Chapter 521

As she spoke, her pretty face flushed pink, and she seemed somewhat excited.

They didn't seem scared at all.

"Hey hey~"

She gave a mischievous grin, raising an eyebrow in a knowing gesture.

"What are you doing...?"

He seemed to guess what she wanted to say.

Do you have any other abilities?

"I don't understand what you mean..."

"For example, enabling others to acquire this special ability?"

Really!

He knew she was going to do that! No wonder she used to be a hardcore gamer!

If you're wondering just how deep Okura Rina's Chūnibyō) and gaming addiction are, the newly opened Game Academy at the Philia Academy can give you the answer.

"... no."

"Why have you been silent for so long? And your micro-expressions are off! You're lying to me, aren't you!"

Wow, he's so perceptive at times like this.

He looked helplessly at his aunt, who refused to accept her age—but was indeed not old at all—and coldly raised his eyebrows. "Even if you could, what would you do after obtaining the power? Destroy the world or save the world?"

"While it's a matter of personal freedom to do what one wants, I think it's better to use this dangerous force sparingly—if one wants to continue enjoying this peaceful life."

For him, this ability is merely a byproduct of his current life, something he can do without.

Its greatest benefit was that it rescued him from his past suffering.

Even without it, he could still live a very carefree and wonderful life. On the contrary, if he used it often, he would worry that he would become a slave to power, lose his ambition and composure, and become increasingly Tyranny and dictatorial.

This is also why he hasn't used it much so far, and even deliberately avoids using it.

"Tsk tsk tsk~"

Okura Rina shook her index finger, giving him a look that said, "Whether you need it or not is one thing, whether you have it or not is another."

"For example, if you 'call yourself the Demon King Hero' to others, it's just Chūnibyō) if you don't have the power, but it's different if you do~"

"So? You just want to say this to others openly and honestly?"

"How could that be! I'm too old for that!"

"..."

You still have some sense of what's going on, don't you?

"However... if we could fulfill our long-held wishes, that would be wonderful, wouldn't it?"

She raised her eyebrows again. "For me now, there are very few things in the world that I can truly desire."

"I see,"

Sakurakoji Talent nodded knowingly and asked confidently, "You want to become a magical girl?"

"No, that's not true!"

She slammed her hand on the table indignantly, "That's so childish! At least say 'hero,' you brat!"

Is there a difference between these two?

"By the way, do you sell Excalibur here?"

"..."

Faced with this relative who still had a childlike heart, he could only glance away dejectedly, "There really isn't one."

"Really? Then can you turn me into a hero now?"

"That won't do either... I haven't even solved my own problems yet."

"Tsk, what a disappointing nephew."

She pouted, her disappointment evident.

"Next time, Piding."

He gave a perfunctory reply, then proceeded to berate them. "Look at those wealthy and political figures, they all want things like immortality and extended lifespans. And look at what you want!"

Okura Rina crossed her arms and curled her lip in disdain. "What's so good about living a long life? Like that old man, living to a ripe old age and still thinking about having another child?"

"Besides, your aunt is still very young. Just thinking about how long I have to live in the Mirai makes me feel incredibly bored!"

"No matter how long I live, will I live long enough for your parents to divorce so your father can marry me?"

"..."

Sakura Kyoukoji's Talent is beyond words.

Since you've already brought this up, what else can I say?

"But the hero theme is so outdated. It's become so overused that nobody wants to be one anymore. Writing about it would be a disaster."

"Shut up! I'm your aunt and CEO, and my ideas are the trend! Listen to me!"

"No, I'm Light Novel author! Listen to me!"

"..."

Beep beep beep beep... Three minutes later.

"Um, Auntie, what are you doing?"

"Make a phone call and have someone acquire several paperback publishers, and get them to heavily support the Hero series."

"..."

Alright, the culprit behind the toilet paper overload in this other world has been found.

Suddenly, a feeling of remorse welled up in his heart towards society...

"Never mind, never mind,"

After giving the orders, she waved her hand dismissively, her expression languid. "You handle the gift; we'll talk about it later."

"However, would you like to come to the banquet the day after tomorrow? I think it's a good opportunity to promote you in social circles. Your recent project is doing very well; before you become a tycoon, it's about time you made your debut, right?"

"... In what capacity should I approach the social scene?"

"Ah..."

Okura Rina paused for a moment, then remembered that this guy was still in disguise. A pleased smile played on her lips, "Hmph~ Whatever~"

"Let me see the guest list first, then I'll decide whether I want to show up."

"Alright, alright, this kid's got too much to do."

"..."

Inside a family-run restaurant in Chiba City.

Since ancient times... it hasn't had that long of a history.

It's unclear when it started, but family-run restaurants have become boring places for students with limited funds to chat and joke around, deviating from their original purpose. With the tacit approval of the restaurants, this trend is now intensifying.

