Yuu 376-380

Title: Your Naughty and Cute Girlfriend Is Coming to See You~

“Nee-san?”

It seemed she had been silent for too long. Yukino tried calling out from inside her room, but the door remained closed.

“Sorry, sorry. I was just daydreaming a bit~” Haruno quickly regained her composure. She blinked. The coldness in her gaze hadn’t fully faded, but her tone had returned to its usual warmth. “Where were we? That I care about Yuu-chan?”

“That’s your dark history… Yuu-chan?” Her tone wavered slightly. Yukino seemed to purse her lips, trying hard not to laugh. “What kind of nickname is that… So tacky.”

“I quite like it. Is it funny?”

Haruno looked at the bedroom door, propping her cheek with one hand, and asked with keen interest.

“It’s not about being funny or not…” Yukino seemed to sense her gaze through the door. She cleared her throat and quickly returned to a serious tone. “Why are you suddenly calling him that? Weren’t you two not that close?”

“A distant relationship in the past doesn’t mean a distant one now.” Haruno stood up from the sofa, stretching her body. Her fitted sweater accentuated her stunning figure.

Too bad Yukino couldn’t see it now.

“He doesn’t have a girlfriend, right? His relationship with Dango-chan doesn’t seem that close either. Though he’s popular, he keeps an appropriate distance with classmates and juniors. He’s a good boy who behaves himself.”

“Maybe. Don’t ask me, I’m not interested in his business.” Yukino replied noncommittally, then asked with slight confusion, “But you asking like that… don’t tell me you’re really…”

Haruno giggled like a child.

“Hehe, guess? Come on, guess~”

“…Boring.”

Separated by a door, the two chatted about various things. Mostly, Haruno started the topics, while Yukino, seemingly unpacking her suitcase, was forced to respond.

Not long after, Haruno prepared to leave.

The information she wanted from Yukino—the differences in memories and how Yuu acted after losing his memories at school—she had already learned almost everything. She had no intention of staying longer.

As for the final step, of course, it was to find a chance to test him directly and figure out what role Yuu played in this puzzle.

Was he a victim or a perpetrator?

Was he a suffering hero who lost his memories, or a scoundrel who fled after promising a lifetime together?

Even if it was the Yuu she loved most, if he had truly done something to betray her…

“Would draining him dry be too light a punishment?”

As she thought about this with enthusiasm, Haruno didn’t realize she had unconsciously assumed Yuu couldn’t possibly betray her.

The reason was simple.

Whether at the amusement park or the hotel, the night before her memories vanished, Yuu gave her all his love and only turned away afterward.

He never said goodbye. He wanted her to end her happiness—until the end, Yuu still loved Haruno.

Just like Haruno, who still cared for him despite losing her memories.

“I know… You’re waiting for me.”

A smile crept onto the corner of her lips. She spoke to herself. Haruno opened the door of the luxurious apartment, completely ignoring the strange gaze secretly watching her from behind.

As she thought about meeting him again, every cell in her body felt exhilarated. Even her steps became unconsciously lighter.

“Just wait, hold on a little longer. I’ll come see you soon!”

Her bright eyes curved into crescents. Her gaze was resolute, without a trace of doubt.

This time, she would definitely resolve everything unfinished. She’d turn rice into porridge. She’d make him unable to escape her body, then talk about the rest!

Thinking of this, her face flushed slightly. Haruno giggled, snapped her fingers, and pressed the elevator button.

(Yuu-chan, your naughty and cute girlfriend is coming to see you~)

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Though Mrs. Yuigahama considered him Yui’s boyfriend, Yuu didn’t deny it. After greeting her politely, he turned and headed home.

When a boy escorts a girl home and meets her parents, most boys would feel awkward and panicked, fearing they’d leave a bad impression and be forced to part with the girl they like.

Yuu was different—he was more skilled at meeting parents than anyone.

He knew how to leave a good impression on all kinds of parents. He wasn’t afraid of reasons that could separate them. He appeared completely relaxed and calm.

Before leaving, he could still hear the two beautiful women, who seemed more like sisters than mother and daughter, whispering behind him.

“I-I told you, he’s not my boyfriend yet!”

“Don’t be shy. Dating is a good thing~ So, how far have you gone with Tenkuji-kun? Have you kissed? Don’t tell me you’ve secretly climbed the adult ladder without Mom knowing…”

“No! No! No! Mom, stop talking!”

“Relax, Mom’s first impression of him is great. I won’t separate you two for moving too fast… But you need to be careful until you can afford a kid.”

“Uwaaahhh—don’t say it so loud! If Yuu-kun hears, how am I supposed to face him tomorrow!”

