Chapter 26 Please Don't Start Thinking
The four of them had gone to the bathroom for longer than expected. Kanda Kanon poked the small cake on the plate with her fork out of boredom, and she looked a little listless.
Human beings are emotional animals, and God has endowed humans with a "heart". Your brain tells you to think rationally, but your heart disagrees.
The tug of war between reason and emotion made Kanda Kanon feel a little painful.
The time I spent with everyone at the technical college was so brief, but we formed countless bonds. The cheerful and lively Huihara Yu, the quiet and steady Nanami Kento, Suguru Geto who said he would protect her, Ieichi Nozomi who gently treated her, and Yaga Masamichi who seemed serious but was worried about her.
And Gojo Satoru, who loves to bully her but also helps her a lot.
The thin and cold words in the book turned into living people who walked before her.
She couldn't help but be shaken. She was not a cold-blooded animal, so how could she not be shaken?
But can she save them? Does she have the ability to do so?
Even if she trusted them and told them the future, would there be a way to defeat the enemy?
The opponent is a monster that has lived for a thousand years. When it realizes that something is wrong with them, won’t it change its strategy and find another way to achieve its goal?
By then, the book she owns will be nothing more than a piece of waste paper. The horror of the butterfly effect lies in the unknown.
The more she thought about it, the more painful Kanda Kanon felt, because she realized that she didn't want to let these people who had shown kindness to her die.
But, can she, who is weak and timid, really save everyone?
She is not a character with the halo of a protagonist, and a real-life game that requires speed running through one life is definitely not something she can accomplish.
"Sigh~" Kanda Kanon sighed listlessly and desperately, the alopecia on her head had withered and stuck to her scalp.
[Sure enough, choosing to cancel the engagement first and then run away was a mistake. I should have taken a gamble and just ran away, otherwise I wouldn't be so entangled. 】
[Alas, Gojo Satoru misled me!] 】
"..." Not far away, the four people who were halfway through the discussion and had heard everything that was going on in her mind clearly looked at each other.
"Well, no, I didn't expect that we are quite important." Xia Youjie coughed lightly shyly, and his cheeks were inexplicably flushed.
How to put it, this feeling is quite mysterious, and Geto Suguru can't describe it. The joy that welled up from the bottom of my heart even diluted the heavy mood.
“Humph!” Gojo Satoru’s expression also improved. He raised his chin proudly and said, “You know, the most important thing is always to appear last.”
What I mean is that Kanda Kanon said him at the end, proving that he is the most important in her heart, and you are just incidental.
...Why is he so proud? Isn’t he the one with the biggest opinions and the loudest complaints? Xia Yujie despised him fiercely in his heart.
"So, do we need to continue discussing this?" Nanami Kento looked at the two unreliable seniors and felt worried about the future again.
With you guys around, the future is really going to be ruined.
"But I didn't expect that everyone can talk so much—" Huihara Yu stopped talking halfway and performed again a unique skill that everyone can do.
"Ah..." Huihara Xiong was stunned.
"You'll get used to it," Xia Youjie comforted him, "but as you can see, there's nothing to discuss."
With the restraints in place, it was difficult for them to discuss a specific plan, but since they had the key information, there was nothing to be afraid of.
"Jie." Gojo Satoru's blue eyes were shrouded in a layer of haze.
"I know." Xia Youjie looked straight at him, and the confusion in his eyes was no longer there.
There was no point in dwelling on something that hadn't happened yet, as it was clear what he should do now.
Gojo Satoru lowered his head. He didn't understand why the future would turn out like that. It was simply unbelievable that Geto Suguru would defect.
"…If you have anything to say, please speak up. We are here." Gojo Satoru looked awkward and a little lonely. "Aren't we friends?"
Although Gojo Satoru's voice was soft, it fell heavily on Geto Suguru's heart.
"Of course, don't worry, I won't go back to my old ways." Xia Youjie smiled bitterly.
He really should change his habit of daydreaming. Kanda Kanon's warning to him that day was also to tell him not to be extreme, but... there should be nothing wrong with being extreme on the right path.
What is the definition of extreme? Xia Yujie fell into deep thought.
"But there is always a way to solve it." After getting a positive answer, Gojo Satoru returned to his original state.
"If Kanda-san wants to continue staying in the world of curse in the future, shouldn't he train a bit, at least to the level of being able to exorcise low-level cursed spirits?" Nanami Kento frowned.
"No, that probably won't work. She knows nothing about spells." Gojo Satoru rejected it immediately, "Besides, it may not be possible to make her stronger."
"Ah?" The other three looked surprised.
"I did some research and found out that she wasn't abused at home or anything. Although she lived in poverty after coming to the technical college, the pocket money I gave her was enough to feed herself. Besides, many girls of her age go on a diet to lose weight, but she was so abnormally weak that even Glass said so. At first I thought she was abused, but now I think there is another possibility."
Constraint.
This word instantly popped up in the minds of the other three people.
"It's not surprising when you think about it." After all, it's that kind of technique, Xia Youjie said worriedly.
"Well, why not just leave the magic world and go to a safe place," Haibara Yu suddenly said.
"A safe place..." Xia Youjie said faintly, "Is there really such a place now?"
"Hmm..." Huihara Yu began to ponder.
Now that the cause of the bondage is unknown, where is the safe place?
They are thousands of miles away, and even if they can help her defend against those small magicians, no one knows where the tricky enemies she mentioned in her heart are hiding.
They had no way of betting whether Kanda Kanon would meet them. Nor did he dare to gamble whether these enemies would be restrained, knowing that she could predict the future.
She couldn't leave their sight, at least not yet.
After a long while, Gojo Satoru spoke: "Let's put this question aside for now and think about how to protect her first."
"How about cursed objects or tools?" Xia Youjie suggested first, "I was investigating the whereabouts of a certain cursed object recently, and I learned a lot of interesting things."
"Hmm... makes sense." Gojo Satoru pinched his chin and thought, "There should be some magical tools with teleportation or defense functions, or transferring damage would also be good."
"It seems that I need to learn the reversal technique quickly." Gojo Satoru thought.
"...Anyway, let's just pay attention to it first." Xia Youjie concluded.
"Oh, right." Xia Youjie suddenly remembered the information, "Did you read the text message I sent you?"
"Hmm?" Gojo Satoru took out his cell phone from his pocket and flipped through it casually. "I see, this is the one..."
"This person... why does he feel a little familiar? Is it an illusion?" Gojo Satoru has a very good memory and this person looks a little familiar.
"We'll talk about the rest when we get back. Let's go back first. Kanda-san must be getting anxious waiting for you." Nanami Kento looked at the time. They had been out for a while.
Everyone nodded and walked out from the corner.
"Wu-kun! Welcome back!" Kanda Kanon said with a smile. She was listless just now, but now she is like a blooming flower, bright and beautiful.
[These people spent more than 20 minutes going to the toilet. Are they okay? If not, go to the hospital. 】Kanda Kanon was sweet-mouthed but had a sharp tongue, and she complained secretly.
"Gojo-kun, you're back just in time. To repay you, I specially grilled Wagyu beef for you." Kanda Kanon smiled and put the delicious-looking Wagyu beef onto Gojo Satoru's plate.
...Your crime is not this serious. Xia Youjie covered his mouth reflexively and retched.
As soon as Gojo Satoru put his butt down on the chair, he instantly lifted it up and subconsciously wanted to escape.
Kanda Kanon inexplicably pulled him back.
[Why are you leaving again? You didn’t clean yourself well just now. You really should go to the hospital. 】
Gojo Satoru's pride as a man made his feet stick to the ground. He closed his eyes, and finally sat down with a bitter and resentful look on his face.
How to make a man stop for you with just one sentence.
Calm down, Gojo Satoru, the cookies before were terrible because she made them from scratch. The wagyu beef is prepared in the store, so it doesn’t look too bad.
Thinking of this, Gojo Satoru used chopsticks to pick out the smallest piece of meat, frowned and slowly put it into his mouth.
"Chew, chew, chew."
“Chew, chew, chew…”
...Did I chew it for too long? Xia Yujie's expression was even uglier than before.
"It really is just like the taste of life..." A tear fell from the corner of Gojo Satoru's eye. Something blurred his vision. "It tastes better than cookies. You've improved. But don't make it next time."
After saying this, Gojo Satoru seemed to have exhausted all his strength.
[…This shouldn’t be the case.] 】
Kanda Kanon picked up a piece of meat and stuffed it into her mouth in disbelief.
Then she realized what life was like.
[How could this happen? The meat was clearly prepared in the store, why does it taste like this? Damn it! 】
[Don’t they say that when God closes a door, he will open a window? Why are there walls on all sides? Where is my talent? 】
[I feel so sorry for Gojo Satoru. I only grilled meat to repay him...]
"Sorry, Gojo Satoru, eat something of this to clear your mouth." Kanda Kanon pursed her lips, feeling upset. She picked up a piece of cooked food and put it into Gojo Satoru's mouth.
Gojo Satoru ate it in one gulp, and a tear rolled down his eye again.
This was truly the most delicious food he had ever eaten, and he never again complained about other chefs’ bad cooking.
"Don't go near the kitchen anymore."
"yes……"
Kanda Kanon nodded obediently.
"Is it that exaggerated?" Huihara Yu muttered in a low voice.
