Chapter 65: The Weight of Uniqueness

Anything or anyone, once touched by the word ‘unique,’ transforms into something extraordinary.

It is akin to how the most exclusive luxury goods are always limited editions, and truly paramount items are inherently one-of-a-kind.

The emotional weight of “You are my good friend” versus “You are my only friend” is worlds apart.

This very ‘uniqueness’ is born of nobility.

For Ink Crystal, Lin Han was that sole individual.

The only person she could genuinely trust. To be precise, she harbored a certain distrust towards her own parents, for they had never truly understood her.

She didn’t entirely trust the organization behind the Magical Girls, simply because there was no compelling reason to do so.

She harbored even less trust for her classmates, as their connections were inherently superficial. Even with her girlfriend, Liu Xingyue, she felt a lack of true trust, for no bond worthy of the name existed between them.

Her teachers, too, did not earn her complete trust; after all, teaching was merely a job, and she was just a student.

But Lin Han was different.

For Ink Crystal, even if future years brought new acquaintances and friendships, even if she were to be loved and admired by many, Lin Han would remain distinct.

It was like the tale of high mountains and flowing water: if one’s true confidant departed, the other would never play their instrument again.

Lin Han held such vital importance to her; he was the only one before whom she could reveal her true self without reservation. For Ink Crystal, he was the one who could embrace all her facets.

He was the one who had extended a hand during her deepest pain, enabling her to once again view the world with beautiful eyes.

Thus, she was willing to overlook Lin Han’s past, just as she wouldn’t delve into his previous experiences, knowing that those memories caused him anguish.

Yet, the current situation was different.

She felt as though she was slowly losing Teacher Lin.

Perhaps this feeling didn’t stem from Teacher Lin failing to kill Ox Mask. Instead, it was because Teacher Lin clearly had his own plans, and while she wasn’t utterly powerless, he still hadn’t consulted or discussed with her, nor had they sought solutions together.

She didn’t believe Teacher Lin couldn’t manage without her, nor was she unaware that his likely intention was to keep her from dangerous situations.

But precisely because of this, she felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness.

And precisely because of this, she felt profound pain.

For Teacher Lin, were other Magical Girls, or other people, more trustworthy?

For instance… Carnelian? For instance…

Her thoughts lacked a solid basis, but Teacher Lin would not have unilaterally released Ox Mask, nor would he have kept this decision entirely to himself.

Some people knew about this matter. But she was not among them.

Or perhaps, Teacher Lin had deliberately concealed it from her because she wasn’t strong enough. She could certainly draw such a conclusion, yet she also knew clearly that this wasn’t an anime or novel where a protagonist suddenly gained power through a burst of emotion.

She didn’t believe such a thing was logical, nor that it would happen to her.

But how could she quiet her restless heart?

‘Why not become his one and only?’

To retain a man with her body, as a woman, felt rather humorous. However, perhaps she wasn’t quite a woman yet?

She didn’t know.

But perhaps she was.

Regardless, Ink Crystal thought of this weapon.

Whether she was a woman or not was irrelevant. What mattered was that Teacher Lin was a man, and he was interested in her body—this was a conclusion she already knew.

So, forging another kind of ‘uniqueness’ with Teacher Lin wouldn’t be a bad thing, would it?

At the very least, the anxiety and uncontrollable emotions within her heart would surely subside.

She grasped Lin Han’s hand and placed it on her chest. “Teacher… look at me.”

“Ink Crystal, you mustn’t do this!”

Lin Han felt the thread of his rationality tearing apart. He absolutely could not do such a thing. At this moment, he didn’t know what feelings prompted Ink Crystal’s actions, but if he were to act on them now, he would be completely lost.

This was no longer a matter of teaching qualifications, society, or ethics. It was about a specific problem that had arisen between himself and Ink Crystal.

He had to resolve this issue properly, otherwise, Ink Crystal’s heart would undoubtedly suffer.

He dug his other hand forcefully into his thigh, the pain bringing back a sliver of his reason. “Ink Crystal, if this is truly your wish, then I have no reason to refuse. But before that, Ink Crystal! You must first answer one question!”

Ink Crystal was currently in the bathtub, straddling Lin Han’s waist, gently rubbing against his body.

