Chapter 200: Sakura: Do you understand the value of being the "first"?

[After playing around with your roommates for a while, you set out on your journey home... You met Father Enrique, whom you hadn't seen for a long time, and exchanged greetings with him about your recent situation. At the same time, you also planned to find out about Vill-V's situation.]

[In fact, when you met again, Father Enrique was very worried about your mental and psychological condition, because from the beginning of "this time", you behaved very abnormally... But now, it seems that you are fine again?]

[Your personality seems to have been successfully restored to its original state by Father Enrique and Mother Teresa. Your eyes are full of tenderness, your words have become gentle, and you often smile, giving others a gentle feeling... In this way, Father Enrique temporarily put aside his worries.]

[At the same time, Father Enrique is also happy that you are willing to stop and relax yourself a little... After all, if you are too tense, your mental state is likely to be affected.]

[However, Father Enrique became a little embarrassed when it came to the issue of Vill-V... Because Vill-V had moved, and Father Enrique was having trouble going out, so he didn't know where Vill-V and her family had moved to, he only knew that they had gone to Mu Continent.]

[you don't know if it was just a coincidence, but at this moment, Vill-V called... so you asked about it.]

[After learning that you went home during the holiday, Vill-V showed a hint of embarrassment, and even the smile on her face froze for a moment... But soon, her eyes rolled and she showed an even brighter smile again.]

[She told you... she had just moved and you went back not long ago. It was really unfortunate that you two just passed by each other. But it doesn't matter. Her home is in the Mu Continent now. She can find a chance to look for you when the time comes.]

[She also said that she has prepared a surprise for you, and she hopes you won't be scared when the time comes~]

[Well... very good. Although you are happy that Vill-V can be so cheerful and confident, you know that she is going to make trouble again.]

[But it doesn't matter. Vill-V usually doesn't do anything too excessive with you, so you don't care too much. You just say that you are looking forward to her surprise.]

[Then, you went to see Mother Teresa... She looked more and more hunched, and her physical condition was getting worse and worse... You persuaded her to go to the hospital for recuperation, but Mother Teresa shook her head and refused.]

["I'm just old, not sick… Let me continue, and use my remaining energy in the last bit of my time. Let me take a good look at you, the 'child walking on the road'…" — That's what she said.]

["He and I don't know why you are so anxious, nor do we know what you are preparing for or waiting for, but... child, you are walking on the path you have chosen, so keep walking firmly. We believe that you will lead us to the happy "end" - she said so.]

["But… I'm still very happy that you can relax a little, slow down your ever-speeding schedule, and slow down your time… This is really great," Mother Teresa smiled, very happily.]

["Try to slow down, feel everything around you, remember everything around you, and then... hold it tightly. Then, you may know what you are working hard for" - she said softly.]

[Immediately, she blessed your future path and gently pushed you out...You shouldn't keep your eyes on her for too long, you have more plans, don't you?]

[Also... you agreed to relax and have some fun. If that's the case, then don't stop. Let's go and experience some joyful laughter.]

[You understood, so you said goodbye to Mother Teresa and set off for your destination - the Far East. But before that, you have to meet an old man first.]

[Actually, he is the old man who taught you boxing and kicking. You have a good relationship with him, and through him, you got to know his son - "Li".]

[And now, you have been invited by Li to go to the Far East to meet his... uh... girlfriend?]

[Anyway, that was a girl named "Yin". When you met her, you never saw any changes in her expression, and her tone of voice rarely fluctuated... But the two of you unexpectedly got along well?]

[As a good friend of Li, and also a student of the old man, you naturally know Yin, and you have also heard of the "family" behind Yin... Of course, these are not particularly important things, anyway, you were just invited to play.]

[After following Li to place Yin and Yin's parents, and taking a good look at the courtyard and flying cherry blossoms in Yin's house, you ran away and stayed in a hotel outside under the arrangement of Yin's "family."]

[Come on, you are just here to relax, let the young couple, Li and Yin, have fun on their own, you don't want to be a light bulb.]

[So, the next period of time... belongs to you~.]

['Since I promised the teacher to relax and promised Mother Teresa to stop and feel everything around me, I should naturally follow my thoughts and do what I want to do.']

