Chapter 336
While packing, old memories flashed through her mind like spring buds. She suddenly stood up, as if she had just remembered something, and hurriedly ran into the room, pulling a storage box from beside the bed.
These contain my most precious things.
Hei Mitomi wanted to become an idol, although this dream was destined to be impossible after her Dad became addicted to gambling. However, she once went to see an underground idol performance up close because she admired the girls who had the courage to fight for it.
Surprisingly, that performance, which I hadn't expected much from, gave me a tremendous shock at the time.
That Little Idol was completely different from her teammates. Her dance moves were graceful and determined. Even when she was standing on the edge, her smile was genuine, radiating a breathtaking vitality that made her unforgettable to this day.
Since then, she has become a fan of the other party.
Hei Mitomi had contemplated suicide many times.
Bullying and emotional abuse at school, an alcoholic and gambling father who occasionally beat and scolded his wife, harassment and harsh treatment at work, and a mother who said she didn't want to get treatment for cancer and wanted to leave the money to her.
But whenever she contemplated suicide, the image of that Little Idol would appear in her mind. She was inspired by that vibrant life force, like springtime, and time and again, she chose to redeem herself.
--Kiriwake Yayoi.
Hei Mitomi thought of her favorite idol in her heart, pursed her lips, and opened the storage box.
These are all merchandise items released by the company behind Yayoi's team a few years ago.
Because of various unsavory things, Little Sakura's status in the group is not high, and there aren't many merchandise items available; it's estimated that less than a thousand copies were sold.
So the price was very cheap, and naturally she collected them all.
Autographed photos, bonus photos, folders, keychains, laser cards, standees, and some other miscellaneous items.
These would have been worthless a few months ago.
However, in today's context, Kiriwake Yayoi is already a popular contestant in the neighboring <Flash Dance> competition, with tens of millions of fans in Great Xia, and in a few months, her fan base will approach 100 million.
Although it may seem mercenary, considering Yayoi's past experiences, the contents of this storage box represent the most difficult years of this Little Idol's past. If sold together, it might be more valuable than an equal weight of gold.
Hei Mitomi remained silent, her lips pursed nervously. She took out her phone, opened the app, and searched for the relevant terms. The prices were as high as she had imagined, almost like a miracle.
The girl's lips curled up in a smile that was both joyful and sorrowful, her emotions extremely complex. She carefully hugged the storage box, closed her eyes, and tears fell, landing on the plastic film of the autographed photo.
"Yayoi, thank you."
"Really... thank you."
"If I sell it, I can raise enough money for the medical expenses and rent. I can... I can save my mother, I can save my mother with dignity."
Volume 1: Taking leave and adjusting work and rest schedule.
Ugh, I woke up at nine at night and have only written a little over a thousand words so far. My brain is so foggy, and my chest hurts a bit. I think I should take a day off and adjust my sleep schedule.
Requesting leave to adjust my work schedule. Requesting leave to adjust my work schedule. Requesting leave to adjust my work schedule. Requesting leave to adjust my work schedule. Requesting leave to adjust my work schedule. Requesting leave to adjust my work schedule. Requesting leave to adjust my work schedule. Requesting leave to adjust my work schedule.
Volume 1: Chapter 313. A pillar of calamity, unsung heroes, humanity will surely overcome the calamity! (9K long chapter)
The streets of Kamagasaki are deserted.
The sky was gloomy, and along the way, one could always see elderly women scavenging for scraps, homeless people sleeping on the ground, and many elderly people with numb eyes in the parks they passed.
This is the slum of Dongliu. Although it is not far from the city center, it is filled with middle-aged and elderly people waiting for government relief. Street stalls sell all kinds of goods, including medicines, at extremely low prices. These goods are not included in the government's social security system.
Criminals thrive in these areas, and red-light districts and organized crime persist despite repeated crackdowns.
Hei Mitomi's age and appearance were completely different from Kamagasaki's. She had studied in Tokyo but transferred here temporarily due to family reasons.
Since my mother got sick, I've been in a semi-dropout state due to commuting, and I have to do temporary jobs every day to supplement the family income.
The reason why Hei Mitomi thought of making money in that way was not only because of the bad atmosphere on East Flow Island, but also because the environment there was too bad. When she first arrived, she was often harassed by the underworld.
Therefore, she hasn't worn skirts lately when she goes out. Instead, she wears jeans, a light gray sweatshirt, a mask and hoodie to cover her beautiful face and figure, and sneakers. From a distance, she looks like a boy.
There aren't many good hospitals near Kamagasaki, so it takes an hour and a half to get to where my mother is hospitalized.
It's already evening. If I take the tram or subway there, I might not make it home in time for my bus. I might as well spend the night at the hospital or a nearby internet cafe, which will make my commute to work tomorrow a little easier.
The girl wasn't bothered by the financial difficulties. Squeezed into the sardine-can-like subway car, her bright eyes watched the Flash Dance advertisements rushing past outside the glass, her heart filled with a gradually brightening future.
