All Beautiful Girls Want to Stick with Me

”Everything in the world has its own laws. Humans have their laws, nature has its rules, and the system world has its order too. To reverse life and death means bearing sin as the price. Don’t think I’m not afraid—I am. But for your sake, I find I have nothing left to fear. Inside me there’s only courage.”

”What price exactly?!” Kotomi asked anxiously. She wanted to be revived, but not at the cost of Kazumi’s wellbeing…

”Forcing life back, especially reviving two at once—the energy consumed and the price I must bear will instantly exhaust me as a system. I’ll fall into a long slumber. As for when I’ll wake…” Kazumi’s bitter smile deepened. ”I don’t know.”

But it was the only way. The moment Kazumi chose soul preservation, she had already accepted this outcome.

She was afraid. As a system, if her energy were depleted, the host’s powers wouldn’t disappear—but Kazumi herself might either wake from her slumber after a long time or never wake at all, vanishing in her sleep.

Even knowing this, she still used soul preservation, and she would use time rewind next. Because she didn’t want Kotomi to die.

The rest of the path… would have to be walked by Kotomi alone.

Seeing Kotomi’s face about to crumple into tears, Kazumi smiled faintly and pushed her small shoulder. ”Don’t show that expression. You need to grow up. From here on, you’ll have to rely on yourself.”

”Will the slumber from energy depletion hurt you in any way?” Kotomi asked, lips trembling.

”No.”

Kazumi shook her head firmly, her brightest smile on her face.

”It’s just exhaustion. Just a long sleep. You don’t need to worry. It’s like when humans get tired and need rest. What, you weren’t planning on making me work overtime, were you? Haha… enough joking. Be ready. I’ll return your soul and rewind time.”

Her words eased Kotomi’s heart a little. She followed Kazumi’s instructions, stepping off the sofa and sitting on the floor.

Kazumi also left the sofa.

The two faced each other.

”Before I fall asleep, I have one small request. Kotomi, can you… hug me first?”

Kotomi did as asked, holding her tightly in her arms. Kazumi’s skin was soft and damp with sweat.

Her warm body carried the steady thump-thump of a heartbeat.

The silent embrace lasted who knew how long. It could have been hours, or just a few seconds. In this mental space without time, there was no way to tell.

Kazumi leaned closer, brushing her nose against Kotomi’s. Light of pink and blue shimmered beautifully around her, like when she usually returned from the real world into Kotomi’s body.

As Kotomi’s eyes began to close fully, Kazumi seemed to whisper something softly.

When Kotomi returned from the mental space to reality, Kazumi had already set things in place: if she were to vanish during her slumber, then Kotomi would forget everything about her.

In Kotomi’s memory, she would only recall having a cold, silent system. One that never spoke, never chatted with her. Its only benefit? The shop prices were cheap.

”If you ever feel lonely or afraid~ just climb the mountains and cross the seas~ all that you lack will be healed by the imagined sound of strings and the ocean’s tide~ with kindness and love, hold onto the love within your reach~ with those eyes full of affection~ watch her~ as she walks toward the place no one else can reach~”

At the very end, Kazumi smiled faintly, humming softly, before sinking into her long sleep.

...

When Kotomi opened her eyes again, the world around her from her feet to the horizon was dyed in afternoon sunset.

She realized time had rewound to after school, when she was walking home with Megumi Kato.

”Kazumi…” Kotomi called softly. But unlike before, there was no reply. The mental space was silent, vast, and empty.

Before she knew it, tears had begun to fall.

From now on, she would have to live using only her own strength.

And wait—until Kazumi awakened from her long slumber.

...

”Kotomi.”

Megumi Kato softly called her name from not far away. Kotomi turned around, instinctively touching her stomach.

The wound was gone. Her soft skin had returned to normal.

Kotomi walked a few steps, then suddenly stopped, again rubbing her stomach. To Megumi, this little action looked so cute she couldn’t help but laugh lightly.

”Are you hungry? Come on, let’s go. I bought a lot of snacks earlier and left them in the kitchen. Once we get home, I’ll grab some for you.”