"'Crystallization Mutation' world has opened. This apocalypse world difficulty is two stars. Please choose to enter within twenty-four hours. After twenty-four hours, forced entry will occur. System user, please take note."
At 8:00 a.m. on April 15, 2019, Haizaki once again heard Pepper's cold mechanical voice in his mind.
After half a month, a new apocalypse world had opened.
"I need all available information about this new apocalypse world."
"All information must be explored by the user."
"My allowed material weight…"
"One hundred kilograms…"
C-level permission: one hundred kilograms. As expected, it was tied to his permission level.
Haizaki could only rely on the name of the world to judge the potential dangers of the "Crystallization Mutation" world, and then choose possible countermeasures.
"What is the mission of the Crystallization Mutation world?"
"The system will officially release the mission after the user enters the apocalypse world."
Haizaki had wanted to exploit a loophole in the system, but it seemed impossible.
Seeing that he couldn't obtain more useful information, Haizaki began searching the internet for knowledge related to "crystallization" and "mutation."
Crystallization: the process of amorphous matter transforming into crystalline form. It was very possible that humans or other creatures, due to some crisis, became crystalline beings.
Mutation: generally refers to differences between species or individuals. But combined with "crystallization," Haizaki leaned toward the idea of some organisms mutating into crystalline existence.
But this was only speculation.The specific situation remained unknown.
…
On the afternoon of the 8th, Iroha had unexpectedly discovered his attitude toward Yukino. Haizaki had thought Iroha would seize the opportunity to attack him relentlessly.
But unexpectedly, Iroha remained silent. Aside from greeting him when they happened to meet, she made no effort to contact him.
This left Haizaki wondering if Iroha had changed her personality. But his final conclusion was that Iroha had a deeper plan. This forced him to remind himself to be cautious.
In contrast, Yukino, who should have maintained her usual cold attitude, had changed. Every morning she greeted him first, and after school she invited him to the Service Club.
He had already become the thorn in the eyes of the boys in Class J, while the girls' attitude toward him worsened day by day.
"Yusuke-kun, please come with me to the Service Club…"
After school, when all the other students had left, Yukino invited Haizaki.
This was already the sixth consecutive day she had invited him to the Service Club.
"Sorry, Yukinoshita-san, I refuse. And once again, I hope you give up. Your actions are only wasting time and energy."
"I won't give up…"
Facing Yukino's determination, Haizaki reacted the same as before—saying nothing more.
Next, Yukino should have left. Last week, after four consecutive failed invitations, she had chosen to leave directly. Her after-school invitations felt more like routine.
"Anything else?"
But unlike last week, Yukino now stood still, her gaze fixed on him.
This made Haizaki ask in confusion.
"I hope you'll come to the Service Club and participate in club activities."
"My answer is still the same: I refuse."
Haizaki stuffed the books on his desk into his drawer and stood up.
He would not accept Yukino's invitation. Besides, he needed to prepare for the new apocalypse.
But Yukino stepped forward, blocking his path.
"You're afraid. You're avoiding. You're worried that if you enter the Service Club, I'll correct your twisted personality. Do you really have confidence that you won't be corrected, that you'll hold firm to your stance, then…"
"Yukinoshita-san…"
"Interrupting others is very impolite."
Faced with Haizaki's sudden interruption, Yukino immediately reclaimed the initiative.
"Continue. I'm listening."
"A man should face…"
"Yukinoshita-san…"
Interrupted again, Yukino grew angry. Her dark blue eyes suppressed fury, releasing icy pressure.
"I said, a man should face his own weaknesses, not fear challenges. No girl likes a cowardly man."
She stared at Haizaki, her sharp gaze locked on him, speaking each word clearly.
"You too?"
Seeing this, Yukino's eyes flashed with light. She realized this might be a turning point.
"Yes."
There was a sense of her trying to lure him. But facing Haizaki, Yukino truly had no other method. This level of "luring" was something she could accept.
"That's great."
Her plan succeeded, but Yukino couldn't help feeling disappointed. Was Haizaki's persistence only this weak?Perhaps this was just how men were. Even if they said they didn't want to get close, when faced with the chance to be closer, they ultimately gave in.
"I'm cowardly. I'm timid. I don't dare face danger. When I encounter something I can't solve, I usually choose to avoid or run. So yes, Yukinoshita-san, I'm afraid. I'm avoiding. I'm afraid of being changed by you."