"...Not an exaggeration at all." Xia Youjie's mouth curled up into a smile without worldly desires, "Do you want to try it?"
"...No, forget it." After much hesitation, Huihara Yu finally let go of his taste buds.
"Thank you for the treat." Nanami Kento put down his chopsticks silently after finishing his meal.
His calm eyes swept over Gojo Satoru who was slumped in his seat, and Nanami Kento, who had good eyesight, saw the upturned corners of his mouth.
Kanda Kanon was seen serving him food with a guilty look on her face and finally bringing it to his mouth.
Gojo Satoru was eating while grilling meat for himself, and he looked like he was in ecstasy.
I think he is enjoying it, Nanami Kento complained silently.
After finishing their meal, everyone took the elevator directly to their guest rooms.
"By the way, the hot spring water here is shipped from Hakone. The room you booked happens to have a private bath. You can relax in the room by yourself." Gojo Satoru casually hooked a strand of hair sticking out from her ear back, "Or if you like the public bath, I can take you there."
[Who is this thoughtful person? I seriously suspect that Gojo Satoru has changed his mind! 】
...You complained about me bullying you before, and now I can’t be nice to you. What do you want me to do? Gojo Satoru complained in his heart.
"Anyway!" Gojo Satoru emphasized, "Don't run around, understand!"
[That’s right, this is Gojo Satoru.] 】
Kanda Kanon nodded repeatedly. Of course she didn't dare to run around, because who knew if a cursed spirit would suddenly pop out.
In fact, you are the masochist, Gojo Satoru complained.
Kanda Kanon walked into the room alone, closed the door, and let out a long breath.
After patting his chest and carefully confirming that there was no cursed spirit with strange bangs in the room, he finally let himself go.
[Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, this is my world! 】
Kanda Kanon excitedly turned around three times. The spacious and exquisite room made her make sounds like she had never seen the world before.
The door to the private bath opened with a swish, and the mist that blew in her face made her shiver.
It’s a bit hot. Do you usually come to soak in hot springs during this season? Kanda Kanon doesn't understand Gojo Satoru's train of thought.
"But forget it!" Kanda Kanon excitedly ran to the shower room nearby and took a short bath first.
He stripped himself naked in a few seconds, hummed a little tune and turned on the shower.
Next room -
"Oh! You washed quickly. Aren't you going to take a hot spring bath?" Looking at Gojo Satoru who came out with wet hair and casually wearing a bathrobe, Xia Yujie was a little surprised.
"Why are you taking a hot spring bath in this hot weather?" Gojo Satoru shook his hair. "Besides, I don't want to take a bath with you."
"Oh, really?" Xia Youjie shrugged indifferently, took his bathrobe and went to the shower room.
Turning on the faucet, Xia Yujie closed his eyes and let the warm water wash over his body. His heart was not as calm as he appeared. No one could remain indifferent when hearing that his future would be so miserable.
But now that he knows the horror of the future, he won't make the same mistake again.
Thanks to Kanda Kanon's kindness, I have to find a way to repay her. But before that, she must first trust them.
The thoughts he had just heard emerged in Geto Xiayou's mind. He didn't expect Kanda Kanon to be so shaken. She was much softer than he had imagined.
Watching her pretending and acting every day makes me feel tired for her. She must not have felt at ease for a single day since she came to the technical college.
Humans are emotional animals, and their emotions are affected by the emotions of others.
The more Kanda Kanon showed her soft side, the more they loved her and felt sorry for her.
Before he creates his ideal world, he has to let her stay here with peace of mind.
"Crack!" A tiny noise reached his ears, and Xia Yujie opened his eyes and frowned.
Why does this sound like a door closing?
Just as he thought, Gojo Satoru walked out of the room in a bathrobe.
This floor is the most expensive area in the entire hotel, and they only have three rooms in this corridor.
The largest room was where Kanda Kanon lived across from them. Their rooms and those of Nanami Haibara were also located on both sides of the other side, just sandwiching the opposite room in the middle.
That’s right, Gojo Satoru’s destination is the room opposite.
“Dongdong——”
“Boom boom boom—”
The incessant knocking on the door made Kanda Kanon, who had just finished taking a shower, feel annoyed. She was just about to take a hot spring bath when something happened. She was so annoyed.
She wiped her hair roughly, took out a thick bathrobe and wrapped herself tightly, her slippers making a clacking sound as she walked on the floor. Kanda Kanon walked to the door angrily and opened it.
"Who is it! I don't remember what room service I ordered!" Kanda Kanon looked angry and was stunned when she saw the person coming.
[Why is Gojo Satoru here?] 】
"Yo!" Gojo Satoru raised his right hand and waved, winking with his beautiful blue eyes.
