In the world of anime with the power to stop time.

Ryou Fujibayashi had also encountered her friend Ren Nanase at Chiba City Hospital today, and the two had a brief conversation during their lunch break.

She cautiously probed Ren Nanase about her feelings toward Lin Ye.

"Lin-kun is my friend. He once helped me with a big problem, and I'm very grateful to him. Going to the mall with Lin-kun over the weekend was just because he wasn't familiar with Chiba and needed a guide. Ryou, don't overthink it!"

That was Ren Nanase is response to Ryou Fujibayashi.

Ryou Fujibayashi didn't believe it.

As a girl, she was very sensitive when it came to matters of affection. A girl willing to accompany a man alone to the mall, have dinner, shop, and even watch a movie together how could that be just a normal friendship?

It's just, it's just...

Her purple short hair swayed gently with her slight movements as she took a deep breath and made a decision: she decided to trust Ren Nanase.

As a friend, she should believe Ren Nanase is words and not rely solely on her own feelings to judge. Yes, that's it.

She and Lin Ye were friends too. Inviting Lin Ye out over the weekend as a friend shouldn't be a problem, right?

"Lin-kun, um..."

Hesitant words emerged, immediately making Lin Ye on the other end of the phone understand that the girl had something she wanted to say but hesitated to.

"Go ahead!"

"We're friends now, right?"

She was a little nervous.

"Aren't we already friends?"

"Yes, yes, of course, we're friends."

"So..."

"So?"

"From now on, just call me 'Ryou.' 'Miss Ryou' feels too formal it doesn't sound like something friends would say."

At the end, Ryou Fujibayashi suddenly changed her mind. Inviting him out how hard it was to say, how embarrassing.

Her face was flushed with heat at that moment.

"I'm worried Miss Fujibayashi might kill me if she hears me calling you that."

"My sister wouldn't do that!"

"I don't believe it."

"Really! My sister isn't that violent."

"Your tone doesn't sound convincing at all."

Ryou Fujibayashi wanted to cry. After all, her sister Kyou Fujibayashi had indeed been a bit violent during their high school days.

"If I'm here, my sister won't do anything to Lin-kun. Really, believe me. I I'll protect Lin-kun."

By the end of her sentence, the girl had used almost all the courage she could muster.

"With Ryou protecting me, I feel relieved."

A wave of joy surged in her heart like a fountain. Ryou Fujibayashi couldn't suppress her delighted smile, and her charming expression seemed to fill the room with a cherry blossom-like atmosphere.

"Yes, and, um, do you have time this weekend?"

Striking while the iron was hot, Ryou Fujibayashi went all in.

The girl's voice was soft, her tone trembling slightly with embarrassment.

She was nervous and shy.

Lin Ye could tell.

It was a pity, though! It was rare for a girl to invite him out for the weekend it could be said to be a first in his life! But he already had plans.

"Sorry, Ryou, I've got something going on this weekend."

Was it a date with Ren?

Ryou Fujibayashi is expectant expression instantly turned into disappointment and dejection, her entire demeanor dimming significantly.

"Alright, Lin-kun, take care of your own matters first."

"How about next weekend? I don't have plans for next weekend for now. But Ryou, you just started as a nurse. I remember nursing is a shift-based job, and your break times aren't fixed."

"It's okay; I can adjust my schedule."

Ryou Fujibayashi blurted out quickly, afraid that Lin Ye would refuse.

"Let's go with your schedule! I can take leave more flexibly."

The purple short-haired girl's heart warmed. Lin Ye was being so considerate it was so gentle of him.

"Alright, and there's one more thing I need to tell you."

"What is it?"

Ryou Fujibayashi recounted yesterday's chain car accident in Chiba.

Amid the pile-up at the front, at least seven vehicles in the rear had failed to brake or slow down, crashing into the ones ahead.

Lin Ye sensed something strange.

If it wasn't a bizarre incident causing it, then it was highly likely that the people in the cars had already been involved in an "anomaly" and had died in the incident, leading to this "suicidal" behavior.

"I understand. Don't go to the accident site, and be cautious when dealing with the injured. Prioritize your own safety. If you notice anything unusual about the individuals, keep your distance and contact me immediately. Also, ask Miss Kyou Fujibayashi to avoid it as well try to stay away from that area."