(Sorry, I heard.)

Yuu said to himself. His face looked resigned, but the corners of his lips couldn’t help but lift slightly.

“Next time I visit Yui’s house, I’ll bring some homemade desserts…”

Though not the parents of a prominent family or the president of some company, the Yuigahama family was also a family that wouldn’t forget him.

That was more precious than anything.

So, he wanted to take the initiative to maintain a good relationship with them. He’d continue until all his tasks were complete, and one day, he’d bring Sora to meet them…

Thinking too far ahead was Yuu’s hard-to-break bad habit.

He shook his head, casting aside unnecessary thoughts, and returned home before all the streetlights turned on.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Hugging her bunny plushie, Sora waited boredly at the entrance. Her small, pale feet casually tapped the floor. When they met, she shouted:

“You took forever! I’m practically starving to death!”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll cook now~”

As Yuu passed by, Sora quietly blushed. She said as if nothing happened:

“Since you brought back a lot of souvenirs, you can do whatever you want to me today… Just today!”

“Yeah, yeah. Today I’ll do… Huh?”

His steps toward the kitchen halted. Yuu blinked, slightly doubting his ears.

His sister seemed a bit strange now… Was this a side effect of bringing a girl home to play games?

No, Sora had been acting weird for a while.

Oh well, that’s fine then.

-

Title: You Can Have Many Girlfriends, But You Only Have One Little Sister

So as not to disappoint his sister’s good intentions, after dinner, Yuu asked Sora to do something for him—a lap pillow.

“Why does it have to be a lap pillow…?”

Suppressing her flushed face that betrayed her delight, Sora muttered a complaint. As soon as she finished eating, she promptly sat at the corner of the sofa, eagerly waiting for him.

“It just popped into my head. I gave you one this afternoon too, even if it was only for a few seconds.”

Completely unbothered by the idea of his sister giving him a lap pillow, Yuu lay down naturally. His legs dangled off the sofa, his face turned toward the TV, and his head rested on his sister’s slender, soft thighs. A milky scent wafted over.

Not much flesh, but very elastic.

He didn’t use much force, just gently leaning back, like resting his head on a cool jelly pillow.

“Sora, it feels like this is the first time you’ve given me a lap pillow.” Yuu said with mixed emotions.

“Yeah, that’s why it feels weird.”

Sora slightly pursed her pink lips. Her pale eyes looked down, gently gazing at the side of his face.

Her delicate white fingertips brushed his bangs, then slipped into his hair, softly combing through the short strands.

“Yuu, who’s always strong and confident, since when did you start acting spoiled?”

“Not allowed?”

“I didn’t say it’s not allowed. I just want to know why.” Sora-chan was a bit annoyed. She scratched his scalp with her nails. Her cold voice was clearly tinged with emotion. “Don’t change the subject again. Even if you don’t want to answer, I’ll still ask—What happened while you were in Kyoto?”

“…”

Yuu, unable to lie to Sora, fell silent for a moment.

He felt the warmth of his sister’s thighs against the side of his face. The heat from her fingertips seeped into his brain. There wasn’t the slightest hint of romance—just an irreplaceable warmth enveloping his heart.

Like a ship entering a safe harbor, shedding its battle-worn armor.

For a moment, he couldn’t even remember why he was trying so hard.

“The more I regret the beauty of life that’s about to be lost, the more cruelly beautiful this world becomes… That’s why I’m starting to fear the future.”

As if giving up, Yuu spoke. His voice was so soft it seemed it could vanish into the air at any moment.

His gaze focused on the infinite void ahead. He muttered to himself, uncaring whether his sister understood:

“Can I really hold on until the end? How much more of me can be stripped away? And… how many more choices will I have to make that hurt others?”

In front of Yuigahama, Yuu would never say such things. Even overly depressive thoughts wouldn’t surface.

He didn’t even know if this was the effect of his perfect acting skills or not.

It felt like there were many real versions of him. None were lying, but none showed his complete self. His sincerity was becoming increasingly fragmented.

One person could have a thousand faces.

Perhaps, as Sora just said, the current him was just a Yuu who wanted to be spoiled. That’s why he suddenly wanted a lap pillow and asked confusing questions that wouldn’t get answers.

“…I’m just feeling a bit mixed up. Don’t worry.”

This state lasted only a few seconds. Yuu closed his eyes and flashed a relaxed, cheerful smile again.

“As for what happened, do you really want to know?”

“If I didn’t, why would I ask?”

Her cool, soft fingers pinched his cheek, not letting him force that fake smile.

