Tokyo Psychic

Page 206

The wrinkles on the old man's face seemed to deepen. "That's really troublesome."

Tsurumaki Shin blinked. "How's Kotone's condition lately?...?"

"Well, ever since she first woke up from her coma, she's been clamoring to see someone called 'Kurasu Akira.' I searched online for ages and found out it's a stage name."

"Is she still falling into a deep sleep quite frequently lately?" Genmaki Kokoro was very concerned about "Miss Shiomi".

"Compared to before, there has been a significant improvement. Currently, the statistics show that she falls into a coma about once every hour, and the duration has been reduced from fifty minutes to about ten minutes. Although there is a one-hour 'vacuum period' starting at 0:00 every day, she cannot return to a normal life. Therefore, after discussion, the medical team decided to let her continue to stay here for treatment."

"Hmm... How about we take her to the Tsurumaki family to take care of her? It'll be easier to see 'Kurasu Akira' if we're in Tokyo."

"Of course, it will be arranged according to your wishes."

As Xian Juanxin walked past the old man into the house in front of her, the smell of disinfectant immediately enveloped her.

A stunningly beautiful girl, dressed in a hospital gown, sat beside a desk, her long, reddish-brown hair cascading over her shoulders. Her fiery, bright red eyes reflected the figure of Shin Tsukumo.

"Qinyin! I've come to see you again!"

Tsurumaki Kokoro bowed deeply to another beautiful girl in the corner of the room. "Oh...right! Thank you, Chu Hua, for taking the time to take care of her."

The girl known as "Hatsuka" is a first-year student at the nearby "Private Yuuki Academy". Due to her special childhood experience, she received care from the research institution that originally controlled the artificial island. Later, the research institution was incorporated into the Tsurumaki family, and she naturally became an employee of the Tsurumaki family on the island.

Misaka Chuka quickly returned the greeting to Genjuro Shin, then fled the scene as if running away.

From the outside and inside, it looks like a simple house that fishermen would use, but you can actually access a very spacious research institute through the basement.

There are only two ongoing projects at the research institute.

One of the investigations was into an ice coffin containing a boy who showed no signs of life.

其二就是调查这位在“2022年3月31日22点17分21秒”凭空出现在“私立结城学院”教学楼天台上的神秘少女的来历，同时治疗她身上那个在医学史上从未出现过的非常特殊的“昏睡症”。

"Sleeping disorder" is only a preliminary name based on the symptoms. Logically, the official order should be named "Shiomi Syndrome" after "Kotone Shiomi"—if the disease can actually be made public.

Of course, based on Shiomi Kotone's own opinion and suggestion, the research organization on this artificial island, which has worked for two owners for half a century, unanimously approved her proposed name for the disease, "Nyx Syndrome," in a very strange manner.

Because Shiomi Kotone's origins are too mysterious and bizarre, and because her mental power has been measured by research related to cognitive science, the Tsurumaki family's security advisor is strongly opposed to his young mistress getting too close to her.

According to the local medical team's summary, Shiomi Kotone's condition can be roughly described as follows: "It's like someone who has been sleeping for a long time suddenly wakes up and finds that their original body is no longer usable, and then is forced into a completely new body without any explanation. Not only can they not adapt to the new body, but they also have to try to overcome the rejection between their soul and body."

However, the people of the String Group, who represented modern science, obviously scoffed at such a fantastical claim, so no one took it seriously at all.

However, Kotone Shiomi's "Nyx Syndrome" is indeed improving on its own over time, as if it is truly adapting to its new body...

According to feedback from psychological experts after the consultation: Shiomi Kotone has normal values ​​and a strong sense of justice. However, perhaps due to her illness, her understanding of various historical and cultural works differs significantly from reality.

I remember that the expert jokingly said to the person in charge sent by the Genmaki Foundation, "This girl is just like a 'transmigrator' from a light novel or manga. I wonder which other world she is, a hero who sealed away a world-ending disaster with her life and was reincarnated."

......

