Yuu 391-395

Title: Dango-chan?

Recalling the scene in the elevator, Haruno’s gaze dimmed slightly, but the corners of her lips still curved into a relaxed smile. She waved her hand with a cheerful demeanor.

“Haiz, don’t take it too seriously, little Yui-chan. Who said liking someone means you have to steal them? Besides, I don’t plan on taking him from you for now. Relax, relax~”

She clearly said not to take it too seriously and that liking didn’t mean stealing, but then added she wasn’t planning to steal for now and told her to relax.

Haruno was the kind of person who could say the most contradictory things naturally. Lying came as easily to her as drinking water. Her mind was so mercurial, it was hard to see through.

Even so, Yuigahama didn’t back down an inch. Nor was she worried about losing to the older, beautiful, perfectly proportioned sister in front of her.

(Because Yuu-kun prefers girls like Sora-chan over mature, gorgeous women!)

(Instead of worrying about Haruno-san, I should worry about whether those two, who are so perfectly matched, might one day spark something beyond friendship… Just looking at their figures, Yukinon’s advantage is hard for me to compete with.)

The issue of cheating that Yuu once mentioned also troubled her deeply. So now, instead of thinking about how to keep him from being taken, she’d rather focus on how to make Yuu like her more, to the point he’d never want to part from her for life.

Yuigahama, at seventeen, was no longer the lovesick puppy who failed in the past—

Precisely because she had failed and been hurt, she now had the courage to move forward without hesitation.

“Haruno-san, I’ve been relaxed from the start.”

Under Haruno’s puzzled gaze, Yuigahama touched the dango in her hair and smiled with relief.

The worry in her expression was gone. On her young, round face, there was a maturity and calmness that made Haruno involuntarily reassess her.

“Besides, Yuu-kun decides who he likes! Only if we’re his girlfriend do we have the right to comment on whether others like him… That’s just how unrequited love works.”

“…”

Haruno really wanted to say: I’m his girlfriend. You like my boyfriend and say things like that in front of me. You really don’t take me seriously.

But unfortunately, she wasn’t his girlfriend right now.

That infuriating Yuu had no intention of admitting it either. Objectively, Haruno was, as Yuigahama said, in the realm of unrequited love…

It had nothing to do with simple feelings of liking someone. Their past and relationship were part of that mysterious event. The situation was still unclear, so she could only suppress it in her heart. Even Yuu couldn’t know.

So, Haruno chose to shrug, casually brushing past the topic and shifting her disinterested gaze away from Yuigahama.

Just then, Yukino came out with a teapot and a single mug. She said resignedly to them:

“There are no guest cups. Not even bowls or chopsticks… The kitchen’s basically a display.”

“Then I’ll tell Yuu-kun to buy disposable paper cups.”

Before she could pull out her phone, Yukino shook her head. “I already called and told him. Sit down and wait.”

“Oh…” Seeing her friend’s calm, fair face, Yuigahama pouted slightly, feeling a bit dejected for no reason.

Haruno leaned against the sofa’s armrest, looking at the ceiling in thought.

She didn’t know what had happened in the living room earlier. Yukino poured half a mug of tea, blew on it a few times, and told Yuigahama to help Masuzu sit up.

“Give her some warm tea. I’ll prepare a warm towel.”

“Okay!”

Yuigahama sat on the sofa, helping the weak and frail Masuzu sit up. Just as she was about to bring the tea to her lips—

The silver-haired half-blood girl slowly woke. Her eyelids lifted, and her dull sapphire-blue eyes slowly turned, observing her surroundings.

“…Dango-chan?” she said in a hoarse voice.

“Oh, you’re finally awake! Are you okay, Natsukawa-san?” Seeing her wake, Yuigahama immediately asked with concern, handing her the mug. “Here, Yukinon made you warm tea. Drink a little to warm your stomach… Careful, it’s hot.”

“…Thank you.”

Holding the mug with both hands, Masuzu sipped it little by little. She seemed to have a cat’s tongue, her brows furrowing from the hot tea.

At the same time, Yuigahama asked curiously, “By the way, when you said Dango-chan, did you mean me? Since when did you give me a nickname?”

“…I don’t know.” Confusion flickered in her eyes. Masuzu stared blankly at the tea, continuing in a weak, hollow voice, “I just said it suddenly… If you don’t like it, I’ll change it back.”

