Back at home, Tsukiyuki Rio nestled in Gao Sijin’s arms, her small head rubbing against his chest. Ever since returning to Tokyo from Jekyll Island, she had been indulging in endless affection, clinging and entwining with him, wishing she could spend every single hour of the day together.
“Congratulations, Gao-kun. Your work is going to get an anime adaptation.”
“Thank you, Rio.”
“What are you thanking me for? The reason Gao-kun’s work is getting an anime adaptation is all due to your own hard work.”
“Just having you by my side is reason enough for my heartfelt gratitude.” Gao Sijin gently stroked Tsukiyuki Rio’s beautiful hair. Her delicate body, wrapped in a black kimono, was like a flower bud just waiting to bloom.
They embraced each other. The April New Anime Season was playing on the television—another light novel adaptation—but the art style showed signs of collapsing in quality.
Gao Sijin’s gaze didn’t land on the TV. His field of vision was completely filled by Tsukiyuki Rio’s breathtakingly beautiful face.
Earlier, outside the bookstore, Rio had stayed by Gao Sijin’s side at the entrance, just like when the first volume had released. Gao Sijin watched many readers lining up to purchase the second volume. Their expressions of eager anticipation eased his originally tangled and complicated heart somewhat.
He knew full well the reality—that he had become Tsukiyuki Rio’s caged bird. But it was also an indisputable fact that she had helped him fulfill his long-held dream.
It was just that this kind of success lacked real substance.
Gao Sijin understood this very clearly. He succeeded mostly because capital was operating behind the scenes. Once capital was properly leveraged, most people would follow blindly. This was especially true of J-Country citizens. If a majority of “authoritative figures” declared Gao Sijin’s work to be excellent, anyone brave enough to stand against it would be branded an “outsider.” J-Country citizens, with their extremely strong sense of collectivism, could never do something so unconventional.
At least, on the surface.
“Is this truly the result of my own efforts?”
“Gao-kun is always so sentimental, it’s like you’d get hurt even bumping into cotton. Wouldn’t it be nice to bravely accept the glory that belongs to you?”
“Of course it would…”
After arriving home, Uzuki was hard at work brainstorming how to write an even more interesting story. Yu Qingxue and Morgana, that pair of frenemies, had gone out shopping. The rest of the maids were also very good at reading the atmosphere, leaving the living room entirely to Gao Sijin and Tsukiyuki Rio. In the vast space, only Rio huddled close beside him.
Her face—he could never tire of looking at it. Her presence filled Gao Sijin with a sense of complete unreality.
Countless times, the urge to confront her arose, wanting to force her to admit personally to the fact of kidnapping him. Yet, each time, the fear of putting Yu Qingxue and Uzuki in danger forced him to abandon the idea.
If one does not erupt in silence, one dies in silence.
“Ever since you came back this time, Gao-kun has seemed preoccupied, like there’s something on your mind.”
“No, it’s just that everything is progressing too smoothly. I used to be a failing author. Now, to suddenly have the opportunity for an anime adaptation… it’s taking me some time to process it all.”
“From now on, many more unreal things will surely happen to Gao-kun. Besides, the most unreal thing of all is that someone as ordinary as you could be so deeply loved by me in the first place.”
Tsukiyuki Rio drew close to Gao Sijin like a kitten. Her bewitchingly alluring lips landed on his mouth, her soft tongue probing the limits of his restraint.
That kiss, once clear and fragrant, now that he knew the truth, brought Gao Sijin a suffocating bitterness, as if being entwined entirely by slimy tentacles. He fought to mentally convince himself that he loved Rio. His hand moved to her chest, exploring within for the smooth, tender snow-white skin.
If not for the phone, things would have continued as they usually did. Tsukiyuki Rio’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, clearly annoyed by this tactless ringing phone.
“It’s from Mother.”
Tsukiyuki Rio answered the call.
On the other end, she heard her mother’s sobs. The choked words struck her as somewhat unbelievable.
In her memory, Mother had never admitted defeat. She forever maintained a domineering posture. Even many of the men in the family would tread carefully and defer to her when they met.
“Mother, what happened?”
“Your grandfather is sick,” Senju said from the other end. “Rio, in the futures you originally predicted, how did your grandfather pass away?”
“Old age. No illness. His mind remained clear up until the very end,” Tsukiyuki Rio replied. “What illness did Grandfather actually get?”
“Alzheimer’s disease.”
“How is that possible?”
Through countless rebirths, Grandfather had never suffered from this disease. He always kept a lucid mind. Even on the last day of his life, he was still methodically instructing others on his final affairs.
How could he contract this illness now?
For an old man, this disease is the most torturous. The Old Man knows he will lose his precious memories, yet he is powerless to stop it from happening. The desire she had just a moment ago to be sweet and intimate with Gao Sijin vanished instantly.
“How is Grandfather doing?”
“The situation is not optimistic. If you have time, come see him. Rio, you… you should have a way to cure this in the future, right?”
“There is a method, but Grandfather’s body is already very old. His various bodily functions may not be able to withstand the treatment.”
Tsukiyuki Rio’s heart involuntarily quickened its pace.
Although she had witnessed Grandfather die countless times, learning that he had fallen ill with Alzheimer’s still deeply moved her. Kyoichi was her grandfather. Ever since she was very little, Kyoichi had always doted on her. Tsukiyuki Rio couldn’t help but feel pain.
Almost instinctively, her gaze fell upon Gao Sijin.
Grandfather was losing his memories. Gao-kun had his memories altered.
Tsukiyuki Rio felt anguish because her family was tormented by illness. Gao-kun’s family must feel the same way…
Putting herself in their place, Tsukiyuki Rio suddenly felt a surge of disgust towards her own actions. She stepped forward and embraced Gao Sijin’s body with more force than ever before, as if wishing she could melt him into herself without leaving a single gap.
“Rio, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Gao-kun, come with me to go out for a while, okay? My grandfather is sick.”
“Alright, I’ll come with you.”
Gao Sijin returned her embrace, looking at her with a face full of concern. Tsukiyuki Rio basked in it.
No matter what, she could never let Gao-kun go.
Only in Tokyo was Gao-kun safe. Away from her own territory, Gao-kun could fall into danger at any moment. Even his family could indirectly lead Gao-kun toward misfortune.
Rescuing Gao-kun from a life of mundane suffering was the only correct answer. Only Tsukiyuki Rio could satisfy every need of Gao Sijin. She was tormented by her grandfather’s condition, but Gao-kun was still the most important treasure to her. For the sake of Gao-kun, there was nothing Tsukiyuki Rio wouldn’t do.
