The social phobia substitute will not dream of the band girl

You really do think of yourself as something special, Mr. Psychic—

So for you, what is [ordinary] and what is [special]?

Chapter 53: Trip to Ueno Zoo Part 7

"But I also considered the impact it would have, so these two little guys were 'smuggled in' to prevent others from following suit. This way, it won't cause any impact."

"..."

Higuchi Enka was once again at a loss for words. First, how about getting that little black cat off your head? She felt like speaking in this manner would not only cause a disturbance, but also potentially lead to an accident, like... choking a tourist?

"This kid... probably thinks of you as an enemy... no, a 'rival.' So, her condescending attitude now is like another show of power."

"...opponent?"

Enka looked over in confusion and found that the golden cat's eyes opposite were also looking at her at the same time. Moreover, when she turned to the left, the cat also turned to the left. When she turned to the right, the cat also changed the angle and continued to look at her. It seemed like... they were really in a confrontation?

But what should I do about the so-called opponent...the cat's opponent?

If you don't understand something, you should ask. No one is born knowing everything, so there's nothing shameful about that. And after playing the supporting role so many times today, she's more or less gotten used to the role of "the person asking the questions" (experienced, skilled, and able to do it well).

"Then, what should I do?"

"Eh, you don't have to do anything?" Pingxin pretended to be surprised. "It's the cat's fault for considering you its rival, right? Why would you do anything? Can't you just keep it this way?"

"..."

I feel like I've been assimilated. I'm actually seriously considering talking to and competing with cats. Have I become an idiot? I really shouldn't get too close to idiots...

However, there is nothing we can do about it.

The black cat that saw her as an opponent, the white cat that naturally rolled off the table and landed on her lap. Strange people keep strange cats, but they feel really good to touch, warm and fluffy...

"How long will it take for what you said to happen?"

"Well... there's still time. I told them not to rush. Admission stopped at 4 o'clock. Let's take a bus when there are fewer people. There are very few opportunities to take a bus in the zoo."

It is naturally impossible for the staff of such a large zoo to walk around only by legs or carrying props in their hands. Delivering goods and large objects naturally requires large vehicles, but the general way of transportation for employees is limited to 2 people + a small cart at the back that can carry things.

"Is that so... Well, what's the next topic?"

Higuchi Enka didn't pay any attention. After all, she'd asked him so many times and he still hadn't said anything, so it was pointless to try again. Did she expect him to beg her? She couldn't do that! She might as well just sit here, drink some tea, pet the cat, and enjoy the quiet of the afternoon.

But it was completely different from what she thought. Ping Xin was not going to talk about topics like horoscopes or gossip.

"Well... let's talk about that 'superpower' you're most familiar with. Although its official name is called Ripple Qigong, anyone with the qualifications can master it~"

"Wait!" By the time she realized something was wrong and wanted to stop it, it was too late. "...Are you an idiot? No, you are the biggest idiot!"

You actually talked about superpowers in such a public place. Even if I don't tell anyone, it doesn't mean that others can't hear it or won't tell anyone. It's okay if it's just a joke, but if someone really notices it... I'll burn paper for you next year -

Of course, there is no nostalgia above, only your favorite sarcasm. After all, few people can really kill themselves with stupidity, and you will probably remember it for the rest of your life... by your family and others.

However, when she looked around nervously to observe the other tourists and staff, she did not feel any gazes from them. Instead, the white cat on Enka's legs rubbed her as if it sensed her anxiety. When she finally saw Pingxin trying to hold back his laughter and looking away, she knew that she had been "tricked".

"What did you do to them... doesn't that only work after contact, like a ripple or something?" Once again, she felt Ping Xin's honesty, which made her feel a little unhappy. It wasn't that this guy couldn't lie, but "only what he said was true." What about the things he didn't say?

If you put all the "truths" together, will they still be true in the end?

"Sorry, I just wanted to see your reaction... It feels really good to know that someone cares about you, especially someone you like."

"..."

It's just that the teasing that used to happen so frequently doesn't work anymore. No wonder he could bring the cat in without worrying about being seen by others. No wonder he dared to talk to her and perform those supernatural things outside again and again. It turns out that everything is under your control -

Is this feeling the same?

The illusion of equality that had appeared in her mind before completely disappeared at this moment. Her current mood was like a pile of garbage left on the beach after the tide receded instead of beautiful shells. This contrast made people feel more disgusted.

"...If you want to do the same as me, how about coming 'over here'?"

Is this part of your plan to stir up my rebelliousness and competitive spirit? But compared to a moment ago, she felt much more at ease now. Perhaps his unabashed attitude was reassuring. It's like playing a game, where everyone has to follow the rules. But if that's the case, then you won't get what you want, will you?

After all, you're not the only one who wants to win—

After that, Ping Xin told the story about the origin of the ripple in detail.

......

...

..

"...So you took the combat abilities that others used to fight vampires and that... 'Pillar Man' and transformed them into health-preserving abilities?"

What kind of scene have I not seen? I have never seen this scene before.jpg

Others dream of completing superpowers and systems in their cities, but why do some people, after finally acquiring abilities, go in the opposite direction and regress directly to a retirement life?

50 years ahead of others, right?

"After all, I haven't encountered vampires or Pillar Men yet...but I have seen ghosts."

"......Eh?"

"Yes, yes...I want to see your surprised expression~"

She looks pretty when her eyes are wide open, and adorable when she smiles, so why does she always keep the same cold expression and remain motionless?

"......wack."

And he is probably the only one of his kind in the world, weirdo!

"...So, do you want to learn one?"

"But—I refuse~"

Hehe... What I want to see is your current expression——

Chapter 2000 Hi, Fellow Countryman~

Ueno Zoo stopped admitting visitors after 4 p.m., and the zoo closed at 5 p.m., so they sat there for a while with peace of mind until two staff members came running over.