“No, I love it. It feels like we’re close friends!” Yuigahama laughed happily. “Then how about I call you Little Suzu-chan?”

“Whatever.” The corners of her lips twitched slightly. Masuzu forced a smile—but she didn’t even know why she was smiling or why she was being so familiar with her.

“By the way, why are you all in my house…”

Yukino approached with a wrung-out warm towel, answering calmly, “You fainted in front of us. Of course, we had to bring you inside to take care of you… Don’t worry, we only went to the kitchen. We didn’t invade your privacy.”

“I didn’t say anything…”

Masuzu frowned reflexively. She glanced at Yukino’s thin winter uniform, then lowered her head to see the trench coat covering her. After a few seconds of silence, she sighed softly:

“Thank you too, Yukinoshita.”

“You’re welcome. Helping a classmate is only natural.” The corners of Yukino’s lips curved slightly. She rarely smiled, and her tone was much softer than before. “Put the towel on your forehead and lie down to rest… While you’re at it, tell us what’s actually going on with you.”

“…”

Just as she opened her mouth, the doorbell rang. Masuzu instinctively looked toward it.

“I’ll get it~”

Haruno, the closest, quickly stood up. She picked up the intercom and spoke with a smile, teasing the person ringing the bell. Like a mischievous child, her eyes sparkled with pure, bright light.

It was the first time Yukino had seen her sister like this. She froze in place, her expression complex.

Soon after, Yuu opened the door, carrying two plastic bags from the supermarket.

“Good, you’re awake. I’ll make porridge. If you’re not in a rush to go home for dinner, eat a little. After that, I need to head back to help my family with dinner.”

Yuu only glanced at the girls by the sofa before heading straight to the kitchen as if in a hurry. He closed the kitchen door, giving no one a chance to follow.

Masuzu’s gaze followed him from the moment he entered. She stared at his back with a blank expression, as if she’d forgotten who he was or where she was.

Then, her empty consciousness seemed to ripple with waves of memory. It struggled, churned, and tried, but in the end, no images surfaced. It returned to being empty and calm.

“That person…”

Her pale lips parted as if choking, and she murmured.

-

Title: Natsukawa Masuzu’s Nightmare

Though it happened just this morning, when recalled, it felt like more than a month had passed.

Masuzu woke from a nightmare.

She couldn’t remember what the nightmare was about, only that she screamed, “Don’t!” as her eyes snapped open.

She was drenched in cold sweat, lying in bed trembling like a child frightened by a ghost story. She didn’t even have the strength to get up and turn on the light. The tips of her limbs were cold to the point of numbness.

It was just a nightmare. Once she calmed down, everything would be fine—she comforted herself like that. She stared blankly at the 6:00 AM on the clock, watching time crawl by.

Seven o’clock, eight…

Her phone rang several times. She didn’t know who was calling, nor when she turned it off.

Nine o’clock, ten…

By noon, her stomach sent painful hunger signals, like cramps. Her mouth, without a drop of water, was so dry that even breathing felt torturous. Her lips must have been cracked and pale, unfit for anyone to see.

The aftereffects of the nightmare lingered, like a curse of unknown origin.

Masuzu slowly sat up in bed. That simple movement drained the energy she’d gathered over six hours. She could only lean against the headboard, slightly panting. With her silver hair dull and lusterless, she looked like a lonely, gravely ill elderly person, uncared for.

“Flu? Fever? Influenza? It can’t be cancer, can it… It’d be better if this were a side effect of awakening a Stand.”

She wanted to laugh heartily to ease her sorrow, but no sound came out except a hoarse sigh.

Swallowing thin saliva with difficulty, she moistened her lips, feeling slightly better.

“Today’s November 13…”

Slowly moving her eyes, Masuzu looked at the clear, elegant blue sky outside the window. She began to recall and ponder what crime she’d committed before today to end up in this state.

Leaving Sweden to meet her mother, quietly waiting in this apartment.

To prevent her father from having a reason to drag her back, she played the role of a beautiful half-blood princess returning from abroad, behaving well at school.

To deal with the endless troublesome suitors, she planned to find someone as a fake boyfriend to act as a shield, but she never acted on it for various reasons.

She hadn’t hurt anyone or interfered with anyone’s interests. She only lived in solitude and humility, wanting nothing but a peaceful school life—

If so, why had she become such a mess? Should she say this was her own doing?