“At this point, are you still asking about ‘questions’?” Ink Crystal stared at Lin Han. “This really spoils the mood for everyone. In such an ambiguous moment, Teacher, are you still insisting on questions?”

Her cheeks flushed crimson. “It’s already like this~ Or are you… Teacher, you want me to… I can take the initiative, you know~”

With that, she began to slide down.

Lin Han couldn’t bother with anything else. He could only pull her tightly against him, yet refrain from any other movement.

“Teacher!”

Lin Han panted heavily. “Ink Crystal, I’m not discussing those things with you. I only know one thing. And I’ll only ask you one question; you must answer me seriously.”

Ink Crystal struggled for a moment, then, finding Lin Han’s embrace too tight, gave up. “Alright, Teacher, just one question. If I can answer it, I will.”

Lin Han finally exhaled in relief, continuing to restrain his body. “I ask you, if we were to do such a thing today, would you regret it?”

‘Regret?’

Ink Crystal paused. “What a strange question, Teacher Lin. Do you, in your heart, believe I’m someone who acts without considering the consequences? Since I walked in here today, since I am before you now, I have naturally already considered the outcome.”

“I’m asking if you would feel regret?” Lin Han pressed again. “If we did such a thing, our relationship would change, no longer like it is now. If we did such a thing, could we become lovers? Or could we still remain as teacher and student, or even friends? If our relationship became twisted, would you not regret it?”

He naturally believed Ink Crystal had considered the consequences before making such a decision. She had made a choice among many options, and Lin Han didn’t think Ink Crystal lacked the resolve to bear the repercussions.

However, having that resolve didn’t mean she could fully accept it.

In reality, many choices, even before they are made, are known to lead to regret. It’s just that there are no better alternatives, forcing one to pick the relatively acceptable option.

Perhaps this choice was one Ink Crystal made after careful deliberation, though Lin Han couldn’t truly know the journey of her heart. But he couldn’t accept this answer.

“Does a perfect option even exist in this world, Teacher? You are a teacher; you should know better than I that there’s never anything with only benefits and no harm. I don’t know if I’ll regret it in the future, but right now, if I don’t do something, I feel pain.”

She spoke honestly.

“Even if I hold you like this, you still feel pain?”

‘If I can’t be your one and only, Teacher, if I don’t have a special relationship with you, I will feel pain. What exactly am I to you, Teacher? What can I become for you, Teacher?

I always thought I was special, but for you, Teacher, I… I’m not that special, am I? I can’t compare to that girl you used to like, whoever she was. In terms of combat strength, other Magical Girls can also offer you those things. In truth, these things probably aren’t important to you at all, are they?’

With Teacher’s talent, if he wanted money, it would be quite easy to obtain. Ink Crystal had known this from the very beginning.

Moreover, ultimately, all the wealth in her family wasn’t her own; it belonged to her parents.

“So, call it a selfish request if you will, Teacher, but you are a good person, so… please give me an answer that can put us at ease! Please let me know! That to you, Teacher, I am unique! That you and I share the same intensity of feelings!”

She loudly declared her wish. “If Teacher can give me such an answer! I will obediently listen to Teacher!”

He had misunderstood.

It was only at this moment that Lin Han finally understood the source of Ink Crystal’s current capriciousness, and the true nature of the tumultuous emotions surging within her!

He recalled the first time he met Ink Crystal.

The deep darkness in the young man’s eyes. He had accompanied him, played games with him, taken him out, chatted and discussed with him—

It had taken over a year to finally become friends with this young man.

Yet, he had overlooked the deepening feelings of this young woman.

The emotions between people are not static; becoming friends doesn’t mean forever remaining just friends.

Some feelings gradually deepen.

Unbeknownst to him, the feelings of the young man named He Yao, or rather, the Magical Girl named Ink Crystal, had grown to such intensity for him.

She was afraid of being abandoned by him.

Although he would never do such a thing, perhaps some of his actions, in her eyes, already constituted abandoning her.

This was not a healthy mindset. From a psychological counselor’s perspective, such a mindset required psychological intervention.

‘To be someone’s one and only—to want that person to also consider you their one and only…’

This was a very pathological emotion.

“Let’s duel, Ink Crystal.”