Yuu 586-590

Title: Is This System Asking Me to Play a GALGAME?

Outside Tenkuji’s house, inside a van.

Yukino’s hands, resting lightly on her knees, intertwined aimlessly. After a long silence, she gazed at Masuzu, who was fiddling with the hair on Yuu’s forehead, and spoke hesitantly:

“Natsukawa-san...”

Her tentative voice had just emerged when Masuzu cut her off.

“Do you know how happy I felt when I woke up this morning and realized I still remembered everything from before yesterday?”

“Wh-what?”

Startled, her face filled with confusion and bewilderment.

“As long as it doesn’t fade again, fully reclaiming it is just a matter of time.”

Without lifting her head, Masuzu continued, her focus on admiring Yuu’s eyes and brows.

Those blue eyes, once brimming with disdain, nonchalance, eccentricity, and shadow, now held only pure tenderness and affection, fixed on the serene features of her sleeping lover.

In a low voice, she murmured: “Just give me a little more time, and this bone-deep ache won’t be like rootless weeds anymore...”

“What are you really trying to say? Can you explain first?” Yukino interrupted her mutterings, a trace of anxiety in her tone.

“Don’t rush.” Masuzu finally raised her eyes and offered a faint smile. “When he called me of his own accord, I knew you’d succeeded in what you set out to do. Thanks to you, we all have a shot at happiness.”

“Honestly, though I’m reluctant to admit it, I should thank you for adding another brick to his harem project. It lets me focus on piecing together the past without worry... But it’s embarrassing—seeing you now, clueless and all disheveled, it actually makes me glad, like revenge served sweet.”

(Just like how you relished my clownish display yesterday, pitying me as I danced awkwardly beside him, his girlfriend.)

With a soft sigh, Masuzu lowered her head again. Her finger trailed from Yuu’s forehead to his cheek, past his chin, until the tip of her nail brushed his throat—as if tempted to end him right there in his sleep.

But after a light scratch and press, her finger returned to his hair, resuming what he’d never permit awake: indulging that teasing, sweet itch in her heart.

“Natsukawa-san...”

Yukino’s face beside her twisted unpleasantly, yet she sensed Masuzu was more recounting facts and mocking herself than outright taunting.

Besides, the words carried layers Yukino needed to unpack—no time for anger.

“It’s not just the harem nonsense, Natsukawa-san. It seems you’re not merely harboring secret feelings for him... You’ve betrayed Yui too, haven’t you? She’s your only friend.”

Masuzu scoffed.

“So what? And anyway, it wasn’t me who betrayed her—just like you, who should only be quietly pining for Yuu right now, haven’t betrayed your best friend either.”

She met Yukino’s gaze steadily. Her blue eyes gleamed with an odd light, her voice bright and resolute, free of doubt.

“The real fault lies with Yui, who loved this scumbag Yuu to her dying breath. She brought light to us all, then vanished without a proper goodbye.”

Masuzu shrugged. “As his ex, I just want back what’s mine. How’s that betrayal? Besides, Yui approved you two dating back then—she should’ve known the guy she loved was a flirtatious jerk.”

“Your concerns are overblown. Just own these feelings already.”

The revelation hit like a tidal wave. Yukino gaped in shock for the umpteenth time, staring at Masuzu, who had bowed her head once more, her expression a tangle of complexity laced with unwitting relief.

“So, you dated Tenkuji-kun too... No, the real issue is...”

She muttered, her face a mix of disbelief and complication, yet tinged with subtle ease: “Yui approved us dating? Impossible—that’s too absurd... When? How could she...?”

Seeing Yukino as pitiful as she once was, Masuzu offered comfort from experience: “Remember it soon, and it’ll all sort itself out. For now, don’t overthink; nothing gets solved that way.”

“The priority is him—suddenly out cold, no telling when he’ll wake. I trust Yuu won’t leave us girlfriends hanging in grief forever, but we should prep: call a private clinic, hook him to an IV like a veggie patient to keep him going.”

“...You’re right.”

Yukino drew a deep breath, then exhaled slowly. Her eyes cleared. Fists clenched on her knees, she shoved aside the nagging thoughts, her face serious once more.

“Hope Kasumigaoka-senpai’s notebook reveals the next part soon... My guess? This is just the start. He—or we—has more to tackle.”

“Like game quests, huh?” Masuzu arched a brow teasingly.

Yukino shot her an irritated glance, sweeping back her long hair, her voice icy with biting sarcasm: “You’re awfully composed. Why not pull your old tricks—those irritating, perverted stunts where you seduce him by putting yourself down?”

Masuzu blinked in realization: “Oh! Why haven’t I?”

“Huh??”

Under Yukino’s disbelieving stare, Masuzu leaned into the back seat, bending without pause to press her soft lips against Yuu’s steady-breathing ones.

“Ngh!”

Not done yet. The kiss with her beloved sparked fire through her; she clamped her thighs instinctively, a bitter moan escaping before she deepened it fiercely—cupping his face for a wet, profound, lingering claim.

“Haaah... Feels amazing. Just mucosal contact, yet so blissful... Is this what damn love is? Feels like the past is resurfacing. Then... more kisses.”

Whispering in delirious joy, Masuzu twisted fully into the back, angling for deeper access—awkward, yet fervent.

“...”

Yukino sat frozen, staring as if her brain had fried from the heat, immobile.

Ahead, Masuzu persisted in her one-sided assault, kissing as if to rouse him. Her tousled hair and flushed cheeks evoked the very lewd woman she’d mocked—yet she tuned out the world, stubbornly chasing forbidden urges.

