Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 1390: Chapter 1389: Calm Down, It’s All an Illusion!!

The cultural festival ended perfectly, but for Fang Zheng and the others, it was far from over.

Especially for Komizo Yukina, ever since the festival, she’s been ”in trouble.” Because no matter where she goes, classmates would greet her with smiles.

Of course, if it were just that, it would be fine, but the problem is......

”Yukina, Yukina, is it true that you and Classmate Haruno were childhood friends?”

”Did you really meet again after ten years? That’s so romantic!”

”Ahahaha......”

Looking at her excited classmates, Yukina smiled wryly, not knowing what to say.

That’s right, just after the cultural festival, a rumor began circulating among people---that the two from the last song in SchoolDays were actually Komizo Yukina and Fang Zheng, even before they explained anything in detail, the crowd had already filled in the gaps themselves.

Ten years ago, Komizo Yukina and Fang Zheng were friends, but due to one transferring schools, they had to part ways. They met again ten years later, and to commemorate their reunion, this song was created.

Along with the lyrics......how romantic!!

Initially, Komizo Yukina tried to explain, but clearly, the people wouldn’t believe her rebuttals. The song ”Secret Base” almost evoked childhood memories for everyone, many of whom had similar regrets. So rather than being gossip-hungry, it was more that they hoped this rumor was ”true,” so that even if they had regrets deep inside, at least there was a miracle to fulfill their small inner wish, wasn’t there?

As the saying goes, a false rumor repeated three times becomes truth, to the point that after hearing it so many times, Komizo Yukina herself began doubting whether she really met Fang Zheng in childhood, and she just forgot, and Fang Zheng was subtly expressing his feelings with the lyrics?

After all, most people can barely remember events from ten years ago, and the scary thing about this song is that almost everyone had such a story of childhood friendship ending for some reason, and as Komizo Yukina carefully recalled, she felt like perhaps......really......had such an experience?

This is exactly the principle of cognitive psychology, like when the police ask a witness to recall an event, such as what color clothes the perpetrator wore or what they were holding. Many don’t remember clearly, but during the recall, their brain automatically ”fills in” the missing pieces.

Like if police ask a witness how car A hit car B, the listener might automatically assume car A was speeding and hit car B, because the question implies car A was at fault, though in reality, it might be car B cutting in and car A driving normally. Consequently, leading questions are prohibited in judicial inquiries.

But in reality, people don’t have so many concerns, and under their ”leading” inquiries, Komizo Yukina’s own memories started becoming not so......accurate.

There were even a few times when Komizo Yukina dreamed of playing with a boy near her home in childhood, and then the boy moved away, meeting again ten years later when he became Fang Zheng......

Honestly, Komizo Yukina herself couldn’t figure out if this really happened or was just a dream.

Because if it were true......it would be so romantic.

So they say rumors spread fast and far......the power of rumors is not to be underestimated.

What troubled Komizo Yukina even more was that on concert day, her mom and brother came to watch the performance, and afterward, her mom was deeply moved. When Komizo Yukina complained, her mom and brother insisted that she really played with a boy in childhood who later moved away afterward......

This left Komizo Yukina even more confused---considering her brother was barely born ten years ago, what could he possibly know!!

Not to mention how Komizo Yukina’s doubts led her into a personal crisis, the SchoolDays band also became an instant hit at this cultural festival, especially with the song ”Secret Base.” Many classmates found the Light Music Club specifically to get recordings and copies of the song, and even talent agents approached, hoping to debut the campus band......

Fang Zheng naturally refused as he was here to experience a romance simulation, not engage in the urban entertainment scene. At this rate, he’d have to start a sideline story called ”Rebirth Japan: I’m the Big Star”......

However, as a return, Fang Zheng still agreed to record a single CD for sale, given how delightful the song was. In fact, he chose the song for its artistic conception. Initially, Fang Zheng thought of ”Secret Base” because he was planning to choose something similar from ”Friends,” ”The Desk’s Mate,” and ”Ten Years.” While humming ”Ten years ago, I didn’t know you and you weren’t mine,” he suddenly thought of this song also representing ten years, ”August ten years later.”

And the ”Secret Base” single CD sold out immediately after release, even though they didn’t sign with an agency, so the single was only sold in music stores near the school. But a classic remains a classic, and soon the song spread online.

”Ah......even now, I feel like I’m dreaming.”

Saiin-ji Sekai stretched long and sighed with disbelief.

”We’re actually this popular......I was on the street, and someone asked for my autograph!”

”If it weren’t for the song ’Secret Base,’ we wouldn’t have such popularity.”

Kiyora Setsuna remained as calm and composed as ever.

”It’s all thanks to Haruno’s great songwriting.”

”Yeah......by the way, Haruno-kun.”

