Chapter 263: Origami Tobiichi Reclaims Her Memories
Gently taking the soft hand of Origami Tobiichi beside him, Franklin led her toward the slowly rotating Ferris wheel.
Under the guidance of the staff—and with Franklin leading the way—he and Origami Tobiichi sat down inside a Ferris wheel cabin.
As it rose slowly, Franklin gently pressed his palm against the forehead of the dazed Origami Tobiichi.
Franklin understood that problems of the heart had to be resolved from within. External stimulation would only worsen the condition and was completely useless against Origami Tobiichi's sealed-off heart.
As Franklin entered Origami Tobiichi's world of consciousness, what appeared before his eyes was none other than himself.
"You're here… This lost memory is finally due to return… It will help you completely unlock Origami Tobiichi's inner seal…"
In the very next instant, a massive surge of memories came flooding in. The length of time he had spent pursuing Origami far exceeded Franklin's imagination. They had been childhood sweethearts since they were very young—together in kindergarten, in elementary school, always by each other's side.
Everything changed on the day Kotori became a Spirit.
Knowing that some history could not be altered, Franklin had been laying the groundwork ever since. From that moment on, he began trying to deceive fate itself.
His memories were sealed away. Everything—absolutely everything—had been waiting for his future self to discover this fact and perfectly complete the final closed loop.
Slowly opening his eyes, having accepted all the memories, Franklin looked toward the young Origami Tobiichi kneeling blankly within the pitch-black space.
"I'm sorry I came so late. I left you alone here for so long. I'm really sorry."
As Franklin's voice rang out, the young Origami Tobiichi snapped back to her senses. When she saw Franklin, she froze for a moment.
Then she reacted quickly, scrambling to her feet and running toward him. Seeing this, Franklin directly lifted her up and let her sit on his forearm.
"Lin, you came to get me. Did everything go smoothly? Can my dad and mom survive?"
Looking into those eyes filled with trust and anticipation, Franklin truly felt a bit overwhelmed. Recalling everything he had done, he nodded heavily.
"Now you just need to remember everything. Then, in the near future, you'll complete the worldline and form a perfect closed loop."
Hearing Franklin's words, the young Origami Tobiichi immediately broke into a joyful smile. Franklin stared at it for a long time, stunned.
Feeling the warm, soft sensation on his cheek, Franklin instantly snapped back to reality.
"Let's go, Lin. I've already been here long enough. I really want to know what my relationship with you will be like in the future."
Hearing the young Origami Tobiichi's words, Franklin became awkward for a moment.
Not only had he forgotten that Origami was his childhood sweetheart, he had even done many excessive things right in front of her.
Gently shaking his head, Franklin stopped thinking about it. Holding the little Origami Tobiichi sealed deep within his memories, he returned to the shallow layer of consciousness. At the same time, Franklin returned to reality.
Looking at Origami Tobiichi with her eyes closed and her brows slightly furrowed, Franklin let out a light breath and began sorting through his short-term goals for the future.
Time passed bit by bit. After an unknown amount of time, Origami Tobiichi slowly opened her eyes.
The faint despair deep within her gaze was gone, replaced by a yearning filled with hope for the future.
When she saw Franklin before her, Origami Tobiichi's stiff cheeks curved into a faint smile. She lunged forward and tightly embraced him.
"I really… really… missed you…"
Feeling Origami Tobiichi's rapidly beating heart, Franklin gently patted her on the back.
"I'm sorry. My memories were sealed too—I only just recovered them. My attitude toward you before was a bit excessive. I'm really sorry."
Origami Tobiichi directly sat on Franklin's lap, her eyes filled with trust and devotion toward him.
"No. Lin must have had a very important reason for doing that. I've trusted Lin every moment, liked Lin, loved Lin—forever."
As she spoke, Origami gently closed her eyes and slightly raised her head. Seeing this, Franklin did not hesitate at all and directly kissed her.
A crisp sound rang out as the Ferris wheel reached its highest point. The two of them, locked in a kiss, searched for the feeling of intimacy they once shared.
When the door of the Ferris wheel cabin opened, Franklin held Origami's hand as they slowly walked out.
At this moment, a faint smile still lingered on Origami's face. She held Franklin tightly, as if she wanted to reclaim everything Franklin had owed her over the years.
Looking at the girls not far away, and at the gradually setting sun, today's date could be considered extremely successful. At the very least, it would be difficult for the harem to suddenly explode again.
Just as Franklin was thinking this, Origami released him and ran straight toward Kotori.
"Long time no see, little Kotori. I always thought you were especially clingy to your big brother when we were little. I never expected you'd also become a member of Franklin's support group."
Seeing Origami Tobiichi's smile and feeling the goodwill coming from the depths of her heart, Kotori froze on the spot.
It wasn't until she felt her head about to be rubbed raw that Kotori finally snapped out of it. She immediately brushed Origami's hand away.
Then she quickly ran toward Franklin. After grabbing him, she swiftly dragged him back into the Ferris wheel.
At this moment, Tohka was still staring blankly at the smiling Origami Tobiichi. She could feel that the cold aura around her had completely disappeared.
Even the faint hostility she had been emitting before was gone without a trace.
Curious, she stepped forward and gently poked Origami Tobiichi's cheek. What she received was not a counterattack, but a faint smile.
"What's wrong, Tohka? Are you curious about my change?"
In the very next instant, Tohka hid directly behind Yoshino.
"You're smarter and know more about the current world. Tell me—how did this person become like this?"
Yoshino calmly shook her head. "Why are you worrying about all that? What you should be worried about now is that Origami's personality has become so good.
If she decides to use this to pursue Franklin, how are you supposed to compete with her?
Creatures like men have very little resistance to cute, sexy, gentle women.
Origami happens to possess all three at once. And what about you, Tohka? Other than being a bit cute-looking, you've got nothing right now.
So you really need to work harder. Your figure is even more perfect than hers—if you put in some effort, you might be able to take Franklin down first."
Provoked by Yoshino's words, Tohka's attention was instantly diverted.
At this moment, Origami Tobiichi had already walked up to Yoshino and Yoshino, crouching down with a smile.
"Speaking badly about people behind their backs is a very bad habit. And I won't monopolize Lin.
He's doing this to save all the girls who became Spirits.
In the future, he'll also have to change many tragedies that have already happened.
So we need to get along well. We can't add to his burden."
Hearing these words, Yoshino froze in place. She took a fearful step back, looking toward Franklin and Kotori inside the Ferris wheel.
A bad suspicion surfaced in her heart.
"You haven't been brainwashed by him, have you?"