The story we started

[Tsurumi Rumi blinked her eyes, looked into Zaimokuza's eyes that were filled with strong yearning and pursuit, and spoke softly.]

[For some reason, the fear in her heart faded away at this moment, and she began to feel envy for Zaimokuza instead.]

[Because she could feel that Zaimokuza was not lying. His unremitting pursuit of his dream was like a shining star in the darkness, which made the little girl, who had not yet experienced the world, feel sincerely shocked and admired.]

【At the same time, Tsurumi Rumi couldn't help but fall into deep thought. 】

[As for me, what would my dream be…]

[“——Since you don’t have a dream, I will share my dream with you!”]

【"……well?"】

[Before she could finish her thoughts, Zaimokuza said something that made the little girl's eyes dazed.]

[“You want to share your dream… with me?”]

【"right!"】

【Zaimokuza nodded, and with a broad smile on his face, he spoke to Tsurumi Rumi, who was on his back.】

[“Although I will not give up my dream, I will still feel lonely if I keep walking on the road of pursuing my dream alone.”]

[“And every time I think about this, if there is someone who can pursue my dreams with me, then I will never feel lonely again, right?”]

[“Two people competing together, working hard to improve together, and supervising each other to move forward towards their dreams, that is the best thing in the world!”]

[He turned around and looked at Tsurumi Rumi who was looking at him, and raised his mouth to reveal a smile that showed off two rows of white teeth.]

[“Don’t you like painting very much? And if you don’t have a dream, then let me share half of my dream with you.”]

[“But——I only know how to draw and take pictures! I don’t even know how to write?”]

[Looking at Zaimokuza's smiling face, Tsurumi Rumi's eyes were slightly dull for a moment, and then she shook her head in panic and said.]

【At the same time, a strange warmth surged in the little girl's heart. 】

[——In the past, has anyone ever said this to themselves? ]

[No, I have always been the target of cold violence and bullying in class, and there are very few people who are willing to talk to me, let alone say such kind and trusting words to me.]

【But today, someone said this to himself. 】

【He said——I want to share my dream with you. 】

[Rumi Tsurumi, who had always lived in a dark and cold environment at school, found it difficult to explain how she felt about this sentence. ]

[She just felt warm inside, as if a warm feeling was gradually surging through her limbs, bringing a new sense of joy and life, as well as a sense of security.]

[“Isn’t that just perfect?”]

[Zaimokuza said with a smile on his face when he heard what Tsurumi Rumi said.]

[“Nowadays, light novel writers always need an outstanding illustrator to draw illustrations for their works, so our meeting is destined by heaven, and we can complement each other perfectly!”]

[“You draw, I write, a man and a woman working together is a match made in heaven, so cool!”]

[“Illustrator… me? Can I do this?”]

[Tsurumi Rumi said this hesitantly, pointing at herself as if she didn’t quite believe it.]

[“Of course you can. You are a talent that I, Zaimokuza, have chosen. I believe you have the potential.”]

【Zaimokuza's steps suddenly stopped, and he gently put the girl down while she was puzzled, then turned around to face her.】

【Looking at the bewildered Tsurumi Rumi, Zaimokuza smiled cheerfully and stretched out his right hand to her, with the other four fingers gathered in his palm, leaving only the little finger straight.】

[“Let’s make a pinky promise.”]

[“——If I become an outstanding light novelist in the future, you must also become an outstanding illustrator to help me. Together, we will create the best literary works in the world!”]

【“…”】

【Tsurumi Rumi stared blankly at the finger that was stretched out in front of her eyes, then slowly raised her head and looked towards Zaimokuza.】

[At this moment, the moon hanging in the sky was right behind him. With his back to the moon, Zaimokuza's entire body was outlined by the moonlight. The smile on his chubby face had a hazy and illusory feeling at this moment.]

[However, the throbbing in my heart at this moment is definitely not an illusion. ]

【“…Too cunning.”】

[Looking at the finger that was waiting for her to hook it, Tsurumi Rumi couldn't help but reach out and press the pink velvet hat on her head down, covering most of her cheek and muttering in a low voice.]

