About half an hour later.
The waiter cleared the messy cups and plates. Only five drink cups remained on the table. In the private room, silence was the main theme of the night.
"…After that comb suddenly vanished, I regained the lost memories—but only the memories."
Haruno sipped her cappuccino. She looked down, meeting her reflection, and said flatly: "The whole world changed into a new appearance. As if someone had altered the script with a few brushstrokes. Though investigated, there were flaws everywhere, but strangely no one noticed anything wrong."
"As for the trigger for memory recovery, I don't know either. I guess it's because I kept thinking about Yuu-chan even after losing my memories."
After she finished, Yuu added: "Because God erased the fact that you and I knew each other. Without cause, there'd be no effect… or the effect manifests differently. Erase if erasable. Force it to make sense if not. He altered the world crudely like that."
"Then why did the comb remain?" Masuzu asked, brows furrowed. She seemed to dig through her mind: "My feelings now are like Haruno-san's before, but I haven't found any sudden foreign object near me…"
"…This is forbidden." Yuu pressed his lips. He couldn't mention changes from extra time. He could only say helplessly: "Maybe a result of various coincidences combining. I can't confirm the memory recovery reason either. After all, I didn't do anything to affect Haruno."
"Don't be sad. There'll be a chance."
Haruno gently patted Masuzu's shoulder. Like an understanding big sister, she comforted sincerely: "Maybe one day you'll suddenly remember? Even if not, it's fine. Onee-san can introduce you to a rich guy with good character. Guaranteed your dad will be satisfied!"
"Thanks, no need."
While halting her thoughts, Masuzu smiled at her. She said calmly and casually: "At least I know—precisely because I loved Tenkiji-kun so much before losing memories, after losing them I was sad enough to lose my sense of taste… Conversely, Haruno-san seemed very relaxed."
She winked at Haruno as if impressed: "Besides bothering others like a crazy woman daily, you lived quite well without him."
Haruno narrowed her eyes slightly.
"…Bold words from a lowlife pathological stalker. I'm just more mature than you. Unlike you, doing disgusting things in your room every day."
Masuzu casually flipped her shoulder hair.
"Disgusting or not depends on perspective. Anyway, after I recover my memories, please apologize for that stalker comment, former love hallucination patient."
"Fine. Then should I do anything to prevent you from recovering?"
"Do it if you can. I won't let what's mine stay away too long."
"Heh…"
"Hmph…"
Words clashed. Invisible sparks flew.
On the other side, Yuigahama seemed used to this atmosphere. She ignored them. She puffed her cheeks, frowning her small face. She struggled to piece together the cause and effect in her mind.
"So, Yuu-kun first dated Haruno-san as a rental boyfriend. After various events, he left her alone at the hotel and went. Then completed God's task. The world changed. Not just erasing your mutual acquaintance process, but altering everyone's memories except Yuu-kun's, and taking Yuu-kun's feelings for Haruno-san to ease the next task…"
After muttering confirmation, she looked up at Yuu: "What you wanted to tell us in the club room back then, but didn't know how, was this, right?"
"Yes. I was under an outrageously strict silence order." Yuu glanced at Masuzu still arguing with Haruno. He secretly admired her courage: "Even now, I can't detail my dating with Natsukawa-san… Or rather, can't reveal info related to that world line."
"Wo-World line? The scale suddenly feels huge and complicated…" Yuigahama pressed her temples. She showed a troubled expression.
After confirming unraveling every detail and principle was impossible with her intelligence, she shifted to what she could think of. She asked frankly: "So, Masuzu was your next target after breaking up with Haruno-san?"
"No breakup!" Mid-debate, Haruno interjected seriously: "Though the dating fact was erased, Yuu-chan and I never discussed breaking up."
"Mmh mmh!" Yuigahama nodded hard, showing she heard. Her expression unchanged. She continued asking Yuu: "First Haruno-san, then Masuzu, and finally Yukinon?"
"…" Yuu pulled his lip corners with a complicated expression. He didn't answer immediately.
"Eh? Not?" Yuigahama tilted her head slightly.
Yuu covered his face. He sighed: "…Natsukawa-san was the third."
"Who was the second?"
