Chapter 47 A Man's Duty

Since killing the Old Snake, Liu Mengchao felt that time was passing by rapidly. Mei Misaki had actually managed to board a train to Tokyo, Japan, all by herself, completing a round trip in just three days.

As for Liu Ling, she had almost become another younger sister to Mei Misaki, at least in the eyes of Misaki’s mother.

Both of them shared a love for dolls, and they had plenty of common ground to discuss—such as which dolls were the most beautiful, or what details were needed to make a doll appear truly lifelike.

Liu Mengchao, on the other hand, felt a bit bored. If not for the ever-increasing prize pool, which indicated that Zhen Qianting’s psychological state was constantly fluctuating, he would have almost asked Elsea to end this world immediately.

The final morning in the "Another" world was a beautiful one. The sunlight was bright, and the temperature was no longer as cold and damp as it had been in previous days.

Liu Mengchao nodded at Liu Ling, who was standing beside him, and walked directly toward the cemetery.

As he walked, Elsea’s voice echoed in his ear.

"Lord Executor, there are ten hours left before the 'Another' world concludes. Would you like to activate Spectator Mode?"

"Spectator Mode?" Liu Mengchao frowned, but eventually nodded.

In an instant, two bright meteors appeared before him.

These two meteors represented the two remaining transmigrators. One was Liu Ling, and the other was Zhen Qianting. Yes, Zhen Qianting. Liu Mengchao had not killed her; or rather, he felt this woman still possessed some value—the value of providing room for further growth in the stagnant prize pool.

"Ten hours left. Where should I go?" Liu Mengchao stood at an intersection, looking at the quiet, deserted streets. Yomiyama was a small town, and apart from the scenery, there was nothing particularly worth mentioning.

Suddenly, a flash of red appeared opposite him.

A red ponytail was tied at the back of her head, swaying gently in the breeze. The girl looked somewhat sorrowful, carrying a basket and wearing dark-colored clothing.

It was Izumi Akazawa.

Liu Mengchao was just about to greet her when the girl turned and walked away. He was very familiar with the direction she was heading.

The cemetery.

The cemetery where Misaki Fujioka was buried.

Perhaps out of boredom, or perhaps out of curiosity, Liu Mengchao followed her quietly. Thanks to the enhancements from the Assassin's Creed, he moved as if he were walking in shadows, leaving absolutely no trace of his presence.

Izumi Akazawa stopped in her tracks, staring at the gravestone before her.

Nobuya Akazawa.

With a quick movement, Liu Mengchao took advantage of the moment Akazawa bowed her head to place her offerings and slipped behind the stone monument. Since he had promised to meet Mei Misaki here in three days, he didn't mind waiting a little longer.

The cold gravestone pressed against his back, and along with that chill came the sound of Akazawa’s voice.

"Brother..." Akazawa stood there, her voice suddenly choking up. She pulled a list from her pocket and placed it before Nobuya Akazawa’s grave.

"The curse of this year is over," Akazawa said, then let out a small laugh. "Seven people died this year. Last year’s teacher, Reiko Mikami—she was our homeroom teacher this year and the first to die from the Class 3-3 curse. Next was our classmate, Yukari Sakuragi."

At this, Akazawa sighed.

"The next one to die should have been me, but... I was saved." As if deliberately avoiding the subject of Liu Mengchao, she quickly continued, "The others were the exchange student from China, Zhao Weijie, followed by Ikuo Takabayashi, Takeshi Mizuno, and Junta Nakao. Also, this year's assistant homeroom teacher, Zhang Han. He was one of last year's deceased."

Akazawa listed the number of deaths for the year in one breath, leaving behind the list. Those who had already died were crossed out with bright red X's, leaving only the survivors.

*Click.*

A soft sound echoed.

A flame suddenly flickered in Akazawa’s hand. Using a lighter she carried, she ignited the list and burned it before her brother’s grave.

"Brother, there won't be any more such curses in the future. Starting next year, Class 3-3 of Yomiyama North Middle School will be free from the annual curse."