Shiomi Kotone looked at the wealthy heiress in front of her who had saved her and provided her with support and help in every way while she was trying to adapt to her new body, and a barely perceptible regret flickered in her eyes.

She had initially thought that the person who would find and help her on this island would be the former student council president of the private Gekkokan Academy, who was also the heir to the Kirito Group...

But upon closer reflection, "Moonlight Pavilion Academy" has been renamed into some nonsensical "Yuki Academy," and the Kirijo family cannot be found online. Realizing that she has transmigrated into this reality, Shiomi Kotone has no choice but to accept the status quo.

Kotone Shiomi has fulfilled her contract with the Velvet Room and completed that great destiny. Coupled with her long period of detachment from reality and the departure of her assistant, the Velvet Room that belonged to her naturally disappeared.

I suddenly miss that mischievous, lively, and willful elevator hostess.

Shiomi Kotone looked at Tsurumaki Kokoro and sometimes felt that this girl was a combination of Kirijo Mitsuki and Elizabeth—a warm and gentle smile bloomed on her face, "Kokoro, what brings you here all of a sudden? Didn't you say last time that it was boring here?"

Tsurumaki Kokoro was captivated by Shiomi Kotone's smile. "Eh... I wish Amamiya could smile like you. You both look beautiful when you smile!"

"You've already seen him?" Shiomi Kotone's tone suddenly became urgent.

If there was anything surprising or delightful she made after transmigrating, it was probably successfully finding a familiar name online – "Kurasu Akira".

However, this is a stage name, and the other person's real name is actually "Amamiya Ren". Although they have the exact same appearance and eyes that she could never mistake... Shiomi Kotone is still worried that the other person may also become a stranger in her memory.

After all, the world was very different from what she originally knew, and even the timeline had jumped to twelve years later.

She didn't bother searching for some names that could never exist in reality... It's obvious that the elevator operator who ran away from home would never show her face in public.

Upon hearing Shiomi Kotone's question, Tsurumaki Kokoro happily replied, "That's right, he's a very interesting guy! But when I invited him here, he refused without hesitation."

Kotone Shiomi suddenly stood up, her desire to see Akira Kurusu burning brighter than ever before.

But then, she began to feel a wave of drowsiness wash over her.

This is the rejection of the human soul by a non-artificial body...

As the former contractor of the Velvet Room, Shiomi Kotone naturally retains the "Fool's Eye," which allows her to see through the abnormal. Ferremon is a generous god and will not take back the gifts he has given to his employees.

Through the analysis of the Fool's Eye, Shiomi Kotone immediately discovered that although her current body looked no different from an ordinary person in terms of physiological structure... it was clearly mixed with elements beyond reality beyond "matter," which was the mystery of the Sea of ​​the Heart.

From this perspective... it seems she has become something akin to a velvet assistant.

Realizing she was about to fall into a coma again, Shiomi Kotone skillfully picked up a cushion from the chair next to her and tied it to her face.

Then the next moment she began to fall to the ground.

Just as Kokoro Tsurumaki expressed her opinion on Akira Kurusu, before she could even receive a reply from Kotone Shiomi, a muffled thud was heard, and the girl was lying on the ground, breathing evenly.

"This is serious," Kokoro covered her face in distress. "Should we arrange for a few maids to take care of her?"

“Young Miss, I suggest that it would be better to let her stay on this island…” The basement door opened, and a woman dressed in a very intellectual manner walked in. While talking to Genmaki Kokoro, she squatted down next to Shiomi Kotone and took her wrist to check the various values ​​displayed on the measuring device attached there.

"Why?" Genjuro Shin was always outspoken. "She really wants to see someone. If she stays on this island, she definitely won't be happy, right?"

“Only on this island can her condition gradually improve,” the researcher answered without hesitation.

She certainly wouldn't have spoken like this to anyone else in the conglomerate, but she knew that the young lady in front of her was a very kind girl, which was why she dared to express her opinions.

"Miss Shiomi is very familiar with this island, but her understanding of the world outside the island is almost entirely limited to books and movies. She herself has said that she has never left the artificial island..."

