I don't know when it started, but I was suddenly endowed with the strange attribute of having written some volumes exceptionally well and others poorly. I thought I wrote volumes 1 through 12 quite nicely, but for volume 13, I felt my inspiration and skill were lacking. Alas, but the subsequent battle of the Top Five, or perhaps the Top Six?

Seven? Eight?

How does one even go about leading a life as ordinary as a common person?

Lin Luo truly had no experience with this. If it were the past, he would, of course, be engrossed in various detailed relationship strategies with the game's heroines. Now, does that mean employing those strategies on real girls?

Fine, even though his mind was saturated with a worldview far removed from reality, it didn't stop him from knowing that this wasn't ordinary daily life. The routine for typical young couples usually involved shopping, watching movies, buying things, and going on dates, right?

Lin Luo had promised Tomoyo that he would live a period of ordinary life in this world. Since that was the case, he would temporarily set aside the matter of the God War and strive for a balance between work and rest. Occasional relaxation was not a bad thing.

The small town was unlike the bustle of a big city; it lacked many places for leisure and entertainment, possessing instead a profound sense of tranquility and peace. Tomoyo didn't yearn to see a movie at a luxurious cinema or ride a roller coaster at a massive amusement park. Her personality aligned perfectly with this town; she valued simplicity and sincerity above all else.

Thus, their entire day consisted of nothing more than wandering around the town, strolling from one end to the other. They would help an elderly woman cross the street, rescue a lost, mischievous child from the relentless pursuit of Wangcai, buy half-price bento when hungry, and drink couple-branded beverages when thirsty. The elderly always said that true affection blossoms from the mundane. While this sentiment might not be popular in a materialistic society, it wasn't entirely baseless.

At the very least, through these simple acts, the affection between Lin Luo and Tomoyo surged forward at an incredible pace.

For a stretch of time in this world, Lin Luo had no other identity but Tomoyo’s boyfriend, and Tomoyo was just an ordinary girl visiting home for the holiday with her boyfriend—this was their agreement.

As dusk approached, Tomoyo suggested visiting Kouhaka High School, the place that could have helped her realize her wish. Although her wish was now fulfilled and she was no longer a student there, those few days of campus life had made her genuinely fond of the school.

Lin Luo naturally could not refuse. The two walked arm-in-arm up the slope lined with blooming cherry blossoms. They let the petals drift down from the trees, some landing on them, others sweeping past their eyes. The fragrance was intoxicating, yet neither spoke, simply savoring this rare moment of quietude.

After a short walk, Tomoyo rested her head on Lin Luo’s shoulder, her eyes slightly narrowed, and suddenly said, "I truly wish this feeling could last forever."

"It should be called living," Lin Luo murmured, gently stroking her hair and smiling. "One day, every one of us will attain a peaceful life."

"Actually, I am already very content. My family is harmonious, the cherry blossoms my little brother loved have been saved, and I am experiencing the daily life of an ordinary girl," Tomoyo said softly, a look of joy spreading across her face.

"Yes, that's right!" Amidst this warm and peaceful atmosphere, Lin Luo felt his spirit cleansed. Just as he was speaking, he suddenly felt something bump against his heel.

"Goo-woo! Goo-woo! Goo-woo...,..." A strange sound accompanied it.

"What was that noise? Was it your stomach?" Tomoyo heard the sound and looked toward Lin Luo's abdomen.

"No way," Lin Luo decisively shook his head, his gaze dropping. He saw a small, dark brown, mottled creature persistently nudging his heel with its nose—a nose whose combat power was clearly only 5—while letting out those goo-woo noises, seemingly in provocation.

"Wow, what a cute little animal!" Lin Luo was about to kick the small thing challenging him away when Tomoyo’s eyes and hands moved quickly, scooping it up first, exclaiming in surprise.

Ah, isn't this Botan?!

It was only then that Lin Luo clearly saw the identity of the little thing cradled in Tomoyo's arms: it was the magical pet "wild boar" belonging to the Dictionary Emperor, Fujibayashi Kyou. He inwardly breathed a sigh of relief, glad he hadn't followed through with that kick. Otherwise, if the Dictionary Emperor learned he had mercilessly struck her pet, he would surely suffer for it.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, did we startle you?" Just then, a girl’s timid, flustered voice drifted from the cherry blossom grove nearby.

Lin Luo turned his head and saw a short-haired girl with purple hair running toward them. Upon seeing the girl's appearance, he couldn't help but sigh that today was truly a fine day for "family" reunions.

"I'm sorry—wait! Aren't you that comical referee?" The girl rushed up to the pair, patting her chest and panting slightly. She stopped mid-apology when her eyes met Lin Luo's face, crying out in surprise.

The girl was none other than Fujibayashi Riku, Kyou's twin sister.

Yeah, I'm your future brother-in-law, Lin Luo grumbled internally, but what came out of his mouth was an unavoidable question: "You recognize me?" "Of course, I remember that match vividly, especially since my sister participated too," the girl smiled slightly, but the expression quickly shifted as she seemed to recall something, blushing as she bowed. "Um... hello, my name is Fujibayashi Riku. I'm s-s-so sorry just now; my pet caused you trouble."

