Substitute Toyokawa Shoko, you can become stronger by breathing

climb mountains?!

Nagasaki Suyo's hand holding the phone was trembling slightly.

Countless strange and bizarre thoughts full of Japanese horror and suspense flashed through her mind in an instant!

Climb a mountain, what does he want to do?!

Did he intend to trick me into a desolate mountain, then... push me off the mountain and kill me?!

After all...I know too many secrets that I shouldn't know!

Or was he planning some unholy ritual on the mountain?! It required human sacrifice?!

When Nagasaki Suyo thought of the strange events that happened in the deep mountains and forests that she had read in ghost stories, she felt the hairs on her body stand up!

but...

When I think of Xiangzi’s situation.

She knew she had no room for refusal.

"Okay, okay."

She tried to make her voice sound calmer:

"Where are we going to climb?"

"Mt. Takao."

On the other end of the line came the somewhat cheerful voice of "Toyokawa Shoko":

"See you at the foot of the mountain in an hour."

Mount Takao?

Nagasaki Suyo was not unfamiliar with this name.

Mount Takao, located in Hachioji City, western Tokyo, stands at approximately 599 meters above sea level. While not considered a major mountain, it is a popular hiking and climbing destination near Tokyo.

This mountain has been considered a sacred mountain since ancient times.

The mountain is home to numerous historic temples and shrines, such as Yakuoin Yukiji Temple, and is also home to numerous legends about Tengu. It is said that the Tengu of Mt. Takao possesses powerful supernatural powers and is the guardian of the mountain forest.

only...

When Nagasaki Suyo thought about setting foot on this mountain full of "spiritual energy" with that "Kujo Renji", an indescribable strange feeling surged in her heart.

It always feels a bit... blasphemous.

An hour later, at the foot of Mount Takao.

Nagasaki Suyo was wearing a light sportswear and carrying a small backpack, standing at the cable car station a little uncomfortably.

Soon, a familiar and...heart-wrenching figure appeared in her sight.

She is still wearing that simple yet elegant casual outfit, still has those iconic blue twintails, and still has those eyes as clear as the finest amber.

"Toyokawa Shoko" or Kujo Renji was walking towards her slowly with a leisurely pace.

"Su Shi, you're here."

He greeted her in a cheerful tone, as if they were just meeting for an ordinary weekend outing.

"Um..."

She responded somewhat awkwardly, subconsciously avoiding the other person's gaze, feeling a little annoyed for some reason.

——Don’t talk to me in that tone and act like Xiangzi.

"Let's go."

Kujo Renji didn't care about her restraint and took the lead to walk towards the entrance of the hiking trail.

Nagasaki Suyo gritted her teeth, took a deep breath, and could only... follow him.

The hiking trail on Mount Takao is well maintained and fairly smooth.

Along the way, there are green trees, birds singing and flowers blooming, and the fresh air is so refreshing that it makes people feel relaxed and happy.

If it were any other time, Nagasaki Suyo might have enjoyed this... the pleasure of being away from the hustle and bustle of the city and close to nature.

But at this moment, her heart was filled with vigilance and anxiety, and she had no intention of appreciating the beautiful scenery around her.

From time to time, she would secretly glance at the figure in front of her, wondering in her heart what unexpected move the other person would make next.

I have to say that Nagasaki Suyo's physical fitness is quite good.

On weekdays, she also maintains a certain exercise habit.

Therefore, even a slightly steep mountain road is not an insurmountable challenge for her.

However...

The "Toyokawa Shoko" walking in front of her seemed to be more at ease.

On the other hand, when Nagasaki Suyo climbed halfway up the mountain, a layer of fine sweat beads had already seeped out of her forehead, and her breathing began to become a little... rapid.

"Huh...huh..."

She was breathing slightly and her pace couldn't help but slow down a bit.

Jiujo Liansi, who was walking in front, seemed to notice her abnormality.

He stopped, turned around, and looked at her leisurely.

"What's wrong, Miss Nagasaki? Can't you hold on any longer?"

When Nagasaki Suyo heard this, she couldn't help but feel dissatisfied.

She gritted her teeth, took a deep breath, quickened her pace and caught up with the other person.

"Just take care of yourself first."

