Chapter 77 Hugging You

"Senior, why are you here?"

Chen Xiao'er opened her mouth slightly, and in the blink of an eye she was dragged up by a firm force.

Ling held her wrist with his right hand and gently supported her back with his left hand to prevent Xiao'er from falling accidentally.

She lowered her head slightly at the questioning voice. "Because you're here, we're in the same group."

"Because you're here, we're part of the same plan."

Senior sister... Chen Xiao'er's expression gradually softened.

She first looked around, then took two small steps and slowly stood up on the rock wall, imitating her classmates' movements.

After completing the set of movements, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and winked at Zero. "Don't worry, I can complete the test on my own. I hit all the shots just now. So, so impressive, isn't it~"

"See, you did a great job."

The senior student took her hand and supported Xiao'er as she walked to the right. "There's still one diving test left. I've already signed up for a tandem dive with the school. Let's go now."

"Next up is a deep dive test. We need to dive to a designated location simultaneously. Let's begin immediately."

Eh, two people diving at the same time?!

Chen Xiao'er looked at her senior in disbelief, with a lot of questions in her mouth, such as "Why would the school agree to a two-person test?"

Tandem diving is certainly beneficial to her, and even running with one more person leading the way is good.

She'd worried about making a fool of herself diving solo before. After all, her head was always fuzzy, and staying underwater felt like falling asleep. Without a senior student to hold her hand, what if she drowned?

"Is this considered cheating..." She asked Ling worriedly, while waving at the students who were still waving.

"It's okay, trust me."

Ling turned his face to the side, and a charming light surged in his ice-blue eyes.

Chen Xiao'er's breathing stagnated, but the gentle strength in her palm was still clear, as always.

She followed Ling step by step, and only when she changed into her swimsuit and walked out of the locker room with an oxygen tank on her back could she help but squeeze her senior's hand.

The senior's fingers were slender and long, with few calluses, yet a remarkably springy feel. Such a warm hand felt strong whenever we held hands, went diving, or rock-climbed, giving the illusion of never slipping.

When the senior sister was pulling me up just now, and——

Xiao'ai's eyes became hazy: just like when she fell from the sky.

As long as I hold my senior sister’s hand, even I feel that I can do anything.

I am so envious and I really want to have this kind of power to pass on strength to others. I also want to be an excellent and shining person like my senior.

If I could really become that kind of person, would I be able to stand proudly next to Zero?

"Xiao Ai."

"Yes!" Chen Xiao'er stood up straight, then suddenly swayed twice. Eeeeheeeh~ So high?!

Only then did she realize that she and her senior had reached the edge of the diving platform!

Hiss—Xiao'er was so scared that she shrank back two steps. The confidence she had just had bounced back like an earthworm, blocking even the small hole.

Why do you need a diving platform for diving?! Is there such a thing as high-rise diving?

Chen Xiao'er stood on the high diving platform and looked down, and her body began to sway from side to side as if she was having a seizure.

No, this is no longer a question of whether you are afraid of heights or not.

Standing on such a high and narrow diving platform and looking down, it is like staring into an abyss. Even the widest surface of the water is compressed into a tiny dot by the instinctive sense of fear.

"Huh...Huh." No, I can't do it anymore. I absolutely can't jump down.

Chen Xiao'er was so nervous that she was gasping for breath. She was just about to beg for mercy from her senior and return to the shore to dive normally, but her left foot suddenly slipped to the side and she stepped on empty air.

…

[No. 0: Chen Xiao'er's heart rate has been very fast since point A, and now we've reached point C. She must be very afraid of deep diving. Please give me some advice.]

Milo sat behind the screen and watched, feeling a little amused and helpless for a moment.

No. 0 sent a very intuitive picture, which used several points to outline their movement trajectory in the abyss well.

Point A is where they held hands when they met, and Point C is their current location: a vertical drop well platform provided for deep diving tests.

In fact, Chen’s heart rate change at the beginning was obviously not due to fear, 0.

However, Milo did not correct No. 0's idea. After all, using Chen Xiao'er's feelings for No. 0 to advance the plan was a cruel practice. If even No. 0 realized this, the facts would become doubly or even several times more cruel.

[Milo: It's okay. Chen Xiao'er will become a resolute warrior. Please don't exacerbate her fear of deep diving by emphasizing it.]

[Milo: Tell her during the deep dive that you will always be by her side]

Before the second half of the sentence could be sent, something strange happened.

The girl on the screen suddenly shook, and the solid platform under her feet instantly turned into a vast void.

Milo pushed the table away, and the chair fell to the side with a thud. "Chen Xiao'er?!"

…

“——”

Chen Xiao'er slid off the diving board with a loud noise, and her feet couldn't touch anything.

She fell face-down into the abyss, and for a brief moment she was unable to do anything, unable to utter anything, not even the faintest cry.

Senior, I haven't told you yet, I like—Senior?!

The silver figure jumped down from the sky with unhesitating determination.