"It's nothing, don't worry about it. We could even be considered friends," Lin Luo said with a gentle smile, introducing himself in turn, though his mind was filled with confusion... The fact that Fujibayashi Riku remembered him meant she had indeed been to the Madoka Magica world. Yet, this small town was currently separate from that world, and logically, she should just be a normal person. Why did she still remember events that happened there?

Was it merely a simple crossing of two worlds that then returned to their proper track?

Lin Luo couldn't figure it out, but at that moment, he had no time to dwell on it. After Riku took Botan back from Tomoyo, the introverted and steady girl continued to apologize profusely to them.

"We already said it's fine, we weren't bothered at all."

"Yes, and this little guy is quite cute..."

"You are truly good people." Hearing them both say this, Fujibayashi Riku finally relaxed and immediately gave Lin Luo a 'Good Person Card,' much to his internal chagrin. She then held the wild boar closer to them and introduced, "This is my sister's pet, a baby wild boar named Botan. I'm taking care of him for now."

Lin Luo felt that Botan’s species had gone beyond the scope of a wild boar; it should probably be termed a mutated creature.

"Botan is a very happy name," Tomoyo said. Although she wasn't a boar enthusiast like Emperor Kyou, she was extremely fond of the little creature. She stuck out a finger to tease it, and the magical Botan immediately let out a strange "VVV" sound, acting quite affectionately.

Lin Luo also wanted to tease it, but when he reached out to touch Botan, the creature responded like an enraged fighting bull, letting out goo-woo roars. If he hadn't dodged quickly, his finger would have been bitten.

"What is wrong with this guy?" Lin Luo was immensely frustrated. Could it be that this little thing sensed he had charmed Fujibayashi Kyou and was now seeking trouble with him? That was too absurd!

"Haha, it seems this little guy doesn't like you," Tomoyo teased, ignoring Lin Luo's gloom.

"I'm sorry, Botan is usually very well-behaved," Fujibayashi Riku couldn't help but apologize again, defending Botan. "Perhaps he hasn't seen my sister for a long time, so he's in a bad mood?" Lin Luo’s heart stirred, and he seized the opportunity to ask, "Is your sister that girl who throws dictionaries? Where did she go?"

"She went to study abroad in Tianchao; it's been about two months now."

Study abroad in Tianchao again? Long live my great Tianchao!

Lin Luo was beyond commentary, but he somewhat understood why Fujibayashi Riku still remembered him. It was likely that when Fujibayashi Kyou crossed over, she, like Tomoyo, had a similar wish, activating the power of the World Heart.

Although there were still a few lingering doubts that bothered him, Fujibayashi Riku’s existence was too distant to reach those questions. If he wanted to understand them, he would probably have to find Hatsune Miku, or perhaps after reaching the Heavenly Rank.

"Oh, right, let me give you both a divination, as an apology from Botan." Because Botan had nearly bitten off Lin Luo's finger (it couldn't bite him at all), Fujibayashi Riku felt guilty. Seeing that Lin Luo and Tomoyo seemed to be a couple, she had a sudden inspiration to use her best skill as atonement.

"Divination?" Tomoyo looked bewildered.

"We'll trouble you then," Lin Luo replied. He knew Fujibayashi Riku was skilled at card reading. Whether it was accurate or not, it wouldn't be boring to witness.

"Okay, please wait a moment." Seeing Lin Luo agree, Fujibayashi Riku beamed, immediately taking out the deck of playing cards she carried and beginning the divination for the two with meticulous movements. However, her timid expression lacked any aura of a fortune teller, and she appeared clumsy. After just a few shuffles, the entire deck scattered onto the floor, instantly dropping her already low divination credibility to freezing point.

Well, I guess I'll just play along with her.

Lin Luo noticed Tomoyo’s expression of speechlessness, shrugged with a wry smile, signaling that she was his sister-in-law, after all; he had to give her some face.

"It's calculated. Tomoyo-san, you are about to have great fortune. If you obtain something beautiful, you can ascend to the heavens in one step," Fujibayashi Riku carefully examined the cards on the ground, then looked up and stated seriously.

"Huh? What’s that?" Tomoyo was confused.

Never mind her confusion; Lin Luo was also completely bewildered. This seemed to be a love fortune reading. What did "ascend to the heavens in one step" even mean? If she said it meant instantly becoming the principal consort, that could barely be understood.

Before either of them could react, Fujibayashi Riku looked toward Lin Luo and said tentatively, "Lin Luo-kun, your card fortune is terrible. You are very likely to die."

Ptooey!

Lin Luo nearly spat out his drink. "Hey, are you intentionally trying to pick a fight?"

Fujibayashi Riku waved her hands frantically. "No, no! That’s just what the cards show. On a romantic night, you will meet several girls—very important girls to you—and they will pluck the stars from the sky for you... Huh, wait, that seems a bit off?"

The girl started with a very serious tone, but as she went on, even she couldn't be sure, only feeling that the result of the divination was truly strange.

"..." Lin Luo genuinely felt that asking her to do a divination was a beautiful mistake.