An Honest Body, a Refusing Mouth / Visiting Utaha Kasumigaoka's Home ...

"That looks interesting."

"I wonder if the background music CD is available for purchase? Does anyone know which singer performs the song?"

Top-notch soundtrack, superb art style, and a captivating storyline drew people to the respective stalls, where they began to queue.

Surprisingly, in addition to selling basic storybooks, the different stalls here also sell practical parallel world-themed "what if" scenarios, which focus on the protagonist being with various unique characters. The "what if" scenario books sold at different stalls are not the same, and in some areas, even the protagonists may be different.

The same story was sold in seven or eight volumes, but the quality was very high. The plot and artwork were just as good as serialized comics. So no one questioned it; the only thing to regret was that their wallets weren't fat enough.

Then, in different exit areas of the anime convention, on different floors, eye-catching stalls were set up, where well-trained, well-dressed young sales clerks from the supermarket, with standard business smiles, sold their wares to customers. The hand that handed over a 1,000 yen notebook was as gentle and kind as if it were a piece of jewelry worth millions.

These professional service staff, who are usually only found in high-end venues, would probably struggle just to pay their wages.

Since BB and the rest of the club never intended to make money in the first place, the currency in this other world was meaningless to her. BB could easily cripple the entire Japanese banking system through hacking.

At this moment, these stalls were the most popular in the venue. Although the audience was holding onto Wang Jingze's theory, they were silently queuing up at the stalls while condemning the club for not following the rules and competing fairly.

The girls who entered at that moment also saw the video advertisements inside.

"What amazing drawing skills!" Eriri exclaimed, gazing intently at the drawing on the screen.

"Eriri- chan, that's strange, have you given up?" Hime no Toki asked the blonde girl in surprise. She knew very well how unwilling the girl was to admit defeat, even though she often failed. However, she also had a high sense of pride, and she was seriously drawing her doujinshi!

"What?! I'm not so arrogant as to think my drawing skills are perfect, so it's not a bad thing to learn a bit, is it?" Eriri retorted, but she did feel a little embarrassed about being so engrossed in doujinshi.

"Ah, there's a character in there who looks a lot like you," Hime no Toki said, looking at the screen.

At that moment, the screen was showing the character introduction segment, which introduced the protagonist's childhood friend, a blonde girl with twin tails, followed by an intellectual Literature Department major, a pink-clad girl with an otaku personality, orange-haired girl who is a descendant of knights, a black-haired girl who is a rich heiress, a witch with chuunibyou (middle school syndrome), and so on.

"Huh? You're kidding! Looking at it this way, the other characters look just like everyone else." Eriri exclaimed in surprise.

"The male protagonist looks a lot like Shirou ..." Kouko-san said with a smile.

"Ah! It really is!!!" The girls looked at the screen together, their eyes lighting up, especially when they discovered the "if" storyline and the cover featuring a girl who looked like them and Shirou.

"Wait! Do you want that kind of thing?!" The Kuro Neko frowned, scanning its surroundings as it questioned.

Chapter 762 An Honest Body, A Mouth of Refusal

"What?! Impossible! She's not a little girl! I don't want to buy that kind of thing at all! Let's hurry up and line up to find Meruru's yuri doujinshi." Kirino said.

"Eriri, what about you?" The girls all looked at the blonde girl in unison.

"Eh!? Hmm... I can't possibly join a bunch of sweaty men in line, can I?" Eriri, who was engrossed in the screen, quickly took two steps back and argued.

"Yes... yes, I'll also go and look for the extremely dark forbidden codex, which is produced in fewer than sixty copies each year," the Kuro Neko said with a mysterious smile.

"Hmm~! Princess has absolutely no interest in this kind of vulgar harem theme. Why don't you go find the newly released game, 'The Quintessential Quintuplets: A Noble Academy with Handsome Men'?" Hime no Toki said, pouting as she put on her pink bat hat.

"Haha, let's part ways here then, and meet up at the agreed place later." The girls exchanged a few awkward words and then went their separate ways.

"Oh, I'll go check out the game area then." Kyousuke looked at the bewildered girls and turned to walk in another direction. But after only a few steps, he was grabbed by the back of his collar and dragged to the other side.

Kousaka Kyousuke turned around and saw his sister Kirino and her best friend Ayase. The two seemed to be plotting something and had reached an agreement.

"Eh? Is there something you need? I was originally planning to go to the gaming area, but buying you one or two things isn't out of the question," Kousaka Kyousuke said, feeling a little uneasy under their gaze.

"Of course I need your help! You can play games anytime, but you only get to collect these doujinshi once! Who knows how many times the price will be inflated by scalpers after that, and you still won't be able to collect them all!" Kirino said angrily.

