"Do you want to go up and sit for a while?"
Shinra and Sakurajima Mai arrived downstairs at the apartment. Mai turned her head and asked.
Futaba Rio's home wasn't far from Sakurajima Mai's apartment, about a 10-minute walk. It was only around seven o'clock in the evening now. Even if Shinra had promised to stay overnight at Futaba's place, there was plenty of time to go to Sakurajima Mai's house and sit for a while.
"Sigh, if only Mai-senpai invited me when she was home alone." Shinra sighed.
Mai glanced at Shinra grumpily and said: "Even with someone present, I didn't see you restraining yourself!"
"Is that the same?"
With someone present, one has to touch with trepidation; with no one present, one can touch boldly!
The former leans towards sports, the latter towards leisure; the experience between the two is completely different.
While joking, the two took the elevator.
Arriving at Mai's door, Mai knocked.
Although Mai had the key, because Futaba Rio was at home, she skipped the step of taking out the key directly.
However, after waiting for four or five seconds, there was still no movement inside the house. Mai and Shinra looked at each other.
"Maybe Rio went back to her room and didn't hear the knock?" Mai guessed.
Then she lowered her head to open her bag, took out the door key, and twisted open the door.
However, entering the door, it was pitch black inside, not looking like anyone was there at all.
Shinra turned on the lights in the entryway and living room. After changing shoes, Mai walked into the house and found the door of the guest room where Futaba Rio lived was open, and it was pitch black inside.
No one?
Mai suddenly had a bad premonition. She turned to Shinra who was still in the entryway and asked: "Did you see Futaba's shoes?"
Shinra checked the shoe cabinet and found the round-toed small leather shoes originally placed there were missing.
"She should have gone out."
"Going out so late? Obviously already had dinner..."
A trace of worry immediately appeared on Mai's pretty face. Then she took out her phone and dialed Futaba Rio's number directly.
Shinra wasn't idle either. He also opened the social software simultaneously, wanting to contact Inner Futaba to determine Surface Futaba's location.
Obviously, Surface Futaba's departure couldn't be for reasons like 'going downstairs to relax' or 'going to the convenience store to buy late-night snacks'. Inner Futaba must have done something to cause Surface Futaba to 'run away from home'.
As for what she did... Shinra naturally thought of the group photo they took before leaving Futaba's house.
Did Surface Futaba see that photo?
It is well known that people always overthink when alone.
Because he and Mai went to Futaba's house, Surface Futaba staying in Mai's apartment would inevitably think nonsense after learning the two would stay overnight at Inner Futaba's place. At this time, she happened to see the group photo Inner Futaba wanted her to see.
Like the last straw that broke the camel's back, it directly pierced Surface Futaba's heart defense, so it wasn't hard to understand her behavior of 'running away from home'.
As for why it couldn't be said that Futaba Rio's Adolescence Syndrome ended?
He hadn't settled it here, which definitely meant Surface Futaba still existed somewhere and hadn't completely disappeared.
Then there were only two choices left in front of Shinra. One was to let it develop. Judging from the current situation, Surface Futaba seemed to have signs of giving up. He only needed to wait for the good news, and by then, the two Futabas would naturally become one.
The second was to find the runaway Surface Futaba, clarify the situation to her, and tell her Mai didn't 'betray' her and was always on her side.
Honestly, from a rational point of view, the first choice was undoubtedly the optimal solution for Shinra. He didn't need to do anything, just wait for Futaba Rio's Adolescence Syndrome to 'self-heal' and receive generous rewards.
But sensibility reminded Shinra that this wasn't the optimal solution. The biggest problem with Futaba Rio wasn't choosing which Futaba to disappear, but whether she could accept the other self resolving the knot in her heart.
Otherwise, who could guarantee that the Futaba Rio who 'survived' next time wouldn't split again?
Moreover, who said that as long as one of the two Futabas disappeared, Adolescence Syndrome could be solved easily?
It was Futaba Rio herself.
Is it reasonable for the patient to say how to treat her illness and what counts as cured?
Just like someone wearing a mental hospital uniform walking up to you and saying they are not mentally ill, would you believe it?
