Tokyo Psychic

[Toyokawa Shoko: So even with superpowers, I still have to work...]

"Big Universe People Are Terrifying: You can't use your Persona in real life, so besides working, is there any other way to make a living? Even if you truly mastered the technique of using your Persona in real life, it would only be used briefly to protect yourself in times of danger."

[Big Space People Are Terrifying: Okay, let's leave this topic at that for now. You're already very tired today, so get some rest... Anyway, see you tomorrow.]

See you tomorrow... Toyokawa Shoko murmured softly.

Although her family was on the brink of collapse, she suddenly felt an unprecedented anticipation for the word "tomorrow".

*

After closing his phone, Kurusu Akatsuki chased away Nina who was circling around his feet, returned to LeBron, and prepared to wash up and go to bed.

Now I can sleep until seven o'clock sharp. For a high school student, about five hours of sleep is more than enough.

After taking a shower, Kurusu Akatsuki changed into pajamas, went up to the attic, turned over and lay on the small bed made of sofas. Looking at the overly simple decoration in the attic, he couldn't help but take out his mobile phone and search for "No Game No Life" on the browser.

It is true that the first volume of the book has been serialized on the web page, but it seems that there are not many readers.

The few comments in the comment section were as bland and dull as if they were sent by robots.

According to what his editor, Miss Woyan, said some time ago, it would take another week before his book would be promoted on the website.

It happened to be the day after the band’s first road show.

Sometimes, Kurusu Akatsuki couldn't help but feel that he was living in some kind of wonderful waiting. It seemed that everything was getting better, but they didn't come so timely. It was like a flight to heaven. It started from the hell on earth, crossed the cold sky, and waited for the sun to rise. Then countless white doves welcomed the beautiful angels and opened the golden gate above the sea of ​​clouds.

Of course, there is no golden gate.

There is a blue door.

The door of the Velvet Room is always blue, with a blue light, flowing with a fantastic and hazy light.

There are no angels either.

But his little secretary may be more adorable than the so-called "angel" that has been processed and beautified by ACGN culture.

When his consciousness pushed open the blue door and walked into the velvet room, Lavenda's elegant and light voice, like the friction of porcelain, rang out as always.

"Welcome back to the Velvet Room, Master."

Kurusu Akatsuki looked at the pile of broken timekeeping instruments on the desk and asked, "Have you figured out their uses?"

Lavenda lifted her skirt and bowed slightly to Kurusu Akatsuki. "First, let's discuss the conclusion we discussed in the Impression Space—these timekeeping instruments contain a portion of their users' inner selves and cognition. Driven by some sinister force, they are ultimately forcibly distorted, catalyzed, and guided into a 'persona.'"

"Once they are taken away, their owners will also lose the corresponding memories and cognition, and their once distorted minds will also be restored."

This was an attempt made by Kurusu Akatsuki on the enemies he defeated. He found that as long as he took away objects such as clocks from them, these guys would immediately lose the power of their personality masks. After waking up, they no longer remembered their experiences during this period. They only knew that they had done many wrong things, and then they had to repent and work hard to do good deeds to make up for their past mistakes.

But now they have arrived at the Metropolitan Police Department, and perhaps the public security system will retrieve various suspicious cases piled up in the database to convict these guys who once possessed extraordinary powers.

"These conditions of distance caused by multiple factors are precisely the reason why these deceived Personas can freely use their Personas in reality."

Lavenda picked up a broken pocket watch from the table and held it high above her head. The light from the Velvet Room shone through the dial, and a pattern of silver coins and ropes forming a Ouroboros shape shone on her face.

If you look more closely, you will find that the silver coin is engraved with the outline of a crow, and the rope is twisted and woven from countless withered trees.

"Just now, through in-depth disassembly, I discovered that they once possessed the power to restart 'death'."

"You mean, not 'going back in time'?"

"Yes, although they can't truly fully manipulate the timeline, in a sense they might be more terrifying than 'going back in time'.

These timekeeping tools unilaterally rewind the user's death. If one compares the process of facing death to a car accelerating and about to hit a concrete wall, reaching its maximum speed, then its function is to reset itself to zero the moment it reaches maximum speed, returning all developments to the moment the car first began accelerating.

"So, the guy who made these 'Death Restarters' might have abilities similar to the Stand of Golden Experience Requiem in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure?"

Golden Experience Requiem, the ultimate stand from "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind", has the conceptual ability to reduce everything to nothing.

That is, returning all the enemy's actions and will to the concept of "nothingness".

Lavenda's body stiffened for a moment. She knew that Kurusu Akatsuki hadn't mentioned this setting from the comics for no reason. For them, it was a fact that once existed in the world. "Master, do you suspect that Mr. Giorno Giovanna also exists in this world?"

"This is somewhat logically impossible," Kurusu Akatsuki simply picked up his secretary and sat down at his desk. "If it's an attack from the Persona that also symbolizes the ultimate 'omnipotence attribute,' do you think you can overcome such a power?"

Lavenda pondered for a moment. "It's definitely possible to break through. The power of 'omnipotence' stems from a part of the laws of the universe, and it won't diminish due to any factors."

"So now we can confirm that the enemy has both the abilities of 'Event Return' and 'Time Rewind'."

Kurusu Akatsuki said, "Otherwise, in this time and space, the two 'gods' described by An and Subaru, as well as myself, would have died long ago."

Lavenda blinked. "You mean..."

"Now we can determine the identity of the enemy."

"First, an old acquaintance, the evil god we defeated in our original world—a deity formed from the 'sloth' emanating from humanity's collective unconscious. He was recognized as the Master Creator 'Yaldabaoth' in Gnostic classics. He possesses the power to control the flow of human desires and is the culprit behind the numerous vicious events that are occurring in the world today."

"As for the second one..." Kurusu Akatsuki picked up a pocket watch from the table and, imitating Lavenda's approach, held it up to the light, examining the intricate pattern. "The silver coin, the crow, the rope, the withered tree, and the snake—they all come together to symbolize Judas, who betrayed Jesus."

Lavenda pondered, "Since it is Judas who possesses the power to 'rewind events,' could it be that He is the embodiment of the 'regret' in humanity's collective unconscious?"

"According to inference, this is what should be the case."

The Phantom Thief pondered, "But regarding the evil god who goes back in time, we know almost nothing about him."

Lavenda immediately applauded, then replied to her contractor in a gentle, almost doting voice, "In the month since arriving in the New World, we've successfully uncovered the enemy's plot and defeated their various attacks... Master should be proud of his success."

"After all, we've always been very passive in facing the enemy's attacks. This kind of thing can't be considered a 'success', and there's no way to find a sense of accomplishment from it."

Kurusu Akatsuki's tone was tinged with reluctance. "If only there were a Persona with the same abilities as the Purple Hermit, I could gather crucial intelligence and completely crush the enemy in one fell swoop... Or, if Miss Woyan could regain her omniscience, I could push this matter through to the end."

Lavenda blinked. "Forcing the enemy to abandon all established rules and larger schemes, constantly testing your abilities and attempting to kill you... proves that our fusion, beyond the logic of time, is the greatest anomaly in the world. There's no need to worry. After losing so many of our men this time, the enemy will surely be hesitant to act rashly."

As she spoke, Lavenda picked up the glittering devil card on the table, raised her face, and handed it to Kurusu Akatsuki.

Now the content on the card has become two Toyokawa Shoko looking at each other. The left one is wearing a school uniform, and the right one is wearing a mask and a performance costume. Chains are wrapped around their necks, and a demon symbolizing desire is floating in the dark background.

"Rather than searching for an enemy who's hiding and afraid to confront you head-on, you have more important things to do right now... For example, first work hard to train Ms. Toyokawa. Her Persona has great potential and will surely be of great use in your future operations."

Lavenda's expression deepened as she spoke. "Also, you must always maintain close contact with her. After all, she awakened her Persona because of you. This passionate emotion will become your strength to fight against the evil god in the future."

Kurusu Akatsuki pinched Lavenda's cheeks and said, "I always feel like the world is about to end, but I still have to date and work."

"Once you reach a consensus with the government like Shadow Patrol did, perhaps your current situation will change. After all, what you're doing is essentially about 'saving the world.'"

The Phantom Thief was silent for a few seconds before he finally realized the reason for his current awkward mood amidst the strong sense of déjà vu. "Date A Live?"

