The timeline shifts back slightly.
September 11, Wednesday, morning.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the Host for receiving a reward: 1500 Yen.]
"Even though she saw the message, she didn't open it to check… What's really going on in her head?"
Sighing, Yuu pocketed his phone and jogged lightly along the chilly streets.
Following the riverbank and weaving through narrow alleys, he'd unleash his full speed when no one was around, careful not to hurt himself. If someone was watching, he'd slow down and enjoy the cool breeze.
No matter how prosperous a city, at the break of dawn, it's as quiet as ruins. The clouds grew thicker, the autumn atmosphere more intense, with a thin layer of white mist floating in the transparent air.
"It's going to rain soon."
That's what he thought, but even by noon, the air remained sticky, poised for rain that never came. The usually lively campus was now filled with irritation, with many people tugging at their collars to fan themselves.
When the lunch break bell rang, Yuu pulled out his phone and sent another message to Asuna. Though he knew she was probably fine, her refusal to read or reply, like she was withdrawing, couldn't help but worry him. He was concerned as a friend—after all, they'd been husband and wife in the game for some time. Even if they hadn't done anything significant, Asuna still held a special place in his heart.
This kind of feeling might only be erasable by the system itself.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Yuu: {Are you okay, Asuna? Even if we can't meet in-game, we know each other in real life too. If you need to vent or complain, remember to reply to my messages.}
Sixth message, still unread.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the Host for receiving a reward: 2000 Yen.]
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Yuu, are you heading to the club today too?"
"Yeah, I need to ask our club president something. Let's eat together next time."
Bidding farewell to a slightly disappointed Totsuka, Yuu grabbed his lunchbox, turned, and left the classroom. Before leaving, he noticed Yuigahama glancing at him a few times. But when he turned back, she was joking with her friends, her back to him.
Too lazy to overthink it, Yuu kept walking out of Class F toward the special building where the Service Club was located. The noise gradually faded, as if he'd stepped into another world.
Second floor of the special building, Service Club.
As Yuu opened the door, the girl inside greeted him with:
"You're here?"
"Been waiting long?"
Yukino sighed softly, set down her chopsticks, and gave him an displeased look. "Sorry, what I meant was—please don't come during lunch break. You're interrupting my rare quiet mealtime."
"Or is your goal to be alone with me and flirt over lunch?"
Saying this, she deliberately raised her brows in mock surprise, resting her chin on the back of her hand, her lips curling into a smug, satisfied smile.
"There's no more awkward approach than this. It suits your low-class nature perfectly."
Yuu rolled his eyes.
"Full-on narcissist mode the moment we meet? Truly fitting for our club president."
He sat at one end of the long table, casually opening his lunchbox. "Think whatever you want, as long as you're happy… So, can you make me a cup of black tea while you're at it?"
Her smile vanished, and Yukino furrowed her brows.
"Why should I?"
"Because I'm planning to take responsibility for this Club Exhibition and elevate our club's name with my own abilities."
"…"
Staring at him in shock for a few seconds, Yukino suddenly stood, walked to the kettle, skillfully brewed a cup of tea, and gently placed the paper cup beside Yuu's lunchbox.
Her greenish-blue eyes gazed at him, filled with a warmth and care like sunlight.
"Tenkuji-kun, don't tell me you're actually planning to carry out that ridiculous, reckless, childish plan of yours at the exhibition? It'd make me think there's something wrong with your brain."
"Relax."
Yuu lifted his teacup first, preventing someone from snatching it in annoyance, then said:
"You can doubt your own charm as a pretty girl, but you have to trust my abilities… What's truly terrifying is my talent."
After those words, a few seconds of silence passed, and the familiar cold air enveloped the classroom again.
With a look like she was staring at a maggot, Yukino returned to her seat and picked up her chopsticks.
"Just get to the point. Talking to you only sours my mood."
"Funny, I feel the same way."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Yuu didn't expend much effort convincing Yukino. No matter how many words he said, nothing was more persuasive than taking action once.
Tomorrow after school, Yuu would prove to Yukino that he wasn't just a talker but someone who followed through. Yukino, for her part, said she was looking forward to it—looking forward to the bewildered expression he'd show when his nonsense was exposed.