Haruno and Masuzu spoke simultaneously, ahead of Yuigahama. They stared sharply at his face.
Yuu had no intent to hide. As he was about to say, he unconsciously frowned slightly. He said somewhat unhappily:
"This is forbidden… Seems if the person isn't in front of me, I can't say anything related to her. Even elimination method is useless."
This was experience gained betting on an exploding heart.
Honestly, he was used to that pain. If not for time rewinding and forcing speech being useless, this System would've lost ways to threaten him.
Most importantly, luckily only the heart was destroyed, not the balls… Otherwise, no getting used to it. He'd have psychological trauma, never daring to violate System limits again in life.
"Tch, besides this troublesome pervert, there's a third… No, fourth party?"
Haruno didn't know what pain Yuu just endured. While thinking with chin on hand, she also blamed him with her gaze.
Though forced by God, Yuu switching three girlfriends in half a year was undeniable. Who knows if during this period someone did things she hadn't yet…
Thinking this, constant anxiety floated in her heart. Her gaze toward his body gradually turned dangerous.
"Tenkiji-kun, among your four ex-girlfriends, who was closest to you? How far did the farthest go?"
Masuzu thought the same question, less worried. She directly asked what was on her mind: "I haven't gone to the hospital for a special check, so I don't know if I'm still a virgin… If I am, is there a chance God can even repair the hymen?"
"Masuzu, be a bit more polite…" Yuigahama bitter-smiled with a red face. When looking at Yuu, she couldn't help tensing. She waited seriously for his answer.
Stared by the three women, Yuu calmly sighed first.
"Please don't underestimate my integrity, okay? Knowing you'd lose memories, how could I do something irresponsible like that?"
Then, he puffed his chest confidently and said arrogantly:
"Rest assured, I'm still a virgin!"
The three: "…"
Air awkwardly silent for seconds.
Each expression was fascinating. Haruno coughed embarrassedly. Then she turned and asked Yukino: "Yukino-chan, aren't you the lie detector? Is Yuu-chan lying… Yukino-chan?"
"…What is it?"
Yukino froze long, as if just snapping from worried thoughts. She reacted to the current situation.
"Not important, why ask this…" She took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. Those calm dark-blue eyes stared at Yuu. The confused color hardened back to firm light.
"Tenkiji-kun, repeat what you just said."
Yuu looked seriously: "Though I've dated three girls, it doesn't change that I'm still a virgin."
"No lie." After glancing at them, Yukino continued asking: "Besides that, how far?"
Unconsciously, Yuu hesitated to speak.
"…You sure you want to ask that deeply?"
"…"
Yukino gently bit her lip. Regret flashed in her eyes. Her fist on her knee clenched unconsciously. She seemed somewhat confused.
But before she could change her question, Haruno on the other side suddenly raised both hands. She excitedly like an elementary student rushing to answer:
"Me, me, me! Let me say! As detailed as possible. His kissing skills are amazing! Back then he even said it was his first kiss. Who'd believe…"
Masuzu also thoughtfully touched her lips. She murmured loud enough for all: "I see… If I really dated him, kissing would be as natural as breathing, right? Just don't know if it went further…"
As if competitive desire arose, Yuigahama puffed her cheeks. She grumbled somewhat unhappily: "I've kissed him too! And it's the unforgettable kind. Even if further is fine, as long as Yuu-kun takes responsibility…"
The atmosphere chaos-ed over kissing.
"Enough."
And before that, a clear, cold voice suddenly suppressed all others.
As if the private room air instantly froze, everyone unconsciously silenced and stopped. They simultaneously looked to the cold aura source.
"I don't want to hear you sharing kissing experiences, nor know what animal Tenkiji-kun is. If you want to discuss, do it at home. Don't pollute my ears here."
Pressing her brows, Yukino lowered her gaze. She didn't look at anyone, as if thinking hard.
Her jet-black side hair hid her expression. Only a voice like ice peak breaking deadly silence. Clear and coldly piercing the ground.
"So, shut up for a bit!"
It was rough speech full of negative emotion, nearly impossible for past her to say.
Unbearable irritation spilled from shattered ice.
…Just, not everyone was shocked by this sudden emotional explosion.