"Huh? Didn't you say you weren't going to buy it?" Kyousuke asked, looking at his inexplicably behaving younger sister, even though it wasn't the first time she'd acted capriciously.

"Baka! Even though that's what they say, it's still quite bothersome," Kirino muttered.

"You really do care, don't you!" Ayase looked at Kyousuke with wide eyes, seeking his approval.

It's like an era where people are so bored that even QQ profile pictures can be linked to all sorts of fantasies. When they discover that their counterpart in another world might appear in a game, novel, or even a doujinshi, they would still be curious and want to find out more!

When you discover that there is another version of yourself in another world, you'll definitely be curious about what kind of experiences you'll have, and you'll definitely want to know about your other self.

For example, if someone were to appear in another world, be reborn into a fantasy or True Magic world, or achieve the Golden Core or Nascent Soul stage in a Xianxia world, they would definitely want to offer advice and strategies, and might even wish they could jump over and take their place. Would they become a proud dragon and build a reverse harem, or would they choose only one from among a sea of beauties, pursuing a faithful love with a handsome and wealthy prince that would last until the end of time?

"Well... I am somewhat concerned about it." Kyousuke conceded defeat and agreed. Indeed, he also had a sense of déjà vu about the background, the garden-like layout, and the castle furnishings. It was as if he had seen it somewhere before.

However, his memory differed from the one on the notice board. There weren't many young girls in it; instead, he was surrounded by a bunch of handsome young men and strong men. To be honest, it was quite stressful. Out of an instinct to protect the purity of his own heart, a voice told him not to get involved with these things.

"I'm glad you understand! So Kirino and I are planning to buy all these manga. But we have to wait in line, so we don't have enough people and we have to divide the work."

"You're in charge of queuing up in the South South District, which is the area that suits you. Remember to buy all the notebooks there. Hurry up! It's so popular here, by noon you probably won't be able to buy them all." Kirino pushed several large bills at Kyousuke without waiting for a reply.

"Huh? South District? It seems like they are all girls over there?" Kyosuke asked doubtfully, looking in that direction. It seems that they are all women wearing skirts, right? Are there many women's clothing bosses?

"It's okay! This is a perk for you!" Kirino said, giving Kyousuke a push.

Not long after, a group of suspicious-looking people appeared in the venue, some wearing sunglasses, others masks, and still others headscarves. To be honest, all sorts of bizarre cosplays were everywhere in the venue, including strange ones like Sailor Moon with exposed leg hair and a full beard, or a muscular woman who had undergone plastic surgery to become a "muscle Barbie."

However, the problem lies in the demeanor these people exude, giving off an air of guilt or malice.

"Please give me the complete storybook, and the 'what if' scenario here, the doujinshi about the protagonist and the knight girl." The woman in sunglasses said in a deep voice, as if imitating Sumo wrestler.

"Yes." However, the cashiers BB hired were all professionals with a strong work ethic. They didn't show any unusual behavior and quickly handed the notebook to the woman in sunglasses.

"Ahem, please give me the whole series and the 'what if' scenario involving the protagonist and the wealthy heiress." The black-haired girl wearing a mask on the other side pretended to have a cold and said in a low voice.

Such incidents occurred at multiple stalls, and the other cashiers, being well-trained, handed the notebooks to the girls with professional smiles, unfazed by the situation.

The girls, without prior arrangement, held their notebooks and faced outside, overwhelmed with extreme shyness—the kind of shyness a middle school student feels when renting adult films for the first time. In their panic, they didn't even notice their surroundings.

It turned out that Kirino, who was in disguise, accidentally bumped into the masked Kuro Neko from behind, and the notebook in her hand immediately fell to the ground.

"Wait!" Eriri, who was dressed like a Saori lady, tried to pull their companions together, but they accidentally bumped into each other, and the notebook they were holding fell out of their hands.

"Ah... ah!"

"Ahhhh!!"

Kirino and Kuro Neko quickly bent down to pick it up, and when they looked up, they saw the other person's clumsy disguise and blurted out.

"Didn't you say you weren't going to buy it?!" x2

The blushing girls tried to hide the doujinshi they had bought, but it was too late. Their secrets had been exposed to the person they least wanted to see. In their hands was a doujinshi whose heroine looked very similar to themselves, while the other protagonist was a handsome, warm-hearted red-haired man who resembled Shirou.

In fact, they were the source material and models for the stories Hokusai drew in these manga, and you could say they were the subjects of his own and Shirou's doujinshi.

At this moment, the notebooks were scattered on the ground and presented to everyone.

"As expected, everyone bought some." At that moment, Kouko-san walked over with a small bag, smiling, and said to the girls who couldn't hide their excitement.

