The item Masuzu specifically brought back was an ordinary-looking diary.
"Inside it, there are many notes about Yuu; you could say it's my diary... If this still can't be the key, then I truly don't know anymore."
After calming her breath, Masuzu wiped the cold sweat from her forehead. She tied her slightly messy silver hair into a ponytail and bravely walked to Utaha's side.
Seeing her pass, Haruno couldn't help but raise her eyebrows in surprise, observing her figure: "You also kept notes... If that's the case, perhaps writing a diary is why we can retain our memories."
Muttering wisely, she simultaneously and unintentionally reached out to take the notebook Masuzu handed to Utaha.
Masuzu reacted very quickly. Her hand retreated, avoiding Haruno's palm. She let out a dry laugh, a cynical smile: "Sorry~ The contents are a secret. Even Yuu would have to pay a hefty price to see it."
Haruno shrugged indifferently: "If you don't want to show it, fine. Anyway, it's probably just a messy, bad fantasy. I'm sure you wouldn't dare show something as bad as a dream novel to Yuu-chan."
"That's none of your business." Piercing her coldly, Masuzu turned to Sora: "But your previous statement does have some truth... Sora-chan, do you also write a diary?"
Although she didn't want to talk to the silver-haired pervert who had once tried to forcibly kiss her older brother, the mature and sensible Sora would not ignore important matters due to personal emotions and hinder the step of exploring the truth.
"Sorry, I don't have such interests. I don't know the reason why I could retain my memories this time. The problem might be with Yuu. But I don't think he understands it very well either."
Stroking Yuu's head, Sora replied calmly.
"I see... Well, the reason isn't important." Masuzu shifted her gaze back and reached out to borrow Utaha's notebook.
"If it works, everything is easy to discuss. If it doesn't work... I can only pray that there's a tiny life left in my stomach when I date him."
Ignoring the sharp and dangerous eyes of the other girls after she uttered that sentence, Masuzu took a deep breath. She nervously slipped her own diary into the black-covered notebook. Her knuckles unconsciously tightened until they turned white.
Although she always acted as if she didn't care, on her way home to retrieve the item, she could barely move forward due to the sudden sense of powerlessness and despair that arose.
No memories, and no treasure Yuu had given her. She had merely run alongside them like an outsider from beginning to end, and could only say piercing things to gain a presence...
Such a sense of loss and disappointment was deeply embedded in Masuzu's heart. She had several times entertained negative thoughts of giving everything up, letting them pursue happiness, and she would simply remain an observer.
After all, she had nothing.
Even if she wanted to save the person she loved, besides helping to move Yuu's body and tagging along, she couldn't find a strong reason to stay.
At her moment of utter despair, it was the diary she found under the bed that saved her.
Inside it, many things about her were recorded. From the first page, it was written how much she liked Yuu.
The anxiety of chaotic memories, the jealousy towards Yukino and the others, or the stubbornness of not wanting to admit that she was deeply obsessed with someone—Masuzu flipped through the notebook, as if she had relived this ridiculous and pitiful false life, but gained undeniable real treasure from it.
"By the way, I once swore to him... I will definitely make him fall in love with me and make myself indispensable to him."
Although it was a very childish oath, those words were written large and clear in the notebook, like a ten-year-old shouting that he would become a Pokémon Master, like a fifteen-year-old donut boy swearing to become an action movie star—
Like a foolish girl who was once deeply disappointed by what was called love, but now she was willing to burn herself without hesitation to pursue a happy life where she existed.
Masuzu couldn't help but smile and shake her head. At the same time, she confirmed that this was the key connecting her to Yuu.
[It's not just about him giving me something or me giving him something.]
In this diary, there was a heavy record of the journey of a foolish girl who kept chasing the back in front of her since the day she drank a bowl of warm, familiar-tasting porridge, recording the sky that only existed in her eyes.
From the past to the present, from confusion to determination, this diary could definitely be the bridge connecting her to Yuu!
"So, it worked—"
(I will get Yuu back too!)
Shouting silently, Masuzu clenched her molars tightly, instinctively holding her breath, and slowly opened the black-covered notebook, taking out her diary.
Then, suppressing the churning in her stomach, she focused her gaze on the words on the inner page.
[Natsukawa Masuzu: Key Obtained.]
"Fuh..."
Like a released arrow, Masuzu's body swayed slightly, almost falling to the floor as she let out a sigh of relief.
To avoid being ridiculed by the others, she reluctantly maintained her calm appearance, returned the black-covered notebook to Utaha, and said casually: "Done. See if there are any changes... After gathering four heroines, even if it doesn't immediately transcend heaven, at least we should be allowed to search for Yuu."
Saying this, Masuzu moved to an empty seat on the sofa. She ignored Haruno's mocking gaze and Yukino's grateful look for her effort. She let her body slump into the soft cushions, relieved as if collapsing.
Of course, the diary that became the key was held tightly to her chest; she didn't want to let it go at all.
"Theoretically, this should proceed to the next stage..." Utaha mumbled. Her gaze swept over the notebook, then she turned to the next page.
Then she raised her eyebrows, snorting either from helplessness or relief.
"Sure enough, there's a new mission again."
"Honestly, this is like playing a real escape room game... Let me see."
Grumbling, Haruno impatiently came closer. She took the notebook, narrowed her eyes slightly, and read the newly appeared words aloud to the others:
"Chapter Four: The Bridge to the Test has been built. Find the Gate That Crosses Reality and Fiction... Tch, really talking nonsense. What's so fun about being so mysterious?"