Hearing Akazawa's words, Liu Mengchao smiled.

He tilted his head and narrowed his eyes, involuntarily recalling that night in the library. It seemed he had never actually seen Akazawa’s brother from start to finish.

Liu Mengchao couldn't help but chuckle.

Meanwhile, Akazawa continued speaking.

"All of this is because of the person who saved me..." Akazawa suddenly paused. Liu Mengchao’s name stuck in her throat; no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't say it.

Perhaps it was due to guilt, or perhaps the chaotic emotions of a young girl.

Regardless, the feeling was far too painful for Akazawa, so painful that tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Now... right now..."

Akazawa’s voice grew choked with sobs. She bowed her head, letting her tears fall to the ground, *pitter-patter*.

"I just want to tell him... tell him... thank you..."

Akazawa could no longer hold it back. Tears streamed down uncontrollably as she collapsed to the ground, weeping bitterly.

Liu Mengchao did not move. He simply leaned against the back of the gravestone, listening to the girl’s cries. He knew this was not the time to comfort her; emotions needed to be vented.

At the very least, he should wait patiently and let her tears flow.

Women have the right to cry.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but when Liu Mengchao regained his focus, the sun was already setting in the west. The sobbing before the grave had gradually quieted down.

Akazawa suddenly lifted her head. Her eyes were red and swollen, and she was still hiccuping. Like a drowning person clutching at a final straw, she looked pleadingly at her brother’s gravestone.

She longed to gain the courage to offer her thanks, or at least, the courage to face Liu Mengchao.

Yet, Akazawa found that even after crying for so long, she still couldn't do it.

"Brother... what... what should... I... do..."

Akazawa whimpered, unable to finish her sentence.

Suddenly, a hand pressed onto her shoulder.

Along with the warmth of the palm came Liu Mengchao’s voice.

"You can just say 'thank you' in person."

She turned around to see Liu Mengchao.

He was smiling. The setting sun was still struggling to cast its light, and the rays shone from behind him, illuminating Akazawa’s face.

So warm.

Akazawa stared at the man who had suddenly appeared behind her, lost in a daze. The tears she thought had dried up suddenly welled up again.

Liu Mengchao said nothing, merely smiling.

But to Akazawa, this smile was almost too much to bear. She suddenly stood up, threw herself into his arms, and wailed.

A woman’s tears are endless, unless there is a shoulder to hold her.

Just as Liu Mengchao was doing now.

There were no words, no movements; he simply stood there, letting Akazawa cry in his embrace.

Perhaps it was only for an instant, perhaps it was a long while, but Akazawa finally lifted her head from his chest. She didn't look her best; her eyes were red and swollen from crying, her face was streaked with tears, and her bangs were disheveled.

Yet, Liu Mengchao liked the way Akazawa looked right now.

Her eyes were beautiful.

Her dark pupils seemed as if they could speak.

She rose onto her tiptoes.

The girl’s lovely eyes closed.

Her breath seemed to stop for a heartbeat. Her lips touched his, silent and soft.

It was very gentle, like the wind.

A light touch.

"Liu Mengchao... thank you..."

When Liu Mengchao opened his eyes again, Akazawa was gone.

Only a sweet, faint fragrance lingered in the air around him.

"You're welcome."

Liu Mengchao smiled and turned away, no longer looking at the tombstone or the shadow of Akazawa that stretched out from behind it in the setting sun.

"Because I think... I really do like you."

Lifting his head, Liu Mengchao walked toward the setting sun. The girl hiding in the shadows was no longer crying. No, she didn't know what kind of emotion to use to face all of this anymore.

Because, without her knowing, a smile had quietly crept onto the corners of her lips.

Making a girl smile—that is a man's duty.

And this was a duty that Liu Mengchao had always performed well.

"Elsea, the time has come."

Liu Mengchao’s voice suddenly rang out.

The two meteors representing the transmigrators flashed brilliantly.