A feeling of complaint and reluctance welled up from deep within her heart. Masuzu took a deep breath. She forced her weak body to push aside the blanket and shift to the edge of the bed. She moved like a rusty machine, stepping onto the cold floor with bare feet.

She wasn’t afraid of the cold. Japan was far warmer than Sweden. November’s temperature wasn’t enough to make her turn on the heater.

Yet, for some reason, the cold seeped into her body through her soles, piercing her nerves, making her unconsciously grab the dusty remote and turn on the air conditioner’s heating function.

“Haaah…”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at the distance from the bed to the door, Masuzu felt for the first time that her house was so vast. So vast that it would take dozens of minutes to leave the room.

But she had to take care of herself.

She had to be strong enough not to need anyone’s protection, not to cry anymore.

…Who said that to her? Her mother?

Of course, there was no one but her mother.

The person she loved, and who loved her, in this world, was only her mother.

She asked and answered herself. Masuzu dragged her weak steps, slowly leaving the room. She slowly washed her face with warm water. She didn’t brush her teeth or comb her hair. She returned to the room with water stains on her face.

She was hungry and thirsty. But strangely, she had no appetite at all. She only managed a few drops of water, as if her body rejected any action that would keep her alive.

“How funny. Since when did I want to die like this…”

Lying on the bed, she stared at the ceiling with empty eyes. The white light slowly spread into a fog in her dizziness. She could almost see the dead JoJo characters waving at her.

Mr. Zeppeli, Caesar, Kakyoin, Shigechi, Bucciarati…

“It must be because of the nightmare.”

Closing her eyes, she let her body temperature drain from her hollow chest. Even with the heater on, it couldn’t provide much warmth.

It was as if the pillar supporting her life had suddenly vanished from her existence. As if betrayed by the thing she trusted most. A feeling like the sky collapsing, turning her life into black and white…

“…I see.”

She must have dreamed that her mother had an accident.

Because it was too sad, too painful, she didn’t want to remember it. Only her body retained the pain, as if her heart were torn and her chest split open.

Masuzu felt a bit relieved.

It was certain, because she knew her mother must be fine, working hard to live in a place she didn’t know.

As a tool to keep her obedient, even if her father didn’t want to, he would protect her mother’s safety as much as possible.

So, what Masuzu feared wasn’t the content of the nightmare.

Rather, she didn’t know why she’d become so despairing like this.

With the relief she believed was the answer, she let the pale light carry her consciousness away. She fell back into a deep sleep.

“You… You said you wouldn’t leave me…”

She struggled to reach out to the sky. She woke in front of the window under a gloomy night.

Her hand faced the clean ceiling, clenching twice as if grasping at something empty. Then she weakly covered her forehead.

She forgot what she’d just murmured. She let the wet sensation spread from her cheek to behind her ear. Masuzu stared blankly into the void ahead, like a beautifully carved statue covered in dust.

After a long time, she quietly propped herself up and went to the bathroom to wash her face.

The time showed six in the evening. She’d regained more energy than twelve hours ago. Though the hunger and thirst were stronger, she could at least walk normally around the house.

She turned off the faucet. She looked at herself in the mirror. Her pale, disheveled face was expressionless. Her eyes were dark, as if she were an empty shell that only knew how to function on principle, having lost its most vital core.

“Is this what they call the Natsukawa family’s jewel? How ridiculous.”

Though she mocked herself like that, no ripples stirred in her heart.

Masuzu returned to her room. She glanced at her phone with its dark screen. She didn’t check the messages that might have come from her teacher or father. She walked to the bookshelf and randomly picked a volume of JoJo.

When she was sad, lonely, or confused, she always relied on this manga to support herself. She mocked the fate that slept like a slave alongside its characters. Rather than being a caged princess, complaining all day and hoping for a prince to change her life.

It was the same now. Though the nightmare’s impact was immense, as long as she read a few volumes of JoJo, she’d surely return to normal soon.

But as Masuzu sat at the desk and opened the first volume of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Stone Ocean, the doorbell rang.

She looked up in confusion but quickly lowered her gaze back to the manga—she didn’t want to meet anyone right now.

Besides her mother, she wouldn’t open the door for anyone.

“…I’ll consider calling the police and asking the property staff to open the door.”

“Tch.”

The corners of her lips twitched slightly. She put the book down in frustration. To avoid trouble, Masuzu could only walk to the door. She unlatched the chain. Hiding behind the crack of the door, she reflexively showed a cold, piercing smile.

