I have a life simulator.

"Oh, okay."

At least he looks healthier now than before, Kitagawa Ryo comforted himself as he sat down opposite Karuizawa Megumi and picked up his chopsticks.

"What are your plans after this? If you want to transfer schools, I can help you."

Kitagawa Ryo cut open the heart-shaped egg on his plate and casually asked a question.

Karuizawa Kei tilted her head playfully, then nodded thoughtfully. Although the gesture was small, it gave off a cute vibe.

"Transferring schools is fine, as long as I can get into high school without any problems."

"What about further education? Has Hui considered going to Tokyo Advanced Education? I heard it's one of the best high schools in Tokyo, and every year various conglomerates and the government invest a lot of resources there. As for the places, I'll try to find one for Hui. Maybe I'll go there to study in the future too."

Upon hearing Kitagawa Ryo's words, Karuizawa Megumi's sapphire-like pupils flashed with surprise. She didn't care about things like further education, and she didn't know much about Tokyo Advanced Education. What she cared about most was Kitagawa Ryo's statement that they might study together.

"Tokyo Advanced Educational High School is known for its 100% university entrance rate. As long as you graduate from there, whether you go to the University of Tokyo or study abroad, the school will provide resources and recommendations. If you want to go directly into employment, the school can also arrange a job for you."

Kitagawa Ryo was still introducing Tokyo Advanced Educational High School, something he himself had found hard to believe when he first heard about it.

"Hui can also start planning for the future earlier..."

Karuizawa Megumi could no longer hear Kitagawa Ryo's specific words; she was just chewing her food in a daze, currently immersed in the atmosphere.

Discussing their future together with Ryo... just imagining that scene was enough to make her waver.

But as she came to her senses and listened to the various schools, majors, careers, and industry developments the other person was talking about, Karuizawa Megumi felt that Kitagawa Ryo was drifting away from her. Even though his face was right in front of her, it was as if a train carriage was blocking their view in the next instant, and that familiar face disappeared in an instant, as if she were riding that train to a more and more distant foreign land.

"benefit?"

Kitagawa Ryo gently called Karuizawa Megumi back to reality, then pouted and said:

"Alright, I know you don't like hearing this, so I won't say anything more. Let's talk about something happier?"

"The fireworks display is tonight!"

Even though Liang has been away for half a year, he still misses the fireworks festival here.

Karuizawa Kei chuckled and quickly dismissed her unrealistic fantasies. Since she had already made up her mind, there was no going back.

"Well, I don't have many friends there, so I mostly just read and study, and I don't like British holidays."

Kitagawa Ryo responded casually to Karuizawa Megumi's words, his thoughts drifting away. He hadn't made any local friends in England, only Horikita Manabu and Shiina Hiyori, who were also from Tokyo, were relatively good friends.

"Has Hui already met Rinne?"

"Hmm? Horikita Suzune?"

This was unusual; Kitagawa Ryo took the initiative to talk to her about other girls. Karuizawa Megumi felt a little uneasy for no reason. She shook her head, her mind filled with the word "engagement." She subconsciously noticed the change in how Kitagawa Ryo addressed this girl.

If it were before, Karuizawa Kei would probably feel a tightness in her chest, like something was pressing down on her, but she wouldn't want to make any accusations or questions. But now, Karuizawa Kei can just nod naturally, without asking any further questions.

"Yes, because we need to gloss over the engagement, we'll go for a short walk with her tonight, maybe take a few photos together."

"Should Ryo still wear that gray yukata from previous years?"

"Yeah, I'm used to wearing that color scheme."

Karuizawa Kei naturally regained control of the conversation, and as she listened to Kitagawa Ryo's calm tone, she gradually regained that sense of security.

After finishing their meal, Karuizawa Kei helped Kitagawa Ryo clear the table of dishes and inadvertently touched the boy's fingertips, which were warm and full of life.

Karuizawa Kei had reached out her hand many times in the darkness, only to find no one there, and only loneliness and silence responding to her, licking her fingers like flames.

They wanted to eat her.

Until Kitagawa Ryo, there is only Kitagawa Ryo, and it will only ever be Kitagawa Ryo.

Taking a day off to vent.

It's been a week of final exams for university students lately, and then there was the review process yesterday, which was quite frustrating. I discussed it with others and roughly figured out the review logic, but according to that logic, I might have to revise the content I originally planned, because it definitely wouldn't pass the review if I posted it. That means I'd have to redesign the entire ending. I spent a lot of time today fine-tuning the ending, so I don't have time to write today's update.

I've taken a lot of time off these past few days, and I apologize to everyone who's been following the book. But judging from the data, it seems that most readers have switched to putting the book on hold or abandoning it altogether. Actually, if you have any questions, you can post them in the comments or reviews and give suggestions. I'll make changes accordingly. It's really upsetting when people just stop reading without saying a word and I don't even know what went wrong.