Little Sakura merchandise is even more sought after than expected. The other party's former company should have been able to capitalize on this and sell off their inventory at a good price.
But after that company disbanded its idol business, it simply threw away all these useless things, making the supply so scarce that not many people were willing to sell them online.
The starting price for an autographed photo is now 200,000 yen, which is about 10,000 Great Xia yen, and there's no guarantee of authenticity, which is outrageous.
Yes, it's said that the more you torture your fans, the more loyal they become. For example, with Little Sakura, the long-time fans who have witnessed her journey are the most devoted. Even if the price is high, few people are willing to sell unless they are struggling financially.
For new fans, buying merchandise from this period is like not missing out on their idol's most difficult time, which is purely emotional value, and there are always wealthy people willing to pay for it.
On Donghuang's international platform, Hei Mitomi posted a message about selling a package of merchandise, along with a photo of herself with Little Sakura and tickets to each of her performances. Since she didn't know how much it would sell for, she set a starting price of 800,000 yen and put it up for auction.
Out of reluctance to part with it, and also because of the long-standing frustration of lacking an outlet, when writing about the surroundings and origins, she inexplicably mentioned many things from the past in the post, as if she were writing a diary.
What makes up your life?
Is it a desk stuffed with thumbtacks, being dragged into a toilet and doused with cold water, or standing on the edge of a rooftop, then suddenly stepping back, lying on the ground, gazing blankly at the sky?
The moments Kiriwake Yayoi shines on stage are not just a single moment in her life, but rather a multitude of twinkling stars.
They are usually dim, as if unwilling to disturb their own lives, but they always shine again in their souls at the moment when they want to give up on life, like the Milky Way.
The night is heavy, but the stars are always there.
This post is several thousand words long, with each related story detailed, down to the month and date, along with photos from that day, interspersed with diary-like trivialities, complex memories of the father, and worries about the mother.
Hei Mitomi herself felt numb and lost consciousness, but those who saw her could sense the sorrow buried within, as well as the despair as fine as cotton needles.
Outside the tram window, the neon lights of the street flickered. Perhaps it was divine mercy, but shortly after she got off the tram and saw the hospital building in the distance, her phone vibrated. It was a notification that the auction had ended.
Hei Mitomi took a deep breath, her expression tense, her heart pounding. She took small, quick steps to the hospital building, her heart filled with nervousness and complex emotions, and turned on her phone.
--7.78 million yen.
Besides the far-unexpected transaction price, there was also a message left by the buyer.
[I will help you preserve this treasure. When your mother recovers and you grow up and earn enough money, you can "redeem" it from me, strong and lovely Miss Chun Ni.]
The message ends with a heartwarming emoticon.
Hei Mitomi stood at the hospital entrance, staring blankly at the words. She saw the auction price record; the buyer had added three million yen at the last minute when there were no competitors.
"Chun Ni."
This is the fan name for Kiriwake Yayoi.
But why is it that even after selling off items related to the other person, one is still referred to in this way?
Hei Mitomi didn't understand, but tears were already welling up in her eyes. Her chest was burning hot. The warmth given by the stranger made the bitterness hidden in her heart impossible to hide, making it difficult to control her emotions. She stammered "thank you" incoherently.
The girl sniffled, and after a while, she wiped away her tears, her eyes hardening. She picked up the insulated food container and walked inside.
Although the platform will take a cut, this money is enough to cover one injection of the special drug, sparing my mother the pain of repeated chemotherapy.
If the condition progresses normally, the patient can be discharged in a few months.
Then, she will take a photo with her recovered mother in the sunlight, and use it to tell that kind person that her fate was changed because of their kindness.
Hei Mitomi smiled and walked faster, eager to share the good news with her mother.
First floor, turn the corner, brush past the nurse, take the elevator.
The girl's eyes shone brightly, the flame of hope growing ever stronger, swaying with a temperature that seemed to boil the disaster. She finally reached her mother's floor, the corners of her lips already curling up beneath her mask.
But when the elevator doors opened, all that rushed in was a cacophony of noise. Doctors and nurses were walking back and forth, and familiar figures were being carried on stretchers, rushing past as they were taken to the operating room.
"Ms. Kuromi pulled out the syringe, cut open an artery with a key, and committed suicide. Now the bleeding is completely unstoppable, and all her vital signs are failing."
Is there any hope for them?
"The chances are slim."
That dark will swept up everyone's thoughts, viciously cramming it into her consciousness, stirring up extremely chaotic emotions, like a roaring avalanche.
Hei Mitomi's mind went blank. She watched the elevator doors slowly close like a wooden statue, then suddenly, like a madwoman, she pounded on the open button and ran towards the stretcher. But her legs were dragged very heavily by the disaster energy, and there was scarlet blood everywhere on the ground.