The cold girl clenched her fists, her heart filled with frustration. If she could, she wouldn't mind giving Haizaki a strike of aikido.
"Useless man."
She began using provocation. In her view, no man could endure such ridicule from a girl.
"Mm, I also think I'm pretty useless."
"A cowardly man who doesn't dare accept challenges."
One line wasn't enough, so she tried two.
"Yes. I really am cowardly."
A twisted personality. Even knowing Haizaki was like this, Yukino couldn't help but feel angry. He was simply too difficult.
For nearly a week, Yukino had prepared thoroughly through books and online research, but she found all of it useless against Haizaki.
Her confidence had been high, but now Haizaki struck her down.
Haizaki only wanted to refuse. For that, he didn't care about being ridiculed, provoked, or looked down upon.
"What do you want me to do before you'll accept?"
Haizaki smiled. Yukino's heart sank. So he really did want to propose conditions.
"Yukinoshita-san, are you thinking I'll ask for something like 'kiss me,' 'date me,' or even 'go to a love hotel tonight'…"
She had indeed thought of those possibilities.
"Or maybe a bet—'the winner can ask the loser for anything'—with the wager being whether I'll let you correct my personality."
His level of difficulty was unimaginable. Yukino felt deeply troubled.
"For other men, this might be a tempting bet. But for me, it's meaningless. What I want most is for you not to waste your time on me."
"Alright!"
Haizaki was stunned. Finally, he showed surprise. This made Yukino feel she had regained some ground.
"I can promise to keep my distance, not to demand you come to the Service Club for counseling."
"And the condition is that I accept your request—to go to the Service Club and let you correct me for a while… right?"
Haizaki finished the words she hadn't said.
"Yes. The time won't be long, just… one school year."
One school year was enough. Even half a year, Yukino had confidence. But everything depended on Haizaki's acceptance.
Haizaki stayed silent. Yukino grew anxious, thought carefully, and spoke again.
"If I can't change your twisted personality within one school year, I'll keep my distance as promised. I'll even disappear from your sight. Wherever you are, I'll avoid."
Haizaki was shocked by her determination. She truly went to great lengths to make him accept.
"Why are you so fixated on me? You should know this is just wasting your precious time."
"This is Hiratsuka-sensei's first request. As president of the Service Club, I must complete it."
"I understand."
Yukino relaxed. A week of persistence had finally yielded results.
"I'll contact Hiratsuka-sensei and ask her to withdraw this request."
Yukino's expression froze instantly. A surge of fierce anger filled her chest again. Hold it in. She had to hold it in.
Yukino repeatedly reminded herself to restrain her anger. She absolutely could not lose composure. If she did, she would completely lose the initiative.
"The Service Club accepts requests. Even if the requester withdraws, the Service Club will still continue."
Yukino quickly gave Haizaki her answer. To her now, this was no longer about the teacher's request. Haizaki's resistance had completely ignited her fighting spirit.
If she couldn't make Haizaki agree to counseling, if she couldn't change his personality, she felt her life would always carry regret.
"So this is your… arrogance, Yukinoshita-san?"
Yukino's face inevitably showed displeasure. But compared to the anger in her chest, that displeasure was insignificant.
She just had to endure. No matter what Haizaki said, she just had to endure.
Never in her life had she felt so stifled. If it were anyone else, she would have already lashed out with sharp words. But if she used sharp words on Haizaki, he would have even more reason to refuse.
"You can think of it that way."
Arrogant or not, she didn't care about Haizaki's evaluation.
"Is it really necessary to go this far?"
Haizaki sighed.
If scolding Yukino could make her leave, he would have done it already. But knowing her personality, Haizaki understood that facing his anger, Yukino would only press forward and continue with the request. She was the type who, once she decided, would stubbornly persist.
"It's necessary."
"Then good luck."
Haizaki knew he couldn't change Yukino. His stance was simple—refusal.
As for other methods? Compromise?
But in the end, the discussion would still revolve around him joining the Service Club. The difference was only in time. But that wasn't what Haizaki wanted.
"Trying to run away again?"
Yukino raised her brow, deliberately showing a cold smile.
"Yes, I think running away is pretty good."
Haizaki waved his hand.
"See you tomorrow, Yukinoshita-san."
Yes. If there was still a tomorrow to see her, it wouldn't be a bad thing. The two-star "Crystallization Mutation" world—he didn't know what kind of "monsters" awaited.
In any case, he just had to fight to survive, to live until the day he returned to the original world.
