Perhaps Su Wen still wanted to slack off properly after saving the world.
But he also understood clearly:
His thoughts might already have changed from before.
People changed.
So he merely paused, lowering his voice until it was as gentle as moonlight falling upon the sea:
"When I used to do research, I always felt that everyone should know the truth.
But later,
Gradually, I suddenly came to feel that there was nothing wrong with being a little muddled.
Most people were simply living.
They neither loved the world that much nor hated it that much. They only wanted to grasp a trace of warmth that belonged to everyday life.
What they sought and what this world would have to face did not conflict at all.
To welcome the changes of this world and accept its progress in a mild, long night, within a beautiful dream from which they could awaken.
For many people,
That was happiness."
Jiang Menghan leaned a little closer to him, shoulder against shoulder.
"I'm very happy now too."
She did not say anything more. She simply trailed her fingers through the water while quietly watching the distant sea.
The lights of Tokyo's Rainbow Bridge changed color again.
Pale golden light fell over her hair, as though it had been dusted with fine gold powder.
It made the girl seem so distant, yet so close to him.
They stayed by the sea until after one in the morning. Only when the sea breeze grew colder and Jiang Menghan gave a small sneeze did they slowly head back.
Their hotel had been booked long before they arrived, so there was no need to hurry.
They even had time to turn into a quiet alley and find a late-night ramen shop that had been open for thirty years.