"You are the soul of one who has passed away, lingering in this world due to obsession..." Diego murmured to himself, his trembling voice filled with irrepressible excitement. "The land where souls slumber truly does exist. Are there such alleys hidden within the Demon King's castle as well? Or perhaps they appear in other forms, like little houses or something?... No, more importantly..."
As he spoke these words, Diego's hand touched Reimi Sugimoto's face. Contrary to his expectations, it did not pass directly through.
His pupils suddenly contracted. His palm slid downward, transforming into a grip that gradually tightened with force. His tone calmed: "You have a physical body?"
Danger!!!
At this moment, in Reimi Sugimoto's eyes, that peaceful Diego vanished, replaced by a pressure akin to a collapsing mountain and a surging tsunami!
Even though she was already dead, she still felt a terrifying psychological pressure.
"Woof————!!"
"Arnold! No!!"
At this tense moment, the beloved dog who had died together with Reimi Sugimoto—Arnold—lunged forward, opening its massive jaws to bite down on Diego's wrist joint, attempting to completely sever the hand that was gripping Reimi Sugimoto.
As the saying goes, when God closes a door for you, He will surely open a window for you. Of course, undiscovered windows are another matter entirely, just like how Qin Shi Huang would never know that his true talent was actually being the top sniper in CF.
Reflected in Arnold, animals cannot speak, but their perception of emotional changes is much more sensitive and excellent than that of humans.
When Diego exuded malice, the loyal dog automatically triggered its protective instinct and pounced.
However, when you are weak enough, no matter how your emotions change or how angrily you resist, it will only appear small and cute.
From start to finish, Diego remained expressionless, not dodging in the slightest, allowing Arnold to bite him.
The atmosphere became somewhat awkward. Arnold couldn't bite through Diego's wrist and simply hung there, stuck in limbo.
Drip..
Drip...
Diego's attention was completely focused on Arnold's throat, which had been torn open causing continuous bleeding, even as it was still biting him vigorously and full of life.
"Sniff... sniff..."
Diego once again deployed his proud sense of smell.
He couldn't detect any scent of blood, and under such injuries, a dog should have long since been dying, yet they...
Could souls actually possess physical forms? It should be limited to earthbound spirits, or perhaps only within this world; otherwise, in Flamme's notes, the content regarding the land of slumbering souls would certainly have recorded this point.
Thinking this, Diego lowered his eyelids, grabbed the scruff of Arnold's neck, and with one yank threw it away, putting an end to this awkward atmosphere.
At the same time, he released the hand that had been pinching Reimi Sugimoto's pretty face.
"I'm very sorry. I lost my composure somewhat." Diego turned his back, lightly rubbing his temple with the knuckle of his index finger, his voice low and hoarse. "Please forgive me..."
If someone who knew him well saw this scene, they would surely be shocked speechless.
When has Dio ever sincerely apologized?!
Reimi Sugimoto's gaze was complex. She didn't reply, only gently shook her head: "..."
At this moment, the words that had guided his mother's entire life continuously echoed in Diego's mind, conflicting emotions rising and falling one after another.
[Absolutely do not abandon your dignity]
Yes, one must not abandon dignity...
However, when it concerns Mother, it should be alright to forget this phrase for a little while, right?
"I want to ask you some things." Diego opened his mouth with difficulty. Unlike his usual questioning from a superior position, it could even be described as humble. "How much time has passed from your death until today?"
"Already 15 years have passed." Reimi Sugimoto seemed to perceive that Diego had something weighing on his mind. With one hand, she soothed Arnold's emotions and answered readily, "The house behind me is my home, and also the place where I met my end."
Diego nodded, then asked: "After 15 years have passed, the murder house where the incident occurred should have been demolished by now, right? What exactly is this place?"
"This is the [boundary line] between the [Yang Realm] and the [Yin Realm]." Reimi Sugimoto's eyelashes trembled lightly, revealing a hint of relief.
What do you know? This Mr. Dio was so rough just a moment ago, yet in the end, he's still quite concerned about Morioh's safety.
The next second, Diego's question completely exceeded her expectations: "Do you know the formation principle of the [Intersection Point]? Can it be artificially manufactured? Can one specify to encounter a particular person's soul?"
"Eh? What?" The confidence on Reimi Sugimoto's face disappeared, quickly replaced by a flash of embarrassment and panic. She subconsciously replied, "S-Sorry, I can't answer your questions. I can't do it."
The Diego who had just been calmly communicating suddenly suffered an emotional collapse. Grabbing Reimi Sugimoto's collar, he pressed forward step by step: "Then what else do you know? Tell me everything in full detail!"
"Do you know about other [Intersection Points]?! Do you know other earthbound spirits?"
"Tell me!! What does it feel like after death? Do you have sensations of physical fatigue?! Do you constantly feel the pain from before death, such as fever, or burns?!!"
Diego leaned closer and closer. His previously handsome face now appeared incomparably deranged. He gripped Reimi Sugimoto's hand, his voice almost carrying a hint of sobbing: "I used some force. Will you feel pain?"
"Would you want to come back to life? Would you want to see friends and family you didn't get the chance to say goodbye to?! Or do you not want to be disturbed, only willing to peacefully proceed to heaven?!"
"Please, tell me the answers. This is very important to me..."
'He must have had someone important pass away.' Reimi Sugimoto discerned the underlying meaning in Diego's words, felt the trembling of his body, sighed inwardly, spread her arms, and gently embraced Diego. Patting the back of the person before her with her palm, she comforted him: "Mr. Dio, please believe that everything will become better. I promise you, I will tell you everything I know."