"Wait, wait... wait a minute!" Kokoro quickly crossed her arms, signaling the researcher to stop talking. "I don't understand any of this! Just tell me the conclusion!"

"Before Miss Shiomi's condition improves, there is a high probability that leaving here will cause her condition to worsen due to external stimuli."

"I see, then I understand what you mean... So how long will it take for Kotone's illness to be cured?"

"At the current rate, we predict that Ms. Shiomi's 'Nyx syndrome' will heal on its own within a week at most."

"That'll be quick!" Genjuro Shin helped Shiomi Kotone up. "I'm entrusting Kotone to your care for this last week! Please feel free to discuss anything you need with the person in charge!"

"Miss Shiomi has been saying these past few days that she wants a brand new game console..." the researcher said, taking out his phone and opening a picture.

Rather than calling it a "game console," it would be more appropriate to describe the things in the photo as a "game room."

VR glasses, assistive walking machines, VR gaming gloves that sense hand movements, and a whole host of other equipment that could practically fill an entire room...

"You were rejected?" Genjuro Kokoro's eyebrows furrowed immediately.

"Yes. But I think it's only natural to be rejected, since such a request is indeed a bit unreasonable."

"Hmm?" Genmaki looked at her strangely. "You seem to have some misunderstanding about 'being unreasonable'."

You mean...?

Genjuro clapped her hands, and the woman in black wearing sunglasses strode into the house.

“Get this done,” said Shin Tsukimoto, pointing to a photo on the researcher’s phone.

The woman took out a miniature camera, snapped several photos of the researcher's phone screen, and then left quickly and silently.

After finishing all that, Genmaki Shin looked at Shiomi Kotone, who had "lost her smile," and felt a lack of interest.

It's because Shiomi Kotone's smile is so beautiful and funny that she often comes to this island.

As she stepped out of the house, the person in charge standing guard by the door looked at her with a puzzled expression. "Xin, are you leaving already?"

"Yes, otherwise we would have missed a fantastic live performance!"

After smiling and saying goodbye to everyone, Genmaki Kokoro quickly ran towards the beach.

Under the watchful eyes of a group of men in black on the beach, this young lady, with her extraordinary physical abilities, dove into the waves and disappeared.

Almost in the blink of an eye, the girl appeared on the deck of the yacht, took the dry towel handed to her by the man in black, and began to wipe the sand and seawater off her legs and feet.

It got dark very quickly.

When Shin returned to Tokyo, the once crimson sky had turned completely gloomy.

"Go to Shimokitazawa's STARRY."

Xian Juanxin sat in the extended luxury sedan and leaned back lazily on the leather seats.

As the apple of the eye of the Genmaki Group, she never needed to care whether her wishes were feasible. As long as she spoke them, countless people would try their best to make them come true for her.

Where to go? What to do? Just give the orders, and no one will feel embarrassed; they will only feel honored.

......

at the same time.

After finishing their performance, the members of "MYGO" stepped off the stage and sat down in the rest area next to the counter.

Nagasaki Motoyo watched as Kaname Rakuna, whose bottom hadn't even touched the sofa yet, immediately started chasing after Kurusu Akira and running around everywhere. Her eyes trembled for a moment, but she ultimately remained silent.

Gao Songdeng also felt that her guitarist seemed to be "physically present but mentally absent," but she didn't dare to voice her thoughts.

Since Takamatsu Akari didn't express her opinion, Shiina Tatsuki also remained silent.

After much thought, only Chihaya Aine has the stance to raise questions.

And Chihaya Aine lived up to expectations and stepped forward to block Kurusu Akira's path.

Kaoru bumped headfirst into Akira Kurusu's back without warning. Akira Kurusu didn't move, but Kaoru herself almost fell over.

"Rakuna is our band's guitarist!" Chihaya Aine had a righteous and awe-inspiring face when she first stepped forward, but when she looked up at Kurusu Akira, the difference in height, along with Kurusu Akira's face shrouded in shadow, made her appear extremely intimidating.

