Multiverse: Why does the world show a health bar? !

"Quite a fruitful harvest."

Returning home, Li Mo was very satisfied with his actions today. Initially, he thought there would be many twists and turns, such as negotiating with the little evil god or engaging in some back-and-forth scheming. However, none of that happened.

Naturally, he returned home carrying bags of spoils—all of which were the blood and flesh of the little evil god.

By the time he left, the little evil god was already bouncing around like nothing had happened.

A terrifying immortality.

Perhaps because of the act of snitching, it seemed to have brought him closer to Yurine. Should he be thanking the little evil god for that?

After getting off the train, Li Mo walked toward his apartment. When he was renting, he had also come across a tower building. Its location and interior design were quite good, but the only downside was that he wasn't comfortable with that kind of building.

The tower was like four apartments pieced together, with an atrium-like space inside. Li Mo didn't like that.

If he didn't have the luxury of choice, he wouldn't have said anything. But who told him he had money and no one to answer to?

As for the original owner's identity… it wasn't exactly a disastrous start, but more like starting with a royal flush. The parents were practically non-existent, which was almost like having them "ascend to the heavens." Plus, he was a Japanese high school student.

Perfect.

Entering the apartment lobby, he waited for the elevator to descend. When the elevator doors opened, he saw a familiar face.

"Isn't this Miss Haruno?"

Standing at the elevator door was a short-haired woman. Her features resembled those of Yukinoshita, but her chest was significantly more prominent than Yukinoshita's.

In terms of nicknames, no one could take Yukinoshita's place.

With a business-like smile, Yukinoshita Haruno waved her hand. "Good morning. Why so formal? Have we become so distant?"

"Is Haruno here to see Yukinoshita?"

After some small talk, Yukinoshita Haruno seemed to be in a hurry and left quickly. Li Mo didn't think much about engaging with her further.

The little evil god's body parts were in his inventory, and Li Mo was eager to start his research. At another time, he might have bothered her for some fun.

Arriving at his floor, Li Mo noticed his neighbor standing in the hallway, leaning on the railing and gazing into the distance. Her eyes, however, lacked any spark.

"What are you thinking about, Miss Yui?"

Mimicking Yukinoshita's posture, Li Mo leaned on the railing and asked.

Hearing Li Mo's voice, Yukinoshita mechanically shifted her gaze and said, "Nothing."

"Oh, this doesn't seem like the president I remember. So listless. What's wrong? Did the hero get defeated by the young lady right at the start of their journey to save the world?"

If Miss Yui referred to herself, then the young lady must refer to her sister.

Given the timing of her sister's departure, she must have run into her sister in the lobby and exchanged a few words.

Yukinoshita Yukino asked, "What did you talk about with my sister?"

"Just some casual small talk. Are you two having a disagreement?" Li Mo asked casually.

"…No."

"Then it doesn't seem like your sister is the one pressuring you. Do you remember the first time I met your sister?"

"I do."

Yukinoshita Yukino would never forget what she heard that day.

Her sister was actually a rather awkward person. But upon closer thought, could that just be her sister's facade?

Yukinoshita Haruno was a flawless individual.

At least, that's how Yukinoshita Yukino saw it.

Li Mo rubbed his chin. The young lady seemed to be in a hurry, while Miss Yui looked troubled. The usually aloof flower was now weighed down by sorrow.

"Did your mom come?"

"No, but she called me."

"Oh? Are you that afraid of your mother?"

"You wouldn't understand."

Yukinoshita Yukino didn't think others could comprehend the fear her mother instilled. The head of the Yukinoshita family was her mother, while her father seemed more like an ordinary employee in front of her. Their interactions didn't quite resemble those of a married couple.

Most women would become housewives after marriage, but her mother remained a strong, career-driven woman.

"I truly can't understand."

Li Mo nodded earnestly. He didn't need to delve into his past life. The parents of this body were practically non-existent, and in the original owner's memories, they rarely appeared, with roles like保姆 (nannies) taking their place.

It was almost like having both parents deceased, yet still receiving a monthly allowance. Aside from a younger sister he didn't live with, it was practically a protagonist's starting point.

The word "mother" felt distant. Whether it was a strict or kind mother, he had neither. Not even a substitute.

If you said Guizhong acted like a mother, Li Mo would scoff. That pink-haired fox was just using him as a temporary worker to avoid the hassles of the Narukami Shrine.

Reining in his wandering thoughts, Li Mo asked, "Is your mother a very strict person?"

"Something like that." Yukinoshita Yukino's mind was already in disarray from her mother's phone call. She had entered a phase of answering whatever was asked.

"Oh, I see. Miss Yui, are you going through a rebellious phase? Let me guess, moving out to live alone is part of that?"

"You know, yet you still ask?"

"Pfft—"

"What are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing because even the great Yukinoshita Yukino has moments of confusion. I thought nothing in the world could surprise Yukinoshita, but it seems there still are things."

Li Mo spoke slowly, word by word.

His tone inevitably drew the girl's attention. She frowned slightly and said, "Are you deliberately trying to annoy me?"

"I just want to say, Miss Yui, what are you so conflicted about? When it comes to parents, there are only two choices: listen or don't listen. If you listen, you're a dutiful daughter, but at the cost of your independence. If you don't listen, the price is a rift in your relationship.

The consequences of both choices aren't irreparable. When you grow up and can stand on your own, you can always mend things later. As for the rift, don't worry too much. Time will heal everything."

Li Mo rambled on casually: "Of course, I'm talking about the best-case scenario. In reality, there are plenty of examples of families becoming estranged, but I don't think your family is like that.

Miss Yui, the fact that you're living alone now proves that."

Yukinoshita Yukino looked at Li Mo, as if absorbing his words, and finally said, "You've said both good and bad things. What are you trying to say?"

"When in doubt, just smile. There's always a way out. Is there anything you can't discuss with your parents?" Li Mo shrugged and said, "Look at me, all alone and seemingly carefree. But on holidays, eating soba noodles by myself is just pathetic. The only upside is that I won't have to deal with family pressure to get married like Hikigaya-sensei."

"At a time like this, you still have the nerve to drag Hikigaya-sensei into this? Aren't you afraid I'll tell him?"

"It's fine. He can hit me, but it won't hurt. Do I look like Hachiman, lacking in martial prowess?" Li Mo said with a laugh.

Yukinoshita Yukino thought for a moment and nodded. "True, you're thick-skinned. Just like your face."

"Thanks for the compliment."