Two Similar People, on a Date

November, late autumn to early winter.

The little girl exhaled softly, a thin mist rising from her lips; the weather was gradually getting a bit chilly.

She blinked, gazing at the bustling crowds and the dazzling array of goods on the street, and pursed her lips.

Fu Hua's lip color was a bit lighter, but the strawberry-flavored lipstick added some brightness. She savored the faint fragrance that wafted from her lips into her nose and unconsciously wrinkled her delicate nose.

Why did we go out?

She inadvertently recalled her father's earnest words.

"It's not good to stay home all day. Hua, why don't you and Xiaosu go out for a walk? Xinchan is nearby too, I just called her out."

"Oh, right. Buy the groceries before dinner time."

Fu Hua sighed silently, wondering if her father even understood anything.

I have a feeling he did it on purpose.

She glanced at Su Qing'an beside her. He was wearing a thin, black trench coat, and underneath he was still wearing his father's old white shirt.

One can imagine that this coat was chosen solely to fit the season and make oneself inconspicuous, yet even with such a casual outfit, one's good looks still make it appear very trendy.

At this moment, the boy's dark eyes were fixed on Lin Xinchán beside him. His usually indifferent expression had become somewhat lost and dejected. He carefully observed the outline of the other's face and his eyebrows and eyes, and fell into an eerie silence as if he were obsessed with something.

Fu Hua couldn't help but follow Su Qing'an's gaze and take a closer look at this familiar girl next door. Her beautiful face and habitually meticulous dressing gave her a strong presence, and her sunny personality and confident smile were also pluses.

She then looked at herself. Compared to the girl's outfit and cute accessories, she could only show a hint of determination by wearing the most girlish school uniform in her wardrobe.

Well, compared to the abundance of tracksuits, jeans, and simple hoodies, the school uniforms of girls' schools are actually the most stylish clothing.

Fu Hua felt a vague sense of disappointment, along with a slight unhappiness.

Does Master Su like this type?

Even so! Even if that's the case!

It's really impolite to keep staring at Xin Chan!

Fu Hua was secretly annoyed. She silently grabbed the bewildered Lin Xinchán and pulled her to her side, away from Su Qing'an's sight, while seemingly concerned, she asked:

"Xin Chan, where are we going?"

"Hmm? Either is fine. How about we go to that newly opened arcade?"

Lin Xinchán, who had just met up with the two, noticed something was amiss as they were talking. She glanced at Su Qing'an and then noticed Fu Hua's earlobes turning red, a smile of interest appearing on her lips.

Oh, so Hua has come to this day too. Was he the person you mentioned before, without saying anything?

Her thoughts are so easy to guess, how adorable.

"Your name is Lin Xinchán?" Even though he didn't know the other person's full name, the boy inexplicably said it.

Lin Xinchán simply assumed that Fu Hua had told him her name beforehand, so she winked at the boy playfully and said with a smile:

"Yes, you're the Su Qing'an that Hua has been talking about, right?"

"She's always... sob sob sob."

Before she could finish speaking, her mouth was covered by the person next to her, who blushed.

Fu Hua tried her best to stare at Lin Xinchán with a fierce gaze, but the face reflected in her eyes couldn't help but reveal a smile, making Lin Xinchan feel somewhat deflated.

Su Qing'an gazed wistfully at the playful scene, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

His memory has always been excellent, and after Kenshin's recovery, those memories that had been shrouded in mist were completely restored.

Lin Xinchán.

She was the pilot who took me to Changkong City to find Satou Yunona. As a fellow student of the St. Freya Academy, I would occasionally see her in the coffee shop during my remaining school life.

But now, in the previous civilization 55,000 years ago...

Su Qing'an, by sheer coincidence, met a girl who had the exact same name and appearance as him.

What's this?

A cycle of reincarnation? Or merely a simple coincidence?

In order to find the answer, Su Qing'an looked at her with extra care. He tried to find some differences, but if you only look at their appearance, these two different individuals are strangely similar to one person.

He once heard the German philosopher Leibniz say that no two leaves in the world are exactly alike, because each leaf has its own unique texture and veins.

The same applies to humans.