Lavenda smiled and shook her head, then corrected him, "It's 'Zero no Familiar' and 'Fire Emblem'."

......

LeBlanc's coffee machine hissed softly, and the air was filled with a rich aroma.

Inside, a few customers whispered about the previous night's headline news of "hundreds of people surrendering themselves." Outside, the street scene gradually brightened. On the cement road outside, bicycle bells clattered, accompanied by the tug of chains, and the cries and knocks on doors of milk delivery drivers made their way from door to door, becoming a commonplace bustle at Shigenjaya.

Jing Qin Rencai, carrying a schoolbag, took the freshly made latte from Kurusu Xiao and walked cautiously to the seat closest to her.

The ivory-white headphone pattern floating on the light brown liquid made her feel very happy and had a sense of satisfaction of being "treated specially".

Sakura Sojiro looked at the sweet and lovely smile on the girl's face and patted Kurusu Akatsuki's shoulder. "You are already a very good barista. You can find a job in some high-end coffee shops in the future. The salary should be much higher than now."

As he said this, he seemed to not care at all that his coffee shop would lose Kurusu Akatsuki, the golden employee who could attract a large number of female customers.

Kurusu Akatsuki heard the sincere hope in Sakura Sojiro's words, and after careful consideration, she chose to refuse. "When I save enough money to move out of the attic, I might consider working in another cafe... At least for now, I still have to ask for your continued care."

"Hmph, you brat..." Sakura Sojiro scratched his beard and examined his face, "I hope you don't move out and live with different girlfriends one day."

"You think too badly of me..."

"Who made you look like you have a lot of luck with women?" Sakura Sojiro glanced at Ii Serina who was sitting at the dining table in the corner, listening to music and drinking coffee with a smile on her face, and sighed in his heart.

Kurusu Akatsuki was nonchalant about this, "It's still at least a month before we move out."

Sakura Sojiro ignored what he just said, but just thought seriously, and then asked hesitantly, "How is your relationship with Jingqin recently?"

"Very good friends."

"She told me that you took good care of her at school and even took her to form a band after school so they could make friends. For that, I have to thank you on behalf of her parents."

Sakura Sojiro seemed a little embarrassed by what he was going to say next. "And... although Jingqin is a little naive, she is indeed a good girl. Could you please give her some guidance with her studies in the future? Her father called me a while ago and talked to me for a long time. I also think that if a girl can get into a good university, it will be very helpful for her future."

Kurusu Akatsuki readily agreed to this and said, "I guarantee that the mission will be completed."

"Will it not affect your own studies?"

"of course not."

"Well... I've briefly mentioned your situation to her father. He'd like to entrust you with the role of Jing Qin's tutor. If he sees improvement in her grades in the next exam, he'll offer you a generous weekly salary... probably equivalent to the training fees at a regular cram school."

Kurusu Akatsuki suddenly turned his head and looked at the girl who was drinking coffee.

I'm sorry, Jingqin, there are still more than ten days before the monthly test, and you may have to work hard in the future.

He smiled confidently and said, "Leave it to me."

Sakura Sojiro also breathed a sigh of relief, "I would like to thank you again for your help on behalf of her father."

At this time, the indicator light on the coffee machine lit up, like a signal allowing the train to pass, and then the schedule called "school" began to proceed vigorously all over Tokyo.

......

When it was time to go to school, Kurusu Akatsuki returned to the attic to change into her school uniform, and walked to the tram stop with Ichi Serina as if she knew the way. Then, without saying a word, he snatched the backpack from her hand and used it as a shovel, and like an excavator, he dug a passage through the crowd.

Thanks to the help of the personality mask "Dioscuri", his fitness efficiency has been greatly improved.

Now he has almost the physical qualities of a "Mind Thief".

If we were to rate the "physical fitness" data, Kurusu Akatsuki used to be at the full "5", when he just crossed over he was a weak "1", and now he is already a strong "3".

How can a group of office workers who have to sit in office chairs for ten hours every day, bow to their leaders and clients for an hour, and smile for another hour, and who are in a completely sub-healthy state, fight against the young and energetic Kurusu Akatsuki?

