If Ito Tomono's hope was once an unyielding fortress, then Ziong MingDe's response at this moment is like an emotionless siege weapon that instantly shatters the fortress of hope.

Facing the collapsed hope, Ito Tomono couldn't react at all.

Although she knew that there was no hope, deep down in her heart, there was still a trace of wishful thinking, still a hint of persistence, which made her put on a brave face and muster up the courage to come find Ziong MingDe again.

But now, faced with an irreversible reality, Ito Tomono can do nothing but stand there in a daze, unable to do anything.

"If there's nothing else, then I'll be leaving."

Ziong MingDe glanced at Ito Tomono one last time, seeing that she still hadn't recovered, and then turned around and took his leave.

Just at that moment, Ito Tomono, who had been staring blankly, instinctively stretched out her hand and grabbed Ziong MingDe's sleeve.

In the empty corridor where there were no other people on campus, the girl lightly held onto the boy's sleeve.

"W-wait...can't you reconsider...?" Ito Tomono's voice was filled with a sob, and any slight blow had the potential to make her tears well up.

But Ziong MingDe didn't turn around, nor did he soften his attitude.

With his back towards Ito Tomono, he gave his final reply.

"No."

Then, Ziong MingDe used a bit of force to shake off Ito Tomono's hand and decisively walked away.

The silent corridor was filled with the sound of the boy's departing footsteps.

In the echo of those footsteps, the girl who had lost hope lowered her head in desolation.

—One can only say...

—It's truly deserving of being a personality modeled after Ziongzong.

—Within just a few months, a mere fictional personality has even surpassed the value that many people are able to leave in others' hearts throughout their lives.

Thoughts were swirling in Ziong MingDe's mind.

Is it excellence, or is it dangerous?

Such a question flickered in Ziong MingDe's mind, but he didn't ponder on it.

There was no value or meaning in pondering.

—In any case, this personality "Ziongzong" will never appear in this world again.

Making the decision didn't make Ziong MingDe's inner self feel relieved, his mood remained complicated and gloomy.

With such a feeling, he went to the Kyudo club's activity room, starting what may be his final club activity.

On the other hand, at the municipal elementary school, Suiso and Yuki were walking down the stairs together.

Suiso, who managed to make it back to school in time, successfully slipped back into the classroom with Yuki's help.

It wasn't until after school that Suiso found the opportunity to briefly explain the situation to Yuki.

"Because of this, I'll have to go to that café again next time to gather information."

Suiso said with a disgruntled tone, as if she wished to immediately go there after school.

"Now my mom and Aunt Kohaga take turns picking me up every day, so there's no opportunity after school."

Yuki saw through Suiso's thoughts and dissipate her unimplemented ambition with a single sentence.

"I know, I won't do anything reckless...wait for tomorrow to find another opportunity. So, I'll rely on your cover tomorrow too~"

Avoiding discussing the dangerous elements and treating this investigation as if playing hooky, the seemingly nonchalant Suiso couldn't fool Uesugi Yuki.

Yuki put away her gentle expression and her brows furrowed, instantly becoming serious.

"No, tomorrow I won't cover for you, Suiso."

Uesugi Yuki declared firmly.