"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.