Back in the noisy classroom before lessons started, Yuu opened the notes on his phone.
At the top of the notes was all the information about Asuna.
[Yuuki family address: … Asuna's school start time: …, School end time: …, School location: …, Mode of transportation: … Tutoring: …, Address: …, Phone: …, Lesson end time: …]
No need to guess who provided it—Kouichirou, his trusty ally. The information was thorough, far more detailed than what he'd given about Yukino.
With this, Yuu could fully track Asuna's whereabouts—whether kidnapping her when she was alone or stalking and recording her daily life, it was now easy for him.
Of course, knowing Yuu wouldn't do such things, Kouichirou shared everything openly. That trust was so strong it left Yuu himself puzzled.
And Kouichirou explained it like this:
"Though my relationship with Asuna isn't bad, it's not exactly great either."
"We don't usually seek each other out for casual chats; we just live our own lives… But lately, it feels like we're back to childhood, sitting on the garden porch, eating watermelon, and talking."
"She started asking about you and even initiated conversations with me, both in real life and on LINE."
"As the trigger, she knows I'm actually an otaku. She also knows that, despite my sports, I still lost to you in a boxing match…"
"It's a bit embarrassing to say, but thanks to you, I can finally be a normal sibling with Asuna, sharing things we wouldn't tell our parents or feel shy telling friends."
"So, Yuu, I trust you!"
"I believe that you, who softened our sibling relationship, can bring even better changes to Asuna's life!"
He ended with an enthusiastic tone. This sincere, touching confession made Yuu feel a burning sensation all over, as if ants were crawling everywhere, almost too embarrassed to scratch his leg and create a scene.
Is this what an otaku is like? Terrifying.
Regardless, no matter how much Kouichirou said, Yuu had no intention of reciprocating that trust—after all, he was already doing it.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"But ambushing her at the tutoring center feels… off."
Yuu kept thinking about this until after school.
For example—if Yukino hadn't sent a message vaguely expressing a desire to meet, would he have traveled hundreds of kilometers to find her?
The answer was absolutely not. Yukino was out eating with relatives and friends—what business was it of Yuu's to interfere? What if she didn't want to meet him there? Wouldn't that be overly presumptuous?
Not all good intentions need to be accepted. That's why Yuu needed a reason to act. This time was no different.
Like dealing with a sickly fish, if it wouldn't jump out of the water on its own, he couldn't do much more. Even if he tried baiting it, no matter how he cast the line, the fish showed no interest in biting—
Yuu: {At least let me know you're okay, alright? Otherwise, I'll assume you got hit by a Frenzy Boar in-game and report it to the police.}
Seventh message, still unread.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the Host for receiving a reward: 3000 Yen.]
Yet, notifications like this kept appearing, indirectly reflecting Asuna's feelings at the time.
"Fine, rushing things isn't good. Let her have time to calm down."
Suppressing his impatience, Yuu ruffled his hair, deciding to put the matter aside for now.
…In that case, no need to take leave from work today. Time to help out.
But on the way to the café, Kouichirou suddenly called.
"Yuu, my sister said not to worry about her. She's not replying because her phone's having issues. She's fine now, so don't overthink it."
Yuu paused, then gave a faint, amused smile.
"Her phone's having issues?"
What a terrible liar.
As if also finding his sister adorable, Kouichirou burst out laughing but then turned serious.
"Yuu, you're not sending her annoying messages, are you?"
Yuu clicked his tongue. "Hey, do I seem like that kind of guy?"
Kouichirou spoke as if it were obvious. "Hard to say. When it comes to love, guys tend to do stupid things!"
"Like you?"
"…"
After an awkward silence, Kouichirou forcibly changed the topic. "Alright, Tenkuji, you high school kid, let this college student teach you how to talk to girls."
"Did you know? The way to gradually increase your appeal without making her uncomfortable is a profound art…"
"You're too kind." Yuu said brightly, cutting him off with a smile. "But sorry, I'm destined not to stay single forever, so I don't need it."