[You found a park where you can enjoy cherry blossoms, and you sit there all day long... You don't know why, but you love cherry blossoms so much that you don't even mind just sitting on a bench and daydreaming.]

[And you don't know if the cherry blossoms also feel your love, there will often be a breeze that brings the dancing cherry blossoms to your side, and from time to time a whole cherry blossom will fall next to you and be caught by you... so that you are almost drowned by the falling cherry blossoms, and this scene was even photographed as a little anecdote.]

[When you return to the hotel, you lie down on the soft and clean bed, feeling a little surprised at what happened to you that day... You actually spent the whole day just wandering around like this, which you would never have done before.]

[If it were in the past, you would definitely plan something for yourself, but now you are willing to be in a daze for the whole day...]

['Forget it, I agreed to relax and follow my thoughts, and I promised to have some fun. Since I want to do this, let's do it.']

['Hmm… Let me think about what I should do tomorrow… There seems to be a large theme park here, let's go there and have some fun tomorrow.']

[You decided so.]

————————

"Hmm... that was a mistake..."

Nozomi was sitting at the rest stop of the amusement park, sipping the expensive drinks sold inside the park, with a worried look on his face.

"I should have asked someone to come along... Even being a light bulb is better than playing alone..."

Nozomi looked at the bustling surroundings. Because it was a holiday, not only did the various rides in the amusement park require long queues, but even the rest stops were packed with people, and the walkways were full of people... It would be particularly troublesome to come alone at this time.

Because there was no one to help!

'No one helped me save a seat at the rest stop. When I turned around after buying things, there was no seat left. After I found a seat and sat down, I didn't dare to move because the seat would be gone if I turned my head.'

There was no one to help you queue up when playing the projects... If you didn't arrange it well and were in a hurry to go to the bathroom, you would have to queue up again.

And when playing the game, you have to team up with other strangers... Although it is easy to squeeze into other people's teams, but because you are not familiar with them, it is really embarrassing to watch others laughing and screaming around you while you can only smile politely on the side...

Oh...it's really a headache.

"It's terrible... I need to go to the bathroom..."

Nozomi murmured in a low voice...but he didn't want to move, because he wanted to come back and rest for a while...but once he walked away, the position he had managed to grab would be gone.

"It's terrible."

Nozomi whispered to himself again.

"Hello..."

At this time, a light sound, like flowers falling, sounded beside me.

"Excuse me, is there anyone sitting here?"

"Ah, no, sit down if you need."

Nozomi first responded politely and then turned to look at the person who came... It would be better to say that the person who asked the question was already very polite, at least she knew to ask, instead of just sitting down when she saw that there was no one there, so Nozomi's tone was also very friendly.

But when he saw the person coming, he was stunned.

What caught his eye was long pink hair like cherry blossoms and lavender pupils that were also in a brief state of shock.

'The person in front of me seemed familiar' they both thought at the same time.

No, it would be better to say... it was because she saw Nozomi and because she felt that he was somewhat familiar, and happened to see a seat here, that she took the initiative to step forward and ask.

And now...

"Thank you, brother!"

A petite little girl with the same cherry blossom-pink hair shouted coquettishly and ran quickly to the seat opposite Nozomi, climbing up using her hands and feet, and took the opportunity to occupy the seat to prevent it from being snatched away by others.

"Ah... Thank you. We have been walking around for several times and couldn't find a place to rest... Thank you very much."

Seeing that her sister had already taken a seat, she quickly came to her senses and thanked Nozomi.

"No, the space here is public anyway. Whoever finds it gets it."

Nozomi waved her hand to indicate that they didn't mind. At the same time, she looked at them and pointed at their empty hands.

"But were you just looking for a seat and not buying anything?"

"Ah… this…"

Only then did she realize what they had missed… Before, when they saw so many people at the rest stop, they thought about reserving seats first and then buying things, but now… it seemed not so appropriate.

"..."

She looked at her sister, not sure how to start.

This was all due to their own negligence... Her sister was too young and not suitable to be alone, especially in such a crowded place... It would be troublesome if she met a bad guy or got lost.

"Don't worry, sister. I've already reserved a seat! Sister, go buy something. I'm a little thirsty..."

