Chapter 577

Of course, he's not saying the monsters don't need to be eliminated, but if given a choice, it's better to live a good daily life; a life of fighting and killing is really not good.

Reality isn't a cartoon; every battle requires risking your life.

When you actually manage to dislocate an arm or leg from your opponent, an ordinary person will simply collapse to the ground, groaning and weeping, powerless to resist. Who knows what shameful things they might do... Do you think everyone is him or a Heroic Spirit?

You can't only feel like a hero when you easily defeat monsters and receive cheers and praise from everyone.

Even when you are injured, humiliated, sweating and bleeding, struggling in pain, unknown, and powerless to save the day... you cannot abandon this responsibility.

But obviously, this kind of work is not something that ordinary or normal people can do, so it's best to just treat it as a story.

However, for the sake of his family and friends, he will probably still look for a way to make people live forever, but Spirit Crystal are definitely out of the question, and he doesn't have that many to give away.

His next goal is probably this, Gilgamesh's magic and magical knowledge is one of the directions he'll pursue.

If you discover anything else along the way, you can certainly share it with Kansai Shizuha.

Well, if that still doesn't work in the end, he'll have no choice but to cover the entire world with the Cycle Paradise, and let them achieve immortality there.

If that's the case, it wouldn't matter if Esper fought every day, since he could easily reset and repair himself.

"By the way, if magical girls really existed, what would you do, Gan-kun?"

"Don't talk nonsense, even I wouldn't have such a dream."

"Just treat it as a fantasy. What if there really is a magical girl somewhere in the world secretly protecting the world?"

"... I didn't expect you to have such a childlike heart," Kansai Shizuha pinched her chin, pondered for a moment, "If it were really possible, I would probably be willing to do anything to realize my dream."

"I'd say I'd do anything, but if it comes at the cost of my family or friends, I'm not willing to do it, and I won't go searching the world for something I don't even know exists."

"Looking at it this way, maybe I wasn't that obsessed with it after all..."

Sakurakoji Talent shook his head in denial. "No, that's enough. I don't think many people would go to that extent for their dreams."

"Really? That makes sense."

"Let's talk about this later. We've seen enough. Let's go find Kitagawa-classmate and the others first."

"Okay, let's go."

"Dan Tongxue."

"Hmm?" Kansai Shizuha slightly tilted her delicate and lovely profile.

"Looking forward to Shion's Black Lily outfit!"

Kansai Shizuha felt a warmth in her heart and smiled gently, "... Yes, please."

"But are there really no production or transportation costs?"

"I'm a working professional with a stable job, so I don't need that. Anyway, I'm doing this for my own interest."

"Is that so... But I still feel a little embarrassed." She frowned. Although she didn't think she could afford to pay, she still wanted to do her part, no matter how little it was, since it was her "dream" and her suggestion.

"Since you put it that way, then I do have something I'd like to ask my classmate for help with."

Kansai Shizuha was immediately delighted and patted her chest. "Oh! Just say the word! If I can do it!"

Seeing that she had taken the bait, Sakurakoji Talent once again revealed a malicious smile, "Last time, Gan-kun fainted in my room, right? Because I touched you."

"W-why are you suddenly bringing this up?" A pale pink flush rose to Kansai Shizuha's cheeks, and she looked away awkwardly.

That incident was both unexpected and humiliating for her; she never imagined that she would faint from just a little contact with a boy...

"Nothing, I was just curious—why did you faint just from being touched?"

"I... how would I know! By the way, what do you want me to do?"

"Huh? Didn't I already say?" Under her astonished gaze, Sakurakoji Talent reached out and took her small hand in his, holding her soft, tiny fingers in his own. "I wanted to test Gan-kun's reaction mechanism."

"You..." As if an appliance had been unplugged, before she could finish speaking, Kansai Shizuha rolled her eyes and fainted backward.

