Chapter 57

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Chuci's gaze was very gentle, not the kind others might imagine, but a tenderness mixed with affection, as if he were a doting father who couldn't do anything about his mischievous daughter.

Satoko Murakami clumsily poured the alchemical potion into a thermos, then added a little hot water to dissolve the semi-solid potion, carefully stirring it with a spoon as if she were creating a work of art.

Chuci noticed that Satoko's eyes were slightly red, finding it somewhat amusing. Was she feeling insecure?

"Is this okay?" Satoko held the thermos with both hands, her clear eyes brimming with joy and anticipation, as if waiting for Chuci's praise.

"It's fine." Chuci stretched his neck to take a look and praised her.

Satoko smiled sweetly, placed the thermos on the cabinet, and bent down to help Chuci sit up: "I'll help you up."

"Thank you." Chuci was held by Satoko with one hand and used his own strength to get up. After Satoko propped up the pillow, Chuci leaned back comfortably.

He might not have the strength to get up, but he had more than enough to hold a cup. So, the expected scene of feeding him water didn't happen. Chuci drank the potion while chatting with Satoko. As for the golems, except for the one left to deal with the Asakawa mother and daughter, the rest were put away, not disturbing their conversation.

"You can call me Satoko." Satoko had been holding back for a long time, finally mustering enough courage to whisper her heart's desire from her rosy lips.

Not a monster, not a vengeful spirit, not Satoko Murakami, or any other title, but just like when her mother used to sit by her bed, combing her hair and calling her "Satoko" with a gentle voice.

"Oh, if you want me to call you that, then I will, Satoko." Chuci slowly drank the potion, indifferent to this request.

Chuci was emotionally rich inside but very awkward in expressing emotions and understanding others' feelings. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been single for so many years, nor would his colleagues at the company in the real world have thought him dull and uninteresting. So, he didn't notice Satoko's complex, girlish mindset.

But when Chuci called her "Satoko" naturally and normally, her delicate cheeks flushed with a beautiful red.

No one has called me that for a long time. Satoko's joy was evident on her face, her innocent and carefree demeanor infecting Chuci, making his mood brighter and the fatigue from overwork vanish, though it was due to the potion.

"Satoko, do you know why I saved you? What are your plans for the future?" Chuci chatted briefly before getting to the point. "If you want to return to a normal life, I can help you contact your family. It might be difficult to get identification, but you can eventually integrate into society."

Chuci believed that if Satoko could integrate into society, she might become a truly ordinary girl and live a peaceful life.

Satoko didn't answer directly, thinking for a long time. Chuci didn't rush her. After finishing the alchemical potion, he recovered some of his abilities, snapping his fingers to make black and white light glow on his skin, gradually absorbing energy to repair his fatigue.

After a long time, just as Chuci thought Satoko was distracted and was about to ask again, she suddenly looked up, meeting Chuci's eyes seriously.

"Can I stay with you?"

Chuci was taken aback.

"You don't need to be so humble. You should have noticed that the alchemical array I used to revive you didn't have a master-servant rune. You are a free person."

"I know." Satoko insisted stubbornly, "But in this world, you are the only one who truly cares for me. I want to repay you."

"I didn't save you for repayment." Chuci frowned, slightly displeased. He wasn't the kind of person who did favors expecting something in return.

Satoko stared at Chuci with wide, unblinking eyes, as if trying to see him as a flower.

"I..." Chuci glanced at the Asakawa mother and daughter, who weren't paying attention, and lowered his voice to explain to Satoko: "I'm not from this world. You really can't stay with me."

The voice of the Overlord warned Chuci not to reveal information about the Overlord Space to the characters in the story, or he would face penalties ranging from point deductions to elimination.

But Chuci ignored it. At that moment, he was like a well-meaning father trying to persuade his rebellious teenage daughter, which wasn't far off, as Satoko's personality after resurrection was completely restored to her 18-year-old self.

"I don't care, I want to stay with you." Satoko started to pout, pouncing on Chuci's bed and shaking his arm.

"Wait, get off, get off quickly." Chuci's face turned green. The alchemical recovery wasn't complete yet, and he didn't want to be weighed down, as it might interrupt the process.

"Anything but staying with you." Chuci was thoroughly exasperated by Satoko. He had originally intended to persuade her to do good and remove the curse from the Asakawa mother and daughter, but now he felt like he was losing face and had to offer a condition.

"Then you have to stay with me." Satoko, in her interactions with Chuci, gradually regained her cheerful personality, not the forced demureness of a traditional Japanese woman. After all, she was originally a cheerful and smiling high school girl.

"..." Chuci wanted to say more, but Satoko pressed a slender finger to his lips and added, "For a whole day."

Chuci could only smile bitterly, his eyes full of helplessness: "Alright."

After Satoko got what she wanted—a whole day with Chuci—she got off the bed and considerately let Chuci rest so he could be fully prepared for the next day.

Chuci's guess was right. Satoko's idea of "staying with him" was to have Chuci take her shopping.

After decades, the rapid changes in the world left Satoko amazed, often exclaiming and pulling Chuci to explain things.

Chuci had to explain each one with a smile. Whenever Satoko saw something new, Chuci was very generous, buying it without even bargaining.

Satoko clung to Chuci's right arm, pointing and jumping with joy, like a lively and cheerful girl, while Chuci, a tall and dignified middle-aged man, seemed like a doting father.

In the cinema, Satoko curiously watched the colorful movies, which were completely different from the black-and-white silent films of her time. In the amusement park, the Ferris wheel and carousel made her laugh. Passing by an electronics store, Chuci held Satoko's small hand and taught her how to use a phone.

"I'm really happy."

As night fell, they walked through the bustling and lively streets, standing in an empty street garden. Satoko spread her arms, eyes half-closed, as if embracing the world, murmuring in delight.

"Yes, this world is really wonderful." Chuci nodded. If it were the original plot, it wouldn't be so beautiful, but everything had changed.

"Can I call you..." Satoko suddenly whispered.

Chuci was lost in thought and didn't hear her at first, turning his head in confusion: "Huh?"

"Can I call you father?" Satoko's hands were behind her back, her youthful and slender figure clearly visible. A gentle breeze blew, making her smooth hair flutter, but it didn't catch Chuci's attention.

Her delicate and youthful face turned slightly red under Chuci's gaze. The blush spread, reddening her ears and neck.

Is she shy? Chuci was a bit dazed. He had never thought about having an 18-year-old daughter.

"Sure." Chuci smiled slightly, feeling a warmth in his heart. This feeling was actually quite nice.

The wind grew stronger, blowing a few cherry blossoms that blocked Chuci's view. When the petals fell, Chuci felt a moment of dizziness. Satoko's figure floated over, her beautiful eyes sparkling, and she gently touched his face, the moisture refreshing and invigorating.

"Father..." Satoko's voice was as pleasant as ever, like a fox who had just stolen a chicken.

...

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