Apocalyptic Era: Starting from picking up a Bishoujo
Chapter 274 - 256 Love Strategist Little Bowl 1

Chapter 274: 256 Love Strategist Little Bowl 1

The relationship between Mazao and me has undoubtedly deepened recently. I am very satisfied and joyful about this change. However, I am not keen to share the full story behind it with others, especially with Little Bowl No. 2.

It feels like I’m committing the same deception I did with Mazao by contriving motives to get close to her in front of Little Bowl No. 2. Knowing that Little Bowl No. 2 can see through lies, I definitely can’t go on making stuff up to her. But I also realize that I can’t avoid this topic. Moreover, she probably has known from the start that I’ve lied in that regard.

Among the people I know, when it comes to understanding Mazao, she is undoubtedly the best. Hence, I may need to consult her on many matters about Mazao in the future. And when it comes to issues regarding the Void Realm, who knows how much we may need to work together. It’s better to be honest with her now.

After mulling it over for a moment, I start from the time I last logged out of the Void Realm. I talk about the unknown Impermanence coveting Mazao’s life, my true need for Mazao, and the outcome of my two "confessions" to her. Little Bowl No. 2 is sometimes worried, tightening her body, sometimes showing surprise, and sometimes nodding with a relieved smile.

Even though I recently faced the direct threat of the Impermanence’s power, now standing in the foggy Void Realm, I recount my experiences to this attentive little girl as if I am telling "stories of the past." It seems like I’ve relaxed too much. During the process of telling her, I feel my spirit gradually becoming peaceful. This isolated dream space seems to block out many of the real-world troubles, bringing me back to a state of calm.

Sometimes, she would suddenly ask a few questions, some of which I had not considered or had wanted to gloss over. Her mind is indeed sharp, and her questions are right to the point. But I have my bottom line; on matters like whether I wish for the Doomsday to come, that’s something I definitely would not reveal. Not now, at least.

Fortunately, she didn’t probe in that direction. No matter how clever she is, living through the hardships of the Doomsday Era, she probably couldn’t imagine that someone in peaceful times could secretly yearn for Doomsday. Whether she can perceive this is less about intelligence and more about a way of thinking, or perhaps whether the "wavelengths" match.

After listening, Little Bowl No. 2 becomes very quiet, seemingly digesting the information she heard.

I carefully observe her change of attitude. Regardless, at one point, I deceived her and Mazao with lies and ill intentions. Even if Mazao ultimately chose to accept me, it doesn’t mean she would.

Yet from her reaction, it seems that not only did she not view me with animosity, but she also showed emotions of satisfaction and joy.

"Don’t you think I’m a bad person?" I probe.

"——A bad person?"

She first repeats it, puzzled, then realizes, and says, "Of course, I think you’re a bad egg, Mr. Three."

In fact, I was waiting for her to deny it. If she thinks I’m a bad person, how could she show such positive emotions? Her answer surprises me.

"Are you not afraid that I, the bad egg, will do something awful to your Sister Mazao? You and she aren’t from the same era now. Even if you want to warn her or stop me, it’s beyond reach," I ask.

She explains, "I don’t know what the moral values of the peaceful era are, but, Mr. Three, in my time, discussing good and evil is a luxury. Sister Mazao seems to think it’s important, but I truly feel it’s trivial. Of course, if Sister Mazao wasn’t like that, I wouldn’t have been saved, so I won’t criticize her...

"Getting off course here—anyway, even if you’re a bad egg, you wouldn’t hurt Sister Mazao, right, Mr. Three?"

"I certainly wouldn’t," I reply without hesitation.

"I can be sure that your words come from the heart," she nods, "Also, there is another reason why I’m not worried you’d harm Sister Mazao."

"Are you referring to your wish?" I ask.

"Yes," she says, "When I was fleeing from the Catastrophe Demon, my prayers were not only for Sister Mazao to go to a place where it’d be difficult to encounter strange creatures but also ’for her to meet someone who can accept her’... I think that someone is you, Mr. Three."

Indeed, even in modern society, Mazao still unavoidably attracts one unbelievable event after another, but compared to the land of the Doomsday Era, modern society is relatively difficult for strange creatures to appear in, so Little Bowl No. 2’s prayers must have been effective.

As for me, although I believe my approach to Mazao was entirely my own will, if I needed to attribute this oddly-fated connection to the pure prayers of the little girl before me, I have no resistance at all. Isn’t that nice? I even think so.

At the same time, I also justifiably believe that only I can accept with an active and positive attitude all the incredible disasters brought by Mazao and that only I can save her spirit.

"If I must say, I actually do have some concerns..." Little Bowl No. 2 suddenly speaks in a softer voice.

"Do you have any concerns?" I ask.

"Well, that is to say... Sister Mazao is not even fourteen years old now, and Mr. No.3, your advances are so passionate, isn’t it a bit..." Her tone was very euphemistic, "Also, Mr. No.3... aren’t your emotional expressions a bit frightening? I’ve come across some literary materials from the old era before, and there seems to be a term that particularly fits characters like you who have an unusually heavy and murderous affection towards the opposite sex. Do you know what it is?"

I really don’t want to know... I said this in my mind.

In fact, I have not explicitly told her about my romantic feelings for Mazao, but it seems this is indeed something that can’t be hidden.

And as she spoke, it seemed as if she compromised first, mumbling to herself: "No, is this actually my fault...? When I was praying, did I unconsciously hope for Sister Mazao to encounter a charming prince?

"Sister Mazao’s personality is also quite stubborn, she easily flees from close relationships. If the other party’s feelings are not intense and not overwhelming, maybe Sister Mazao would actually slip away... Mr. No.3, you don’t seem to be that old either, if the age gap is just a few years, then in another ten or twenty years it wouldn’t seem so perverted..."

"What are you talking about?" I reminded.

She slowly lifted her head and observed me for a while, then said solemnly, "You really shouldn’t rush into that sort of thing, Mr. No.3."

I understood and responded unambiguously: "I won’t do it."

She then added, "Even if you do, remember to take safety measures."

What kind of nonsense is this little girl talking about?

But having reached this point, there is something I must consult her about. She knows Mazao best and might help me clear up my confusion. I really shouldn’t be discussing this with her, but now I have no choice.

"I have a question I want to ask you..." I asked very seriously, "Do you think Mazao could possibly like me?"

"Of course she likes you?" She said inexplicably.

"I mean in a romantic sense." I clarified.

First she looked confused, then pondered with her head down, and as if she understood what I meant, said, "In other words, Mr. No.3, you have romantic affections for Sister Mazao, but you don’t know if Sister Mazao would reciprocate those feelings in the same way. Because there are many types of liking, Sister Mazao might lack a romantic inclination, or she might think that romance is still too early for her, so even if she accepts and has a strong fondness for you, it doesn’t mean she harbors romantic feelings for you."

"That’s right." I braced myself.

No.2 Little Bowl said very speechlessly, "Although I said those words to you before, Mr. No.3, you actually really do have romantic feelings for Sister Mazao, and you even admitted it to me..."

"So in your opinion, do you think what I’m doing is very perverted?" I asked.

"It’s ordinary perverted..."

I really don’t know by what standard she measures perversion, she continued: "In the past, Sister Mazao and I have come into contact with other survivors, some of whom were psychotically perverted, not only casting such gazes towards Sister Mazao but even towards me... Just in case, let me ask, Mr. No.3, you wouldn’t look at me that way, right?"

"I won’t."

I made the promise, then inquired, "How does Mazao react when she encounters those perverts?"

Because I have openly hinted my romantic feelings for her, she might think that I have perverted tastes.

And judging by how she blushes when I grab her hand, she surely regards me as a member of the opposite sex, but I am not sure if she also has romantic feelings for me. In fact, she initially tried reflexively to pull her hand away. So is that pulling away out of shyness, or out of dislike?

"She utterly detests it." No.2 Little Bowl said, "Sister Mazao really despises those men who like young girls, and she’s always very scornful when she talks about them."

This is really bad.

The negative thoughts in my mind grew, and No.2 Little Bowl seemed to have realized the severity of the issue, cautiously asking, "Mr. No.3, has Sister Mazao ever shown any dislike towards you, or any rejection of physical touch?"