"Brother Lin, it's time for breakfast."
Lin yawned as he got out of bed. This was the most comfortable sleep he'd had in three months. No waking up breathless from someone unexpectedly holding his head and kissing him; no heart-pounding moments of having his blankets tossed aside and clothes removed in the middle of the night. Just a normal sleep and wake-up—that was enough to satisfy him.
After dressing neatly, Lin stood before the full-length mirror in the room to examine himself. His complexion looked much better; his pale, loose skin had become rosy and elastic after just one night. Was this also a result of Mobius modification?
But she had never actually given him even half a day of rest...
"..." Lin was somewhat silent. Problems were occurring one after another in his life and relationships, which meant there were flaws in his previous way of doing things. From now on, it would be better to speak and act cautiously. He should probably cover his face, too. Although his previous bantering with Kevin was joking, truth be told, he felt he was quite the handsome type.
He feared he would have PTSD regarding contact with the opposite sex from now on. The "glorious" deeds of Mobius and Prometheus would become indelible milestones in his life, causing a massive change in him.
...
"How is it, Lin? Did you rest well last night?"
Sakura, dressed in her Miko outfit and sweeping the courtyard, saw Lin walk out full of energy and asked with a smile, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Yeah, I haven't had such a peaceful sleep in a long time." Lin pressed a hand to his heart, still feeling the lingering fear. "I didn't have to worry about waking up to find myself merged with someone else."
"..."
Sakura used the broom, saying calmly, "That's good. I was afraid you wouldn't be used to it. Sit for a while; we'll eat once I'm done sweeping. Today is the Dragon Boat Festival, we're having Zongzi."
That's right, today was the Dragon Boat Festival.
Lin had been locked up so long he'd lost track of time; he only just remembered it was the festival.
He looked up at the sunlight—which he hadn't looked at for more than three seconds in a long time—stretched, then picked up another broom from the side and started helping Sakura sweep.
"Two people make it faster. I'm looking forward to the Zongzi you wrapped." Lin smiled at Sakura puzzled look. He had no ill will toward Sakura; they had known each other for over five years. This self-disciplined Miko was both mature as an adult and honest and kind as a girl. She was an excellent girl who made even an extremely narcissistic guy like him feel somewhat inferior by comparison. ( Note TL: Zongzi means Dumpling )
Her culinary skills could rival his, her martial prowess was superior, and she was as gentle as water. She was practically the ideal type.
So while Lin might be playful, crude, or malicious toward many people, he wouldn't be too arrogant specifically with Sakura... Previously, there had also been Mobius.
Lin had been burned twice, so he was actually quite cautious this time. Sakura probably wouldn't drug him, but her combat power was higher than his, so he just had to watch out that she didn't launch a surprise attack.
For now, Sakura seemed the same as before. Right, it wasn't like Mobius situation where she raised him just to devour him. He'd known Sakura for two years; she certainly wouldn't do something like that.
Thinking that there was still a normal female friend he could get along with made Lin feel a lump in his throat.
"Oh, by the way."
Lin goosebumps stood up instantly. He stared in terror at Sakura, who had suddenly remembered something.
C-Could it be starting again?
Sakura smiled and clapped her hands: "The Zongzi I made have cherry blossom filling. Are you okay with that?"
"...Too..."
"Hmm? What did you say?"
"Too normal! It's just too normal!" Lin covered his eyes, unable to stop the tears from flowing. He remembered once crazily saying he wanted a harem, but now he just hoped the girls around him could be as normal as Sakura.
At least deceive the heart before the body, right? Why did they all skip the step he cared about most?
Had everyone in this era succumbed to carnal desire? Had an emotionalist like him, who just wanted a normal romance, become a rare breed?
He hated all the bastards who treated dating like a sexual transaction, because it made him look like a stubborn idiot.
A slightly cool hand wiped away the tears at the corner of his eye. Sakura smiled with a mix of confusion and helplessness.
"Lin, look forward. Being constantly bound by the past is not the sign of a capable person."
"That sentence..."
"You taught it to me."
...
"..."
The river water had risen above her chest, pressing down until it was hard to breathe. Dirty water splashed into her nostrils. Everything was physically unpleasant.
But... it didn't matter anymore.
Just two more steps forward and she might step into an underwater hole, becoming a bloated corpse in this turbulent river a few hours later.
So easy...
"How pathetic."
Crunch.
Sakura turned her water-paled face, shivering with cold. She looked hollowly at a boy sitting on a large rock not far behind her, eating potato chips with a sneer on his face.
He poured the chips into his mouth, eating with great relish, as if he didn't care at all that a girl about his age was about to commit suicide by jumping into the river.
"There are about 350 million people with depression globally... oh, excluding the 'stars' on the internet, it's about that number. Roughly every forty seconds, someone chooses suicide. I express my regret for them because most of their suicides aren't entirely voluntary." The boy crumpled the chip bag and stuffed it into his pocket. He let out an unrefined burp, still directing that sneer at Sakura. "What about you? Do you have depression too?"
"..."
"I can tell just by looking at you that you feel you've recently encountered the most miserable thing in your life, crushing you to the point where you can't go on. The world is cruel, life is bleak."
The boy jumped off the rock but made no move to pull her back. Instead, he continued his mockery: "But you're actually just a coward. You fear living even more than you fear death."
"...What business is it of yours?" the girl questioned expressionlessly.
"Of course it's none of my business. That's why I'm just watching. Go ahead." The boy stretched casually, loosening his joints. "Domestic violence? School bullying? Or... something happened to your family?"
Seeing her body flinch, he already knew.
"Hmph, escaping through death. How pathetic," he mocked mercilessly. "Is there really not a single person left in the world who cares about you?"
"I... have no one... Father, Mother..."
"Sigh, you... Hey!"
The boy could no longer maintain his sneer. Just as he scratched the back of his head to say something, he saw a wave swallow the girl. With a shout, he lunged forward to the riverbank and grabbed her hand.
"Ugh—"
With great effort, the boy pulled Sakura ashore. He frantically slapped the face of the unconscious, water-choking Sakura.
He had never learned first aid! Was this drowning?
The boy had no choice but to grit his teeth and try pressing Sakura stomach. Finding that she vomited a little, he quickly turned her over so her upper body was supported on his thigh, letting all the water pour out.
"Sister... Sister..."
A crying voice drew the sweating boy's attention. Sakura breathing eased upon hearing that voice. He let out a sigh of relief, watching another little girl stumbling toward them from afar.
"Hey, hear that? There's still someone who cares about you. Look forward. Being constantly bound by the past is not the sign of a capable person."
"You didn't actually want to die, did you? Otherwise, you wouldn't have been so cooperative."
The boy picked up Sakura, comforted Rin with a few words, and stepped forward.
"If you feel like no one in the world cares about you, then remember that I care about you. Though we're strangers, we know each other from today. I am the person who cares about you most in this world, besides your sister."
"My name is Lin. And yours?"
He laughed brightly. In the eyes of the girl who had slightly opened her eyes, he was so dazzling.