I've already said this isn't a life simulator!

Even knowing that the feelings were deliberately manipulated, she still acknowledged their authenticity. In this respect...

"We are the same..."

She murmured softly, stroking the beautiful patterns on the ticket.

Chapter Thirteen: Precisely because we like each other, we are not lovers.

[Once everything was out in the open, you and Sakura understood each other better and were more aware of the somewhat strange feelings between you—although you knew it was just the result of someone deliberately guiding you, you no longer cared about it as much.]

Well... even though that's what I say, there might still be some lingering resentment between you two. Your relationship has only taken a half-step forward, not quite there yet. There's a kind of "excitingly awkward" beauty to it... um... maybe "shyness" would be a more accurate description of this "resentment"?

On the appointed day, you brought Sakura to the city where Eden was holding a concert. Besides enjoying Eden's singing, you also visited many places together. At least at this time, you and she were not the infamous assassin duo, but just a pair of friends who had feelings for each other but had not yet gotten together for various reasons.

It's worth mentioning that at the Eden concert, the people sitting next to you were two young men, one with striking white hair and the other with long gray hair.

The white-haired boy was very enthusiastic and gave off a very sunny vibe. When he sat down, he greeted you in a familiar way, leaving a deep impression on you.

The other gray-haired boy appeared very quiet, his personality seemingly the complete opposite of his friend's. Although one could sense his emotional fluctuations, he didn't show them very obviously, a stark contrast to his friend next to him whose emotions were almost written all over his face.

It's rather unusual... and quite interesting, to see these two personalities come together.

Indeed, this is what "friendship" is all about...

However, rest time always passes quickly, and another mission has been assigned, still several assassination missions. This is not a difficult task for the two of you—although there have been some subtle changes in your relationship, you still maintain a very proper attitude when "working."

[After that, some time passed in bits and pieces... and during this period, something happened that bothered you... or rather, a news item?]

[A major accident has occurred in Eastern Europe, it seems to be a nuclear power plant explosion? At least that's what the news says, but you have a vague feeling that something is wrong.]

[As expected, soon after, the higher-ups told you about the special nature of this matter and planned to arrange for you to join a new organization—the Moth Chaser, an organization responsible for handling a special disaster called "Honkai."]

[It's not about going undercover or anything like that; it's simply about joining. In other words, you're representing the Poison Chrysalis's influence by entering the "Moths of Fire," which carries a symbolic meaning. Of course, if someone were to investigate, they would understand that your joining is a demonstration and declaration by the Poison Chrysalis—the higher-ups intend to use you as a sharp "knife" to gain more influence.]

However, those things are no longer relevant to you. Your lives are no different from before, except that you've gone from being "hitmen" who needed to hide to being "special operations teams" who can operate openly. And the missions you carry out are no different from before.

[It's more accurate to say you're more relaxed now. After all, the fact that you were able to enter here under normal circumstances means that the Poison Chrysalis has joined the "Fire-Chasing Moths" in a relatively formal way. As for the subsequent struggle for the right to speak, that needs to be done "within the rules," while "extra-rule methods" like the two of you need to be used less... at least not at this stage.]

Aside from daily training and necessary missions, you have almost nothing to do. Apart from making time to learn about the latest information on "Honkai," you can only walk around the base together.

Somewhat unexpectedly, you encounter her again here—Alicia.

[Do you still remember that afternoon when you and Sakura were strolling through the Fire Moth training base—without any particular purpose, just taking a walk? Many people were already used to you two, after all, you two were basically always together, always appearing together. Although most of your colleagues hadn't confirmed it with you, they still regarded you as a rare couple in the base.]

Then, the nimble pink fairy appeared, with long pink hair similar to Sakura's and a faint, unique scent, and gracefully came before you.

She chatted with Sakura for a few minutes, but her initiative and somewhat erratic topics left Sakura a little overwhelmed.

Perhaps sensing that Sakura was somewhat hesitant to accept her initiative, or perhaps intentionally, she shifted her gaze to you.

When you see her smile at you, you realize she has recognized you. Your conversation with Sakura was just to find out what your "new friend" is like.