However, her younger sister seemed to have not realized anything yet. She simply thought that they had already occupied the seat and all she had to do next was go buy things and bring them back.

"Uh... that..."

She looked at her sister who was full of expectation, then looked at Nozomi, her expression conflicted and embarrassed.

"Ha...it seems like you guys are just like me, coming here without any preparation..."

Nozomi realized what she was thinking, so he took the initiative to speak.

"It just so happens that I need to go to the restroom... Please save a seat for me. I'll buy you anything you want."

"No, this is embarrassing..."

"It's just a matter of convenience... Tell me what you need? What do you want? Just transfer the money to me when the time comes."

"Thank you very much... just two bottles of water will be enough."

She thanked him again and stated her request.

"...Water? The water here is very expensive, right? And when you come here, why don't you try the signature drink? This is what I drink, and it tastes pretty good."

"No, water will do."

She looked at her sister's expectant expression, pursed her lips, and finally shook her head and spoke softly.

"Okay, wait for me for a moment."

Nozomi gestured and stood up to leave, but he did not take the unfinished drink with him.

The two sisters watched Nozomi leave before they began to whisper to each other.

"...Sister, why didn't you go shopping just now? It could have been done quickly."

"Rin, you don't understand... You need to be more cautious when you are outside."

"But sister, that brother looks like a good person..."

"Many times, we can't judge by appearances..."

"My sister obviously thinks so too. Humph, you only know how to criticize me..."

"Rin, be obedient..."

She felt a little helpless... Although she didn't know why, she did feel that Nozomi was trustworthy, but when the two girls were out together, they really had to be more cautious... Especially since Rin was still a child.

The current situation is already embarrassing, not to mention that they were the ones who caused it.

"I'm back."

At this time, Nozomi's voice was heard, and he put two bottles of water and a glass of special drink on the table.

"Ah, thank you..."

She quickly stood up, returned the seat she was temporarily occupying to him, sat in her sister's seat, and then let her sister sit on her lap so that they could save a seat.

"Here, water, unopened, and this drink, I'll give it to you guys."

Nozomi saw that they did not occupy the two seats directly after he left, so he sat back and pushed the newly bought drink while speaking.

"This…"

She was stunned, not knowing whether to accept it.

"Don't worry, it's sealed inside."

Nozomi opened the upper lid, revealing the sealed film underneath, and then put the lid back on.

"As for why... just think of it as a gift from me because I think this little girl is cute, and thank you for saving a seat for me... Here, straw."

"Thank you, brother!"

Rin happily took the drink and couldn't wait to take a sip... Immediately, her eyes lit up and she excitedly signaled to her sister.

"Sister! This is delicious!"

"Rin..."

She felt a little helpless, always feeling that Rin seemed to trust the person in front of her too much... Forget it, she had no right to say anything about Rin.

"...Mm, it tastes good. Go ahead and drink it, Rin."

After taking a sip of the drink, she nodded. The taste, which was sweet but not greasy and slightly salty, was wonderful and indeed very good.

"...You two sisters are coming together?"

"Yes~"

In the face of Nozomi's doubts, before she responded, Rin shook her legs and spoke in a happy tone.

"What about you brother? Did he come alone?"

"Rin."

She called out softly... She felt that it was not a good idea to bring up such a thing at this time.

"It doesn't matter. Anyway, what the little girl said is the truth... I did come here alone."

Nozomi didn't care about it... Rin didn't say anything wrong anyway. At the same time, Nozomi also changed his tone and said.

"You two sisters should have fun, but you must also be careful and don't get separated."

"Don't worry, I won't let my sister get lost!"

Rin patted her chest and spoke in a happy tone.

"Rin..."

"Haha... then you better keep an eye on your sister."

Her tone was helpless, but Nozomi just smiled and responded casually.

"Then... Brother, do you want to play with us?"

Rin blinked her eyes and spoke in a very innocent tone.

"Anyway, brother came here alone..."

"...Actually, there's no need to emphasize that I came here alone. It always seems like I don't have many friends."

Nozomi sighed and wanted to reject Rin's proposal, but when he opened his mouth, he instinctively swallowed the words of refusal and looked at her and spoke.

