After Shi Chen used sleep as an excuse to end the topic, Chisato Nishikigi and Tohru didn't talk much more, and she quickly fell asleep in his arms.
Chisato Nishikigi fell asleep instantly because she felt completely at ease, her whole body relaxed, and Shi Chen was in her arms.
But Tohru was just used to sleeping while holding Shi Chen; a few days of habit had formed her biological clock, just like a human's.
Perhaps it was just her strong adaptability.
Shi Chen, however, did not fall asleep immediately; he still had things he hadn't figured out.
His consciousness sank into his mind, and he quickly sensed the white space where his body had been reshaped before, and his consciousness body also appeared within it.
He landed on a surface like water, and looking down, he could clearly see his reflection, identical to his current self, but unlike last time, he was no longer naked, but wearing pajamas.
Shi Chen had thought that what would appear here was his previous appearance, after all, this kind of setup was common.
This space should be his consciousness space, so what appeared naturally was his true consciousness form, which is his original appearance.
He hasn't changed because he has become one with his mind and body?
However, it wasn't anything important; he didn't care what he looked like. He came in now because he had important questions to ask.
"Are you there?"
He tried to communicate with the mechanical voice, and it responded to him.
"What is it?"
"What's with the identical God Fragment on Chisato?"
This was the information Shi Chen cared about most from its prompt; he had temporarily ignored it during the day because he was more concerned about Chisato Nishikigi, but now that he had time, he definitely wanted to understand it clearly.
"Of the two God Fragments in her body, one is the same as the one on you."
"The same as mine?" Shi Chen frowned. "The fragment obtained from Frieren?"
He only had one on him now.
"Yes."
"What do you mean? Can God Fragments have twins?"
"You should understand."
"..."
Shi Chen naturally understood that for Chisato Nishikigi to have a fragment identical to his, it could only be because he had given it to her by traveling through time.
So why would he give it to her?
"What is the use of a God Fragment?"
"It can do anything, but you cannot use it directly on yourself."
"I see."
Shi Chen understood now; he figured his future self had used the God Fragment to cure Chisato Nishikigi's heart disease.
"But why can't I use it on myself?"
It didn't answer.
This was within Shi Chen's expectations. He continued to ask, "Why can't I obtain the God Fragment from Chisato?"
"Identical God Fragments will conflict."
"Conflict..."
If that's the case, it seems he can only obtain Chisato Nishikigi's God Fragment after traveling through time.
This was exactly what he wanted, after all, only after traveling through time could his relationship with Chisato Nishikigi be complete.
"Last question, is this what you meant by 'regret'?"
If he hadn't obtained the fragment before, would he not have been able to save Chisato Nishikigi?
That would indeed make him regret.
But even if he didn't acquire the fragment before, he could immediately acquire a fragment from Tohru, and the abilities of the fragments are the same. Could he possibly travel through time before acquiring the fragment from Tohru?
"I don't know... but you'll know then."
"Alright."
Shi Chen wasn't sure if it truly didn't know or if it was trying to be enigmatic, but there was no need to ask anymore.
With that attitude, it was clear he wouldn't get an answer.
"Oh, right, where is the fragment on me? Why can't I feel it?"
"Didn't you just say that was the last question?"
"Ahem, I just thought of it."
"Behind you."
Shi Chen turned around and saw a shimmering golden fragment, about the size of his palm, with an irregular shape and obvious jagged edges.
Shi Chen frowned as he stared at the fragment; he was a little puzzled, this fragment actually made him feel a hint of familiarity, a very intimate feeling.
He stretched out his hand, and the fragment seemed to sense it, floating over and landing in his hand.
The fragment was very smooth and warm, but other than that, there was no sensation. He seemed unable to use the God Fragment for now.
Does he really have to collect ninety-nine pieces?
Shi Chen wasn't unable to accept it now, especially after knowing that the world he was going to travel to was a two-dimensional one; he now only had anticipation.
Shi Chen released the fragment and prepared to leave: "Goodbye."
With a thought, he vanished directly from this white space, leaving no trace.
The space became peaceful again, except for an additional golden fragment.
After an unknown period, the mechanical voice slowly spoke.
"Goodbye..."
The next day, Utaha Kasumigaoka arrived a bit early, even catching Shi Chen and the others at breakfast time.
