That afternoon after school, they still went to the Service Club to finish shooting the remaining video clips and confirm if any scenes needed adding.
Since the duration wasn't long, plus Yuu's directing and the main actors' excellent performances, they basically completed this short film five days before the Cultural Festival opening. What started as a way to quell unrest ended up just enjoying the fun of acting.
Next, only post-production work remained under Yuu's responsibility, like editing and adding subtitles.
"Senpai, that means filming's done, right?"
While packing photography equipment, Iroha winked at Yuu, a flash of resentment in her eyes.
The girl's spoiled voice seemed honey-wrapped, full of bone-melting seduction.
"They say when big directors finish filming, they treat the whole crew to a feast~ Senpai, you don't want to lose to those outdated old men, right?"
"What provocation tactic—I never said I wouldn't treat you." Yuu rubbed his goosebumped arm, slightly disgusted. "Family restaurant or my house—pick one."
"Eh? Why only two choices~" Iroha pouted pitifully. "I want Ginza sushi…"
Yuu flicked Iroha's forehead and said annoyedly: "I don't want to be rude, but right now you look like a newbie hostess awkwardly seducing a rich old man for a fancy meal."
(And then gets drunk, tricked into a hotel, wakes up with all valuables and honor gone, plus compromising photos—becoming the old man's puppet; but turns out he's not as bad as thought, never causing pain or sadness, always trying to please in bed—so unknowingly she gets Stockholm syndrome and falls for the dominant CEO…)
In a few short seconds, Yuu imagined a hundreds-of-thousands-word romance novel, but was too lazy to tell her.
"Senpai, you're already rude enough… and somehow very detailed."
Her eyes turned cold; after glaring angrily, Iroha snorted, turned away, and sighed helplessly: "I was just saying. Family restaurant or Senpai's homemade—I'll reluctantly accept."
"I dare not force sweet obedient Iroha-chan—if you don't want, no need to come." Yuu ignored her, turned to Yukino and Yuigahama. "What about you two? Any ideas?"
"I'm fine too!" Yuigahama raised her hand, then took her phone to a corner. "I'll tell Mom—I'm having dinner with friends today, coming home late…"
"I'm fine too—living alone gives more freedom…" Yukino hesitated briefly, then gently suggested: "But at your house? Otherwise Sora will eat takeout alone again."
"Coincidentally, I thought the same." Yuu smiled and nodded, conveying via eyes:
[Already thinking of little sister-in-law before officially becoming one—truly a wise wife.]
After slight surprise, Yukino wrinkled her face as if ignoring him, but couldn't stop her mouth corners smiling.
[Don't be naughty—someone's watching.]
With just a glare, she turned to pack her school bag.
Storing Yukino's adorable spoiled expression in his heart, Yuu quickly turned to Kanade sitting quietly.
"How about it?"
Back straight like a statue, pale golden eyes stared calmly without blinking.
"There?"
"Of course."
"Then let's go."
She quietly took out her phone and called her parents.
Yuigahama just finished informing her family; seeing this, she couldn't help opening her mouth confusedly, muttering incomprehensibly: "What are they talking about? Some code?"
"Just normal conversation—super condensed version."
Iroha's mouth corners twitched; she stroked Kanade's soft hair a few times wordlessly, then explained listlessly: "Want to come, is there mapo tofu, of course there is, then I'll come… Roughly that order."
Phone to ear, Kanade nodded obediently; her expressionless face showed faint happiness.
"As Iroha said."
"What do you mean as I said! Can't you communicate normally?!"
Her face was then wildly pinched by Iroha until the call connected.
"Next…"
Though Yuu didn't want to, remembering this girl was part of the filming team—and Masuzu happily did odd jobs despite no more scenes.
Yuu still asked Masuzu: "Want to come?"
Sitting gracefully like a corner doll, Masuzu blinked surprised, then showed a heartfelt bright smile.
"I thought you wouldn't ask me."
"Ignoring you on purpose would show a guilty conscience." Yuu shrugged frankly. "Warning—if you come, prepare to be targeted by my little sister."
"That… Anyway, I acted impulsively first—so no right to complain." Masuzu showed a slightly sad bitter smile, but not wanting to seem fake-sad, quickly switched to calm, bowing politely.
"Then I'll accept and join the wrap party."
"Good—everyone's coming."
Yuu took his school bag, preparing to call Sora about many guests for dinner.
Glancing at humming-cheerful Masuzu, Yuu sensed every action was to avoid giving him reasons to distance her.
Forget forced kissing like before—during Service Club filming, Masuzu behaved better than anyone, not overstepping, keeping distance before his two girlfriends—like a cautious snow fox surviving among polar bears, presence drastically reduced.