Thank you again to all the subscribers. Wishing you all a happy and healthy Dragon Boat Festival in advance.

Attached is a picture of a female student.

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Paper Roses

Horikita Suzune wore a sky-blue yukata, and her cold and austere expression, coupled with the ice-crack pattern on the surface of the yukata, made her exude an aura of a human iceberg. Her long hair, which was usually loose, was tied up in an intricate bun, revealing her long and graceful neck, which was as swan-like as a swan. Kitagawa Ryo was also wearing a simple yet unique light gray yukata. After meeting at the agreed place, the two stepped into the bustling temple fair side by side.

Because both of them are undeniably good-looking, many passersby cast curious glances at them, and some even overheard whispers speculating about their relationship. After all, although Kitagawa Ryo and Horikita Suzune were walking together, they neither held hands nor chatted, and their gazes were directed in different directions. If they weren't standing relatively close together, it would be hard to tell that they were out together at the fireworks festival; they looked more like strangers.

"Relax, you're almost walking with the wrong gait."

Kitagawa Ryo was naturally keeping an eye on Horikita Suzune, who claimed to be attending the fireworks festival for the first time. She was indeed not used to the noisy environment and the clamor of people. Her face was tense and her walking posture was stiff.

"How can there be..."

Horikita Suzune retorted softly:

"It's just that I'm not used to it yet, I'll be fine in a little while."

"Yes, yes, yes, we'll send you back in a little while, okay?"

Kitagawa Ryo also wanted to lighten the awkward atmosphere between the two, so he deliberately looked around and pretended to be greedy for food:

"What to eat?"

"Do we absolutely have to eat something?"

"We should eat something, after all, it's a holiday."

Kitagawa Ryo walked to a roadside stall and bought two candied apples. He wasn't particularly fond of them, but he didn't dislike them either. He handed one of the candied apples to Horikita Suzune with a smile and said:

"Children's happiness comes from rushing from one festival to another until they grow up."

"At least for today, let's not debate those nonsensical questions, and let's not read any books. Lingyin can browse around on her own later."

Horikita Suzune stiffly accepted the candied apple, then carefully took a bite. The sweet and sour coating and the fruit brought her the unique pleasure of sweets.

"The first batch of fireworks is about to be set off."

Kitagawa Ryo stood beside Horikita Suzune with a slightly complicated feeling. Usually at this time, it was Karuizawa Megumi who stood beside him. He shook his head to clear his mind of all the messy thoughts and watched the second hand of the clock in the square move step by step. The time was 7:59:05. In ten seconds, the first batch of fireworks would rise into the sky.

"Hemingway's 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' is indeed a classic, but it's never too late to read it."

Horikita Suzune heard Kitagawa Ryo counting down to himself:

"five four three two one."

Even the moon and stars paled in comparison at this moment. The man-made miracle exploded in the sky like fireworks, and the light from the flame reaction shone in everyone's eyes, blooming for a moment and then disappearing in the next.

Kitagawa Ryo put his hand on Horikita Suzune's shoulder, something they had planned beforehand. Mr. Izaki should be taking pictures behind them at this moment.

Horikita Suzune was even more reserved than Kitagawa Ryo had imagined. Kitagawa Ryo could clearly feel Horikita Suzune's body trembling slightly as he placed his hand on her shoulder. The yukata he had chosen for her was made of fine material, and Kitagawa Ryo's hand was only lightly and superficially placed on it. Although it was an intimate gesture, there was absolutely no romantic atmosphere. Kitagawa Ryo's hand could not feel Horikita Suzune's skin at all, just like their current relationship.

They are still separated by a layer of years and time.

-------------------------------------

Today, Karuizawa Kei was unusual; she didn't tie her hair up as usual, but let it fall freely. Her honey-colored hair was smooth and shiny, and her moon-white yukata was dotted with patterns. She seemed to have just taken a bath, and her whole body was still slightly damp and warm.

She is on the phone with someone.

It's that girl whose profile picture is Ryou and whose name is "Shiina Hiyori".

"It feels... very lively."

Even though she could only hear the sounds, Hiyori Shiina, who was in London, England, seemed to be able to truly feel the atmosphere there. Kei Karuizawa lowered her voice, with a hint of boastfulness:

"Of course, after all, it's a grand festival."

Tonight's phone call invitation was initiated by Karuizawa Megumi. After earnestly answering Shiina Hiyori's questions last night, she asked Shiina Hiyori to be a witness tonight, hoping that if she were to falter again at the last moment, someone would give her a push.