Zero's hair and silver swimsuit blended into a streak of light, swept over by the wind—

Click.

Those slender, strong and gentle hands once again firmly grasped her and held her tightly in mid-air.

Brush, brush, pull.

Zero's flexible body performed an almost impossible spin in mid-air, embracing the falling girl in his arms and sinking deeply into her.

"Xiao Ai."

Her voice came from the air, from the wind, from her brain to her heart.

"I will always be there for you."

"Don't be afraid."

Boom—crash…

The ending tone of "Don't be afraid" was pressed into the water surface along with the air, and the overwhelming sea water rushed in from all directions, happily entangling Chen Xiao'er's hands, feet and body.

Every practice session gave her the illusion that "I would fall asleep even if I did it a hundred times", but this illusion was now broken by a pair of hands.

bite--

She finally bravely opened her eyes underwater, wanting to find the only truth.

With a crack, the mirror shattered into pieces. For the first time, Xiao'er saw her senior sister's real body underwater, not a colorful phantom.

Whether it was foam, schools of fish, or the aurora, they all shimmered beautifully, but they could no longer catch Xiao'e's sight. She stretched out her hand towards the figure in her heart and swam as hard as she could.

"Senpai——Zero——"

Chen Xiao'er had forgotten about oxygen and couldn't hear whether she actually shouted underwater.

She just swam and kept swimming.

It turns out I’m not the only one who falls asleep while diving, senior sister...you have your eyes closed now too.

Ling's hair floated in the water, and she floated in the light foam like a sleeping mermaid.

"zero--"

I don't want anyone, not even a school of fish, to touch you before me.

Pasha.

Her fingertips touched her shoulder.

The silver-white doll opened its eyes, and a sharp buzzing sound rang in its ears. [Beep——]

She smiled, just smiled and raised her shoulders, wanting to hug Xiao'er in her arms again and protect her with her whole heart.

Then you won't be afraid anymore.

Crash, crash.

Chen Xiao'er swam hard into the arms of her senior.

They swirled in the ocean current, and platinum-colored fish and foam carefully circled around them, adding colorful embellishments to the picture that belonged to them.

Senior sister is so beautiful when she smiles... If only she could always be like this...

Chen Xiao'er looked up in ecstasy and suddenly realized something important: Where was her senior's oxygen tank? She hadn't even filled it up just now?!

She quickly pulled off her mask and covered Ling's face with it, bubbles coming out of her mouth.

"Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle!" How can you dive without oxygen? Get up quickly!

Ling seemed to understand her anxious mumbling, and the faint smile on her face slowly faded. She regained her usual calm expression and quickly ascended, holding Chen Xiao'er's shoulders.

The light source is getting closer and closer...crash.

Two figures jumped out of the water one after the other, their long silver-white hair and black hair intertwined together, shining brightly in the non-existent water splashes.

"zero."

Ling lowered her head, Chen Xiao'er hooked her arms around her neck and took a deep breath, raising the corners of her lips under the scorching light.

"The sun is out."

The girl's little head nestled against her chest, even her ice-blue eyes were tinged with bright purple tenderness.

…

"call."

Milo breathed a sigh of relief, she adjusted her chair and sat back, then picked up the water cup and took a big gulp, then looked at the screen with interest.

[Milo, explain the results of this experiment! ]

[What exactly is Chen Xiao'er's superpower? ]

[That data just now...]

Countless messages from different sources passed through the space and were displayed directly in her dialog box.

Sorry, guys, I can't explain it right now.

Miroku's slender fingers tapped lightly on the keyboard.

Now that Chen Xiao'er is safe, she has the time to analyze the data.

According to original records, Chen Xiao'er's superpowers have extremely high priority and have taken effect first in several known observations.

She can emit a special power in the abyss to distort nearby [existences], keeping the surrounding area at 0 Paster value.

However, the range is very small. If it is inside the abyss, it will only be effective when in contact, that is, a small area surrounding Xiao'er.

Even if the influence distance is extended through "vision" and "sound", the expanded range is very limited and basically will not exceed fifteen meters.

But the data just fed back is obviously different.

From the time Chen Xiao'er fell into the abyss to the time she reconnected with No. 0, she erupted with powerful energy, completely purifying an area of at least 50x50.

This range is just a tiny point in the entire abyss, like a speck of dust in the ocean, but it reveals an extremely desirable possibility.

Look, the children are all looking at this bright area.

They are now standing in the abyss, and the scene inside must be even more shocking.

Who could forget this scene, even until the moment they close their eyes - someone has lit up the abyss before their eyes.

Milo looked at the bright spot of light in the record, which was as bright as the North Star, and smiled sweetly: Even if it is a fleeting beauty, it is still extremely moving because of its purity.

You shine so brightly.

She gently brushed the screen with her thin black gloves until the North Star on her fingertips completely dimmed, but she never let go.