"Um... could you please not take Lena away from me?"

Her voice grew softer and softer without her realizing it, and her tone changed from angry accusation to a pitiful and humble plea.

Chihaya Aine has secretly hoped many times, both in the past and now, that she could take Rakuna's place as lead guitarist and receive praise and acclaim amidst the cheers of countless fans.

But when she truly realized that the quirky, cat-like girl was about to be kidnapped, she was forced to acknowledge the vast difference in effort and dedication she and Yoro had put into the guitar, while also accepting the possibility of a crucial member of the band leaving—

"Stolen?" It was actually Lena who spoke.

She looked at Chihaya Aine with a very strange expression. "...Why?"

Chihaya Aine saw the guitar hanging around Kurusu Akira's neck and immediately fell silent.

She recalled the exaggerated performance he had given her on the guitar in the lobby earlier that day, and her face suddenly felt like it was on fire. She was so embarrassed that she wanted to disappear.

The girls in "MYGO" thought that Chihaya Aine might be advising Rakuna to keep a distance from Kurusu Akira, but they didn't expect that this girl would go and "question" Kurusu Akira herself... Although solving the problem at its source is indeed a good solution, it seems that this solution was wrong from the very beginning.

Someone who plays guitar so well is willing to be the rhythm player for Momoka Kawahara, so what else can a 14-year-old lead guitarist girl do in a band? Shake the maracas?

Just when Chihaya Aine was wondering how to end this, Rakuna came over.

She gave a light, airy smile, tiptoed, and reached out to stroke Chihaya Aine's head. "It's okay."

Rakuna then moved her little hand to Chihaya Aine's shoulder and patted her, saying, "Live is fun, I won't leave."

......

As soon as the pretty pink-haired girl angrily blocked Akira Kurusu's way, Nina Izare, who had just stepped out of the recording studio, pounced on her as if she were about to knock Chihaya Aine to the ground.

But as they got closer, they realized that their argument seemed to be ending before it even began.

"Then why do you keep following Amamiya...?" This was Chihaya Aine's question.

Kaoru gave a pure, unadulterated smile, "I like it."

Izuru Nina's steps suddenly came to a halt, almost causing her to fall flat on her face. However, the "Izuru Nina" managed to maintain its balance, only shifting the target of her fall from Chihaya Aine to Kaname Rakuna.

Hearing the answer "I like you" from Kaname, Chihaya Aine and the other "MYGO" girls around her gasped in surprise, and then blushed.

Kaoru seemed to realize that her previous answer was somewhat vague, so she repeated it, adding a few embellishments and using gestures to accompany it... She clasped Akira's hands together, raised them high above her head, and tried to amplify her high-pitched and soft voice, revealing an expression as serious and earnest as a judge announcing a change in the law, which looked subtly comical.

I like him!

The "Jingqin Rencai" ship, which was en route, suddenly stopped and collapsed to the ground with a thud. It felt as if something had torn open a huge hole in its heart, from which something warm kept flowing.

"Thank you," Akira Kurusu said with a smile to Rakuna, "Me too..."

Before she could finish speaking, the nearly extinguished engine of the "Ishin-chan" suddenly spewed out scorching flames, and she suddenly stepped forward, her steel-like headbutt slamming into Akira Kurusu's chest.

Akira Kurusu was pushed backward by Nina Izare and fell down. Chihaya Aine, who was standing next to her, instinctively tried to help Akira Kurusu by feeling guilty. However, Rakuna had just been knocked away by Nina Izare and tripped Chihaya Aine... The hall immediately fell into chaos.

Having changed into clean clothes, Tsurumaki Kokoro had just stepped down the stairs of SRARRY when she saw this lively scene and immediately felt the urge to join in their playful antics.

The man in black behind her saw through his young mistress's intentions, and cold sweat broke out on his brow. He hurriedly rushed forward to stop Xuan Juanxin, thus preventing the young couple's farce from turning into a scene of wailing and crying outside the hospital operating room.