Challenge: The Fool with the Surname Okayamine

Chapter 147 Rinne Arc (End)

Upon reaching the top of the tower, Shido followed his instincts and continued walking forward.

As he traveled, Shido kept replaying the scene of Rinne's confession in his mind.

In his confrontation with Ming, he learned the whole truth about the paradise and the girl, but even so, he still wanted to save the girl who was deceiving him with false memories.

As they walked to the end, the pink-haired figure who had long since removed her spiritual attire came into view.

Both of them remained silent, as if time had stood still.

Finally, Rinne's voice broke the silence, murmuring incessantly with a sob in her voice:

"Why...why do you need to know...you could have lived in this paradise if you had known nothing...Shido...you gentle one...didn't you always long for this world...?"

"Is this...is this your reason for locking us up here?"

Shido looked at Rinne quietly, his heart filled with complex emotions.

"Rinne, no matter what the truth is, I want to take you away from here."

Rinne trembled, but still managed to answer as calmly as possible:

"You don't need to know the answer..."

An orange-yellow energy ball, unlike anything she had seen before, was in her palm, radiating a more powerful aura than ever before.

"Rinne...why..."

"Because you can't understand—!"

After saying that, Rinne's [Dominator] spirit armor reappeared, and she tried to kill Shido with a ball of light.

Seeing Rinne about to make her move, Shido did not back down. He met the girl's gaze with unwavering eyes, as if telling her his determination to take her away.

Immediately, Shido shouted firmly:

"I came here to take you back with me!!!"

This statement seemed to negate what Rinne had just said—that Shido couldn't understand her words—causing her to pause in surprise once again.

"From the information the Flame Beast gave me, I've realized that you're not my true childhood friend! You're the culprit who trapped us here!"

Shido trembled slightly, but his eyes hardened even more. But...but! Even so...the experiences of you being by our side, crying and laughing with us, were all real!!

Finally, Shido's gaze softened. "You've become a part of our lives! So I want to take you back to our original world, to experience those lives together..."

"Shi...do..."

Rinne's hand trembled slightly, and the ball of light that was about to launch its attack began to flicker. Rinne looked at Shido's outstretched hand, tears welling in her eyes.

"So... let's think together! Let's think of a way to live together even after we leave this world... to create a future that we share!" Shido's voice was filled with endless hope, as if to bring a ray of dawn to the girl's weary heart.

Shido took another step forward, wanting to hold Rinne's hand, but she instinctively dodged away. However, her spirit dress still dissipated at will, transforming back into the gentle-faced Rinne Sonogami.

Looking at the sincere Shido, a poignant smile appeared on her face. "Shido... you've always been so frank. Just listening to you makes me gradually feel a sense of belonging..."

"Did you accept it, Rinne..." Shido's words were filled with expectation, but the girl still shook her head.

"But I'm sorry... the future you want is not possible for me. I can't let [Murder Paradise] end like this."

After saying that, Rinne activated the final ability of [Paradise of Calamity] - [Dream Returns to Nothingness]!

After a flash of light, in an instant, Rinne's spirit dress seemed to be disintegrated by a powerful force, rapidly turning into countless tiny light particles, which eventually dissipated into the space.

However, at the very moment these light particles disappeared, a strange and terrifying change occurred.

The previously empty space was suddenly covered by a layer of blood-red vines. These vines, as if they were alive, spread rapidly and enveloped the entire space.

These blood-red vines looked unusual; they tightly wrapped around Rinne, placing her in front of Shido.

Immediately afterwards, countless vines of varying thickness attacked Shido, but at the critical moment, a black flame arrived and blocked the vines' attack.

"Uh...this is!"

Shido looked toward the end of the flames, where Mei, wielding a slender cane-like demon king, joined the battle.

Long, trailing hair swept past Shido, blocking his way. Before Shido could react, Mei shouted at him:

"Sigh, since you've defeated me, you should win the girl's heart as a victor, not defend yourself like this, defenseless!"

Shido looked at Ming, unsure of the reason why the Flame Beast was fighting him again, but his heart was filled with gratitude. He composed himself and said loudly:

"Flame Beast, thank you, but this is between Rinne and me. I will bring her back safely!"

Ming smiled slightly, and the elves, along with Origami, arrived shortly afterward.

"Long time no see, everyone!" Ming glanced sideways and called out playfully, startling all the elves except for Kurumi.

"Flame Beast, how could he be here—! Ah! Rinne, she's here too..."

"That's not important. We'll talk about the details later. Right now, I suggest you help Shido cover the girl who needs his rescue."

The elves reacted quickly, each unleashing their abilities to engage in a fierce battle with the blood-red vines.

Under the cover of the spirits, Shido continued to approach Rinne, but the attacks of the crimson vines became increasingly fierce.

The spirits struck by the branches collapsed to the ground, fast asleep as if suddenly overcome by drowsiness: Tohka... Origami... Kurumi... Yoshino... and finally Kotori...

Only Ming could stand; any vines that approached him would be instantly burned to ashes by the intense heat emanating from his body.

With this inscription, Shido was given a final push, but he was still unfortunately struck by a vine when he was just a step away from Rinne and fell into a deep sleep.

"Ugh, what a hassle!"

These were the last words Shido heard from Mei, who was wrapped in vines and turned into a ball, before he fell asleep.

...When Shido opens his eyes again (it is recommended to play the background music: "Flying to the Distant Sky" to continue watching)

He slowly opened his eyes, his consciousness gradually clearing, and found himself lying on a familiar bed, the soft mattress and warm blankets making him feel incredibly comfortable.

He turned his head and saw Rinne sitting on the edge of the bed, quietly watching him, as if waiting for him to get up.

At this moment, Rinne looked at her own face and said with gentle concern:

"Good morning. Are you alright, Shido? You don't look well today..."

Shido scratched his head after hearing this.

"Ah... really? Maybe it's because I had a strange dream."

Shido sat up, carefully recalling the scenes from his dream—his experiences with Rinne in the "Paradise of Calamity," and the battles with the spirits—all felt so real.

But Rinne's cheerful voice interrupted Shido's thoughts, "That's good... It's rare to have a day off, it would be a waste if you got sick."

"Ah, a day off?" Shido repeated without realizing it.

"What did you say? You didn't forget about our date today, did you?" the girl replied irritably, her lips slightly pouting in protest.

After getting up and having breakfast, Rinne took Shido out for a date.

Rinne seemed different today; she was unusually proactive, which surprised Shido, but also gave him a sense of novelty he had never experienced before.

Their date went very well, filled with laughter and joy all day. They strolled through the streets and alleys together, enjoying various delicacies and sharing their stories and feelings.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the sun has gradually set in the west, with a faint afterglow appearing on the horizon.

As dusk fell, the two strolled along the path leading to the high ground park. Suddenly, Rinne stopped and looked at Shido.

"Hehe, what a refreshing breeze."

Shido looked down at Rinne as the sun set. A gentle breeze blew, ruffling her hair. Her gentle smile was fixed on him, as beautiful as a painting.

"Oh, yes."

As the sun set, Rinne and I looked down at the beautiful Tengu City from the tower, both of us immersed in the stunning scenery.

Rinne quietly turned around and looked at herself with her beautiful eyes, a gentle smile always on her face.

"I had a really great time on today's date, Shido. How about you?"

Shido nodded and replied with a smile, "I already said, I'm very happy too. It feels like... I've seen many different sides of you than usual."

"Ah, haha... Was I a little too noisy?" The girl looked a little embarrassed.

"No, I think it's great."

Rinne gazed at the setting sun, hesitated for a moment, and then invited herself as usual:

"Thank you, Shido. But I hope... tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, next week, next month... will always be like today."

Will it always be like today...?

Shido's heart skipped a beat, and he was about to say something when a strange fluctuation suddenly came over him. He instinctively rejected what Rinne had said:

"No, Rinne, I... can't do it."

"Huh...?" Her expression turned disappointed. "Why...?"

"This one……"

Shido suddenly didn't know how to explain.

What's going on...? I don't even know why I answered Rinne like that. It was like my mouth just came out automatically.

It's obvious when you think about it; I have absolutely no reason to refuse Rinne. She's an important childhood friend, and we should be together forever...

Yes, it's not too late to change your mind. Quickly apologize to Rinne and ask for her forgiveness. It was just a joke.

"Actually, I want to be with her forever!"

I had a very happy day; countless wonderful things came together here.

'Thump...thump...thump...'

The sound, like a heartbeat, echoed in my mind, and my consciousness became blurred for a moment.

"...?!"

Previously vague memories, like those shrouded in shadow, suddenly became clear.

The sheer volume of information that suddenly flooded Shido's mind even gave him the illusion that the world had suddenly fallen apart.

'thump...'

The same voice came again, and he seemed unable to speak. Looking at Rinne's disappointed expression, he felt powerless to help.

"I still...can't be your real family?" she murmured in a melancholy voice, lowering her head in disappointment.

"cold……"

Before Shido could call out the girl's name again, the space shattered, accompanied by a burst of bright light. When he opened his eyes again, he saw the girl surrounded by blood-red thorns—Rinne Sonogami.

"Where am I...? I'm back!"

Shido looked around and was somewhat surprised to see the ball behind him wrapped in blood-red thorns.