But he just shrugged, the question fading from his mind as quickly as it had appeared. With a final glance at the damaged motorcycle, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing in the now-empty street
***
I woke up feeling a heaviness on my chest, like something was holding me down.
Stretch Stretch!
"Oi, kid, wake up," a familiar voice grumbled.
I opened my eyes to see the black cat, Kuro, sprawled across my chest, his golden eyes staring at me with a mix of annoyance and affection.
"Kuro, what are you doing?" I groaned, trying to push him off, but he just dug his claws in playfully.
"I've been trying to wake you up for the past ten minutes," he complained, his tail flicking back and forth in irritation.
"Hmm, what is it?" I mumbled, still half asleep.
"Tari wants to ask you something," he said.
"Tari... what does she want...?" I mumbled, finally starting to wake up properly.
Kuro jumped off my chest and stretched, his sleek black fur rippling. "I'm not sure, she didn't say. But she seemed pretty excited about it."
I yawned and sat up, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. "Alright, I'll go talk to her."
I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stood up, stretching my arms overhead. Then, I walked to the invisible door and opened it, revealing Tari floating around the room.
"Oh Xian Xian!" Tari exclaimed, her ethereal form brightening as she noticed me. She floated closer, her movements graceful and fluid. "I was just wondering if I could make some changes to my room," she said, her voice filled with a hopeful eagerness.
"Changes?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "What kind of changes?"
Tari's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Well, I was thinking... maybe I could have a swing? Or a slide? Or maybe even a ball pit!"
I chuckled at her enthusiasm. "A ball pit? That sounds a bit messy, don't you think?"
Tari pouted, her translucent form shimmering slightly. "But it would be so much fun!" she insisted. "And I promise I'll clean up afterwards."
I couldn't help but smile at her earnestness. "Alright, alright," I relented, raising my hands in mock surrender. "You can have a ball pit. But you have to promise to keep it tidy."
Tari squealed in delight, her form swirling around the room in a joyful dance. "Thank you, Xian! You're the best!"
I watched her with a fond smile, my heart warmed by her happiness. It was a simple request, but it meant the world to her. And in that moment, I was reminded once again of the power of imagination, the ability to create joy and wonder even in the most unexpected of places.
"So, just a ball pit?" I asked once again, making sure I understood her request correctly.
Tari hesitated for a moment, her cheeks flushing a faint shade of pink. "Well... maybe also a trampoline?" she added sheepishly, her voice barely above a whisper.
I chuckled. "A trampoline too? You're really going all out, aren't you?"
She nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "It would be so much fun to bounce around!"
I couldn't help but laugh at her infectious enthusiasm. "Alright, a trampoline it is," I agreed, my imagination already conjuring images of a colorful, bouncy playground filling the once empty space of Tari's room.
"And maybe... a slide too?" Tari added, her voice hopeful.
"A slide?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow. "Isn't that a bit dangerous for a ghost?"
"Not if you make it out of clouds!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder. "I could slide down on a fluffy cloud slide!"
I couldn't help but be charmed by her creativity. "A cloud slide... that's actually a pretty cool idea," I admitted, a smile spreading across my face. "Alright, Tari, you've convinced me. You can have a ball pit, a trampoline, and a cloud slide. But remember, you have to keep your room clean!"
Tari squealed in delight, her spectral form practically vibrating with excitement. "I promise, Xian! Thank you so much!"
I watched as she floated around the room, her laughter echoing softly. It was heartwarming to see her so happy, her childlike spirit finally able to express itself freely.
With a mischievous grin, I closed my eyes and let my imagination run wild. I pictured Tari's room transforming into a whimsical wonderland, a playground fit for a playful ghost.
Imagine... a colorful ball pit filled with soft, plush balls, a trampoline made of shimmering starlight, and a fluffy cloud slide that gently descends from the ceiling, I commanded, my mental voice echoing with power.
The room shimmered, the once-empty space filling with vibrant colors and playful shapes. A giant ball pit materialized in one corner, overflowing with brightly colored balls that beckoned to be jumped into. In the center of the room, a trampoline appeared, its surface shimmering with a soft, celestial glow. And from the ceiling, a fluffy white cloud descended, forming a gentle slope that promised endless hours of sliding fun.
Tari's eyes widened in amazement as she took in the transformation. "It's... it's amazing!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with pure joy. She immediately dove into the ball pit, her laughter echoing through the room as she surfaced amidst a sea of colorful balls.
I just smiled, watching her play. It was well-deserved. After being locked in a room with 20 layers of magic, she was finally free. She deserved this happiness.
"Thank you, Fool God!" Tari blurted out, then immediately clamped her hand over her mouth in shock.
I shook my head, a wry smile on my face. "I don't want to admit it, but being some kind of god was never what I wanted, you know..."
She nodded, her expression understanding. "Sorry, yeah, I know."
"Well then, I'll leave you to it," I said, giving Tari a final smile before heading back to my own bedroom. I sat on the bed, looking at Kuro who was curled up in a sunny spot.
"Done?" Kuro asked, his golden eyes watching me intently.
I nodded.
"Hey Xian," Kuro said after a moment of silence, "I think you should focus more on the government. Take the whole country into your hands." His suggestion was bold, even audacious, but there was a seriousness in his tone that caught my attention.
I raised an eyebrow, surprised by Kuro's suggestion. "Take over the country?" I echoed, my voice laced with disbelief. "That's a bit extreme, don't you think?"
Kuro shook his head, his tail flicking thoughtfully. "Not extreme, Xian. Necessary," he countered. "You've seen the corruption, the injustice. The people are suffering, and the government is doing nothing to help them. They're too busy lining their own pockets."
He paused, his gaze meeting mine with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. "You have the power to change things, Xian. You can create a better world, a world where justice and equality prevail. But you can't do it alone. You need to take control, to become the leader this country needs."
I fell silent, pondering his words. The idea of ruling a country, even with the best of intentions, seemed daunting. It was a responsibility I had never considered, a path I had never imagined for myself.
"I... I don't know, Kuro," I finally admitted, my voice hesitant. "It's a lot to take on. And what about the Unveiled Family? What about my friends?"
Kuro's tail stopped moving, and his gaze sharpened. "Listen, with your power, you can do anything. You can protect this world from homelessness, corruption... you could even, as just one man, control the whole world."
"You used to control the whole universe with your true power. Now it's your time to control the whole world, Fool God."
< Chapter 179 > Fin.