In this trial world, the relationship between Yuu and Iroha was above that of a senior and junior, but below that of lovers.
He knew the girl had feelings for him, but she always hid them with jokes and teasing. Because he had no intention of having a girlfriend, he never responded to those feelings. He only maintained a stance of being close yet distant, treating her in his own way.
Iroha also knew that even though Yuu valued her greatly, he would not accept her confession for that reason. So she always stayed by his side as a younger classmate, never hoping he would take the initiative to do anything. She only longed for their current distance—one that felt like they could touch each other at any moment—never wanting, never daring to embrace any change.
It was like falling in love with a close friend. Every day spent with him felt sweet, but when apart, she was in such agony that she could barely breathe, knowing she couldn't hold him.
If she hadn't been aware of her feelings, she might have still been able to get through it by playing dumb until the end...
Unfortunately, this senpai was not only smart, but also completely unhesitating in his treatment of girls. Yuu openly showed his cruel stance: I know you like me, but I have no intention of returning those feelings. This left Iroha with no choice but to maintain the status quo, holding back the sweet, bitter, and sour love in her heart, dreaming that over time, the distance between them would shrink little by little.
As long as no rival suddenly appeared, love that grew over time would always be the best!
Even so, Iroha was still scared.
She still unconsciously slipped into a passive state.
If either of them took a step forward, this "senior who liked to tease his junior" and "junior who liked to tease her senior"—all of this might disappear forever.
Iroha didn't want to face such a future. That was why, when Yuu had come to the café specifically to ask her to the fireworks festival the next night, she was so shocked that she couldn't speak after fully reacting—even a little disbelieving of her own ears.
"Umm, senpai... you're not joking, are you?"
Yuu smiled helplessly: "This isn't the first time we've gone out together. Do you need to be this surprised?"
"Even though you say that... Ah, I get it!"
Iroha clapped her hands as if she'd just realized something. She felt a little relieved, but also a little disappointed: "Senpai, you already asked Kanade first, right? I know—just like before, the three of us will go somewhere... Oh my god, don't use words that are so easy to misunderstand like that—"
Without waiting for her to finish, Yuu said calmly: "No, I didn't ask her, and I have no intention of asking her either."
"...Eh?"
"I plan to go with just you. Unless you really don't want to be alone with me, then I'll ask Tachibana or someone else if they have time..."
"W-Wait! That's not what I meant—don't decide on your own!"
Instinctively, she waved her hands in panic, but Iroha slowly stopped her movements. She looked at him with a hint of doubt, as if she hadn't yet recovered from the shock—there was still a little disbelief in her eyes.
"Se-Senpai... you have to think this through carefully, right? I'll take this as a date invitation..."
Even though her voice grew softer and more unconfident, Yuu could still hear her clearly.
He didn't look at those fidgety eyes that were now fixed on the floor, but spoke in a casual tone as if making small talk: "Treat it that way. After all, I plan to go with just you."
"If you're okay with it, we'll meet at the riverbank at half-past five tomorrow evening, then walk slowly to the shrine location."
(I understand...)
Even a simple answer like that couldn't be spoken by Iroha because of a strange tightness in her chest. She could only stand frozen, silent, watching his figure pick up the bill and walk toward the cash register.
She wanted to hope but was afraid to hope—slightly anxious yet full of expectation; her heart beat faster and faster, her ears felt hot as if on fire. Even though she didn't want to lose her mind over the surprise, she couldn't hold back the urge to daydream.
How should she describe a feeling like that? And what should she say to him to express this unexpected joy?
After paying, Yuu pushed open the door to leave.
In the end, only these words echoed along with the sharp bell and his footsteps on the twilight-shrouded street:
"Senpai, even if this is just a misunderstanding... can I hope?"
"..."
Yuu stopped walking and turned around.
His expression was very serious—unlike before. His eyes were bright and moist like the surface of the sea, clearly reflecting her figure.
Iroha couldn't hold back anymore. Even though she might fall into deep despair because of it, she had to break free from her cocoon to transform—such firm courage was hidden within her.
Even with her back to the vast twilight in the sky, it was a beautiful and thrilling sight.
Yuu didn't speak—he only smiled slightly, giving her the reassuring look she knew so well.
After that, he waved his hand and disappeared outside the glass door.
The gaze that followed him was soon swallowed by the last glimmer of twilight before night fell.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Upon returning home, as Yuu was about to go upstairs, he ran into Sora, who had just opened her room door.
"Welcome back." She said softly. Her eyes behind the thin-framed glasses were as calm as water. Her pale white fingers tucked a strand of silver hair behind her ear. "Where did you go?"