“Yukinoshita? Heh, how rare…”

Then, her eyes met a pair that were unfamiliar yet somehow felt familiar.

At that moment, she seemed to hear someone whisper softly and resignedly in her ear:

“Because I’m not here, you have to take good care of yourself.”

—But because you’re not here, I’m no longer my complete self.

-

Title: Trial and Porridge

Snapping out of her daze, Masuzu pursed her warming lips and looked at Yuigahama.

“Why did Tenkuji-kun come too?”

“Oh, it’s related to our club. Originally, it was just going to be Yukinon…”

After explaining why so many people were in her house now, Yuigahama noticed Masuzu’s brows still slightly furrowed and asked in confusion.

“What’s wrong? Is there something you don’t understand?”

Masuzu hesitated. She hid her confused eyes in the white mist of the warm tea and let out a soft sigh.

“No, it’s just… my mother… someone once told me not to let anyone of the opposite sex, other than my boyfriend, into my house. So I’m a bit worried about that.”

“Don’t say things like that after accepting someone’s help.”

Yukino sipped her warm tea from a paper cup, speaking with her eyes slightly lowered and a flat tone. “Besides, he’ll leave after making the porridge. He doesn’t have any chance, let alone the intention, to do anything to you. You don’t need to worry about useless things like that.”

Her tone carried a hint of reproach, as if defending the person cooking in the kitchen, not wanting him to be misunderstood.

Though she knew he had helped her a lot and could even be called her benefactor, driven by instincts etched into her DNA, Masuzu still retorted:

“Of course I know. I just have the reasonable concerns any normal girl would have. I hope Yukinoshita-san can understand.”

Catching that hint of hostility, Yukino raised an eyebrow. Her sharp gaze cut through the steam, staring coldly at her.

“Are you saying I’m not normal? If so, I suggest you see a doctor more often. A weak body is understandable, but cognitive issues need immediate treatment.”

“I never said you weren’t normal in the slightest. If you have that kind of self-awareness, I can’t do anything about it. Let’s just say that’s the case.”

“Being carried to the sofa by others after fainting, covered with someone else’s coat, and drinking tea made by someone else. It’s impressive you can still say things like that without shame.”

“I’m very grateful for your care, but that doesn’t mean I’ll torture myself and not say what’s on my mind… Yukinoshita, aren’t you the same?”

“I’m not as bad or as rude as you.” Looking up, Yukino showed her snow-white neck with pride. In a nonchalant yet condescending manner, she said confidently, “Even if your attitude is as bad as I imagined, if you collapsed in front of me, I’d choose to save you, no matter how many times.”

“What a coincidence, me too.” Masuzu shrugged. She suddenly sighed again, dropping her confrontational expression and bowing her head sincerely to them.

“Also, thank you for being willing to take care of me this far. I really don’t know how to repay you.”

“No need! Like Yukinon said, it’s only natural for classmates and friends to look out for each other.”

Yuigahama covered Masuzu’s cold hand with her warm palm, comforting her with a serious tone. “Next time, if we’re sick, it’s your turn to visit us, Suzu-chan!”

Yukino patted her forehead in resignation. “Yuigahama-san, don’t say such unpleasant things, okay?”

“Hehehe~ Everyone gets sick sometimes!”

“Not necessarily if they’re foolish.”

“Foolish? Where’s the fool? Wait, is there a fool here?”

“Haah, I really don’t know what to say to you…”

Seeing the two talk with such a natural atmosphere, Masuzu sipped her tea. The corners of her lips curved into an unconscious smile.

“Friends… huh.”

That word surfaced in her heart. For some reason, her chest, empty since morning, began to fill with something warm and comforting.

She suddenly realized she was no longer an empty shell. The existence called Natsukawa Masuzu was slowly returning from a distant past. The feeling of her half-lost soul lingered, but she now had the strength to face it.

Her cold, numb limbs gradually regained their normal temperature and flexibility.

“Tch, isn’t this like I’m afraid of being lonely? Just kidding…”

Just as she mocked herself, an out-of-place yet striking voice suddenly sounded from the sofa on the other side.

“Youthful friendship is so nostalgic. I want to relive high school life again~”

“…”

The mood shifted instantly. The three of them froze their movements and simultaneously looked at the speaker.

