After school, in the Special Building corridor.
Winter night draped the entire campus early. Flickering pale bulbs pierced the silent, isolated atmosphere.
After agreeing on time and place with the crazy fan, Yuu and Yukino arrived early, waiting for the other party. They prepared to make them completely despair by pretending to be lovers.
Even if the person was extremely stubborn, they could still use subtle methods to subdue them in this secluded spot.
"But aren't you afraid they'll spread rumors everywhere that you have a boyfriend?"
Yuu asked casually while stretching her muscles.
"I don't care." Yukino stood with arms crossed. She spoke coldly from the heart: "If rumors spread, it'll actually deter other arrogant people."
"I have no plans for a boyfriend during school. Let them misunderstand and ignore it."
"You really do as you please…" Yuu wasn't surprised. She just sighed: "Don't you consider my feelings? How can I get a girlfriend after this?"
As very close opposite-sex friends, they naturally knew everything about each other.
So when Yuu asked this, Yukino shrugged. Her face was indifferent:
"I'll just explain to her later. But if it's her, she should understand our relationship isn't like that at all and won't misunderstand."
"True."
They smiled at each other. No worried expressions on their faces.
Soon, footsteps echoed from the stairs.
Stopping their chat, they turned to look. Both put on blank faces, ready for battle.
In the still air, a figure slowly emerged from the corner. But it wasn't the perverted male stalker they'd imagined.
Instead, a beautiful silver-haired girl with an elegant, calm demeanor—like a fairy princess.
"How could it be…"
Yukino's eyes widened in shock. She asked incredulously: "Natsukawa-san? Why are you here…"
"You can see. Asking about the obvious isn't a good habit."
Masuzu flicked her silver hair over her shoulder. She smiled faintly and said frankly: "As you guessed, the letters, chocolates, and photos in the shoe locker were all from me—the crazy fan you're looking for is me, Yukinoshita-san."
"You're a girl. Why do something like this?" Yuu asked, frowning.
Masuzu slowly tilted her head. She shifted her gaze from Yukino to her. The smile on her face seemed to vanish momentarily.
"A girl, so what?"
"Don't you understand? To be with the one you love, regardless of male or female, you should do anything."
The girl's eyes were deeper and dimmer than a dry well. Every word seemed cloaked in dark, profound emotion, yet she spoke them lightly.
"Be it time, space, identity, morality—what transcends all barriers and clings persistently no matter what. Only emotions reaching this level can be called love—let alone mere gender."
Looking at Yuu, Masuzu showed her sweet, bright smile again. She asked politely: "So, may I know who you are?"
"Are you a new obstacle here to stop me from pursuing true love?"
"If the answer is yes, killing you on the spot is fine—"
That emotionless cold voice seemed to declare it.
Rarely did Yuu feel fear from someone. She couldn't suppress the chills no matter what.
(Amazing acting… No, is this really acting?)
Taking a deep breath, she suppressed the slight tremor at her fingertips. Yuu subtly observed Yukino beside
Her. She found Yukino was also shocked by the acting and frowning involuntarily. Her expression was even worse than hers.
Like a cat targeted by a giant python, though not the target, Yukino unconsciously stepped back. She gently tugged Yuu's jacket hem. She seemed afraid to swallow.
The fear here felt real—none of the slightly raw impression from earlier scenes.
Yuu naturally understood that the better someone's acting, the more they could influence other actors' states and raise overall immersion.
Even if it wasn't acting, she couldn't worry about it during filming. After those lines, she was only shocked for two or three seconds. Yuu quickly wrapped her arm around Yukino's slender shoulders. She looked up confidently:
"She's mine. You're the obstacle!"
Before she could react, Yukino's entire body fell into her embrace.
"Wait?!"
Yukino's eyes widened. She leaned against her chest with a shocked face. Her white skin gradually flushed. She instinctively struggled slightly. She whispered in slight panic:
"Y-you didn't say it'd go this far! And you're hugging too tight, idiot…"
It hadn't been mentioned.
This was Yuu's improvisation—a counterattack to Masuzu's acting.
She whispered in Yukino's ear: "Actions speak louder than words. Bear with it."
"Ngh…" Yukino's body stiffened, then went limp as if drained. She gently bit her lower lip.
"Fine, I'll bear it. But don't talk near my ear."
"Okay. Next time I'll use telepathy."
Yuu whispered. After confirming the camera captured it, she looked up at Masuzu and showed a mocking smile.
"See? Just give up openly. With me here, you have no chance!"
"…No chance?"
Masuzu muttered to herself.
She glanced at Yuu, then at Yukino in her arms—struggling to suppress embarrassment with a blank face. Slowly, the fake smile truly vanished. Her expression darkened like water.
"No chance?"
She repeated the same line, as if asking someone or just expressing indifference. Her hand slowly reached behind. Her upper body leaned forward slightly.
