Tokyo Heart Thief's Daily Life

Luo Zhen had never had the chance to explain this to Jincai, so he quickly gave her a brief explanation.

Only after actually seeing Morgana in the other world and having the knowledge in her mind that Morgana can speak, can Nina hear it speak in reality.

This is also an application of the collective subconscious. To put it bluntly, it is probably similar to brainwashing and hypnosis.

So the other world is really a dangerous thing, it can easily change the perception of the person involved.

For example, the prosecutor Sae Niijima, whom Luo Zhen has always wanted to deal with.

Maybe I can do something to her shadow, change her cognition, make her become my accomplice wholeheartedly, and allow me to bring girls home to spend the night every day... We will talk about this later.

Anyway, after explaining the settings to Nina, Morgana continued, regardless of whether she understood or not because of her rolling eyes:

"Impression space is the temple of the masses, the aggregate of all ordinary people's thoughts, or perhaps the collective unconscious itself."

"All those whose desires aren't strong enough to own a temple will share this one. Everyone's desires will intertwine here, devouring, strengthening, and annihilating each other, achieving a dynamic balance... Occasionally, those who disrupt this balance will mutate into independent temples."

Luo Zhen: "I see, that's a reasonable explanation. So those scattered shadows I usually encounter in the other world are also part of the ones that escaped from here?"

No wonder the shadows outside are so dangerous and attack people actively.

The shadows who were able to escape from here are all [Palace Reserves], dangerous elements who can easily develop into that stage.

According to Morgana's explanation, the impression that this is a subway station is also easy to explain.

In modern society, at least in Tokyo, Japan.

The subway system is the place that best represents people's daily flow, gathering, and intersection.

Not only are people intertwined, but desires are also intertwined.

That was all for the theoretical knowledge. Luo Zhen was more concerned with something else now:

"Why are we here? And Momoka...does she own the temple?"

Luo Zhen was in a very heavy mood.

If it was Momoka who awakened the palace, then Luo Zhen must be responsible for it.

He is already Taoxiang's boyfriend, but he still can't relieve her psychological burden. Luo Zhen definitely can't accept this.

This time, it was not Morgana who answered him.

"[No. Sister Taoxiang, there is no palace.]"

The red and black spikes gathered together and formed a human shape around Luo Zhen and the others.

Luo Zhen and Nina were both stunned when they heard the familiar voice.

The person who spoke was Nina's [Shadow]!

A red and black shadow that looks exactly like Renai, with spikes constantly coming out of its body, and only its eyes are the same golden color as Shadow.

This made Nina cry out in grief:

"How terrible! How terrible, how terrible, how terrible~! (?>﹏

Luo Zhen: "You're talking about the Swamp People, right? That should be considered science fiction, different from the magical world like Shadow... No, Shadow and Persona are also considered science fiction, right?"

Luo Zhen suddenly became distracted by a philosophical debate. Where exactly is the line between science fiction and fantasy?

But in short, Luo Zhen had never seen such a calm and non-hostile shadow.

Renai's shadow was also much quieter than her real self, just looking at herself quietly.

Luo Zhen then asked, "You are the one who brought us here?"

"I don't sense any hostility from you. What do you want to say?"

Shadow Renna nodded and said, "I brought you here because I wanted to save Momoka-san."

"[Momoka-san is being targeted by something very bad. Unlike those who 'escaped from prison', Momoka-san doesn't have such strong desires. However, her desires are gradually diminishing, and she is trapped in a cage that belongs only to her. If this continues, she will be eaten up.]"

"...Where is she? Tell me."

Luo Zhen's expression was very serious.

Through years of communication with Shadow, he knew that although Shadow could communicate normally, his logical thinking was fundamentally different from that of a real person.

So there is no need to doubt what they say, nor to explain their technical terms, just understand them.

It was enough for Taoxiang to know that she was in danger.

Renai's shadow stretched out a hand and pointed toward the dim passage:

"[Right ahead. At the end of the twisted track, Momoka-san has been captured.]"

Luo Zhen nodded, immediately picked up Renna and ran away!

In the other world, his physical abilities are doubled, and he can easily run a marathon while holding Renai, and he won't feel tired even when selling bento on trains.

But when he reached the end that Ninai Shadow had mentioned, Luo Zhen literally hit a wall.

"Ugh?!"

Luo Zhen bumped into the abrupt wall and was knocked unconscious.

In the subway passage, for some reason, a door that looked like a backstage lounge on a stage appeared.

Look at the artistic words, slogans and graffiti posted on the door panel and surrounding walls.

This is obviously the backstage of LiveHouse in Taoxiang's subconscious.

Renna's shadow followed him: "[You can't get in.]"

She went on to say:

"[Momoka-sister's inner emptiness stems from her musical failure. This has nothing to do with you, and she refuses your interference.]"

"[You are her fan, and she wants to be your idol forever. That's why you can't go backstage and can only go to the audience.]"

"...What kind of logic is this?"

