Yuu 636-640

Title: Is This the Secret Code to Heaven?

Yuu gazed at her in surprise, but was only met with a calm and gentle smile.

“...It’s fine.”

He only hesitated for a moment and immediately agreed frankly.

Since he didn’t refuse before, and now after his memories recovered, he of course wouldn’t refuse this small request.

Wasn’t it natural for an underclassman to want to act spoiled with him?

What? You say isn’t it a bit improper to let an underclassman act spoiled like this when he already has a girlfriend?

Tsk, tsk, tsk, you dirty-minded people!

Only you all think lewdly about the pure friendship between senior and junior. Believe it or not, even if Iroha saw them hugging with her own eyes, as long as Yuu explained properly, she wouldn’t consider it cheating?

Yuu felt his conscience was clear, and a grand spirit of righteousness emerged from the bottom of his heart!

Since there was no reason to refuse, he honestly extended his arms, signaling to Kanade beside the piano bench to come closer.

“Thank you.”

Kanade didn’t know what the other party was thinking. She floated to his side like a feather, until they both could feel each other’s skin temperature.

Her hands were politely placed on her thighs. Her legs under her uniform skirt slightly pressed against him. Her upper body leaned toward his arm, resting comfortably like a swallow returning to its nest.

Then she stopped moving and closed her eyes with satisfaction.

“Is this enough?” Yuu asked unconsciously.

“It’s enough.” Kanade nodded. Her soft silver hair touched his chest. At such close distance, various pleasant aromas rushed into his nose.

Yuu said nothing more. He just stroked her head, then gently placed his hand on her other shoulder.

“As long as you’re happy.”

The atmosphere naturally became silent.

Even while hugging like this, there was no romantic atmosphere at all.

His heart didn’t race because of it, and he also didn’t think improper thoughts. His heart was very calm.

Yuu relaxed his unconsciously tense body. He slightly leaned his upper body back so the girl could lie more comfortably. He himself also closed his eyes lazily.

He didn’t care what her purpose was. He also didn’t want to think about when she would leave...

Only at this moment, only in this quiet world.

As her senior, he just lent his chest to the underclassman who had struggled alone for so long.

Morning light penetrated the glass, covering them both with a golden blanket.

Time seemed to stop. In this infinite warmth, consciousness gradually fell into an ocean of drowsiness. Unconsciously, one forgot the frequency of breathing, and only two overlapping heartbeats were heard pulsing in the chest.

Yuu opened his eyes slightly dazed. He saw a butterfly struggling to flap its wings, flying toward him on a path lined with dawn light.

He unconsciously released the girl’s shoulder. He slowly extended his hand toward the butterfly, wanting to let it perch on his finger.

“After I leave, Kanade will wake up again in her bed.”

Yuu’s finger stopped in mid-air. His gaze immediately became clear. He looked at the head on his chest in shock.

“What?”

“Perhaps Dad, Mom, and Iroha who are worried about my existence will feel strange. At that time, I’ll have to trouble Yuu-senpai to help me explain.”

“...”

As if realizing something, Yuu suddenly fell silent.

Not minding his reaction, Kanade just pressed her ear to his heart. After sighing in relief, in a place he couldn’t see, she showed the bright smile she rarely displayed.

“Yuu, I’m truly happy to have met you!”

“Goodbye forever.”

“I want to eat your homemade mapo tofu again...”

That voice sounded softly.

The weight on his chest suddenly disappeared. Yuu unconsciously extended his hand to hug her, but only caught a piece of golden light and the remaining gentle aroma.

The existence listening to his heartbeat suddenly vanished.

He stared at his empty chest in confusion. Although he was already prepared, although he knew that what left was just a ghost from a past world line.

However, a deep feeling of loss flooded his lungs, making his breathing difficult.

This farewell was unexpectedly suffocating.

“Kanade...”

Amidst a sigh, the girl’s name accidentally escaped his lips.

Yuu slowly clenched his hand. He pursed his lips. That fragile expression was immediately replaced by composure.

He didn’t linger sunk in such sadness. He immediately rubbed his cheeks vigorously, encouraging himself.

“Ah, ah, embarrassing... I didn’t even say goodbye to her properly.”

While murmuring self-reproach, Yuu raised his gaze with a smile on his lips, pretending to be casual, “She just returned to where she should go. I also must keep fighting toward the future!”

The past would remain in the past.

It would become memories, become courage to encourage himself, but wouldn’t slow his steps.

Because a future happier than anyone’s still waited for the current him to create it.

Although he couldn’t see it, as long as it was a promise he made with his own mouth, Yuu would complete it for her.

So, no need to be sad over parting.

There were still many chances to meet her, waiting for him in the future.

At that moment, the corner of his eye caught small wing flaps.

That butterfly finally flew from the window to before him. Yuu smiled and extended his hand, letting it perch on his fingertip.

“Are you not afraid of people, or is my charm something even butterflies can’t avoid?”

He praised himself as usual. He hadn’t even had time to observe the butterfly’s appearance or guess its species.

His phone suddenly rang.

Even so, the butterfly still perched on his fingertip, not disturbed by the phone ringing to fly away.

Surprise emerged momentarily, but Yuu didn’t mind this small matter. He looked at the caller’s name and couldn’t hold back from slightly widening his eyes. He said, “Hmm?” with slight confusion.

“Sora? Why is she calling at this time...”

He thought it was Iroha who had waited too long at home and was calling to ask about the situation. Turns out it was his little sister who was handling that evil cow monster and couldn’t leave temporarily...

Was there an urgent matter Sora hadn’t told him yet?

He guessed anxiously, his expression slightly serious. Yuu quickly pressed the answer button.

“Sora? Why—“

Before he finished his words, he was already covered by the girl’s shrill angry voice.

“Yuu! Wherever you are now, be careful of butterflies made of paper, don’t get close to them!”

“Ah, huh?”

Yuu opened his mouth wide. Before having time to react, his eyes unconsciously looked toward the butterfly on his fingertip.

Whether it was because its color faded or the illusion magic gradually disappeared, that butterfly that looked very normal, when morning light was covered by clouds and the air became slightly dim, revealed its most real form.

Like a sheet of paper torn from a notebook, folded into a butterfly shape with flexible skill. Its form was like flower petals, its wings slightly angled, and antennae and insect legs were drawn on it because they couldn’t be folded.

Amidst his sister’s growling voice, Yuu blinked in disbelief, watching that paper butterfly flap its wings again, as if waving.

“Damn Kasumigaoka Utaha, how could she contact people outside...”

“Kasumigaoka Utaha?” Hearing the familiar name, Yuu’s attention unconsciously shifted from the butterfly, “You mean the one who often appeared in your videos...”

“Right, the person who already liked you in many world lines but never succeeded, even once killed by a love rival!”

After introducing her in an angry tone, Sora suddenly fell silent, then raised her voice as if just realizing something. She almost couldn’t hold back from cursing.

“Damn! I was wondering why this person could enter the trial world. Turns out she’s the losing dog Kanade pitied and gave ten percent Light Orb power as a consolation prize?!”

“After calculating a thousand times, I didn’t expect to be betrayed by a teammate... Damn, is Kanade near you? Tell her to answer my call!”

Yuu: “...”

Hearing that sentence, he who had wanted to complain only sighed softly, “She’s already gone. Returned to the past, to her world.”

“...”

Sora who had been angry also fell silent.

“I see? That person...” After several moments, she murmured, “Finally willing to rest properly. But she left without telling me, I’ll sue her later...”

Although her tone was complaining, Yuu could hear relieving relief and some loneliness difficult to hide.

She seemed not to want to be too depressed before him, and deliberately said casually, “Needless to say, she surely left while smiling, right?”

“Perhaps so.” Although not seeing Kanade’s expression before leaving, recalling the last words she uttered, Yuu still smiled.

“She said she wanted to eat my homemade mapo tofu... She even mentioned her favorite food at the end, how could she show a sad expression?”

“That’s good then.” Sora who couldn’t immediately feel happy just snorted softly, then suddenly fell silent for a moment.

Yuu waited but Sora didn’t speak. He couldn’t hold back from asking worriedly, “What’s wrong?”

“I say, Yuu...” Sora asked in a heavy tone, “Earlier we should have been discussing something very urgent, right? Why did it suddenly switch to Kanade’s topic...”

