21st Century Necromancer

In the end, Zhu Yiting still finished three Highballs at the small bar, her entire demeanor betraying a state of intoxication.

Fortunately, thanks to the owner’s rule of a three-drink limit per customer, Zhu Yiting only had three Highballs and wasn’t terribly drunk.

However, under the influence of alcohol, Zhu Yiting said a lot, pouring out her frustrations with Wang Jiancheng over the years, as well as the pressures of life, work, and family all in one go.

It was just like when she and Chen Yu were desk mates; whenever Zhu Yiting did poorly on a test, or had any grievances, she would confide in Chen Yu in the same way.

Only now, Chen Yu was no longer the desk mate who would quietly listen to her complaints and then offer a warm soy milk to comfort her when she was tired; nor was she the desk mate whom Chen Yu had silently adored, not daring to confess until he became a Necromancer and his life changed dramatically from its mundane beginnings.

Today, both of them have their own lives and their own partners, long since no longer the desk mates they once were.

Perhaps their relationship now is just like the nickname Chen Yu once gave Zhu Yiting; they are like Lu Xiaofeng and Zhu Ting, merely friends—though prefixed by "best".

"Miss Zhu, you should get some rest early tonight; we won’t disturb you anymore." Having escorted Zhu Yiting back to her hotel, Chen Yu said a few more words to her before he and Hiromi Jounouchi took their leave.

However, after Chen Yu and Hiromi Jounouchi had left, Zhu Yiting watched their retreating figures and couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh, reflecting that she might have had too much to drink today, entertaining some thoughts she shouldn’t have.

With a self-mocking smile, Zhu Yiting patted her cheeks and turned to walk towards her hotel room.

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On the way home, Hiromi Jounouchi declined Chen Yu’s suggestion to use Necromantic Space to return directly home, instead linking her arm with his as they leisurely walked home beneath the streetlights, without the slightest intention to take the subway, as if they wanted to walk all the way home.

"Mr. Chen Yu, you and Miss Zhu seem to have a better relationship than you told me! She really is willing to tell you everything. Women generally keep some secrets they would take to the grave, but I feel like if Miss Zhu desired to share something with someone, that person would definitely be you," Hiromi Jounouchi remarked, her arm linked with Chen Yu’s.

Hearing Hiromi Jounouchi mention secrets, Chen Yu suddenly laughed, "We have been classmates and desk mates from elementary school through high school. Do you think she has any secrets she would want to take to the grave that I don’t know about?"

"Huh?" Hiromi Jounouchi had intended to tease Chen Yu about his relationship with Zhu Yiting but didn’t expect him to respond with such a statement, which caused her to widen her eyes in surprise.

"Ever since elementary school, she would often share secrets with me, many of which she probably doesn’t even remember herself," Chen Yu said with a laugh, glancing at Hiromi Jounouchi before suddenly pulling her into his arms, "Don’t worry, what’s between her and me will always just be that of confidants, nothing more. Because now I have you, Hiromi, right?"

"Cheesy!" Hiromi Jounouchi retorted with disdain, pushing against his chest upon hearing him say this. Clearly, however, her mood was very good.

With Chen Yu’s arms around her waist, Hiromi Jounouchi couldn’t help but hum a song, her mood bright.

Her voice, slightly husky and tender, seemed even more captivating under the dimly lit streetlights.

"The streets and lights are so pretty, aren’t they"

Yokohama Blue Light Yokohama

"Being with you, I feel blessed"

"Just like always, the words of love you say to me"

Yokohama Blue Light Yokohama

"Please grant them to me from you"

The song she hummed was a bit soothing, but it clearly was a very cheerful love song.

Listening to the tune hummed by Hiromi Jounouchi, Chen Yu raised his eyebrows and asked, "That’s a nice song, I didn’t expect you to sing so well, Hiromi! What’s the name of the song?"

"Under the Blue Street Lamps of Yokohama, an old song from the Showa Era. My mother especially loved humming this song when I was little, and over time I learned it too," Hiromi Jounouchi explained offhandedly and continued humming, but her steps became lighter. Halfway through, she suddenly said to Chen Yu, "Mr. Chen Yu, let’s go to Yokohama! I’m kind of craving Yokohama’s shaomai!"

"Shaomai? At this hour, are they still for sale?" Chen Yu checked the time, slightly worried whether shaomai could still be purchased.

However, Hiromi Jounouchi suddenly began to act coquettishly, "I don’t care! I just want to eat shaomai! Hurry up and buy some for me!"

"Alright, alright, I’ll buy them for you, I’ll buy them!" Chen Yu, looking at the flush on Hiromi Jounouchi’s face from drinking earlier, could only indulgently agree.

Following Chen Yu’s agreement, the space around them rippled like water, as if a stone had been thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples.

Chen Yu held Hiromi Jounouchi’s hand and walked forward, each step he took seemingly on top of the ripples. As he moved, the scenery around them changed as if it were being dyed, gradually transforming. When their surroundings finally stabilized, they were already in China Town of Yokohama.

"Is this... Mr. Chen Yu, have you improved your control over the Necromantic Space to the point where you can now teleport without going through it?" As a Blood Knight who also possessed the "Crimson Hymn," although Hiromi Jounouchi had not constructed her own Necromantic Space, she still had some understanding of using it for spatial transference.

"My recent research has had some insights, and I just took a shortcut," Chen Yu smiled, holding Hiromi Jounouchi’s hand and walking forward, "Didn’t you want to eat shaomai? That store up ahead seems quite popular; let’s go take a look!"

"Mhm," Hiromi Jounouchi nodded, linking arms with Chen Yu they walked toward a shop in the front with a queue of people at the door, and as they walked, she continued to hum "Under the Blue Street Lamps of Yokohama."

"In your arms, swaying,

The scent of your favorite cigarette,

Yokohama Blue Light Yokohama,

In our world, forever and ever,"