Tokyo Psychic

Page 107

It's like a pot of water gradually boiling in your heart, the steaming water scalding your heart, burning you with a painful heat—a warmth that's elusive and hard to grasp.

Then Lai Qixiao turned off the lights.

In the dark attic, only the moonlight was dim.

Looking at his blurry reflection of his face on his phone screen, he couldn't help but recall his naivety and ignorance as a child. He finally understood why this so-called "taking care of children" seemed all too familiar, just like how he himself had once relied so heavily on a certain senior's "Ikeguchi Rensai"...

Recalling the occasional excessive attention and longing that Iori Rina had shown her, the sense of accomplishment that had just flowed through Akira Kurusu's heart instantly evaporated without a trace.

Akira Kurishi felt a bit absurd and embarrassed, and even a strange sense of guilt.

Oh, I see... It's not "raising a child," it's "nurturing" a child.

He thought of the word "cultivation," a word that sounds somewhat sordid and is indeed sordid in reality, and his expression turned into a subtle embarrassment and disbelief.

Akira Kurusu, Akira Kurusu, to be able to make a move on Serina Iori, you've really made a name for yourself in this life.

The phantom thief felt such self-reproach in his heart, and then escaped by sinking his consciousness into the velvet room.

096. Because I have seen [Power] and [Universe] (the two combined)

(End-of-month sprint: January 13th, February 13th)

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Push open the door to the velvet room.

A beautiful light instantly enveloped Akira Kurusu's entire body.

The cabin was still the same familiar one, but a light blue piano had appeared on the empty space to the right of the desk, with gold trim inlaid on the black and white keys.

Upon seeing it, one immediately thinks of Shoko Toyokawa.

"This is the surprise you were talking about?" Akira Kurusu was visibly taken aback.

Ravenda sat behind the piano, her two small hands dangling in mid-air, as if pondering how to play this mysterious instrument born from the burning emotions of humankind.

Noticing the phantom thief's arrival, a gentle smile immediately spread across her face. "Master," she said, "as you can see, this is the initial result of the plan's execution."

"Suddenly, the word 'plan' sounds a bit unpleasant." Akira Kurusu walked over and stroked the piano, as if something soft in her heart had been suddenly touched.

Lavenda blinked. "Ah, you finally feel it? This guilt, this self-blame... and the emotions it represents."

She stood up and bowed slightly to Akira Kurusu. "I'm sorry to be causing you trouble right now... but only in this way can we correct your erroneous understanding of love."

"mistake?"

"Yes, compared to normal people, you can't really understand 'love'."

Akira Kurusu felt deeply insulted. "Aren't you underestimating me? The love letters I've received since I was a child could fill an entire airplane cabin if piled up."

Ravenda clapped her hands gently, and countless love letters actually rained down from the sky, cascading out like a waterfall and flowing throughout the velvet room—they reached Akira's ankles and then stopped growing. "Actually, there aren't as many as you said."

Akira Kurusu's expression stiffened for a moment. "After all, many confessions are made with words..."

Ravenda clapped her hands again, and countless slips of paper with short sentences written on them appeared out of thin air in the sky, falling like snowflakes on a snowy winter day.

Akira Kurusu removed a piece of paper from her shoulder; it read in cursive English, "Akira Kurusu, I like you."

Ravenda said, "Although it may sound harsh, you have to face reality."

Akira Kurusu remained silent.

Lavenda bowed to him. "The fact that you carried out the plans I arranged without question is enough to prove that you have many misconceptions about 'love'... But now that you have realized your flaws, this is the beginning of correction."

The secretary's eyes were filled with a faint sense of helplessness and regret. "Miss Xijian's departure without saying goodbye has actually had a very serious impact on you."

Upon hearing the surname "Shiomi," Akira Kurusu twitched the corner of her mouth, finally managing to suppress the urge to refute Ravenda.

The love letters and notes scattered on the ground gradually disappeared. Ravenda gracefully approached Akira Kurusu, stood on tiptoe, and reached out to straighten his collar. "Before you hurt those girls' feelings, you can boldly try to look at them from a different perspective."

"From a normal person's perspective?" Akira Kurusu suddenly felt a little unsure.