Lin Ye had thought about asking Ryou Fujibayashi to stay away from Chiba City Hospital altogether, but after considering reality, he abandoned the suggestion.

First, it wasn't confirmed whether the chain car accident was related to the anomaly. Second, whether the accident victims would attract anomalies. And third, similar incidents were only going to increase in the future it wouldn't be feasible to keep asking Ryou Fujibayashi to stay away every time.

As long as Ryou Fujibayashi intended to continue working as a nurse, contact with injured people was inevitable.

"Yes, I'll be careful. If there's any danger, I'll contact Lin-kun immediately."

After chatting a bit more, the two ended the call.

Sitting on her bed, Ryou Fujibayashi clenched her fists in celebration.

"That's great."

No time this weekend, but he'd be free next weekend.

What should she wear for the outing?

"No, no, no it's not a date."

Ryou Fujibayashi shook her head vigorously, her face red.

"A date with whom?"

"Ah!"

At that moment, Ryou Fujibayashi noticed her sister standing at the door, wearing a white apron and holding a spatula.

"Sis..."

"That guy wants to date you?"

"No, no, no! Not at all, sis!"

Ryou Fujibayashi hurriedly explained.

But her flustered explanation only made Kyou Fujibayashi more certain of her guess.

"Dinner's ready."

With that, Kyou Fujibayashi turned and headed to the kitchen. She knew there was no point in pressing now her younger sister might appear soft and timid, but she was surprisingly stubborn about certain things.

She would approach Lin Ye instead.

"Thinking you can date my sister? Dream on."

Clang! Clang!

Kyou Fujibayashi slammed the spatula against the iron pan with force as she stir-fried the vegetables, seemingly venting all her frustration onto the greens.

Hearing the sound from the dining room, Ryou Fujibayashi felt a surge of nervousness.

The two sisters soon sat down and began their meal.

At that moment, Ryou Fujibayashi hoped their parents would return home soon.

...

After finishing his call with Ryou Fujibayashi, Lin Ye immediately tried to contact Ren Nanase.

But the call didn't connect. However, within half a minute, his phone rang.

"Sorry, sorry, Lin-kun. I was eating just now, so I didn't notice the ringtone."

On the other end of the call came Ren Nanase is apologetic voice.

"It's fine. How have you been feeling these past couple of days? Is work tiring?"

"Tiring, but many of the injured have survived and are recovering quickly. My exhaustion is nothing compared to that."

This sense of achievement and fulfillment made Ren Nanase feel that her work was meaningful and valuable.

"Angel Ren, you're a true angel."

"Lin-kun..."

Ren Nanase is shy voice came through, but she sounded happy.

"I wanted to ask about yesterday's chain car accident did you notice anything unusual?"

"Yes, I was planning to tell you after dinner."

Ren Nanase recalled and began explaining.

Aside from the vehicles failing to brake, she mentioned something else:

"Some of the injured had very peculiar wounds, which couldn't possibly have been caused by a car accident."

"Did any officials come to the hospital?"

"Yes, people dressed in black suits, very formal attire. But I don't know which department they were from. Should I try to find out tomorrow..."

"No, Ren, don't investigate. Promise me this: just focus on your duties as a nurse at the hospital. Don't concern yourself with anything else."

Ren Nanase could sense the seriousness in Lin Ye is words.

"Alright, I'll listen to you. Um... also, just call me Ren from now on. 'Miss Ren' doesn't sound like something friends would say."

Did she and Ryou Fujibayashi plan this? Both of them asking me to call them by their first names on the same day.

"Aren't you worried about your admirers misunderstanding?"

"I don't have any admirers."

"I might misunderstand."

Ren Nanase: ???

Her brain turned for a moment, and then she realized what Lin Ye meant. A blush of shyness appeared on her face, a faint crimson spreading across it.

"This weekend I have a day and a half off as compensation for working overtime yesterday. If Lin-kun is free, I'll accompany you to continue exploring Chiba! I promised to make it up to you yesterday."

"Is it the kind of compensation I'm thinking of?"

"Lin-kun,"

Ren Nanase is shy voice grew even softer.

"Hahaha, I'm looking forward to your compensation, Ren, but I won't be free this weekend. Sorry."

The nurse with chestnut-colored long hair let out a sigh of relief but also felt a tiny bit of disappointment.