That person surely wouldn't want Mr. Dio to continue living in regret either..
lesson3: Don't let desires be noticed..
Diego drew in a long breath, swallowed it into his stomach, quickly suppressed his out-of-control emotions to stabilize them, calmed down, and carefully listened to Reimi Sugimoto's words.
From her, Diego learned some information.
Reimi Sugimoto had died from a knife wound to her back. After death, she hadn't felt anything at all. The reason she became an earthbound spirit was probably because she deeply loved this town and couldn't bear to see her favorite Morioh become a town inhabited by a murderer.
She did not yearn for revival. She only hoped that the murderer could be brought to justice and receive the punishment he deserved.
At that time, perhaps she could also be liberated from here and peacefully head to another world—that is, heaven.
"...My story is finished, Mr. Dio. I won't demand that you arrest that criminal. I only hope that you can spread the news about the murderer to more people, so they can avoid suffering the same fate." Reimi Sugimoto's tears flowed continuously as she watched Diego's next reaction with both anticipation and concern.
"You said that back then, the environment was too dark, and you were only focused on escaping for your life, so you didn't see the criminal's face, right?"
Reimi Sugimoto didn't understand the reason, but still nodded.
Puff...
Diego poked two fingers onto Reimi Sugimoto's forehead and said lightly: "Memory Spirit, retrieve her memories from the night she was killed 15 years ago."
"As you wish..."
A memory light screen abruptly appeared. Reimi Sugimoto covered her mouth in shock, incredulously scanning back and forth between Diego and the light screen.
Diego dragged the light screen, rewinding the memory's perspective, then enlarged the image with his finger. The murderer's appearance appeared fully intact before the two of them.
The criminal had a lean face, short golden hair, and was wearing a student uniform.
Reimi Sugimoto cried out in surprise: "This student uniform! He was a student from the same era as me!"
"With a face, tracking becomes convenient. I, Dio, swear here and now that I will absolutely help you arrest that guy, as thanks for your assistance to me." Diego leaned back slightly, brimming with confidence. The World appeared simultaneously, showcasing a display of robust muscles.
Reimi Sugimoto was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and nodded in agreement: "Mm! I believe in Mr. Dio!"
With the heavy matter concluded, Diego voiced the question he had kept buried in his heart after meeting Reimi Sugimoto: "Speaking of which, this is clearly the first time you've met me. Why are you so respectful toward me, and also so nervous?"
Reimi Sugimoto silently pointed at the Split Soul Katana in Diego's hand and remarked: "If I'm cut by this knife even once, not even my soul will remain, you know."
Mr. Dio, are you even conscious?
Since when does someone carry a peach wood sword and ask a zombie why it doesn't dare to move?
"Lu?!" Diego quickly retracted the Split Soul Katana, licked his dry lip corner with his tongue, and smiled awkwardly. "Accident, accident..."
"Cough, in any case, I will definitely help you fulfill your wish..."
...
"Help my ass!"
After leaving the alley, Diego said disdainfully to The World.
"Muda?" The World put on a shocked expression. He actually flipped his attitude so quickly. "Muda muda!"
"Hey hey, of course I'm not going back on my word. I'll kill that murderer, but not now—after she revives." Diego was full of smiles, both hands pressed against The World's face, his voice gentle. "How foolish, The World. Reimi Sugimoto is an earthbound spirit. If I deal with that murderer, she will disappear once her obsession is fulfilled. How could I so easily waste such precious experimental material?"
"I need to observe the reaction if the ghost herself doesn't wish to revive but is forcibly revived."
"Muda da muda!"
The World let out a "muda" sound of realization.
"Teachable. This is my dear The World." Diego withdrew his hand in satisfaction.
Not far away, a figure was sneakily staring at Diego.
"Damn it, I finally get to see you again! Diego Brando!" At this moment, Sajuna Inui was extremely excited.
After enduring countless hardships, she had long since forgotten the original reason she wanted to meet Diego again. She had only persisted until now driven by her unwillingness to lose.
Now that it had come to this, she could finally stride over to Diego's side and solemnly apologize and express her thanks for what happened before. It would be even better if he agreed to help make cosplay outfits!
Sajuna Inui sorted out her excited emotions, coughed twice, and raised one hand high to greet him.
"Di————ah..."
"I didn't expect you to also have an evil spirit."
It was Kira Yoshikage who had entered Diego's attack range before her.
Seeing this, she shrank back. Watching the show was more important anyway.
Diego was stunned for a moment, then the corners of his mouth stretched wider and wider.
Isn't this exactly the murderer who killed Reimi Sugimoto? I didn't even order any little dinosaur takeout, yet he delivered himself right to my doorstep.
Kira Yoshikage stared fixedly at those hands he had longed for day and night, his breathing gradually growing heavy. If possible, he truly wanted to try going on a date with the owner of these hands.
But unfortunately, the owner of these beautiful hands was a man!
Kira Yoshikage subconsciously extended his hand and asked with a slight bow: "Moon?"
After reacting, Kira Yoshikage quickly covered his mouth, secretly cursing himself for being ensnared by lust.
Boom!!!
A bolt from the blue struck Sajuna Inui's heart. She understood. She understood everything!!
No wonder she, a beautiful girl, always came up empty and could never meet the real Diego. It turned out that Dio actually had this kind of preference that wasn't accepted by secular society. It was only natural for people with such preferences to hide from others.
I'll silently support you from behind, Dio. You must defeat secular prejudice. You must win!
After all, the characters in the gal games I play are all like this. These two really are a pair of star-crossed lovers.
"Moon Nuwa!"
The next second, the enraged Diego and The World's two sandbag-sized fists slammed toward Kira Yoshikage's face.