At this point, Saiin-ji Sekai’s eyes suddenly lit up, and then she looked at Fang Zheng, who had just finished playing a tune at the piano.

”A lot of people have been asking if we should do a LIVE... How about we hold one!”

”A LIVE with just one song? Are you planning to sing it several times?”

Hearing Sekai’s suggestion, Fang Zheng rolled his eyes, then stood up and patted Touma’s shoulder.

”Alright, you know what to do next.”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s words, Touma silently nodded, then sat by the piano and soon started playing.

”Hmm... But this is a rare opportunity.”

Sekai obviously didn’t want to miss out on this chance.

”We’re so popular right now, even though I haven’t thought about going professional, just doing a LIVE show should be fine, right? And Haruno, you’re so good at composing, wouldn’t it be easy to make a few more songs?”

”It’s not that easy.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng was really speechless. Are you joking? Songs at the level of ”Secret Base” aren’t easy to... well, after all, I copied it, not composed it, so who cares.

”But if it’s Haruno, there’s definitely no problem. Yukina also wants to sing more good songs, right, Yukina?”

”Ah, um.”

Hearing Sekai call her name, Yukina, who had been sitting nearby flipping through sheet music, suddenly snapped out of her daze.

”What’s up?”

”What are you daydreaming about, it’s a LIVE, a LIVE! Don’t you want to hold a splendid LIVE and sing more good songs?”

”Well... this... of course, I want to sing...”

As she spoke, Yukina glanced a bit shyly at Fang Zheng and lowered her head.

”But if it’s too much trouble for Classmate Haruno...”

”Knock, knock, knock.”

Just at that moment, suddenly, someone knocked on the club room door, and Saiin-ji Sekai immediately responded.

”Come in!”

Following Sekai’s response, the door opened shortly, and then a woman walked in. She looked about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, wearing a very elegant red jacket, sunglasses, a hat, and a mask, thoroughly covering herself.

”Uh... may I ask who you are?”

Seeing the woman enter the club room, they all looked bewildered. They had originally thought she was another student who heard the news and came to the Light Music Club for a copy, but... this person was clearly not a student or a teacher, right?

In a different setting, she looked more like a robber.

”I’m very sorry.”

Noticing everyone’s surprised looks, the woman softly apologized, then removed her sunglasses and mask, revealing a face—Fang Zheng clearly didn’t recognize.

However, this didn’t mean others didn’t recognize her. For instance, Komizo Yukina was shocked and jumped as soon as she saw the woman’s face.

”Mor, Mor, Mor, Mor, Morikawa Yuki?!!”

Not only Komizo Yukina, but even Saiin-ji Sekai and Kiyora Setsuna showed the same surprised expression, and even Touma, who was playing, couldn’t help stopping and gazed at the woman standing at the door in astonishment.

The only ones who didn’t have much of a reaction were Fang Zheng and Sora, though they also knew Morikawa Yuki, they weren’t as surprised as the others—after all, Yukina’s first song at the school festival was ”WHITE ALBUM,” Morikawa Yuki’s iconic song, and as a band member, Fang Zheng had naturally heard the original.

He just wasn’t much of a fan.

”Hello, nice to meet you.”

Looking at the girls in front of her, Morikawa Yuki also smiled and bowed, and everyone hurriedly returned the gesture.

”Ah, hello, Miss Morikawa... may I ask... what brings you to our Light Music Club?”

At this moment, Saiin-ji Sekai didn’t even know what to do with her hands, and it’s understandable. After all, Morikawa Yuki is a national idol singer, and her presence in their tiny Light Music Club felt like a dream. Sekai even wanted to step outside to check if there was a production team shooting a ”Celebrity Tours Campus” show or something...

”It’s like this... I’m sorry to intrude, but I have a favor to ask.”

”A favor?”

Hearing this, everyone looked at each other, puzzled as to what their newly formed band, less than a month old, could offer that a national idol singer would need.

”Yes... the song ’Secret Base’ that you all sang at the cultural festival... I hope to do a cover version of it, is that alright?”

”Eh———?!”

Hearing this, Komizo Yukina and Saiin-ji Sekai couldn’t help but scream. They knew the song was beautiful, but honestly, they never thought that someone like Morikawa Yuki would come personally to ask them for a cover... it’s just too overwhelming!

”This... Classmate Haruno?”

Although Sekai was quite surprised and even stunned by Morikawa Yuki’s arrival, she remembered that the song was Fang Zheng’s creation, so she didn’t answer on behalf and instead looked towards him. Fang Zheng lifted his head, squinted his eyes, and stared at the woman in front of him.

A golden light flashed in his eyes, and for some reason, Morikawa Yuki suddenly had the illusion that everything about her was laid bare.

Of course, it was only a moment.

At this moment, Fang Zheng nodded.