But Yukino, watching only Haizaki's back, didn't notice the fleeting abnormal look on his face.
"See you tomorrow."
Though she said it, Yukino felt that ever since she had come into contact with Haizaki, she hadn't had a single good mood.
The collision on the first day of school. The accidental kiss on the second day. And then overhearing Haizaki's opinion of her.
…
All unpleasant memories.
"Hiratsuka-sensei…"
Haizaki had just left when Yukino saw Shizuka appear at the classroom door. She realized Shizuka must have been eavesdropping for quite some time.
At this moment, she didn't even have the mood to point out Shizuka's eavesdropping.
"Looks like you've run into trouble."
Hiratsuka sighed slightly. Though she had only heard half of their conversation, it was enough to understand the situation.
This time, it was obvious Yukino had been completely defeated. The rhythm had been entirely controlled by Haizaki.
If she were in Yukino's place, Shizuka thought she would have used "iron fist punishment" to force Haizaki to change his words.
But would Haizaki yield to violence? Shizuka wasn't confident.
For all she knew, he might fight better than her. After all, who knew if Haizaki was truly the rumored heir of Eastern Union martial arts.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, I will definitely complete the request."
She would never give up.
"I believe you. But you also know how difficult he is. Ordinary methods don't work on him."
Shizuka pulled out a lighter and cigarette, about to light it, but Yukino's cold gaze stopped her.
"I thought he would waver because of you. But unfortunately, he's truly determined to keep his distance."
"Doesn't he like me? Just because he can't pursue me, he decides to avoid me?"
Since Shizuka already knew, Yukino didn't think it was unspeakable. Though the moment she said it, a natural blush of shame rose. It was the normal reaction of a sixteen-year-old girl mentioning romance.
"His biggest problem is lack of confidence, being overly rational, acting more like an adult with life experience. He lacks youthful impulse and vitality. He bases everything on outcome and possibility."
Haizaki's personality was well-suited for survival in society, but it clashed with his current identity as a high school student.
She hadn't noticed before, but now Shizuka increasingly felt Haizaki had issues. He seemed to be doing something he considered important.
"Liking someone—should that really be tied to the possibility of success?"
"Think about how many boys at Sobu High like you, and how many have confessed and pursued you…"
Shizuka looked at Yukino, who had fallen into thought, and continued, "Yusuke probably sees himself as one of them. He likes you, but won't confess, won't pursue. He's waiting for time to pass, to eventually forget this stirring and affection."
Now Shizuka somewhat understood Haizaki's thinking.
"And the more time he spends with you, the more he'll feel hope. But his rationality tells him you're impossible. That contradiction will greatly affect his daily life."
"Is that so, sensei?"
Hearing Shizuka's analysis, Yukino began to understand Haizaki's mindset. But she didn't agree with it, even if she had no right to.
"Maybe. It's just my speculation. People's thoughts are complex. Maybe the next moment, he'll throw everything aside and pursue you."
"I don't need his pursuit."
"Then that's fine."
Shizuka smiled helplessly and shook her head.
"Forget the request. As he said, continuing is just wasting time. There won't be progress."
Shizuka wasn't worried Haizaki couldn't adapt to society's harsh reality. She only regretted that he might not enjoy the purest, most genuine youth of sixteen or seventeen. Miss it, and it's truly gone.
"No, sensei. I will continue. I will complete your request."
She still spoke firmly.
"Yukinoshita, you… If you insist on completing the request, then change your method."
"Do you have a good method?"
Hopefully not violence.
"At least he's reasonable. You can start from there. If you want to correct his personality, you need him to lower his guard, adapt to your presence, and let you subtly change him."
Though Yukino said she would counsel Haizaki, her chosen method was through club activities—helping others, interacting more. But Haizaki kept refusing. How could she carry out the request?
It was the first time she had been rejected so many times by the same boy. Thinking of that, Yukino almost laughed.
But she knew it was normal. Not everyone would yield to her cute appearance.
"What, can't think of a method?"
"No, I have one. Tomorrow is cooking class. Given Class J's situation, I'll probably be paired with him."
Yukino had found a way to make contact. The Service Club's first request was truly challenging.
"You want to use the method of 'capturing a man's heart through his stomach'?"
"Hiratsuka-sensei, you should think more about your own lifelong matters."
Yukino mercilessly countered.
With that blow, Shizuka fell silent.
Meanwhile, on his way home, Haizaki's mind was occupied with preparations for the apocalypse world—thinking about what problems or oversights remained.
…