Meanwhile, in Fiona's domain—
Fiona clasped her hands like a delighted fangirl.
"Aww~ What a cute scene! I'd give that a 9 out of 10. Not bad, Akirito. Not bad at all~."
Akirito's heart pounded. No! This isn't the time to be flustered. I need to win her heart…
He took a deep breath, then gently wrapped his arms around Miko.
"Even if I don't know what the future holds," he whispered, "as long as I'm here… I'll always love you."
Miko's eyes shimmered with emotion. Tears slid down her cheeks, and she smiled through them.
"Thank you… Akirito-kun."
But as the sun dipped below the horizon, Akirito's thoughts darkened.
Why am I even doing this…?I'm only pretending. Just playing along to escape that witch's twisted game...But then why… why does my heart feel this way…?
And elsewhere, watching closely—
Fiona narrowed her eyes.
"Hmmm… seems like he's still aware of what's real and what's not." She leaned back in her dark throne, licking her lips. "Let's see how far you'll go, darling. This is only the beginning. And I won't lose to you… not yet~."
The next morning arrived with soft sunlight peeking through the curtains.
Akirito slowly opened his eyes, still feeling the lingering warmth of the kiss from the day before. For a brief moment, he forgot he was inside a fabricated reality.
After getting ready, he stepped out of the house to head for university. As he walked, his phone buzzed in his pocket.
A message from Miko.
"Please… can you come to the park after your class?"
Akirito stared at the screen for a moment.
She wants to meet again…?
He typed back quickly:
"Sure, I will."
A small smile crept onto his lips.
Even if it's fake… as long as I'm here, I'll enjoy it. I'll make this story better than Fiona's. I have to.
Evening came.
The sky turned orange as the sun dipped below the horizon. Akirito walked into the park with steady steps, looking around.
There she was.
Miko stood under a tree, her hands clenched, her expression gloomy.
Akirito approached her. "Miko… are you okay?"
She didn't meet his eyes. Her voice trembled.
"No… I'm not, Akirito."
His chest tightened. "Why? What happened? If you need help, I'm here for you."
He gently reached for her hand.
But instead of finding comfort in his touch, Miko pulled away sharply. Her eyes flared with emotion.
"Stop it!" she shouted. "I… I don't like this anymore."
The sudden rejection struck him like a punch.
"W-What…? But, Miko—didn't we promise we'd stay together?" His voice cracked with panic.
"I know what I said," she muttered, eyes full of sorrow. "But… my parents won't agree. Please forgive me… and forget me."
Akirito's heart sank.
No… no no no... if I don't win her heart, I'll lose the stage!
His voice trembled. "But…"
In her shadowy domain, Fiona was watching.
Her laughter echoed through the void like thunder.
"Ahahahaha!! Look at that! A perfect twist of tragedy. How will you fix this, darling?"
She grinned devilishly at Akirito's suffering on the screen.
"Feel that heartbreak, brat. Let's see your next move."
Back in the park, Akirito stared at Miko, desperation welling in his chest.
"No, Miko… I can't let you walk away. I love you! I always have!" he shouted.
"I know!" Miko yelled back. "But I just can't—!"
"Why!?" Akirito grabbed her hand again. "Didn't you kiss me yesterday? Didn't you say we'd be together!?"
Damn it… I have to win her heart, fast! Or Fiona wins this stage!
But Miko lowered her eyes and whispered coldly:
"I did. But forget that. I… don't love you anymore."
Those words hit harder than anything Fiona could've thrown at him.
A single tear trailed down from Akirito's right eye.
"I see…" he said quietly. "I've been rejected. I lost this stage… just like the witch wanted."
Miko turned and ran, her figure growing smaller and smaller…
Until she vanished into the distance.
And in that instant—
the entire world cracked.
Like fragile glass, the fabricated reality shattered around him, glowing shards falling into the void.
-Stage failed-