Would You Like a Cup of Hot Cocoa Today?

Indeed, quite a few viewers nodded in agreement. There are many short-lived geniuses in this industry, but child stars like Kitagawa Ryo who humbly use "know yourself" as a self-encouragement are quite rare, which makes people look forward to his future even more.

Kitagawa Ryo didn't really think much about it, but he remembered that Karuizawa Kei's bullying started because of her competitive personality, which led to a verbal conflict with the girls in her class, eventually escalating into isolation and bullying. In his view, this was a tragedy that could have been completely avoided.

If Karuizawa Kei could recognize and correct her weaknesses, the bullying at school would probably never happen again.

However, it's unclear whether the other party even listened.

Upon reflection, Karuizawa Kei realized that he only knew Karuizawa after she had been bullied at school, Kitagawa Ryo he was completely unfamiliar with Karuizawa Kei before the bullying occurred.

"Uh-huh."

Karuizawa Kei seemed quite moved and was nodding, though it was unclear how she interpreted it.

"I want to become a theater Actor like Ryo!"

"Huh?"

Startled by the other person's statement, Kitagawa Ryo looked at Karuizawa Kei, whose pupils were shining as she had just spoken of her ideals.

"It was only when I heard Ryo say that I wanted to get to know myself that I realized how interested I really am in theater."

"Theater Troupe leader, Theater Troupe leader, do you still accept apprentices?"

Watching Karuizawa Kei dash off to the Theater Troupe leader, Kitagawa Ryo scratched his head in confusion.

In past simulations, he had always acted solely to complete the mission, and his understanding of Karuizawa Megumi might not be as deep as his understanding of Karuizawa Kei Shiina Hiyori.

He himself couldn't say for sure that he knew all of Karuizawa Kei's interests and hobbies, so it seemed reasonable that she showed an interest in drama.

Just as Kitagawa Ryo was observing Karuizawa Kei's actions, his cell phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket.

Upon seeing the caller ID, Kitagawa Ryo smiled and quickly answered the phone.

"Hotaru, school's over? Yeah, I know, I just finished too."

"Don't worry, I'm sure I'll be a huge success, with the whole audience cheering."

"I wasn't bragging, I wasn't bragging, I wasn't bragging, I just wasn't bragging, meh."

Even though I knew the other person couldn't see me, I still couldn't help making a face.

"Will you be back late today? Where are you going with your friends again? It's cold at night, and it might snow, so you'd better come back early."

"Going to a coffee shop with classmates? The one at the street corner, the one with the pink rabbit on the sign?"

"It's definitely a rabbit, how could anyone mistake it for a kangaroo?"

"Okay, okay, I got it. I'll come pick you up in a bit."

"Bye-Bye."

After hanging up the phone, Kitagawa Ryo's face was still beaming with a bright smile, and the Actor playing Claudius next to her also made a couple of jokes:

"Oh, I can tell it's my sister calling."

"..."

"Wow, I never expected to see this level of sister-obsessed person in real life, tsk tsk."

"..."

"How about we have her play Ophelia again tomorrow?"

Instantly reverting to his initial cold and aloof demeanor, Kitagawa Ryo drew his prop sword from his waist in a flash, stepping forward as if to strike him:

"Traitor! A scoundrel without a ruler or father!"

"Hey, hey, hey, hey, he's getting into character."

"Hey, my son, where are the guards? Help them! Help them!"

The male Actor being chased all over the stage by Kitagawa Ryo also cooperated by howling in a very dramatic manner, while the remaining members of the Theater Troupe watched the interaction between the two with smiles on their faces.

Kitagawa Ryo was selected by their Theater Troupe because he portrayed the inner turmoil and struggle of Hamlet, burdened by a deep-seated blood feud, during his audition.

However, Kitagawa Ryo wasn't really carrying any national or personal grudges, and people would rather see this twelve-year-old boy showing a smile befitting his age in the audience.

Karuizawa Kei momentarily forgot her conversation with the Theater Troupe leader and just stared blankly at Kitagawa Ryo.

His image was reflected in her pupils.

I finally saw him again.

Karuizawa Kei couldn't help but smile.

Because he's laughing.

Chapter 3: Would you like a hot cocoa today?

The coffee shop at the street corner is located near several schools, and its sign features a pink rabbit mascot designed by the artistically talented owner. As a result, many students passing by choose to sit there for a while after school, have a drink or dessert, and chat with friends while doing homework.

Perhaps because the weather was a bit cold today, there were more guests than usual. The small space was almost filled with students. The warm yellow lights created a soft ambiance. Even though it was just a wall away, the room was bright and cheerful, and you couldn't feel the slightest bit of cold.

"Hello, it's getting cold. Would you like a hot cocoa?"

At the entrance of the coffee shop, a staff member dressed in a petite bunny costume was handing out flyers to passersby. Compared to the intimidatingly muscular bunnies played by adults a few days ago, this bouncy "little bunny" was undoubtedly more endearing, and many passersby took the flyers with interest.

"It's very warm."

"Warm from head to toe."

Seeing that the other party was enthusiastically promoting the store's activities and classic drinks, the store manager, who was watching closely, nodded with satisfaction and wiped the tea set in his hands with a hot towel.

Although it's unclear how this young woman knew her store needed such a special employee at that time, judging from her performance, she was certainly worth the salary she was paid.

