With Fujiwara now in the mix, the takoyaki vanished in record time. Including the two Kanade had eaten earlier, everything else had somehow ended up in her stomach.
As she delicately licked the corner of her lips, Fujiwara Chika let out a soft sigh. "Mmm... what should I do, President? I feel like the more I eat, the hungrier I get…"
"That's not how eating is supposed to work," Natsukawa Kanade muttered under his breath, shooting her a side glance. "If you're hungry, then go eat. It's about that time anyway, isn't it?"
At some point—he had no idea when—a leash had made its way into his hand, naturally connected to the Fujiwara family's golden retriever, Pace. Wait... wasn't she the one who was supposed to be walking the dog?
"Oh no, not today," Chika shook her head dramatically. "Toyomi-nee is coming home, so I'm waiting for her to cook. If I eat out now, she'll get all pouty and say I don't love her cooking anymore."
Kanade raised a brow. "Then... shouldn't you be going home instead of stealing my snacks?"
With a pout, Chika puffed up her cheeks like a sulking tanuki. "President, how can you say that? How could I possibly abandon you out here all alone?! That's too cruel!"
Kanade let out a sigh. "I'm not a lost kid at a festival, y'know..."
They continued walking side by side, Pace leisurely trotting along between them. Before long, a vending machine appeared at the corner of the path. Kanade glanced at it and casually veered off. "You want anything?"
"Ooh... Ramune! Wait—no, maybe not... it's not quite summer yet," Chika tapped her chin in thought. "Maybe carbonated juice? But now I really want Ramune again... Agh! Why is this so hard?!"
"Pick one. You're not getting both," Kanade said flatly, already scanning the machine for choices.
"Ehhh, President is so stingy!" she whined.
Under his death glare, Chika finally folded. "Fine, fine... I'll have the carbonated juice! I'll save my first Ramune of the year for actual summer!"
Kanade rolled his eyes. "Where do you even get this dramatic sense of seasonal ritual from?"
Ignoring her grin, he popped in some coins and bought two cans—one orange, one green apple. He held them up like a game show host. "Orange or green apple. Choose."
"Hmmm... not this again..." Chika narrowed her eyes. "You're doing that thing."
Kanade tilted his head. "...What thing?"
"That psychological warfare thing where both options are secretly traps!" she declared.
Kanade's brow twitched. "It's just soda! Pick already!"
"Alright, alright... I'll go with orange!" she finally decided, though it looked like it pained her soul.
But the moment she pulled open the can, Chika suddenly stared at Kanade with big, sparkly eyes, shifting her gaze to the green apple in his hand.
He sighed. "...You wanna switch?"
She blinked. "Eh? No no, I didn't say that! I was just... curious about the taste!"
Kanade stared at her in disbelief. "You've literally got juice. Drink it."
"But—but this is different! The one you're holding might taste like a whole new world!" she argued passionately.
"Then buy it next time."
"I didn't bring any money." Chika put her hands on her hips proudly. "To resist temptation, I never bring cash when I take Pace out for a walk!"
Kanade deadpanned. "But you got tempted anyway."
"That's not my fault! That's your fault for being tempting, President!"
He nearly choked on his own breath. "You—! I buy you snacks and drinks and you're blaming me?! No next time, I swear!"
His "threat" seemed to land, because Chika's cheeks flushed bright pink, and she fumbled her words.
"I-I didn't mean it that way! I just... just..."
Kanade sighed, rubbing his temples. "So what now? Want to switch back? Or stick with what you picked?"
"Uhh... maybe... I could just try a sip of yours?"
Kanade raised an eyebrow. "Then say that earlier, baka."
"Wahh! President's so mean today!" she pouted, but still reached out timidly as Kanade offered her the can.
Chika accepted the soda can with a blank look, but her movements were oddly hesitant—like someone handling a ticking bomb rather than a fizzy drink.
Kanade blinked. "...What are you waiting for? Decide already. If you're not thirsty, I'm dying over here."
At his words, Chika finally seemed to steady herself. Still shooting him that strange, unreadable look, she slowly brought the can to her lips and took the tiniest sip imaginable.
She smacked her lips thoughtfully, tilting her head like a food critic on a gourmet tour.
"...Meh. Not that good. Definitely not as good as mine," she declared, holding up the orange soda as if it had suddenly become her soulmate.
Kanade squinted. "You haven't even drunk that one yet."
"Details," she replied, nonchalant.
Without further comment, Kanade reached out and retrieved the green apple soda from her hand. He wasn't particularly bothered that she'd sipped it—it wasn't like she had cooties. As long as neither of them cared, it didn't matter.
He popped it open and took a solid swig, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
"Ahhh... Takoyaki and fizzy soda really hit the spot." The look of satisfaction on his face was almost serene.