For a moment just now, she seemed to genuinely think that if Lin Ye did something to her over the weekend, she might not refuse.

"What about next week?"

"I probably won't have time next week either. Let's see by then!"

"Okay."

"If you encounter anything strange or dangerous in the hospital, make sure to stay away and contact me immediately."

"I will."

After two consecutive phone calls, Lin Ye sat at his desk, writing his summary notes for the day.

The sound of paper being scratched by the pen added a unique charm to the otherwise quiet room.

"It's 8 o'clock."

Lin Ye changed into workout clothes, grabbed a few items, and headed out for a night run.

At this time of night,

There were few pedestrians on the streets, with occasional passing vehicles. Lin Ye ran along the pedestrian paths of the streets.

The evening wind was chilly, blowing directly in his face, bringing a constant coolness.

"Huff..."

"Huff..."

He maintained steady breathing and ran forward with even steps.

Half an hour later, Lin Ye stopped running and switched to walking.

"I thought I might encounter something eerie!"

In Lin Ye's opinion, the probability of encountering something eerie was higher at night.

"Tomorrow night, I'll run in another direction."

It would also help him familiarize himself with the area while looking forward to encountering something eerie.

Without encountering eerie events or participating in the eerie game, he couldn't earn game points and experience to quickly improve his overall strength.

On the other side,

In an apartment belonging to the Yukinoshita family's properties in Chiba,

A black-haired girl changed into loose beige loungewear, hiding her slender figure.

In the simple and sparsely furnished living room,

After thinking for a long time, the girl couldn't resist her curiosity and dialed a number.

Beep... beep... beep...

After a series of rings, the call connected.

"Oh my, Yukino taking the initiative to contact me? That's rare!"

On the other end of the call came a cheerful female voice tinged with a playful smile.

Haruno Yukinoshita, the eldest daughter of the Yukinoshita family, currently a sophomore at Chiba University, also a graduate of Sobu High, and well-acquainted with Shizuka Hiratsuka.

"You must have missed your sister! You definitely missed me! I'll drive over to see you right away, Yukino! I miss you so much too!"

The barrage of words overwhelmed Yukino Yukinoshita.

She slightly distanced the phone from her ear, and after sensing that her sister's emotions had stabilized, she brought it back to her ear.

"Alright! Since you probably don't want to hear your sister's heartfelt words about how much she misses you, tell me, what's the reason for contacting me?"

If there wasn't a reason, Haruno didn't believe her sister would reach out.

After a few seconds of hesitation, Yukino spoke.

"Do eerie things really exist?"

"....."

Haruno fell silent, and the phone call plunged into silence.

The next moment,

"Hahahahaha..."

"Hahahahaha, this is killing me! Yukino actually believes in such rumors! Hahahaha..."

She held her stomach and burst into laughter.

The joyful and melodic laughter instantly darkened Yukino's expression. Though she had mentally prepared herself to be ridiculed by her sister, she still felt very upset when it actually happened.

After a while,

"Big sister,"

"Sorry, sorry, it's just too funny. The ever-scared-of-ghosts Yukino actually believes eerie things exist now. Haha"

One sentence couldn't hide Haruno's uncontrollable laughter.

"This isn't something to laugh about."

"It is. It's absolutely hilarious. How about this... Yukino, let's visit Chiba Shrine!"

"Why should we go to Chiba Shrine?"

To pray for blessings and ward off evil?

"Because recently, I overheard some classmates chatting, mentioning that 'the deity statue at Chiba Shrine smiles at night, walks around, and even caused a shrine maiden to faint.'"

Yukino Yukinoshita is heart began to feel unsettled.

She wasn't good at dealing with matters related to gods, ghosts, or eerie things.

"Perfect! I also happen to have free time tonight and really want to see Yukino. I'll come over now, and we can have a nighttime visit to Chiba Shrine as sisters!"

"The shrine would already be closed at night."

"Don't worry, we're Yukinoshitas!"

"....."

"Or is Yukino scared?"

"Sister..."

"Yukino must be scared. Of course, late at night, how could Yukino dare to visit Chiba Shrine with me?"

"Sister, I'll wait for you to come over. We'll go to Chiba Shrine together."

Holding her phone tightly, Yukino spoke seriously.

"Okay! I'll come over right away."