Chapter 763 Visiting Utaha Kasumigaoka

In a residential area filled with houses on both sides, a red-haired boy carrying a gift he bought from a famous confectionery shop walked into the door of a house in the neighborhood. The house was not luxurious, but a middle-class home similar to the one in Hachiman.

This is a two-story villa. In addition to flowers in the courtyard, there are also some potted fruits and vegetables such as cherry tomatoes in the corner. The lawn is neatly trimmed, and there is a garage for a car. The space is neither too big nor too small, but it is exquisite and well maintained. It can be seen that there is a good homemaker who provides a healthy and high-quality life for this family.

Shirou straightened his clothes somewhat nervously and pressed the doorbell.

In an instant, the sound of rapid footsteps came from inside, then stopped near the door. After a few seconds of silence, the door clicked open, revealing a girl with long black hair and a headband, elegantly leaning against the doorway with her arms crossed, and speaking with a light laugh.

"Oh dear, you're here quite early, Shirou-kun."

"Good morning, senpai." Shirou looked at the girl and nodded with a smile.

The girl looked beautiful today. Although she appeared calm and collected, she wore delicate makeup, and her chest rose and fell slightly as she breathed rapidly, as if she had just finished a vigorous run.

Utaha Kasumigaoka was wearing an off-the-shoulder jumpsuit. There were no straps, revealing her fair and jade-like shoulders. The straps extended from her collarbone down to her waist, and the bottom looked like a short-sleeved top that was pulled down, giving people the impression that she was not wearing anything at all.

However, the fitted material accentuated the girl's full breasts and slender waist, making it look particularly suitable.

"Let's change your shoes first."

With her back to Shirou, the girl bent down and pulled out a pair of shoes meant for visitors from the shoe cabinet. Because of this posture, her pert buttocks were perfectly concealed by the stockings, keeping out what shouldn't be revealed, except for her thighs clad in black stockings. In the morning sunlight, her long legs, encased in nylon stockings, shimmered, making her curves appear even more beautiful.

"Come in, Shirou-kun, please make yourself at home. I'll go make some tea." The girl casually placed a pair of slippers in the entryway, then walked straight into the living room without turning her head.

The girl showed no hesitation towards Shirou, turning and walking away in slippers adorned with two small bears.

"Okay." Shirou lowered his head and noticed that the slippers had a black and white yin-yang symbol printed on them. He silently put on the slippers and followed them inside.

"Don't worry, no one's home. I told you, no one's home, they've all gone on a trip." The girl, with her back to Shirou, spoke as if she could read his mind.

"Is that so..." Shirou cautiously glanced around, realizing his little scheme had been seen through, and sat down on the sofa, feeling embarrassed.

Utaha Kasumigaoka served tea and placed it on the table.

"Um, this is a gift, please accept it as a token of my appreciation," Shirou said, holding up the gift box and handing it over with both hands.

"Thank you, is it steamed buns? My mom really likes these. Did you do some research for me beforehand, Shirou?" Utaha Kasumigaoka accepted the gift and sat down on the sofa next to Shirou, her long, stockinged leg intentionally or unintentionally resting on his Shirou.

"Is that so? That's good then." Shirou thought to himself, why does it feel more dangerous without parents around? This must be just my imagination, right? Can you please stop thinking like this, Senpai? Be careful things don't go too far!

"Hmm? You seem a little unhappy? So you still chose to come on a day when my parents are here?" Utaha Kasumigaoka leaned close to Shirou and asked, her face close to Shirou.

"No, how could that be? I..." Shirou said with a forced laugh.

"I...?" Utaha Kasumigaoka looked on attentively, waiting for Shirou to speak.

Shirou knew that the girl was waiting for him to make a choice, a choice that was important to both of them, but also held special significance for Shirou.

Just like BB's proactive change and Komachi's watchful gaze, Shirou is also making his own choice. Perhaps the spiritual fragments emitted by the white god are for this purpose, seeking the true common happiness of mankind through thousands of lifetimes.

However, there is a counter-argument to the white god's wish: for a god excluded from humanity, this act is merely an altruistic one; he is simply an observer and executor.

However, for Shirou in each of the parallel worlds who possess personal feelings, the happiness of all humanity remains a common goal, but he must also ensure his own personal happiness. If others are happy while he is unhappy, then his wish remains unfulfilled.

If this step goes wrong, the program will not function.

Yes, those who want to bring happiness to others must also make themselves happy. If they are not happy, then it is not the happiness of all mankind.

Shirou is like the person who forgets about himself when taking attendance during a group activity. If he's excluded, the activity can't proceed.

Fortunately, Shirou still has a chance to change. He is not a static, decaying old man; he still has the opportunity to grow.

The most valuable quality of humankind is the understanding that we are subject to change. This is the biggest difference between us and animals, which can only adapt to nature. Like migratory birds, they cannot endure the cold winter and must migrate. Or like polar bears, they hibernate.

Humans, on the other hand, devised ways to raise sheep, cultivate cotton, make clothes that are resistant to cold and frost, and invented heating systems.

Humans have learned to change themselves, thereby changing their relationship with nature. While still conforming to the laws of nature, they also strive to improve the environment and even compete with nature.

While we are not omnipotent or can make our wishes come true, we can change ourselves through learning and practice, and then achieve what we are capable of. Many things that seem impossible can gradually become possible through accumulated effort and reinforcement.

Along the way of life, he will make all sorts of choices, build bonds with different people, and, influenced by each other, embark on different paths.

For example, in a world where he meets a holy female knight under the moonlight and vows to never leave her, he learns more about perseverance and the belief of never giving up.

For example, he might fight alongside the girl in red, bicker with her, and compete in cooking; perhaps there he could be more tactful in dealing with people.

For example, he could choose to become her hero alongside a lovely blue-haired girl. There, he might be more domineering, but perhaps he would also be more proactive in seizing happiness.

He will meet different people, fall in love with them, face difficulties together, and grow together, and he will become a different person as well.

Chapter 764 Utaha Kasumigaoka's Shirou to Winning Over Shirou

Different worlds, different experiences, and different encounters will shape different versions of yourself.

Shirou believes this is fate, or perhaps a tragic fate, with the girl before him, but in truth, Shirou doesn't dislike this relationship. Utaha Kasumigaoka is one of the most beautiful girls in the school, not only academically excellent but also exceptionally intelligent. As a high school student and beautiful girl writer, she has successfully published a novel. In a time of economic downturn, she is already considered a well-known and bestselling author.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that someone liking a guy like him is something to be grateful for.

Despite his gratitude, Shirou felt unworthy of a wonderful girl like Utaha Kasumigaoka and unable to give her the happiness she desired.

Because he also has the self-awareness that he is actually a troublesome guy. To his counterparts in other parallel worlds, those experiences are just memories, not even as profound as taking on a role in the small world of the story. In the end, he is also an independent new individual in this world.

In other parallel worlds, the popularity of such characters often stems from extraordinary worlds like the Holy Grail War. The girls with him are not ordinary humans either; rather, without considerable strength or exceptional luck, they simply cannot stay safely by his side—survival would be a problem.

This is probably a curse. For example, a Hero of Justice must have a heavy past. His parents were either murdered, died in a car accident, or his adoptive uncle was killed by criminals. Those around Hero of Justice are destined for misfortune. Any woman he associates with, unless she betrays him, will either be killed or become paralyzed.

The world Shirou lives in is a peaceful parallel world, quite different from the others. Even though there are Servant, they are a strange group of creative Servant are basically harmless except for creating works with a morbid sense of humor.

In real life, Utaha Kasumigaoka is just an ordinary girl, a romance novelist. Although she has a somewhat peculiar personality and is good at flirting, she is ultimately an excellent ordinary person.

There is no Holy Grail War here, no dangerous and mysterious Magecraft, and no martial arts that can kill with a single punch. Everything is within the limits of ordinary human beings; Olympic athletes represent the pinnacle of human physical ability. At most, there are more writers like those who write novels, who sometimes get caught up in dangerous stories, but so far, no one has died as a result. Compared to the cruel world of Magecraft, it is far too harmonious.

Compared to her distorted self, the girl clearly had many better choices in this world.

"Senior, why did you fall for me? I'm pretty strange, aren't I?" Shirou looked at the girl with the headband and asked the question that had been bothering him.

"Yeah, it's really strange. When I first met you, I thought you were a weirdo. No wonder you're someone I know from that blond loser," Utaha Kasumigaoka said without any denial.

"Huh? Not denying it at all? Then what's so good about a weirdo like me?" Shirou retorted.

"Yes, why did I fall in love with him? Shirou-kun is not only strange, but also has a twisted personality. Living together would probably be exhausting. But I just fell in love with him." Utaha Kasumigaoka seriously considered her reasons.

Shirou felt that deep down, he might be more suited to living in an abnormal world. In the world of ordinary people, he, as an ordinary person, might just be a troublesome guy, especially among the Japanese, whose primary duty is not to cause trouble for others.

Not causing trouble also means not getting too involved and not meddling in other people's family affairs.

These traits are actually quite out of step with Shirou. If he sees someone in trouble, he will definitely help them. If he sees someone being bullied, he will definitely stop it. But social relationships operate in a cold and indifferent manner, and in the eyes of others, he is just meddling in other people's business.

The world of ordinary people was somewhat oppressive and boring to him, but when extraordinary power first appeared before him, he remembered that his whole body trembled, not from fear, but from excitement and exhilaration.