Luo Zhen was also a little angry:

"I'm her boyfriend, so why can't I go backstage? And I'm also learning bass and accompanying her on tours, so how can that be unrelated to her career?"

This silly girl is really weird, and Luo really feels sorry for her.

He simply summoned Eros, intending to blast it in directly with his brute force...

“[I can’t do that.]”

Nina's shadow continued, "This is the public's palace, and Momoka-san's opinion has the public's support. If you insist on forcing your way in, you'll be seen as an enemy who breaks the rules. 'Everyone'."

"[And even if you succeed, it'll only be Momoka-san who'll be ruined. Do you want to turn her into a useless person? A flesh puppet devoid of desire and cognition, who will only obey your orders?]"

Nina: "...It seems a bit bitter..."

When a certain high school monkey girl heard the explanation of her shadow, she was actually a little moved and swallowed her saliva.

She fantasized about Luo Zhen playing with Taoxiang.

Taoxiang is obedient and doesn't resist at all...I feel like she can eat three bowls of rice.

Luo Zhen had no idea what Rencai was thinking, he just felt it was a difficult situation.

If this was the backstage of a performance, then only those who were subconsciously recognized by Momoka as being in the "band" could enter.

What should I do then? Should I go and get Rapochi and Hongxia now?

"...No, Niina, you are the key."

Luo Zhen suddenly understood.

In Taoxiang's heart, Rencai is very special.

She sees Renna as herself from three years ago.

The self who was full of vigor and vitality and had not yet been smoothed over by reality.

That's why she takes special care of Renai, and to a large extent she hopes that she can live the life she wants and make up for her own regrets.

The most direct reason why Momoka broke down was because of Nina's successful performance on stage.

After all, Nina had experience surviving in another world, so she also reacted.

She swallowed hard.

"So, I have to go save Sister Taoxiang?"

"I'd love to do it! ... But how?"

Rencai was a little scared.

After all, she is just an ordinary person who just happens to still remember the memories of the other world.

It was impossible for her to fight the shadow directly, that would be suicide.

However, Luo Zhen had already thought of a way.

Rencai's Umbra is there for this very purpose.

“[You are me, and I am you.]”

Shadow stood in front of the original body, his attitude was much more determined than hers.

There was no need for the main body to say anything, the shadow was advancing the topic:

"[I want to save Sister Taoxiang. Her song saved me, and this time it's my turn to save her.]"

"...Yeah! That's what I thought too!"

Encouraged by her own shadow, Renna clenched her fists.

"[I like Luo Zhen too. I want to be hugged by him and kiss him. I also want to do naughty things with him, just like what Sister Taoxiang did.]"

"......Um?"

This is when things started to get weird, and Rencai narrowed her eyes in confusion.

"I'm so jealous of Taoxiang's beautiful figure. I was the one who came first, but Luo Zhen, that scumbag, has already gotten together with another woman. Even Taoxiang can't forgive me. I want to snatch Luo Zhen away from me."

"But I also know that I'm not feminine. And it was me who forgot the agreement, so I was taken advantage of. There's nothing I can do about it."

"So I thought, it's okay for everyone to share Luo Zhen. And after daydreaming about it for a few days, I realized that sharing it with Momoka-nee doesn't seem to be a bad idea. Rather, I'm so excited that I've been using this as a side dish these days."

"Ah! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! Luo Zhen, you are not allowed to listen! You are not allowed to look here! Cover your ears quickly! (?>﹏

The girl's embarrassing secret was exposed, and Rencai was so panicked!

Luo Zhen smiled, not knowing what to say for a moment.

Morgana, on the other hand, had a big smile on his chubby mascot head and jumped onto Luo Zhen's shoulder:

“It feels so good meow~, sweet desire meow~(* ?? ?* )?*”

Luo Zhen: "You really don't mind the size of a funeral. If I get stabbed in the future, remember to collect my body."

For some reason, this strange cat seems to be very active in trying to win over more girls to like him, making his interpersonal relationships even more chaotic.

It particularly likes desires related to love. Is this considered a picky eater?

Anyway, Shadow's self-destruction continues:

"I don't want to compromise. I like Luo Zhen, and I also like Sister Momoka. I want everyone to be happy and for everyone's efforts to be rewarded."

“…I thought so too!”

Rencai finally gave up.

She clenched her fists, and red and black spikes similar to Shadow's appeared on her body:

"Momoka's songs are so great, but they haven't become popular. She even has to go through the pressure and torture of leaving the group. It's so unreasonable! I want the whole world to know how great she is!"

“[Then, do it.]”

Shadow Rencai raised her hand:

“[Do what you want to do and put other people’s opinions under your feet.]”

"[We don't need lies. Fight for what you want, and never give up until the very last moment. Love, friendship, career, I want them all.]"

"......Um!"

Inspired by herself, Nina raised her hand and interlocked her fingers with the other self in front of her.

She doesn't need anyone to teach her, she already knows what to do: