"Wake up, don't think you can get away with it just because you're wearing a mask! Watch me..."

She forcefully pulled off the mask under my hood and seemed startled by my face, because I was equally startled by hers!

"Juxi, or Xiaoxi?!"

"You... You're Yukari... Yukari-nee?"

As our eyes met, my heart suddenly contracted, because this reunion seemed too coincidental.

"It's me! Long time no see, Xiaoxi. Missed me, huh? Hehehe."

Her excessive nervousness made her stumble over her words. To be accurate, it had been many years since I last saw Yukari, and she was very different now compared to before.

Her facial contours had a feminine charm, and her eyelashes were neat and fresh. Now, she looked like a normal woman.

Although she was still fierce and had become incredibly strong, if you asked why, the fact that she effortlessly lifted me with her strong arms was the most compelling evidence.

But compared to all this, Yukari must have also felt somewhat unfamiliar with me, just like I did with her.

"Uh, long time no see. Not only have you become more beautiful, but you've also become much stronger!"

"Xiaoxi, is it really you? You've turned back into the Xiaoxi I know, not Juxi anymore?"

Yukari looked incredulous as she held my face in her hands.

"Yeah, I'm back. The old Juxi has returned."

I couldn't wait any longer for the torment of fate. From today on, I would be with Yukari and my sister. Otherwise, protecting the world would be meaningless, right?

"What are you doing?!"

Yukari immediately buried me in her warm chest. That warmth... It truly had been a long time.

"Xiaoxi, I'm lucky to have met you. From now on, our lives belong only to us."

"Yeah..."

Wasn't this struggle for reincarnation precisely for this day? You see, heroes never break their promises.

"I will always be by Yukari's side, and at the same time, I will protect the kingdom we have created, blessed with hope and freedom!"

"Is that so? Then I will believe in you. Please continue to be my strongest shield."

"Of course, no problem."

But... cough cough cough!

"Can you please let go of me? I'm suffocating!"

Her strength had multiplied at least tenfold in the past two years. Ordinary training alone wouldn't have achieved this effect!

"Did the President get molested? But don't worry, look forward, you can consider me!"

Slowly, I realized that both Shinobu and Chiyeri had surrounded us on our left and right.

"Umm, so, we're all reunited..."

Have I reunited with everyone in the Student Council?

"Hahahaha, can I still count as part of everyone?"

Yuanhui suddenly appeared from the depths of the forest, wearing his lewd smile. He got closer and closer... Bang!

"Yo-ho, it's me, Lord Yuanhui!"

With his lewd smile back on his face, Yuanhui took off his blood-colored armor and dashed towards us.

"How dare you, Juxi! Are you really heartless enough to treat me like an outsider?"

"How could I? Without you, our team wouldn't be complete!"

I quickly corrected myself.

Yuanhui, abandoned like a roadside vendor, seemed more hurt than angry. It's because he was left behind...

It would be painful to be forgotten, it really would hurt the hearts of friends or sisters.

When I saw Yukari and my dear friend Yuanhui by my side, always by my side, I suddenly remembered someone. Didn't anyone notice?

"Uh, yes, yes, but we are still missing someone who is not weak and has never admitted to being weak, right?"

"Uh, what are you talking about?"

Wait a minute, why do Youxiang and the others have this expression of confusion towards my question? Don't they realize that an important companion is missing here?

Honestly, I'm starting to feel scared now. Even my legs feel numb and I can't stand steady on the ground.

"Yunai, Yunai is not..."

"What!!!"

Could it be that I said some taboo words that made Youxiang so angry? Is this why she is acting so fiercely, even tearing at my hair?

"Tell me honestly, who is that woman? Why do you call her sister?"

Huh, is she concerned about that?

I couldn't hold back my temper anymore. Although Yunai and they haven't had much conflict, they shouldn't have forgotten her completely, right?

"Why are you staring blankly? Yunai sounds like a girl's name, right? And you even call her sister!"

Is she jealous? Although she doesn't understand what it means to be spoiled like an ordinary girl, the way she grits her teeth and furrows her eyebrows together looks like anger. And her jealousy is just too dominant!

"No, it's definitely not! By the way, why are you so sensitive about this question?"

Why? At first glance, they were endlessly discussing Yunai, but in reality, they don't even know who Yunai is!

How could such a strange thing happen?

Did I remember it wrong?

I carefully reviewed every brain cell in my head, and they all unanimously agreed. I have seen Yunai before, I have even attended the same school as her, and we were childhood friends. So all of this couldn't be fake.

Maybe it's because I'm too tired... How can that be! Why am I thinking like this?

Some precious things may fade away if you don't think about them, just like my grandfather (Odin). Once they lose their value of life, they will completely disappear. I dare not think about what lies beneath.