But immediately, Haruno covered the microphone and spoke to someone on the other side.

"Alright, I understand. I'm coming."

She then said to Yukino,

"Sorry, Yukino, something came up. I can't make it to you tonight. Such a shame I was really looking forward to seeing you cry from fear."

"I won't cry."

"Back when I told ghost stories as a kid, who was it that cried and hid under the blanket?"

Yukino bit her lip.

"I'm hanging up."

"Wait, wait..."

"Goodnight, sister."

Not waiting for Haruno to respond, Yukino hung up the phone.

"Sister's reaction is normal; she probably wasn't lying. Maybe I'm overthinking this."

However, in the end, Yukino Yukinoshita pulled out her laptop and began searching online.

In addition to looking up information related to eerie occurrences, she also searched for "clairvoyance."

"Suddenly discovering you've awakened the superpower of clairvoyance."

"Clairvoyance only works on one man; what should I do?"

"How do I get rid of this superpower?"

...

In front of the red laptop screen, the liquid crystal light illuminated Yukinoshita's face.

Now wearing red-rimmed protective glasses, Yukino Yukinoshita was staring at a piece of text on the screen.

"Conscious training of superpowers can increase their strength and control,"

Which meant that conscious practice could further enhance the control and power of her clairvoyance? Could she turn it on and off at will?

But how should she train?

Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't help but wonder.

Was it through conscious observation?

But, but...

She hesitated. Her pale face couldn't help but flush again. The scene of the naked man from earlier emerged in her mind once more.

That was a man's body!

"Let's see tomorrow. Maybe this strange condition will disappear by then."

If it persisted, she might as well give it a try.

Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't help but think.

...

...

Meanwhile,

Haruno, who was quietly sitting in her seat, had maintained the same posture for a while.

Just now, in reality, no one had called her. It was all her own act.

"Something strange is happening around Yukino?"

It shouldn't be, right?

But it wasn't entirely impossible.

"I need to pay attention to what has been happening around my sister lately."

Haruno nodded to herself, making a decision.

"This eerie world is still too much for her. Even if she finds out, what can she do?"

Being targeted by something eerie? Being summoned to participate in an "eerie game"?

No matter which option it was, for her younger sister, it was a matter of life and death.

Becoming a player was a fortunate thing, but only if one could survive the first game, and more importantly, continue to face the dangers of subsequent "game scenarios."

Let alone Yukino; even she did not have the courage to face it head-on.

"Let's call Shizuka and ask about the situation."

A few minutes later,

Haruno ended the call and put down her phone.

"Yukino even asked Shizuka; it seems she is genuinely suspicious now."

"Let's see what Mother thinks about this first!"

As a natural sister-complex, Haruno sincerely wished for her younger sister to stay away from the bizarre and continue her current peaceful daily life.

What the future held, no one knew, but Haruno was acutely aware that the mundane and ordinary daily life of the present would become increasingly rare in the future.

She stood up and walked towards the bed.

'Rustle…'

Haruno slipped under the blanket.

"Good night, Yukino."

...

...

April 16th, Tuesday,

Tokyo Nerima University,

A male university student, with slightly trembling fingers, was editing a message and sending it to an email address.

"Dead."

"Zawano is really dead."

Otaku had already received the news directly from Zawano's father.

"Two nights ago, near the Chiba mall, he was bitten by a stray dog and suddenly developed rabies."

But he knew that Zawano's death was definitely not caused by rabies.

Even if Zawano was indeed bitten by a stray dog and infected with the rabies virus two days ago, rabies would not have taken effect so quickly.

So,

This was still similar to the double suicide of that couple; Zawano died in the "eerie school building" and was rationalized in reality as an accidental death.

Terrifying,

Even after experiencing it once, Otaku couldn't help but shiver.

The shadow of death still loomed over him.

"It's fine. Calm down. Hug a big leg. That's the way to go."

Otaku Kazuya slapped his bed, startling his still-sleeping roommate.

"Hey, Kazuya, what are you doing?! Early in the morning, and there's no class today. Why are you acting crazy?"

"Help a brother out."

"What's the matter?"

"I need all the information on Chizuru Mizuhara. I'll treat you guys to a big meal."

As soon as the words fell, the three sleepy roommates instantly woke up.

"You're crushing on her?"

