Though she smiled, tears streamed from the corners of her eyes.
The tears were clear and transparent, like her eyes reflecting Yuu's face.
"But you keep holding me tightly. You don't let me feel inferior or retreat. You block my way out with your love confession… Why did you do that?! What am I supposed to do? How could I possibly accept your confession?"
As if explaining, yet also complaining, Masuzu lay in his arms, her voice trembling:
"Love is just a transaction. You give ten percent of your love, but you might only get five percent back. Worse, you give a hundred percent, but don't even get one percent in return."
"Once you give your love to the wrong person, you lose everything. When this balance can't be maintained, love becomes a blind act… Yes, like my mother."
She bit her lip hard. Her small hands clenched in front of his collar.
"Those involved often don't realize it. They're already sinking in mud, yet they keep thinking they're happy."
"They've failed, but still believe they've succeeded—that's the scariest part of this transaction!"
That's why, on that day, Masuzu said with disgust:
"Loving foolishly, making irresponsible promises, spending time with laughter that only brings temporary joy—it's like drugs, religion, or a pyramid scheme luring people to fall—Hah! How ridiculous. Why would I accept that trash called love?"
"Let those who want to drown do so. But I politely refuse. Don't try to force that fake beauty on me. It just makes me sick!"
Because she saw it with her own eyes, she hated it deeply.
Because she suffered so much, she rejected it fiercely.
"…How could someone like me, who thinks this way, accept your love confession?"
Her beautiful face looked utterly distraught.
Masuzu raised her red eyes, sniffling through her clogged nose. Her lips were swollen from biting. Only occasional sobs broke the silence.
"I don't want you to leave. I don't want to be apart from you. I want to be together forever, even if it means going to hell with you…"
"Why did you have to date me? Why did you deliberately say those words? Why did you force me to reject you? Why…"
As if something was stuck in her throat, she sobbed for a long time. Then, she wailed weakly:
"Why… did you have to love someone like me…"
Yuu closed his eyes and held her tighter.
Her soft, delicate body felt feverish. Masuzu trembled with intense emotions, rubbing against his clothes. Her broken sobs echoed in his ears.
But Yuu knew these weren't tears of sadness.
More than regret or suffering, Masuzu was forcing herself to make a choice. She had to pull her feet from the nails embedded deep in the ground and step forward.
"No need to ask."
Smiling, Yuu thought to himself.
(You can do it, Masuzu.)
(You can wear safety shorts for me. You can take the initiative to befriend Yui. You can also share everything from your past…)
(Stepping forward is easy for you, isn't it?)
"Because I want you to love me more. I want you to stop showing that sad, hateful expression. I want you to stop always being alone…"
Resting his chin on her forehead, breathing in the scent of her hair, Yuu said with a smile:
"So, as payment for that transaction, I love you."
Her sobs and trembling slowly stopped.
The sound of the wind suddenly became clear. Their breaths intertwined, blending with the bright, star-filled night.
Yuu let go of her hands. He stroked Masuzu's head, speaking cheerfully:
"Love isn't just a bundle of positive emotions. It's a process of hurting each other, reconciling, and improving yourselves… There may be failed transactions, but there are also many successful ones. If you keep being afraid to touch it, how will you know what answer you'll get?"
He lowered his head, lifting her chin to meet her beautiful, teary eyes, which had stopped crying. His gaze was earnest.
"Rather than regret doubting, it's better to regret believing."
"Masuzu, will you choose doubt or belief?"
"…"
Through her blurry vision, Masuzu stared at his face, so close to hers.
Doubt or belief?
Was there even a question? After seeing what happened to her mother, who would be foolish enough to believe in something as vague as love…
But she wanted to believe in him.
She wanted to believe Yuu would always be by her side.
She wanted to believe Yuu would always give her warm embraces.
She wanted to believe Yuu would always look at her with these gentle eyes.
She wanted to believe that when Yuu was at his loneliest and saddest, she'd rush to him and be his pillar.
These thoughts were so strong that even November's cold wind couldn't cool them. They spread rapidly from the depths of her heart, gradually strengthening her hands and feet.
"I…"
Masuzu bit her lip until it paled. But in her teary eyes, a light gradually emerged, and her expression grew stronger.
—Yui Yuigahama's words flashed through her mind now.
(Why don't you try acting according to your heart! After that, maybe you can name the feelings you have now.)
(So, what's the name of this feeling?)
What was the name of this warmth filling her chest?
No longer empty, no longer lonely.
The thing born because of him seemed to be—
"I love you, Yuu."
As the wind stopped, their lips met, their breaths drawing closer.
Under the moon, a joyful smile bloomed with love.
Like a delicate flower blooming under moonlight, romantic and pure, so beautiful it stopped the heart.
Yuu opened his eyes, not missing a second of this beauty.
The warmth from her lips filled his heart, making him feel once again—
Loving someone completely was such a joyful thing.
Yuu smiled. To not disturb the beauty of this moment, he slowly closed his eyes.
(I love you too, Masuzu.)
[Ding!]
[Natsukawa Masuzu's emptiness has been filled.]
[Congratulations, Host has completed the task.]
[Mission rewards can be settled immediately. If not settled by 6 a.m. on November 12th, the system will automatically initiate settlement.]
[Warning: The settlement process cannot be canceled. Once settlement is initiated, you cannot leave the settlement space until the world is fully repaired.]