The next second, a glint reflected off the blade flashed in those dim, cold eyes.
"Don't talk nonsense. As long as you disappear, my chance… isn't it now?!"
Accompanied by sharp, manic laughter, silver hair suddenly flew. The kitchen knife drew a silver arc, quickly reaching them. Then it was raised high.
"Hahahaha, just die!"
Masuzu grinned without a trace of beautiful-girl elegance. With a crazed, enthusiastic smile, she swung her arm toward Yukino without hesitation.
Though knowing it was acting, Yuu instinctively protected the girl in her arms. She let the blade hit her arm.
"Cut! Cut! Cut!"
Behind them, Iroha holding the camera shouted immediately. She jumped in slight frustration.
"Aaaah! That was a perfect one-take scene. Why did Natsukawa-senpai swing the knife wrong at the end!"
"I didn't swing wrong?"
Her expression changed instantly. Masuzu tilted her head innocently.
The prop kitchen knife in her hand swung at Yuu's strong arm multiple times. She seemed to find it amusing. A smile unconsciously appeared.
"The villain is smart too. She knows he'll definitely protect his girlfriend over himself. So she deliberately swings at Yukinoshita, leaving him no escape… No, if he actually runs, it's even better—she can destroy their relationship."
"B-but the script…"
"This is my understanding of the character, Isshiki-san."
Masuzu stared at Iroha. After silencing her with aura, she softened her gaze toward Yuu.
"What do you think? Is my acting worthy of improvisation? Or am I just stiffly following the script like them?"
Yuu frowned slightly. She saw her bright eyes expecting praise. She also thought of Yukino beside her. She really couldn't give dishonest judgment.
In the end, she could only nod and honestly acknowledge:
"Unexpected but logical attack. In the later part, just add 'I knew you'd do this'—it'll explain the character's crazy psychology while surprising the audience. Let's act like this going forward."
"Hmm, Senpai… Hmph!" Iroha sighed in slight disappointment. She puffed her cheeks and turned away, grumbling like sulking.
Meanwhile, Masuzu naturally wouldn't care about the underclassman's reaction or feelings—just a tool.
"Thank you for the recognition. I'm truly flattered."
After bowing respectfully with hand on chest, Masuzu suddenly pointed the knife tip at Yukino. She smiled:
"Ara, Yukinoshita-san. The director already called cut~ Why are you still in Tenkuji-kun's arms?"
"…Because she's hugging too tight."
Yukino glanced at her coldly. Then she looked up and ordered Yuu:
"Let go."
"Okay."
Yuu released her hands. She didn't step aside. She just stood there. Her fingers unconsciously brushed Yukino's flushed, warm cheek.
Taking a deep breath, Yukino touched her hair as if nothing happened. Her expression returned to cold calm. She began fixing hair that wasn't actually messy.
Yuigahama also walked out from her supposed hiding corner. She stood beside Yuu. She smoothed Yukino's clothes while praising their acting.
As if sidelined by the atmosphere among the three, Masuzu stood alone in front. No one paid attention.
But she still smiled. She even stretched comfortably.
"Haah—acting truly is a great civilization~"
Getting close to her and venting heart complaints at the same time. She really wished for more of this interesting work…
Unfortunately, night fell, and today's filming ended smoothly.
Masuzu had no more chances to perform. The remaining time belonged to the three of them.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Despite many small interruptions, busy time passed quickly. Suddenly, it was time to go home.
The school only allowed students to stay for cultural festival prep. Otherwise, latest until 6 PM.
After packing, everyone left before the gate closed.
"Then, see you."
"Tomorrow~"
They parted at the station and turned to leave.
From the corner of her eye, she saw silver hair flutter. Her steps involuntarily stopped. Yukino suddenly realized she and Masuzu were on the same path—or rather, they'd only part after taking the elevator to the tenth floor.
Originally, no issue.
Though completely incompatible with Masuzu, she was frank, arrogant, and had Aikido and self-defense skills.
No matter who, Yukino felt no need to worry or fear—after all, this was a law-governed society.
But recalling the afternoon corridor filming—where the person beside her carried a prop kitchen knife, laughing maniacally while charging; though knowing it was acting, the vivid madness still clung to her bones. Just remembering made her shiver.
So though no need to fear, Yukino suddenly wanted someone to escort her home.
"Tenkuji…"
Right before speaking, a hand suddenly landed on her shoulder. A face drew close. Up close, the person stared curiously.
"Yukinoshita-san, what's wrong? I feel you're a bit anxious—are you afraid of walking at night?"
"…"
Masuzu smiled friendly. Streetlights illuminated only half her face, shrouding the other in shadow.
She clasped her hands and narrowed her eyes. She tilted her head slightly: "Don't be scared. I'll walk with you—after all, we live in the same apartment, it's natural to look out for each other."
"On the way, I can also tell you about Haruno-san."
Standing there, Yukino fell silent.