"You dare chase after Chizuru, the campus queen?"

"The rich and handsome guy from our school was rejected by her!"

...

"Just answer whether you'll help or not. I need her information. Don't worry, I'm not pursuing her. I'm fully aware of my own level."

"Then what is it?"

"I'm helping out my big brother."

Immediately, the three lay back down.

"Sleep."

"Good luck on your own."

"We're not in the mood for this."

...

...

"It's me who wants to pursue her. Help me, brothers! If you don't help me, I'm going to die!"

It might really be possible to die.

Otaku Kazuya thought.

...

...

On the train heading to Sobu High, Lin Ye received an email from Otaku at Tokyo Nerima University.

"Died of rabies."

The "eerie game" caused participants who died in the game to die in reality through different means.

In a way, it could be said to contribute to maintaining order in society.

Otherwise, if a large number of people suddenly and mysteriously disappeared or died unnaturally in a short time, such as a mass suicide by jumping, this phenomenon would inevitably arouse suspicion and panic, destabilizing social order.

"The eerie game is consciously avoiding causing major chaos."

It seemed to need human society to remain relatively stable.

Was it to ensure a steady influx of players?

Lin Ye speculated.

"The next station is approaching..."

With the broadcast announcement, Lin Ye left the train station.

On a street where cherry blossoms fluttered, Lin Ye strolled towards Sobu High. Ahead, high-spirited high school girls in Sobu uniforms exuded youthful energy.

The air even carried a faintly sweet fragrance.

"Yo,"

As he walked through the school gates, Lin Ye looked in the direction of the voice and saw the familiar figure in a white lab coat Hiratsuka Shizuka.

"Not late. You're doing well today."

"Thanks to your great teaching, teacher, I've learned the importance of being a punctual student."

"Heh, it's obviously because of Yukinoshita."

Hiratsuka Shizuka smiled and waved her hand, signaling Lin Ye to quickly enter the school building.

"Hurry to your class. Whatever the reason, I hope you keep it up."

"I will, teacher."

Arriving in Class J, Lin Ye took his seat.

He pulled out his math book and began studying. Knowledge he had long forgotten slowly resurfaced in his mind.

He didn't have much trouble with science. Physics, chemistry, biology Lin Ye felt they weren't too difficult. As long as he devoted some time each day, he could manage. Other subjects, like English, weren't overly complex either. However, for courses different from those in his homeland, he would need to start from scratch and study seriously.

"Study... my foot."

"Just copy."

Lin Ye quickly made up his mind. If it weren't for the foundation he had in math and science, which allowed him to perform well with minimal review, he would have chosen to copy answers there as well.

As class time approached,

The last student of Class J entered the classroom.

It was Yukino Yukinoshita.

Lin Ye observed the girl's appearance and couldn't help but lament the "perspective" flaw he now had.

This would last for a week.

Fortunately, the subject was a beautiful girl like Yukinoshita. If it were a man, it would be an eyesore. If it were one of the teachers in the class, he'd risk angering Hiratsuka Shizuka to request a week off to avoid this uncomfortable situation.

Sitting at her desk, Yukino Yukinoshita felt the breeze from the window, brushed her long black hair behind her ear with her right hand, and glanced out of the corner of her eye at Lin Ye, who sat diagonally behind her.

"Sigh!"

She let out a soft sigh.

There was no apparent change.

But why was it Lin Ye?

Could it be because Lin Ye was the closest male to her? The first to visit the Service Club? The first male she made contact with after gaining the perspective ability?

She proposed several plausible hypotheses.

'Ding ding ding…'

The bell signaling the start of class rang.

The middle-aged female teacher entered the classroom.

"Class begins."

A day of learning officially commenced.

...

At noon,

After the other students had left, Lin Ye finally stood up and left the classroom.

"Lin-kun."

It was Hina Tachibana.

"This is for you."

Hina Tachibana handed Lin Ye a bento.

"Enjoy it."

Her younger sister had prepared extra lunch, so Hina Tachibana had brought it for Lin Ye to try.

She knew Lin Ye hadn't prepared lunch today either.

"Thank you, teacher."

Watching Hina Tachibana walk away, Lin Ye's smile masked a hint of concern.

The incident with Miyuki Kuroshima had been a wake-up call.

At least during his time as a student, he couldn't have close interactions with Hina Tachibana.

