My youth story cannot be a knight war

Tsurumi Rumi, who had a precocious and cold personality, pretended to be calm, but her cold little face had already turned red with excitement, and her eyes were shining brightly.

After all, she is still a child. No matter how precocious she is, it doesn't mean that she doesn't have the same emotions as her peers.

"——It's me now, I'm here!"

[“Really? I promise you.”]

[Faced with the little girl's question, Zaimokuza forced a smile and nodded, trying his best not to focus on the sticky feeling on the back of his neck.]

[“I’m sorry… I asked you to come here to find me, but now you’re lost too.”]

“It’s not your fault.”

【Tsurumi Rumi said this dejectedly, to which Zaimokuza just shook his head and said softly with a guilty look on his face.】

[“It’s our fault this time. If we hadn’t taken the initiative to help you get rid of the bullying and ended up messing things up in the end... you wouldn’t have been separated from your classmates who were running away in a panic, and ended up getting lost and running to such a remote place alone.”]

[Speaking of this, Zaimokuza could not help but grit his teeth, with an expression of resentment that was difficult to conceal flowing in his eyes.]

[“…And I really can’t agree with this. Even if it was originally well-intentioned, this time it’s really too much!”]

[“I really didn’t expect that Ye Shan and the others would do something so outrageous this time! And Buchou and the others, why didn’t they even tell me about this plan? Is it necessary to exclude me?”]

[“They actually used the excuse of moving wood to get me out of the way, and then a group of people secretly made such an extreme action plan, and then they just started to act without saying a word afterwards!?”]

[Zaimokuza's round face turned redder as he spoke, and he directed his words and the anger in his heart toward the group of people who were not there. The dissatisfaction between his eyebrows spread like materialized resentment.]

[He should be angry, not only because his best friend made such an outrageous plan, but also because they completely excluded him from the plan. He didn't know about it until a student got lost accidentally and couldn't keep it secret anymore.]

[“The worst person is the one who made this plan! Now that this has happened, he should bear at least half of the responsibility!”]

【“That guy is really! Eight——I really——Ah…”】

[When talking about his best friend, Zaimokuza's face turned red for a while. He wanted to say his name but couldn't utter a single word. In the end, he could only sigh in vain. ]

[In fact, Zaimokuza knew in his heart that his best friend's method could not be said to be the most effective method, but it was undoubtedly the fastest method. He just didn't want to admit it.]

[——Since the problem cannot be solved, solve the person who raised the problem, or solve the person who caused the problem. ]

[Hikigaya Hachiman chose the latter in this regard. Although Zaimokuza hoped to change the current situation of the girl behind him being treated coldly in a gentle way, even if there was some improvement when they were together, it would only be temporary.]

[Once this summer camp is over and they leave, Tsurumi Rumi will undoubtedly fall into the same predicament as before.]

[Reality cannot give them that much time, so Hikigaya's approach can be regarded as solving this problem fundamentally - by destroying all the interpersonal relationships that caused this situation, the soil for bullying to grow no longer exists. ]

[It is like a skilled doctor using a scalpel to precisely remove a lesion. It is not only efficient and sharp, but also leaves people speechless and completely feasible.]

【But this is where the problem lies. 】

[Because Hikigaya's method only removes the lesion, but does not consider how to suture the surgical wound afterwards, or even prevent possible infection.]

【This is also the main reason for the current situation. 】

[When all the children ran away in panic, they were so frightened that their running routes were completely disorganized, and they kept speeding up their pace in fear. As a result, all the children were lost in the forest.]

[When Zaimokuza found out, he felt resentful towards his best friend for the first time because of this incident, and it was also the first time he was so angry.]

[At that time, he directly pulled up Hikigaya's collar and pressed him against the tree, staring into his guilty and determined eyes for a long time. The atmosphere between the two of them was so tense for the first time since they met.]

[Just when the onlookers thought that the two of them were going to fight and were about to intervene, Zaimokuza wordlessly released his grip on Hikigaya's collar, turned around and followed the adults who were preparing to search under his gaze, and together they entered the woods to look for the children.]

[Zaimokuza searched for several hours in the woods, following the faint sound of crying, and finally found Tsurumi Rumi squatting under a big tree crying, but just when he wanted to take her back, he found that he had lost his way. ]

[To make matters worse, his cell phone ran out of battery, so he couldn't even call for help, so Zaimokuza could only helplessly carry Tsurumi Rumi on his back and walk through the woods, hoping to run into someone who came to search for him.]

[When Zaimokuza felt the girl on his back still sobbing from time to time and the arm around his neck trembling, he knew that she was probably frightened and had not yet come out of the shadow. ]

[This is also normal. A little girl who is still in elementary school, lost in such a gloomy forest for so long, even if she looks precocious and cold, she is very strong inside that she did not have a mental breakdown. ]

[We have to think of a way to divert her attention... Zaimokuza's eyes moved around, thinking about how to talk to the little girl who was mentally traumatized.]

[“——Hey, what is your dream?”]

[Zaimokuza turned his head and said to Tsurumi Rumi behind him with a smile, and after hearing his words, the little girl raised her big eyes, which still had tears in them, and looked at him, and said softly.]

【"……dream?"】

[“Yes, that’s your dream. Since we can’t leave for a while, why don’t we take this opportunity to talk about our respective dreams!”]

Zaimokuzamo spoke with great excitement, and Tsurumi Rumi remained silent for a moment before speaking.

【“I don’t have a dream?”】

[“Huh? You don’t have a dream? Isn’t your dream to be a painter or something like that? I remember that you always stayed alone in a deserted place with a drawing board, sketching, and your paintings were pretty good!?”]

[His expression was extremely shocked, as if he had heard something incredible, and even his eyes were filled with corresponding surprise.]

[When Tsurumi Rumi found out that Zaimokuza had seen her drawing alone in a corner, her fair cheeks flushed a little and she whispered in embarrassment.]

[“I just like drawing and taking pictures. It’s just one of my hobbies when I’m bored…”]

[“Oh? So you don’t have a dream now?”]

【"……Um."】

[“Then I’m different from you. I have my own dream, which is to become a light novel painter in the future, and I’m working hard towards this goal now.”]

[“I hope that one day I can write a story that will make everyone cry and be amazed by it!”]

[“Then you should be good at writing, right?”]

[“Uh…hahaha?”]

[Hearing this, Zaimokuza remembered the last time his best friend foamed at the mouth and was sent to the infirmary after reading his newly written "masterpiece". Facing the curious gaze of the little girl, he couldn't help but laugh awkwardly. ]

[“Well, I’m still working on it… but I believe that I will become a writer like that one day!”]

[Zaimokuza turned his head and looked up at the sky. The lenses of his glasses were like two glass balls, reflecting the full moon and scattered stars hanging high in the sky. His voice was filled with determination and persistence in pursuing his dreams.]

[“Then you… are amazing.”]

[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.”]