21st Century Necromancer-Chapter 898 - 892: Remnants
Chapter 898 -892: Remnants
Because everyone had a wonderful dream, their overall mood remained fairly good. Even though no one could recall exactly what they dreamed of, it was nonetheless something they desired, something that made them feel happy.
However, Minami’s tears flowing uncontrollably upon waking raised some concern among the group. Kohinata Kaori, in particular, noticed right away that Minami was crying while looking at Inomata Naoki, which made her especially worried. She feared Minami might have something troubling her or might act impulsively.
Yet, after wiping away her tears, Minami seemed calm, as if she had gained some clarity. There was nothing unusual about her behavior. When she looked at Inomata Naoki, her expression appeared serene, devoid of the affection she once had for him.
Even so, Kohinata Kaori couldn’t shake the feeling that, although Minami’s gaze toward Inomata Naoki no longer carried the same affection, it held a sense of reluctant nostalgia. It was as if two people who once loved each other deeply had parted ways for some reason but still carried lingering feelings for one another.
Minami’s state, however, seemed relatively fine. It was Inomata Naoki who appeared somewhat dazed. He would glance at Minami from time to time but, for reasons unknown, would quickly avert his gaze, as if something compelled him not to look.
His strange behavior even drew the attention of Tokairin Yuko, who suspected something might be wrong. She asked him several times if he was alright, but when he repeatedly said he was fine, Tokairin Yuko had no choice but to chalk it up to some lingering effect from the dream.
Nevertheless, Tokairin Yuko remained watchful and paid closer attention to Inomata Naoki. His repeated glances at Minami puzzled her even more.
“Naoki, why do you keep staring at Minami? Is there something you need to say to her?” Tokairin Yuko finally couldn’t resist and asked Inomata Naoki directly the next time she caught him glancing at Minami.
This question left Inomata Naoki unsure of how to respond. There was no relevant memory in his mind. He could only shake his head and say, “I don’t know why either. I feel like I’ve forgotten something really important, and it seems related to Minami.
What’s even stranger is that whenever I look at her, it feels like there’s a voice in my head telling me not to. It’s as if something terrible will happen if I keep looking at her.”
“Something terrible? Naoki, are you overthinking things? Maybe you’re still not fully awake?” Tokairin Yuko couldn’t help but find his statement both absurd and concerning. She even reached out to feel Inomata Naoki’s forehead.
“No fever. Why are you spouting nonsense?” Tokairin Yuko, finding no sign of a fever, could only reassure him by saying, “It’s probably just something you experienced in your dream that left an impression. Didn’t the Shrine Maiden just say earlier that everything in dreams is fake? Plus, you don’t even have any memories of it; all you’re feeling is the lingering effects of the dream. Don’t dwell on it too much.”
“Yes, maybe the dream just left too strong an impression, making it hard for me to completely let it go,” Inomata Naoki said, nodding in agreement with Tokairin Yuko’s reasoning.
As the two talked, attempting to shift to other topics to dispel the lingering emotions, Chen Yu, who had been silently observing them, approached and said to Inomata Naoki, “Don’t overthink it. Dreams are all fake. The more you dwell on them, the easier it is to take them seriously. It’s like when we dream normally—we wake up and barely remember anything except a fragmented feeling.
When you hold on to those fragmented feelings, they grow in significance, making you believe they were central to the dream. But in reality, they’re likely just insignificant pieces of a larger puzzle.
Naoki, you’re a medical professional. You understand that emotions are simply the result of hormonal stimulation in the body. These feelings and emotions you have are just remnants of the dream imprinted in your mind. Stop fixating on it. Go back to the hotel tonight, soak in a hot spring, and relax with your girlfriend. You’ll feel much better by tomorrow.”
Chen Yu’s last comment carried a clear teasing tone, but even Tokairin Yuko, despite blushing slightly at his words, didn’t rebuke him. In fact, she seemed to have a faint sense of anticipation.
Inomata Naoki, too, noticed the subtle change in his girlfriend’s mood. His face turned slightly awkward and shy, but he nodded and decided to follow Chen Yu’s advice to not think about it anymore.
After settling Inomata Naoki, Chen Yu returned to Jounouchi Hiromi’s side.
At this moment, they were wandering around Inari Taisha, waiting for the evening’s dinner hosted by the Shrine Maiden.
“How’s Mr. Naoki doing? He seems deeply affected,” Jounouchi Hiromi asked Chen Yu. As someone in the know, she was still concerned about how things were progressing.
Chen Yu smiled at her and replied in a whisper, “No big problem. I just added a little something to his dream, and he hasn’t shaken it off yet. Let him rest tonight and relax; by tomorrow, he’ll be fine.”
“Will the emotions between him and Minami develop as you planned? From the way Naoki and Minami are acting, it feels like Minami’s emotions aren’t as strong anymore,” Jounouchi Hiromi said, glancing specifically at Minami as she spoke. Minami currently seemed detached and composed, no longer carrying the vibrant emotions of someone in love.
Chen Yu, however, waved off her concerns and said nonchalantly, “In the dream, Minami and Naoki fell in love three times. Her original emotions and love have already been expressed and released, so her feelings aren’t as intense now. But that doesn’t mean she’s completely over it—otherwise, why would she have cried earlier?”
Hearing this, Jounouchi Hiromi finally felt slightly reassured.
Even so, a thought crossed Jounouchi Hiromi’s mind, and she asked Chen Yu, “Should I go over and comfort Minami or something?”
“No need. Kaori will take care of that. You’re pregnant right now, so don’t stress yourself with these things,” Chen Yu said as he reached out to gently touch Jounouchi Hiromi’s increasingly rounded belly. With a tender tone, he added, “The most important thing for you now is to take good care of yourself and the baby. Take it easy, focus on your health, and give me a cute, chubby baby.”
Hearing Chen Yu’s words, Jounouchi Hiromi instinctively placed her hands over her belly, and her face lit up with a maternal glow. “I understand!” she exclaimed with joyful resolve.