With her pinky, she brushed aside the silver hair covering her face. Sora said very seriously, “If even I can’t hear your story, then no one in this world deserves to, Yuu.”

Yuu looked up, meeting his sister’s resolute gaze.

“Over and over, saying goodbye to the happy times we once had—it’s more painful than I imagined.”

“…”

“If it weren’t, why would I ask?”

Mid-sentence, Sora pinched his cheek and frowned slightly. “Why are you sweating cold? Are you feeling unwell?”

“…A little. Let me lie here quietly.”

Yuu gave a resigned smile. He let his sister carefully wipe the cold sweat from his forehead with her sleeve. He closed his eyes wearily.

Yes, indeed, no one in this world deserved to hear his story—not Sora, not Yuigahama, no matter how important they were to him.

Unless he defeated that damn system, which still managed to squeeze his heart even while updating.

“Indeed, only I can save myself.”

The armor he’d taken off shone again. Yuu believed in that.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

After that brief warmth, they both returned to their rooms.

Sora went to play games, while Yuu had more important things to do.

Tenkuji Network was still in its early stages. Even with the system’s help, he had to expend a lot of energy managing the business and making it a stable source of income—in the future, if the system was gone, he’d rely on this to make money while relaxing.

Yuu was a man with dreams. His biggest dream was lying on his family’s lap, playing games, and still earning money.

“Oh, right, Sora.”

Suddenly remembering something, he stopped and called out to Sora, who was heading back to her room.

“Sooner or later, I’ll get a girlfriend. Maybe next month, maybe tomorrow. I hope you can prepare yourself starting now.”

Before the tasks began, he decided to discuss the girlfriend issue with Sora, as he had in the previous task.

Though it was a bit sudden, since he’d have to say it eventually and this wasn’t his first time facing such a situation, Yuu didn’t plan to give much preamble.

He just didn’t know what kind of boyfriend identity he’d be given this time… First a rental boyfriend, then an online boyfriend, then a fake boyfriend—what next?

An inflatable boyfriend… Uh, no, a tool boyfriend?

“What do you mean? Are you really planning to go after that dango dummy?”

Sora widened her eyes in confusion, staring at him in surprise. “Even though her chest is big and she’s liked you for so long, I’m not afraid she’ll change her mind… But she’s terrible at games. Aren’t you worried you’ll end up breaking up with her from frustration?”

“Show some respect to your senpai, even if everything you said is true…” Sighing resignedly, Yuu really didn’t know who his sister learned such rude speech from. “The point is, I’m good at games. I don’t have high standards for a girlfriend. If needed, I can teach her to be a great gamer.”

“Hmph, you’re really patient.” Sora puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction. However, she didn’t show strong rejection.

Too lazy to explain that Yui was outside the girlfriend category, Yuu asked curiously, “You don’t care? Your brother’s going to be taken by another girl, you know?”

Honestly, compared to previous times, her indifferent reaction was very strange. It made him instinctively use a probing question, worried she didn’t fully grasp his meaning.

Was it because he brought Yuigahama home before asking?

Was it because he got a break, making Sora seem so relaxed?

“I’m not as weak as you think.”

Pulling the bunny plushie’s ears to both sides, as if straddling its legs, Sora glanced sideways at the floor. She pursed her lips and said in a slightly odd tone:

“For some reason, I feel like I’ve asked you this before. You said you already knew in your heart… I find it strange myself, that I can accept you getting a girlfriend so calmly.”

Yuu looked at her with a complicated expression.

(The efforts accumulated in the past weren’t in vain. After comforting her three times, has my sister, who’s overly attached to her brother, finally become a bit normal?)

For some reason, though it was a good thing, his feelings were strange.

“Most importantly, I, who’ll turn sixteen in a few months, am not a narrow-minded woman!”

As if to prove herself, Sora puffed out her flat chest. Acting like an adult, she flipped her silver hair and squinted casually.

“You can have many girlfriends, but you only have one little sister… As long as you don’t date an evil woman who wants to monopolize you, even if it’s a dango dummy like Yuigahama, I can turn a blind eye.”

“Of course, it’d be better if you didn’t have a girlfriend. Whatever Yuu wants… I can fulfill it.”

After saying that, she turned and closed the door as if escaping. Her silver hair showed a captivating hint of red.

In the past, she wouldn’t have been this shy saying such things…

Yuu gave a wry smile. Looking at the closed door, with an odd sense of relief, he returned to his own room.

-

Title: The Terror of Kasumigaoka Utaha

That night, the city slumbered. The glow of streetlights, like stars, illuminated the crisscrossing streets.

A faint voice emerged from the void:

[System update complete.]

[Erroneous program successfully adjusted. Original plan no longer applicable… Adjustments complete. Implementing enhanced protocol. Full energy, activating minimal intervention.]

A flash of black light flickered and vanished into the crevices of the world.

The rented room, deliberately leased for work, could hardly be called tidy.

Of course, it wasn’t because the room was dirty or moldy, but because its occupant didn’t know how to take care of herself or her surroundings.

Or perhaps she was just lazy.

Black stockings and lace underwear hung carelessly on the headboard. The dark-haired girl, dressed only in a thin shirt and panties, sat at her computer, relying on a heater. She frowned, arguing with her editor over the phone.

“I know why the third volume didn’t get a good response… Don’t rush me for the fourth. I haven’t figured out the main storyline yet.”

“Don’t lecture me. If I knew how to recapture the feeling of writing the second volume, would I be worrying every day until my hair turns gray?”

“Machida-san, I’d rather write a work that surpasses my previous one—or at least matches it. But the problem now is I have no inspiration. No matter how much you push me, I can’t write something I’m satisfied with. A work even the author isn’t pleased with is just illustrated toilet paper.”

“Hmm, it’s late. You should rest too. When I figure out how to write it, I’ll call you. Until then, please don’t bother me. Let me be alone for a while—unless the editorial department plans to cancel Love Metronome.”

After saying the last sentence in a low voice, Utaha tossed her phone, which had ended the call, onto the desk. She leaned back, covering her eyes with her arm, and let out a heavy sigh.

“Even though the third volume was a work I really loved, how did it come to this… Damn it, today’s readers truly have no taste!”

However, despite her words, as she had just discussed with her editor, she knew better than anyone the reason for the sharp decline in popularity.

It had nothing to do with the readers. It was purely because her talent wasn’t enough.

The first volume of Utaha’s work, written under the pen name Kasumi Utako—Love Metronome—received a lukewarm response. It even faced a situation where the second volume was nearly canceled. But when she wrote the second volume, which gained skyrocketing popularity and rave reviews, everything changed.

The title of “beautiful high school girl novelist” was heavily promoted. Its sales once topped the monthly light novel charts. It even boosted the sales of the first volume, making her famous and filling her with confidence and pride as a bestselling author.

With that, she wrote the third volume under the great expectations of many.

And then she learned what it meant to fall as high as she had risen.

Objectively, the third volume was a huge improvement over the first. For a novice writer, producing a novel of that level was already impressive—but compared to the second volume, with its gripping plot, vivid characters, and ability to make readers cry, the reading experience was a drastic letdown. Some even openly said the first and second volumes couldn’t have been written by the same author.

Seeing those comments, Utaha nearly punched her computer screen. She felt suffocated, as if she might cough up blood. For a while, her mind went blank. Her fingers rested on the keyboard, but she couldn’t type a single word.

The confidence she had just built was cruelly shattered by those scathing reviews. She even considered quitting writing and letting someone else take the role of the beautiful high school girl novelist.

Her pride, unwilling to lose to the readers, kept her going until now.

Utaha had once sworn she’d write a perfect work that would make all her critics lick her feet. She’d make everyone who underestimated her sob uncontrollably because of her story—

Yet, no matter how many oaths she made, they only added to the pile of discarded drafts in the trash.

“My talent isn’t exhausted. I’m just waiting for inspiration to strike… Damn it! I’ll show you all my true ability!”

Biting her lip reluctantly, Utaha wiped her eyes forcefully. She placed both hands back on the keyboard.

The empty room was silent and desolate. The night outside the window seemed frozen, unchanging.

With a soft sigh, the crisp sound of typing faded once more.

“Indeed, it’s not the same as writing the second volume. That sudden burst of inspiration, that instant spark of creation, it’s gone…”

Muttering, Utaha picked up a book from the crowded bookshelf beside her. She flipped through a few pages.

Initially, she only meant to skim, but before she knew it, an hour had passed. As a writer, she was completely engrossed.

“Indeed, it’s different from me. Written so well.”

With a self-deprecating laugh, Utaha put the book down. She picked up her phone and opened her photo album.

Among various photos and documents, the most striking was a picture of a teenage boy standing in front of a piano, smiling confidently at the audience below.

It was the only photo Utaha had secretly taken. The purpose… was, of course, for research.

Because the key to the second volume’s popularity, and the important supporting character loved by many readers, was a character she wrote based on brief impressions and observations (stalking) after meeting Yuu during the summer vacation.

