The subsequent development seemed to become very natural.
Like what's written in countless romantic novels and manga, when the fireworks bloomed, Iroha pulled the hem of his shirt and whispered her feelings in his ear.
"Senpai, I like you."
The fireworks filled the night sky, but didn't wake the girl who liked to dream. Instead, it gave her courage to go further.
Iroha wanted to become the most important person to Senpai, and wanted to have a place in his heart.
So, soft whispers carrying warm and sweet breath greeted his cheek.
Under the bright firelight, her eyes sparkled. Her cheeks flushed like the evening glow. Her brave expression staring directly into his eyes was truly very beautiful.
"There won't be... any answer other than yes, right?"
She tried to act relaxed, but her lips trembled slightly from nervousness. Her heartbeat was almost louder than the fireworks explosions in the sky.
If Yuu stayed silent a bit longer, perhaps Iroha would give up first, laugh awkwardly and say it was just a joke, then forget this matter.
The magic of courage would disappear when the night sky became silent.
Therefore, Yuu didn't let her wait long.
"Of course. I don't want to be the super scumbag man of this century in my kouhai's eyes... So Iroha, from now on, please guide me."
While chuckling, he hugged the petite body of the girl wearing yukata. All those anxious and fearful trembling were eliminated by the warmth in his chest.
And the distance they had maintained all this time, as well as the softness they only briefly felt, now curled up in his embrace, colored by his distinctive aroma.
"..."
The girl was stunned like a stone statue for a long time, then slowly relaxed her stiff body in his embrace.
Her arms hugged his back somewhat awkwardly. Then, Iroha hugged him tightly, and once again began trembling unconsciously.
Only this time, it was trembling born from happiness.
As if having reached the mountain peak she thought impossible to climb, as if having seen fireworks she thought wouldn't be visible.
As if hugging the person she loved most in the midst of scenery she never expected.
She couldn't hold back laughter, but with slight sobs: "W-what the heck... If you want to agree, quickly agree! You made me scared... Senpai the meanie, I hate you the most!"
"Girls really change moods faster than flipping books, huh..."
Yuu stroked the back of her head helplessly. He could feel his back was already wet with tears, but no crying sounds were heard, only suppressed sobs, full of happiness and tranquility.
(Using tears to make me even more reluctant to leave her, is this a girl's small tactic?)
Regardless, Iroha must surely be made of sugar, spices, and several things far more beautiful.
Precisely because of that, Yuu wanted to hug this sweet and cute girl into his embrace, and embrace tightly under this lively fireworks night, with no distance.
"Yes, girls are indeed troublesome creatures."
Leaning her head on his shoulder, Iroha squinted her red and swollen eyes, laughing cheerfully: "So Senpai, as punishment for making me worry so long, please mention ten things you like most about Iroha-chan!"
"Ten things? That easy?" Yuu smiled relaxedly. His fingers glided slowly from the tips of her hair to her shoulder, gently stroking the girl's round and slender shoulder.
"First, Iroha is very cute."
"Wow, the first point is already this to-the-point... But, pass!" Iroha commented seriously, "I don't hate honest men. And if Senpai were a bit uglier, I might not have been able to fall in love so willingly... Hmm, this must be chemistry between couples, right?"
"Second, Iroha's voice is very melodious," Yuu continued as if counting family treasures.
However, as soon as that sentence came out, Iroha immediately became suspicious: "Wait, don't tell me the next point you'll say my body is very good? That's too perfunctory."
"Not to that extent."
"What do you mean!"
Yuu ignored her protest. When she tried to pinch the soft flesh at his waist, his thumb tip pressed slightly on the side of her stomach bound by the obi, and then he blew light breath on her white and tiny ear.
"Nghh~"
After that cute moan, that little devil kouhai truly went limp. Iroha hung on his body with a hot body, difficult to move.
"S-senpai... Just started dating, you're already naughty to your girlfriend... You're really perverted!"
"Third, Iroha's body shape very much suits my taste."
In a serious tone, Yuu continued calmly: "Fourth, I like her expression when whining to me. Fifth, I like her very innocent nature, even though she likes to tease others. Sixth, I like her side that secretly works hard in places others don't see, even though she looks lazy. Seventh, I like her pretend-strong expression smiling as if nothing happened, even though she's not that strong. Eighth, I like..."
"Wai-wait, Senpai, enough! I already know how much you like me! No need to continue!"
The feeling of being confessed to line by line like this was far more embarrassing than she imagined.
In fact, upon hearing the fifth point, Iroha's face was already very red. She really wanted to stuff her head into his embrace, feeling so embarrassed she didn't dare face the fireworks illuminating the entire night sky.
If she listened to all ten points, although she would be dizzy from happiness, at least she wouldn't dare look into Yuu's eyes until they parted tonight.
