looked at Shidao speechlessly and couldn't help but sighed, "Although your judgment is not wrong. But personally, I still don't want you to learn such tricks. Although it's not considered lying, it can only make you feel less guilty at most. And the more you use it, the less your credibility with everyone will be. Just like the boy who cried 'wolf'."

“… Yeah, I understand.”

Shidou nodded honestly.

"That's good. Then, have your memories come back?"

"Not yet. Just a small part."

Shidou shook his head, and after a while, he said hesitantly.

"But... this should only be a matter of time. I feel... if I dream a few more times... I'll be able to remember everything."

"I see... Then, what about the girl you met in your dream?"

"I remember... how tall he was, what color his hair was, what he looked like... every detail is remembered clearly... as if it were engraved deep in my soul... I can't forget it even if I want to."

"Is it her?"

"Not sure... but... very similar."

"Knew it……"

Meng Yue let out a light breath, closed the book and turned to look at Shidao.

"Then, you start to worry about dreams?"

"Hmm... I feel ashamed after saying so many shameless things to Kotori before."

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Shidou avoided Meng Yue's gaze and said while looking at the ceiling.

"That dream...is both my dream and not my dream."

So far, Shidao has not dreamed of becoming someone else. He learned about Rokuko's past through the Sealing Master, and he also experienced Kurumi's life as if he were there because of the ability of "Ten Bullets".

Even though the emotions in his dream would still echo in his heart like aftertaste every time he woke up, he could still firmly answer, "I am Shido Gokawa."

But that dream was different. The protagonist in the dream was himself, but not Gokawa Shidao. When the boy fell in love with the girl in his dream at first sight, that feeling was integrated into his body like flesh and blood.

It was natural, yet extremely strong, as if Gokawa Shido was an outsider.

What would happen to him if he continued to have such a dream? Shidao couldn't think of it, and he didn't dare to think of it.

"There's nothing to be ashamed of. Fear is human nature, especially when one's roots are shaken. Even I once resisted because I couldn't accept the memory of another me. Even if you give up and use the 'Sealing Master' to seal this memory again, I won't have any complaints or objections."

"No...I won't give up."

Shidou shook his head slowly.

"If I give up, maybe I can turn a blind eye and continue my previous life alone. But Kurumi, will never be saved, and will never be able to forgive myself..."

"Yeah."

"Besides, if I give up, Meng Yue, you alone won't be able to save Kuang San."

Hearing Shidao's words, Mengyue was stunned at first, and then couldn't help laughing.

"Yeah. That's true. You're really amazing, Shidou. You're brave enough to make the most difficult choice."

"Well, that being said, it's still scary to be alone..."

Shidou said with a wry smile.

"It's fine."

Gently holding Shidou's hand, Mengyue answered calmly but firmly.

"You are not alone. Even if you, Shidou, accidentally lose yourself, I will wake you up. So, just move forward on the path you believe in."

In response, he held Mengyue's hand tightly, and the warmth passed through the palm of his hand, gradually filling Shidao's heart.

"Yeah. Thank you Mengyue. Next, I should be able to have a good sleep."

"Well, that's good."

……

"By the way, Mengyue, can I ask you one last question before you go to bed?"

"Hmm? What's going on?"

"After using the 'Sealing Master', a memory appeared in my mind. In the memory, you, Mengyue, wore a very beautiful dance dress and confessed to me. When did that happen?"

"...Sigh, I don't remember anything. Did you remember it wrongly in your dream?"

"No, something of that magnitude can't be a dream. Ah, could it be that when my spiritual power went out of control last year—"

boom--

Accompanied by the low hum of breaking wind, Mengyue waved the book in her hand, and the ten-centimeter-thick spine of the book suddenly stopped less than one centimeter away from Shidao's eyes.

The wind pressure made Shidao's eyelids hurt.

"Hmm? Did you just say that, Shidou?"

"No! I didn't say anything! So good night, Master Mengyue."

06 The World in Memory (Part )

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

"Heaven—punishment!"

“——Puwa!”

A heavy impact penetrated the quilt and hit the boy's abdomen, forcing him to wake up from his sleep with a scream.

He opened his eyes, and the morning sun shone into the room through the gap in the curtains. His sister, Takamiya Mana, was holding the bamboo sword used by the club, Tanlangmaru, and looking at him with a bad face.

"Good morning, Brother-sama."

"Good morning...my dear sister Mana."

Covering his still aching stomach, the boy forced an ugly smile and looked at the other person.