"Yukino-chan, don't just get angry. How about being honest?"
Her joking expression slowly vanished. Haruno stared with equally cold eyes. She smiled mockingly. Her tone full of sarcasm:
"Feeling disappointed? Jealous? Can't accept? Betrayed?"
"I understand. Because I felt the same. Just hid it better than you."
Seeing her side face shadowed by hand and hair, her cold laugh deepened. Malicious curve appeared at lip corners.
Haruno suddenly lowered her voice, as if deliberately provoking. She said word by word:
"You're his fourth girlfriend. And before this, though unintentional, he's done many things with us that he hasn't with you."
"If the facts that happened didn't vanish, and he didn't lose feelings then, one day when you kiss, he…"
"Enough." Yuu frowned and knocked the table. Just as he was about to stop Haruno—whose intent was unknown and words growing excessive.
Yukino suddenly stood. She coldly stared at him. She scanned the private room again.
Her pink lips tightly closed. Her gaze sharp enough to sting, like a wild cat baring claws and fur standing.
She said nothing more. She just silently took her bag. She turned and walked to the door.
"Yukinon!"
Realizing she seemed to have erred, Yuigahama immediately stood. She hurriedly packed with guilty face to chase.
"Yuigahama-san…" Yukino stopped at the door. She seemed to take a soft breath. She spoke stably: "Sorry, can I go home first?"
"Eh?" Yuigahama slowly halted. She worriedly stared at her slim back. She still wanted to say: "But…"
"Don't worry about me." Cutting without turning, Yukino emotionlessly ordered: "You there, I give you three more seconds."
"Ready, my girlfriend."
Yuu had prepared since the other got angry and stood. He put on his jacket. He rose from the sofa.
"It's fine, I'm with you." After gently comforting Yuigahama, he stroked the ponytail girl's hair. He followed Yukino's steps out of the private room.
During this, he not only didn't glance at Haruno and Masuzu at all, he even held Yukino's hand in front of them, and kicked the private room door closed.
"…"
After both left, the private room fell into heavier silence than before. No one spoke for a while.
Or didn't know what to say.
"…Haaah."
After some time, Masuzu suddenly sighed. She glanced at Haruno.
"Haruno-san, why provoke her for no reason? Wasn't it clear he'd side with which between us two pitiful ex-girlfriends and the current girlfriend? Plus she's your little sister. Isn't that too cruel?"
"Naive child, shut up. Don't question adult decisions."
Her expression calm again, Haruno downed her cappuccino. She casually smacked her lips: "Precisely because she's my sister, she'll listen to some things I say. Otherwise, she'd just think alone and get more confused."
Masuzu raised brows somewhat surprised: "So, you deliberately played the villain earlier?"
"Not entirely."
A calm thin smile returned to her face. Haruno looked at the coffee stain in her cup. She spoke softly thoughtfully: "Masuzu, I'm different from you. I clearly remember the beautiful dating memories, the feeling of loving him, all this without lack…"
"Even after knowing why he did it, my heart still feels uncomfortable, very wanting to destroy their relationship, and find a chance to take Yuu-chan back."
"Wow, so you had such dangerous ideas."
Masuzu couldn't help clicking her tongue. She shrugged surprised: "Though there's reason, your little sister stealing your boyfriend is fact. Not only not obediently calling her sister-in-law, she even gains advantage and acts rude to her big sister here… Tch tch, no wonder you provoked like that. All for revenge."
"Don't judge my noble stomach with your petty heart."
Rolling eyes at her, Haruno set down the coffee cup. She took her bag beside: "My current emotions, Yukino-chan surely feels heavier. Revenge is useless… Honestly, she can still stay this calm, and accept facts unbelievable to normal people calmly. I'm already very surprised."
"So, you're willing to be hated by your sister and her boyfriend, becoming the villain to force her face reality?"
Masuzu stopped her silly reaction. She looked up at her. Her gaze somewhat complicated: "This lioness education method, I don't know if to call you cruel or gentle."
"Neither cruel nor gentle. This is big sister."
Haruno shrugged. She turned to Yuigahama: "Yui-chan."