Her most frequent action—just one: sit in the corner, smile, stare at Yuu calmly and satisfied.
Though memory unrestored, and Yuu himself unwilling much contact.
But after the amusement park incident, her obsession to follow at all costs didn't lessen—instead became more concealed and deep, like a venomous snake awaiting chance, unwilling to release prey.
Seeing darkening sunset outside, for some reason Yuu suddenly had a premonition—
(Maybe soon—just one trigger.)
(Next to recover memory is Masuzu.)
(…Good Asuna's not at Sōbu High—or the system would surely restore memories one by one in order, pretend it's long-term contact effect, let me taste unpayable love debts.)
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Night, Tenkuji residence.
Though unhappy his home filled with beautiful girls, despite surface reluctance—while Yuu cooked in the kitchen, Sora still played with girls her age or a year older, yelling with controllers; living room filled with their voices.
Anyway, if one, then two—a once-narrow heart path, initially only one-person wide, but continuously widened, someday easily accepts anything.
And of course, seeing Masuzu, Sora showed extreme hostility—attitude completely different.
No defense—Masuzu was the evil woman who tried forcing a kiss on her brother before her eyes.
If not for Yuu's wrap party excuse, and wise Yukino distracting Sora various ways—maybe the silver-haired crazy girl would be kicked out before entering.
Though forced to stay, targeted secretly by the home's most precious existence, Masuzu was in an extremely awkward position—no tea to drink, no sofa to sit, only corner chair admiring surroundings.
Yuu pitied her but couldn't blame overprotective sister—only asked Yukino to welcome her before kitchen. Impossible to treat a guest like that—completely unethical.
As for Yuigahama—enough for her to play happily with Sora; let the other two handle the rest.
About an hour passed.
In the kitchen.
"Huh, made a bit too much…"
Relying on perfect-level cooking, Yuu single-handedly completed a full table of attractive delicious dishes, faint golden light seeming to soar.
Sighing softly, he smiled satisfied, casually untied his apron.
"Dinner! No slackers—come help—"
Opening kitchen door, preparing to call.
Yuu saw the living room scene, unconsciously stopped his voice, just stood at the threshold smiling.
Before the TV, Sora, Yuigahama, Iroha, and Kanade in an intense thrilling car race. Items flying, excited shouts from three never stopping—cheering, happy, complaining, bragging then countered; simple yet festive.
By the cabinet, Yukino looked up at taller Yukinon, expression serious, eyes slightly narrowed like facing an enemy—then sakura lips parted slightly, soft meow, hands curved like cat paws by her head, greeting the gray kitten before her.
At the dining table, Masuzu held hot tea, occasionally sipping leisurely; gaze still sweeping room furnishings and TV players, looking quite relaxed and happy.
She was first to notice Yuu exiting kitchen.
Setting down her tea and shifting gaze, Masuzu raised a brow and smiled: "Feeling the scene before you is beautiful—want it to continue forever?"
"That obvious?" Yuu touched his face, indeed feeling smiling mouth corners.
"Of course—though I don't know you now, such unconcealed feelings I can still sense."
She gently curled silver hair by her face with a finger, lowered her voice meaningfully: "People with such thoughts usually dream of a harem."
"Yeah—with two girlfriends, in some ways I already have one."
Yuu shrugged, expression unwavering.
"By the way, my sister knows about my cheating—you can't threaten me with that."
"How hurtful."
Joking tone, but Masuzu's gaze very serious, staring with slight sadness.
"I never had thoughts to harm you~"
Her sapphire-like blue eyes deep as a lake, filled with immeasurable emotion and obsession.
She said softly:
"Though I lost my memory—my body, soul, instinct tell me you're very important to me—So important, even saying I love you wouldn't make me nauseous or disgusted."
For Masuzu—who hated love and romance—this was nearly a value-distorting change.
And she was sure Yuu had dated her, understood how significant.
"…Yeah—that's why I said many things on breakup day."
After brief silence, Yuu shook his head, sighing surrender: "Take everything lightly—don't get too involved… But you didn't listen at all. As expected—even after memory loss, those words have no effect?"
He said it with Word Bullets. Even strengthening his final message this way—ultimately nothing changed.
Yuu completing tasks didn't save girls with heart voids—instead brought more pain and regret, enlarging new voids that weren't there.
He shifted gaze from Masuzu, not letting her see his slightly sad mood, and walked to the living room.
"I still remember."
His steps suddenly stopped.
He turned slightly surprised, greeted by Masuzu's beautiful mischievous fairy-like smile—very close.