Apparently having many complaints about the mission-issuing notebook, Haruno threw it back a little annoyed. Then she lay lazily on the sofa, letting out a faint sound:
"Well then, sisters, after finding the key, we have to start looking for the gate again~"
"...Progressing forward is a good thing. After all, we have no choice but to follow what's written."
Yukino, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke. Her tone sounded like amusement but didn't carry much emotion. She merely hinted at Utaha with a calm expression, as if only responding to the situation.
After getting permission, Utaha politely took the notebook. After carefully examining it, her brows furrowed even more, showing an expression of difficulty understanding.
"This statement is too vague... At least the key had clues related to an item, but the gate only has one explanation: Crossing Reality and Fiction. Do we have to find a way to enter Tenkuji-kun's dream ourselves?"
Masuzu also pondered this problem, folding her arms. Her eyes instinctively looked at Yuu's peaceful sleeping face. Suddenly, an idea flashed in her mind. Her eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands:
"I know!"
Everyone turned their surprised gaze towards her.
Masuzu stood tall and explained confidently: "The meaning of this sentence should be that we have to sleep with him. The safest way is to hold fingers, one finger per person is enough. If we're brave, we can all be naked..."
"Enough, that's clearly not it. You'd better shut up quickly." Sora frowned. She coldly interrupted the senior a year older than her, "Even if that were true, there's no bed big enough for you all to sleep. And I won't let you do that to Yuu."
"Even if it's a necessary sacrifice to wake your older brother?"
Retorting correctly, Masuzu's delicate face stiffened slightly. She said earnestly: "I promise, I have absolutely no ill intentions. Everything is for Yuu to wake up quickly! Besides, there are so many people here. Even if we're naked, we can't do anything. I still have basic shame, so you don't have to worry about me taking advantage of the situation and doing things that cross the line!"
"Ugh..."
(But I'm afraid you'll suddenly shout, "I don't want to be human anymore!" and then attack Yuu in front of everyone shamelessly...)
The incident of the attempted forced kiss was not only strongly remembered by Sora in her mind, but also caused Masuzu's evaluation and trust in her eyes to fall to an irreparable point.
She stared at the silver-haired pervert who looked utterly sincere with extremely distrustful eyes. She really wanted to continue opposing, but her hand, gently touching her sleeping brother's face on her lap, made her resolve waver.
What was best for him?
Did she really have to let these women try methods that could very likely cause big mistakes, just to wake him up...?
"Although I don't object to Masuzu-chan's suggestion, Sora-chan, you don't need to listen to her nonsense."
As Sora seemed to struggle, Haruno waved her hand and said with a slight amusement: "Her dirty lust in her heart is almost obvious, and she still dares to say she has no personal intentions."
Masuzu's expression immediately darkened. She glanced at Haruno very unhappily: "Even if I have about ten percent personal intentions, so what? At least I'm not lying. I'm genuinely giving advice from the perspective of wanting to wake Yuu up quickly. That's better than someone who can only speak cynically."
Haruno casually lifted the corner of her mouth, twirling the end of her dyed hair, and retorted with the disdainful gaze of a queen: "So I don't object to your suggestion~ I'm just stating facts. Why do you have to reject it so emotionally?"
"You—"
*CLAP!* *CLAP!*
Before the two could argue again without regard for the situation, Yukino knocked on the table with her knuckles. The clear and heavy sound dispelled the dust that would ignite conflict and brought the topic back on track with a firm tone:
"Enough! Even if it really has to involve sleeping with him, we can't just fall asleep in the current situation. Although we can wait until night when we're sleepy, considering sleeping together as a gate is also a bit strange. It feels illogical; there must be another more reasonable explanation."
"...Tch, she has a point."
Pulling her sharp gaze away from Haruno, Masuzu nodded. She gripped her chin and lowered her brows, starting to think again.
Just at this moment, Asuna hesitantly raised her hand and spoke with a slight hesitation.
"Umm... May I speak?"
"Yes? Of course. We hope you can also join the discussion, Yuuki-san."
With her hands folded on her lap, Yukino straightened her back and responded to her gaze seriously.
However, the faint smile that appeared on her face showed a slight feeling of helplessness.
"After all... You, like us, were once one of his girlfriends. So please don't be too constrained; say whatever you think, just like Masuzu-san."
"I don't plan to be that free..."
With a wry smile, Asuna looked at Utaha, Haruno, Yukino, Masuzu, Sora, and Yuu in order. Finally, she stopped at the two machines on the table, and her eyes gradually showed certainty.
A silver-white and dark blue AmuSphere, and the previous generation NerveGear. These were important machines for entering the Full Dive virtual world. They could guide human consciousness into an imaginary world composed of data, thus experiencing incredible adventures that felt real.
Asuna and Yuu had met each other in that world and created a strong bond that extended into reality.
If there truly was a Gate That Crosses Reality and Fiction in this world, Asuna had no doubt that such a marvel was right in front of her.
Inside these small machines, there were limitless possibilities.
She took a slight breath, and after making up her mind, she lifted her gaze, looked around, and smiled confidently at the others.
"If you don't mind, let's all try it!"
"Moving from reality to a virtual game world. That kind of process, isn't that what the notebook means by Crossing the Gate!?"
Since there were only three Full Dive machines (plus Yuu's NerveGear), Asuna called someone for help to send a few more new machines.
During this waiting period, they naturally had no intention of relaxing while drinking tea.
"Let's try logging in with the three existing machines first." Asuna suggested.