As expected, she spoke, beginning with "It's been a long time," and you responded with similar words.

Sakura was somewhat taken aback by the fact that you seemed to know each other quite well.

She invites you to walk with Sakura, even just casually—she really wants to chat with you, a friend she hasn't seen in a long time.

You readily agreed, and Sakura nodded in agreement, offering no objection.

You talked a lot along the way, although it was mostly Alicia who did the talking and you and Sakura who listened, and you would occasionally respond with a few words—just like before.

Even if Alicia tries to steer the conversation towards you and Sakura, you usually manage to dodge the question.

She sensed that you didn't want to talk about it, so she didn't ask any further. Reuniting is something to be happy about; there's no need to delve too deeply into what the other person has been through. After all, for both of you, reuniting is the most joyful thing.

As their conversation continued, Sakura's mood gradually became low. Alicia was concerned, but Sakura simply said that she was fine.

Sakura noticed your attention to Alicia and could sense your timidity and awkwardness in front of her—you even reduced how often you ate candy.

[Furthermore, Alicia's similar pink hair made Sakura understand who the Poison Chrysalis wanted her to replace in her heart, and why the Poison Chrysalis chose her as the "sheath" in the first place.]

Because she understood this, she felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Finally, perhaps sensing the awkward atmosphere, or perhaps because there was something else going on, Alicia left after saying goodbye.

Silence filled the space between you and Sakura, but soon you returned to your previous atmosphere, strolling casually around the base as if your reunion with Alicia was just a minor incident.

But as you both know, your lives will definitely change from now on, and your relationship... may also be changed as a result.

[I doubt even the people on the Poisonous Chrysalis had anticipated this. Simply joining a special organization to gain more influence resulted in your reunion with Alicia. In this vast world of countless people, it was such a coincidence, at such a delicate moment, that you two met again.]

[This coincided perfectly with the time when the venomous pupa was trying to gain more power within the "Moth to Fire" movement. This special organization, spearheaded by the United Nations and comprised of numerous organizations, provided a perfect arena for the venomous pupa to operate. Although they couldn't outmaneuver others through "rule-based" methods, they were adept at using underhanded tactics. At worst, they would simply overturn the table—directly eliminating their opponents. And coincidentally, their sharpest "knife" was best suited for doing just that, as long as no evidence was left behind.]

But now that Alicia has become a variable, the higher-ups will probably start to reconsider, because they are well aware of Alicia's importance in your heart—it's a "knot" that has been impossible to erase, even with numerous methods and time, including the use of drugs that directly damage the nerves. In the end, they have to find a suitable "sheath" to replace Alicia's place in your heart.

Unfortunately, this plan failed just when it had finally made some progress and was even close to success.

Since that's the case, then let's squeeze out the last bit of value from your "sword" and its corresponding "sheath."

[Therefore, your tasks have become much more demanding. You will not only have to accept assassinations from the Poisonous Chrysalis targeting "humans," but also the tasks from the Fire-Chasing Moths regarding the special disaster—the Honkai.]

"Because you are among the few who can withstand the corrosive effects of Honkai energy, that's what they say."

And the "privileges" you previously possessed were gradually taken away—they didn't directly revoke your privileges, but instead made excuses or used information about "those guys" to lure you into continuing to "work," since they knew very well that your hatred for "those guys" was equal to your affection for Alicia.

[Sakura and you have also separated without realizing it, each leading your own team... Your relationship has not been fractured, but you are often forced to split up to carry out heavy missions. Sakura hasn't even been able to go back to see Rin for a long time, and can only communicate with Rin remotely through the pendant you gave her.]

Yes, the cherry blossom pendant you gave me was a special communication terminal with a dedicated communication channel. As long as it was connected to the internet, it could call the other person, which was perfect for two people to whisper secrets. Of course, this function could also be turned off to prevent certain "accidents".

[In addition, it retains the function of "projected and stored image data" from the regular version, allowing Sakura to view her memories with Rin through the pendant when she misses Rin but the environment and time do not permit it—and of course, you are among them.]