The passage of 50,000 years seemed to be transmitting a message from that distant future, but at this stage, Su Qing'an could only attribute it to an astonishing coincidence.

Perhaps it was merely a resemblance in appearance; Su Qing'an tentatively gave this strange incident a conservative definition and resolved to end this thought process, which was destined to yield no results.

The boy had his hands in the pockets of his trench coat. He looked up at the ginkgo leaves by the roadside, withered by the north wind. The vibrant golden leaves were like natural paintings scattered on earth. The veins and textures of the leaves were clearly visible in the sunlight as they swirled in the air.

Perhaps... it would make a very suitable gift.

A smile involuntarily crept onto Su Qing'an's lips, but he failed to notice that Fu Hua, who was secretly observing him, had interpreted this expression as something profound.

Otherwise, I probably wouldn't be able to stop laughing even more.

Fu Xiuran sat indoors, watching the figures of several people slowly disappear from his sight amidst the fluttering ginkgo leaves in the wind, and suddenly felt the taste of his own aging.

It's hard for a man to describe this inexplicable feeling. Although he is still strong and capable of taking down a tiger with his bare hands, perhaps it's the change in his mindset that's more important than his aging body.

After the shattering of her dream, this martial arts tradition has finally found a way to continue, and her daughter seems to have found someone to entrust her future to.

Now, Fu Xiuran truly felt the rapid pace of things progressing.

This was the fastest change in his mind since his wife left. Life and death, dreams, martial arts, and his daughter—all these factors were reasons that transformed his thoughts in this way.

Perhaps I'm old enough to retire... but that's not necessarily a bad thing.

After I finish that task, I can finally relax completely.

Fu Xiuran muttered to himself as he walked out of the house.

Su Qing'an knew nothing about the girl's inner thoughts. He was only concerned with what dishes to cook tonight. Since becoming a stay-at-home dad, the boy's thinking had become an exceptionally routine.

Looking back, in the past, I was used to having convenient food delivery apps control my three meals a day, but now things have changed.

In fact, Su Qing'an has gradually stopped regretting coming into this world.

Regardless of whether the relationship between the game he once played and this world was a real shadow cast down from above, or a falsehood that was infinitely close to reality, he gained something precious from it that he had never had before.

Does Su Qing'an hate gods?

There is no doubt that he still loathes the suffering and sorrow that God himself has encountered along the way.

However, Su Qing'an also had to admit that even though the outcome was so hopeless, he had gradually become immersed in that sweet fruit and was enjoying it immensely.

Without desire, there is no motivation.

Su Qing'an has always had very few desires; he is the kind of person who is extremely detached from worldly desires and even Buddhist in nature.

Even though he fell in love with Fu Hua, his passion was like a frozen glacier buried deep underground, only revealing its warmth when he had no choice but to show it.

Even someone like Su Qing'an has her own desires.

There's no need to elaborate on the details concerning Fu Hua herself; the young man is someone who dislikes wandering.

Although the image of a world traveler sounds wonderful, he always felt it was too lonely. Wouldn't traveling alone be lonely?

The more magnificent the scene, the more breathtaking the scenery, the more one marvels at the charm between humanity and nature, and afterwards, one inevitably feels a great pity that there is no one to share it with.

Su Qing'an, whose social circle remains as small as ever, still enjoys staying at home.

He wants to have a home regularly.

Staying home forever wouldn't be a bad thing at that time.

As for the requirements for this home, staying in a small town in the misty rain of Jiangnan, like the teacher, would be good, or the dormitory at the St. Freya Academy would also be nice.

My home in Canghai City is a little lonely, but it also holds enough tender memories to warm my heart from time to time.

In fact, living a simple life in an ordinary neighborhood, cooking meals every day, is still the daily routine he enjoys.

Of course... it would be even better if there were one more person.

Su Qing'an twirled a ginkgo leaf, feeling the slight coolness spreading between his fingers, but his smile was faint and gentle as he looked at the girl who no longer glanced at him.

Even if it's spoiling you, I won't allow anything to disturb your life before the Honkai arrives.

Lin Xinchán sniffed the strange smell in the air, but it was too faint and was blown away by the whistling wind. She quietly spoke to the little girl next to her who was secretly sulking:

"Hua, that lady in front of us is walking strangely, and her face is frighteningly pale. Should we suggest she go to the hospital?"

