"I'll try to get this done by the end of the week.
I hope you can give me some time to say a proper goodbye to my family and friends.
Once I've taken care of everything and am ready to leave this world, I'll let you know. Can you pick me up then and send me back?"
Richie's voice was calm and even, leaving Little Cloud unable to guess how he felt.
Little Cloud's voice rang out brightly, like an elementary school student loudly promising to carry out a teacher's instructions:
"Don't worry, Zhang Si. I'll do whatever you say. Whenever you ask me to send you back, I will.
Then I'm leaving this world's fate in your hands. You can do it!"
When Richie opened his eyes, it was already morning. He washed up, ate breakfast, and went to school as usual.
Only this time, he savored his breakfast, eating unusually slowly.
This was the last time he would eat breakfast in this home.
He was even a little reluctant to part with the taste of Twilight's cooking.
Richie had wondered before what would have happened if he hadn't been so eager to help his father complete his mission from the start, if he hadn't earned those Stella.
What if he had simply lazed around every day, watching things happen and gradually progress like an outsider?
Would this world have avoided collapsing? Would things not have turned out this way?
But on second thought, Richie knew he wasn't that kind of person.
He was a child who dared to love and hate, who could commit wholeheartedly and let go when he had to.
Since he had decided from the beginning to help his father complete his mission and earn eight Stella and seven Tonitrus, he would see it through.