Only when she overreached, fumbling at his belt, did Yukino snap to. Her face blazed—shame? Rage?—like dynamite-blasted mountaintop snow. Teeth gritted, she lunged to the back, yanking her away furiously.

“You dare assault an unconscious guy?! Trying to commit a crime right in front of me?!”

“Is NTR-ing someone a crime? Oh, wait—Yuu’s asleep. NTR on a sleeper is criminal. Haven’t reclaimed girlfriend status yet... Tch, forget the nitpicks.”

“How’s that a nitpick?! Where’s your moral boundary?!”

“Love erases boundaries! How about we split sides, mark him up before they wrap with his little sis—scratch that itch? Time’s short for full fun, and this van’s cramped anyway.”

“You... Shameless! Perverted! Filthy! Only Nee-san’d team up with you! Release Tenkuji-kun now!”

“Such a prude. Bet you two got lewder than this on Christmas Eve...”

“I was alone at home—how could I...? Wait, unless...?”

“Yep, that ‘unless’ exactly.”

Masuzu wiped her damp lip corner, flashing a wicked grin at Yukino—eyes bulging wider, cheeks scorching, arms hugging her chest on reflex. “Yui crashed at mine last night, ditching you—then Yuu’s girlfriend—for a cozy Christmas with him.”

“We heard it all from downstairs, tsk tsk... So fierce. Ceiling shook like mad from you!”

Yukino reeled back a step, back hitting the seatrest before she shrieked in realization: “Liar! You said you doubted we skipped anything lewder, and this place is top-tier soundproofed and shock-absorbent—how’d downstairs hear?!”

“Caught me? But the first bit was true. What else would a super-close couple do alone on Christmas Eve in their pad? No need to spell it out.”

Masuzu rubbed her chin, eyes narrowing as she scanned Yukino top to bottom—her face suddenly stiffening, as if dredging up an unwelcome memory.

“Wild as it seems... Yukinoshita-san, did you wake up dressed this morning?”

Yukino: “...”

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Something felt off.

Yuu awoke that morning in his own bed, eyes fluttering open.

The oddity wasn’t the familiar spot, but returning to square one—one eye shut, the other wide—like a reset.

“I...”

He clutched his head, sitting up to peer into the wardrobe mirror, mildly dazed.

No real difference. If anything, he looked younger, sans the weathered maturity of before.

His gaze drifted to the digital clock on his desk.

Six a.m., date—

April 1, 20XX.

“Back in time?”

Yuu blinked, stunned. Clarity rushed in; memories surged. After a beat of reflection, understanding dawned in his eyes.

“System... your Final Exam? But looping to day one of school—what’s the play...?”

Muttering oddly, he vaulted from bed straight to the desk.

A white-covered notebook sat there. Flipping it open, the first page read:

「Mission Update: Complete the Final Exam Mission to obtain the Fifth Light Gem.」

「Mission Target: Not started—Host, seek clues independently.」

「Hint: System access disabled in this state; rewards paused. Prior earnings (normal rewards/money) intact.」

「Mission Duration: Unlimited. Fail to find clues pre-high school graduation? Reset to April 1, 20XX.」

「Unlimited retries—use wisely, wrap it up quick.」

That was it. Yuu memorized every line, dissecting it mentally before snapping it shut.

“Hmph, ‘wrap it up quick,’ huh? After rigging this endless loop, don’t feign sincerity.”

He sneered derisively, striding to the window to yank the curtains, welcoming the sunlit dawn.

Street cherry blossoms were budding. The city stirred like the rising sun, blooming with spring’s vigor and glory.

Eyes closed, he savored the sun’s warmth on his face briefly. Then, sans regret, he pivoted to his school bag—rifling books, ID, phone contacts to catalog what he could.

“Contacts mostly same. Still at the cafe; second-year high school starts today... This timestamp—want me playing GALGAME? Barely a hint...”

Yuu’s brow furrowed subtly. Scanning the room anew, satisfied with intel for now, he donned his uniform swiftly, shouldered the bag, and exited.

Before descending, he cracked Sora’s door—Sōbu High uniform on the wall, sister snoring peacefully—then headed down.

Breakfast prepped and apron shed, before he could rouse her upstairs, the doorbell chimed.

“Coming—“

Who at this hour?

Curious and conjecturing, Yuu swung the door open, peering down at the snow-haired girl before him.

“Tachibana? Why...?”

“Good morning, Yuu-senpai.”

The stoic girl dipped her head slightly, then met his mild surprise with calm golden eyes.

“First day of school. We agreed to go together.”

“Hah? Agreed...” Shock faded fast; Yuu clocked it—system’s setup plot.

Really making him GALGAME this cast he knows? That pervy system’s taste...

He tsked inwardly. Beneath her puzzled head-tilt, he mustered a helpless smile—flawless role immersion.

“I remember. But you’re early. Just finished breakfast.”

-

Title: Look, Now This is What You Call Virtuous

“Exactly~ I already said, no need to go to all the trouble of coming so early to find Senpai~”

Though she didn’t open her mouth, a familiar, lazily complaining voice was heard from Kanade’s side.

Yuu was surprised, then saw a head slowly emerge from the girl’s shoulder. Short, linen-colored shoulder-length hair clung dispassionately to her cute and pretty small face. With teary eyes and thick drowsiness, she yawned towards Yuu.

“Hauu~ Morning, Senpai. Two cute juniors deliberately woke up early to pick you up for school. You should be so moved to tears by now, right?”

Despite looking lazy from just waking up, Iroha still giggled mischievously twice. Every word she spoke sounded like she was flirting, adding a little sugar-like sweetness to the morning air.

“Actually, it’s shedding tears, not three streams of tears.” Yuu sighed, patting his forehead. “By the way, Iroha, you came along too...”

“Huh?”

Her brown eyes opened wide. The blurry drowsiness completely vanished. Iroha gave him a smile as warm as spring, but the voice that came out of her mouth felt like the arrival of winter.

“What do you mean? Kanade-chan can come, but I can’t? That’s not it, is it, Senpai? Are you playing favorites? Iroha-chan misjudged you! Your words from before, that we’re both equally cute in your eyes, were a lie! A man’s mouth is a lying devil!”

“Wait, wait, when did I ever say that...” Yuu instinctively grumbled, then realized that it might be the setting of this world.

Because, in the real world, even though his relationship with them was good and he often invited them to play games with his sister, he had never uttered such irresponsible flirtatious remarks.

“You never did say it.”

Iroha nodded. Her voice returned to normal, but her lips pouted, and her round eyes glared at him angrily.

As if she would pounce and bite if Yuu didn’t comfort her immediately.

“You’re messing with me.”

Yuu rolled his eyes and explained with a slight astonishment: “I mean, you can wake up this early... Kanade must have had a lot of trouble.”

“What do you mean!”

Kanade shook her head and said very seriously: “It’s not troublesome, just a little tiring.”

“Kanade-chan, that last sentence wasn’t necessary!”

Iroha shrieked sulkily, then immediately cleared her throat twice, defending herself with a valid reason: “It can’t be helped! Senpai, you’ve heard of Monday Syndrome and May Sickness, right? Yesterday was still a holiday, but today you have to wake up before dawn. Do you understand the feeling of wanting to die in bed? It’s impossible for any human to do something so unnatural!”

Kanade blinked: “But, I’m also human.”

“You’re different, Kanade-chan. You’re an angel in this world; I’m just an ordinary human!”

Iroha said firmly. In front of Yuu, she hugged Kanade’s slender waist and began to sway her left and right: “Hmph, if I could be this pretty without needing makeup when going out, waking up early would be easy for me!”

“Don’t make excuses. I can do light makeup like that in ten minutes. You just can’t wake up early.”

Relying on his expert makeup skills, Yuu mercilessly dismantled her excuse, then added fairly: “Though it’s true there’s no need to wake up this early. While you’re young, it’s better to sleep more, otherwise...”

(Lack of sleep, the body won’t grow big.)

Yuu resisted the urge to utter this sentence as he glanced at the chests of both girls. He changed his words as if nothing had happened: “Later, when you become a company employee, even a good night’s sleep will be difficult.”

But, thinking about it, for a girl as pure and cute as Kanade, a tiny and small body was the most perfect condition. If she were any bigger, it wouldn’t suit her.

As for Iroha, when they played games at his house before, she had worn lighter clothes. At that time, it was clear that even though she was slender and appeared delicate, her armor level was at least above C, truly surpassing Kanade, who was a good girl who woke up early and grew up healthy.

So, that sentence should not be spoken, neither emotionally nor rationally. Yuu praised his own intelligence.

“Why are we suddenly talking about something so realistic!” Iroha released Kanade, put her hands on her hips and snorted twice, “Anyway, I won’t be a company employee in the future—my goal is to become a secretary and also the wife of a big company CEO!”

“Oh, oh, oh, how wonderful.” Yuu clapped haphazardly twice. “Not only seeking a rich husband, but also wanting the identity of a secretary to prove that you’re not just a flower vase to be kept, but a career woman worthy of accompanying a CEO. It’s rare to find someone with such high ambitions.”

“Oh, Senpai, you understand me so well~” Iroha giggled, her face full of joy at being acknowledged.

Yuu also gave her a warm smile.

“The most important thing is, your school grades aren’t even in the top fifty, but you dare to say something like that. I truly have to admire how high your ambitions are.”

“Senpai! Senpai!”

Iroha, who had been helplessly angry, now had glowing eyes. She gritted her teeth, ready to pounce and bite him.

“Kanade-chan, don’t hold me back! I’ll make this annoying, arrogant Senpai know the serious consequences of making a cute junior angry!”

“I’m not holding you back...” Kanade stood still, blinking innocently.

Yuu spread his hands, as if he didn’t care: “Junior is junior, why add ‘cute’ in front of it... I truly don’t know who she learned such shamelessness from.”

“Who else but you!”

“Alright, aren’t you two tired of standing and chatting?” Yuu turned back into the house. “Come in and rest. Have you had breakfast? If not, I’ll make some for you too.”

Girls are creatures whose changes are faster than flipping a book, and as a very cute junior with high girl power, Iroha was certainly no exception.

“Great! I really like Senpai!” She immediately smiled broadly, pulling Kanade to happily follow her in. Her voice was as sweet as honey: “I rushed out today, only ate a piece of toast, so I can definitely finish Senpai’s luxurious breakfast~ Oh, could you make it low-calorie?”

Yuu walked towards the kitchen and said casually: “You’re not fat. Just eat a lot and then exercise to burn it off. I’ll cook as usual.”

“Ooh~ Senpai’s answer is good, fifty points added!” While taking off her shoes, Iroha said casually, “If Senpai can become the CEO of a big company, another fifty points can be added, you know~”

“Even if I become a CEO, I wouldn’t hire you as my secretary.”

“Hmph! In that case, cut a hundred points!”

Before entering, Kanade still bowed slightly very politely: “Thank you, Yuu-senpai. Sorry to bother you.”

Yuu turned, giving her a gentle smile completely different from when he faced Iroha: “No problem. But no Mapo Tofu this morning; it takes too much time to make.”

“...” Kanade paused for a moment. Her expression was still flat, but her gaze was a little sad.

“Yuu-senpai, even I’m not that fanatical to eat Mapo Tofu for breakfast.”

“Then if there were Mapo sandwich...”

“I would eat it,” Kanade replied without hesitation.

“Too bad it’s not here.”

Yuu shrugged, ignoring her wide-eyed, seemingly struck gaze, and walked into the kitchen with a joyful smile.

The consequence of teasing his junior was that, for the next period, Kanade truly didn’t speak to him.

She just stared at him calmly, like an intimidated little daughter-in-law, expressing her grievances silently.

After finishing breakfast, Yuu also went upstairs to wake Sora, but his himono (dried fish girl) sister seemed to have stayed up all night playing games again. She merely waved her hand in bed, saying she would eat after waking up.

A usual development. Yuu said nothing, closed the door slowly, and went downstairs. He then indirectly asked his two juniors about the uniform hanging on the wall of Sora’s room.

After all, in the real world, although Sora said she would return to school after the winter break, she hadn’t even taken the entrance exam yet, and the transfer procedures would only be handled in a few days, let alone a suitable Sōbu High uniform.

However, in this test, a uniform hung in her room—neatly ironed, looking never worn. Her calm demeanor of continuing to sleep also didn’t seem like a student who had to go to school today.

This might be a clue.

So, after breakfast was over, their appetites were satisfied, and Yuu’s curiosity was also appeased.

His two juniors, completely unsuspecting, like gal high school girls who didn’t care if their skirts blew up. Through his clever questioning, all secrets were revealed.

Not only Sora’s uniform, but also their current relationship, and other important information, all were now known to Yuu.

It felt like a puzzle game finally getting its backstory. He was no longer in an awkward situation where he knew nothing about the current situation or where to start exploring from.

First, it was currently his third year of high school, and the second year for his two juniors. They had agreed during spring break to gather at Yuu’s house on the first day of school—which was today—to clean the student council room.

That’s right, a new student council had been formed, and Yuu was one of its members.

Although there were currently only three people in power, they were more beloved than the previous student council. Their achievements even made the teachers express admiration.

Student Council President, Tachibana Kanade—With her pure and innocent image and angelic appearance, she became the spiritual symbol of Sōbu High. But she was not just a flower vase to be looked at. She had an efficient and fair working method, perfectly utilizing her intelligence as the top student in her class. She managed school affairs in an orderly manner, and her approval rating reached 99.99%.

Vice President, Tenkuji Yuu—Rejecting the teachers’ offer to focus on exams, he used his identity as the most famous all-rounder genius in Sōbu High to step back into the second position. He became the strongest supporter for his angel-like juniors, responsible for handling dirty work that could tarnish the president’s perfect image, and also the main decision-maker for the overall direction of the student council.

He once clashed with the Angel Support Group, or SSS Group for short. After hanging several veteran sports club members on small tree branches for several hours, he successfully transformed them into the student council’s second-line organization and utilized them. He had a wide network and unrivaled influence, dubbed the Underground Emperor of Sōbu High.

Secretary, Isshiki Iroha—Besides being cute, she was mediocre in everything else. Her grades were only average, making people wonder why she could be paired with the other two and work in the same office, even becoming the Angel President’s closest friend.

Of course, those who dared to mock her and let them know, now all became Iroha’s blind supporters—no one knew why their attitude changed 180 degrees.

The only commonality, perhaps, was that before that, they had all been met by someone for a talk.

Of course, Yuu didn’t just learn these things from his juniors. He also secretly looked at threads on the school forum, and only then did he know other students’ evaluations of them.

“I can’t believe that in this test, I, Kanade, and Iroha formed the student council...”

Yuu couldn’t help but feel emotional, but he wasn’t too surprised—after all, even in the real world, if he saw a cute junior who needed help, let alone waiting for them to ask, he would probably have intervened himself because he couldn’t bear to see it.

Being just the Vice President of the student council, he wouldn’t be too busy to not have time to do such small things.

Moreover, since long ago, Yuu had been very fond of Kanade—even setting aside her status as a junior, purely from the perspective of admiring a work of art and the mentality of protecting a national treasure, he was sincerely willing to be her supporter. He wanted Kanade to lead a carefree school life, undisturbed by unnecessary things.

So, becoming the Vice President, or conquering the SSS Group—the disobedient underground organization—for Kanade, these were indeed things Yuu would do himself.

And, if anyone gossiped in front of him saying “Iroha doesn’t deserve to be by their side,” he would definitely use hypnosis on those scoundrels who disrespected others without hesitation.

Overall, the background provided by the system was reasonable and almost flawless.

The reason he said almost was because after learning this information, a strange feeling suddenly arose in Yuu’s heart—

“Did I really do these things...”

Although he had no related memories, the sense of familiarity, as if he himself had experienced it, was difficult to dismiss as mere background setting.

This might be another clue. Yuu remembered it well. He felt his exploration progress increased slightly.

As for Sora, in this test, she indeed had no intention of returning to school. She only asked Kanade for the uniform for cosplay in front of her siscon brother, satisfying her small desire.

After all, since their parents’ accident, Yuu’s greatest wish was to see his sister able to wear a uniform and attend school normally.

“Senpai, I’ve washed the dishes~ Look, do I look virtuous wearing an apron?”

His thoughts stopped. The sound of water in the kitchen also stopped. Iroha, who voluntarily helped wash the dishes, came out with light steps. Her small, white, and clean hands were not yet dry, but she twirled to show off her apron.

Her linen short hair was tied into a small ponytail. Iroha looked naughty, but indeed had a slight maturity of a young wife.

“Yes, yes, yes, very virtuous.”

Yuu answered casually, got up from the sofa, put on his uniform jacket, carried his school bag, and called them to turn off the lights and fan before leaving.

“It’s almost time. Let’s go to the student council room.”

“Mmm... Senpai, if you keep being so heartless, sooner or later you’ll lose this pitiful junior...” Pouting disappointedly, Iroha turned back into the kitchen to take off her apron.

Kanade, who had already taken off her apron, walked out. She removed her hair tie, put on her cream-colored sweater that she had taken off to avoid getting wet, and walked behind Yuu with her school bag obediently, ready to leave with him.

Suddenly realizing something, she looked up and stared at Yuu. Her calm golden eyes clearly reflected his face.

“Wait.”

Yuu also stopped.

Then, her soft, white, and small fingers lightly pinched Yuu’s tie, pulled it up to his neck, and then straightened its position.

Kanade withdrew her hand. Her always expressionless face softened slightly. The corners of her lips seemed to smile, and her soft and delicate voice was as warm as the wind:

“As a member of the student council, the uniform should be a standard for all students, my Vice President.”

“...”

As if hit by an RPG to the face suddenly, Yuu fell silent. After a while, he suddenly looked up and said to Iroha, who had just come out of the kitchen and was staring at the scene in surprise:

“Look, now this is what you call virtuous.”

-

Title: A Small Confession

Walking to school with girls like this might be the first time since he could remember.

Seeing the long, clean slope ahead, surrounded by thin morning mist, Yuu couldn’t hold back his touching feelings.

He unconsciously stopped there. A longing gaze swept around, as if he saw the shadow of a girl who always waited for him by the utility pole. However, that shadow immediately evaporated under the morning sun piercing through the clouds.

After all, if he truly had someone like that, why would he be accompanying his two underclassmen to school on the first day?

Yuu shook his head, took a step forward, and followed the two young and sweet backs in front of him.

The lush green of spring. The shady trees along the road cast long shadows. Perhaps in ten days, this light green would be veiled by a curtain of cherry blossom rain, then pollen would spread everywhere. Everywhere, he would hear sneezes and pained groans from hay fever sufferers.

Fortunately, he wasn’t afraid of such things; otherwise, this season would be too difficult, and he wouldn’t be able to enjoy the cherry blossoms properly.

“Kanade-chan, so that perverted Senpai doesn’t misunderstand, I think I need to tell you the correct concept about the differences between men and women...”

Lifting his eyes ahead, the two underclassmen were whispering.

Although Iroha tried to speak in a very low voice, at such a close distance, Yuu’s hearing could naturally catch everything clearly.

Since the content concerned him, he didn’t avoid it at all and openly listened to their conversation.

Kanade tilted her head slightly: “The differences between men and women? I know, and I think Yuu-senpai doesn’t misunderstand either. You’re worrying too much, Iroha...”

“No, no, no. Casually straightening a guy’s tie and saying things like ‘You are my XXXX’ is an extraordinary seduction technique!”

Iroha waved her hands in panic, looking like a loving mother seeing her daughter nearly going astray, trying to pull her back from the edge of the cliff. She said earnestly: “Kanade-chan, I know you didn’t mean it, but most virgins would immediately be fooled and unilaterally create all sorts of disgusting misunderstandings after being treated like that by a girl! Especially a beautiful girl like Kanade-chan. Even that Senpai, right now, his heart must be pounding and thinking all sorts of bad things in his mind...”

“What bad things?” Kanade blinked in confusion.

“Iroha, that’s enough, I can hear you!”

Before she could turn and ask him, Yuu firmly raised his voice, forcefully interrupting the girls’ chat.

“If you slander me one more time, you’ll clean the entire student council room today by yourself. Kanade and I will just sit aside eating desserts and watch you work!”

“Ugh, how dare he say such a devilish idea so casually...”

Iroha hunched her shoulders like a frightened rabbit, using Kanade as a shield, and looked at him following behind with a vigilant face: “Kanade-chan, you see, right? That’s Senpai’s evil face!”

Knowing that Iroha was just joking with the two of them, Kanade said nothing. The corners of her lips curved softly. She reached out and patted her head, then continued walking up the slope gracefully and naturally.

Iroha stared at her, then met Yuu’s eyes. Her gaze looked complicated for a moment, but she soon snorted and pouted angrily.

“I’m not slandering Senpai. You know what you did yourself!”

Though her mouth said that, when Yuu caught up, Iroha only then stepped forward, walking beside him with her hands behind her back.

Yuu sighed: “I clearly didn’t do anything; at most, I just said this is what you call virtuous...”

“That’s the problem! You’re a dull Senpai who doesn’t understand a girl’s heart!”

*PLAK!*

Iroha slapped his waist weakly. Her fingers spread open, and her arms and beautiful short linen hair dangled downward.

On the road surface, the girl’s shadow seemed about to touch his shoulder at any moment, but close yet far, always failing to bridge that small remaining distance.

“...Really, everyone likes girls like Kanade-chan.”

This faint voice might not have been heard beyond the shadow covered by her hair.

However, Yuu replied indifferently: “Of course. If you spend enough time with her, you’ll know yourself why she’s loved.”

Pure and honest, gentle and innocent, while also having the most beautiful appearance in school. Who wouldn’t like such a beautiful girl?

“I’m not questioning that, just that...”

Just what, Iroha didn’t say. Her breath, mixed with complicated emotions, was blown into her palms, as if nothing had happened.

Though it wasn’t winter, the temperature wasn’t cold enough to chill her fingers, but she kept warming her hands with her breath.

As if knowing everything, Yuu looked at Kanade not far ahead and said softly to the girl beside him: “Aren’t there many guys who confess to you? They just want to get close to you, not for Kanade’s sake.”

“That’s true.” Iroha murmured, her eyes looking at the ground, as if counting how many red bricks she had stepped on. “Even so...”

Yuu continued asking: “And which is more important: being liked by everyone, or being liked by the person you value?”

“Of course both are important!”

Iroha finally lifted her eyes. Her teary brown eyes, hidden behind her bangs, lifted slightly, as if peeking at Yuu’s expression.

“Being liked by everyone lets you survive better in groups and satisfies your pride. It could be said to be winning in quantity... Being liked by the person you value is like your feelings being reciprocated. That’s more important in quality...”

“Good analysis.” Yuu smiled, gently placing his hand on her soft hair, just like Kanade had done earlier.

Trembling slightly, Iroha didn’t run away. Instead, she lifted her chin into Yuu’s palm, as if not wanting to be treated like a child.

Her white and cute face was tinged with a thin pink blush, and her eyes stared at Yuu’s expression seriously.

Even though this was a system-set test, even though the Iroha in front of him might not be the real Iroha.

Yuu still spoke his thoughts from the bottom of his heart:

“From Senpai’s perspective, you and Kanade are both important underclassmen to me. There’s no difference in who I like more.”

Frowning, Iroha swatted his hand away in disgust, snorted, and turned her face away: “Cheater! I knew Senpai would play it safe like that!”

“Then what do you want?” Yuu rolled his eyes and said irritably, “Do you want to wait and hear me say, ‘Sorry Senpai, even though your words are very sweet and touching, the way you said them is a bit disgusting, so I can’t date you now. Please try again after you improve your skills?’”

Iroha suddenly widened her eyes, staring at him in disbelief: “Senpai, how do you know what I just thought? Can you read minds?!”

“No. I’ve been rejected with words like that by you before...”

“Indeed. Whose fault is it that Senpai never makes progress.”

Iroha sighed. Her soft and reddened fingers pulled Yuu’s sleeve, dragging him forward: “Alright, hurry and catch up to Kanade-chan. Our formation is too weird!”

Yuu shrugged, letting her pull him to walk quickly closer to Kanade’s back.

“Oh yeah, Senpai.”

The girl’s soft and cheerful voice sounded in his ear, almost inaudible.

Yuu didn’t turn, just replied in the same low volume: “What is it?”

Iroha asked: “Do you like Kanade-chan?”

Though the question was sudden, Yuu answered without hesitation: “I like her. Ninety-nine percent of people at Sōbu High like her.”

“Then you...” Iroha thought for a moment, then shook her head helplessly, “No, forget it. I really like Kanade-chan too, so I can’t be jealous of her.”

“There’s nothing to be jealous of. Iroha has many strengths, and there are things Kanade-chan can’t learn from you.”

“Ugh, Senpai’s sweet talk appears again...” After showing a disgusted expression, Iroha narrowed her eyes into crescent moons, smiled calmly, and said as if nothing happened, “By the way, I like Senpai too, you know~”

“I know, it’s obvious.” Yuu said as if it were natural, but an unconscious smile appeared on his face.

“What the heck, you really can read minds!” Iroha slapped his waist again, but this time the expression under her hair was as bright as warm spring.

As for what kind of “like” it was, no insensitive person there would try to ruin the small understanding between the two of them.

-

Title: Brother Must Be Suffering and Struggling Now

Tenkuji Residence.

“The test...?”

Watching the four girls painstakingly lift her brother onto the sofa, and after they retreated, breathless, Sora slowly walked to his side. She knelt down, carefully reached out, and smoothed her brother’s messy bangs as he slept.

Her fingertips, which had been steady, began to tremble as they touched Yuu’s still-warm skin.

“So, Yuu is now struggling in a very difficult and miserable situation...”

Utaha: “Uh, maybe not that miserable...”

“While I can only watch from the outside, unable to do anything, not even knowing if he’ll wake up...”

Completely ignoring the large-chested foreign woman trying to say something to lighten the mood, Sora could no longer maintain her feigned calm expression.

Like a small animal seeing its kin fall into a trap, only able to await death in a severely injured state, she bit her lip hard while gazing at her brother’s sleeping face, yet still emitting intermittent, heart-wrenching sobs.

“Yuu... Yuu...”

Even though all her strength instantly vanished, the girl still tightly hugged her brother’s head. She didn’t care at all that her soft chest was pressed so hard it was difficult to breathe; she just held him, trembling.

His cold cheek couldn’t be melted by her body temperature. She only hoped that his still-beating heart in her chest could reach her brother’s lonely dream, so that she could be an unyielding support, wherever Yuu might be.

“Sora-chan...”

Seeing Sora in such distress, Yukino’s eyes reddened. She instinctively wanted to approach to comfort her.

However, before she could, Sora quietly straightened up. She sat on the sofa, lifted Yuu’s head, letting him lean on her lap.

After ensuring that her brother was experiencing no discomfort other than abnormally deep sleep, Sora wiped her eyes, took a deep breath, and turned to the four women standing at the living room door.

“Thank you for your hard work bringing Yuu home. From now on, leave his care to me. You may return. The door is over there; please leave and do not return.”

Her tone conveyed only indifference, just like her bright, frozen eyes, resembling a winter lake that had lost its color.

The four women were stunned. Masuzu, considering that Sora might still resent her and that speaking would only worsen the situation, took a step back, letting the others take over.

The first to speak was Yukino.

“Sora-chan, Tenkuji-kun collapsed in front of me. I feel I need to stay and look after him.” After giving a rational reason, she bowed her head. Her white palms unconsciously clenched tightly.

“And... there are many things I want to ask him. I want to tell him as soon as he wakes up...”

“What does that have to do with me?” Sora was unyielding. She appeared instantly mature, looking at her with calm eyes, and pointing towards the door without expression.

“Yukinoshita-san, starting today, you should only be an ordinary friend to him, right?”

(Even if I kick you out of the house, Yuu definitely won’t blame me...)

After solidifying this thought, Sora’s tone became firmer: “So, I don’t want anyone else in our house. I will inform you after he wakes up. For now, please leave immediately!”

“I...”

Seeing her cold and undeniable gaze, Yukino was silent for a moment. Her half-raised hands didn’t know where to rest, but she couldn’t find any reason to stay.

However, to just leave like that, it was impossible... After all, Yuu was the one she loved. Even if the others would leave with her, Yukino still didn’t want to abandon the sleeping Yuu. She wanted to be by his side until he woke up.

So, facing Sora’s expulsion, she could only grip the collar of her shirt, enduring the pain in her chest and her flushed face from fever. She lowered her head, silent, and her feet stood motionless as if rooted to the floor.

“Trying to hide here...”

Seeing her intent, Sora raised her eyebrows in surprise.

Although she had only met Yukino a few times and hadn’t interacted deeply, she at least felt that her brother’s former girlfriend, as her name suggested, was a crystal-clear and ice-cold girl.

She had pride and stubbornness. She was not someone who would resort to such pouting and shameless actions.

...It’s just that, once she thought her brother’s coma had something to do with them, such stubbornness and deep love made Sora feel extremely nauseated and disgusted.

If it weren’t for them. If they had never appeared.

Then the gods and chaotic trials would surely not interfere with their monotonous but fulfilling happy lives, right?

Her always strong and confident brother wouldn’t show weakness in front of her, wouldn’t be happy or worried about separation and reunion, and wouldn’t sleep without knowing the cause.

So, ever since learning the truth, Sora wanted to say this to them—

“When Yuu was suffering the most, none of you knew his feelings, only kept forcing him to make choices, yet now you dare to pretend to care here... It’s truly disgusting.”

If it weren’t for her not wanting to trouble Yuu, if it weren’t for her wanting to be an obedient, gentle, and understanding little sister in her brother’s eyes, all these grievances and anger should have been vented upon them since the cultural festival.

After her sharp words ended, Sora stroked Yuu’s face, then looked at Yukino, who was frozen in place as if forgetting to breathe, with disgust, and then looked towards the other two ex-girlfriends.

“Are you two the same? Shamelessly hiding here?”

“That’s right, you know.”

Without looking at her sister’s poor, stunned face, Haruno crossed her arms over her chest, leaned against the wall, and said with a smile to Sora: “I should qualify to stay, right? After all, Yuu-chab and I love each other. If he wakes up and finds out his girlfriend was driven away by his sister, he’ll definitely be very distressed, right?”

“So what?” Sora sneered, no longer hiding her thoughts. “As long as Yuu wakes up, I don’t care how he punishes me... And as for being distressed, he could just break up with you all and be with me forever. He doesn’t need to care about your feelings, right?”

“Do you really think he’d think that way?”

“...”

With just that light sentence, Sora fell silent.

As if lecturing a child who knew nothing, Haruno sighed and said slowly: “What kind of personality Yuu-chan has, we all know better than anyone, don’t we?”

“He won’t just care about my feelings. If I throw a tantrum and sulk again, he’ll even agree to various demands to appease me...”

“For example, dates and overnight stays, or letting me do yoga in his room. And he’ll do everything to convince you, and won’t give up even if he has to suffer stomach pains—Geez, in that case, Sora-chan will become a stubborn and insensitive sister, who will only bother her brother.”

“You...!”

“I’m right, aren’t I?”

Haruno raised her eyebrows high, moved away from the wall and stood in front of the sofa, looking up slightly, gazing at Sora who seemed a little annoyed, haughtily.

Her beautiful red eyes, though narrowed into a friendly arc, only exuded coldness and discomfort. Her oppressive aura enveloped the petite silver-haired girl mercilessly.

She was expressionless, and said coldly to Sora: “Besides, we brought him back, with no intention of just abandoning him because we want to preserve family feelings—we just want to find a way to wake Yuu-chan together with information transparency.”

“This is the choice adults would make, unlike you, who are just childish from beginning to end.”

Shaking her head with a mocking tone, Haruno suddenly bent down and breathed warm air into Sora’s ear.

However, her soft voice, like cold water being poured, made Sora stiffen from head to toe:

“Imouto-chan, is losing the chance to wake Yuu-chan quickly because of your stubborn and possessive attitude the outcome you wish to see?”

“I...”

-

Title: Mission Part Three

After all, Haruno was her prospective sister-in-law, so she didn’t go too far. She just threatened a little and then released Sora.

“After all, we’ll become one family in the future; no need to separate ourselves so clearly.”

She put on her warm and cheerful smile again. Under the gaze of the angry silver-haired girl who didn’t dare speak, she patted Yuu’s thigh.

“So, Sora-chan, let me ask you again—I and Yuu-chan love each other; may I stay here to take care of him and find a way to wake him up?”

“...”

Sora slowly bit her lip, turning her small face away with a sour expression. Like a stubborn child who refused to admit defeat, she pinched Yuu’s cheek without saying a word.

Haruno took it as tacit approval. She then wrapped her arm around her sister’s shoulder and said in a matter-of-fact tone, ignoring Yukino’s instinctive resistance:

“Because of that, this foolish little sister of mine is now secretly in love with that man, and Yuu-chan is still holding onto the feelings from your previous relationship. As long as we make it clear, even if his memories haven’t returned, it should still count as mutual love. So she can stay here too.”

“N-Nee-san!?”

Yukino cried out in panic and embarrassment. Her head was forced to lean against her sister’s chest. She could only look back and forth between Haruno and Sora. Her pale face finally flushed slightly, and her heart filled with awkwardness and confusion.

Most importantly, the fact that her older sister suddenly spoke up for her left her, who had been prepared to retreat sadly, feeling shocked, and she desperately wanted to ask what was on her sister’s mind.

“Helping you, helping him, it’s also the same as helping myself.” However, Yukino didn’t need to be confused for too long. As if seeing her sister’s bewilderment, Haruno lowered her head slightly and chuckled mischievously next to her ear.

“Besides, being nice to you now, who knows, one day I might rely on this kindness to make you step back willingly~”

“You...”

That unexpected yet reasonable answer made Yukino involuntarily stare at her smile in surprise. She couldn’t guess whether Haruno was just joking or really planning such malicious intentions.

In any case, in Yukino’s heart, Haruno was indeed the type of person who would do something like that.

However, instinctively, even though she was prepared to bless Yuu and Yuigahama’s relationship, the moment she thought about the possibility of having to leave Yuu and hand him over to someone else, Yukino felt...

Very reluctant. She desperately wanted to shoot her sister a disgusted glare and tell her to go play somewhere else.

But since Haruno was indeed helping her, Yukino only pressed her temple and sighed. She slipped out of her sister’s grasp without a trace and gathered her thoughts before looking at Sora.

However, at this moment, Sora was already too exhausted to care about the two sisters. She automatically ignored Masuzu, who had nearly blended into the shadows, trying to minimize her presence, and stared at Utaha.

This was the woman she had met for the first time. She seemed the most involved in this incident, holding the magical notebook that recorded things she didn’t remember from the past and could provide clues for the future.

She had Haruno’s boldness and Yukino’s long black hair... Did Yuu like this type?

Various thoughts flashed through her mind, and Sora unconsciously asked: “Are you his girlfriend too? Which number? What month did you start dating?”

“Hah? No, no, I wouldn’t date him!” Utaha quickly waved her hands, as if wanting to immediately sever ties with them. She covered her chest with the notebook and took two steps back. “I’m only involved in your affairs because of this notebook’s threats. Please don’t lump me in with them!”

Honestly, Utaha really wanted to leave the Tenkuji house now, giving these girls with their complicated relationships free space to fight fiercely as much as they wanted, while she returned to the hotel for a good sleep, without needing to get involved in their romantic moral drama.

Unfortunately, good things are always hard to come by. At least, the new content that appeared in the notebook clearly didn’t want her to exit the trouble so quickly.

“Whether it’s his little sister or his girlfriends, you don’t need to be so hostile towards me... After all, it seems I’m sent by Fate to help that man. Just consider me an ally who asks for no reward.”

Sweeping her long hair behind her, Utaha sighed helplessly. She then opened the notebook in her hand, drawing all eyes to her.

“In short, stop talking nonsense; let’s quickly resolve the main issue and return to our respective homes!”

She showed the inner page to everyone. Four pairs of eyes looked down, scanning the neatly printed new writing on it.

Yukino murmured as she read it: “Part Three. The test has begun. Before the protagonist is completely swallowed by the false cycle, please find the key to entering the dream, and obtain your own existence... Time limit of one hour. If failed, the protagonist will completely forget the existence of those who do not appear in the test after waking?”

After thinking for a moment, Haruno said with a serious expression, revealing her analysis:

“That means Yuu-chan will wake up on his own no matter what. The difference is whether, after waking, he will forget certain things, like what happened to us in the past.”

“Then don’t waste time; let’s quickly find that key.” Masuzu, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. She asked Utaha proactively, “Is there text in the notebook that you can see but we can’t? Any hints in it?”

Utaha flipped the page towards her, examined it carefully, then shook her head in disappointment: “Nothing’s written.”

Even so, she smiled optimistically as if relieved: “However, this pattern is actually very clear. You should be asked to find an item with the strongest bond to him, then use that bond or similar invisible power to proceed to the next stage, like breaking into that dream test and waking this man forcefully. After all, scenarios usually go like this. I think the goal is clear enough. What do you all think?”

Several people exchanged glances. The Yukinoshita sisters almost instantly thought of something, their faces showing realization.

“Don’t tell me...”

Her tone quickened unconsciously. Haruno turned and asked Sora: “Sora-chan, do you know where Yuu-chan usually keeps his valuables? Like a handmade bracelet given by his girlfriend, for example.”

“Hah? As if there’s something like that...” The words had just left her mouth when she saw the corner of Haruno’s lips lift slightly; Sora wisely didn’t ask further. She only answered reluctantly, “I don’t know, but maybe in his desk drawer? Since it can be locked, he keeps a lot of things right in the drawer. Easy to grab, and I can’t break it open either.”

“In that case, I’ll check his room.” Haruno didn’t hesitate. She immediately left the living room, ready to head to the second floor.

However, after taking a few steps out, she suddenly turned back, showing Sora a warm smile like a spring breeze.

“His room is locked. Because you have a little sister who likes to tamper with her big brother’s things.”

“...”

As if seeing through everything, her deep red eyes narrowed leisurely, observing Sora’s slightly stiff expression.

Haruno added with a smile: “So, for the sake of your big brother, my lover, can you unlock his room door for me? I’m sure you’re hiding a spare key.”

Thus, even though Sora pouted and was extremely reluctant, Haruno obtained the key to Yuu’s room and prepared to blatantly invade it.

As for the others, while following her upstairs, they were also lost in their own thoughts.