[“Hmm? What’s wrong?”]

【Seeing that the little girl was still reluctant to extend her hand, Zaimokuza tilted his head in confusion, and a question mark seemed to appear above his head. 】

[“——I say, you are really too cunning.”]

[Tsurumi Rumi raised her head, her eyes were still a little red, but her eyes had returned to the coldness and silence when Zaimokuza first saw her, looking at him expressionlessly like an exquisite doll.]

[“No matter how touching and passionate your words are, they cannot hide the fact hidden behind all your big words.”]

[“That is, you want others to work for you for free.”]

[“Eh? Hahahaha? Liu Mei-chan, seriously, why did you suddenly come up with such an idea?”]

[Zaimokuza couldn't help but twitch his eyes, and said with an awkward smile, while his eyes began to wander around, but he refused to look directly at Tsurumi Rumi's eyes, which had become extremely sharp at this moment.]

[Obviously, Zaimokuza was hit on the point—because he really was planning to get something for free.]

[“Don’t call me Rumi-chan, I’m not that familiar with you… and isn’t what I said the truth?”]

[“There are several obvious loopholes in your words. Why will you definitely achieve your dream earlier than me, and why will I definitely achieve my dream after you?”]

[“Besides, why should I help you realize your dream once I’ve accomplished it? This doesn’t make sense. Just because you gave me half of your dream, which you don’t even know if you can accomplish yet, I have to be grateful to you? Selling myself to be your assistant and draw illustrations for you?”]

[“This is a genuine unfair clause that will not be recognized by law. Moreover, they have every reason to bring you to court on charges of malicious wage arrears and abduction of minors, which is enough to send you to prison for several years.”]

[“Uh…why do you know so much about this topic?”]

【Zaimokuza couldn't help swallowing his saliva. Looking at Tsurumi Rumi who spoke word by word with a stern face, he suddenly felt as if he had hit a wall.】

[“Because his parents are lawyers, of course I have some knowledge of this aspect of the law. Is that strange?”]

[Tsurumi Rumi rolled her eyes at him, and with disdain, she reached out to brush her long hair that fell on her shoulders, and snorted coldly.]

[“…But it’s not like I can’t agree to your request.”]

【“Hahaha——Huh?”】

[When Zaimokuza smiled awkwardly and reached out to touch his head, the little girl fell silent. Then, she suddenly said something that made him stunned, and he even stopped rubbing his head.]

【"What did you say just now?"】

[“——I said, I can agree to your terms and become an illustrator to help you draw illustrations for your works in the future... Of course, I have to charge you for it.”]

[“But don’t be too happy too soon, this is conditional.”]

[The little girl crossed her arms and turned to glance at Zaimokuza's immediately excited expression. Tsurumi Rumi pointed a finger at him expressionlessly and said.]

[“What conditions? Tell me, Rumi-chan! Even if you want me to help you finish all your summer homework, that’s fine! I graduated from Sobu High School, and the quality of my homework is guaranteed by a prestigious school!”]

[“…I finished my homework on the first day of summer vacation, so I don’t need your help.”]

[Tsurumi Rumi said this unhappily, then her expression turned serious.]

[“I want you to make a bet with me. The bet is about who can realize the dream faster, that is, who can become a famous light novel writer, illustrator or cartoonist faster.”]

[“We will determine the winner based on the order in which the dreams are completed. The loser will give a reward to the winner.”]

[“If you win… I will be your illustrator for free and draw illustrations for your works.”]

[“But, if you lose—”]

[“You, what do you want!?”]

[Zaimokuza crossed his arms over his chest, stepped back with a look of fear on his face, and looked at Tsurumi Rumi as if he was looking at some terrifying creature.]

[The little girl couldn't help but twitch her lips at his funny look, and her delicate face turned red with anger.]

[“I wouldn’t think of such a dirty thing! And with your looks, I wouldn’t want you even if you were given to me for free!”]

[“Yes, is it necessary to say it so exaggeratedly…”]

[“Anyway!”]

