"Qiji- kun..."
Liuli looked at Qiji, and tears suddenly streamed down her face.
Liuli, who is best at controlling her expressions, is now unable to do even what she does best.
"Qiji- kun, why did you save me? I don't need you to save me! I clearly told you, didn't I? I've never felt like I was alive..."
Just as Liuli was about to lose control of her emotions and say something she shouldn't have, Qiji struggled to get up from the hospital bed and covered the girl's mouth.
He looked at everyone and spoke the truth that couldn't be more true:
Hey! Don't listen to Setsuna's nonsense!
This is just a simple visual effect!
It has absolutely nothing to do with any life-burning secret technique!
Hey, hey, hey, why are you all looking at me like that?
I didn't lie to you! I really didn't lie to you!
Don't you guys think I look handsome with silver hair?
The moment Qiji finished speaking, the entire ward fell into an eerie silence once again.
Apart from Huomu, no one believed him.
Huo Mu, who was single-minded and absolutely trusted Huomu Qiji, immediately relaxed upon hearing this.
This guy was just about to crack a joke to lighten the mood.
However, seeing the solemn expressions on the faces of everyone around him, he opened his mouth, but had to swallow the words that were about to come out of his throat.
In the end, Kijika couldn't bear it and helped Qiji "cover up the lie":
"Alright, alright, why are you all so serious? This isn't a life-threatening secret technique; those things aren't used like this."
As soon as Kijika finished speaking, he Setsuna realized that he had misspoke.
Liuli, who was rescued by Qiji, is still present.
With Qiji's gentleness, and with Qiji always considerate nature...
He definitely doesn't want Liuli to know about this, right?
After all, you can tell just by looking at Liuli's expression right now!
That face, which always wore a perfect smile, was now streaked with tears, filled with regret as if she wished she were dead...
"Um, sorry!" she Setsuna tried to salvage the situation.
"The 'Life-Burning Secret Technique' thing was just something I made up! Thinking about it carefully, it's completely different from the one used by Qiji!"
Upon hearing this, Huomu finally breathed a sigh of relief; it was a false alarm!
Then, unable to hold back, he complained to Setsuna Na:
"Seriously, you scared me to death in that Setsuna! If you don't know, don't talk nonsense!"
Setsuna hearing this, he could only manage a forced smile.
"... Feel sorry."
When Bai Lili heard what Setsuna and Kijika, who was her teacher, said, she immediately breathed a sigh of relief. She had been so frightened that her heart almost stopped beating!
Thank goodness.
While Bai Lili felt relieved, she didn't forget to go up and comfort her best friend:
"Liuli, it's alright, don't cry! Qiji will be alright! After all, the best doctors in the City of Kindling have examined him, haven't they?"
Qiji's hand slowly moved away from Liuli's lips.
Liuli looked at Qiji, a huge wave of guilt washing over her.
Finally, the girl nodded, forcing a smile, and said:
"Hmm... everything will be alright."
If Qiji really died because of her...
She swore that she would slaughter the entire Kamishiro Family to pay for Qiji's death!!!
That Kamishiro Family, including Liuli herself.
Seeing this, the viewers were a little confused for a moment:
"Hey guys, does anyone know the answer? Did Prisoner Ji actually burn his life?"
"It's definitely going to be a blast! Damn the production team!"
"Hey! Do you even know how to write a plot? The anime has only aired a few episodes, what's with throwing in such a powerful boss?!"
"It's really hot? But didn't Kijika and Setsuna say it wasn't?"
"Upstairs, are you also from Huomu? I could tell from their expressions! These two are helping Hajiqi cover up their lie!"
"Given his Prisoner Ji nature, he definitely wouldn't want Liuli to know about this!"
"Holy crap?! So that's how it is? I always felt something was off about the sudden white hair turning out like that!"
"Waaaaah, Hajiqi, you died so tragically (crying loudly)"
"Chao! I Ji-Bao, am not dead yet!!!"
Because of Setsuna one slip of the tongue, the next episode was only watched with great interest by Huomu and Bai Lili were completely unaware of what was going on.
Especially when Qiji Kamishiro Chiho with a single sword strike at the very end, Huomu exclaimed in surprise repeatedly:
"No, Qiji- kun, what did you do? Why did this Spider-Man suddenly stop moving?!"