She hadn’t expected the second volume to become so popular because of it. She hadn’t expected her research subject to attend the same school as her. She hadn’t expected that boy to be so remarkable…

Even so, Utaha didn’t immediately acknowledge their acquaintance. Let alone apologize or thank him.

A person with normal shame wouldn’t voluntarily admit they were caught stalking someone and even received attention for it.

However, if the third volume had been a hit too, she would’ve signed her big name on a note, returned it to him, and done so with a proud face!

—That was Utaha’s original plan.

Then, well, the rest was as everyone knew.

Her new work flopped completely. The design of that important supporting character had many issues too. Now, some people were still mocking her on 2ch forums. She had no qualifications to face the junior who had helped her so much.

So, to avoid too much stress, Utaha chose to escape reality.

Now, she rarely went to school. She just hid at home, writing novels. She produced countless useless drafts, was advised and comforted by her editor, and her condition worsened. She kept writing poor works, trapped in a vicious cycle, unable to break free.

Her mind could no longer conjure any stories. Utaha leaned helplessly against the chair’s backrest. She let her phone slip from her hand, falling to the floor. Her eyes were vacant, staring at the bookshelf in front of her.

The word “surrender” gradually filled her mind.

“Either I get canceled outright, or I have to meet that kouhai and see if I can recapture that feeling… Hmm?”

Muttering, Utaha suddenly froze. Her vacant eyes quickly focused.

She spotted a strange book with a pure black spine, wedged between the first and third volumes of Love Metronome.

The second volume was still on the desk. There should’ve been an empty space there…

Since when was this book slipped in?

Puzzled, after confirming she didn’t recall carelessly placing a book there, Utaha reached out and pulled it out.

The cover was black, just like its spine. No words or images. Pure, simple black, yet it seemed to emit a chilling aura. When she held it, a cold sensation crept through her.

Yet, for some reason, Utaha didn’t dislike the design. She even felt a slight familiarity, like holding her favorite notebook.

“What is this? A Death Note?”

After examining the surface, she cautiously opened the inner pages, ready to toss the book out the window at any moment.

…Plain white paper. Blank and new. No different from an ordinary notebook. The inside cover had no usage rules or anything similar.

“Indeed, I was overthinking…” Laughing at her own paranoia, Utaha shook her head. She quickly flipped through the book’s pages. After confirming they were all blank, she lost interest and was about to close it and return it to the shelf.

At that moment, a black font suddenly flashed in the corner of her eye. She stopped immediately, flipping back to the only page that wasn’t pure white.

“It wasn’t there just now…”

Her words halted.

In Utaha’s shocked gaze, the black font seemed alive. Starting from “7/24” at the top, it slowly formed complete sentences.

Though she instinctively let go, letting the notebook fall onto the desk, the first page didn’t flip at all.

The ink continued forming lines on the white paper, like an automatically running computer program, recording line by line.

[7/24, you met Tenkuji Yuu at the street piano in JR Shibuya Station…]

-

Title: I’m Waiting for the Day You Confess Your Love to Me

Monday morning, November 13.

On the long slope where they often met by chance, Yuu arrived before Yuigahama. Like his past self, he leaned against a utility pole, waiting for her to appear.

“Sorry, I’m late~”

The morning light was soft. Her beautiful pink hair came into view. The large dango-style hair ties swayed slightly under her winter uniform.

As their shadows aligned side by side, Yuu took the lead. Teasingly, he said, “If you think this is late, we might as well wait for each other here before dawn.”

“Hehehe~ I was just saying.”

Yuigahama smiled shyly. She stole a glance at the side of his face. Her shoulder unintentionally brushed against his.

But she didn’t pull away as usual. She just kept walking forward with a normal expression. The sensation of their touching skin and the closeness of their breaths instantly chased away the winter’s chill.

With just this small gesture, Yuigahama suddenly felt—“Ah, we’re no longer just ordinary friends.”

She clearly sensed the distance between them had truly lessened. A sweet joy surged from her heart to her throat. It quickly softened the corners of her lips, making her unable to hold back a giggle.

But when she thought about how Yuu had secretly kissed her yesterday, and how she had mustered the courage to kiss… or bite him back, a flush of red quickly colored her cheeks. Her lips pursed in embarrassment.

Yuigahama hurriedly looked away, no longer daring to sneak glances at him.

At that moment, Yuu took the initiative to speak, breaking the slight silence with conversation.

“By the way, the school festival is coming up soon… I feel like those of us on the logistics team haven’t done much.”

“What can we do about it?”

The cold breeze cooled the warmth on her face. Yuigahama continued the conversation naturally. “We only decided on the event last Thursday. That was the busiest time, and we were tied up with the matches in Kyoto… We can only make up for what we couldn’t help with starting now.”

She turned to him. Her large, glistening eyes blinked. “Speaking of which, Yuu-kun, aren’t you planning to compete for the lead role? I think Adler, the angel of death, suits you perfectly. He’s the main character, and he’s super cool!”

The cultural festival project for Class 2-F was a drama titled Adler.

It was a tragic story about the angel of death—Adler—as the protagonist. The story told how he was deceived by the heroine into searching for the meaning of life, only to end up going to hell with her.

It’s worth mentioning that, since the script was decided by vote, even though a classmate named Ebina wrote an engaging and touching script about gay themes, it was rejected by the majority of the “normal” classmates. That thwarted her attempt to act in her own interest.

As for the lead role, though the cast was already set, if Yuu wanted to compete, it was unlikely anyone would dare take it from him. Even if they tried, they wouldn’t be able to outshine him.

“That’s exactly why I’m not interested in acting on stage.” Yuu sighed, uninterested. His melancholic gaze looked toward the morning mist.

“I’m already handsome. If I keep getting more handsome, aren’t you afraid more girls will chase after me?”

Yuigahama laughed awkwardly. “Hahaha, saying something like that so bluntly, that’s so Yuu-kun…”

By comparison, she didn’t even have the courage to agree with such narcissistic words. She could only agree in her heart.

(He’s right. Good thing he didn’t join the acting team. Yuu-kun’s handsomeness only needs to be known by me!)

“You’re not afraid, but I am. Rejecting confessions every day—just thinking about it is annoying.”

An image of someone flashed in his mind. Yuu said unconsciously, “If that really happens, be my shield, Yui.”

“Shield?” Yuigahama was slightly confused.

“I mean, pretend to date me and tell others I already have a girlfriend…” His words trailed off. Yuu snapped back to reality, shifted his gaze, and regained his composure. He flashed a relaxed smile.

“No, forget it. Asking someone to be a shield, when you think about it seriously, is pretty stupid. I might as well announce to everyone that I’m only interested in guys.”

“That’s even worse?! Besides, if you want to do it, I don’t mind…” Her round cheeks puffed out. Yuigahama lowered her head, rubbing her hands behind her back. She muttered,

“After all, if I become your fake girlfriend, one day it might become real.”

“That’s true.” Yuu ruffled her dango-styled hair. His tone was confident and straightforward. “But Yui, you’re special to me. There’s no need, and no point, in deceiving others with a fake identity.”

“R-really…”

Yuigahama replied with a slight stutter. She looked down at the road, feeling her entire face heat up.

Her heart pounded wildly. She was so embarrassed she wanted to bury her face in his chest—she wasn’t yet used to the closeness after crossing the boundary of friendship, and she didn’t know how to respond to match their current dynamic.

Caught between two difficult choices. What people call a sweet dilemma might be this feeling.

Compared to her, the boy beside her was so skilled, it didn’t seem like his first time teasing her. He didn’t feel there was anything wrong with saying such things to a girl he wasn’t officially dating. He just naturally used his gaze and voice to melt her heart, making her like him even more.

(So sly!)

Yuigahama huffed slightly, as if annoyed.

(No wonder he said yesterday he’d cheat at least twice. With his attitude, as long as he doesn’t refuse, cheating twenty times is possible!)

(If that’s the case, I’d better take the fake girlfriend position first, so other girls don’t get a chance to approach him…)

Though her heart was full of complaints, Yuigahama knew she’d already done all she could. The rest was just waiting.

She only needed to wait until he liked her—Yuu had promised, and Yuigahama trusted him completely. She didn’t want to do anything more to pressure him.

After all, the position of someone special sounded more important than a girlfriend.

Under Yuu’s curious gaze, Yuigahama smiled foolishly while holding her face.

The morning sunlight began to shine.

In her squinted eyes, there were colors filled with satisfaction and peace.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

The usual route to school, yet slightly different, passed in the blink of an eye, leaving only the final stretch.

The school gate came into view. Other students, also in Sobu High uniforms, walked in with scarves and tucked necks. A disciplinary committee member, like a gatekeeper, glanced sharply and stared straight at their hands, which had unconsciously intertwined.

Then she gave an ambiguous smile, nodded in greeting, turned, and began scolding another student for not wearing their uniform properly.

“I’ve always wanted to say this—our school’s too lax about these things, isn’t it?”

Yuigahama whispered but had no intention of letting go of his arm.

They walked to the shoe lockers in an intimate posture. Only then did she reluctantly release his body, warmer than the entire spring. She changed into her indoor shoes and walked with him toward the classroom.

As more people appeared, she, temporarily without an official status, wasn’t bold enough to show off in front of others. So she just walked beside him and asked casually:

“By the way, Yuu-kun… What’s our relationship now?”

Yuu paused for a moment. He answered carefully:

“More than friends, but not yet lovers?”

Though he could’ve just said “couple” he knew he absolutely didn’t want to see Yuigahama dating anyone else but him. Even if his feelings weren’t there yet, he wouldn’t give her girlfriend position to anyone.

But because of the words he said yesterday, he decided to be a bit dramatic and define their relationship seriously, without lies.

“Really? That’s fine. For now, this is good too!”

Hearing his answer, Yuigahama didn’t feel disappointed. Her heart opened wide, and she felt relaxed, with no lingering unease.

Because compared to the past, when she couldn’t express her feelings, she had now received the answer she wanted. From now on, she wouldn’t feel sad anymore because of Yuu’s rejections.

“So, can I start waiting?”

She suddenly quickened her pace a few steps and half-turned.

Her skirt flared lightly in the air. Her bright eyes curved into crescents, and she smiled at him.

“—I’m waiting for the day you confess your love to me!”

Without any impurity, that pure and gentle feeling was like winter sunlight, instantly warming Yuu’s heart.

Yuu was stunned for a moment, then smiled:

“Of course. Wait patiently, Yui.”

-

Title: The Girl with Impure Thoughts

Yuigahama nodded vigorously. When her eyes met his, a few more shades of red crept up her slender neck, making her look utterly adorable.

She touched the dango hair ties on her head as if to hide her embarrassment, casually changing the topic. “By the way, Yuu-kun, since when did you start calling me by my name?”

“Hmm? Since the summer—” Yuu paused for a moment, then shook his head. “Sorry, I don’t quite remember the reason either.”

“Is that so? Oh well, it’s not important!” Yuigahama turned her half-flushed cheek away. She waited for him to catch up from behind, tugged at the hem of his shirt, and whispered:

“Yesterday… that shouldn’t count as a first kiss.”

The first was a gentle touch on the lips, and the second was her biting him to vent her emotions. Neither felt like the first kiss Yuigahama had imagined. She didn’t want her girlish heart to be shattered so easily!

In the most perfect scenario, it should’ve been like in manga—soft and innocent, with them tentatively feeling each other’s breaths. From light to heavy, from shallow to deep, from lips to tongue, their breaths and saliva intertwining…

In the end, their fingers would interlock. In a daze, she’d be pressed onto a bed. His lips would slowly move from the corner of her mouth to her chin, then her neck. After leaving a firm mark on her collarbone, her buttons would be gently undone…

“Yui?”

“N-nothing! I wasn’t thinking about anything indecent at all!”

Yuigahama protested loudly, as if jolted awake from a dream. She covered her face with both hands but couldn’t hide her reddening fair skin. Her cute, delicate ears turned red, and it seemed like steam was rising from her head.

(Is this what they call wanting more? After he took one step forward with me, I’m already looking forward to the next three or four…)

(Yui, you impure-minded girl!)

Yuu saw her embarrassment. Holding back a laugh, he pretended to be serious. “If you think yesterday wasn’t romantic enough, then when the mood’s right, we’ll talk about a proper first kiss?”

“T-that’s it! Besides, kissing isn’t something only couples can do. Lots of childhood friends do it too…”

Yuigahama turned away as if she didn’t dare look at him. She walked toward the classroom, muttering something he couldn’t make out.

Yuu followed her happily. Watching her white thighs sway under her skirt, he was in a great mood.

“Oh, I suddenly remembered something.”

Before entering the classroom, Yuigahama stopped abruptly. Her eyes looked at him cautiously.

“Yuu-kun… Was that your first kiss too?”

“…”

For some reason, facing her hopeful gaze, Yuu was slightly taken aback, then answered without thinking.

“Yeah. After all… I’ve never had a girlfriend.”

He shouldn’t be lying, if it was the usual him.

In Yuigahama’s world, Yuu indeed never had a girlfriend and naturally never had the chance to give away his first kiss.

If the events that had happened would vanish after the tasks were complete… then what he said now was a truth that could reassure Yuigahama and distinguish those worlds.

So… there was nothing to worry about. He never made the wrong choice.

“I see…” Yuigahama placed her hand on her chest. She quietly let out a sigh of relief. Her smile was as sweet and shy as that of a girl in love.

When they entered Class 2-F, half the seats were still empty.

Some classmates who were chatting saw them enter one after the other. They exchanged glances, then, as if unable to contain their curiosity, gathered around them and started asking questions noisily.

“I heard you went to a kendo tournament? How’d it go?”

“Did you win? My kendo friend said to keep it secret until the school announces it. So annoying!”

“By the way, you went to Kyoto together. So lucky, getting an extra school trip experience~”

“Eh, I heard there’s a super effective love shrine near Kyoto. Did you go pray together? Your vibe seems different~”

“No way nothing happened during four days and three nights. I heard Yukinoshita-san went too. Any exciting experiences…”

“Alright, alright.” Before Yuigahama could show a troubled expression, Yuu spoke with a smile.

His voice wasn’t loud, and his tone was very gentle, but it cut through the clamor, reaching their ears clearly.

“Nothing interesting happened. Please return to your seats. Our business isn’t worth paying attention to.”

“…”

The group was stunned. Suddenly, they felt it made sense. They nodded, visibly disappointed. After saying a few unimportant things, they turned and returned to their seats.

Since Yuigahama wasn’t a target of the Bullet Word (Kotodama) emotional transmission, she wasn’t affected. She stared at the scene in surprise. After a long pause, she shifted her gaze from their backs to Yuu and said with admiration:

“Yuu-kun, since when did you become class president? You can make everyone so obedient!”

“Because I have a lot of influence.” Yuu raised his finger amusedly and flicked the round, beautiful dango hair tie on her head. “You should hurry back to your seat too. I heard Hiratsuka-sensei might hold a pop quiz today. Anyone who fails will get extra work.”

“Seriously?! Oh no, I didn’t prepare anything—”

Too late to protect her hairstyle, Yuigahama let out a panicked squeal. She grabbed her school bag and quickly sat at her desk.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

After morning classes ended, Yuu originally planned to eat lunch and catch up with Totsuka Saika, whom he hadn’t seen in a while. Unfortunately, the slender tennis club captain had to prepare for an upcoming tournament. He even planned to bring his lunch to the tennis court. Yuu could only decline his invitation with a wry smile.

As for Yuigahama, she had her own group to maintain—the “fire queen” dragged her to the cafeteria right after class, giving her no chance to say goodbye to Yuu.

Before leaving, Yumiko frowned and glanced at him. She looked like a mother hen protecting her chick. There wasn’t much hostility in her eyes, but there was a hint of wariness, as if she suspected something.

Yuu didn’t care. Regardless of how Yumiko’s memories were altered after the world reset or how his image in her mind changed, it no longer mattered—for people he didn’t care about, he was usually indifferent.

Since his only two friends had things to do, he took his bento box alone, stood up, and left the classroom.

If he didn’t want to eat lunch in class, a destination naturally came to mind.

—The small forest behind the school building.

Yuu saw the familiar stone gazebo. There were no longer any clingy, odd couples like before. He could no longer see them feeding each other or flirting.

Even alone, the silver-haired girl didn’t appear here either… Naturally, since she had forgotten everything from the past. She forgot about their promise to eat lunch here every day.

Pausing for a moment, Yuu shook his head. The corners of his lips formed a relieved smile. He silently prayed toward the stone gazebo:

“I hope Masuzu can live a happy life, even without me, just like those two.”

After that, he turned and left without regret.

In the empty forest, the wind blew through the dry branches.

Yellowing leaves fell quietly, disappearing into shadows unnoticed by anyone.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Special building, Service Club.

Traces of alcohol disinfectant lingered on the windows and even the door handle. The classroom, originally just a storage room, felt cleaner than any classroom in the school building.

Just like the girl inside. She had a temperament as pure as snow—ethereal, proud, and so perfect it felt unreal.

Before Yuu opened the door, his fingers paused briefly. Then he knocked lightly.

“Come in.”

A cool, clear voice, refreshing to the mind, sounded.

“Then, I’m coming in.”

With that, Yuu entered the bright classroom filled with midday sunlight, carrying his bento box.

She still sat upright by the window. Her long, glossy black hair, like a 0.5 mm pencil lead, swayed gently in the breeze. Her pleated skirt revealed her slender waist. Her legs, wrapped in long stockings, looked slim and toned. A faint glimpse of the absolute territory of pure white.

There was no expression on her beautiful, delicate face. Only her captivating blue eyes looked indifferently at the vice-president approaching her. Her tone was steady.

“You’re rarely so polite.”

“Don’t be jealous of my good character.”

“I’m quite jealous of your face as thick as a wall.”

Gently tucking her hair behind her ear, Yukino averted her gaze, as if at a loss for words. But the corners of her soft lips and a slight flush rose faintly.

Whether it was just his imagination or not, Yuu seemed to see a calm emotion on her face.