Chapter 46 A Chance Encounter x2
With only a few days left before her departure, she quietly prepared farewell gifts for everyone, as is customary.
Even Dazai Osamu, who was always idle and loved to pry into what she was doing, was sent back to work by her.
Kunikida Doppo was delighted and sent her a message to express his gratitude and praise.
"hat……"
Chuuya Nakahara loves pretty top hats, and Rei Yokawa had already added them to her list.
This specialty store has the most complete and largest selection of hats in Yokohama; walking in is like entering a hat museum.
Their family has a renowned reputation; their designs and craftsmanship are top-notch. Chuuya Nakahara really likes them; his walk-in closet has an entire row of hats from this family.
However, she often wears top hats in public, so she suddenly had the idea to give him a baseball cap.
She had seen Xiao Zhong in casual clothes the last time, and he was just missing a suitable hat.
"Miss Yaochuan has excellent taste. This is a brand new arrival in our store, and it's almost sold out."
Saya Kobayashi blinked and asked playfully, "Is it for Mr. Nakahara?"
Chuuya Nakahara had brought her here a few times, and the long-time employees at the store all knew her.
Upon receiving her affirmative answer, Kobayashi Saya smiled even more broadly: "It just so happens that the same style comes in two colors, which would suit you both perfectly."
Even after so much time has passed, her on-screen couple is still sweet and reassuring.
The elf didn't like wearing hats, always feeling like something was restricting her head, but with parting imminent, she thought it wouldn't hurt to buy one as a souvenir.
Take them all!
She rarely agonized over such things; she just bought them all. At first, Chuuya Nakahara would try to dissuade her, but later he realized she had a point and adopted the same all-in policy as her.
She was carrying two hats downstairs to pay when she bumped into a man wearing a Cossack hat at the corner.
"Hello, miss. I'd like to buy a hat for a friend. Do you have any recommendations?"
The other person bit their finger in distress, a wisp of black hair hanging down, partially obscuring their eyes.
Yao Chuanling recognized him; it seemed she had seen him somewhere before.
"As for top hats, this classic style is a safe bet, and there are many colors to choose from."
After careful consideration, Xiaoling, a kind-hearted citizen, recommended the hats on the display stand behind him.
They were all buying gifts for their friends, and thinking of this, her attitude became even more enthusiastic.
"I'm going back to Moscow, and I was thinking of bringing him a souvenir before I leave."
The Russian man pulled his coat tighter and spoke softly, looking genuinely like he was concerned about a friend.
Moscow?
No wonder it looked familiar.
On the day of the first snowfall when she was fifteen, Nakahara Chuuya was on a business trip in Moscow, and this man was in a photo he casually shared with her.
She even complimented people on their looks.
"It's you, the handsome cellist."
Her eyes crinkled into a smile, and her tone became more affectionate.
Among the vast multitude of beings, separated by thousands of miles, they miraculously met.
Fyodor tilted his head, his drooping hat flaps moving with it: "Hmm?"
His eyes were blank, with only a cold smile remaining in them.
Yao Chuanling explained somewhat embarrassedly that it was she who had known him.
She recounted the story in detail, and the good-natured Russian smiled slightly after listening.
"So you're saying we're destined to meet? It must be divine guidance."
Why?
Is he a believer in God?
This person's heart is like a boundless body of water; even a pebble thrown into it will be silently swallowed up.
Do you believe in God?
She asked.
"Of course, the gods are right before our eyes, aren't they?"
Fyodor looked at her and said slowly.
A god with the power to save the world, a compassionate heart, and unexpectedly naive and easily deceived.
The demon sighed inwardly.
She was so well protected by the people in Yokohama that she was so unguarded, right?
Or perhaps...
They have enough confidence in their own abilities.
"Not a god, but a spirit."
Yao Chuanling corrected her seriously, then cheered up the next second: "If you believe in me, then I wish you all your wishes come true and happiness every day."
This is her first believer. Although she doesn't need believers, she can't help but be happy about it.
Someone approves of her.
She recalled how her older brothers and sisters in Takamagahara treated the believers and learned how to treat Fyodor.
The black-haired youth lowered his eyes and said softly, "Then, please forgive my sins and create a world without people with superpowers."
The elf could tell he was serious and not joking.
So she examined this so-called messenger of God.
You look very tired.
Like an endless snowfall, it has covered up all the past. This snow keeps falling, and it will never stop.
"This is my sin, my punishment."
Immortality.
This was still too far off for the young elf. She only knew that she would live a very, very long time, but she didn't know how she would spend those years.
This is also why Izanami was unwilling for her to come into contact with humans.
Human life is far too short.
"What a noble ideal!"
Yao Chuanling suddenly grabbed his hand.
A man who bites his nails for a long time and doesn't like to eat will have not only thin, bony hands, but also uneven nails.
This was especially evident when Yao Chuanling clasped her hands together.
Fyodor's gaze shifted to her hands.
The nails are well-proportioned and strong, neatly trimmed, and have a soft pink hue.
"I am not a god, nor will I interfere with the fate of mankind. However, since you have such lofty ambitions, you must at least take good care of your health."
If we ever have the chance to meet again, I'll take you to see my old world.
It was fortunate that she was able to meet her only follower before leaving. While she couldn't fulfill his wish, showing him a world without superpowered individuals wouldn't be a problem.
"Eat properly, Mr. Rice Ball."
His fluffy white hat always reminded her of rice balls, and she called it that as a joke.
"Miss Elf, you really don't belong in this world."