Unlike Huomu's shocked expression, Bai Lili was quite understanding.
"Of course it's because Qiji- san took off her mask!"
Bai Lili tried to think about it. If the roles were reversed, and she were in that position, she probably would also...
The girl couldn't help but recall the Setsuna a month ago when Qiji took off his mask to save her.
At that moment, she felt all the noise around her fade away, and for a moment she was oblivious to the world around her.
All he could see was that face; his entire body, except for his pounding heartbeat, was completely paralyzed...
Oh no, just a little bit of reminiscing about it and my heart is starting to race again!
I'm so sorry, so sorry, so sorry...
She is guilty!
She's not clean anymore!
She has let her family down!
I'm so sorry, Mr. Suyo!
After the playback ended, Kijika put away the projector.
Seeing the incredibly awkward atmosphere in the ward, he couldn't help but regret that he shouldn't have released this thing in public!
In short, finish explaining things quickly and get out of here first.
The oppressive atmosphere of the hospital room made him feel so uncomfortable that he couldn't bear to stay there any longer!
"Qiji- kun, in recognition of your heroic deeds, the Echo Association has decided to cover all your future tuition and fees, as well as provide you with a house."
There are three accommodations to choose from. Once you're feeling better, you can come find me, and I'll take you to see them.
"Look, if you have any other requests, just let me know, and I'll help you report them to higher authorities."
Qiji originally thought that "hero" was just an empty title, and he didn't even intend to accept it.
After all, the "Fire Thief," now despised by everyone in the City of Kindling, was once one of the heroes of the City of Kindling.
But upon hearing that becoming a hero would also mean exemption from tuition and fees and a housing allocation, he immediately changed his mind.
This hero is great! This hero is perfect!
only--
"Teacher Kijika, do you know how to do publicity?"
"Of course! After all, these heroic deeds are the most inspiring to unite people's hearts."
Now that it is wartime, it is even more important to set examples and boost morale.
Not only should we promote it, we should promote it vigorously!
Once you're feeling better, there will be an exclusive interview, the school will give you recognition, and your interview will be featured in newspapers, radio, television, and so on.
"Such a big fuss?"
Although Qiji likes popularity, he likes popularity "outside of the anime series," not within the anime world.
After a moment's thought, he made a small request to Kijika:
"Could we postpone these until after the Academy Grand Tournament?"
"Why do you say that?" Kijika asked, puzzled.
Qiji smiled and casually made up an excuse, "After all, I don't want to be a 'hero' while beating up my classmates."
Upon hearing this, Kijika was even more surprised:
"Qiji- kun? Given your current physical condition, do you still want to participate in the competition?"
Don't worry, even if you don't participate in the competition and miss out on a spot to enter the Sea of Consciousness Mystery Ruins, the association will compensate you in other ways.
After all, you single-handedly defeated a fourth-tier Echoer. If you had participated in the competition normally, you would have been in first place...
"Not alone." Upon hearing this, Qiji suddenly interrupted Kijika.
"I only managed to do it with Liuli's help. If we're talking about heroes, she's one too."
Upon hearing this, Liuli almost burst into tears again, even though she had managed to hold them back.
A hero? She?
He's clearly evil to the core...
Qiji- chan is well aware of this as well.
He really dares to say that.
Even at a time like this, they still have to comfort me.
Qiji- san, you're such an idiot!
You should think more about yourself!
Please, don't make me feel any more guilty.
Because, doesn't this make me feel like I'm no longer worthy of liking you...?
Please, don't take away even my right to secretly like you.
"So, Qiji, are you really still planning to participate in the Academy Grand Tournament?" Kijika asked Qiji one last time to confirm.
"Certainly."
"But your body..."
"No problem... Wow!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than Qiji couldn't hold back and coughed up another mouthful of blood.
Kijika's lips twitched, and in short, he temporarily agreed to Qiji's request.
"Then you should get some rest, I won't bother you any longer."
As Kijika left, Bai Lili rubbed her stomach and suddenly remembered that she had originally gone to buy breakfast.
But because Qiji woke up, he forgot all about it.