Welcome!

"How many people are in your party? Are there any seats left around the corner?"

The coffee shop door opened again, and with the crisp sound of a bell, the manager greeted the customer leisurely.

"Oh, I'm here to find my sister."

"There should be five or six girls, they arrived about an hour ago."

Kitagawa Ryo stomped his feet on the rug by the door, feeling the stark temperature difference between the inside and outside of the coffee shop, and sniffed.

"Really? It should be over there."

Seeing that the other person was just a child, the shop manager didn't think much of it. He recalled the customers he had just served and pointed out a direction to Kitagawa Ryo.

"OK, thanks."

After thanking the manager, Kitagawa Ryo found his sister's table in the direction the manager pointed.

To his surprise, only Hotaru and another girl he had never seen before, who looked to be about the same age as his sister, were sitting there.

"Huh? Where are my friends? They've all left?"

"That's because you were too slow, brother."

Ying protested, banging on the table.

"I've already done my fastest speed, okay?"

Since there was no one else around, Kitagawa Ryo plopped down opposite Hotaru and, without any hesitation, took the half-empty cup of cocoa in front of her and gulped it down in one go.

"Order two more drinks, you'll get fat!"

"There's nothing we can do; the portions at this restaurant are just too small. One cup isn't enough, and two cups are too much."

Hotaru didn't seem to notice Ryo's actions. She smiled and introduced the girl to her brother, clinging to her arm.

"Let me introduce you, this Ichinose Maki, she's my classmate and my best friend."

"I missed a few classes because I was sick, and Maki helped me with the notes."

"Cough cough cough."

Almost choking on the cocoa in his mouth, Kitagawa Ryo looked at the somewhat timid-looking little girl in surprise:

"Ichinose?"

"My brother and I can just call her Maki."

Hotaru affectionately held Ichinose Maki's hand and gestured towards Kitagawa Ryo with her lips:

"Hey, this is my brother. Just call him 'brother' like I do."

"Um, Kitagawa-nii-san?"

Ichinose Maki tentatively called out, but was quickly interrupted by Hotaru:

"No way, my brother doesn't like people calling him by his last name, and besides, my brother is Maki's brother."

"They seem to have a really good relationship," Ying said with a grin, propping her chin on her right hand.

After a brief moment of surprise, Kitagawa Ryo came to his senses. Upon reflection, he realized that he had never actually seen Ichinose Maki's face. After all, she had only appeared in Ichinose Honami's simulations, where she was only presented to him as a textual figure.

However, she does look very much like her older sister.

"Hey, hey, hey, big brother, you can go pay for your two little sisters now!"

Hotaru, feeling slightly annoyed that Kitagawa Ryo's gaze lingered on her friend for too long, quickly stood up and forcefully blocked Kitagawa Ryo's way, pushing him to the counter to pay.

"It's only the price of three cups of cocoa."

Kitagawa Ryo glanced at the food in front of the two of them, not paying much attention. But as soon as he walked to the counter and gave the table number, the receptionist gave him a bill that was much longer than he had expected.

"Firefly--"

Annoyed, Kitagawa Ryo returned to his seat, carrying a large bunch of boxes.

"Is there anything that needs explaining?"

"You don't want to eat dinner tonight?"

The freshly baked desserts emitted a sweet and delicious aroma. Yingxiang swallowed hard and replied:

"Girls have an extra stomach specifically for desserts."

"Oh, okay then. You'll eat all of this after dinner tonight, so I can see if you have a second stomach."

Feeling that he might have been too good to Hotaru lately and spoiled his little sister, Kitagawa Ryo gave a serious, cold snort.

"Well."

Kitagawa Ryo suddenly seized her lifeline, and like a kitten being bitten on the neck by a big cat, Hotaru whimpered for a long time without being able to speak.

Watching the interaction between the brother and sister with a hint of envy, Ichinose Maki understandingly spoke up:

"Now that Ying's brother is here, there's no need for both of you to waste your time waiting for me. I'll wait here by myself for a while longer."

"That won't do. I promised Maki I'd go back with her."

Ying nodded seriously:

"Anyway, my brother doesn't have anything to do at home."

"Hey, don't your parents mind?"

"My brother doesn't live with us anymore."

Ying patiently explained:

"Because my brother is joining Theater Troupe, he lives alone outside."

"Oh."

Ichinose Maki nodded thoughtfully, and looking at Kitagawa Ryo, it was unclear whether she had understood or not.

"Your brother is a very capable person."

So all it takes to be considered impressive by younger people is to pay the bill? The world of elementary school students is so easy to understand.

Watching the two little ones start chatting about school again, Kitagawa Ryo listlessly turned his gaze to the window.

If the other person is waiting for her older sister to pick her up, then the older sister she's referring to is probably Ichinose Honami.

Ichinose Honami.

His mind naturally conjured up the image of the other person's extremely Affinity smile. In fact, in terms of family background alone, Ichinose Honami was the person most similar to him.

Liang chewed on the name again. He first saw her in a rudimentary text-based game called "Life Restart Simulator". She was the protagonist of the first story. In the first simulation, this girl met him only once, leaving behind a huge mystery about herself.

In the second and third simulations that followed, he meticulously collected fragments of the girl's story, piecing together a complete human form from the words, and bringing her Resurrection with his fingertips.