"Master, you are here today too... Ah, and there is a lovely lady as well. Hello."

"...Hello."

From watching them communicate, it seemed like they relied purely on faces, not names. Higuchi Enka wouldn't be stupid enough to introduce herself. Moreover, to him and her, they were just Miss Higuchi and Mr. Asuka.

No, after all, is there really anyone with the last name Asuka Ma? Perhaps even that was just a pseudonym he'd made up, which was why she rarely called him that.

What about Ping Xin? What does he think?

The answer was simple...because romance and surprises are two essential pleasures in life. He waited for the day she would say it herself, willingly. Besides, would changing her name to "Miss Higuchi" make her someone else?

At least in his eyes, she would never do that, because in his eyes, she was always her——

Someone who appears cold but is actually very emotional, yet like him, has been suppressing his emotions for years; someone with a kind and compassionate heart; someone who has a very cute smile but doesn't really like to laugh, and most people only see a polite smile; someone who is so very, very cute that he wants to snatch her away as his wife.

"Then...can I have the car?"

"Hey!... Car? Sure, sure. What do you want to do?"

"Miss Higuchi... do you want to play racing?"

"...Then, let's give it a try."

Staff A: I originally thought that the cute little girl brought by the master this time would be more normal. I didn’t expect that she looks so cold on the surface, but actually seems to be very playful. Could it be that she is the type of person who has a big contrast between her in front of people and behind their backs?

Staff member B: How can we possibly understand the Master's affairs? He's no ordinary person. He was personally invited by the dean. How can we possibly comment on him?

The two staff members winked at each other and exchanged glances. Pingxin translated it in his mind and felt that this was probably what it meant. It turns out that everyone has a gossipy heart.

After a brief explanation of the operation and a reminder not to drive too fast, Pingxin and Enka were ready.

"preparation..."

"start."

Hey, why are you shouting start?

For a moment, Hirayuko was stunned and was left behind by Enka who had "jumped ahead", but soon his face was filled with a smile.

As expected, you are an interesting woman, Ms. Higuchi~

......

...

..

There was the sound of the breeze in my ears, and occasionally I could see the surprised eyes of the tourists and staff who stayed in the park, but all of this was left behind by the car that was traveling at less than 40km per hour.

She didn't like the feeling of going too fast, not only because she couldn't see everything on the road clearly, but also because it made her feel insecure. But now this speed was just right...

I can only shake off passersby and worries, but I can't shake off the person following closely behind me.

You are really a very difficult person.

"...In the end, I won—"

Higuchi Enka relied on her wit to win the race. While her driving was a bit nerve-wracking at first, she quickly became as skilled as any other driver. The smile that spread across her face when she saw Hirayobu, a car and a half behind, unable to catch up due to their similar speed, was truly endearing.

It really was a disaster, in every sense of the word—

"Okay...but our competition didn't mention any prizes, okay?"

"...Shouldn't there be?"

There was a hint of resentment in her tone. This woman is so damn cute!

"Then... there it is."

I was planning to find an excuse to send it anyway, so now it's delivered to your door, right? You might make a small profit, but ordinary mail will never lose money.

After a brief conversation, the two of them dropped the topic and got off the bus at their previously agreed destination, near the panda enclosure, which was visible upon entering the East Gate. There was no one else in line at this point, as the visitor quota for the day had already been reached and the pandas had gone home early. The office worker was in tears.

"Well, I'll trouble you today too, Master!"

"Well, please lead the way."

Ping Xin adopts a serious and somewhat condescending attitude, clearly believing that harmony is best, and it seems to be more convincing no matter where he is. He already has a template, so when he's in a hurry, he can just imitate how the emperors speak, and watch less domineering CEO romances and melodramatic Korean dramas.

......

...

..

Following the staff member who led the way, the two of them walked into the depths of the panda house, some areas that were usually off-limits to tourists. There was already a group of people waiting here, almost everyone holding a pen and paper, breathing rapidly and waiting for him to speak with serious expressions.

"Hey, fellow, how have you been lately? Is there anything that's bothering you?"

"Cuckoo..."

"..."

Looking at the people around her who were carefully taking notes to write down Heinon's down-to-earth lines, Higuchi Enka still felt that something was not right in this world, especially the man who was now in close contact with the panda. He might be the most abnormal one!

Although pandas are cute, we should not forget that they are real bears. Although the animals in the zoo have been screened and bred for generations, and are not very aggressive when they are comfortably taken care of, the strength they exert when playing is definitely not something that ordinary people can withstand.

The man who dared to get close to them had just mentioned the dangers of bears. Although he usually referred to grizzly bears and brown bears, pandas are also bears.

"Mee~..Mee~~"

"......ha--?"

Higuchi Enka fell silent upon hearing a panda's cry for the first time. Why would a panda make such a sound? After all, it's a bear, right? If all bears make that sound, it's truly terrifying. It's like encountering a magical pink angora rabbit...

"Pandas have a wide variety of vocalizations. Besides some unique and unusual calls, there are several basic common calls, like the bleating he's making now. Adult giant pandas usually make these calls to express contentment and comfort.

And it’s too early to be surprised now. After all, they can make sounds like dogs barking, cows mooing, ducks quacking, whimpering, and even birds chirping during mating season—”

"...Anyway, it can make any sound besides a bear roar, right?"

"When you hear a bear roar, you should run away. It's better to say that unless you are a very familiar keeper or you are with me, I don't recommend anyone to get close to a panda."

Pingxin extended his hand, and the panda opposite him also extended his palm. After all, they are fellow countrymen, so they should give face~

"This male is called Lili (Bili), and that female over there is called Zhenzhen (Fairy). Can you two say hello?"

"Squeak-"