"Eh? Already enough?" Hiding the smile at the corner of his mouth, Yuu pretended to be shocked, "I haven't even mentioned things from the past, for example, when and where you did things that made me unconsciously captivated..."
"I said, the love confession ends here!" Iroha shouted loudly as if venting. Then she puffed her mouth annoyedly: "Ugh... Senpai is always like this, always using weird ways like this to make me like you more... Is this what's called a natural scumbag man?"
"You're not much different either, right?"
Under the night light, the distance between the two embracing people was zero.
Yuu smelled the aroma of her hair, mixed with a bit of sweat smell, but gave an addictive sensation.
Listing so many things he liked about Iroha earlier wasn't just to embarrass her, but also Yuu's process of confirming his feelings, ensuring whether he really liked her.
The only condition for him to date was—truly loving each other.
He used to think he only cherished this kouhai, and never considered her as a partner, even when he knew the girl harbored love for him.
Now he realized that was just his arrogance from being used to being liked, and feeling popular.
Just like humans used to air, and fish used to water. Perhaps when she left him to love another man, Yuu would first feel that painful suffocating feeling.
At this moment, after sorting through his feelings toward Iroha like peeling an onion, he just realized he truly loved her.
A like that wanted to become lovers, spend time together every day, and do things lovers do.
"Iroha, I like you."
Hugging tightly the girl in his embrace, as if concluding this fact, Yuu spoke softly with a calm expression.
"Be my girlfriend."
The next second.
A cold electronic voice sounded from his mind. That very familiar feeling made Yuu unable to hold back a bitter laugh with mixed feelings.
(It's back, everything's back... But it seems I shouldn't complain, right?)
「Congratulations to the Host for successfully finding the clue.」
「Target has been activated: Correcting What's Wrong.」
「Mission Clue: None.」
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
At the same time, at the Tenkuji residence.
In Yuu's bedroom, the white notebook on the desk moved by itself without wind, slowly turning pages. The same sentence as that voice appeared on the white page inside.
Sora in her room, as if sensing something. After being slightly shocked, she snapped her fingers.
So, the high school writer working hard at the writing desk, spending her house arrest time, directly collapsed. Her pretty face pressed the keyboard. She fell fast asleep without realizing it.
Fortunately she hadn't switched to English input mode, otherwise, when she woke up, she would definitely scream seeing many messy characters.
After hypnotizing Utaha, Sora left her room and entered her brother's room next door, confirming the notebook's contents.
"He's already taken the first step..."
She muttered softly. Her pale fingers gently touched those neat black words. Her facial expression was slightly soft: "Meaning, he's already dating one of Kanade and Iroha, or even both?"
If it were her former self, she would definitely be jealous, angry, consider her brother a scumbag, and feel betrayed.
But now, she—something called Kasugano Sora—only hoped this could be a trigger to change everything.
And then, let Yuu, who always failed to obtain happiness, create the most perfect ending with his own power!
"So, don't worry, Yuu."
The corner of her mouth lifted slightly. The silver-haired girl closed the notebook and left his room.
Only the faint aroma quickly disappearing, and those gentle yet firm words remained.
"Someday, we can meet again in a world without sadness."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The fireworks had grown cold, stars and moon without light.
Nine o'clock at night, the announcement of the fireworks festival's end had already sounded at the foot of the mountain. People on the mountain also left the observation deck leisurely, carrying exhaustion after excitement.
As for the players in the small forest, whether they would continue the all-night battle at the inn, or go home to rest, only they knew.
"Let's go down the mountain."
"Mhm."
They watched fireworks, became a couple, and embraced for an hour.
Although they didn't do other intimate acts, the two, whose hearts were filled with warmth, no longer had regrets about this fireworks festival. They patted the mud on their bottoms, stood up, and prepared to return to the foot of the mountain.
Because in the future there was still much time, and many opportunities, to see the same night sky with a lover by their side, and enjoy each other's skin temperature.
While holding hands, the two returned from the forest pathway to the bustling stone road, fully joining the ranks of happy couples preparing to go home. Their mentality was also different from before.
At least Iroha was very happy she was no longer single. Her footsteps somehow felt light. She hummed softly in her mouth, and sometimes, thinking of something, she would laugh foolishly with a flushed face, truly like a girl drunk on love asleep in beautiful dreams.
Seeing this scene, Yuu really couldn't bear to cool the atmosphere, but some things had to be said... He didn't like hiding important things from important people, and he wanted to know what was truly in the girl's heart.
So, after activating the No Eavesdropping Behind Walls status (using a skill for privacy), Yuu turned and spoke to her: "Iroha, I want to ask something."
"Mhm? What is it, Darling~"
Deliberately saying it in a whining tone, Iroha gently rubbed his arm. The feeling of happiness couldn't be hidden at the corner of her lips: "If it's about curfew, my curfew is ten at night, you know~ So unfortunately, calculating the last train time, we can't go around to other places. Senpai has to politely take me home~"
"I didn't mean to ask that."