Ravenda smiled. "Even by normal standards, you should meet the criteria of being dashing and debonair... The people of this country are very tolerant of physical book authors regarding their private lives."

"But I am a light novel author."

"I'm just using an analogy... The same principle applies even more to your other identity."

Laventa, with her hands behind her back, walked around to his side with cat-like steps. "Don't underestimate the weight of 'Mind Thief' in the hearts of those girls who admire you. It's a secret that belongs only to you and will never be revealed to the outside world. Therefore, they are far more tolerant of your choices in relationships than 'famous writer'."

A sly glint in her eyes. “Try to manage your time well. If you accidentally make a mistake, just honestly admit it, and everyone will understand and accept your flirting. They might get a little angry, but they won’t be hurt. But remember this crucial point… The real meaning of ‘flirting’ is to spend your heart on every girl who likes you and every girl you like.”

After thinking for a while, Akira Kurishi asked, "Explain in detail what I should do?"

Ravenda was stunned. "When you were trying to seduce me, weren't you quite adept at it? You just picked me up and carried me away right in front of Mr. Igor..."

Akira Kurusu's eyes flickered. "That's different."

“What’s the difference? Just be honest and true to your own desires.” Ravenda grasped his hands with both of hers. “You always subconsciously act like Miss Shiomi when you’re with them, but that’s not right.”

"Be true to your inner desires..." Akira Kurishi reached out and stroked her secretary's head.

Ravenda focused her gaze on Akira Kurusu's profile with an almost indulgent look. "That's wonderful. You're gradually beginning to understand the true meaning of 'love'."

"I suddenly feel a little ashamed."

"Hmph, that's normal... After all, you've already met Miss Shiomi and me. If love comes too easily, it's easy to lose your way."

Ravenda led Akira Kurusu behind the piano, saying, "Now, please feel the emotions that Toyokawa-san has for you."

Somewhat puzzled, Akira Kurusu sat down in front of the piano keyboard as Ravenda instructed.

It was as if a pair of soft, invisible hands had instantly covered his palms, each finger tightly enveloped, and then, like a pianist who had been immersed in the piano for many years, he began to play smoothly and elegantly.

It was an incredibly magical feeling.

That resonance from the depths of the soul is so captivating that it makes one irresistibly drawn to it.

......

At the same time.

In Toyokawa Shoko's bedroom.

The girl turned over, clutching her pillow, and murmured incoherently in her sleep.

A happy smile spread across her face; she was probably having a wonderful dream.

Outside the open window, the moon casts its shimmering shadows, a warm breeze stirs the curtains, and the faint sound of a piano can be heard.

......

[Tuesday, May 10, 2022.]

[0 days remaining until the start of the monthly test.]

At seven o'clock in the morning, Akira Lai opened her eyes precisely on time.

The Persona "Dioscuri" stands by the bed with his arms crossed, holding a sheet of musical notation in his hand.

Lai Xixiao stared at Him for a long while, "Why haven't you awakened yet?"

"Dioscuri" shook its head in denial, then returned to the depths of its consciousness along with Akira Kurusu's thoughts.

The phantom thief got out of bed, put on his school uniform, and after a quick wash in the washroom, began his new day of work.

The moment he crushed a spoonful of coffee beans, LeBron's door opened.

Sakura Sojiro led Izare Nina into the shop. "Today's work is canceled. Quickly take off your apron and take her to school so she can study as soon as possible."

Akira Kurusu looked at Sakura Sojiro's daughter, Serina Izumi, who had left home half an hour earlier than usual, and thought that this girl probably really wanted to get good grades.

He took off his apron and put down his work. "I understand."

Because it was exam week, the phantom thief brought his stationery, something he hadn't done in a long time. A pen and a set square were enough to handle all the exam content.

Jing Qinrencai, carrying her schoolbag, followed him out of the coffee shop.

"I want to ride a motorcycle." Jingqin Rencai tugged at Kurusu Xiao's sleeve, gazing at the Red Hare sleeping soundly by the LeBron Gate, admiring its handsome and majestic appearance, her eyes revealing an innocent longing.

"It's out of gas. I'll take it to the gas station after school today." Akira Kurusu poked the back of Serina Izayoi's head expressionlessly. "I'll drive you to school tomorrow."

