13

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"Isn't it?" Yuji found it a little amusing.

Kasumigaoka Utaha averted her gaze, slightly embarrassed. She had, in fact, thought of that line. And now that Yuji had called her out on it, she couldn't deny it. But since they were having an honest conversation today, she was able to voice her thoughts and concerns.

"Yes. You saved me, and I'm grateful to you. But that doesn't necessarily mean we'll end up together."

Yuji simply shrugged. It was true. While it might sound a bit uncomfortable, he could accept it.

He wasn't arrogant enough to think he could push around Kasumigaoka Utaha just because he held the upper hand in the world of Lonely Doomsday, nor did he believe she would beg for mercy just to survive.

Human nature could be cruel and selfish—but it could also be noble. His nature clearly wasn't the former.

In fact, Yuji thought that if he were the kind of disgusting man who got pleasure out of domination and conquest, the Transdimensional Civilization Rescue System would never have chosen him.

After all, how could someone so self-serving ever be entrusted with the mission of saving a world?

"That's fine. Keeping some healthy distance between us is the best approach for now."

"Mm."

"I'll head back then. Don't forget—breakfast at 7:30."

Kasumigaoka Utaha watched Yuji leave, the door closing behind him with a soft click. She exhaled deeply, her shoulders slumping. Sweat trickled down her back and brow.

She hadn't expected things to shift and resolve so quickly.

But now it was over. That was enough.

---

Yuji returned to his room and quickly finished off the rest of his instant noodles.

To be honest, when he realized Kasumigaoka Utaha had misunderstood him, it rattled him more than he expected.

He was a man, after all—a normal man. How could he not be attracted to a beautiful girl like her, with pale skin and a stunning figure?

But his rationality had long since overtaken his desires.

To him, intimacy and sex weren't things to be taken lightly. In some ways, he was a traditionalist. If you choose to sleep with someone, you also take responsibility for what comes after.

And right now? Responsibility was the one thing he couldn't afford.

The girl would lose all memory of Lonely Doomsday after one year. After that, they'd be strangers.

How could he face her—someone who had no memory of being with him—if they'd shared something so intimate?

Besides, he had far bigger things to worry about: a looming apocalyptic crisis. He could be sent to a disaster-ridden world at any moment.

Considering all that, he had to keep his emotions in check. Not too close, not too distant. Just enough, until the very end.

That way, neither of them would get hurt.

---

After finishing his noodles and soup, Yuji washed up and lay on the soft bed.

His body ached from the physical exertion of the afternoon—back sore, waist tight. Right now, all he wanted was a nap. If he were lucky, maybe someone could even give him a massage.

He chuckled bitterly to himself. In his previous life, Xia Zhiqiu had once given him a massage as a thank-you. Now, that was nothing but a dream.

"Once I get back to the Eastern Conference, I'll start proper physical training."

The body is the foundation of survival. His experiences in the apocalypse and the recent rescue mission made that clearer than ever.

"Yawn…"

Yuji turned off the lights, pulled the blanket over himself, and drifted into a deep sleep.

---

Ding dong…

He faintly heard the doorbell.

Half-asleep, he ignored it and pulled the blanket tighter around his head.

Must be a dream. Someone ringing the bell in a dream—how wild.

Ding dong… Ding dong…

The bell rang again—louder this time.

"Yuji, are you still awake?"

Huh?

He dreamed that Kasumigaoka Utaha was at his door, disobeying his instructions and leaving her room.

Wait—no. This wasn't a dream.

Yuji sat up straight in bed.

Ding dong… Ding dong…

It really was the doorbell.

He glanced at his watch. 11:38 PM.

Why would she be at his door this late?

"Kasumigaoka, why are you still up?"

"Please, just open the door…"

"If it's not urgent, we can talk in the morning."

Yuji lay back down.

"Yuji-kun, it is urgent. I have something important to say…"

Well, at that point, Yuji had no choice.

Grumbling, he threw off his blanket, walked to the door in just his boxers, and opened it.

"What is i—"

He yawned mid-sentence.

Standing outside was a girl in a black coat, clutching a pillow, looking both shy and determined.

She was clearly struggling with something difficult.

Yuji quickly sobered up, his mind catching up to the situation.

"Please… let me in first."

"Alright, come in."

Yuji noticed the faint glimmer in the corners of her eyes.

That told him enough.

He stepped aside, and Kasumigaoka Utaha stepped silently into his room.

There was a light masculine scent—shampoo, body soap, maybe cologne. She recognized it as Yuji's.

Not unpleasant.

She gave a small nod of approval, but aside from that… nothing suspicious.

Kasumigaoka Utaha, who had unconsciously focused on the smell, suddenly caught herself.

Wait—she wasn't here to investigate whether Yuji was engaging in any questionable behavior.

---