No, Yu Nai has been accompanying me throughout that hell until the very last moment is about to come. And I haven't given her anything, just repeatedly causing her new wounds.

Long, long ago, she confided in me about this sadness.

"I hope that one day I can have a wonderful encounter with Xiaoxi again, even if it's like this, I want to be with you forever!"

That's why I can't easily forget. I think everyone here holds the same sentiment as me. However, reality is so cruel. When something is lost, even the all-powerful gods become helpless.

Must we wait until we reach the end of the road to cherish? Must we wait until it's too late to mend the sheepfold?

Although the gods have the power to revive the dead, there are some things that even they cannot do.

Just like even the almighty God King cannot restore something that never existed in the first place. This is the truth that the gods must accept.

"What nonsense!"

I gathered my strength in my right hand and fiercely punched the ground.

Bang! The small mound immediately turned into a flat ground. This crazy behavior startled them, and they anxiously looked at me, afraid that I wouldn't be able to handle the blow.

What should I do?! I'm once again lost in confusion. Oh right...

I quickly took out my wallet.

"I didn't expect my companions to not throw it away. Is this my reward?"

I opened my wallet and excitedly used my index and middle fingers to take out the photo of me and Yu Nai and handed it to Youxiang and the others.

"Do you see? We have taken a photo together, which is enough to prove..."

"Prove what?"

Everyone stared at the photo in confusion, and with a strange look, they gazed at me, as if sympathizing with me.

"Don't... don't you believe it? I have a photo as proof."

"Yes, it proves that there might really be something wrong with your brain, and we will find a way to cure you!"

Yuanhui shook her head and sighed, then brought the photo in front of me.

"Take a good look, there is clearly only you in the photo, right?"

"Huh?"

I observed the photo in front of me repeatedly, even noticing the scratches, but the only thing missing was the blonde girl on the left side of the photo.

I knew I was at fault, but Yu Nai's disappearance was too unclear, how could I accept it?!

"Let's go back...!"

Suddenly, Yu Xiang suggested going home, breaking the deadlock.

I softly agreed and followed them back to the village to Yu Xiang's house. On the way, Yu Xiang blushed and seemed like she wanted to say something but couldn't.

It might be just my imagination, but I was really looking forward to going to Yu Xiang's house.

After a while, Chiba, who was leading the way, suddenly shouted for us to catch up.

"Look, after crossing that stone bridge, we'll be there!"

When we arrived at the house, I realized that Yu Xiang's living conditions were quite comfortable. A single-story wooden house with a small attic for storing food and daily necessities. Although the house had many flaws and some areas were roughly made (made by Yu Xiang and others), it was a rush job after all.

"It's not bad."

As soon as I entered the room, I couldn't help but praise the layout of the living room.

"The living room is quite spacious, and the furniture is also very exquisite (of course, not something Shan Da Shu made do with). But how are five people supposed to fit in three bedrooms?"

"Well, it's simple. You stay with me, and the others each have their own room, isn't that fine?"

I would be staying with Yu Xiang! Hearing her say it so casually, it was not bad, but I couldn't help but feel like she forgot about someone.

"Um, at night, for sleeping... don't I have one?"

Yuanhui, who had been blatantly ignored on the sidelines, pointed to herself and asked.

"Do I have to sleep in the attic?"

"Huh, if you don't like it, you can sleep outside."

Yu Xiang squinted her eyes, looking like a cold and merciless ice beauty. She even tossed a piece of paper at him, saying that he didn't need to repay it.

And so, Yuanhui was left alone in the corner like a stray dog.

"Wait, I protest!"

"You're really picky!"

With one hand on her waist and the other supporting her forehead, Yu Xiang looked like she had a headache, but instead, she scolded him.

"Fine, let's compromise this time, but remember, only this time!"

"..."

I was already too tired to comment, did Yu Xiang really dislike him that much?

"Oh, just sleep in the living room then."

Yu Xiang casually settled Yuanhui in the corner of the living room.

"What, do you think I'm a dog? I want to sleep in a proper bed!"

"Tsk!"

Yu Xiang clicked her tongue, looking annoyed, saying,

"Alright, alright, then you can share a room with Chiba or Shinobi, as long as they agree."

"How can this be!"

Yuanhui pleaded pitifully with Chiba, after all, he was a man and preferred sleeping on a larger bed. Yuanhui was the same, but Chiba shook her head and immediately refused.

"No, you can't, but I suggest, if you don't like the living room, you can sleep in the kitchen!"

Chiba still maintained her innocent appearance on the surface, but behind the scenes, she was a very calculative woman.

Yu Xiang was about to say something but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Yu Xiang, the harvest today was quite good, so I brought some fresh fish for you to taste!"