Once their days settled into a routine, life suddenly slowed down, opening up long stretches of leisure that felt easy and carefree.
The sunshine was lovely that day, warm and soothing.
Li Xiang reclined comfortably in a wicker lounge chair in the courtyard, basking in the warm sun with a glass of chilled fruit juice in hand. A cool breeze drifted lazily through the leaves, leaving her completely relaxed and drowsy.
Partway through her sunbath, something suddenly clicked in her mind.
"Oh, oh, oh! I almost forgot!"
She abruptly sat up and slapped her forehead.
She had nearly forgotten entirely that she still had a system.
She silently called out in her mind.
"System, system, are you there?"
A familiar mechanical voice sounded in her head.
[I'm here, host.]
Li Xiang swirled the glass in her hand, chatting casually with it in her mind.
"Considering how many years have passed, the anime we're in must have finished by now, right?"
The system fell silent for two seconds before replying at a leisurely pace.
[Host, have you considered that the years we've spent in reality can be fast-forwarded in the original anime? I'd estimate there are still a few episodes left before it officially ends.]
Li Xiang clicked her tongue.
"Well, damn. So that's how it works. All right, then."
She settled back into a comfortable position in the lounge chair and asked about her stats. "How's my popularity score doing now? I haven't checked in ages."
[Ever since the Americas arc ended, your popularity score has been shooting up, host. You're a very popular character!]
"Good, then." Li Xiang nodded in satisfaction.
After a brief silence, the system's voice sounded hesitant in her mind.
``` [Host, there's something I've wanted to ask you for