”Of course, there’s no problem, but... I have a small condition.”

”A condition?”

Morikawa Yuki tilted her head in response, and Fang Zheng continued.

”Yes, it’s like this... we are planning to hold a LIVE. If Miss Morikawa Yuki would be willing to be a guest at our LIVE... then I can give you this song for free.”

After all, it’s just copied.

”Eh———?!”

Hearing this, everyone was shocked again. To have a national idol singer as a guest at their LIVE?! Is this really not a joke?

”This.......”

Upon hearing Fang Zheng’s request, Morikawa Yuki was visibly hesitant. As everyone would expect, as a national idol, it wasn’t possible for Morikawa Yuki to appear on stage easily. Even just making a guest appearance is not something she could agree to without consideration, even if it’s just a school band’s LIVE.

While Morikawa Yuki was hesitating, Fang Zheng spoke again.

”Of course, if you agree, then besides ’Secret Base’, I can give you another song for free. I’m sure you will like it.”

”Classmate Haruno, have you really made a new song?”

Sekai quickly ran to Fang Zheng’s side and grabbed his hand, while Sora, seeing this, glared at her angrily. However, Sekai didn’t notice Sora’s dissatisfaction and tightly clutched Fang Zheng’s arm.

”Hurry, sing it, I want to listen.”

”Alright.”

Hearing Sekai’s request, Fang Zheng did not refuse. Instead, he casually picked up the guitar, then looked meaningfully at Morikawa Yuki.

”Miss Morikawa can listen too, perhaps you’ll change your mind.”

”...Alright.”

Although Morikawa Yuki didn’t think anything could make her decide, she nodded anyway. Fang Zheng then sat down in a chair and gently strummed the guitar.

”This new song is called ’One more time one more chance’...”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng strummed the strings. Accompanied by the clear sound of the guitar, he slowly started singing.

”What else must I lose, to find forgiveness in my heart. What other suffering must I endure to meet you again... one more time, seasons, please don’t change anymore...”

At first, Morikawa Yuki remained calm while listening to the song. But gradually, her body began to tremble slightly, and even her eyes turned a bit red.

However, when Fang Zheng sang, ”I’ve been wandering around aimlessly searching for you, looking for your figure everywhere, at the intersections, every night’s dream, yet I know very well that you can’t be there,” Morikawa Yuki couldn’t hold back anymore and burst into tears.

Seeing this, the girls were somewhat surprised. Though they also felt the song was beautiful, they never expected such a strong reaction from the national idol...

Fang Zheng wasn’t particularly surprised. If ’Secret Base’ could evoke others’ childhood memories like a blue soda, then ’one more time’ was more like a bitter cocktail, with all the bittersweet complexities only adults could understand. Even more, Fang Zheng had deliberately used Time Dragon’s ability to check Morikawa Yuki’s past, so... this song was precisely ”tailored” for Morikawa Yuki.

How much malice was in that, it’s uncertain.

When Morikawa Yuki finally left the Light Music Room, an hour had passed. As Fang Zheng expected, Morikawa Yuki agreed to Fang Zheng’s request and then bid farewell. Komizo Yukina hurriedly escorted her out. The two walked silently, with Morikawa Yuki seemingly immersed in some memories, while Komizo Yukina dared not disturb her.

It wasn’t until they reached the school gate that Morikawa Yuki stopped.

”This is good enough, thank you.”

”Well... you’re welcome...”

Hearing the idol speak, Komizo Yukina was still a bit nervous, and seeing her reaction, Morikawa Yuki let out a gentle laugh.

”No need to be so nervous...”

At this point, Morikawa Yuki seemed to recall something.

”Oh, you’re called... Komizo Yukina, right?”

”Yes.”

”...Can I call you Yukina?”

”Of course.”

”Then... Yukina, there’s a question I’d like to ask you. You and Classmate Haruno... did you really reunite after ten years?”

”This...”

Hearing Morikawa Yuki’s question, Komizo Yukina was momentarily at a loss for words. She didn’t expect even her idol to think so. But for some reason, at this moment, Komizo Yukina inexplicably nodded.

”Yes...”

”That’s wonderful...”

Upon hearing Komizo Yukina’s answer, Morikawa Yuki sighed with emotion and then took off her sunglasses to look at Yukina again.

”Do your best, Yukina... I used to be just like you, but... back then I made a choice that I regret for the rest of my life, if everything could start over, I might have...”

She paused for a moment there, then reached out and gently stroked Yukina’s hair.

”But now, saying these things doesn’t change anything. Do your best, Yukina, I’m rooting for you.”

”Ah, tha-thank you...”

Hearing this, Yukina blushed and lowered her head. She certainly understood what the other meant.

But... is that really what she wanted?

Thinking about it, Yukina just felt her heart start to race uncontrollably.