He could disregard rumors and public opinion, but Hina Tachibana, as a teacher, couldn't.

Lin Ye could hardly imagine what immense pressure Hina Tachibana would face if rumors about the two of them spread at Sobu High.

In front of Class J's door, Yukino Yukinoshita, holding her bento, walked towards the club building.

"Yukinoshita-senpai, mind if I join you?"

Yukino Yukinoshita glanced back but said nothing.

This means there was no refusal, and Lin Ye quickly followed.

Walking along the corridor, the black-haired girl kept reminding herself,

This is to train my superpower and enhance my control.

Otherwise, how could she possibly allow Lin Ye to eat in the Service Club? Just the thought of watching a shirtless guy eat made her uncomfortable.

But for the sake of improving her superpower control, Yukino Yukinoshita endured it.

In the Service Club room,

The two started eating across the table.

When Lin Ye opened his lunchbox and saw the variety of dishes inside, his appetite increased.

"Teacher Tachibana Hina is really good to you."

Yukino Yukinoshita surprisingly took the initiative to speak.

This was the second time she had seen Teacher Tachibana Hina prepare lunch for Lin Ye.

"I once helped Teacher Tachibana Hina with something,"

"As your club president, I don't want to hear any rumors about you and Teacher Tachibana. At this age, both boys and girls love gossip, and the power of rumors is immense."

Lin Ye understood this was Yukino Yukinoshita kindly reminding him to watch his actions and behavior.

"I understand."

"You don't understand."

After Yukino Yukinoshita said this, she seemed to realize her words were inappropriate and showed a fleeting hint of apology. She then silently started eating her own lunch.

"Rumors can easily trigger a bloody case and lead to a tragedy. I can be indifferent, but as a teacher, Tachibana Hina may not be able to. Thank you for the reminder. I'll take the initiative to talk to her about it. From now on, there's no need for her to prepare lunches like this."

"Mm."

Yukino Yukinoshita responded softly.

"Then..."

Lin Ye's tone suddenly carried a hint of amusement.

"Shouldn't President Yukinoshita be responsible for my lunch?"

Yukino Yukinoshita glanced at him.

"Give me a reason to be responsible for your lunch."

"Isn't being your first club member enough?"

"Not enough."

"How about being the first member to confess to you multiple times and express their feelings?"

"If I remember correctly, Lin-san, you've already moved on and now like Mai Sakurajima and... Ai Hoshino, don't you?"

Yukinoshita had a great memory; she remembered everything.

"What do you mean by moving on? I'm just broad-minded."

"Ha, only a scumbag would say something like that. Congratulations, Lin 'Scumbag' Ye, on earning this title."

The previously quiet classroom unexpectedly became lively.

After school,

Lin Ye still came to the Service Club to participate in club activities.

But for now, the Service Club had no one coming in with any requests.

'Knock, knock, knock...'

The classroom door of the Service Club was knocked on.

The person who entered was a girl dressed in Sobu High's uniform. Her delicate makeup instantly marked her as a trendy girl, and her pink bun hairstyle immediately reminded Lin Ye of who she was.

Yui Yuigahama,

The second female lead of Oregairu.

The male lead's car accident was also related to her family's dog.

To come to the Service Club so soon,

This must be the original plotline where she seeks advice on baking cookies for someone!

"Hel-hello!"

Yui Yuigahama said timidly.

She quickly introduced herself.

"I'm Yukino Yukinoshita, the president of the Service Club, and he is Lin Ye, a prospective member of the Service Club."

"Why is he a prospective member?"

"You haven't submitted your membership application yet."

"Uh!"

He really hadn't.

"So, Yui-san, what brings you to the Service Club?"

"I, I..."

She hesitated to speak.

It's just about baking cookies. Is it that hard to say?

"My-my dachshund, Sabure, is missing. I can't find him. Last weekend, I took him to Chiba Mall, and in the blink of an eye, he was gone."

"I took a day off yesterday to search for him, but I still couldn't find him."

"So, so..."

Yui Yuigahama was on the verge of tears.

Lin Ye was stunned.

A dog, Chiba Mall so the dog that bit Sawano and caused his rabies infection is your dog, Sabure, isn't it!

Lin Ye immediately sensed an eerie event brewing.

This request must be accepted!