Chika mirrored his expression, holding her can like a prize. Despite all the drama she caused, she looked just as happy. Gluttonous fool, Kanade thought to himself—but there was a bit of fondness behind it.
After a beat, he glanced at the sky. The sun had dipped just low enough to turn the clouds faintly orange.
"All right, time to head back," Kanade said, turning slightly. "It's getting late. I'll walk you home."
"Ehh? But I don't wanna go home yet..." Chika muttered, glancing at Pace, who was now clearly nodding off on his paws.
"Look at him," she said. "Even Pace doesn't wanna leave."
Kanade stared at her like she'd grown two heads. "Don't use your dog as an emotional shield. Again."
"You said I should go home and eat, right?" she argued, pouting. "But now you want me to leave?"
Kanade gave her a look. "I said you should go eat. Don't twist my words."
Chika gave a dramatic sigh, dragging her feet like a child on the last day of summer break. "It's just... it's rare to run into you, so I wanted to hang out longer..."
Kanade wasn't moved. He could see through her like glass.
"You just wanted to make me walk the dog for you, didn't you?"
"Whaaat? No way!" she said, eyes wide. "I would never exploit our student council president like that!"
He narrowed his eyes.
"Next time, we can hang out again," he said, adjusting his grip on the leash. "But Pace stays home."
"Ohh..." she sighed again, then suddenly crouched down beside the dog and whispered like a co-conspirator. "You hear that, Pace? The president's bullying me. He said you can't come next time... so cruel, right?"
She patted the retriever's head and added, "But don't worry, we'll win him over someday. If you work hard and behave, the president might even fall for your cute puppy eyes."
Kanade crouched down next to them with an incredulous smile. "Oi. Don't try to turn my future against me."
He gently patted Pace's fluffy head. "Don't believe everything your idiot master says. You're a good dog. Very chill. I like that."
Pace let out a sleepy snort, resting his chin on the ground again. It was hard not to like a dog that well-behaved, Kanade had to admit.
Chika sniffed and crossed her arms. "Tch. Sweet-talking him won't save you."
Ignoring her completely, Kanade stood up. "C'mon. Let's go. You're stalling again."
"Wait—don't you live the other way?" Chika asked, catching up to him. "You don't need to walk me home. I'm not some helpless child!"
Kanade shoved his hands into his pockets. "What if you get lost?"
"I won't!" she snapped. "And I have Pace with me!"
"Didn't you lose him before?" Kanade said, glancing back.
Chika stammered, caught in her own lie. "T-that was... only because I saw you! I got distracted!"
Kanade smirked but didn't say anything. He focused on walking, while Chika trailed beside him, cheeks puffed in indignation.
The atmosphere softened, though, as they fell into a relaxed rhythm. The streets were quiet, with only the distant hum of traffic and the occasional chirp of birds filling the silence.
"Y'know," Chika said, stretching her arms overhead. "Summer's coming soon. Even though winter just ended."
Kanade nodded. "Yeah. Heat comes fast these days. It's the heat island effect."
"The what now?"
"We live in an industrial society now," he explained patiently. "Cities trap heat because of all the asphalt and buildings. Plus, there's global warming. Humans have pretty much reshaped the environment."
Chika looked thoughtful for once. "So... this is all our fault?"
"Well, not just our fault," Kanade replied. "Living things do what they need to survive. It's instinct. But humans have more instincts... and more power to reshape the world because of them."
She nodded slowly, actually listening. A rare occurrence.
If Kanade really had to choose, he'd still prefer the chaos of modern life over the so-called simplicity of the past. Sure, the present had its fair share of flaws—pollution, climate change, societal pressure—but at the end of the day, the average person had a fighting chance. Survival wasn't tied to the next harvest or avoiding wild beasts; it was more about making it through your midterms and figuring out what convenience store had the best onigiri deals.
He spoke without thinking too hard, "Whether the earth or other living things approve or not, humans are the ones shaping the world now. That's just the way it is."
Seeing Chika nod along, unusually absorbed in his words, Kanade continued, the momentum carrying his thoughts.
"In short, if humans really wanted to, they could reshape the world into something better. As long as the direction's right."
Chika tilted her head, big eyes blinking with curiosity. "So... like, we can make the earth prettier? If we all tried?"
"In theory, sure." Kanade gave a small nod. "But realistically? It's almost impossible. People know war is bad. Everyone says peace is good. But war still breaks out over and over. It's one of those things... like a loop."
He let out a small sigh, voice thoughtful. "Whenever there's more than one person involved, conflict is bound to happen. The best ordinary people can do... is try not to add fuel to the fire."
""Wake up to reality.
Nothing ever goes as planned in this accursed world.
The longer you live, the more you realize that the only things that truly exist in this reality are merely pain, suffering, and futility.
Listen... everywhere you look in this world, wherever there is light—there will always be shadows to be found as well.
As long as there is a concept of victors... there will always be losers.