Even if he wasn't attractive to women, he had Sora to rely on—a thought that was a bit excessive, but at least until Sora liked another guy, it was reasonable for him.
Besides, Sora thought the same. Even if she didn't have a husband to support her, her brother would provide for her forever, never abandoning her. This sibling understanding was unshakable by outsiders.
Of course, Kouichirou didn't know this.
"Destined not to stay single? Haha, you're so confident…"
"I'm busy, so let's stop here. Thanks, informant."
"Who're you calling an informant, jerk!"
Yuu decisively ended the call, opened the chat with Asuna, and sent another message.
Yuu: {How much do you hate me to make Kou-nii pass messages to me…}
With that, half the screen was filled with his messages. Yet, the other side maintained its stance of not reading or replying. It looked like Yuu was harassing a girl with messages, just one step away from being blacklisted.
"Being ignored like this feels really uncomfortable… At our next meeting, I'll definitely ask why."
Pocketing his phone, Yuu fanned the humid, sticky air with his collar and sighed.
The club exhibition was next weekend, Monday at the latest. If Asuna kept ignoring him…
Even if he had to ambush her from the tutoring center to her doorstep, he'd get his online wife back.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Night fell quickly. The darkness was thick, with black clouds hanging low, raindrops seemingly unable to hold back, ready to pour from the high night sky.
Unexpectedly, after Yuu finished dinner and prepared to watch Love Letter by Shunji Iwai, the unresponsive fish finally bit the bait, asking out of the blue:
Asuna: {How can I have the same courage as you?}
"Courage? What's this about…" Yuu was slightly taken aback.
Are all women riddle experts?
But after a moment of confusion, he quickly realized… Clearly, the girl was caught in a whirlpool of confusion, desperately needing someone to guide her out.
So, the emotional consultation expert, who once helped a lost woman find her path, carefully considered and replied:
Yuu: {It's simple—just say one word.}
Asuna: {What word?}
Yuu: {For this mission, will you team up with me to complete it, Asuna?}
If Asuna still longed for that world, if she was willing to cross the boundary between virtual and reality and try to change her life—
Then there was only one answer.
Asuna: {Yes.}
Yuu: {Accepted.}
Yuu nodded in satisfaction, chatted briefly with her, then ended the conversation. To keep it a surprise, he didn't reveal his next steps, instead asking her to stay in touch and wait patiently.
"Finally, I can act."
Yuu stood from his chair, stretching vigorously. The laziness in his body vanished, replaced by a burning excitement.
He gazed at the night outside the window, his eyes bright, the corners of his lips slightly upturned, as if he could see the girl curled up in bed in the thick darkness. Unconsciously, he whispered softly:
"Asuna, from now on, I'll change your life!"
After those words, the room fell silent, as if even the streets were too embarrassed to make a sound.
A moment later, Yuu took a deep breath, quietly covered his face, and crouched down.
"…Damn it."
"From now on, I really need to keep my distance from that Kouichirou, aaaaaaa—!"
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the Host for receiving a reward: Conqueror's Command (Status) One-Time Use.]
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
September 12, Thursday.
After last night's downpour, a drizzle greeted the morning. Autumn rain draped the city like mist, and through the car window, everything looked blurry, like an autumn fog. Umbrellas moved like canopies along the gray streets, water pooling and flowing.
When the lunch break bell rang, Yuu made an excuse to get permission from Hiratsuka and quietly left school early. But after exiting the school gates, he took a detour, heading alone to Ichiyo Gakujuku, about 52 kilometers from Chiba Station.
"Hello, I'm Tenkuji Yuu, a second-year student at Chiba City General High School."
Facing the bewildered Admissions Director, he smiled after speaking, then blinked.
The next moment, his perfect acting subtly filled the air.
"—"
For his goal, Yuu wouldn't hesitate with a side character whose name he couldn't even write. He unleashed a full-powered Word Bullet, spent a little money, and successfully got them to agree to his request.
It didn't take long. After leaving Ichiyo Gakujuku, he found a family restaurant for lunch, flipping through a new tutoring workbook in his hand, waiting for the sun to set behind the clouds.
Everything was ready now—just waiting for the heroine.