Better to believe Qin Shi Huang (first emperor of China seeking immortality)!
Doctors don't treat themselves!
"What to do?" Mai was somewhat at a loss. Obviously, she also realized the two choices currently before them.
Go find the runaway Futaba, or wait for the final outcome at home.
Mai originally planned to have a long talk with Surface Futaba tonight, inquire about more detailed information, and then make plans.
After all, compared to Inner Futaba over there, Surface Futaba here had an indescribable sense of distance towards Shinra, which led to Shinra being unable to pry into Surface Futaba's information like he did with Inner Futaba.
Only Mai could do this.
But before the long talk started, the person disappeared.
Who to reason with?
"The other Futaba didn't reply to me either." Shinra showed his phone to Mai, clearly displaying Inner Futaba's evil deed of reading but not replying.
Of course, the previous chat records had been accidentally deleted by Shinra, but don't worry, because he still had backups...
"Then..."
"Have to find her." Shinra still chose to believe his intuition.
The more important reason was that the reward for the wish-power commission wasn't immutable but would fluctuate dynamically according to Shinra's behavior.
Winning by doing nothing was cool, but the corresponding wish-power points obtained would also decrease.
And if something happened to Surface Futaba during the process of running away from home, both Shinra and Mai would feel guilty.
"Mm!" Seeing Shinra had an idea, Mai seemed to have found a backbone.
Then she suggested: "Should we check the school?"
Shinra shook his head and said: "No, you stay at home. I'll go out alone to find her. Although Futaba most likely ran away from home, she might also have gone out temporarily for something. Leaving one person at home to wait avoids the situation where we look outside but she has already returned."
More importantly, Shinra's efficiency alone would be higher.
After all, he could cheat (use system), use Emotion Perception as a radar, plus abundant physical strength. Running and scanning all the way would definitely be much faster than taking Mai.
Most importantly, Mai was a celebrity now. If she was recognized on the road, it would be another trouble.
"Without me, how do you enter Minegahara High School?" Mai asked.
According to inference, the places Futaba Rio might go were nothing more than a few: school, internet cafe, convenience store, Karaoke... Among them, the probability of Surface Futaba returning to school was the highest.
"I remember the wall of Minegahara High School isn't very high, right?"
Who stipulated entering the campus must go through the main gate? Shinra didn't think that iron fence could stop him.
Facilities like campus walls always guard against gentlemen, not villains. Although Minegahara High School was a key high school, there were still many poor students who chose to skip class by climbing over the wall.
And it was getting late now. Probably no one was left in Minegahara High School except the security guard at the gate.
Shinra just needed to find a corner with few people to climb in. This was too easy for Shinra.
"...Then be careful."
Mai was prepared to go to the school security booth to pick up someone.
"Mm, I'm off." Shinra nodded, then raised his phone and said: "Remember to keep in touch."
"Okay."
Shinra's first destination was Minegahara High School. Along the way, whenever he encountered internet cafes, Karaoke, and convenience stores, he would go in for a stroll and use the Emotion Perception radar to determine if Futaba Rio was hiding inside.
Unfortunately, nothing was found.
Soon arrived at Minegahara High School. Shinra found a corner with no one around and easily jumped over the iron fence with a leap.
Arriving at the teaching building, since it was already night, the corridor was dim and looked very eerie. It wouldn't be surprising if a JK zombie jumped out any second.
Shinra wasn't afraid of these ghosts and monsters. If there were really ghosts, just let them try his newly acquired 'Palm Thunder'.
After visiting three floors consecutively, Shinra found nothing. Just as he stepped onto the fourth floor where the second year of high school was located, his Emotion Perception radar moved.
Someone!
Shinra looked up at the class. Mm, this should be Futaba Rio's homeroom class. And the lights weren't on; the classroom was pitch black. Only by moonlight could a figure be seen by the window in the back row of the classroom.
Without knocking, Shinra pulled the door open to the end directly and entered the classroom.
And someone by the window in the back row of the classroom was startled by this sudden movement.
Shinra turned on the built-in flashlight of his phone. The dazzling light illuminated the girl's pitiful small face clearly.
"Found you."
