Zongman I fight weirdness in everyday world

“Even though your popularity in the group is, well, near the bottom.”

“You…!”

Toyohama Nodoka's sore spot was hit, and the hand gripping the sofa armrest tightened involuntarily.

“Bang!”

Seeing the wooden armrest crushed and wood chips falling on the carpet, Yae Hoshi was speechless.

“That's gonna cost ya, you broke it, you gotta pay for it.”

Immediately afterward, Yae Hoshi changed the subject, shaking his head thoughtfully.

“Even this level of provocation makes you lose control of this body's power, revealing such flaws. It seems you really can't control Mai-senpai's body well; that's the main problem.”

Hearing this, Toyohama Nodoka realized that the other party wasn't simply teasing her but wanted to see her emotional control abilities.

Clearly, she had failed.

Sakurajima Mai sighed helplessly.

“Yeah, Nodoka can't freely control my body. It's okay when she's emotionally stable and cautious, but like this, she definitely can't go out and act.”

“I see…”

Yae Hoshi responded noncommittally. Suddenly, a pale ghostly hand appeared beside him, its index finger with sharp nails quickly stabbing toward Toyohama Nodoka, who was sitting there like an arrow.

The Overload Club members hadn't anticipated this situation and couldn't react at all.

But just a second before the index finger was about to pierce her, the pale ghostly hand suddenly stopped.

Sakurajima Mai and the others breathed a sigh of relief, but the next second, they heard Toyohama Nodoka's tone still calm, but with a hint of entanglement.

“What to do… I only took two days off… I still have idol group practice then… In this situation, how am I supposed to go…”

Seeing that Toyohama Nodoka showed no abnormal behavior and was even worried about her idol group practice, Sakurajima Mai and the others realized something.

The ability to materialize the soul depends on the soul, not the body.

Toyohama Nodoka, currently in Sakurajima Mai's body, does not possess the ability to “observe”.

This made Sakurajima Mai, as the older sister, breathe a sigh of relief. After all, Adolescence Syndrome itself was already difficult enough for them as sisters to deal with. If spiritual powers, evil spirits, the inner world, and such things were added, it would be even more troublesome to explain.

“That's good.”

Futaba Rio pushed up her glasses and slowly said.

“Toyohama Nodoka-san, you don't need to do anything special. Just stay here and don't go out. As for Mai-senpai… things like dancing and singing for the idol group, can you do it? If you can't… then we can only…”

“No, I can do it, no problem.”

Sakurajima Mai gave a definite answer without hesitation.

She knew what Futaba Rio wanted to say. If she couldn't complete the idol group practice, then “Toyohama Nodoka” would have to retire as an idol. After this incident passed and the sisters returned to their own bodies, they would return to their normal lives.

But Sakurajima Mai, who had been in the entertainment industry, knew a truth.

Popularity is hard to accumulate.

Although Sakurajima Mai usually didn't show it, she actually cared a lot about her half-sister and often paid attention to the news of the Sweet Bullet idol group.

Toyohama Nodoka had finally gained a foothold on the path of an idol and was in a stage of vigorous development. If she suddenly took a leave of absence or disappeared at this time, it would inevitably affect her future prospects.

As an older sister, Sakurajima Mai didn't want to see her sister sad. For this reason, she had to live as the other party and not let anyone discover anything unusual.

But these words sounded completely different to Toyohama Nodoka.

She looked at Sakurajima Mai sitting next to her. Although she saw her own face, that demeanor and the confidence of having everything under control were clearly her sister's appearance.

Precisely because it was that perfect sister, Sakurajima Mai, whom she had always admired since she was a child…

So she thought being a member of an idol group was a very simple thing…?

The things she could only do with all her might, in her sister's eyes… did she have such absolute certainty…?

As expected… no matter what, she couldn't compare to her sister Sakurajima Mai…

“That's enough.”

Just as Toyohama Nodoka's heart was about to sink to the bottom, she heard Yae Hoshi suddenly speak.

“Your sister means that she can no longer live a normal life, so she doesn't want the Adolescence Syndrome to affect her sister, which is your life. She doesn't want this incident to cause your efforts over the years to be in vain. She doesn't think being a singing and dancing idol is a simple thing.”

Toyohama Nodoka was stunned when she heard this. She noticed that Sakurajima Mai didn't respond, but her expression clearly indicated that this was the case. She couldn't help but look at Yae Hoshi, puzzled.

“You… how do you know what I'm thinking…”

“Hehe, this level of mind-reading is simply easy for me, who is proficient in GALGAME and has avoided countless love triangles and bad endings so far.”

Yae Hoshi stared straight into Toyohama Nodoka's eyes, saying each word clearly.

“Furthermore, I also know that you have developed covetous thoughts towards your brother-in-law, which is me, haven't you!?”

“Haven't I your head.”

Sakurajima Mai reached out and lightly tapped Yae Hoshi's forehead, saying to Toyohama Nodoka in a flat tone.

“You don't need to pay too much attention to what this guy says. He's just an abstract person.”

…

After everyone else had left, Sakurajima Mai noticed Yae Hoshi walking towards her. She directly raised her fair little foot and pressed it against his chest, saying very seriously.

“No, this is my sister's body. Whatever strange things you're thinking, you're not allowed to do them.”

Yae Hoshi was very sincere.

“Then can I go and do some strange things with Mai-senpai's body?”

“No, my sister's consciousness is inside.”

“Hmph, so I can't do anything at all?”

“Hmph.”