Jiujo Renji found it a little funny to see that she was obviously exhausted but still holding on and refusing to admit defeat.

"Being too competitive is not a good thing, Ms. Nagasaki."

Nagasaki Suyo heard the subtle sarcasm in his words, and felt even more...suffocated.

But...she couldn't find any words to refute it.

After all, in terms of "physical strength", she seemed to have indeed lost to the "monster" in front of her...who occupied Xiangzi's body.

For some reason, she suddenly remembered when she was very young.

At that time, her father had not left yet.

He had also... climbed the mountain with little her like this.

The mountain at that time seemed to be much steeper than the current Mt. Takao. Maybe it was because I had grown up?

She remembered that at that time, she would always be exhausted and out of breath after walking a few steps, crying and making a fuss, asking her father to carry her on his back.

The sunshine at that time seemed much warmer than it is now.

did not expect...

After so many years, she would actually climb a mountain again.

And with a "monster" that had taken over her best friend's body.

Fate is really ironic.

.........

When they finally climbed to a viewing platform with a very wide view near dusk, the sun had begun to slowly set, dyeing the clouds in the sky a gorgeous and magnificent orange-red.

From here, one can take in a panoramic view of a mere half of Tokyo. Those skyscrapers, which normally appear towering and cold and solid, now seem coated in a soft golden halo in the setting sun, resembling fairytale castles made of blocks. In the distance, Tokyo Bay shimmers in the sunset glow, shimmering with a hazy and dazzling light.

Night view...When the lights come on and thousands of lights illuminate this steel forest, the night view here must be even more beautiful.

As Nagasaki Motoyo looked at the magnificent and tranquil scene before her, the tense vigilance and uneasiness in her heart seemed to ease a little without her realizing it.

She couldn't help but...feel a little dazed.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

A somewhat lazy voice sounded in her ears.

Nagasaki Suyo came to her senses and saw that "Kujo Renji" had walked to her side at some point, standing shoulder to shoulder with her, looking at the scenery in the distance together.

"Unfortunately..."

Jiujo Liansi's gaze was still fixed on the distant city skyline:

“No matter how beautiful the scenery is, it will always seem lonely if there is no one to share it with.”

——Will a monster like you who occupies someone else’s body also feel lonely?

Nagasaki Suyo wanted to make a sarcastic remark, but finally gave up.

For some reason, she remembered her childhood.

I remembered that house that was always empty.

I remembered my mother's face, which was always full of fatigue and apology.

I remembered myself, alone, on countless lonely nights, looking at the starry sky outside the window, fantasizing about the warmth that was out of reach.

She subconsciously echoed in a low voice, with a barely perceptible hint of melancholy in her voice:

“No matter how beautiful the fireworks are, if only one person can see them, they are just a fleeting illusion.”

She didn't know why she said such a thing.

Perhaps... it was because of the magnificent scenery in front of her that made her... feel emotional.

Or maybe it was because of this "monster" beside her...who could always, unintentionally and accurately poke the softest corner of her heart, causing her to have an inexplicable and absurd illusion?

Kujo Renji turned his head and looked at Nagasaki Suyo's profile, which looked a little dazed because of the memories.

"Speaking of..."

"Ms. Nagasaki, it seems you've always had a rather... subtle attitude towards things like 'rules'?"

Upon hearing this, Nagasaki Suyo subconsciously wanted to refute, but found that... she could not find any words to defend herself.

Yes...

rule.

From childhood to adulthood, she has always tried hard to play the role of a well-behaved, sensible and law-abiding "good child".

but...

What did abiding by the rules bring her?

It was because I was too law-abiding that my father left me.

This idea took root in her heart at some point.

It made her the "unscrupulous" Nagasaki Suyo.

She bit her lower lip, and the next moment, the voice of Kujo Renji came from her ears.

“Sometimes, unchanging ‘rules’ will only stifle all ‘possibilities’.”

"And 'destruction'..."

“It is precisely the prerequisite for creating ‘new life’.”

Nagasaki Suyo looked up in bewilderment.

Just then——

Kujo Renji raised his right hand.

Then...

Gently, he snapped his fingers.

"Snapped--"

The crisp sound of snapping fingers seemed particularly clear on the silent mountain top.

It's also particularly... weird.

Almost at the moment the snap of fingers happened——