Chapter 44 A Trip to the Amusement Park

Sunday, sunny.

"Yaoyao, are you really not considering taking me with you when you go out to play?"

As Yokawa Rei sat in front of the dressing mirror, Dazai Osamu braided her hair while asking her a question with resentment.

He was skilled with his hands and could braid all sorts of elaborate and fancy hairstyles. The clumsy elf often asked him for help.

Her hair was thick and long, and with Dazai Osamu deliberately dawdling and delaying, he had already found out the purpose of her trip during their casual conversation.

"No, no, it's a girls' party, boys stay away."

Dazai Osamu saw her shaking her index finger dramatically.

I was rejected.

The little mushroom lowered its eyes listlessly: "Okay."

Little Moon, all dressed up so beautifully, is going on a date with someone else without him.

He even dressed her up himself.

As he pondered this, Dazai Osamu pinned various hair clips to his braided pigtails.

"Don't be sad, I'll bring you a little cake when I come back, okay?"

Yao Chuanling gently shook her head, turned her face to look at him with a smile in her eyes.

Her tone was soft and gentle, as if she were coaxing him like Alice, Yumeno Kyusaku, or Edogawa Ranpo.

But those green eyes were filled with sincerity.

Dazai Osamu's eyes darkened, and he reached out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

“No need for a cake,” he said with a smile, casually pinching the soft flesh on her cheek. “Just bring me back a bouquet of flowers.”

He wasn't particularly fond of sweets, and even with the world's most fragrant and sweetest little cake right in front of him, this was the only one he wanted to devour in one bite.

"receive."

She puffed out her cheeks and pretended to be fierce as she removed Dazai Osamu's wicked hand.

"In fairy tales, the one who returns home with a bouquet of flowers is Cinderella's father. How dare you, you rebellious son, be so disrespectful to me!"

Yao Chuanling stood up, raised her chin, and slammed her hand on the table in place of a magic hammer: "I hereby sentence you to continue braiding my hair next time."

What illogical and thuggish talk.

It is clearly the judge's bias.

"Yes, sir." Dazai Osamu raised his hands, smiled with lowered eyes, "But could I have a reward, my dear Lord Yoyo?"

He asked for the reward with a clear conscience, certain that Yao Chuanling would not refuse him.

Because of indulgence and fondness, they become fearless.

He once thought he was like a lost soul, having seen through the truth of the world too early, and everything became empty and boring.

Fortunately, he met Yao Yao, Oda Saku, and... Ango.

Today he is going to meet with old friends.

She granted his every request: "What do you want?"

Dazai Osamu rarely made demands of her; he mostly indulged her. For this rare occasion, Yokawa Rei was happy to be a wishing well.

I want to kiss you.

He thought.

"I want to hold you."

He said.

I want to kiss you.

That was what he originally intended to say.

But looking into her eyes, he changed his mind before he could say anything.

At the very least, it should be said in a more formal setting and with a more respectful tone.

Dazai Osamu's warm breath sprayed onto her neck, making Yaochuan Ling feel a little itchy. He held her tightly, seemingly relaxed, and she couldn't move.

"Dazai, you seem a little strange today?"

Oh no, why are her little mushrooms wilted and broken?

Dazai Osamu usually has a frivolous and irreverent demeanor, but today he seemed to have something on his mind.

"I'll be away for a few days and won't be able to see you," he said pitifully. "Prince Yao Yao, you must come and save me."

It's going to get foggy in Yokohama.

Dealing with those two guys wasted a lot of brainpower, so I'll take a few more breaths of the little moon to replenish my energy.

"I would gladly die for the princess's command." Yao Chuanling understood, and rubbed his cheeks with a grin, saying, "You silly Dazai, it was a knight who rescued the princess."

This was a joke they made on the day they visited Oda Sakushin's house; bringing up the old story again makes it seem more like a secret affair between them.

The heartwarming morning get-together came to an end, and the dressed-up elf leisurely strolled around the amusement park entrance waiting for someone.