The girl was like a puppet controlled by fate. She stepped on the blood left by her mother and fell heavily to the ground. The thermos in her hand flew and fell to the ground, spilling the stewed beef and rib soup. A few streaks of bright red blood splattered on the ground.
The buzzing sound, like the tolling of bells, lingered in my ears, creating a dull sensation that blocked out all thought. Everything around me began to slow down, even the pain of falling to the ground seemed insignificant.
"Breathing has stopped, what about the patient's family?"
"It's a little girl. It seems like there are no adults at home. She's the only one who brings food each time. The child said she would raise enough money for medical expenses. It's quite pitiful."
"... Is that so? Perhaps Ms. Kuromi did this because she didn't want to burden the child any further."
Hei Mitomi could no longer distinguish whether these voices came from fantasy or superpowers. Her heart was being gnawed by regret and sorrow, those emotions devouring her like demons, extinguishing the flame of hope.
The evil spirit invaded her soul, repeatedly and brutally replaying the most cruel "truth" in her mind, making her realize that her mother had committed suicide.
--He committed suicide because he didn't want to be a burden to others.
How strange. It was so close. If only a few more days had passed, everything would have been alright. She had the money to buy her mother the special medicine, and the two of them could have started over and escaped their predicament of being stuck in the mire.
But all of this came to an abrupt end, leaving only the wreckage of dreams.
Ignoring the gazes and worried questions of those around her, Hei Mitomi stood up in a daze, looking at the insulated box printed with cherry blossoms, and inexplicably thought of something.
Perhaps it would be happier to die like this.
And suddenly, that unsettling, fluctuating sound, like a signal wave, rang in my ears at just the right moment, like the whisper of a demon:
Do you feel regret?
"Do you... have a wish that you want to fulfill?"
The girl's pupils were shrouded in Black Mist, and she was thus guided to reveal her deepest desire:
"I want my mother to live a healthy and complete life."
Thus, the contract is concluded.
The emotions ripped from that beautiful soul transformed into the finest nourishment, causing a fissure to appear in the sky above the hospital. Like the raging aura of an angry dragon, it surged and roared, instantly crashing down and engulfing the building where Hei Mitomi stood, preparing to conceive...
A greater despair.
Great Xia, Sea Capital First People's Hospital.
Pei Xiaotong lay in the hospital bed, looking at her parents who were forcing smiles and her cousin who sat beside her, looking lost and dejected. She was in a daze.
The malevolent energy within her soul surged once more; that malicious will, seizing the moment when her heart was most vulnerable, manipulated her emotions and desires, prompting her to utter her wish:
"I want my legs to return to normal."
"That way, Dad and Dad won't be sad, and Ling Bao won't blame herself anymore."
The words had barely left his mouth.
In just a few breaths, a disaster tide even more terrifying than that in Osaka was reenacted.
That calamity, residing in the void, reaped the shining parts of humanity, anticipating the darkness that would erupt after their destruction. Ironically, it caused a pillar of light constructed from calamity energy to appear in the heart of this top-tier city.
Meanwhile, similar situations began to appear in various parts of the world. The Countermeasures Bureau urgently halted its siege of the Cult of Disaster Gods and dispatched [Witch] to support the corresponding regions.
Due to a severe shortage of Combat Power, the powerful Captain-Class Witch were separated from the other Magical Girl in the team to carry out missions, using the Countermeasures Bureau's portals as transit points to act as firefighters traveling the world.
Upper-level council.
The holographic projection of the planet is located in the center, marked by red dots labeled "[Calamity Wish]", which swarm like locusts. One data point and report after another arrive, making the atmosphere increasingly anxious and gloomy.
"Nine ominous light pillars have appeared in the Donghuang area."
"A total of 27 pillars of ominous light have appeared in the Holy United States and other regions."
"According to statistics, a total of 5,819,698 people were included, and [Calamity Wish] even used the pillar of light as its core to forge a solid, pitch-black outer wall."
"Support has arrived at the battlefield in Sea Capital. The [Witch] codenamed Golden Lamp Cup, after reconnaissance, predicts that once the outer wall is breached, an extremely powerful chain of explosions will occur. It is necessary to evacuate the people in advance and prepare a plan to deal with the backflow of disaster energy to prevent the entire city from being destroyed."
"Astrid's report indicates that the areas where [Calamity Wish] has appeared are all places where calamities have recently occurred, leading her to speculate that the rules of [Calamity Wish] require calamity energy to spread."
The head of the Donghuang Countermeasures Bureau calmly said:
"This is tricky. It means we need to evacuate all residents immediately without opening the outer walls, and then implement a unified quarantine. Otherwise, the rules of [Calamity Wish] will be spread a second, third, or even more times."
Someone shook their head and said:
"If we follow the rules of the game it sets, then humanity is destined to lose."
"Don't forget, [Calamity Wish] is a rule-based Calamity Beasts that has only recently revived. It only took it a few days to be able to control nearly six million people like it is now."