“Oh, that.” Yuu flicked his finger and realized he couldn’t remove this miraculous creature made of paper. “Because it’s too late. When you called, she was already perched on my fingertip, and now stuck to me.”

But strangely, although Sora sounded anxious like there was a ninja using paper jutsu, folding butterflies made of explosive talismans to kill him.

Yuu didn’t feel any danger from this butterfly. On the contrary, he somehow felt very familiar with it. An inexplicable feeling of familiarity flooded his heart.

If not so, Yuu would have already crushed this butterfly and thrown it out the window, ensuring his safety as quickly as possible.

“...”

The phone was silent as a grave.

Yuu saw he couldn’t get rid of that butterfly. He decided to activate speaker and placed his phone aside. He pinched the paper wings, furrowing his brows while observing its folds.

“Can you tell me what happened? What danger is this butterfly? And what’s its relationship with Kasumigaoka Utaha?”

However, Sora didn’t explain. She just sighed hoarsely, as if feeling dizzy.

“As you said, it’s too late...”

“What’s wrong?”

Yuu froze in place. Just as he was about to turn toward his phone, he realized the butterfly in his hand began to move.

But that wasn’t a movement to break free from his fingertip, but rather a transformation—it slowly opened its wings and body, changing from an origami butterfly into a white A4 sheet of paper.

On that white paper, written in a row of names that looked like a menu, with beautiful handwriting yet somewhat hurried.

[Yukinoshita Haruno] [Yuuki Asuna] [Natsukawa Masuzu] [Yukinoshita Yukino] [Kasumigaoka Utaha]

“What is this?”

Yuu suddenly recalled Father Pucci. Could this be the secret code to heaven?

Below there was still one more line. He wasn’t so foolish as to read it aloud. He just looked at it in confusion.

[Keys have been gathered, use this as a door, write the miracle that changes fate!]

Before confusion emerged in his mind.

Strong light radiated from above, dazzling the unprepared Yuu. He unconsciously stepped back two steps and shouted with slight panic:

“W-wait, what is this... Sora, please explain to Iroha—“

That voice didn’t last long.

The music room gradually returned to silence. There was no one before the piano. Only the piano bench with remaining warmth and the phone still connected could prove someone’s presence there.

After a long while, a soft sigh came from the phone.

“Whatever, do whatever you want... If you fail, that’s also your own business.”

“At most, just reset time once more.”

The call disconnected.

Morning light floated in the room. The phone screen went dark again. Although incoming call notifications from Iroha lit up again, from this moment on, no one could answer it anymore.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Some time ago, the real world.

Five girls surrounded a laptop on the table. They looked at the hurried handwriting appearing on it with their respective complex gazes.

“Do you know how my life is here?”

“I don’t see sunlight, can’t connect to the internet. Besides writing and playing games, I can’t do anything... Most importantly, I don’t need to eat or go to the toilet. I don’t even get my period anymore!”

“Sounds good, right? But you’ll know how bad it feels to no longer be human if you experience it yourselves... I’d surely have gone crazy if not for my good mentality.”

“That person doesn’t allow me to see dates. So I count time based on how many times I sleep. I’ve slept thirty times since I entered here, and only now finally saw your messages.”

“Really, I’m still very annoyed remembering it. If only I could beat her, I’d definitely bla bla bla and bla bla bla...”

“Phew, after complaining to others, my mood indeed improved.”

“In that case, let’s start discussing important business.”

“...Still there, right? Don’t let people leave, okay?”

-

Title: Utaha: We Unite!

From every line of writing, her extreme dissatisfaction with the current situation was clearly visible.

Everyone exchanged glances, then simultaneously looked at Utaha who was sleeping peacefully on the sofa, wearing the virtual diving device. It was hard to imagine that her consciousness was currently suffering in the virtual world, and had even spent about a month there.

In the real world, not even half an hour had passed. Could there really be such a thing as spiritual time-space...

“Answer her first, or I think she’ll start raging again,” Masuzu suggested while folding her arms as if watching a show.

Yukino set aside her doubts temporarily. She took a pen and wrote neatly on white paper.