After shaking her head with emotion, Haruno tilted her head, smiling warmly and cheerfully. She asked Masuzu with curiosity, “By the way, Masuzu-chan, you still haven’t told us why you fainted.”

“Though it seems like you were just too hungry or tired, I feel there’s something else behind it. Otherwise, you wouldn’t look so despairing and occasionally stare blankly into space.”

Seeing her expression freeze for a moment, as if realizing her words were problematic, Haruno quickly added in a gentle tone:

“Oh, if it’s something you can’t talk about, it’s fine if you don’t say. I’ve been studying psychology lately, so I’m a bit interested in things like this… If you need, I can give you some advice, you know?”

“No need, thank you.”

She shook her head, refusing without hesitation. Toward this older sister she’d just met, Masuzu remained wary and kept her distance. Of course, she wouldn’t tell the truth in front of her.

As for Yuigahama and Yukino, after hearing Masuzu’s response, they gave up asking for the reason. They only advised her to take care of herself, see a doctor if she felt unwell, and pay more attention to her health than before, especially since she lived alone.

Masuzu nodded, accepting their concern. She couldn’t help glancing at Haruno, whose eyes were full of thoughts and whose lips always curved into a smile. She felt as if she’d let a wolf into her house. An inexplicable discomfort enveloped her heart.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

About ten minutes later, Yuu opened the kitchen door.

“The porridge is ready. Anyone who wants to eat, grab disposable utensils from the kitchen.”

As he placed the clay pot on the table and lifted the lid, as if accompanied by a dazzling golden light, a sweet and savory aroma burst forth like an explosion of flavor.

The four people there reflexively swallowed, pressing their stomachs with ravenous appetites and staring at the snow-white porridge in shock.

“Wow, it smells amazing!”

“The color and aroma are perfect. I can already taste it in my mouth before even trying it… His cooking skills are as incredible as ever.”

“And it even stimulates the appetite. So thoughtful~”

Ignoring the group praising him as they hurried to the kitchen, Yuu placed the only set of utensils there in front of Masuzu. He nodded politely.

“Please.”

“Thank you, sorry for the trouble.” An elegant, polite response, as if speaking to a classmate or teacher.

Masuzu took the bowl and chopsticks. For some reason, she felt no resistance to eating food made by a boy she barely knew. Instinctively, she reached her spoon into the clay pot and took a bite.

She looked like she was only tasting it out of courtesy.

“Does this porridge have a name? The dish’s name.” Masuzu asked without thinking.

Yuu paused for a moment, shook his head, and answered, “Just a stomach-soothing porridge I threw together. Something you’d find anywhere.”

Without looking at him, Masuzu said softly, “You can make it this well just by throwing it together. You’re far more skilled than me.”

Yuu didn’t comment. “Maybe. Anyone could do it if they tried harder.”

“Then, let’s eat.”

Ignoring the subtle, mixed feelings in her heart, Masuzu let out a slow breath. The next second, the thick, full spoonful of white porridge entered her small, slightly cracked lips.

Yuu’s expression was neutral, but his eyes kept shifting. As if worried and nervous, like observing an experiment’s results, he watched her throat pulse. Masuzu swallowed the bite of white porridge, lightly covering her slightly wet mouth.

“This…”

Masuzu’s eyes widened slightly, as if confused. She furrowed her brows again and pursed her lips, as if confirming the taste in her mouth.

Yuu’s hand on his knee clenched unintentionally. He quickly hid his unreadable expression and asked casually:

“What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

“A problem… Not exactly.”

Masuzu hesitated in choosing her words. As the other three returned with bowls, she said to him in a probing tone:

“Though the aroma is fragrant, this porridge has no taste at all.”

Yuu: “…”

-

Title: There’s AC in My Car, How About We Talk Inside?

“No taste?”

Before Yuu could respond, Yuigahama had already scooped a spoonful of porridge with a look of disbelief. After blowing on it a few times, she put it in her mouth and exhaled sharply.

“H-hot… But delicious! It looks like nothing special was added, but the flavor is so rich! Truly Yuu-kun with his super high joshi-ryoku!”

“Hu hu hu~” Haruno quickly took half a bowl of porridge and ate it bit by bit.

Her eyes gradually narrowed into crescent moons. A satisfied smile spread across her face.

(He has cooking skills like this but never told me or made anything for me. Fine, another debt to note…)

Meanwhile, Yukino, after blowing on a small spoonful of porridge for nearly a minute, carefully put it in her mouth. Her serious expression softened. Her mouth exhaled shallow steam, and she nodded slightly.

