After the exam had officially ended, and everyone was teleported back to the school, the twins finally woke up, even more confused than everyone else seemed to be, since no one had knowledge of the events which led to Yamato ultimately winning the exam. Yuki coincidentally woke up then as well, which she regretted instantly as Yamato admitted he would have carried her to her room otherwise. A missed opportunity in her mind but walking hand in hand was also nice. However her passionate desire for physical proximity has not decreased at all in her slumber, as one could have expected. So one thing led to another and they did what lovers did.
But the three days the exam lasted were three days she did not talk to Yamato, making her feel very chatty, even though it was already late. She was also enjoying laying on top of him and playing with his hair while they talked.
"Weren't you very bad today, Master~?"
"Because I tricked you into ripping your own target ticket?"
"No… But that too, you meanie! However what I was talking about was how you were treating poor Lucy… This must have been the most eventful day of her life and you were all messing with her head… Very meanie, if you ask me~!"
"I knew you were faking it…"
"No I wasn't! At least not at first. Your heartfelt confession did make me faint. How does that feel, making a girl faint with just words~? Did it make you feel powerful~?"
"…So you fainted but woke up shortly after and listened in to the conversation I had with, Lucy?"
"Yup~ I didn't wanna get up after you placed me so gently on your lap, how could I refuse such care and affection~?"
"…Anyway, you don't seem to bothered by my actions."
"Of course I'm not. What a wife would I be if I'd be bothered by you ruthlessly taking advantage of an emotionally unstable woman who is only in this situation because you are a bad person in the first place~?"
"First of all… We aren't married yet. And who are you calling a bad person? I would have thought someone so fixated on their beauty would look in the mirror more often."
"Ah, you said yet!!! Marriage incoming! And just because you're a bad person doesn't mean you're bad. Haven't you payed attention in school, Master? Negative and negative equals positive! So if you're a bad person, and I'm a bad person, together we are…?"
"Two bad people."
"… Good! We are good!"
"What kind of kindergarten logic is that…"
"It's love logic! Besides, good bad whatever that. Important is only the perception we have of each other! Everyone else's opinion is irrelevant."
"Well, to a certain degree I suppose I agree with that."
"We are so made for each other~… Ah, I have a question!"
"What is it?"
"Why did you decide to quit school now? Was it really because of what you told Lucy? If it's safety you worry about then rest assured, I will make this school the safest space ever!"
"No… That was more of an excuse I thought would sound plausible to her. In reality, I just believe this school has served its purpose to us. I was able to study about this world more than enough now, form contacts and even am able to use magic now. It was a massive success overall, however I don't think we will get much more out of it."
"Hm… I guess that's true… What about the Arina project?"
"Don't worry about that… Tomorrow I take the final preparation, from then on its self sustaining."
"If you say so… I can't say I will miss anyone in particular… And professor Reed is probably going to be very confused about this, but whatever… I will miss going to school with you though. It felt like a true highs school romance~"
"Well, sounds like you got what you wanted out of it too…"
"Yes! Operation Ultimate Seduction was a complete success!"
"Ah, that… What exactly was that anyway?"
"The act of making you love me!"
"Yeah, but how?"
"With whatever it takes."
"Doesn't sound like a planned operation to me…"
"Doesn't need to be if it worked!"
At that moment they heard a knock on the door, another moment ruin for Yuki. At least it held for long enough to count as a separate moment, though this still ruined the moment that would have come after this moment. Yes, she was that petty. Too lazy to get up and get dressed, she just rolled off Yamato to the side, so he would take care of it. Which of course he did because, who else would? It would have been weird for Yuki to answer the door anyway, since whoever it was most likely wanted something from Yamato, otherwise they would have knocked at Yuki's door. Unless of course they were there already and did not find her and now came to look for her here, but whatever she thought as she prepared to listen in on the conversation. Though since it was quite late, he already suspected who it could be. Opening the door, in front of him was Lucy, with a determined look on her face.
"I have made my decision, Yamato! And… Uh, am I coming at a bad time? You look tired… I'm sorry, I knew I should've waited until tomorrow… But I was worried you'd already be gone by then, cause you didn't mention a time or anything so I just assumed you meant I should decide until today, which I had but then it was late and I was unsure and-"
"It's alright, really. I wasn't sleeping yet anyway. I'm happy you thought about it thoroughly and have come to a decision already. Do you want to tell me what you decided on now?"
"Oh… Well, in that case… I have decided to come with you and help you the best I can!"
"Really? That's great, Lucy. I'm sure we will get along well in the future."