"Wow!" Sakurakoji Talent caught her as she leaned back, surprised. "You actually fell asleep right away... Doesn't that mean you don't have to worry about insomnia anymore? I'm so envious."

I don't know if it's because she's petite yet mature, but he seems to find it easier to "bully" her—it's definitely not because she reminds him of his mother and aunt!

He poked her cheek, and after confirming there was no reaction, he called out loudly, "Kitagawa-classmate! Shinju! Could you please come over here for a moment?"

"What's wrong? Sakurakoji-kun? Whoa!! What happened to Chuchu?!"

"Elder sister?!"

"I don't know, I suddenly fainted. It might be low blood sugar. Are you alright? If you are, let's go back."

"Oh, okay!"

"Let's have dinner at Kitagawa-classmate's house, shall we? I'll cook it myself!"

"Really?! I can't wait... No, no, no~ Is Lady Chuchu really okay?!"

"I checked her over, and it seems to be nothing serious. If it's just low blood sugar, hurry back and find her something to eat!"

"I see, that makes sense, yes! Let's do it that way!"

"Then, how will you move, sister?"

"Let her lie on my back, she's very light anyway, and it's my fault for not taking good care of her."

"That's not true! It definitely wasn't Talent's fault!"

No, it was actually my fault.

"Thank you so much!"

See, she should even thank us.

"..."

Soon, as agreed, they returned to Kitagawa Marin's house and spent the rest of the day there.

Fortunately, the cities in Japan are not very big, and he chose to take a taxi, so it didn't take him long to get there.

Shortly after arriving at Kitagawa Marin's room, Kansai Shizuha woke up. Seeing Kitagawa Marin and her younger sister taking such good care of her beside her, she was a little dazed.

Seeing the fragrant house she was in, she felt a sense of familiarity and warmth, yet also a bit confused. Where was she?

However, she soon learned what had happened from their chaotic and confusing explanations.

In response, she bared her teeth like an angry little tiger, her face contorted in fury.

That guy~~~!

However, since she had agreed first, she was troubled and didn't want to directly get angry with him.

She secretly resolved that she would be more careful next time she faced him!

This resolve lasted until dinner time.

"So delicious..."

Kansai Shizuha stared intently at the milky white broth being scooped up with a spoon, her cherry-like lips murmuring softly.

The warm, fragrant soup washed away all her fatigue, tension, determination, and awkwardness from the day with just one sip, leaving her feeling warm and comfortable.

"Right!" Kitagawa Marin activated her stomach mode, taking a huge mouthful of rice and chewing it thoroughly. "Sakurakoji-kun's cooking skills are absolutely the best! They're definitely better than the chefs at big hotels!"

"Hey~ Talent Cai's cooking skills are really, really amazing!" Inui Shinju readily agreed.

The four people sat around the Kita family's dining table, which was laden with many dishes, bringing a long-awaited liveliness to the once quiet table. A warm and cozy atmosphere naturally permeated the room under the lamplight.

Even before she went to high school, it was just her and her father living together, let alone now, and her cooking skills are...

Kansai Shizuha gave him a complicated look, but had to admit, "Well, I have to admit that... but isn't this a bit too much food?"

This soup alone far surpasses any miso soup she has ever had.

Sakurakoji Talent, unperturbed and composed, ate her meal quietly. "You flatter me. Consider this meal my apology for being late this afternoon and for not taking good care of Gan-kun. I hope you can forgive me!"

"I wasn't really angry..." Kansai Shizuha's ears turned red as she looked away from her eyes, which were surrounded by dark circles, just like the last time she heard Kitagawa Marin tease Inui Shinju for liking to take pictures of her.

It should be noted that although she may seem arrogant, she really isn't.

"That's good~ Everyone eat more, especially Gan-kun!" Sakurakoji Talent introduced, "Crucian carp and tofu soup can supplement calcium and protein, and promote calcium absorption. It's also very suitable as a frontline remedy."