Is it because of their endocrine disorders caused by long-term staying up late to work overtime and lack of sleep, coupled with the alcohol poured into their stomachs from drinking parties, which eventually made their bodies become broken?

Rather than figuring out how to compete with the young thieves for seats, whether it's staying up late to work overtime or putting on a fake smile at the dinner table... they always have to first consider how to ensure that their jobs are not taken away by competitors in the industry.

Kurusu Akatsuki grabbed Io Serina's wrist and pushed through the group of urban white-collar workers. Amid their complaining looks, they rushed into the crowded carriage and successfully grabbed a seat that could accommodate two people.

At the beginning, Jing Serina was not used to this rude way of grabbing seats, and even had to use her own "good boy" logic to persuade Kurusu Akatsuki that "this behavior is a kind of queue cutting" and "it's a bit too disrespectful to others"... But after she took the tram a few times during the evening rush hour and was squeezed in the middle of a group of people and almost squeezed into a sushi roll, and had to stand for half an hour... then she began to understand Kurusu Akatsuki's good intentions.

However, every time she faced the gazes of those around her, she couldn't help but feel an inexplicable sense of shame.

The train arrived at the station, and the thief picked up her heavy schoolbag again, transformed into a human tunnel boring machine, and dug a passable path in the crowd of people.

Jing Qinrencai followed him out of the station without saying a word.

By the time they arrived at the school gate, the morning bell was already ringing above the school, notifying students to return to the classroom and prepare for class.

It sounded like a shepherd farmer was shaking a copper bell, and the bells rang rapidly and densely.

Then, from the staffroom, teachers, briefcases slung across their shoulders, strode out, chasing away the students chatting in the corridors. Then, a flock of sheep, clad in black school uniforms, began to wander lazily and wearily across the campus, slowly disappearing into classrooms. The corridors became spacious, empty, and clean.

In front of the club building, a seemingly fragile figure took advantage of class time to sneak into the porch, then she carried two sacks as tall as a person and walked up the stairs with heavy steps.

......

I have forgotten how many times I have postponed the alarm set in the mobile phone app.

An and Subaru were still wrapped in a thin blanket and sleeping peacefully like babies.

Finally, the tenant who lived just across the wall could no longer bear it. She turned off the recording software on her computer, threw away the microphone in her hand, and rushed to An Hesuba's bedroom, knocking hard on the door.

"Subaru, that's too noisy! Hurry up and get up and go to class!!!"

However, no matter how the girls scolded him, An and Subaru still looked like they were sleeping soundly.

In fact, she hadn't gone to sleep until two hours ago.

With the idea of ​​"winning a round and going to sleep", she played Valorant all night, from 8pm to 5:40am, encountering "Vietnamese monkeys who only knew how to yell 'skinskin' and play badly", "rookies who brought girls with them", "mysterious gun enemies who could walk through smoke and walls"...

What’s more crucial is that the successive failures made her more and more impatient, and finally her shooting skills became distorted, her mentality became unbalanced, and she completely lost her ability to use a gun.

After an all-nighter, An Hesuba successfully jumped from "Diamond 1" to "Platinum 1" and is now only one step away from the gold segment.

She originally wanted to reach the extraordinary level and show off in front of her classmates with this game that has recently become popular all over the world. As for now... she will soon be able to say that she is a master of the gold level.

This is quite normal. I remember a German writer once said: When a good thing that people are looking forward to arrives, it often comes slowly and with great difficulty, and it is accompanied by all kinds of trivial troubles that make people anxious and annoyed, all the dust of reality that people have not taken into account in their fantasies...

These things will irritate you and make you angry.

It can even turn a little girl who looks elegant, quiet and delicate like a doll into someone as violent as a lioness.

For example, right now, Ms. Ebzuka Satoshi, who lives with An and Subaru, feels that the string of rationality in her mind has completely broken.

She finally found some inspiration for a new song, but ended up listening to the ringing of the cell phone next door shouting at full volume, "Superman of the Universe, open your eyes, I am Shafulin."

No matter how wonderful the inspiration, it would completely wither in the midst of Shafulin's mantra-like nagging, and all that remained in the mind was the confusion and puzzlement of the Big Bang.

Why can high school students feel comfortable sleeping in fifteen minutes before class?