The silver-white short hair was dripping with water. Gojo Satoru casually smoothed his bangs and pushed them back on top of his head, revealing his fair and handsome forehead.
The water droplets slid down the side of the face to the neck, and finally sank into the skin at the collarbone. The men's bathrobe was loose on him, and the belt around his waist looked like it would come untied at any moment.
A large area of skin on his chest was clearly exposed, and his strong pectoral muscles rose and fell rhythmically with his breathing, which was quite conspicuous.
[…What kind of male Bodhisattva is this?] 】Kanda Kanon’s eyes almost popped out. She had never seen such a scene in her life.
"You you you!" Kanda Kanon couldn't hold it anymore, her whole face was burning hot as if it was roasted by fire.
"Kane~ The shower in my room is broken. Can I borrow your shower room?" Gojo Satoru blinked his big eyes and asked expectantly.
[…This guy is definitely lying! 】Kanda Kanon saw through it in a second.
"..." Gojo Satoru rolled his eyes and rubbed his nose, "A-choo!"
"Ah~ I'm all wet and cold. I'm not going to catch a cold." Gojo Satoru shivered pitifully and sniffed.
[…Don’t you think it’s absurd for you to say that? Don’t you even look at the temperature today! Your naked butt won’t be cold, right? 】
That's the truth, but isn't the wording a bit too blunt? Gojo Satoru looked away guiltily.
"Right! Come play games with me!" Gojo Satoru's eyes lit up, "Your room is equipped with the most advanced game console, and I just haven't had time to buy it yet, so let's try it out first!"
[I didn't notice this, but it turns out this guy ran over here in a hurry because of this. You’re a grown-up, not some elementary school student who can’t walk when he sees games...】 Kanda Kanon complained silently.
“…” Gojo Satoru’s last bit of patience was almost exhausted.
"Why don't you speak? Under normal circumstances, you would have let me in impatiently." Gojo Satoru held the door with one hand, lowered his head and stared at her expressionlessly.
"You've been acting so strange lately, as if..."
"He's become a different person."
As the last syllable fell, Kanda Kanon's heart trembled.
[Sure enough, I should have left earlier. 】
She knew that her character had collapsed a little in the past two days, because Gojo Satoru's reaction was too strange and she couldn't adapt at all.
The purpose of acting is to disgust Gojo Satoru, not to establish a good relationship with him.
Gojo Satoru looked at her hesitation and forced a smile with a burning gaze, like a child seeing his beloved baby.
He is different from Geto Suguru who adheres to the orthodox doctrine. In order to achieve his goal, Gojo Satoru can use any means.
Rules, constraints, or so-called worldly conventions are worthless in his eyes.
As long as the result is correct, the process doesn’t matter.
This forced bond with others would cause her to suffer inhuman treatment in another place.
But the restraints prevented him from speaking the truth directly.
There was only one thing he needed to do now. That is to let her open her heart and trust herself, until she is willing to show her true self and no longer worry about this and that every day.
But before that, she must be persuaded to give up the idea of leaving now.
"Kane, you know, cursed objects not only attract cursed spirits, but also attach themselves to humans when swallowed, allowing the curse to see the light of day again." Gojo Satoru lifted a strand of her hair and twisted it nonchalantly, "Some are so cunning that even my eyes can miss them."
Gojo Satoru said this half-truthfully.
【……What's the meaning? Is he doubting me? Suspecting that my recent changes are due to a curse? 】Kanda Kanon thought uncertainly, her pupils constricted and her whole body tensed up.
"But I believe you. You were just brainwashed by those idiots. You've been with us for a long time, so you've changed, right?" Gojo Satoru patted her head lovingly.
[Ah?] 】The development of the situation was completely different from what she had imagined, and Kanda Kanon was a little confused.
"Those stupid old men, leave them to their deaths. You don't need to care about their opinions." Gojo Satoru laughed arrogantly and wantonly, "After all, you came to the technical college because of me, didn't you?"
"You can relax more here." Gojo Satoru stood up, his blue eyes twinkling with stars, making her heart palpitate.
"As long as you stay in the high school, no one can touch a hair on your head. I am the strongest, no, I am the one who will become the strongest sorcerer. There is no place in this world safer than being by my side."
"You don't need to be afraid of others, Hanane."
In the quiet corridor, the only sounds surrounding my ears were Gojo Satoru's confident and arrogant words.
Kanda Kanon didn't know how to describe her feelings at the moment. She only knew that she couldn't take her eyes off him.
But she also understood that Gojo Satoru might have misunderstood something, and her reason and emotion were once again in turmoil.
She pulled Gojo Satoru into the room and slowly closed the door until it completely covered Gojo Satoru's surprised expression.
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