[Ignoring Zaimokuza, who was crouching in the corner and drawing circles with his body turned pale due to her violent words, Tsurumi Rumi pointed at him and said.]

[“Do you have any treasures that you care about or value right now?”]

[“A treasured item? Let me think about it. Hmm…”]

【Zaimokuza put his hand on his chin and thought, then his thoughts shifted to the old windbreaker he was wearing without him noticing.】

[“If I had to say… it would probably be this windbreaker, right?”]

[“That’s it.”]

[Tsurumi Rumi points at Zaimokuza's windbreaker and says with a straight face.]

[“If you lose, you have to give me the windbreaker you are wearing.”]

[“Hey? Give it to you? Give it to you? This windbreaker!?”]

[Zaimokuza subconsciously tightened his windbreaker and spoke with a hesitant look.]

[“But, this windbreaker is what I treasure most——”]

[“In one word, do you agree or not?”]

[“If you agree, then I will also agree to make a promise with you and move forward with you towards the path of your dreams.”]

[“Or is it that the dream you pursue is not even enough to buy a windbreaker?”]

[Tsurumi Rumi swayed her slender fingers and issued the final ultimatum with an expressionless face.]

【"……well?"】

[Faced with the conditions proposed by the little girl, Zaimokuza remained silent for a long time, his eyes fixed on his windbreaker, and it was unknown what he was thinking about. ]

[Just when Tsurumi Rumi thought he was going to give up, Zaimokuza sighed helplessly, stood up and walked towards her. ]

[“This windbreaker means a lot to me. Although I’m reluctant to part with it, but…”]

[The smiling face of his grandmother appeared in his mind. Zaimokuza walked in front of Tsurumi Rumi and closed his eyes, recalling what she had said before -]

[——Now let’s make a pinky promise. I will wait for you forever. I will wait for you until you can write a story that touches people’s hearts or makes them smile.]

[“…But it’s not as important as my dream. I hope someone can walk with me on the road to pursuing my dream.”]

[Zaimokuza's mouth curled up into a helpless smile, and after opening his eyes, he stretched out his right hand towards Tsurumi Rumi, with his little finger extended.]

【“——So, I agree to your request.”】

[“If I lose, I will give you this windbreaker, which is my most precious treasure!”]

[Facing Zaimokuza's outstretched finger, the little girl still had a stern face, but the corners of her mouth had already curled up into an imperceptible arc.]

[“Then, let’s make a promise and don’t regret it, okay?”]

[“Of course! Once you make a pinky promise, you can’t go back on your word. If you do, you’ll become a rabbit eating grass!”]

……

[The moonlight is desolate, with its cool and clear moonlight caressing the boundless land, covering the forest below with a hazy veil.]

[Under the witness of the eternal full moon, two fingers of different sizes hooked together, tightly entwined like two vines.]

[The young man who was once a boy and the boy who was once a girl made the first promise of their lives at that time and pursued their respective dreams. ]

17. The Door of Memory: The Situation Beyond Memory 6K

[“Really? That’s why the kid was so angry?”]

【Zaimokuza looked at the two people who made a promise with a pinky promise, and his eyes suddenly understood.】

【Thinking of Tsurumi Rumi who had thrown the Rising Dragon Fist at him before, Zaimokuza finally understood why she was so angry and punched him, and couldn't help but smile bitterly. 】

[So the kid was so angry because I lent my windbreaker to someone else? ]

[Because in Tsurumi Rumi's opinion, this is a violation of the agreement. After all, she is the winner of this bet, so Zaimokuza's windbreaker already belongs to her.]

[She did keep the promise she made to herself, and fulfilled her dream before Zaimokuza, becoming a famous cartoonist, making Zaimokuza admit defeat with all his heart.]

[What made Zaimokuza smile was that Tsurumi Rumi clearly wanted him to keep his promise and give her the windbreaker as long as she told him, but she refused to tell him and insisted on waiting until she remembered. At the same time, she would get angry because she lent her windbreaker to others, like a little girl who refused to tell her parents when her beloved doll was taken away from her.]