As the girl spoke, she turned around to look, but the staggering figure was no longer visible in the bustling crowd.

"Ah, it's gone," she said softly with regret.

Fine [Ashes] mingled with the swirling ginkgo leaves and gradually fell into the distance.

The elegant golden color of the leaf that fell from the boy's fingers remained pristine and spotless.

How much will the Honkai take away before it stops?

On a peaceful day when autumn painted the city streets golden, a child lost his mother forever.

But this was just the beginning.

Wow, Hua, your skills are amazing!

"I should have taken you to the arcade last time we went out; you definitely wouldn't be so introverted then."

Lin Xinchán put down the toy gun in frustration and put it back into the corresponding slot.

But then, seeing the opponent's surprisingly high score on the screen, Lin Xinchán happily hugged the girl. She seemed to have instantly cast aside the disappointment of defeat, saying:

"Then you can't refuse next time I ask you to come to the arcade, okay? I'll definitely beat Hua."

Fu Hua's head was pressed down by Lin Xinchán into that rather large heart, and she felt the soft, bouncy flesh that was still just right even through her bra. Her fair skin blushed shyly.

She quickly shook off this feeling and said calmly:

"Well, if there's a chance."

Su Qing'an, standing beside him, held two pistols; the contest between his left and right hands ended in a draw with both hands scoring a perfect score.

Watching the two playfully teasing each other, he felt that Fu Xiuran's decision to let Hua go out was very correct.

If you can.

Su Qing'an wished that her happy moments could last longer, much longer.

Ten minutes later, at the milk tea shop.

The three sat around a round table. Su Qing'an was forced to have a cup of milk tea. He chewed on the tapioca pearls in his mouth, feeling a little nostalgic.

I remember the last time I drank this beverage was back in Changkong City. After I got to know Kiana better, she always seriously insisted that milk tea be included in the staff meals.

Su Qing'an suggested that there was a case of cola in the refrigerator and that no other unusual response was needed. Kiana, however, gave seven or eight strange reasons, leaving the boy with no choice but to give in to her request.

Then there's Satou Yunona. Although she loves black coffee, she doesn't dislike desserts like milk tea.

Basically, when she lingered in the coffee shop doing her homework, Su Qing'an would sometimes order an extra cup of milk tea, and occasionally she would choose to make it herself for both of them.

Su Qing'an had thought many times that perhaps the time he spent in Changkong City was the initial source of his salvation.

His first meeting with Fu Hua laid the foundation for the decisive events, but the greatest contributor to his healing and peace was that period of time.

But... he might never see them again.

This memory would occasionally leave the boy in a daze, and his appearance made Fu Hua feel that something was wrong. Even when he was alone and being stubborn, she still felt a little worried.

So the girl quietly touched the boy's suit trousers with the tip of her little leather shoe; the gentle touch was like a feather swaying in her heart.

Su Qing'an couldn't help but look at Fu Hua, who was still speaking to Lin Xinchán naturally on the surface, and the gloom in her heart temporarily dissipated.

Lin Xinchán took in all the subtle interactions between the two, and she secretly thought that their atmosphere and behavior were no different from those of a couple.

Fu Hua took a sip of milk tea. The warm taste and pleasant sweetness flowed down her throat, softening her delicate features. She asked:

What high school do you plan to attend after Xin Chan?

Upon hearing this, Lin Xinchán slumped onto the table in dejection. She replied:

"My parents went to great lengths to pull strings and get me into a military academy, but I can't even keep up with my instructor's basic training. Those grueling physical training sessions will definitely kill me!"

She clung to Fu Hua's arm, her little face contorted with tears, and said:

"Waaaaah, Hua, save me!"

"You'll definitely experience the joys of big city life and the beauty of youth in Canghai City, while I'm going to a dark and dreary hell, where I'll have to endure terrifying and arduous training day and night."

When the word "youth" came up, Lin Xinchán glanced at Su Qing'an and felt that the difference in their future prospects was obvious.

So, the girl gritted her teeth while her eyes were filled with tears.

Ahhhhh, I'm so envious!

Let's see some real-life people explode!