This is Yokohama's largest amusement park. Izumi Kyoka had always wanted to come, and since a treasure hunt was being held today, they decided to come and play together.

The amusement park put a lot of thought into it, even the ticket design was unique.

The tickets are designed in the shape of a Ferris wheel, with each cabin being a hidden treasure location.

"elder sister."

While Yaochuan Ling was looking at the tickets, Quan Jinghua ran over and tugged at her sleeve, calling out obediently.

Good morning, Jinghua.

She put down the ticket and gently touched the little girl's head.

No wonder so many people like to pet her; it feels so good.

Izumi Kyōka did not resist, standing there blankly as she was ravaged.

"Sister Ling looks so beautiful today!"

Naomi Tanizaki loves beauty, and she can't take her eyes off Rei Yokawa when she sees him.

She arrived one after another, followed by Yosano Akiko and Haruno Kirako. Yokawa Rei turned her gaze to the pillar on the other side.

"Little Silver, don't be shy. Come out, come out."

Thanks to the elf's strong network of connections, she not only called for help from the detective agency but also from the Port Mafia.

As one of the ten leaders of the Black Lizard, Gin Akutagawa always wears his hair tied up and a mask. He is taciturn but decisive in his actions.

In private, she is actually a shy, gentle, long-haired beauty who is easily embarrassed.

"Oh, okay."

Akutagawa Gin responded softly and slowly moved his feet, emerging from behind the pillar.

She was wearing casual clothes today, with her long hair down, and looked like an ordinary pretty girl.

"elder sister."

Akutagawa Gin walked over, naturally took her hand, and nodded to the detective agency members.

This was a habit she had developed before. Whenever she went out with Yao Chuanling, she always held her hand.

Izumi Kyoka glanced at Akutagawa Gin, then suddenly realized something and tugged at her other sleeve—Youkawa Rei was holding the tickets, so she had no choice but to compromise.

She and Akutagawa Gin had both studied assassination techniques under Verlaine. Although they were from the same school, they were not familiar with each other.

"Dazai's skills have improved."

Having known Yokawa Rei for many years, Yosano Akiko naturally knew who her hairstylist was today.

With Nakahara Chuuya absent and Edogawa Ranpo on a business trip, only Dazai Osamu, an idle man, had the advantage of being close by.

The doctor also wanted to braid her hair, but his hands, used to handling chainsaws, were a little awkward when faced with such delicate work.

She stepped forward and straightened the teddy bear pendant that the fairy was wearing on her chest.

Spring in Yokohama is warm and sunny. Yokohama Rei wore a white sweatshirt with a bear pattern printed on it.

"Has the little bear from fairy tales crossed dimensions?"

He teased Yosano Akiko affectionately.

They walked and talked until they arrived at the first treasure location.

Carousel.

Because of the gimmick of the treasure hunt, most of the visitors are young men and women and children, but tickets are limited, so there aren't many people.

Looking at Izumi Kyoka's bright eyes, Yokawa Rei was clearly filled with anticipation for the carousel.

Actually, she also...

The elf cheered and chose the tallest white horse, its golden mane matching the color of her hair.

Yosano Akiko didn't like playing these kinds of games, so she stayed outside to take pictures of them.

"Um?"

She zoomed in on a certain part of the viewfinder.

At the top of the spiral is a metal object that reflects light in the sunlight.

"Ling, there's something on top."

Yosano Akiko pointed to the top of the spiral and said loudly.

The thing was right above Yao Chuanling's head, and she was blinded by it as soon as she looked up.

With a slight twitch of her fingers, the gleaming metal object floated automatically into her hand.

"Got it, Commander Akiko."

She waved the key in her hand at Yosano Akiko.

This is a "counterattack" against the little bear.

The elf secretly holds grudges. She's just like her mother and teacher in that respect.

John fought with the two men who kidnapped Yumeno Kyusaku that day, and he is still not fully recovered.

