Actually, there was no need for Eriri to continue talking for Yukinoshita Yukino to understand what she wanted to say.
But from the anxious tone and the flustered reaction that could be imagined even through the phone, Yukino could already vaguely guess the gist of what Eriri wanted to tell her next.
After all, there had been so many instances before. Whenever Eriri found herself at a loss, unsure what to do, she would confide in Yukino, seeking advice.
Eriri remained the same as always. Yet the feeling of being relied upon and trusted wasn't unpleasant at all; rather, it brought a subtle sense of satisfaction.
Even so, although Yukino had mentally prepared herself in advance, she couldn't help but frown after hearing the full story from Eriri, unable to simply laugh it off.
Kasumigaoka Utaha actually had Chiyo pretend to be her boyfriend under the pretext of "research"?
Even if it was just pretending, it was still… a relationship, wasn't it? And the latter part was the important thing.
The novelist, skilled with words as she was, indeed showed herself to be both cunning and clever in her arguments—she had managed to twist the concept in such a sly way to satisfy her own mischievous intentions.
"…Yukino, what should I do?" Eriri explained everything she had learned, holding nothing back.
Due to her anxious, flustered state, some parts were even repeated twice.
The calm and composed image she had just shown in front of Rikka, claiming "I don't care," had completely vanished in front of her lifelong friend. Now, her true fragile self was fully exposed.
She removed her sunglasses, revealing tearful eyes.
"Don't worry, Eriri. I understand the situation. It's not actually that big a deal. Let me think for a moment."
Her morning plans of washing up and reading aloud had to be put on hold.
After comforting her friend, Yukino sat on the edge of her bed, pressing her fingers to her brow.
On the other end of the line, Eriri obediently responded with a quiet "Mm," holding her breath and saying nothing further.
She entrusted all her worries and anxiety to Yukino, leaning on her as a source of strength, and instantly felt lighter.
But Yukino's mood at this moment was far from as relaxed as her voice had suggested.
Ever since she first met Kasumigaoka Utaha, Yukino had already formed some judgments through subtle observation and her intuitively sharp female instincts.
Because of her possessiveness toward a certain someone, before she even realized it, her emotions had automatically positioned themselves in opposition to Kasumigaoka, thinking that maintaining polite civility on the surface would be sufficient.
But that was as far as it went. There was absolutely no possibility of their relationship developing further.
Yukino assumed that Kasumigaoka's perception of her was probably the same.
All of this, after all, was because of Chiyo. They wouldn't have met otherwise.
And because of him, even though they were aware of each other's feelings and thoughts, they restrained themselves, keeping all their silent rivalries hidden.
Now, however, one party's action had shattered that balance.
Yukino truly disliked this kind of back-and-forth intrigue, like some palace drama—it was simply contrary to her personality and style. It felt silly.
Yet, knowing what she now did, she couldn't help but react in some way.
She remembered that summer fireworks night, standing apart from him.
Amid the bustling crowd, under the beautiful fireworks, their eyes met.
He smiled like the sun, moving his lips to silently say, "Please take care of me for the rest of our lives."
Damn him…
Come to think of it, it was all his fault!
Yukino didn't think Chiyo, with his intelligence, wouldn't realize that Kasumigaoka's attention wasn't really on the research, but on him personally.
He could have refused, which would have spared her all this frustration.
Yet he agreed, performing a so-called "research" task that was really nothing more than a flirtatious favor.
All because he was kind-hearted…
Whenever someone needed help, he couldn't resist offering it—just as he had always done since childhood.
Or perhaps…
He didn't agree solely due to Kasumigaoka's one-sided request, but because there had been a mutual understanding… a tacit, shared willingness.
Yukino wanted to believe it was the first possibility, but her thoughts inevitably wandered to the second.
As a result, her usually calm and analytical mind became agitated.
From innocent kindergarten days, to the companionship of elementary school, nearly a decade of growing up together—the weight of their friendship, could it really be outweighed by someone Chiyo had known for only two years?
Yukino had truly believed that her three years abroad would make little difference.
After graduating middle school, she returned, and nothing would have changed much.
Yet now, that confidence was crumbling.
"Um… Yukino, are you still there?"
Eriri's cautious voice came through the phone.
She wasn't impatient; class was almost over, and there were only two minutes left before the next session—she simply couldn't wait any longer.
Yukino shook herself out of her spiraling thoughts and took a shallow breath, careful not to let Eriri sense the complex emotions brewing inside her.
She spoke in the same light, easy tone as before.
"I'm here. Sorry, I was thinking for a bit longer than expected… but I do have some ideas."
Despite all the worries swirling in her mind, one thing was indisputable:
Like Eriri, Yukino didn't want whatever was happening between Kasumigaoka and Chiyo to continue smoothly.
With that goal set, the remaining steps were quite simple.
"…Actually, Eriri, since you're also a creator like Kasumigaoka, you can request Chiyo's help for the same reason she did."
The path to success for herself was difficult.
But to obstruct someone else, to complicate the plans of a sly fox entering midway, was remarkably easy.
Yukino only offered a subtle hint, and Eriri's mind immediately opened up.
Even a few words were enough for her to understand much.
Indeed, there was nothing to worry about.
She just needed to boldly step into the fray and muddy the waters herself!
There was just one thing—she had to ask Chiyo directly…
That part made Eriri shy.
But then she realized: if she hesitated now, wouldn't it be fulfilling that black-silk lady's wishes entirely?
She couldn't retreat—absolutely couldn't.
Not just for herself, but for Yukino, far away overseas.
While she was gone, Eriri would guard everything, ensuring that when Yukino returned, their trio's relationship remained just as it had been in elementary school.
In their childhood friendship circle, Yukino's place remained secure.
The wonderful past, just as it had always been, remained unchanged.
After the call, Eriri felt as though she had taken a revitalizing tonic.
The sense of helplessness, hesitation, and self-doubt that had weighed on her dissipated.
The fog ahead lifted, her vision cleared, and she radiated an unstoppable momentum once more.
"Rikka! Rikka! I have a question for you!" After the second class in the afternoon, Eriri rushed over to Rikka's desk.
"What is it?"
Rikka stretched wide and yawned.
Math class had been torturous—dry, boring points had made her sleepy, her head resting on her hand, slowly nodding.
But it was now the important stage of third-year middle school, so she forced herself to stay awake, constantly encouraging herself mentally.
"Does Chiyo have any plans after school today?"
"Today? Seems like he doesn't. Actually, he rarely has plans except on weekends, since he's focusing on that… sci-fi literature award thing."
"Ah… so after school, he'll just go home?"
"Yeah, that's right." Rikka nodded, then her expression quickly turned teasing: "Hmm, Eriri, you need something from my brother?"
"Yes, I have a little problem and was thinking if he could help me out…" Eriri said shyly.
Rikka immediately perked up:
"Eh! What kind of favor?"
"Well… it's hard to explain."
"Come on, we don't hide things from each other. Tell me, and I can even help you ask my brother."
"Just a bit embarrassing…"
"Nothing to be embarrassed about. We know each other inside out!"
Not just referring to the bathroom incident that morning, but the time they had bathed together, shared a bed…
Fully awake, Rikka realized the classroom was full of people, so she grabbed Eriri's hand and led her out immediately.