"Yes!" Still somewhat confused what to do. Hearing someone suddenly call her name, Yuigahama unconsciously shouted. She asked somewhat nervously: "W-What is it?"
"Your reaction is calmer than I imagined."
"Ah?"
Seeing her show a stunned expression, as if thinking Me? Calm? Now?, Haruno couldn't help laughing. But her eyes stared seriously.
"Not now, but earlier. When we discussed the past, I thought you'd be hit hard."
"Uh, that…"
Yuigahama scratched her cheek. She seemed somewhat embarrassed, as if not knowing what to say. But her gaze didn't waver at all. Instead, she looked at Haruno naturally.
"I'm still hit hard. After all, the guy I've liked all this time, turns out dated several times, kissed several times with others, exchanged love words with people I know several times—Impossible not to care after suddenly realizing this fact, right?"
"Especially now he's my boyfriend. Many things to worry about. Various insecurities will keep emerging."
It was probably feelings similar to Yukino's.
Haruno judged so. But the next moment, she saw a thin smile bloom on Yuigahama's face.
"But, maybe the happy feelings are more?"
"Happy?!" Both stared surprised. Masuzu even unconsciously asked: "This can be happy too? Yui, don't tell me you have NTR fetish…"
"Of course not!"
Yuigahama hurriedly denied loudly. But thinking of her efforts to make her friend and boyfriend date, she strangely felt guilty. She averted her gaze. She shouted to cover: "Feeling happy isn't natural? Being able to know what worries Yuu, what confused him all this time, and know more about him, get involved in his life…"
"Though not all good things, at least better than knowing nothing, going home worrying alone, right?!"
"…"
The rude gazes turned to approval. Both saw the ponytail girl slowly calm. They seemed to slightly understand her feelings.
After pausing, Yuigahama took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled.
For some reason, her gaze toward them both contained a bit of pity.
"After all, you two don't know at all, right?"
"What?"
Haruno and Masuzu surprised simultaneously.
Sighing, Yuigahama put on her jacket. She took her things.
As she walked out of the private room, she said softly: "Yukinon and I both saw him struggling, sad, lonely, forcing himself, and fragile."
"I only know now—Dating is a kind of torture for Yuu-kun."
Task start and end are blows to Yuu.
Ordered by God to date someone, even if he truly falls for them in the future, intimately interacts, can they just blame Yuu as playboy or womanizer?
He's the one who feels the pain of feelings and memories revoked most!
So, at least as Yuu's official girlfriend, rather than jealousy, envy, loss, or even starting to plan taking him back alone…
Yuigahama chose to ignore that past. She only focused on his present self. She only thought about him.
"Then I'll go find Yuu-kun and the others. You two enjoy."
After saying it lightly, Yuigahama also left the door.
Leaving only two women staring at each other in the quiet private room. Their expressions complicated. They didn't know what to say.
"Forget it, let's go too?"
"Agreed."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Night, decorative lights on.
Warm light flowed from one end of the amusement park to the other. Medieval-style buildings colored with different festive atmosphere.
Crowd neither too many nor too few. Enough to enjoy cheerful mood, but not overly noisy.
Walking on the brick path, Yuu—holding the girl's small hand—somehow became the one leading. He slowly brought her toward the very distant amusement park gate.
"Yukino, did you know I've only loved you for three days?"
As Yukino's beautiful face somewhat sank in thought, as if searching which sentence to use as opener, Yuu suddenly spoke. His tone light like joking.
Her still pure but dimmer gaze lifted slightly. Yukino answered casually:
"Which three days?"
"Yesterday, today, tomorrow."
"…The day after?"
"Tomorrow I'll say this line again."
Her expression unchanged, Yukino sighed long. She seemed to know he'd say that.
"If your mouth can only say cheap love words like this, my advice is to shut up."
Yuu did close his mouth, but his fingers grew restless—He gently played with her fingertips and palm lines. The force so soft it seemed naughty.
"Ngh…"
Yukino's ears unconsciously tinted pink. Pleasant electric current flowed from nerve ends to heart depths, warming her whole body uncontrollably.
Relying on deep breaths to calm throbbing embarrassment, Yukino bit her lower lip. She pinched his arm with nails in retaliation, but couldn't use much strength.