"I don't mind. After all, it's fun to play with two pretty and cute girls... But do you mind? After all, we're not familiar with each other yet."

"I don't mind!"

Rin shook her legs again, bit the straw in her mouth, squinted her eyes, and spoke briskly.

"Brother is a good man, so it's okay."

"No, that's not a reason..."

Nozomi complained subconsciously, but his eyes were still on her... only if she agreed.

"Actually..."

She opened her mouth and seemed a little hesitant, but finally, she spoke slowly.

"Actually, I don't really mind..."

"yey! ψ(｀?′)ψ~"

Rin cheered.

"Want to play together later?"

"...um."

The corners of Nozomi's mouth twitched, but she finally nodded... It was really unexpected that she would agree.

'This is obviously just the first time we met, so we should still be strangers...'

Nozomi turned his gaze away and looked at the bustling crowd outside.

'But why... why do I feel happy?'

he took another sip of the remaining drink, letting the wonderfully sweet and salty taste spread in his mouth.

'It's like... a long-lost reunion.'

...

Afterward, under Rin's leadership, Nozomi and Sakura played together in the park. Perhaps because they were infected by Rin's unique childish liveliness, Nozomi and Sakura unknowingly forgot that they were still strangers meeting each other for the first time...

The two of them were like Rin's older brother and sister, taking Rin to play in the amusement park.

Until... the evening.

"Here we go! Ferris wheel!"

Rin grabbed her sister and Nozomi's sleeves and dragged them forward quickly.

"Hurry up, sister! If it's too late, you won't be able to see it!"

"Okay... Rin, don't worry, we'll be there soon."

She seemed helpless, but her words were full of affection for Rin.

"Uh... actually, I think..."

Nozomi wanted to tell them that, in fact, for projects like the Ferris wheel that required entering a confined and narrow space, the two of them could go alone... but before she could finish, the staff spoke first.

"Hello, are you together?"

"Ah... yes, we are together."

She was stunned at first, then glanced at Nozomi beside her, nodded, and spoke.

"Well, please come."

The staff member nodded and quickly gestured to a few people to go through the machine... He patted Nozomi on the shoulder gently when Nozomi passed by, and gave him an encouraging thumbs up and a smile that said, "I understand, I understand."

'No, what have you misunderstood?'

The corner of Nozomi's eye twitched.

But now that things have come to this... he had no choice but to go up.

So in such a delicate situation, these people who were clearly meeting for the first time... just entered the cabin of the Ferris wheel, this small and enclosed space.

The cabin slowly rose into the air. Everything on the ground gradually moved away. Everything around became quiet. Only the light of the sunset passed through the glass and shone into the cabin.

"..."

Silence filled the cabin. she and Nozomi didn't know what to say. After all, everything they experienced today was too subtle... All that was left were Rin's sighs as she admired the beautiful sunset.

"...Ha, what a surprise."

Nozomi leaned on the guardrail, supporting her face with her hands, her eyes fixed on the scenery outside.

"I actually feel like this scene is familiar..."

"Is that so…?"

She looked at Nozomi, then at Rin beside her, and at the same time looked at the scenery outside the window.

The glow of the setting sun is golden, flowing in the sky like a stream. The bustling crowd below has become like ants, but even so, one can still feel the bustling feeling of the crowd.

"Actually... me too."

"Um?"

Nozomi looked at her.

"I also feel that... this scene seems familiar."

She spoke softly, without moving her eyes away from the scenery outside the window.

"But it seems a little different."

"This is really... somewhat strange."

She withdrew her gaze and looked at Nozomi, who was sitting opposite her. Her beautiful lavender pupils met Nozomi's strange three-color pupils.

Then... she winked again playfully.

"Come to think of it, I haven't asked for your name yet?"

"Ha..."

Nozomi smiled and stretched out her hand.

"My name is Nozomi, nice to meet you, and... although the pronunciation is the same, the writing is different."

"Pfft... [Hope]... [Nozomi]... is a very interesting name."

She smiled, obviously understanding what Nozomi was talking about, and then she reached out and shook hands with Nozomi.

"My name is Sakura."

Sakura smiled. Although she didn't know why, she was very happy today.

"Nice to meet you, Nozomi."