Is it related to me?
Of course it is!
Facing Yukino's question, Hayashi subconsciously glanced at his refreshed ability panel.
After the Zoo, he not only gained control over the entire Zoo Rule Anomaly domain.
At the same time, the ability of [Anchor of Time] also improved.
From the original Anchor of Time LV2 to LV3.
The ability also became much stronger.
[Anchor of Time LV3]:
Save point +1 again. When shifting the timeline, close individuals may capture fragmented memories like a dream.
→New: Can selectively transmit memory fragments based on Hayashi's subconscious.
Controllability greatly increased.
And most importantly, he gained a new ability: Time Stop.
Time Stop: Pause time for 3 seconds, with a 3-second cooldown.
Therefore, the fragmented memories of the future that Yukino received were naturally related to his subconscious.
Making Yukino completely forget those memories... wouldn't that take away a lot of fun?
However... while that's the truth, it can't be said that way.
At least not entirely.
"Hmm, it's somewhat related to me!"
Hayashi nodded, and before Yukino could press further, he continued:
"Observation is mutual. When I observe the future, the future also affects the present..."
As he spoke, he suddenly turned to Yukino, his gaze filled with unconcealed curiosity.
Upon hearing this, Yukino's cool demeanor was tinged with a surge of shyness, almost melting her frozen expression.
So, those dreamlike future memory fragments and silhouettes in her mind were indeed related to Hayashi.
'Does he also... know everything? Does he also have those memories?'
Just as Yukino was thinking this, Hayashi suddenly asked.
"So? Yukino... did you see anything interesting?"
While her thoughts were scattered, immersed in those fleeting silhouettes, Hayashi's rhetorical question startled her, and her evasive gaze showed a hint of surprise:
"Huh! Weren't you observing the future?"
"The future is not fixed; there are myriad branches and countless possibilities... I am merely searching for the necessary parts in the sea of time..."
This was a lie.
"So I'm very curious; what did you see?"
As he spoke, Hayashi's probing gaze, subtly teasing, landed on Yukino's face, which was flushed with rising blood.
"I... Tomie! I saw myself being parasitized by Tomie!"
A flicker of panic crossed her eyes, and Yukino quickly changed the subject, secretly sighing in relief.
—Hayashi seemed not to have shared those silhouette memories.
'So that's how it is! That's just a possibility in the future...!
But why, in the future, would I... be like that?'
The incomplete memory fragments, hazy images, and half-understood situation made Yukino's imagination run wild, so much so that she failed to notice the subtle smile that curled at Hayashi's lips.
"Is that so~?"
Hayashi watched with interest as Yukino tried to maintain her composure, yet her shyness was undeniable. He nodded, then suddenly pursued with a meaningful question:
"Is that all?"
"!"
A flicker of nervousness, hard to suppress, crossed Yukino's frozen pretty face, but she still tried to maintain a bewildered expression as she looked at Hayashi... her voice trembling almost imperceptibly:
"There shouldn't be anything else!"
Upon hearing this, Hayashi immediately put on an expression of regret and disappointment:
"So you don't have that memory? What a disappointment..."
Staring at his unconcealed disappointment, Yukino's adorably charming face, with its lively eyes, blinked, and her head felt like it was about to burn up.
Even though her shyness had reached its peak, she couldn't help but ask softly:
"Which memory... are you referring to?"
"I said, observation is mutual, and the future can also affect the present. In the timeline with the highest probability that I observed, the future you were parasitized by Tomie and eventually... called out for my help, and my future self called out for my help. So I came. Otherwise, I wouldn't have arrived so promptly."
Hayashi showed a look of regret; as for the other promises Yukino made to him in the future, he omitted them.
He perfectly conveyed an attitude of, "If you don't know, it's not related to you; it's just a bit of a pity."
But was it really unrelated?
Of course not!
Hayashi's words were subtle, only revealing a hint of disappointment.
However, to Yukino, these words immediately pulled her attention away from those intriguing silhouettes—
'So it wasn't those memories.'
As she completely relaxed, other memory fragments surfaced.
Although the memories weren't very clear, like a dream.
Yukino clearly remembered that her future self not only called for Hayashi's help... but also made... certain promises.
Besides three kisses, there were also some promises made during the kisses that even Hayashi hadn't clearly heard, but she knew well.
"Ugh...!"
A barely audible, shy moan escaped her crimson lips, and Yukino's gaze shifted, like a stone thrown into a still lake, sending out ripples.
However, it wasn't the extreme shyness from just now, but a charming shyness mixed with gratitude... Just then, Hayashi's calm voice sounded again:
"Alright, none of that matters anymore. I have fulfilled what my future self entrusted me with.
It's late, Yukino; you should go home soon. It would be troublesome if you encountered anything dangerous again."
With that, he waved at Yukino and turned as if to leave.
At the same time, he silently counted in his heart:
One, two, three... Sure enough, when he reached three, Yukino called out to him.
"Wait..."
"? "
A smile surfaced in Hayashi's heart, but on the surface, he perfectly displayed a bewildered expression, looking back at Yukino.
'Clever me, is Yukino... preparing to fulfill the agreement? ' He couldn't help but feel anticipation.
"I... the promised reward... I remember!"
Her black hair unconsciously wrapped around her slender fingers, and as Yukino spoke these words, her cool eyes were filled with shyness, not daring to meet Hayashi's gaze.
"Promises from the future don't need to be taken seriously."
Knowing Yukino's personality well, Hayashi's lips curled into an almost imperceptible arc. He feigned righteousness, retreating to advance.
It was hypocritical, but Yukino, who had experienced too much today and had no guard against Hayashi, didn't notice at all.
"No!"
Just as he expected, the "upright" Yukino would never back out due to shyness or evasion—even if it was a promise made by her future self.
She shook her head firmly, and under Hayashi's slightly puzzled gaze, she added with a slight tremor in her voice:
"You... wait for me… for a moment."
With that, without waiting for Hayashi's reply, and under his questioning gaze, she turned and disappeared into a nearby alley.
This action left Hayashi quite puzzled. With his super perception, he clearly knew that this was a suburban area, completely deserted.
And Yukino told him to wait for her... not to follow her into the alley.
Was she preparing herself mentally?
To preserve his anticipation, Hayashi did not use his super perception to investigate the situation in the alley.
Yukino didn't keep him waiting long.
Soon, when she reappeared before Hayashi, his eyes suddenly lit up.
"Yukinyan?"
Hayashi's subconscious exclamation made Yukino, who had transformed into a cat-girl, turn her head away with a blush.
"This is the reward. I... I..."
Yukino whispered shyly, but before she could finish, Hayashi's arm gently encircled her waist... There were still two rewards left, but Hayashi didn't intend to use them up so simply now.
After a long while, Hayashi let go of Yukino, who dared not meet his gaze.
Back home, Hayashi submerged his consciousness into the Zoo domain.
It was time to check on Tomie's current situation.
Editor's notes:
Only one today; I need to go out searching for something.