"Enough, don't think you can trick me like this. And please see the situation, we're still on the main road!"
"I know. Just want to ask if you're not angry anymore?"
Yuu raised his other hand. While flexing five nimble fingers, he said seriously: "If not subsided, I can keep helping massage other acupoints to improve your mood. Rest assured, it won't exceed arm limits."
"Thanks for your kindness, but no need. My emotions are very stable."
After saying helplessly, Yukino shifted her gaze far away. She silently stared at the nighttime amusement park.
Among dim tall buildings, beautiful warm lamp lights formed an exit path. Three couples like them slowly walked hand-in-hand toward the gate ahead, not counting further visitors.
Unconsciously, Yukino thought—
(If Christmas comes, if it snows, a scene like this might be more beautiful.)
(And then, can I still come with him, and be one of these visitor couples?)
(No, even more serious…)
(Then, will I still remember him?)
Yukino bit her lip again. Her breath began hardening into ice from her heart.
"Tenkiji-kun, there are some things I want to ask you."
She suddenly spoke.
Both didn't look at each other, just letting voices enter each other's ears.
"Ask."
"For every task, will you fall in love with your target?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Will your target fall in love with you?"
"Only then can the task complete."
"And after, their memories taken, your feelings pulled back?"
"Only then can I date the next target."
"The fourth too?"
"If no surprises."
"Tch, no worse feeling play than this…"
"Ha, I wish this was just a game. Too bad it's not."
"So, is it still in time if I break up with you now?"
"Hmm… Too late. But still time to start hating me from now."
"…"
Slowly halting steps, Yukino looked up, staring at the bitter smile on Yuu's face.
Her palm suddenly tightened.
She lowered her head and hugged his arm. With slight tremor, a weak voice muffled through his clothes.
"Long too late…"
"Yes, true."
Lowering helpless and gentle gaze, Yuu softly stroked her smooth black hair. As if through his palm's warmth, giving security to this wavering, anxious little cat.
After a while, Yukino spoke again. Her hoarse voice firm and calm.
"Rest assured, I'll definitely complete your request to the end."
"Yes, I'm counting on you."
"But, remember well…"
As if rinsing in her mouth, the soft sweet voice murmured lowly. Yukino suddenly tiptoed. She closed her eyes and neared his ear.
Her lead-powder-like black hair cascaded in the night. As if the whole world at this moment blew a cool gentle breeze because of her.
Softly entering his ear.
"…"
Yuu couldn't help widening eyes. He stood stunned in place.
After finishing, her feet touched ground again. Yukino lightly sighed. Her small face glowed. She returned to her former elegant and firm appearance.
"Can you do it? Swear to me."
Brushing long hair off her shoulder, her lip corners smiled. Those dark-blue eyes stared sharply.
Yuu hesitated briefly. Finally, he frowned as if in difficulty.
"This one, I can only say I can't… I swear I can't do it!"
"…"
Yukino stared silently. As if waiting for him to change his mind, but found no release of his difficult expression.
So as if defeated, she helplessly sighed.
"The one lying blatantly in front of me like this, besides Nee-san, you're the first… And you deliberately lie knowing I'll expose it. Do you think this will touch me more?"
"No, I just thought…" Yuu shook their joined hands. He couldn't help chuckling softly: "If future me doesn't do this, doesn't that mean I didn't break the oath? After all, God doesn't know what I think when swearing."
"Even swearing you find loopholes. You really… Please use this little cleverness for serious things, okay?"
Yukino supported her forehead and heavily sighed. Then she stepped forward, continuing the path they should take.
Yuu followed beside her as usual. He talked harmless small things. Then struggled to survive facing deadly questions.
Like "Though not to the last step, did you do something with them?", or "You knew my big sister only a few days, already planned hotel? If the task time didn't end then, you definitely…". Even questions like "Yuigahama-san won't lose memories, have you planned something with her?".
Yuu could only strive to prove his noble character and unshakable integrity. He prayed that time wouldn't come too soon amid Yukino's mockery and threat-veiled gentleness.
As for what Yukino whispered to him?
It was just a simple promise.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"If one day I forget you, say this to that me—Before proposing breakup, you and I are still dating."