Like the sun melting snow and revealing the covered stones, Fyodor's expression softened, and he withdrew his hand and left.
He turned around and casually picked up the top hat that Yao Chuanling had recommended to pay the bill.
Yao Chuanling didn't think much of it: "That's normal, I don't belong here anyway."
She will eventually have to go back.
No matter how long.
She didn't dwell on this little incident; after all, it was only their first meeting, and she had more important things to do.
According to the list, the next destination is Aunt Mina's handmade doll shop.
Kyusaku Yumeno, Kyoka Izumi, and even she herself all adore this brand's products.
She has a whole set of cake, sushi, and drink figurines.
The children in the detective agency would also play childish dessert shop management games with her.
As soon as I stepped out of the store, two men in red uniforms walked towards me.
One of them had white hair with red highlights at the ends and bell earrings. The other had short brown hair, three plum blossom-shaped marks under his eyes, and a serious expression.
"Xiaoju!"
Yao Chuanling saw the person approaching from afar and excitedly ran forward to greet them.
It's her dream friend.
This is the first time I've met a fellow dreamer in person offline.
Suehiro Tetsugi's gaze fell on Jono Saikiku, incredulously wondering when he had met such a living person behind his back.
They are partners, and also members of the most special hunting dogs in the military and police force. They are usually busy with missions and have very little personal time.
"Xiao Kui, nice to meet you, it's been a long time."
Upon hearing her voice, Tōno Saikiku looked surprised.
There were no footsteps or heartbeats in his dream, so in real life he heard someone walking towards him, but he didn't know that person was her.
Both of their names contain flower names, so Yao Chuanling simply called him Xiaoju.
“This is my partner, Mr. Iron Guts.”
Tōno Saikiku endured Suehiro Tetsuo's suspicious gaze, and smiled through gritted teeth.
As his partner, Suehiro Tetsuji reasonably suspected that Jono was trying to deceive the naive citizens.
"Hello, I am Suehiro Tetsujin."
Upon hearing Tōno Saikiku mention his name, the polite hunting dog nodded and extended his right hand.
She shook hands with him back: "Yao Chuan Ling."
When their hands met, she could clearly feel that the person's hands were as hard as wood, with thick calluses on the base of their thumbs.
Yao Chuanling couldn't help but feel respect; he was clearly a hardworking person.
However, he shook hands very firmly.
As expected, red marks appeared on the back of her hand after she let go.
"Mr. Iron-Hearted, are you a hunting dog who bullies a weak little girl?"
Tōno Saikiku's face turned cold, and she immediately started to be sarcastic towards him.
This person is reckless and doesn't use his brain; he really despises him.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to."
Suehiro Tessou looked down at her hand, which was pinched red and was clearly red. He couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
He's already holding back, using less than a tenth of his usual training intensity.
"It's alright, Mr. Iron Guts, don't worry about it," Yao Chuanling reassured him nonchalantly. "Mr. Iron Guts has high combat skills, and as a member of the military and police, he makes people feel very safe."
Perhaps it was because she was used to being lazy, but she always had a high opinion of hardworking and serious people, and besides, this little bit of pain was really too insignificant for her.
"I accidentally broke my hat while sparring with Mr. Iron Intestine. I happened to have some time today, so I came to pick it up."
Tōno Saikiku's right hand landed on her head, stroking it casually.
Actually, it was his rudeness that provoked the other side, and the captain eventually stopped him, resulting in a draw.
In terms of physical strength, he may not be as good as Suehiro Tetsusuke, but when it comes to cunning, ten Tetsusukes would be no match for Ichino.
This pair complements each other magically in some ways.
"I think you offended them first."
Yao Chuanling took a step back to avoid it and complained.
Tōno Saikiku is a perverted pleasure-seeker, a fact she knows all too well.
"It feels a bit better to the touch than in my dream, it's a pity I can't see your unhappy expression."
The person who had been exposed pretended not to hear and changed the subject with a smile.
However, it is indeed a pity for him.
Dreams are nothingness, but in dreams there are all the colors and her vivid presence.
*
"Oh! My dearest friend, you're back!"
The white-haired magician excitedly greeted his best friend, and then snatched the bag from his hand.
"Oh dear, it seems you're using the excuse of 'buying a gift for a friend' to get close to Miss Elf. Well then, the clown will accept this hat!"
He picked up the hat inside and twirled it like a handkerchief.
Nikolai Vasilyevich Gogol was an extreme idealist, but he was also clear-headed, rational, and even overly intelligent, so it was not difficult for him to discover the truth.
Fyodor glanced at him indifferently and subconsciously put his finger to his lips.
The Russian rice ball, who had been expressionless, opened his mouth, then suddenly stopped. Realizing this, he bit his fingertip without hesitation.
"Fyodor, you seem a little angry."
Nikolai blinked, tilted his head to look at him, and looked at him with a hint of inquiry in his eyes.
His best friend was proud and arrogant; even when he was unhappy, he wouldn't act like he was now, with a mix of annoyance and indescribable emotions.
There's a problem.
"If you have a lot of free time, Mr. Nikolai, you should think about your next steps."
Using Shibusawa Tatsuhiko's plan wasn't entirely a failure, since it allowed them to eliminate Yokawa Rei, and now they just needed to move on to the next step.
Keep the fairy lady out of it so she can't interfere with the "five signs of decay".
The demon walked calmly into the computer control room.
The elf lady would evoke strange emotions in him.
But he actually felt that it was only right.
Exposed stones, subjected to the slow, scorching heat of the sun, will develop cracks inside.
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