“Mmm,” Jingqinrencai nodded excitedly.

As always, I squeezed onto the tram.

The onboard television in the carriage was playing the morning TV program, which was another episode of "Approaching Out of Control".

Akira Kurusu, on the other hand, seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it.

"Yesterday, Tokyo time... in Setagaya Ward... a serious criminal crime occurred, but thanks to the help of a kind citizen, a tragedy was averted..."

Looking at Akira Kurusu's expression, Izanagi nodded, "That's great."

Akira patted her on the head, "Why are you suddenly saying that?"

Serina explained to him earnestly, "This is all thanks to Amamiya! There has never been a precedent of a 'runaway incident' being stopped before!"

“Because this isn’t an ‘out-of-control incident’,” Akira Kurusu said. “Tokyo hasn’t had a truly out-of-control incident for almost a month.”

“That…it’s all thanks to the ‘Mind Thief’!” Igarashi Rina whispered, praising Kurusu Akira.

Mr. Phantom Thief crossed his arms, sensing that her thoughts were somewhat unsettled. "Even if you say that, you still need to take the exam seriously later... Exam papers are very indifferent; whether you have superpowers or are a professional rock musician, they won't show you any mercy."

"Of course, you're neither a superhuman nor a professional rock musician."

Jing Qinrencai's cheeks puffed up quickly. "I will try my best!"

Akira Kurusu patted her head. "Speaking of which, you've gotten quite used to living at Mr. Sakura's house... You've been waking up earlier and earlier lately, and you're quite energetic in most classes, except for civics class."

Jingqin Rencai thoroughly enjoyed Kurusu Akira's caresses, her eyes slightly narrowed. "Because I also want to get into a good university."

"We all thought you wanted to be a professional musician."

"You can only think about that kind of thing after you get into university!" Serina Iori's tone was surprisingly serious.

"I thought you wouldn't be able to focus on your studies after that performance."

"I did think about giving up my studies like Momoka did and focusing on playing in the band... because I really didn't want to lose to that guy in this aspect," said Nina Izare, her hands clenched into fists on her knees as she looked at the tips of her shoes. "But if I really made that choice, both Amamiya and Momoka would be very disappointed in me, wouldn't they?"

Izayoi gave a slightly frustrated and disappointed smile. "Actually... I've impulsively thought several times about choosing a band regardless of everything and then completely crushing that new 'Diamond Dust' in terms of fame and work."

"But thinking about it carefully, I don't think the band members would agree."

The usually innocent and naive Inori Rina was surprisingly thoughtful at this moment—she lowered her voice, “Neither Nijika nor Ryo ever made a promise like ‘forever’.”

Akira Kurusu looked at Serina Ii and said, "But you can't deny their love for rock and roll."

“Yes,” Izana nodded vigorously, “So, we must cherish every moment we spend together while we can still play in the band together.”

"You already figured it out?" Akira Kurusu asked, somewhat surprised.

"It's obvious... Neither Ms. Momoka nor Ms. Toyokawa have put their full attention into the band."

"Even Nijirana, who is usually the most active in rehearsals and training, and Ryo, who is the most independent, often look anxious and uneasy when they look at their books during exam week," said Ishigami Rinna.

Finally, she looked at Akira Kurusu and said, "Amamiya doesn't have that particularly obvious love for rock and roll either."

"So, the band can't really last long, right?... "Is it true that the band can't last long?... " Where will Momoka go in the future? Which university will Nijika and Ryo go to? Toyokawa is a year younger than us. When we are in college, she will be busy with her college entrance exams... Suddenly everything feels so troublesome. Everyone was happy during the performance, but after the performance, everything seems unfamiliar and uncomfortable.

Akira Kurishi held her wrist, and in her silence, there seemed to be a strength supporting her to move forward.

That's what growing up is all about: a slow and dull pain that gradually makes you shed your original image.

......

One hour later.

The boy, who stood at the pinnacle of his academic ability, entered Class 2-D and stood on the podium, looking down at the empty seats below.

The proctor from the neighboring Wuyang High School was walking into the classroom through the back door with the timetable and posting it on the notice board.

The phantom thief, however, looked disdainful, as if he had returned to his own kingdom.

Good morning, Xiujin.

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