"Salmon ochazuke is rich in Omega-3, which can supplement deep-sea fish oil, tea polyphenols, and theanine. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, brightens skin tone, controls fat, and protects the cardiovascular system—all fish dishes that my family often eats."

"The lycopene in tomato, basil, and shrimp pasta has antioxidant properties, while the shrimp provides high protein, and the basil aids digestion and is good for your eyes and skin."

"Creamy baked snails are low in fat and high in protein, rich in collagen, and help firm the skin..."

Listening to his eloquent introduction, the three women simply thought he was impressive, without any particular reaction.

They've already learned all this knowledge, and besides, they're either models or cosplayers, so they usually pay attention to this kind of content—even though they still eat junk food as usual.

"Is this some kind of medicinal cuisine?" Kansai Shizuha retorted.

"Wow, that's amazing! I never knew Sakurakoji-kun could even make baked snails," Kitagawa Marin picked up a piece of snail meat and held it in front of her. "Isn't this something you only get in high-end Western restaurants? Where did you buy the ingredients?"

"... the nearby seafood market happens to sell them."

"Really? I don't usually shop there; I just buy some ingredients at the supermarket."

Kitagawa Marin didn't dwell on this and immediately started enjoying her meal; for her, eating was far more important than cooking.

"Do you often cook?" Kansai Shizuha, looking at him curiously.

"Yes, I've been learning since I was little, and I've been doing a lot of it lately."

"Are you interested in this?"

"I'm interested in many things, and it's always good to learn more knowledge and skills."

"That's amazing! I respect you." She offered her praise quite frankly.

They have no objections to other people's hobbies and interests, and will even support and sincerely praise their efforts, even if they don't conform to the mainstream.

Because the cosplay and otaku communities are like this: many people want to become one with the characters, change themselves, and become different from before.

Even if others don't approve, their love for the work and the character will not disappear.

For example, Kitagawa Marin, although she is an undisputed popular and Normie person both in class and outside, is occasionally ridiculed for wearing anime merchandise pendants and being a total otaku.

In response, she chose to simply slap them all away, not even giving them a second glance.

It didn't bother anyone else. What I like is none of your business. All of you, get out of here!

Sakurakoji Talent also fully supports and agrees with this idea!

Not to mention himself, his whole family would not criticize other people's hobbies and personalities. As long as it's not outrageous enough to disturb others, his parents Relatives would generally express their incomprehension but respect—except for the serious and rule-abiding Okura Rumin.

"By the way, my midterms start next Monday, what about you guys?" He suddenly remembered this.

"Ah..." Kansai Shizuha paused, glancing at Inui Shinju, "Shinju and I finished our exams this week."

"Really? Then things will be easier from now on."

"For a period of only two months."

"Where's Kitagawa-classmate? Is everything alright?"

"Me too, next week! It should be fine, right?" Kitagawa Marin was in high spirits, showing none of the anxiety that ordinary students have for exams. She continued to eat heartily, her earrings swaying back and forth playfully.

"Speaking of which, I've been waiting a whole week for this holiday, and I'm so glad to be able to get together with everyone! Let's go sing karaoke later!"

"Go study! Study!" Kansai Shizuha coldly objected.

Chapter 521 "Fierce Loneliness Attacks"

In the end, he and Kansai Shizuha rejected Kitagawa Marin's suggestion to do karaoke.

Kansai Shizuha and the others weren't familiar with each other and weren't particularly interested, while he had other things to do.

Even so, Kitagawa Marin didn't seem to be seriously studying—she seemed to have already made plans to go shopping with some classmates tomorrow.

After going out with Kansai Shizuha, he made an excuse to part ways and went back to his apartment.

More than half an hour later, he used his spiritual power to disguise himself, took his guitar, and arrived at RiNG.

Good evening, everyone!

He pushed open the door to the recording studio and greeted the four people already there.

Even if he's only a part-time member of the Ghost Band, he still needs to show up and participate in practice every now and then.

"You're here?" Shiina Rikki glanced at him indifferently, without saying anything.