"When I'm gone, take good care of yourself… You said that, right?"
"Though I forgot everything—your care for me, my reluctance to part… until now, never vanished from this world."
She smiled wiping secretly falling tears, covering slightly messy face with hand, pretending annoyed with trembling voice:
"Tch—I didn't plan to cry… Such obvious sympathy-seeking definitely won't touch you. Ahh~ Total failure."
"…"
Staring confused, Yuu opened his mouth—suddenly speechless, something stuck in his throat.
Though those feelings were stripped from him—something still churned in his chest, shaking his heart.
"Sorry—bathroom."
Masuzu deep-breathed, bowed respectfully, quickly turned and left the living room.
But one step out, she suddenly stopped—not turning, just asking low and slightly fearful.
"…May I know—what you called me before?"
"…Yuu." No emotion in his voice; after saying, Yuu also turned.
"You called me Yuu back then."
"I see—Yuu." As if finding treasure, she sighed relieved; voice cheerful: "Thanks—that's very important to me!"
"…"
No response; Masuzu stepped again toward the hallway.
"Masuzu." Yuu suddenly called.
"What?" Masuzu chuckled softly.
Neither looked at each other—but a silent understanding, as if crossing distant severed time, returning to themselves.
Yuu unconsciously smiled.
Then his tone suddenly cold, ordering:
"Bathroom only—no rummaging my clothes there, absolutely no sneaking upstairs… I trust you're still normal and won't dig trash for used tissues."
"…"
"If I find out—I'll call a taxi to send you home tonight, and from now on delete you from contacts."
"Tch… almost."
Masuzu clicked her tongue annoyed; earlier sad expression like a joke—only heartfelt resentment and dissatisfaction: "Not a single gap—how do you know? Did past me do similar?"
"No—and I won't give you the chance."
Yuu rolled eyes, waved at Yukino watching by the cabinet, and with silent laughter left this line:
"How bad Masuzu is—don't I know?"
"…Ha, you're right."
Leaving the living room, Masuzu walked alone to the bathroom.
Looking up at hallway neon lights—glitter seemed to flash from her sapphires; still-damp eyes blinked twice quickly.
Unseen, she casually stretched her arms, laughing from the heart.
"Anyway—you're my boyfriend. My only boyfriend!"
"Yuu…"
Calming, she repeated the name over and over—indeed feeling inexplicable familiarity and peace.
Masuzu couldn't help amused sigh: "Even bad me used such an ordinary nickname."
"But—I like it."
Though she only remembered a few lines.
But her past with him must be a beautiful love story she never wants to forget, right?
So—she'll never recover her memory?
Impossible.
For such a miracle—no matter how many times lost, Masuzu will make herself find it again.
"That was my last cry."
Before Yuu's home bathroom, she declared to herself.
From now on—she must smile by his side.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"What were you talking about with her?"
"I love both my girlfriends—and some past things."
"Be serious."
Yukino glared; suddenly looking left-right, confirming others focused on the final race lap—she tiptoed slightly nervously and kissed him.
"—"
The gray kitten atop the cabinet widened eyes, staring confused at the kissing couple; its slightly swaying tail suddenly stiffened in air—as if unable to comprehend the scene.
Hot breath passed his ear; accelerating heartbeats synced with mutual warmth.
"…More fun than I imagined."
Kissing just two or three seconds, Yukino quickly covered her pink lips and turned away—breathing ragged, ear tips flushed temptingly, absolutely daring not look at him.
But though seeming very shy—somehow Yuu sensed excitement and pleasure like doing something naughty from her reaction—even wanting to try again.
Pursing still-sweet lips, he said mixed feelings: "…You're not afraid of getting caught?"
"As long as not caught—it's fine, right." Yukino said naturally.
Indeed—universal truth.
But not the answer Yuu wanted.
"Yukino… Since when did you become such a thrill-seeker? Special building stairs not enough—now stealing kisses at my house, behind their backs…"
"Cough cough…"
Yukino coughed awkwardly; though face flushed, she still held her chin seriously, putting on a thinking expression.
"When? Let me think…"
Soon, she looked at Yuu with realization—tone innocent and adorable.
"Maybe—when you tried groping me while kissing?"
Yuu's mouth corners twitched; he immediately surrendered under her bright smiling eyes.
"Fine—whatever you say."
"Really? Then I won't hold back anymore."
"Er—please at least mind the place…"
Seeing his girlfriend show a victorious sweet smile, Yuu shrugged helplessly—only able to let his thrill-seeking girlfriend steal kisses.
And besides—this perverted Yukino…
Was actually very adorable too.