bookbashuk Chapter 28 Shiina Joins the Gang
Chapter 28 Shiina Joins the Gang
After breakfast, Natsumi sat in his seat, watching Shiina Mahiru's back as she washed the dishes, and felt a strange warmth in his heart.
When he met her, this was probably one of the lives he wanted.
"I could have washed it myself," Xia Sheng couldn't help but chime in.
"No need. I did this so that you can explain things to me properly later," Shiina Mahiru said without turning her head.
"You don't trust me that much?" Xia Sheng sighed. It seemed that his joke had indeed gone too far.
"You're also a party involved, so I can't possibly hide anything from you, and I'll explain everything very clearly."
"That's good."
After washing the dishes, Shiina Mahiru didn't rush to take them home. Instead, she sat down opposite Natsuo and looked at him respectfully.
"You can explain it to me now."
"Okay." Xia Sheng nodded and began to explain seriously.
"First of all, that place is definitely not a dream."
"I've made up my mind." Shiina Mahiru said calmly.
Since Xia Sheng and she share common memories, it can't be as simple as a dream, and she wouldn't be foolish enough to think it's a shared dream.
Although it's a bit unbelievable, I've experienced it firsthand, so it's hard not to believe it.
"Also, I've only been there three times, so there are still many things I don't understand."
"It's okay, just tell me what you know."
"Okay...you can think of that place as a meeting point."
"A place where they meet?" Shiina Mahiru asked, her eyes filled with doubt.
"It's very simple. Our world may have been invaded by other worlds, and that place is the entrance for invaders from other worlds," Xia Sheng explained.
"Invaders from other worlds..."
"Yes, those slimes were the first wave of invaders. And there might be even stronger invaders later."
"An even stronger intruder..." Shiina Mahiru's beautiful brows furrowed.
It wasn't that she didn't believe Xia Sheng's words, but she was thinking that if the slime's attack was already so strong, easily smashing the stone pillar, what would happen if an even stronger intruder appeared?
Are they the only ones left to handle this?
"Why are we the ones who are there?" Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but ask.
"I'm not entirely sure either. Maybe we have something special about us," Xia Sheng shook his head.
He can't exactly say it's because they're the main characters, can he?
"A special feature..." Shiina Mahiru pondered for a moment, not feeling that she was anything special.
"Perhaps we are the chosen ones," Xia Sheng smiled, trying to ease the tension.
"How could that be? Do you think it's Digimon?" Shiina Mahiru didn't believe it.
"Digimon? Do Digimon still exist in this world?"
"Of course there is, what are you talking about?"
"Are there any Pokémon?" Xia Sheng asked excitedly.
"Pokémon? What's that?" Shiina Mahiru looked completely bewildered.
"It's alright now." Xia Sheng's enthusiasm immediately waned.
He used to love Pokémon the most, whether it was the games or the anime. The cute and cool Pokémon were so heartwarming.
I never imagined this world didn't have it.
However, it seems he can make it himself?
"Natsu-kun, you're acting a bit strange." Shiina Mahiru stared intently at Natsu, trying to figure out what was going on.
"A little strange? Strangely handsome?" Xia Sheng asked back.
"..." Shiina Mahiru looked at him expressionlessly.
"Ahem, just kidding, let's get back to business." Xia Sheng awkwardly changed the subject.
"Currently, we only go to that place on Fridays and Saturdays, and that's after we fall asleep at night. I haven't been there at other times."
"Friday and Saturday... So you went last week? With Yukinoshita?" Shiina Mahiru realized.
"Yes."
"So, Yukinoshita was looking for you at school because of that place?" Shiina Mahiru asked, remembering what had happened.
"You're really smart." Xia Sheng praised her, giving her a thumbs up.
"..." Shiina Mahiru rolled her eyes at him, annoyed.
This guy always likes to crack jokes.
"But I wasn't with her on Saturday night; I was with someone else," Xia Sheng said.
"Another person?" Shiina Mahiru was taken aback. She had always thought that the two of them went to that place together.
"Do you know her? She's in my class, her name is Yuigahama Yui, and she likes to wear her hair in a bun."
"Sorry, I don't know her." Shiina Mahiru shook her head.
"It's okay if we don't know each other now; we'll probably get to know each other in the future."
"after?"
"Yeah, since we're all going to that place, we're practically companions, so we should definitely get to know each other, right?"
"What you said... isn't wrong."
"Have you joined a club? I had Yukinoshita create a club. To the outside world, it's a club that helps others, but internally, it's our base. We can discuss issues related to that place together at school."
"I've already joined the gardening club..." Shiina Mahiru replied apologetically.
"Really... So, can we join two clubs at the same time at our school?" Xia Sheng continued to ask.
"That's feasible."
"Then there's no problem. Would you like to join our club?" Natsumi asked, looking at Shiina Mahiru expectantly.
"I'm already involved, it would be a bit unreasonable not to join in," Shiina Mahiru replied with a smile.
Her meaning was self-evident.
"That's wonderful." Xia Sheng clasped his hands together and smiled brightly.
"Are you happy?"
"Yeah, maybe if our relationship gets better, I'll be able to eat your cooking more often in the future," Xia Sheng said frankly.
"You think it's for this? You wish!" Shiina Mahiru glared at him.
"Don't be so stingy."
"Me, stingy? You're the one who's too shameless!" Shiina Mahiru retorted.
"Men should be a little shameless, otherwise how can their dreams come true?"
"Dreams come true? Well, you can think about it slowly." Shiina Mahiru got up, picked up her cutlery, and walked towards the door.
"You're going back already?"
"What am I still doing here? Is there something else you haven't told me?" Shiina Mahiru turned to look at him.
"No, that's about all I know," Xia Sheng replied, shaking his head.
"Then I'll head back. You must have things to do, right?" Shiina Mahiru said, and without waiting for Natsuo's reply, she opened the door and left.
Xia Sheng did indeed have something to do; he needed to go tutor Isshiki Iroha.
The only outfit he had for going out had already been washed, so Xia Sheng only had his uniform to wear. Today was Saturday, and it wasn't appropriate to go out in his uniform.
But he had no other choice.
Thankfully, the uniform is quite nice.
Perhaps I should consider buying a few new clothes.
Xia Sheng originally planned to wait for Black Cat to tell him the release date of the novel before making a purchase, but so many days have passed and there has been no news at all.
Have we not been able to contact the illustrator yet?
Or are you preparing a surprise for him? A one-step solution?
But the illustrator's character design and composition need to be approved by the author.
Speaking of which, he received a drawing ability reward last night, so it seems he can now illustrate himself.
You can also earn an extra salary.
He doesn't need to come up with character designs when he draws illustrations; there are ready-made templates that he can just copy directly.
It doesn't take much time at all.
However, the focus for the next two days will still be on tutoring Isshiki Iroha. Tomorrow night, after the tutoring session ends, Natsuo plans to contact Kuroneko to ask about the situation.
With the plan in mind, Natsumi put on his uniform and went to Isshiki Iroha's house.