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

Chapter 1417: Chapter 1416: This Is Serious (Rolling, Blowing the Ougi, and Eating Watermelon)

”Huff... huff... ”

Not knowing how long she had been running, Yukina finally stopped. She reached out to support herself on the nearby utility pole, gasping for air loudly.

At that moment, the voice of the world came from behind her.

”Yukina...! Yukina...!”

”Don’t come any closer!!”

Just as the world was about to reach Yukina, she stopped them with her shout.

”Yukina, I... ”

”You don’t need to say anything, I understand.”

Yukina clenched her hand tightly, not even glancing at the world behind her.

”Why did you follow me and why are you still talking to me? Does talking now have any meaning?”

”... ”

At this point, the world lowered their head, remaining silent.

”You like Classmate Haruno, why didn’t you just say it outright? Why didn’t you tell me? Yet I, like a fool, told you everything... ”

”No, that’s not what I meant...”

”That’s how it’s been from the start!”

The world tried to explain, but clearly, Yukina wasn’t planning to listen.

”You were the one who heard Classmate Haruno sing in the music room, but you asked me to invite him to join the Light Music Club. After that, it kept on like this... ”

Saying this, Yukina sobbed quietly a few times, then stood upright, turning her back toward the world.

”Classmate Saiin-ji, I just wished to have a good friend. So, when you greeted me at the start of the school year, I was very happy. You pulled me into the Light Music Club, I didn’t refuse, because I thought we could really be good friends.”

”Yukina... ”

”But the truth proved otherwise. It was just my wishful thinking treating you as a good friend. I told you everything, but you? You said repeatedly that you support me, is this how you support me? Why didn’t you tell me you also liked Classmate Haruno? Were you afraid I’d be angry? Or that I’d be jealous?”

”... ”

The world opened their mouth, then lowered their head again, unsure of how to respond.

”I’m sorry, I don’t want to talk to you now... let me be alone in peace.”

After saying this, Yukina left directly without even glancing back at the world, and the world just stood there, staring blankly at Yukina’s departing figure, speechless.

”Huff... this is bad.”

Returning home, Fang Zheng flopped onto the sofa.

”It’s exactly like a scene from a drama.”

Meanwhile, Sora commented indifferently from the side—as a matter of fact, it was indeed none of her business.

”I’m your brother at least, and you treat me like this?”

”I did warn you beforehand.”

”That’s true... ”

Hearing Sora’s reply, Fang Zheng sighed helplessly. Indeed, she had warned him before, yet at that time, he felt that as long as the numbers weren’t visible, everything was fine, so he didn’t pay much attention. Looking back now... he truly made a wrong decision then.

”Should we still hold the LIVE?”

”Do we have a choice?”

Fang Zheng somewhat guessed that this might be the biggest event as the plot reached its later stages. If it were a romance game, the main storyline would likely be the protagonist successfully holding a LIVE with the other girls. This means, only when the LIVE succeeds, will his task be truly complete.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t have reached the point where he and Sora had confirmed their relationship, yet the system still pretended to be dead, and wouldn’t move until stabbing him in the back.

If he had known earlier, he wouldn’t have chosen the music room, maybe choosing the rooftop or backyard would have led to a different storyline.

”But can we still hold the LIVE now?”

”That depends on your brother here’s skills.”

Fang Zheng furrowed his brows, finding it somewhat tricky. Honestly, he rarely encountered such problems before, but in this world, Fang Zheng felt more exhausted than if he were to actually gather a group and fight...

”Why don’t you just take them all in, brother?”

Sora continued to offer an indifferent opinion.

”Explain it clearly to them; those willing to follow can come together, and those unwilling can choose to stay. No one can complain.”

”Ha, what does a little girl know? If I say a few words, they’ll definitely follow me wholeheartedly. But what happens after a few years over there?”

Fang Zheng shook his head, rejecting Sora’s suggestion. As he said, these girls were only sixteen or seventeen, with little social experience and in their rebellious phase. As long as he chose his words carefully, he could ensure they’d abandon their families and place their faith completely in him.

But what about a few years later?

It’s like the story of Prince Charming and the princess; a happy marriage isn’t the end—life afterward, with its mundane needs and challenges, is key. Fang Zheng didn’t want to lead them back now, only for them to regret it years later when they’ve matured... What then?

Wouldn’t that be leaving a time bomb in the Heavenly Dao Palace?

Fang Zheng wasn’t someone who would accept just anyone. For those without ties, following him posed no problem. However, when it came to those with families, he always weighed his options—this was why Fang Zheng diligently developed his business in the Game World. One reason being he preferred his day job to saving the world, and the other being to make the Game World a Free World, so Asuna and the others could freely come and go.

For the girls of this world, Fang Zheng wasn’t as attentive or invested.

Of course, he liked Yukina and the world, but not enough to change a world just for them. Besides, he wasn’t lacking for women.

But what can you do when this world is all about love?

No matter what you do, love is the main storyline...

The next world needs to be one with fewer women.

Fang Zheng thought while reflecting. Yet the darn system had endless tricks up its sleeve. Who knew what the next instance would be like? If luck was on his side, once this instance ended, he’d have some time before he had to dive into another.

Hmm... Capture the Power of Fortune from this world, return to the Main World to smooth out Twilight Frontier, then go to outer space to deal with the Goddess of Order’s defensive system... Fang Zheng calculated—unless there were specific requests, it was unlikely he’d have another instance to tackle.

Unless it’s to chuck dog food.

This meant fewer chances for the wretched system to trick him... which might be a good thing, considering this could be the last time.

With this realization, Fang Zheng calmed down.

Just consider it being tricked by the system one last time.