Hiyori Shiina had no reason to refuse, because Kei Karuizawa's plan also held an irresistible allure for her.

"Does Karuizawa-san come to the fireworks festival every year?"

"Yeah, pretty much. As far as I can remember, I've almost never missed a meal, but it was always with Ryo."

"I thought Liang might not be able to come back after going to England, but he still came back."

Karuizawa Kei recounted with a touch of nostalgia that she strolled through the evening market, watching a boy and girl chasing each other.

How did Shiina meet Ryo?

She suddenly asked Shiina Hiyori a question.

"We met at the library, and then we often read and chatted together."

Shiina Hiyori's tone was still light and airy, like a small piece of cotton candy torn off, and she unconsciously added a touch of sweetness when talking about Kitagawa Ryo.

She thoroughly enjoyed her time with Kitagawa Ryo. They could talk about Ellery Queen, Lawrence Black, and Cornell Woolwich. Shiina Hiyori was amazed that they had read so many of the same books. These books formed a huge moon, enveloping Kitagawa Ryo and Shiina Hiyori together. Even now, with one in London and the other in Tokyo, a time difference of eleven and a half hours, whenever they talked about books, Shiina Hiyori could feel that they were still living under the same bright moon, within reach.

"Liang really enjoys reading."

Karuizawa Kei naturally couldn't understand Shiina Hiyori's specific feelings, so she could only give a dry reply. She couldn't help but look at the time; it was already around 7:55. She and Kitagawa Ryo had agreed to meet at 8:05, so there were still ten minutes left.

She was just wandering around aimlessly, but before she knew it, Karuizawa Kei had walked to the street where Kitagawa Ryo and Horikita Suzune were. This was information that Ryo had given her beforehand; he truly never lied to Karuizawa Kei.

At the end of the street, even through the thick crowd, Karuizawa Kei immediately spotted Kitagawa Ryo's figure. It was an all-too-familiar back view. Even though the gray yukata was hardly noticeable among the various bright colors around him, for Karuizawa Kei, familiarity was the most recognizable color.

It's a color painted with memories as pigments, applied layer upon layer. Whenever time tries to bleach it, new memories become new pigments, and the cycle repeats itself.

Kitagawa Ryo is buying two candied apples. Although Ryo looked cuter than Karuizawa Megumi when he was a child, his facial features have become increasingly hardened as he grew up, and he began to show a complex charm that is a mixture of a touch of childishness and high spirits unique to young men.

Karuizawa Kei watched as Kitagawa Ryo returned to Horikita Suzune's side with candied apples. She didn't even bother to look at Horikita Suzune, keeping her gaze fixed on Kitagawa Ryo as he spoke. The clock in the square continued to tick second by second, the passing time seeming like a countdown to the inevitable death that would one day come.

The place we arrive at is the inevitable end, a moment no one can escape.

Hiyori Shiina heard a very soft call in her earphones, a volume that absolutely could not be transmitted to others.

"cold."

This is the fixed nickname that Karuizawa Megumi has used since she was a child.

I no longer cling to the illusion that we'll be together forever.

Even so, even so.

I'm right here.

I'll stay by your side, at least until the end.

Karuizawa Kei looked up, and brilliant fireworks bloomed like fire in her azure eyes.

In the cool, refreshing night breeze, she subconsciously reached out her hands, as if to embrace some non-existent figure under the magnificent night view, but her outstretched arms remained comically suspended in mid-air, motionless.

-------------------------------------

Before today's fireworks display, Kitagawa Ryo had a rare and precious chance to catch a glimpse of Mr. Izaki, who seemed to be busy with something, or rather, Mr. Izaki had taken the initiative to approach him.

"Young Master and Horikita Suzune are putting on an act, aren't they?"

Mr. Izaki immediately exposed Kitagawa Ryo's lie, glancing at the withered rose on the table.

"...Is it that obvious? I even deliberately stayed at her house for one night. Doesn't that seem like love at first sight?"

Kitagawa Ryo sighed, rubbing his forehead.

"Because the young master is not the type to fall in love at first sight. Although the head of the family and the others might be fooled, I have at least watched the young master grow up."

Mr. Izaki's words even carried a hint of self-satisfaction.

"You could say that girl was incredibly lucky."

"Hmm? Hui?"

"maybe."

Mr. Izaki gave a vague and ambiguous answer, then asked with the seriousness of an elder:

"Since we've brought up Karuizawa Kei, could you tell me, young master, what's your opinion of her?"

"Didn't I already tell Grandpa before? I want to become someone like Grandpa, someone that others can rely on."

"So it's Karuizawa Megumi?"

"...It's Karuizawa Megumi."

Mr. Izaki pointed out the flaws in Kitagawa Ryo's words without reservation: