"If it weren't like that, I wouldn't have come to find you."
"Then, that's great."
Masuzu closed her eyes, curled the corners of her lips in the warm embrace, and hugged him tightly, as if wanting to merge herself into his body.
—Someone once said that a lie repeated a hundred times can become truth.
But clearly, that's just self-deception.
Because what's fake remains fake, and will never become reality.
One day, you'll realize it's something so fragile it shatters with just a touch—even weaker than snow under sunlight.
Maybe I, who've survived by relying on such things, am just as fragile?
…But, it doesn't matter anymore.
"Hahaha…"
Autumn rain sometimes slanted with the wind, yet Masuzu felt safer than standing under a roof, as if an umbrella had sheltered the entire world.
From this moment on, a shackle surpassing lies—lower, worse, and more hypocritical than that—had tightly bound her, and also bound Yuu.
She truly couldn't hold back her laughter, wanting to share her happiness with all of humanity.
She needed him, and he needed her too—yes, there was no "love" stronger than this.
Anxiety vanished, fear disappeared, and a feeling never felt before filled her chest.
Right now, Masuzu might already know what happiness looks like.
"So that's it… Yuu, you're that Happy Jizo, aren't you?"
"Do I look small? Don't talk nonsense. Let's go. Everyone's waiting for you."
"Tch, can't we just not go back? Let's elope. Run to the ends of the earth and spend our days having kids every day."
"You just don't want to get scolded, right? Running away from the group, deliberately not answering calls, making others worry… Everyone's really angry."
"...If you understand, quickly help me think of a way."
"Just apologize honestly."
"If apologies worked, why would police exist? As a warning, if you cheat, don't even try apologizing. I'll cut it off immediately."
"My... don't use such crude words."
"That's not important. What matters is, I don't want them to hate me."
"This is the first time you've been honest... Don't worry. I'm here."
"Yuu… Hmmm, a reliable man."
"Right? You just need to behave well—your boyfriend will figure things out."
"Don't use words that make me anxious like that!"
The overcast sky, without realizing it, began to clear.
Clear sunlight emerged from behind the clouds, kissing the raindrops on the umbrella's surface, shining like jewels.
The air felt fresh and crisp. Leaves and puddles formed a path after the rain, two sets of footprints stepping on it, sending up small splashes.
Yet the two under the umbrella seemed as if they hadn't returned from another world—still holding the umbrella, covered by a jacket, hands tightly clasped.
With smiles on their faces, they walked side by side toward the increasingly bright path ahead.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to Host on your reward: Finance (Expert Level).]
[Congratulations to Host on your reward: Magical Transaction (Permanent Status).]
[Natsukawa Masuzu… The mission isn't over yet, Host, please keep striving.]
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
When they returned to the arcade, the five girls were already waiting at the entrance—they'd been informed beforehand, and for some reason, they all felt slightly relieved.
Then came the time for interrogation.
"Do you have a reason?"
Yukino asked in a flat tone, like a teacher catching a student cheating. Though not angry, her presence sent chills down one's spine.
"Tch..."
Yumiko stood beside her, seemingly wanting to say something too, but seeing Masuzu soaked like a drowned rat, her heart softened. The harsh words she'd prepared couldn't come out, so she could only click her tongue to show dissatisfaction, then leave the situation to Yukino, who had a cold and ruthless heart.
"Report: No reason!" On Yuu's advice, Masuzu bowed her head honestly, sincerely apologizing. "I argued with my boyfriend, ignored your feelings, and hid away. I'm truly sorry! Forgive my immaturity!"
Yukino fell silent, glancing at Yuu, who was pretending nothing had happened beside her. She massaged her temple briefly before sighing.
"...Fine. It's good that you recognize your mistake. Don't do something like this again. Even if you just want to be alone and calm, at least keep your phone on so you don't unnecessarily worry others."
"Yes, I understand. I'll remember your advice and never forget it."
"..."
Seeing Masuzu acting so humbly, Yukino was slightly surprised and didn't feel worthy of lecturing her further. So naturally, she shifted her target to Yuu.
"Where did you find her?"
"In the small forest."
"Why did you chase after her there?"
"I wondered the whole way. Fortunately, she has an easily recognizable trait."
As soon as Yuu finished speaking, Masuzu smiled, then stomped hard on his foot.
Yuu's face turned pale—he winced but made no sound or cry.
Seeing this scene, Yukino couldn't help but chuckle slightly, quickly covering her mouth with the back of her hand, then speaking in a flat tone: "That's indeed an effective method—better than searching the entire park like a headless fly."
She wasn't a lie detector—how could she see through Yuu's desperately told lies?
After Yukino gave her opinion, Ordinary Girl also offered a few comforting words. Then Yuigahama stepped forward, noticing their hands still tightly clasped.
"...Natsukawa-san, you really do love Yuu."
Masuzu's expression didn't change. She smiled and said, "Of course. This is a love I want to spend my whole life with—and have children with him."
"I see… so sneaky." Yuigahama murmured, yet there was no surprise on her face. Instead, there was a helpless feeling of I knew this would happen.
"Can't be helped—Yuu really is incredibly popular. I wouldn't be surprised if half the girls he knows love him, not just Natsukawa-san."
Masuzu's eyebrows twitched, her tone finally showing agitation: "Yuigahama-san, what are you really trying to say?"
"Nothing. I just hope Natsukawa-san can treat Yuu a little better." Yuigahama looked at her, as if having made a decision. Her gaze was firm and bright. "If you keep avoiding him and causing trouble like this, as Yuu's friend, I won't stay silent like I am now!"
"...Even without you saying it, I know."
Unconsciously, Masuzu gripped Yuu's hand tighter—no room left for a triumphant smile.
The small storm caused by the one who ran from the group finally subsided. Though outside had calmed, there was still about an hour until the meeting time. On Yumiko's suggestion, they returned to the arcade to take various sticker photos.
There were six-person group photos, female group photos. There were Service Club group photos of Yuigahama, Yukino, and Yuu, and also couple sticker photos of Masuzu and Yuu.
Lastly, both pasted them in the same spot on their phone cases.
"Tch, only dating couples do things like this." Masuzu put on a disgusted face, yet she stared at the intimate sticker photo where their cheeks pressed together with wide smiles, as if she'd never tire of looking at it.
"Alright, stop staring. It's time to gather."
Yuu extended his hand to her. Familiarly, she took it, their fingers interlacing, then she asked:
"Yuu, if I kissed you in front of all the students, do you know what would happen?"
"Explosive news on the school forum, then your father comes to take you home." Yuu only thought two seconds and came up with both answers.
Masuzu nodded. "Right. So, if something like that really happened, what would you do?"
Yuu only shrugged indifferently.
"Do whatever you want—I'll follow… that's our transaction."
"Good, perfect answer!"
Masuzu hugged his arm as if praising him, pressing her two soft, full mounds against him, clinging tightly.
Leaning her cheek against him, Masuzu whispered:
"But I couldn't bring myself to do it."