Sometimes you might feel that Sakura's actions are unnecessary, or even give off a slightly "not good" vibe, but according to Sakura, this helps her calm down and strengthen her resolve, so you just let her be.

Of course, during the short rest period after completing a mission, you can still meet at the Firemoth's base and then take a aimless stroll together, or have a few low-alcohol drinks at the base's bar—neither you nor Sakura really like alcohol, since it can affect your health and thus your performance in missions, but a few drinks now and then are fine.

[By the way, Sakura's cherry blossom wine is really delicious, and her cooking skills are just as good as she says.]

[Alicia, of course, played a part in the journey. She cherishes you as a friend... no, it should be said that she pities you. After all, she couldn't help you back then, which indirectly led to Father Henry's death. Therefore, she pays close attention to you.]

Naturally, the observant girl noticed that her presence was causing trouble for you and Sakura, so she decided to talk to Sakura—she didn't want her presence to ruin your relationship with Sakura; she really wanted to offer you and Sakura her best wishes in that "dreamy scene."

----------

"That's enough, Alicia."

Sakura stopped in her tracks and spoke to Alicia, who was walking ahead of her.

"You can say whatever you want here."

"Hey~ But if we walk a little further, we'll reach the Hanging Gardens, right? That's a place the Fire Moth specially built for everyone to relax and rest. They'll even have wine or coffee later, it's a great place to take a break~ Don't you want to go check it out?"

Alicia turned around gracefully, her pink ponytail, tied behind her back, rising and falling gently.

"This was built by the higher-ups for themselves; we just happened to benefit from it."

Sakura shook her head and said this.

"Seriously, Sakura, don't say such realistic things~ Be a little more romantic~"

Alicia leaned forward slightly and said with a smile.

"And who knows, he might even like that place, right?"

"........."

"Hehe~ Sakura is really easy to understand~?"

Alicia smiled and took another step, heading towards her original destination.

After hesitating for a while, Sakura finally decided to follow.

Upon entering the "sky garden," the hurried footsteps outside were shut out, leaving only a comforting tranquility and the fragrance of flowers and plants.

"Hmph~ Hmph~?"

Alicia hummed a song softly as she strolled through the garden with light steps, her pink ponytail swaying gently behind her, like a fairy among the flowers.

"Okay, okay~ If we keep dragging this out, people will get annoyed, and I won't do that~?"

Having found a place to rest, Alicia said this.

"So? Alicia, what did you call me here for?"

"Oh, it's just chatting to get to know each other better~ Does Sakura dislike me?"

"...No, not really."

Sakura shook her head. To be honest, Alicia was very likable. Although she was sometimes too proactive and it was hard for people to handle, she could control the degree of it. You could say that she was a person who was hard to dislike.

"I'm just wondering why you came to see me alone."

"Did I interrupt your date with Xiwang? If so, I'm so sorry~"

"...He and I are not in that kind of relationship."

Sakura was momentarily speechless after being taken aback by Alicia's words. She shook her head, denying what Alicia had said, and then added another sentence.

"Also, don't change other people's names without permission."

"...Oh, I'm so sorry."

This time, it was Alicia who stiffened, and her tone became slightly lower.

"But that was his original name, you know? He just changed it now... um..."

She roughly understood why Xi Wang would give up that name, but it was precisely because she knew that Alicia was depressed and felt a little guilty towards Xi Wang.

"...I probably understand."

Sakura quickly guessed what Alicia wanted to do by calling her over.

"Hehe~ Sakura is really smart after all~"

Alicia smiled, leaned closer to Sakura, and asked curiously as she leaned in to look at Sakura sitting next to her.

"So, how much do you know about Sakura and Wang? I'm really curious! What's happened between you two since you met? After all, you seem to have a really good relationship. You've reached this point and you're still not lovers. Not only me, but many of our companions are getting anxious watching you like this!"

“…There’s nothing much to say.”

Sakura's lips twitched, but she still said it.

"Are you planning to keep it for yourself? That's wonderful~"

"Alicia..."

Hehe~ Okay, okay, I'm just teasing you~