Shi Chen and the others had just finished washing up and were making breakfast in the kitchen, enjoying a harmonious family moment, when a knock sounded from outside.
Shi Chen was quite curious who would come for coffee so early in the morning. When he opened the door, he saw Utaha Kasumigaoka in casual clothes.
She was wearing a blue dress that went past her knees, with a light jacket over it. What surprised Shi Chen was that she wasn't wearing black stockings today, just sneakers and short socks.
Her calves were quite fair.
"Why are you here?" Shi Chen asked curiously.
"What? Can't I come?" Utaha Kasumigaoka said, squeezing into the shop.
Shi Chen closed the door and continued to ask, "Did you leave anything here yesterday?"
"I came for breakfast." Utaha Kasumigaoka smiled back and then walked towards the kitchen.
"Breakfast?" Shi Chen followed her.
"What? You don't want me to? Or are you saying I'm disturbing your wonderful morning? Like having two girls by your side?" Utaha Kasumigaoka glanced at him.
"What two girls by my side..." Shi Chen twitched his lips.
"Then it doesn't matter, does it?"
"You didn't come so early because you're concerned about me and Tohru, did you?" Shi Chen asked with a smile.
"...How could that be?" Utaha Kasumigaoka said expressionlessly. "I'm just too lazy to make breakfast myself, and ideas keep flowing in my mind, so I want to type them out quickly."
"Alright, alright, let's just say that's the case." Shi Chen laughed.
"..." Utaha Kasumigaoka glared at him, annoyed and embarrassed.
Tohru and Chisato Nishikigi were almost done cooking. When Utaha Kasumigaoka walked in, she saw the tempting food on the table, and her nose was enveloped by the aroma.
"Kasumigaoka? Why are you here?" Tohru frowned as soon as she saw Utaha Kasumigaoka.
"I'm here to have breakfast with you," Utaha Kasumigaoka replied impolitely, as if they were very close.
"?" Tohru looked at Shi Chen in confusion.
"Just make one more dish," Shi Chen said.
"Alright," Tohru reluctantly agreed.
"Haha~ Kasumigaoka, please sit down first." Chisato Nishikigi, on the other hand, welcomed Utaha Kasumigaoka warmly.
"Thank you."
The dining table was a small rectangular one. Utaha Kasumigaoka, without the self-awareness of a guest, casually sat at the table.
Shi Chen sat opposite her.
There were already three dishes on the table, quite a feast for early morning, as this was Chisato Nishikigi's first breakfast there.
The two of them had woken up early saying they wanted to make it grand, and Shi Chen just let them, as neither of them minded the trouble.
Tohru quickly finished the last dish and then sat down to eat breakfast together.
Tohru and Shi Chen sat on one side, while Chisato Nishikigi sat with Utaha Kasumigaoka on the other.
"Let's eat!"
Breakfast was quite harmonious, with Tohru and Chisato Nishikigi being lively and constantly putting food on Shi Chen's plate.
Shi Chen just had to quietly eat his rice.
Utaha Kasumigaoka also ate quietly from start to finish, with quite elegant posture. Shi Chen even wondered if she was really just there to join in the fun.
It seemed more like she was simply there for breakfast.
After breakfast, Utaha Kasumigaoka went to write her novel in the shop, while Tohru and Chisato Nishikigi were responsible for cleaning the dishes and preparing for business.
The shop wasn't opening until later in the morning, and Chisato Nishikigi's daily necessities would be bought in the evening. Shi Chen, feeling bored, accompanied Utaha Kasumigaoka to watch her write her novel.
Watching someone write a novel was quite new; he could see the deletions and revisions, the official plot, and possible plotlines.
Utaha Kasumigaoka didn't mind Shi Chen watching at all; she was completely immersed in her inspiration, typing away at the keyboard on her own.
Shi Chen also didn't disturb her; he was just a reader, and didn't need to offer opinions. Whether what she wrote was good or bad, it was what the author wanted to write.
A reader's opinion is just what they want to see, not what the author themselves wants to write.
When it was time to open the shop, Shi Chen left.
Perhaps it was because of the addition of the beautiful girl Chisato Nishikigi, but there were quite a lot of male customers today.
Chisato Nishikigi's work ability was exceptionally strong, and crucially, she was lively, cheerful, and always smiling, which made her very popular with customers.
Shi Chen wasn't even needed anymore; he just had to dutifully act as a signboard to attract female customers.