"...Why did you come?"
After seeing it was Shinra, Futaba Rio's originally tense body relaxed slightly.
She was indeed scared just now. After all, in the empty school at midnight, the classroom door suddenly opened. Even a tough guy would be scared into a loli, let alone a weak girl like Futaba.
"Also, very dazzling. Can you not point the flashlight at me?"
Futaba blocked the light with her hand.
"Click."
The only response was the electronic shutter sound of the phone camera.
"Wait... what are you doing?" Futaba didn't expect Shinra to take a photo at this time.
"Reporting safety. Mai is very worried about you." Shinra showed Futaba Rio the chat record.
Just then, news came from Mai's side.
Sakurajima Mai: [Good to be safe. (Relieved.jpg)]
Futaba Rio pursed her lips, lowered her head, and apologized.
"Sorry."
"Save this for Mai. Why did you run to school out of the blue? Want to attend school?" Shinra pulled a stool and sat down in front of Futaba Rio.
"Nothing." Futaba Rio avoided the topic. Then she said in a tone as flat as saying 'what to eat tonight': "I'm disappearing soon."
"Maybe in the next minute, or the next second, I will disappear from in front of you, from this city."
Shinra didn't have any special reaction. Surprise, worry—none at all. He replied like chatting between friends: "That's quite awesome."
"..."
Futaba Rio's face was a bit strange. What kind of answer is this?
"So why not disappear immediately? Is it because you don't want to?" Shinra added another stab.
"You seem to hope I disappear?" Futaba Rio frowned, then showed a matter-of-course expression, "True, the other me obviously pleases you more."
"Actually like both of you. If you could get together, maybe no difference from twin sisters? Even closer?"
Which man can refuse Maple and Bell? [note: Nekopara]
Futaba Rio understood Shinra's meaning. She could no longer maintain that classic kuudere expression on her face, revealing a disgusted expression and saying: "Saying this to her might make her happier."
"No, she won't be happy either. After all, although you were split into two individuals, your likes and dislikes are still consistent, just expressed differently."
Shinra held up a finger and said somewhat narcissistically: "Just like the matter of liking me."
"..." Futaba Rio didn't refute. She silently picked up her phone, seeming to type.
Shinra was quick-eyed and quick-handed. He stood up directly, leaned his upper body over the table separating him and Futaba, reached out, and deleted the characters typed on the phone one by one.
"Eh eh eh, just a joke. Why flipping the table?"
Fortunately, Futaba Rio didn't intend to send it out herself. She just couldn't stand Shinra being so 'arrogant', relying on her liking to attack her.
Only this guy Shinra could do such a thing.
"This is my form of expression." Futaba Rio countered.
"Love turning into hate?"
"Heh, think whatever you want."
Perhaps feeling she was about to disappear, Surface Futaba spoke more casually.
"So going back to sleep today?"
"...Didn't I say? I'm going to disappear."
"Isn't it not disappeared yet? Must have a place to sleep, right?"
"..."
Futaba Rio felt talking to Shinra was completely playing the lute to a cow.
He didn't plan to listen to her properly at all!
"No need." Futaba Rio seemed to be throwing a tantrum, or abandoning herself to despair.
"The world doesn't need two Futabas. The other me is obviously better, isn't she? Since that's the case, my disappearance is the best ending."
"Is there a possibility that your disappearance now is the worst ending?"
"No possibility." Futaba Rio was still stubborn.
Not trusting Dr. Shinra's judgment very much, trusting her own diagnostic instructions more.
However, in the quantum field, Shinra might not be as professional as Futaba Rio, but in the area of Adolescence Syndrome, he was the expert.
"Then since you already admitted defeat, why haven't you disappeared yet?"
"This... just the time hasn't come yet!"
"Where does this time come from?"
"..." Futaba Rio was rendered speechless. In the final analysis, her belief that as long as one person disappeared, Adolescence Syndrome would end was just her wishful thinking.
The fact was obviously more complicated than expected. This wasn't a war that could end just because one side verbally admitted defeat.
"Anyway, let's talk after going back. If caught by the security guard, I don't care, but you, a current student, will be miserable."