"Yes! I'm very excited as well! Oh, and about tomorrow…"
"We won't leave right away. I'd like to say goodbye to some people first. I hope that is alright with you."
"Oh… Of course. Just tell me when then. In that case I wish you a good night!"
"Yeah, good night to you too, Lucy."
As she left and he closed the door, he could feel a hot breath blow into his neck, followed by arms wrapping around him from behind.
""I'm sure we will get along well in the future…", "Good night, Lucy…?" What is that I have to hear? Saying good night to another girl that isn't me… And getting along well, huh…"
"It's just an expression… And what was I suppose to say? Don't have a good night?"
"Excuses."
"Next time I will ask her out."
"Don't!"
"I'm kidding, of course. You're cute."
"Ah… Well, I forgive you because you think I'm cute… This once!"
"Lucky me… I'm going to sleep now."
"That's right, it's late after all! Hop hop, so you get enough sleep, today was a busy day after all. I can't let you stay exhausted under my care."
"Who's fault was it that we are still awake anyway…"
"Lucy's, obviously."
"Obviously…"
As they went to sleep, Yamato felt the genuine urge to hug her. Usually, it was just hugging back, which just felt like the natural thing to do when she hugged him. But now, feeling the need to initiate it himself, was it proof that he was changing for her? As he thought about that, he turned to face her and wrap his arm around her waist to pull her closer. She herself was feeling quite cuddly, which was not unusual at all of course. Her hair felt soft on his arm, tickling slightly as she made herself comfortable on it as if it were a pillow. Not having much freedom with the arm she was occupying, he just put his hand against the back of her head, as it felt like a natural thing to do.
"The truth is… I've always felt attracted to Yuki on a much deeper level than just her looks, even though those had always mesmerized me as well… Though at first, I believe I called it curiosity. After that, maybe I thought of it as trusted companionship? When in reality… It was always something like love. But only now am I able to experience it to its fullest extent… How arrogant I was, thinking I understood emotions well enough to fully simulate them… Now that I feel love for the first time, I have to admit that it was more than I thought it was… But in addition to that, I have come to realize that love isn't the only emotion I discovered today… Actually, I am afraid… Afraid of losing her, and the feelings that come with her, and the feelings I would discover if she were hurt… I want to cling to this sensation called love. I want to nurture it, see it grow even further… However I fear that if I am not careful, it will slip away… And that I will not care when it happens. If only I were not quite as broken… Maybe, I could have prevented so much damage, damage through which I ended up breaking her too…"
The next morning, Yamato went to look for Arina and the twins to say goodbye, as he felt like it would be the proper thing to do. Yuki did the same, but in a different order, so each said goodbye on their own. The twins were the ones he found first.
"…Yeah, and that's why you two will have to do without me from now on."
"What?! That's not fair! You brought us here in the first place! And now you're just gonna leave us??"
"It won't be forever, I promise. I will write you letters, and you can come visit once you graduate, right? Your education comes first for now though."
"That's… So unfair… And selfish!"
"I know… Yet, I believe you will do both do great. You are very talented and don't need my help."
"Ah… They ran away… Children are very attached to their role models… I didn't plan on leaving like this when I first met them, but we will meet again, I am sure. Lily seemed stayed silent, I'm sure she can calm Andrew down with enough time… Goodbye."
The only other person he wanted to say goodbye too was Arina. Though in the past couple of months he had trusted Yuki to manage Arina, Yamato's relationship to her was still somewhat of a mentor, or that was how he thought of it at least.
"I see… So you're leaving for personal reasons… And Yuki will come with you. That is pretty sudden… However, I wish you the best of luck on your way. Maybe we will meet again someday. I truly hope we do. I've always admired you deeply, Yamato. Every time it seemed like we were in trouble in the competitive exams, it felt like I could truly rely on your guidance. I'm sure the whole class felt that way. It will get pretty difficult without you two, that much is sure…"
"Your praise flatters me… But I think you will manage. You were much more talented than I am in many areas, I'm sure you will realize your own abilities soon enough and learn how to use them even without Yuki's training. Have you ever considered a military career?"
"Huh? No, not really… I don't really like hurting people… Why did you ask that?"
"Oh, I just thought you could help a lot of people that way… Not all conflict is avoided only with words, y'know? Paradoxically, sometimes force is the option that saves the most lifes."
"I never thought of it that way…"
"Well, it's just a thought. I think it would suit you. But either way, good luck, Arina. Goodbye."
"Yeah… Goodbye, Yamato."
Meeting up with Yuki and Lucy, the three left for their journey with no clear goal yet, however thst did not mean they would wander around aimlessly.