…

Chen Xiao'er walked out of the water holding her senior's hand, and the two walked hand in hand on the beach.

She lowered her head sheepishly to avoid the gazes from above: "It feels like everyone is looking at me. Oh, really, why does the sun have to come out at this time... It's too conspicuous!"

But to say it was painful—of course not at all.

I don’t feel uncomfortable being so close to my senior. At most I feel a little embarrassed?

Click, tap, tap.

The footsteps of more than a dozen people could be heard from not far away, and their pace was quite even.

Chen Xiao'er quickly raised her head and found that it was the Student Union President Lin Yi walking towards her with many Student Union members.

What’s going on? Could it be that... could it be that the senior didn’t report to the student union and came on her own initiative to take the exam with me?

Chen Xiao'er looked at Ling a little worriedly, and then stole a glance at the cold and tall president.

They stopped three meters apart, their gazes meeting with a tangible pressure. Behind them, a group of tall, handsome student union members remained silent, creating a uniquely solemn atmosphere.

"0." The president's tone was calm and cold. "Your presumptuous actions have caused a lot of trouble for everyone, and have also caused a number of problems with the mission. Please return immediately and conduct a thorough review. I will handle the matter as appropriate."

"Your emotion module has just displayed a large amount of abnormal data, directly affecting the universal module. We must immediately take you back for harmless treatment to ensure that it does not affect the soul pool and universal connection."

After hearing these words, Xiao'er's face suddenly fell: Senior sister, you really broke the rules for me, woo.

Zero turned around, stunned by her tearful expression. Even the other members of the student council remained silent, the atmosphere completely emphasizing, "Hurry up and deal with this!"

[No. 0: Please give me some advice.]

Ling's message received no reply, so she had to hold Xiao'er's hand, trying to further activate the emotional module so that she would know what to do at this time.

Senior...

Chen Xiao'er looked at their holding hands and suddenly realized: Senior is also a human being, and everyone will be nervous.

Zero did this entirely for me, even if it meant violating student council rules. Now she's about to be punished by the president, how can I leave her alone?

Chen Xiao'er looked the president in the eye firmly. "Please let me go with Senior Ling!"

Lin Yi paused, unknown data flashed in her eyes, and then she shook her head decisively: "No."

Is it really not possible?

Xiao Ai immediately shrank her head under the president's gaze. Ugh, how could a small-time jerk like me possibly rebel against the student union? Besides, I'm already in the wrong...

"It's okay, I'll just get scolded by the president."

[“It’s okay, only some of the data will be reset.”]

Ling lifted Xiao'er's hand and poked her palm with his fingers. The apostle had forgotten the human way of expressing emotions, but she wanted to pass it on to her just as Xiao'er had passed it on to her.

"call……"

Under the gaze of her senior, Chen Xiao'e mustered her courage once more. She met the president's gaze and walked between Ling and the student council members.

"Um..." The petite girl raised her face towards the tall apostles, tightly holding Zero's hand with her right hand.

"If I can't enter the student union, please let me walk there with Zero. It's just a short distance...is that okay?" As she spoke, her tone became a little hoarse at the end.

The girl's determined face was reflected in the president's light-colored pupils.

"Okay." There was a hint of ups and downs in the inorganic response.

Great! The president is indeed not an unkind person~

Chen Xiao'er knew when to quit and immediately returned to her senior sister happily.

The student council members gathered around, with the president walking in front, and the others spread out evenly, surrounding her and Zero in the middle.

Xiao'er took a step forward and followed closely, trying her best to ignore the stares from her classmates.

In a sense, I became "shiny" myself because I was hanging out with the shining student union members.

She smiled bitterly: What a special fox taking advantage of the tiger's power~

But...actually I'm very happy, Zero.

Because I am now standing with you, even if it only means that we are on the same front*.

Chen Xiao'er looked at Ling's tall and straight back.

The senior student always shines as brightly as when we first met. Even when walking in the middle of such a special queue, she still looks coordinated and elegant, and is the particularly eye-catching one.

"zero."

She couldn't help but whisper.

"Um."

Zero slowed down his pace slightly and tilted his head to listen to the girl behind him.

The senior sister actually heard it?

I like you, I like you like a lover, I want to be your date, I want to experience many things with you, I want to be loved by you like a lover.

I have fantasized about this countless times at night. That night when I said "it was very sudden" to you, it was not so much because I was scared, but actually there was a more subtle feeling.

The girl stood on tiptoe and whispered softly in the apostle's ear.

"I would be happier if you didn't ask when you kissed me."

A flash of bright blue flashed in the ice blue.

The bright blue meteor carried the entire silver galaxy and fell towards the dark sky.

Chirp.

Among the countless figures walking silently, the tall woman bent gracefully, holding the girl's soft waist, and skillfully tightened and relaxed the muscles in her hands.

The lips parted tenderly.

"Xiao'e, now." Ling looked at the girl's face seriously and listened to her pounding heartbeat.

"Are you happy?"