"He still has the mind of a child."

The commander smiled helplessly.

"childish."

Upon seeing her come out, Yosano Akiko unceremoniously poked her forehead.

You little rascal.

"Jingzi, can you give me some face in front of the kids?"

Yao Chuanling puffed out her cheeks and muttered defiantly.

Among this group, Yosano Akiko is the oldest. She is the same age as Haruno Kirako, and the rest of them have to call her "older sister".

Her burden came unexpectedly.

"Okay, okay."

She echoed Yosano Akiko's words.

The key found on top of the Trojan horse can be redeemed for a prize from the staff.

"It's key number two." The staff member smiled and opened the treasure chest with the key, handing them the tickets inside. "Congratulations, second prize, a one-day luxury cruise."

Perhaps it was the bright spring sunshine, but he was wearing a black baseball cap, and only when he looked up did his blond hair, which was pressed down by the cap, become visible.

Yao Chuan Ling was stunned for a moment.

She had seen this person in Namimori a long, long time ago.

That dessert shop is really delicious, and there's a pastry chef with black hair and blue eyes.

"Miss, haven't we met somewhere before?"

Amuro Tooru also noticed her, looking puzzled.

That's strange.

Why does it feel so familiar?

Moreover, they were warned together with Hiro.

But she was so beautiful that she was unforgettable, especially for intelligence agents like them; it was impossible for them not to remember her.

"Perhaps I've seen it in other worlds."

The elf tilted its head and smiled mischievously.

This confirms it completely: due to the influence of the primordial fragments, the two worlds have merged.

Fortunately, she had collected most of the fragments, so the fusion was not too deep.

Amuro Toru of this world has vaguely etched memories of another world.

"Haha, that's hard to say."

Amuro Tooru realized that what he had just said sounded like a flirtation, and the little girl in the kimono in front of him was staring at him seriously, so he continued along with Yokawa Rei's words.

He himself didn't believe this explanation and thought it was just a joke.

Yao Chuanling left it at that; naturally, she couldn't reveal anything about the other world to him.

Without lingering for long, they went to the next location.

Gin Akutagawa said in a low voice, "I saw this person when I was on an infiltration mission. He is a member of a mafia in Tokyo."

She remembered that the man called him "Bourbon".

Members with code names in the distillery hold a high status, and she worried that Yao Chuanling might be deceived by the other party's disguise.

Anyone who dares to deceive my sister...

A murderous glint flashed in the eyes of the ten black lizard leaders.

Then the only option is to use the Mafia's methods against the Mafia.

"Don't worry, Little Silver."

Yao Chuanling thought about it and felt that the chances of seeing him again were still quite small.

However, they met again at a Hong Kong triad dinner two weeks later.

It all started when Chuuya Nakahara called her today.

"Ling, I'd like to schedule a time with you for two weeks from now."

The young man's clear voice came through the phone to her ears, like the scent of orange sparkling water with the ocean in it.

He said embarrassedly, "I've been chosen to dance the opening dance at the Port Mafia dinner in two weeks, and I need a female partner."

The banquet also invited members of other Mafia organizations, making it a very high-profile event. Mori Ougai had several of his executives draw lots, and Nakahara Chuuya was lucky enough to be chosen.

Ozaki Koyo covered her face and chuckled, watching as Nakahara Chuuya cleared his throat in a mock manner and dialed Yokawa Rei's number.

"Sure, no problem."

She readily agreed to help her friend who needed it.

Ballroom dancing is not difficult for the elf; her teacher had taught her how to dance in Reborn's etiquette class.

Reborn was a strict teacher.

The person on the other end of the phone breathed a sigh of relief, their voice brimming with joy: "That's good, thank you. I'll come pick you up then."

The banquet was held on the ship, and only those with invitations were allowed entry. As the organizers, they had to board the ship in the morning.

Okay.

Through the screen, Yao Chuanling heard Hongye let out a soft laugh.

So she asked, "Is Sister Hongye here too?"