【Since you put on that virtual diving device, less than half an hour has passed here. Besides being helpless about the current situation, no other accidents have occurred. How about you? —Writer: Yukino】

“Is that note at the back necessary?” Haruno couldn’t hold back from snarking.

Utaha immediately wrote a reply, even giving a rushed impression.

【The time rate is very different? Seems that person was right, no need to worry about waking up and finding oneself has aged several years】

Yukino thought for a moment. Rather than waiting for her who liked small talk to answer their doubts, it was better for them to take the initiative to ask the parts they wanted to know, to more efficiently understand the current situation completely.

After several more written exchanges with Utaha who very much wanted to chat, they finally entered Q&A mode.

Yukino: 【Who is that person? Where are you now?】

Utaha: 【Can’t write it. Things related to her will be censored. Even if I give hints indirectly, it won’t work. I’m currently in her room.】

“The mastermind behind the scenes is a woman. And looking at Utaha-chan’s earlier complaints, toward her she seems quite good to her,” Haruno touched her chin lightly, and casually concluded, “She can still play games, write novels, and she also told her about the time rate difference. Clearly she doesn’t want to make her easily broken.”

“Perhaps she also wants to enjoy the feeling of destroying her slowly. Someone who detains others must be a very evil villain, right?”

Masuzu never hesitated to make the worst guesses, especially for things unrelated to her.

Yukino: 【Have you met Tenkuji-kun yet? How is his condition now?】

Utaha: 【Not yet. But it seems his safety doesn’t need to be worried about... This is a guarantee from that person.】

Seeing this sentence, Yukino couldn’t hold back a sigh of relief.

Haruno whistled beside her, mocking, “Already calm? Yukino-chan really worries about him~”

“...”

Yukino’s pen tip stopped. She narrowed her eyes at her older sister, there was freezing ice in her eyes. Her tone was also impolite.

“If you have spare time to mock here, you’d better do something that contributes to the current situation. If you really can’t think of anything, there’s a broom over there, helping clean the house is also fine.”

This tone not only positioned herself as the mistress of this house, but also commanded her sister like a servant...

(Yukino-chan is really getting bolder.)

The corners of Haruno’s lips twitched slightly. Before her eyes became sharp, she calmed her emotions by taking a deep breath, and returned to her relaxed appearance.

After all, now wasn’t the time for sister confrontation. She also wouldn’t speak carelessly without regarding the situation like Masuzu—what happened earlier didn’t count, that was purely instinct to tease her own little sister.

After all, even if she was silent, there was no such thing as something contributing to the current situation she could do.

At most just analyzing information provided by Utaha, and she had already done that from the beginning.

“This isn’t mocking, I’m also very worried about him.”

After answering perfunctorily, Haruno half-closed her eyes, as if she was too lazy to continue the conversation.

Yukino sighed helplessly and shook her head. She immediately shifted her gaze and continued asking Utaha.

Yukino:【Can you tell in detail about the things you experienced? Try to write all the details. If it can’t be written, you can use symbols or pronouns.】

Utaha: 【Alright. But I’m not sure when that person will return. If she finds this notebook’s existence, she’ll definitely confiscate it.】

Yukino set aside her pen temporarily, watching the black letters on white paper gradually increase. Following the weighty and emotional narrative style, an experience not too complex gradually unfolded in her mind.

After the game listening device was turned on, she opened and closed her eyes, and arrived at the mastermind behind the scenes’ room.

That person’s true identity was very shocking to her. When she tried to negotiate and exchange information, she was firmly refused. She learned from that black screen important information like Yuu wouldn’t be in danger in the trial, and that side deliberately didn’t let them several people enter to help.

Reportedly, that side also mentioned a very important secret about Yuu, but it couldn’t be written in the notebook. At most she could say it was a big secret related to God’s true identity.

From that moment on, Utaha never obtained new information from that black screen.

She only knew that besides leaving the room for three normal meals, the remaining time was spent in front of the computer working on something. However, no matter whether Utaha peeked or approached openly, she couldn’t see what was displayed on the screen. She was even mocked by that side, telling her not to waste effort doing useless things.

Inside the room, without a way to leave, and unable to contact the outside world, Utaha could only live continuously repeating days like playing games, writing, sleeping, doing yoga, and trying to escape but failing.

She couldn’t see dates there. