Chapter 120

The emotions contained in this email were like a needle stuck in a balloon, completely releasing the lingering cold anger in Kazuma Hatori's heart.

Even the black pupils reflecting that small square screen became soft and gentle, like obsidian tinged with warmth by the sun.

In Ayako's eyes, it was so strange that she glanced at it several times, and almost drove the car off course and crossed the line.

"Chatting with your partner?"

She couldn't think of any other possibility that could make this kid show such a thawing expression.

"……no."

Hagoromo Kazuma paused for a moment, then asked Sakemi Ayako in return.

Why do you think they are lovers?

He never pursued Satoru in a second life, and he didn't feel that any part of their relationship was like that of lovers.

Compared to his relationship with Satoru in the first timeline, in this timeline they are at most... relatively close friends.

Just like him and Mikoshiba, they would go out together on their days off, talk about everything with each other, confide their troubles to each other, and sometimes stay at each other's houses if they played games too late. It was also common for them to wear the wrong clothes a few times...

"Come on, did you see your own face? You're laughing so hard it's practically blooming on the ground."

Ayako Sakura, gripping the steering wheel, silently rolled her eyes, realizing that Kazuma Hatori was completely oblivious to his own shortcomings in this regard.

“I’ve been there, I’ve seen this kind of reaction countless times… If I had to describe your current state in one word, it would be [courtship].

After saying that, she adjusted the rearview mirror and pointed it at Kazuma Hagoromo, saying, "See for yourself."

Kazuma Hatake subconsciously looked up and realized that the corners of his lips were slightly upturned and his eyes were slightly narrowed—even though the expression was not large, it was easy to see that he was radiating a kind of pure happiness that was visible to the naked eye.

The cool guy face that Mikoshiba used to tease him about is now nowhere to be found.

Is this why, whether it's the first or second playthrough, Satoru always describes him as "smiling with his eyes"?

Kazuma Hatake was a little stunned—in sync with his expression, he also looked a bit dazed in the rearview mirror, with that faint smile still lingering in his eyes.

When Wu had described him this way before, he didn't realize his expression had changed since he couldn't see himself in a mirror, and simply attributed it to Wu's keen perception.

But at this moment, Kazuma Hatori could no longer deceive himself.

The truth is... even though he reminded himself repeatedly, he still fell for Satoru in the second playthrough—completely unaware of it.

He actively pursued Satoru in his first playthrough and was captivated by his personal charm, making it impossible for him to simply view Satoru in his first playthrough as a string of data.

In his second playthrough, Satoru is still a young man, full of youthful vigor and pride, and his every move is far more unrestrained and flamboyant than in his first playthrough.

Yet his personality also possesses countless brilliant highlights, like beautiful raw stones yet to be sculpted by time.

Unbeknownst to him, Kazuma Hatake had fallen for him again, as if he had fallen into a trap woven from cream, honey and sweet aromas, without even realizing it.

This is incorrect.

A reprimanding voice appeared in Hatake Kazuma's heart.

So what about Satoru in the first playthrough? Didn't you promise yourself that you would only like him before you entered the game in the second playthrough? This is a complete betrayal of your feelings.

But at the same time, another voice is refuting this.

Whether it's the first or second playthrough, the data code that constitutes Satoru is the same, which means that their reactions to the player's words and actions will also be logically consistent.

Given this, wouldn't it be only natural that he would fall in love with the same character designed by this game again during this long gaming session?

“…”

A long silence fell over the car. Ayako thought that after she burst the pink bubble of Kazuma Hatake, she would see his helpless reaction.

But as a result, she found that the smile on Kazuma Hatake's lips gradually disappeared, and he even became a little depressed.

Ayako Sakami was very confused.

What's going on? Does the other person not like him?

That can't be... Although she didn't want to admit it, she acknowledged that Kazuma Hatake was not only composed in his actions, but also far more flexible in his methods than he appeared on the surface. He didn't seem like an innocent 16-year-old boy who had been raised with strict discipline.

This is also why she finally agreed to work with Kazuma Hatori.

A faint, inexplicable intuition kept urging her to believe Kazuma Hatake's words.

Of course, Ayako Sakami was unaware that this was actually an additional effect of her positive feelings towards Kazuma Hatori—the higher the feelings, the stronger the effect.

In any case, since she agreed to team up with Kazuma Hatake, not only did her favorability rating increase, but their conversations also became much closer.

Besides, this kid always drives her crazy, so it's time for her to retaliate!

"Why are you suddenly unhappy? You're not in a one-sided love relationship, are you?"

While keeping a close eye on the road and turning the steering wheel, Ayako Sakami tentatively asked Kazuma Hatori.

"...That's not the reason."

Kazuma Hatori leaned back in his chair, his head and gaze tilted to the view outside the window, his tone listless, and he seemed particularly dispirited.

"I just feel really sorry for someone else."

Ayako Sakami: "..."

Ayako Sakami: "!"

Haha, I never would have guessed that someone so young would be caught up in a love triangle!

"Who is the other person, also a friend?"

"...is no longer here."

The depression surrounding the black-haired boy deepened—even when his phone vibrated again to signal a reply, he didn't open it.

"But the two of them... are very similar."

Ayako Sakami's expression instantly became subtle; she hadn't expected this relationship to suddenly become so complicated.

"So, you want to refuse?" she asked.

That's the plan.

Kazuma Hatake nodded slowly, but his voice sounded weak.

"I didn't realize you were so devoted."

As they passed the intersection, Ayako Sakura stepped on the brakes and casually asked another question.

How similar are the two of them?

Kazuma Hatori thought for a moment, “...almost exactly the same.”

It always gives him a sense of déjà vu, a feeling of being exactly the same, with no clear boundaries between them.

Ayako Sakami: "They're so identical...twins?"

Kazuma Hagoromo: "They are not twins."

On this wide, deserted road at night, Ayako Sakami looked away from her gaze, which had been fixed on the road, and glanced with confusion at the black-haired boy who seemed to be lost in thought.

"If they're not twins and yet look exactly alike, is it possible that they're the same person?"

“…”

Kazuma Hatori's black eyes lit up slightly, then dimmed again in an even faster motion.

That's certainly true if you insist on saying it that way, but Ayako Sakami is, after all, just an NPC in a game. In her understanding of the world, the timeline is unique and flows forward continuously, and there is no such thing as "starting over".

He was unable to further explain the difference between the first and second cycles of enlightenment.

Seeing that Hatori Kazuma remained silent, Sakami Ayako stepped on the brakes, bringing the car to a stop on the side of the road.

Having seen this kid so often, full of energy and always arguing back at her, even when facing the president and the cult leader with neither servility nor arrogance, she was really not used to seeing him suddenly become so listless.

Well, it won't hurt to worry a little more, it won't affect the mission anyway—just like she cares about the mental state of the believers, she'll care about this precocious boy as well.

Do you know where the other person is right now?

Instead of continuing to the original destination, Ayako Sakura bluntly asked Yuu for his true identity.

"……what you up to?"

Kazuma Hatori withdrew his gaze from the scenery outside the window, his dark eyes narrowing as he immediately became alert.

Why are you so nervous?

Ayako said irritably, "You two are just typing on your phones, why don't you talk in person? Ask her where she is, and I'll take you there."

Because no gender-specific pronouns were used in the conversation, Ayako Sakami assumed that Kazuma Hatori was in love with a woman.

Kazuma Hatori didn't explain the misunderstanding, but his expression showed hesitation, as if he wasn't sure if he really wanted to go.

The more he analyzed his own feelings, the more he retreated from the original way they interacted.

So much so that at times, Kazuma Hatori would even despair and think—maybe I should just pretend that Satoru in both timelines is the same person.

But that's not the case.

After hesitating for a long time, Kazuma Hatori slowly and firmly shook his head.

"I won't go."

We had originally planned to make things clear on Wu's birthday. If we go tonight, wouldn't that be like pouring cold water on him after making him happy?

Ayako Sakura silently stared at this stubborn guy who clearly liked the other person to death but still insisted on denying it.

"Sigh, fine, since you're so insistent, there's nothing I can do to persuade you to accept a new relationship."

Ayako Sakami restarted the vehicle. "As long as it doesn't delay the mission, I'm still waiting to become the president."

She didn't have much extra kindness—besides, if this stubborn guy didn't want to, even if she forced the two of them together, it wouldn't work.

"Wait, I won't go back to the vocational college yet."

When Ayako Sakami heard Kazuma Hatori suddenly speak up and give her an address, she said, "Go here."

"Changed your mind?"

Sake Ayako stepped on the gas and accelerated, raising her eyebrows in a mocking manner.

“No,” Kazuma Hatake said, “I just suddenly remembered that tomorrow is the weekend, and I should find a master to learn how to make Mont Blanc.”

I'll stay at a nearby hotel for one night and then head over early tomorrow. That'll be perfect.

It takes a long time to get there from the college by tram, which is a bit of a waste of time.

Ayako Sakura was speechless for a moment: "...I copied what I made for that person?"

Kazuma Hagoromo: "Hmm."

Ayako Sakami: "…………"

With a quick press of the accelerator, Ayako Sakura muttered to herself, feeling annoyed.

What a stubborn fool! You even said you didn't like him!

…………

With only a few days left until Gojo Satoru's birthday, Hato Kazuma hurried to Kawamura's apartment to learn how to make a modified version of chocolate Mont Blanc.

Master Kawamura not only made time for him, but also paid close attention to entertainment news.

"I never expected you to be a singer who became an instant hit right after your debut," Master Kawamura exclaimed in amazement. "I had no idea."

He was just passing by the music store when he unexpectedly saw a familiar figure on the promotional poster—so much so that he couldn't resist going in and buying a CD to show his support.

When he got back and searched online, he discovered that he didn't need the support at all; the kid's record sales were simply unmatched.

Upon hearing Master Kawamura's praise, Kazuma Hatori, focused on whipping the cream in his bowl, replied without looking up.

"That's because Wu is popular, it has little to do with me."

In his mind, it was only natural that Gojo Satoru had such high popularity.

Master Kawamura crossed his forearms over his chest, leaned against the bar watching Kazuma Hatori busy at work, and then pondered for a moment.

"The friend you mentioned before... including the Mont Blanc you're thinking of making for him, is it Gojo Satoru, the singer you're paired with?"

There's no point in hiding it, Kazuma Hagoromo nodded: "Yes."

Master Kawamura fell silent.

He first recalled the music video he saw when he played the CD, especially the look in their eyes when they sang the duet together.

Then he recalled how Kazuma Hagoromo had asked him to make "God's Dessert" and a chocolate Mont Blanc, and had also described Gojo Satoru's reaction when he ate those two desserts.

...The more I thought about it, the more something seemed off.

After a brief silence in the apartment, Master Kawamura suddenly made a move, snatching the fine-mesh sieve from Kazuma Hatori's hand, which he was about to use to sift low-gluten flour.

"Don't copy my recipe."

Master Kawamura spoke in a heavy tone.

"...?"

As Kazuma Hatori was meticulously following the steps to create the product, his hands suddenly felt empty. He turned his head to look at him, and a question mark slowly appeared above his head.

Why are we suddenly not allowed to study anymore?

"Just do it at your usual level, just do it like that."

Master Kawamura's tone left no room for argument, and he even put away the paper filled with improvement steps.

"But according to your comments, my chocolate Mont Blanc was actually terrible..."

Kazuma Hagoromo frowned slightly, not quite understanding why Master Kawamura's attitude had become so resolute.

“I know you want to celebrate your friend’s birthday, and you feel that your Mont Blanc is not good enough. You’ve been asking me to continue to improve [God’s Dessert] and asking me to help improve the chocolate Mont Blanc.”

Master Kawamura prepared new raw materials for Kazuma Hatori, setting aside all the semi-finished products that he had improved earlier.

"But I think what your friend really wants is the chocolate Mont Blanc that you made yourself—regardless of what I think of it—the key is that the chocolate Mont Blanc came from your heart."

Kazuma Hatake: "..."

Like Ayako Sakura, who had already said that he thought the first time-traveled Satoru thought it was delicious and had just admitted that he made the chocolate Mont Blanc for the second time-traveled Satoru, he had no way of explaining the difference between the two to Master Kawamura.

Was he digging his own grave...?

Kazuma Hatake was somewhat helpless, but seeing Master Kawamura's extremely determined expression, he guessed that he didn't intend to return the improved chocolate Mont Blanc recipe to him.

"Just use these materials to make it and take it with you. Anyway, December 7th is Wednesday, and it's winter now. It can be stored for three or four days at room temperature, let alone in the refrigerator."

Master Kawamura raised his chin, indicating to Kazuma Hatake that he should redo it—just follow his previous steps.

"...What if he's not satisfied?"

Kazuma Hatake stared at Master Kawamura for a moment, and seeing that he was really determined to make that subpar chocolate Mont Blanc again, he had no choice but to start kneading the dough all over again.

Even [God's Dessert] can only get 96% satisfaction from Wu, and he doesn't know what went wrong.

But at the very least, he didn't want his chocolate Mont Blanc to be so bad that pretty Xiao Wu would criticize it as awful...

In the first playthrough, Wu Hui praises others, which grants a favorability bonus...

The more Kazuma Hatori kneaded the dough, the more he thought, and the more negative his emotions became. He was then lightly patted on the back by Master Kawamura.

“Cheer up, don’t be so insecure,” Master Kawamura said confidently with a smile. “I guarantee you, that kid will definitely love your… um… messy chocolate Mont Blanc even more.”

Kazuma Hatake: "..."

He wasn't insecure; he just wanted to give Wu a better birthday celebration.

Then……

Kazuma Hatori didn't want to think about it anymore, but before he could even say "but," he was cut off by Master Kawamura. In the end, he could only leave the apartment carrying the Mont Blanc chocolate he had made before.

He sighed softly as he watched the setting sun gradually sink into the distance.

That said, this truly represents "his creation of the Mont Blanc flavor," guaranteeing the authentic taste without any added flavoring.

Kazuma Hatori opened his phone; the latest email was still from his chat with Satoru Gojo last night.

I'll be back soon.

[Yay!]

Following that was the usual cute emoticon used to express his extreme happiness. Kazuma Hatake looked at it several times before closing the flap again and putting it in his pocket.

As December 7th drew closer, he seemed to become more and more nervous, and even his emotions became abnormal.

When they returned to the college, Gojo Satoru was not sitting on the stone steps waiting—he had gone on a mission and wouldn't be back until Monday.

There has been a shortage of sorcerers for years, and since Wu is a first-level sorcerer, he naturally has more time to spare.

As Kazuma Hatori recalled Satoru's schedule from the first time, a slight sense of dissatisfaction arose in his heart.

In this timeline, he's not the all-powerful head of the Kamo family. How can he help improve the increasingly busy schedule that Satoru will inevitably face after becoming a top-tier sorcerer and high school teacher? He needs to think about it carefully.

"Ichima?"

As Kazuma Hatake walked absentmindedly toward his dormitory, he ran into Natsuyuki.

He was also dressed casually, his hair, which was usually tied in a bun, was down, and he had a book tucked under his arm. He looked like he had just come back from sunbathing outside.

"Um."

Kazuma Hatori, carrying Mont Blanc, gave a curt reply, which was considered a greeting.

"I heard you went back to your guardian's place over the weekend. Are you alright? Are you injured anywhere?"

After spending the entire school year together, Xia Youjie figured out that Yuqu Kazuma only showed obvious emotional fluctuations towards Gojo Satoru; with everyone else, he could only see that expressionless, cold face.

In addition to the previous missions they had fought side by side, he finally stopped feeling like he was being targeted by Kazuma Hatori, and their interactions became much easier.

This time, however, Xia Youjie greeted them with a gentle smile and a look of concern in his eyes.

Especially this baffling question left Yuqu Yizhen feeling somewhat confused.

Why do you say that?

What's wrong? Are you worried that he'll go back and start a massacre against the Panxing Sect?

...Although he really wanted to do that, it wasn't possible right now.

But what's even more puzzling is why Xia Youjie asked him if he was injured.

Even if he finally confirmed that the Xia Youjie in front of him was not the Xia Youjie from the first timeline [Xia Youjie (deceased) (?)], it didn't mean that the other party would suddenly ask him such a strange question.

"……cough,"

Xia Youjie clenched his fist and coughed lightly, a little embarrassed, before lowering his voice to explain to Yuqu Kazuma.

“It was Wu who told me. We went fishing together on Friday, and I was a little curious why you weren’t there. Wu told us that you were being picked up by that distant aunt this week… um, and then he revealed a little about your past, like how you’re used to getting injured…”

"So he was worried that you might be... but he had to rush off on a mission, so he asked us to check on you if we saw you before he got back."

Perhaps out of consideration for Kazuma Hatori's feelings, Natsuyuki spoke these words in a halting manner, but fortunately Kazuma Hatori understood them.

Not only did I understand, but I was also a little stunned.

It wasn't because Gojo Satoru misunderstood his background, but because of the immense care Gojo Satoru showed for him in every little detail.

This thoughtful and caring gesture, which went beyond the norm, was what made him pause in shock.

Whenever Kazuma Hatori tries to ignore the uncontrollable feelings in his heart and tells himself that he must withdraw, the other party always responds with a softer and more passionate response, making him realize that he has already completely fallen for her and is no longer able to think rationally or resist.

He was even pleased about it.

Even without using the rearview mirror, Kazuma Hatori could sense that the corners of his lips were slightly pursed and turned upwards, unconsciously revealing a pleasant smile.

"I'm not hurt, not at all."

Kazuma Hatori shook his head at Natsuyuki, then tried to speak again.

"I just went back to take care of some things... I might need your help again later."

Xia Youjie breathed a sigh of relief, then asked with a puzzled look, "Helping is no problem of course. What do you need me to do?"

If there are any powerful cursed spirits that need to be exorcised, he is of course more than happy to help.

Kazuma Hagoromo: "...I'll tell you later, it's not appropriate for me to reveal it now."

Because the game forced him to sign an involuntary "binding" contract when he first entered the second playthrough, he now gets a warning pop-up from the game when he tries to confess the villain's conspiracy to Xia Youjie in advance.

Please note that this content is one of the [boundaries] that players must abide by and is prohibited from being disclosed.

Please note that if a player forcibly chooses to defy the [bindings], they will randomly incur one of the following consequences.

The list of consequences below is too long. There are indeed some minor consequences, but the most serious ones even include player death or forced logout from the game for a period of time. I really don't dare to gamble on that.

...Never mind, as long as the mission starts next year, he'll find a way to make Xia Youjie one of the parties involved.

In this way, if he then subtly reveals the inside story to the other party, it might not be considered a violation of the [binding].

As for him now—Hatori Kazuma let out a heavy sigh, almost swallowed up by the conflicting emotions within him.

He needs to think about it first...

What should we do on December 7th?