"I'm right here beside you. Did you all have fun today?"

Upon hearing her name, Ozaki Koyo responded gently.

Yao Chuanling had actually invited her to join in, but she declined.

First, there's a meeting today to discuss various matters related to the dinner; second, since she's gone, she'll always think about bringing Jinghua back.

"I'm so happy! It's a pity you're not here, Sister Hongye. You're not much older than us, but you've already lost interest in amusement parks."

Ozaki Koyo refused, saying she was too old and not interested in things for children.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone before she laughed and said, "It's enough that you come to Hong Kong to visit me more often."

She sees Izumi Kyōka as her former self, while Yōkawa Rei is the person she once hoped to become.

The young port mafia officer concealed his loneliness and sorrow, and spoke calmly and easily.

"Okay, but don't complain about how noisy I am."

Yao Chuanling smiled and changed the subject with a joke.

She was known as the number one troublemaker back then.

The port mafia is a colossal behemoth, and besides its leader, its officers also have numerous duties. Within minutes, these two were summoned for a meeting.

After hanging up the phone, Yao Chuanling sat on a bench waiting for them to disembark from the pirate ship.

She often darted around in the sky, finding the pirate ship rather uninteresting, not as fun as being carried around by Nakahara Chuuya using gravity.

?

A white rose appeared out of thin air right in front of her, swaying wildly as if it were done on purpose.

Yao Chuanling stared intently, and then saw a lone hand holding a rose, wearing white gloves.

Immediately afterwards, a magician, resembling a white dove, made a dazzling appearance through a spatial rift.

"Question—Who am I?"

The pure white flower gradually approached the tip of her nose, and then, in a flash, the silver-haired clown's face was right in front of her.

His exposed silver-blue eyes stared at her without blinking.

Before Yao Chuanling could answer, he spun around in a circle and answered himself, "What? You said my name is Nikolai? Correct!"

Nicolai has a white rose scent.

Just like the centifolia rose "Morning Song of Provence" in his hand.

"Next question! What am I here for?"

The answer is—I'll send you flowers!

He handed the rose to her.

One late night after the end of the Dragon Head War, he caught a glimpse of her free spirit from afar.

Nikolai remembered her from that day on.

But due to various reasons, he only had the opportunity to see her today.

The clown's smile was so infectious that Yao Chuanling unconsciously broke into a big smile as well.

Wow—thank you!

The elf was good at imitation; she mimicked Nikolai's tone, making it cheerful and sweet.

Yaochuan Ling could sense that, in some ways, she and the person in front of her were of the same kind.

They all share the same free spirit.

"Hey—!"

Nikolai laughed heartily, hands on his hips.

"I originally intended to kill you first, but you're far more interesting than I imagined. So—the Joker has decided to kill you last."

His closest friend, who understands him best, is bound by emotion; his soulmate is bound by free will.

Only by breaking free completely can he achieve true freedom.

"So she's a little madwoman." Yao Chuanling murmured to herself, "No, that's not how it works."

After all, who can define a madman and a normal person?

She found his personality unusual and special, and did not feel offended.

The elf made a face: "That's a pity, I won't die."

She is an immortal being, but unlike other immortal beings. Gods may perish due to a lack of faith, and even demons have an end to their lives, but she is immortal.

Her consciousness will continue as long as the world remains intact.

"But aren't you, who pursues absolute freedom, also bound by that freedom?"

Wasn't everything he did driven, bound, and hijacked by the emotion called "freedom"?

Yao Chuanling was just asking a simple question, but the silver-haired clown visibly froze.

The "disappearing smile" trick (JPG).

Just then, Yoko and the others disembarked from the pirate ship, and Yoko bypassed him, happily and carefree throwing herself into Yoko's arms.

Yu Guangli and Nikolai stood there, their expressions unreadable.

Their ideals of freedom differed; Yao Chuanling was open-minded, while he was conflicted, struggling, and deeply immersed in it.

Everything has its basis.

She said.