Sakurajima Mai raised her chin slightly, her tone slightly jealous.

“Aren't there so many other people… The great Harem God wouldn't notice if I'm missing, right?”

“How is that possible?”

Yae Hoshi frowned slightly, his face displeased.

“Mai-senpai, the way you say that makes me very unhappy. It's just that I like more people, but that doesn't mean that anyone can replace your position in my heart.”

“Hmph, I knew you'd just say nice things to coax me.”

Although Mai Sakurajima was being so tsundere, she was still very touched by Yexing's performance when he entered the door just now. Even her own Soul True Body, Tamayorihime, didn't immediately recognize him. Yexing was able to tell at a glance that the person in her body wasn't her, and he could also tell that the real her was in Toyohama and Nodoka's bodies. This has to be…

Words can't describe it anymore.

"Wait… wait until we switch back."

Mai Sakurajima muttered in a low voice, then sighed.

"Being a member of an idol group means having to learn to sing and dance… I should be able to do it, right… But with my current state, I'm afraid I can't help with the enemies from SERN…"

"That doesn't matter."

Yexing gave a pertinent evaluation.

"In that regard, it's really not a big deal whether you're here or not."

…

That night, inside a room in the Overload Society apartment building.

"Kurisu, haven't you finished dealing with things on your end yet?"

Makise Kurisu, who was having a video call with a petite girl with messy black hair who looked like a child, sighed and forced a smile.

"Senior, I have some personal matters that require me to stay in Sakura Province for a while longer."

"Is that so…"

The girl, whom Makise Kurisu called "Senior," nodded slightly and said faintly.

"Stay as long as you want. Come back after you've taken care of it. The reason I called you is to tell you that the professor seems to have made some new discoveries recently. He's been in the lab these past few days, and he said he has some new ideas about the Amadeus we're developing, and he wants to discuss it with you when you get back."

"Really? That's great."

Although Makise Kurisu has a high level of achievement in physics, her main focus is artificial intelligence, which is what she, this senior named Hiyajo Maho, and the professor at the institute are currently developing. The intended goal is to create an AI with thinking abilities that are completely equal to, or even better than, humans, and that is completely anthropomorphic, Amadeus.

The key is that word.

"Thinking."

If it's just calculating based on various data, then it can't be called "artificial intelligence" at all; it's just a soulless machine. The Amadeus they are developing can grow gradually through various experiences, just like real humans, and analyze the current situation based on the things they have experienced.

If they can really develop something like this, it will bring earth-shattering changes to people's lives.

"Well, let's talk about the specifics when you get back."

"Okay, Senior."

After ending the video call, before Makise Kurisu could even breathe a sigh of relief, the phone on the table suddenly rang.

She picked up the phone and looked at the number displayed on it. She hesitated slightly at first, then answered it.

Makise Shuuichi's slightly tired voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Kurisu, are you… in Kyoto City right now? I saw your name on the visitor list that day… Can we meet up?"

Chapter 393: Makise Shuuichi's Distortion, The Talent That Hurts Others

"Meet up… but…"

Makise Kurisu seemed hesitant, unsure whether to agree to her father's request.

According to the members of Overload Society, she is a famous scientist in the future timeline who published that paper on time machines and is well-known.

Furthermore, she might be an assistant to SERN in the future timeline. Even if she isn't, SERN definitely knows what she looks like.

Going out rashly…

Wouldn't it be too dangerous?

Seemingly hearing Makise Kurisu's hesitation, Makise Shuuichi on the other end of the phone spoke in an almost pleading tone.

"We… are father and daughter after all. Since you went to America… it's been a long time since we've seen each other… Please see your father, okay?"

Listening to her father pleading with her in such a humble tone, Makise Kurisu pursed her lips and finally nodded.

"Then… where should we meet…"

"I'll send you the location right away. I'm in a hotel in Kyoto City. There's a cafe on the seventh floor that's only for guests."

"Okay… then… see you later."

After hanging up the phone, Makise Kurisu looked at the kraft paper bag on the table, which she had originally wanted to give away that day but couldn't because of the SERN members' attack. It contained the time machine paper.

She first gently placed her hand on the surface of the kraft paper bag, her fingertips stroking it, as if the paper inside was the most important treasure in her life.

"Time machine…"

Makise Kurisu still remembers that the argument between herself and her father about the theory of time machines led to the breakdown of their relationship.

On the surface, Makise Kurisu doesn't believe in time machines, thinking they are just childish fantasies made up by people who don't understand science and are full of flaws, but in reality, she has been secretly conducting theoretical research on time machines.

And this paper was once regarded by her as an opportunity to reconcile with her father and repair their relationship.

But now…

"This paper… will become the trigger for SERN to develop a time machine, and then…"

Makise Kurisu murmured to herself, looking at the time machine paper that she had spent countless days and nights on, and which she had once regarded as a treasure. Finally, she gritted her teeth, took it out of the kraft paper bag, took out a box of matches from her pocket, lit it, and threw it into the sink. After watching the paper burn to complete ashes, she turned on the faucet and washed it away.

As for the online backups, she had already deleted them all yesterday.

Makise Kurisu is not sure if SERN can still create a time machine after she destroys this paper. After all, according to the theory of worldline convergence, even if she doesn't publish the paper, someone else may research these theories.

But that doesn't matter.

At the very least, Makise Kurisu is unwilling to let herself become the reason for those future disasters, and even more unwilling to become an accomplice of SERN.

For this reason, she is willing to give up the opportunity she has been preparing for so long to reconcile with her father.