“The flavors of beef, seafood, vegetables, and traditional Chinese herbs blend perfectly. I can’t imagine what techniques were used to process the ingredients. The doneness and moisture of the rice are flawless, impeccable. It makes you want to eat more and more… Even a high-end restaurant in central Tokyo wouldn’t serve food of this caliber. Someone with dull taste buds would never say it has no taste.”

As she spoke, she swatted away Haruno’s hand, which was sneakily trying to take the entire pot of porridge. After shooting a sharp glance at her sister, she turned her puzzled gaze to Masuzu.

“Is your tongue okay? I mean, could it be a taste disorder due to health issues?”

“…Maybe.” Masuzu tasted it again. She shook her head calmly. “It really has no taste at all… But I can tell the rice-to-water ratio is good. It’s not too watery and very easy to swallow.”

“Want to see a doctor?” Yuigahama asked with concern, unable to resist scooping a few more spoonfuls into her bowl.

The porridge in the pot dwindled quickly under the girls’ onslaught. Except for Masuzu, the three were practically in a frenzy, barely maintaining their composure but unable to stop eating.

“Later. I don’t really like eating anyway. It doesn’t matter if it has taste or not.”

Masuzu didn’t seem too panicked. She just lowered her eyes, accepting the fact that her sense of taste had suddenly vanished.

Observing her expression closely, Yuu turned his head before their eyes could meet. He grabbed his jacket and school bag hanging nearby.

“Well then, that’s it. If there’s nothing else, I’m heading home. I’ll leave Hiratsuka-sensei’s matters to the club president.”

“Fine, our work here is almost done too.” Yukino reluctantly put down her spoon and stood up, speaking calmly. “I’ll walk you downstairs.”

“Oh, I’ll come too!”

Originally planning to go home with Yuu and stop by somewhere for a date, Yuigahama didn’t care about the white porridge smudge at the corner of her mouth. She hurriedly packed her things.

Before standing, she couldn’t help glancing at Haruno again.

Unlike the others preparing to leave, the college student lounged casually on the sofa. She ate the remaining porridge in the clay pot with a calm air, as if it were a dinner Yuu had made especially for her.

Sensing the gaze on her, Haruno winked innocently, pursing her glossy, red lips.

After a moment’s thought, she placed her palm beside her face and wagged her index finger playfully.

“Be careful on the way, bye-bye~”

Then she continued licking the sparse remnants of the porridge.

“…”

As if watching a relative embarrass themselves in public, Yukino reluctantly averted her gaze and sighed.

“Sorry, Natsukawa-san. You can kick this selfish person out anytime. If she objects, I’ll ask Mother to drag her home.”

Hearing those words, Haruno immediately looked displeased.

“Yukino-chan, you’re breaking the rules~ How can we involve our parents in our issues?”

Yukino was even more displeased. “Then please act normally! It doesn’t matter how embarrassing you are privately…”

“Sorry, I want to rest.”

Not letting the sisters finish their argument, Masuzu stood from the sofa. She walked toward her room as if it were none of her business.

“Put the bowls in the sink. The last person to leave, please close the door for me. The electronic lock will secure itself automatically.”

“Suzu-chan, are you really okay?” Seeing her back, Yuigahama, who had planned to leave with Yuu, hesitated and put down her school bag. She asked anxiously, “How about I stay and take care of you? I just need to tell my mom, and it’s no problem. We can go to school together tomorrow!”

“Don’t worry. I don’t have a fever or illness. At most, my mood’s affecting my body. I can take care of myself.”

Before closing her bedroom door, Masuzu turned and gave her an elusive, lonely smile.

“I’ll try to go to school tomorrow. See you, Dango-chan… and Yukinoshita, Tenkuji-kun.”

“See you tomorrow.”

Yuu nodded, avoiding her eyes. He pushed the door open and left.

The verbal bullet he’d planted that day seemed to have backfired.

Unlike the others, the lingering effects of Masuzu’s amnesia seemed to have broken her entirely. Let alone achieving the beautiful future that had been altered, she was even more pitiful than her antisocial, distorted past self.

As for her inexplicably good relationship with Yuigahama, though unexpected, it made sense… After all, residual feelings still lingered, like Haruno’s attachment to him or Asuna’s vague sense that something was wrong.