Yuu also didn't want to make the atmosphere gloomy. So, after stroking her head affectionately, he asked as if casually: "Although it's a bit late to ask... Even if I have to study abroad after graduation and we'll have difficulty meeting again, would you still want to date me?"
This place ultimately wasn't reality, but a trial happening in a dream.
According to the system, if he didn't pass the trial before graduation, the entire world would be reset, and everything would repeat again.
At that time, the fact that he and Iroha mutually expressed feelings at the fireworks festival on this mountain might only exist in his memory alone.
Even if he completed the trial before graduation and left this dream, would the real Iroha in the real world remember everything that had happened so far?
Considering the nature of this garbage system, it seemed that wouldn't go that easily.
If so, for the "Isshiki Iroha" before him, this relationship would end at the latest next spring—She might not know anything, and wouldn't experience the pain of separation. She would continue thinking about where they would go and what they would do tomorrow, ending this year of her life in happiness and ignorance.
So, Yuu's question was purely unnecessary, just looking for trouble, and potentially making his girlfriend anxious about the future.
...But he still asked.
If that day of separation arrived, Yuu hoped Iroha could smile and say goodbye to him.
This was a selfish question from his selfish self.
"...Senpai, you'll study abroad?"
Stopping humming, even her happy and satisfied feeling seemed to freeze. Iroha stared at him confusedly. The light in her eyes was no longer as bright as before.
Yuu nodded silently, not explaining much. He just gripped her cold small hand tighter, but that instead caused the freezing silence in the air.
The night wind blew. The two walked silently from top to bottom of the mountain. The stalls on both sides of the road had already started tidying up. Visitors dispersed like flying birds. That lively festival atmosphere seemed to be just yesterday afternoon's flower, plummeting to the lowest point.
Her geta stepped lightly on the road. The cold wind blowing from the river edge cooled her originally flushed cheeks to snow color.
"I won't say selfish things like, please don't study abroad for my sake, Senpai."
After a long silence, Iroha sighed heavily. Her heavy and calm expression made her look serious. She tensed her cheeks so Yuu wouldn't worry.
"Even if I work hard to chase you there, we'll be separated for at least one year, right?"
In reality, she didn't even have the chance to chase him. Next spring was her endpoint.
Seeing Yuu's expression also not bright, Iroha instead chuckled. She swung his arm mischievously: "Feeling guilty? Right. Just started dating already talking about separation, Senpai is indeed too much!"
Without waiting for his answer, the light brown-haired girl continued honestly: "However, I who already knew Senpai was this kind of person, but still fell in love with him, it seems I don't have the right to complain."
"How could that be? Of course you have the right..."
Just as Yuu was about to deny her words, Iroha pulled the mask from the side of her face, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him right on the lips.
His lips felt the cold plastic touch, but the girl's soft and warm body conveyed her still light heartbeat.
"Senpai, this is my answer."
After their lips separated, Iroha hugged his neck, lazily resting her chin on his shoulder. Her nose inhaled the aroma at his collar.
And said in a low voice: "No matter how far apart we are, Senpai is my boyfriend, you know."
"So, wherever I have to chase you, I'll make you take responsibility to me... Iroha-chan is indeed a troublesome girl."
Iroha released him, stepped back a few steps, and stared into Yuu's eyes behind the mask. Her bright and cunning eyes suddenly curved into a cute crescent moon. A bright smile bloomed on her face.
"So, as long as Senpai doesn't break up with me, I don't care if we have to temporarily separate~ I'll keep waiting for you until the day Senpai comes and apologizes to me!"
"And, cheating is forbidden!"
Her voice was like the warm sun, eliminating all fog.
Responding to his girlfriend's gaze, Yuu took a deep breath. He also smiled and nodded firmly: "Of course! Do I look like a scumbag man who would row many boats?"
"Hmph hmph, that's not certain~"
Staring at Yuu (who used to be Senpai, now her boyfriend) with suspicious eyes, Iroha forced herself to ignore the strange feeling in her heart. She chuckled and prepared to charge and hug his arm again.
She wouldn't forget everything she encountered tonight, and she also wouldn't forget the happy and satisfied feeling at this moment—Even if it was just a dream, she would strongly carve this beautiful dream in her mind, making it part of her life.
Thinking so, behind Yuu, Iroha saw a figure she was certain would never appear here.
"Eh? How could..."
All her movements stopped in place. Iroha unconsciously covered her mouth, holding back the exclamation that almost escaped her throat.
Ignoring Yuu's confused expression, Iroha only widened her eyes in panic, staring at that silver-haired shoulder-length girl with a calm expression with disbelief.
Her heart that was pounding hard a second ago, now felt paralyzed. She felt short of breath.
"Why is Kanade here...?"