"The café. Dinner will be a little late."
"No rush—I'm not hungry." Sora closed the door, her body unconsciously blocking the gap.
Yuu, who happened to be about to enter his room, didn't notice her small movement—he only said casually: "Don't eat too many chips. If you really want them, I can make you actually healthy chips. You don't need to buy junk food outside."
"Silly—what's the point of chips if they're not junk food?" Sora said matter-of-factly, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Alright, I really can't do anything with you..." Yuu shook his head helplessly. After chatting briefly with this fake younger sister, he prepared to go back to his room.
Just before closing the door, he suddenly remembered something and said to Sora, who was about to go downstairs: "Oh right, are you really not going to the fireworks festival tomorrow? Even though I asked a girl, she should agree if you want to come along."
Her steps didn't stop. Sora said without turning around: "No. Going to a crowded place like that—I'm sure you want me to die."
"If you don't want to, then fine." Yuu shrugged, looking indifferent.
(Typical—this isn't the jealous younger sister I know...)
(She didn't even react at all when she heard I asked a girl to the fireworks festival.)
(Trash system—can't even create a character properly based on memories!)
"Then just stay home. I'll make dinner for you before I leave. I'll probably be back around midnight, okay?"
"Up to you."
Throwing out the disinterested line, Sora walked down the stairs. Her long silver hair, which reached her calves, swayed behind her, emitting a soft, clear sheen.
Yuu noticed something else.
"Where's your hair ribbon? Since when did you stop tying your hair?"
Sora usually tied her hair in twin tails, but lately she seemed to be leaving it down more and more often. The two familiar black ribbons were nowhere to be seen.
(Even in the trial space, my younger sister wants to change her appearance?)
"Only noticing now? I haven't tied it in ages~"
Sora replied lazily. Her raised hand soon disappeared at the end of the stairs.
Listening to the girl's light, cat-like footsteps echoing from the entrance to the living room, Yuu returned to his room with a rather strange expression, closing the door behind him.
"Ages? Since when exactly...?"
"Since April, when I started this trial?"
That confused murmur soon faded in the empty second-floor hallway.
Not long after, Sora went upstairs with empty hands. She looked at her brother's room door with a complex gaze.
"Typical Yuu—his observation skills are still amazing... It's just that he's too confident in himself and not careful enough. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to hide it for so long."
She let out a silent sigh. Her pale, slender palm touched her chin. She thought for a few seconds.
"I still have to try to reduce my presence. Otherwise, if one day he gets curious and tries to enter my room, it will be hard..."
Her steps didn't stop. She arrived at her own room door. After confirming her brother wouldn't come down to make dinner for the time being, she went inside.
Inside the room, the lights were off. Only the desk lamp on the study table illuminated one corner. Most of the objects were shrouded in hazy shadows like gray mist—nothing could be seen clearly.
"I wonder how long he can get through the first obstacle."
Sora murmured to herself, pushing up her glasses with no expression. The door automatically locked as it closed.
In the darkness, a white lab coat silently draped over her shoulders. Faint neon light appeared from where her bare feet stepped, like water droplets—fantastic yet also smelling of technology.
The desk lamp beside the table stretched shadows, drawing closer and farther away. And the shadow that had been small and slender seemed to have unknowingly grown longer.
With her hands in her pockets, Sora walked toward her bed. Her cold gray eyes stared at the prominent object under the blanket—like a butcher thinking about how to cut a fat pig on the chopping block, without warmth or emotion.
"So, before the time really comes, how should I deal with this uninvited guest...?"
Feeling the eyelashes of the person under the blanket tremble, the stiff body under the covers quickly came alive, with various movements showing consciousness ready to wake up.
Sora suddenly let out a cold scoff. Her glasses reflected cold light from an unknown source. The mature face hidden under the dark shadow exuded inhuman indifference and contempt.
"Yo, finally awake?"
Then she spoke slowly to the person who instinctively sat up in bed—and after a moment of shock, shrank back to the headboard with a panicked, startled face, staring at her warily:
"Don't be scared—I won't do anything to you for now."
"Hmm... Should I say it's been a long time? Since those things happened..."
"Enough—it doesn't matter. After all, our relationship was never that good. We might as well skip the useless greetings and get straight to the point."
After saying this to herself, Sora slowly narrowed her eyes. Her gaze pierced through the darkness, staring sharply at the figure.
"Answer me—how did you get into this world? And what is your purpose?"
Her voice was as sharp and cold as an ice blade, coldly calling out the name of the person across from her.
"Kasumigaoka Utaha!"