For Masuzu, this might be a silver lining in her misfortune.

Even so, she showed no significant reaction after eating his porridge. Whether her taste buds had suddenly failed or the system had erased her memories too thoroughly, it allowed Yuu to let go of unnecessary worries, no longer fearing his actions would trigger a chain reaction.

At the same time, it completely extinguished the naive hope that his cooking alone could rekindle their memories.

He slipped a piece of paper with the Chiffon Porridge recipe into her mailbox, thinking only:

(At most, this is all I can do to face the past.)

The closer he got to her now, the more she seemed to suffer.

So, the only reasonable thing to do was to keep his distance from his ex-girlfriend again.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

After being escorted out of the luxury apartment by Yukino, Yuu had to cancel his plans to stop by the shopping street because Sora called midway, asking him to come home quickly and cook dinner.

After safely seeing Yuigahama home, Yuu walked alone through the dimly lit streets under the quiet night, illuminated by streetlights. In his mind, he still pondered the question the girl had casually asked as they parted:

“If Haruno-san suddenly confessed her love to you, whether joking or not, what would Yuu-kun say?”

“Sorry, I already have a girlfriend.”

Back then, he’d answered without hesitation. But if he truly faced that situation, could he really remain completely unshaken?

A girl who could fall for him again and again, even with her memories erased… If someone like that confessed to him, Yuu knew he couldn’t be heartless. He might only be able to force himself to stay calm with a clear, composed heart.

And at that moment, what would be the right answer?

“Do you have time? How about we talk in the car?”

Looking up, Yuu saw the mature woman leaning against the car door, gazing at him in front of a red brick wall adorned with graffiti and scattered posters.

Her beauty had a youthful agility and charm, not older than twenty. Her fashionable clothes hugged her beautiful curves. Her delicate face, bathed in moonlight, looked even more captivating and gentle.

Her eyes winked at him mischievously. Her gaze was clear, like sunlight on snow—pure, warm, and pleasant.

Her name was Yukinoshita Haruno.

The ex-girlfriend he no longer loved, the first to forget their past.

-

Title: Yukinoshita Haruno’s Oath

During the summer vacation, this place was where they parted after a date.

Memories of intimacy and farewell kisses in the car flashed through his mind. Yuu couldn’t help but wonder if Haruno had deliberately chosen this spot to corner him.

Yuu showed no sign of unease. He only asked, puzzled, “Is something important up?”

“Can’t I bother you for something trivial?” Haruno looked at him with keen interest, her gaze as if waiting for him to reveal a weakness.

Yuu, outwardly pretending to be calm but inwardly a bit panicked, chose to brush it off quickly.

“Sorry, I’m in a hurry to get home. Let’s talk another time.”

“Eh~ So heartless.”

Though she said this with regret, Haruno had no intention of stopping him. She simply let him pass.

“By the way, do you know what happened to Masuzu-chan to make her lose her appetite and even her sense of taste?”

“I don’t know. That’s her private matter.”

“What a coincidence. Though not as severe, I experienced something similar at the end of August.”

Yuu’s steps didn’t falter. His tone wasn’t cold. He spoke casually, as if chatting with a passerby.

“Is that so? Then you could share your experience with her. Maybe you two can figure out the cause.”

“The cause… isn’t hard to guess.” Haruno smiled mysteriously. She suddenly changed the topic. “Is your relationship with her close?”

“It’s average. We were in the same group during the autumn field trip. We didn’t talk much… Why are you asking this?”

“Just curious~ What about Dango-chan?”

“Let’s say we’re a couple.”

“Eh~ Why Dango-chan? Isn’t Yukino-chan super cute? Doesn’t she attract you?”

“Ultraman’s pretty attractive to me too. So, does that have anything to do with who I want as my girlfriend?”

After answering up to this point, it was time to show a bit of impatience and refuse to talk further without seeming guilty.

“That makes so much sense. I can’t argue with you.”

Her regretful voice grew fainter behind him. Yuu didn’t look back. He only showed an impatient expression, as if annoyed by the hassle, and quickened his pace, moving out of the glow of the car’s taillights.

The next second.

“…I’ll wait for you to tell me yourself.”

A sudden, hoarse voice, deeper than the night, reached his ears.

The surroundings were silent. The cool night breeze carried the scent of her perfume, connecting to a familiar feeling in his memories.

Yuu unconsciously stopped. He forced himself not to turn around.

“Until I figure out what you’re really trying to do, I’ll pretend I don’t know anything… But remember, my patience won’t last long.”

Though her tone was icy and aloof, pushing everything away, it hid a warmth and tenderness that could melt anything.

“Someone who makes their girlfriend wait too long is called a scumbag. Hurry back.”

Haruno declared with clear, uncompromising words: “Don’t say you don’t understand what I’m talking about. If you’ve truly forgotten everything, then from now on, I’ll use all my strength and every method to make you remember, one by one.”

“Didn’t we agree? You’d stay with this troublesome woman until the end. I won’t forgive you if you run away halfway.”

Time seemed to stop at that moment. The night breeze ceased. The stars stopped twinkling. Only their breathing formed the entire world.

With his back to her, Yuu stood in place, like standing alone in the middle of the sea, helpless.

He slightly opened his mouth, as if to say something. But the activated Clear Mirror, Still Heart made him fall silent and calm again. His fist at his side clenched lightly.

Yet, though his emotions faded, his mind felt filled with chaos. He couldn’t form coherent words.

“Haruno-san, you…”

After a moment, Yuu turned and spoke to his ex-girlfriend behind him.

But he heard a hurried voice, trying to cover up, like a child who hadn’t tidied their room.

“Wait, don’t turn around and look at me!”

Then, Haruno took a deep breath. She muttered unhappily, “Damn it, I hate that formal, distant way you address me… I’ve decided, if you call me politely again, I won’t cooperate with your acting!”

“Haruno…”

“Hmm, that’s more like it. I’m sure a smart guy like you understands what I mean. But since I’m worried about unexpected situations, let’s agree not to talk about it explicitly… However, the issue of cheating with Dango-chan—we’ll settle the score when this is all over.”

As if she smelled a lie on him, Haruno gave him no chance to speak. She opened the car door, started the engine, and after those harsh words, prepared to leave.

The exhaust fumes hit Yuu’s face, making him unconsciously cover his mouth and nose. He squinted, looking at the woman in the driver’s seat with a complex expression.

“You… you’re someone who just talks to herself.”

“Same to you, you lying little brat.”

This time, Haruno didn’t look back. Through the car window, her clear, cheerful voice, as if meant for the clouds and stars in the night sky, shattered the calm amidst the night breeze.

“Remember well, I won’t forget you again—there won’t be another chance for you to leave me!”

“So, don’t try to escape responsibility. The rest of your life still belongs to me, my dearest Yuu-chan~~~”

Her proud, confident, and carefree words, along with the black car leaving a white streak, sped off into the night.

She didn’t look back or glance at the rearview mirror. She only stared straight ahead with wide eyes.

The cold wind quickly filled the car. Her hair was a mess, her vision obstructed. Her hands gripping the steering wheel trembled slightly—but it didn’t matter; there weren’t many cars on this road.

Most importantly, that familiar warmth once again filled her heart. Though faint, it was a start to reclaiming everything from the past.

“Ah, I can’t hold back…”

“How can the mature Haruno always become a childish, easily provoked kid in front of him?”

In a place her lover couldn’t see, Haruno laughed broadly, gently wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes.

She knew he wanted to escape, to lie, to hide… So much like her old self.

Now their roles had reversed. This time, it was her turn to chase him from Chiba to Karuizawa, from home to Disneyland, from July to an uncountable future—

No matter how far she had to go, as long as these memories and feelings remained, Haruno would tie her young lover tightly to her side, even death couldn’t part them.

“I’m so glad I could remember…”

Yes…

So glad she could remember, before she completely gave up… Truly, so glad…

“…”

On the empty street, the car’s lights faded. The graffiti on the red brick wall was once again cloaked by the night.

Yuu gazed at the winter night sky.

It was slightly different from summer, but when the stars weren’t visible, it felt like nothing had ever changed.

“If my feelings were still there, right now, I’d probably be so happy I’d cry and laugh…”

The sigh was carried away by the night breeze.

He tucked both hands into his pockets, turning his gaze to the shadow slanted by the streetlight. He lowered his head and stepped forward in silence.

“Why… why is this actually happening… Tell me, System.”

“Tell me what I should do next. Hurry up and give me your manipulative mission, and end this all.”

Alone.

Even the voice and panel that always appeared within him seemed unwilling to accompany him for the rest of the walk home.

Yuu could only ask and answer himself.