Still, it was a tricky situation.

”I’m asking, are you guys practicing or not?”

The next day in the music room, Fang Zheng looked at everyone in frustration. The drumming was offbeat, the singing was out of tune, the piano playing was distracted; only Setsuna’s bass remained consistently stable. Even Touma wasn’t an exception.

”... ”

Yet, facing Fang Zheng’s words, the entire music room fell into a deathly silence, with no one speaking up.

”... ”

Fang Zheng was at a loss for words, shaking his head.

”About what happened yesterday......”

As he spoke, Fang Zheng looked towards the world. Hearing this, World, Yukina, and Touma all raised their heads to watch him. Setsuna held her bass, glancing at Fang Zheng, then at the others, without saying a word.

”World.”

Fang Zheng took a deep breath.

”I’m happy about your feelings, but......”

Hearing this, World’s body involuntarily tensed up.

”......I already have someone I like.”

”Huh?”

Everyone was taken aback by Fang Zheng’s response.

”Classmate Haruno......?”

”You have someone you like?”

”Who is it?”

”Hehe......”

Fang Zheng shook his head. He wasn’t sure how a typical Japanese protagonist would react in this situation, but he clearly decided to cut to the chase. Especially after he confirmed through Future Sight that even if World was rejected by him, she wouldn’t die, which further solidified his resolve.

At the same time, the other hidden issues had to be resolved.

Though unsure about Touma and Setsuna’s situation, it was clear that Yukina also had feelings for him. Fang Zheng understood well that what they desired was a normal relationship, but what he could offer was anything but normal.

Rather than explaining afterward, it was best to be honest upfront.

”Let’s end it here for today.”

After saying this, Fang Zheng shook his head and walked out of the music room directly. The others also remained silent for a moment, then lowered their heads to start packing their things.

”Yukina......”

However, just as Yukina was planning to leave, World called out to her.

”I... want to talk to you......”

”......”

This time, Yukina did not refuse. She lifted her head to gaze at World, then nodded. Following that, the two of them walked out in a tacit understanding.

”......”

Setsuna packed her bass, frowning as she watched the two of them leaving without saying a word, while Touma stood dumbly in front of the electronic keyboard, not knowing what to say.

”Hoo......”

Returning home, Fang Zheng exhaled deeply, which made Sora chuckle.

”It’s rare to see you so troubled, brother.”

”I’d rather face the lunatics at the Twilight Frontier than get involved in these matters, it’s such a headache.”

Sitting on the sofa, Fang Zheng reached out to rub his forehead, closed his eyes, and murmured to himself. Then he felt something heavy on his legs. Opening his eyes, he saw Sora sitting on him with a tempting smile.

”Stop thinking about these things now, brother......”

As she spoke, Sora leaned towards Fang Zheng......

Witnessing this scene, Yukiko’s face turned beet red as she covered her eyes, then quickly spun around and left the living room.

When Yukina and World left school, it was already dusk.

But to their surprise, Setsuna and Touma hadn’t gone home either and were waiting for them at the school gate.

”What are you...........”

”What do you plan to do?”

World’s words were interrupted by Setsuna. Hearing Setsuna’s question, World hesitated for a moment.

”Um...... I, I want to meet with Classmate Haruno personally, I want to know exactly who he likes!”

”Me too.”

At this moment, Yukina also looked resolute. Although it was unclear what she and World had talked about, Yukina seemed to have finally picked herself up, no longer appearing as though she were shrouded by a star of death.

She gazed at World, then looked at Setsuna and Touma, before speaking.

”Let me make it clear, no matter who Classmate Haruno likes, we won’t have any resentment.”

”...... This......”

Hearing this, Setsuna and Touma exchanged a helpless look, and for some reason, they suddenly felt a bit nervous.

After all, in terms of time spent together with Fang Zheng, apart from Sora, it had been the four of them the longest. Of course, during the LIVE, Fang Zheng also met many girls from outside, like Yukina Minato from Roselia or Kokoro Tsunomaki from Hello, Happy — all of whom were very cute and beautiful girls. However, based on their understanding of Fang Zheng, he was not the type to fall for girls he met in a short time.

Currently, World was the first to fall out because of her brave confession, which meant the chances of Fang Zheng liking one of the other three greatly increased. But this actually made them even more nervous. Especially Touma, who was completely at a loss, not knowing what to do, and could only follow behind the group stuporously, heading towards the Fang Family.

When they arrived at the Fang Family door, the sun was about to set.

Standing at the doorstep, everyone felt somewhat anxious. World swallowed her saliva and reached out to press the doorbell, but then......

”Creak......”

”Huh?”

Seeing the door slightly ajar, World was stunned.

”It’s not locked?”

Whispering to herself, World instinctively pulled the door open a bit wider. Yet just as she was about to call out, a hurried and soft moaning sound was suddenly heard.

”Ah...... ah.......!”

The sound coming through the hallway was faint, but everyone there was not deaf, so they naturally heard the tantalizing moan.

”This, this is.......”

World’s face turned red instantly, her hand resting on the door unable to pull it any further. But at that moment, Setsuna’s eyes twinkled, and she shoved World aside, quickly rushing inside.

”Wait, Setsuna?!”

Seeing Setsuna dash into the house, World widened her eyes in surprise, but the next moment, Yukina grabbed her hand, pulling her inside too.

Though only a short distance from the hallway to the living room, to World and the others, it felt like an endless journey.

The next moment, Setsuna pushed the living room door open with force.

At the same time......

”Ah...... brother...... brother......!!”

Accompanied by a scream, Sora clung tightly to Fang Zheng, her body trembling before slowly coming to a stop.

Seeing this scene, everyone was stunned.