With just a cup of coffee and some fries, you can easily while away an afternoon or even longer here – it's an incredibly cost-effective place to spend your time!

Of course, from another perspective, this can also be seen as a way to attract customers out of necessity during an economic downturn, due to the owner's tacit approval, much like the actions of certain global fast-food chains.

Unlike usual, near the middle of the semester, this place is not filled with idle "youthful" teenagers, but rather with "literary" teenagers looking for a place to hold study sessions and read books.

The library and the family-run restaurant are considered two sacred places for students during the midterm and final exam periods.

Family restaurants (or cafes) have several advantages over libraries or homes.

First, students can order food, so they can replenish their energy promptly when they get hungry.

Second, you can invite friends to discuss it together without having to worry about the rules requiring quiet.

Third, you can stay until 10 p. m., ensuring long stretches of continuous study time.

Fourth, because I'm not at home, I can avoid the situation of someone lying around taking a nap in a quiet environment.

However, these factors have little to do with Sakurakoji Talent, who is far away in Tokyo. Caught in the whirlwind of the band, it's impossible for him to come here and learn from others...

Even if they come, it will definitely be to discuss band activities and the arrangement of lyrics and music.

Meanwhile, on this side—

After buying a book at a nearby shopping mall after school, Hikigaya Hachiman planned to study there.

But after entering and seeing the crowd of people inside, he hesitated.

He really had to go home obediently; everyone seemed to think the same way...

Just as he was thinking this, his eyes spotted three familiar faces in the queue.

One of them, wearing a green sweatshirt, was staring intently at the cakes in the cabinet—so cute... His old face couldn't help but blush slightly.

The scene was sweeter than whipped cream, instantly captivating his heart; he was like an ant drawn to sugar.

The nursery rhyme about "the water here is sweeter" probably means this, right? Wait, isn't that a firefly?

That's right, if women had a standard, it would definitely be someone like him!

The moment that thought crossed his mind, another incredibly beautiful face popped into his head... No, no, no, it's too much for Arceus Sakura to participate in the competition; he no longer belongs to the mortal realm.

He shook his head, dispelling the thought, and looked at the other two... They were the two heartless figures he hadn't seen when he went to the clubroom earlier that day, after being reprimanded by Hiratsuka Shizuka for being late for the eighth time this year due to staying up late to study.

--By the way, he was late 72 times last year.

The three were Saika Totsuka, Yukino Shita Yukino, Yuihama Yui, who had come together to attend the study session.

Even while queuing to order food, the two girls, or rather, the Cliques led by Yukino Shita Yukino, did not forget to carry out the training for the purpose of their trip.

"Alright~ now it's Little Yukino's turn to ask the questions~"

"Alright, let's start with a question from Chinese. Please complete the second half of the common phrase I mentioned, [The wind blows...]"

"... Will the Keiyo Line stop?"

Is this a Chinese language question? Or is it just a clever question and answer session by Chiba? And he answered it wrong!

The correct answer is: It's unlikely to stop running anytime soon, but the frequency of slow-moving vehicles is increasing.

[Note: The correct answer is "Those who sell buckets will become rich"]

As expected, a dark cloud descended upon Yukino Shita Yukino's forehead. "No, the next question is geography, [Please name two famous products of Chiba]."

Time ticked by, Yuihama Yui swallowed hard. "Miso peanuts... and boiled peanuts?"

Hikigaya Hachiman finally couldn't help but interject, "Hey, does Chiba only sell peanuts?"

"Wow! That startled me! I thought I was being hit on by a creepy old man, but it turns out he's Hikikomori."

Hearing the commotion Saika Totsuka around and asked with a smile, "Hachiman, you were also invited to the study session?"

"..."

Hearing his words, he felt ashamed of being deliberately ignored, Yuihama Yui had an awkward expression as if an uninvited guest had arrived, and Yukino Shita Yukino... didn't want to miss this opportunity to use her sharp tongue.

"I didn't invite Hikitani classmate to the study session. What brings you here?"

"... I would be very grateful if you could avoid intentionally hurting my feelings."

After joking around for a while, it was time for the group to place their orders.

Having used up his last 1000 yen ticket buying books, he was forced to ask Saika Totsuka help, borrowing money to buy a cup of coffee, thanks to the despicable combined efforts of the two sharp-tongued women and the Little Devil.

After the guests at the next table finished their meal and left, they quickly took their place. The person who helped catch the backpack he had just thrown to reserve the seat was his younger sister, Komachi Hikigaya.

And a boy with gray-blue hair, and her friend who attended the same cram school: Taishi Kawasaki.

"Oh, everyone! I'm Komachi Hikigaya. Thank you all for taking care of my brother!"

After the two groups of people met, Komachi Hikigaya cheerfully introduced herself.

"Are you Hachiman's sister? Nice to meet you, I'm Saika Totsuka, his classmate."