The selfish desire for peace gives rise to war. And hatred is born in order to protect love.
These are all nexuses — causal relationships that cannot be separated.
I want to sever the fate of this world. A world of only victors... a world of only peace... a world of only love.
I will create such a world.
Wake up… You are all trapped in a genjutsu.
This world… is full of pain, of lies, of hatred. The very concept of peace is nothing more than a fleeting illusion.
You fight for nations, for pride, for comrades who will one day be buried and forgotten. You call it 'will of fire'... 'love'... but I see it for what it truly is—a cycle of endless conflict.
I was once like you. I believed in strength, in bonds. I bled for a dream that was never real. Hashirama and I tried to build a future, but we were only stacking stones on sand.
And still… you follow that same broken path.
That is why I will end it.
With the Infinite Tsukuyomi, I shall cast a genjutsu upon the moon. A dream where no one suffers. No wars. No death. Only peace. Eternal peace.
You call me mad? You call me a villain? Then so be it.
But tell me—what has your reality given you? Pain. Loss. Betrayal.
I will be the savior of this world… even if I must become its god."
Chika was quiet for a moment, then gave a slow nod, her gaze unusually serious. "So then... the only way to really change things is to become someone who can influence others, right? Like a leader, or someone people listen to?"
Kanade raised an eyebrow, glancing sideways at her. He hadn't expected the conversation to go that deep. "Oi, don't overthink it. That kind of stuff can wait. For now, just focus on your studies."
"Ehhh?" Chika looked genuinely surprised. "I thought you were gonna say I was just rambling again."
Kanade shrugged. "How could anyone really know what someone else is thinking? Sure, some people might say your thoughts are silly, but I don't think so. If you're thinking at all, it already means something. 'I think, therefore I am.' That logic works here, too."
"Hmm... but it sounds kinda complicated." Chika furrowed her brow and shook her head, as if trying to physically shake the philosophical fog from her brain.
Kanade chuckled. "That's normal. Philosophers are known for being the most confusing people in the world."
"One of the most?" Chika perked up, like she had found a plot hole. "So there are others?"
"Mm-hmm." Kanade cast her a side glance, expression unreadable. "There's philosophers... and then there are mental patients... and, of course... women."
"Haa?!" Chika froze for a second, then puffed up like an offended pufferfish. "That's totally biased! Unfair! Discrimination!"
Kanade remained silent, letting her flail in protest.
The truth was, even philosophers made more sense to him than Chika Fujiwara's thought process. The randomness, the logic-defying leaps—only she could connect soda flavors and global warming in one breath and still look like she understood both.
After some dramatic huffing and puffing from Chika, the three of them finally reached her house.
It was a modern, stylish home with a yard, just enough space for a big lazy dog like Pace to lounge around. Kanade had been here once before. At the time, the place had been swarming with security—bodyguards, cameras, even a few glaring professionals in suits. Today, however, the house was quiet. Peaceful, even. No guards, no gatekeepers. Just the soft sound of their footsteps on the pavement.
"Well, here we are. Go on in." Kanade slowed to a stop. "I should get going too."
"You're not coming in?" Chika asked immediately, tugging gently on Pace's leash as if conspiring with the dog. "We could have dinner together!"
Pace, still barely holding onto consciousness, perked up at the mention of food and sleepily walked over to Kanade. The fluffy golden retriever licked his hand, tail wagging just enough to look polite.
Kanade sighed in amusement. "All right, all right. I'll come by next time, okay?" He looked up at Chika, an exasperated but gentle expression on his face. "Seriously, only you would use a dog to guilt-trip someone into staying."
"What's wrong with that?" Chika puffed out her cheeks again. "Toyomi-nee's cooking is amazing! Don't you want another taste?"
"I know. I've had it before," Kanade replied with a nod. "But still, I'll pass today. Next time I come, I'll bring something as a proper guest."
That last visit had been impromptu. If he was going to drop by again, it should be more formal... and with snacks in hand.
"Fineee…" Chika groaned, clearly disappointed. "Then it's a promise. Next time you come over, we'll have dinner."
Kanade gave a small wave, stepping back. "Yeah. See you tomorrow, Fujiwara."
"Un! See you tomorrow, President!"
With a final wag of his tail, Pace trotted back to Chika's side. The girl and her fluffy sidekick watched him walk off into the twilight.
***********************
I couldn't help it with Madara's speech. Years later and I still get goosebumps.
Maybe I should use it as a motivator to work out?
Anyway, lemme drop the chapters for the other book in at most 3 hours from now.
Have a nice week ahead y'all!!!!!!
PS: I 'd really love to see your comments on the story or anything related. I don't understand how y'all pay for early access but I don't see comments on how you feel about the story or the translation so far. Still, thank you for the support guys!!
A chapter a day this week. We're approaching the end!!!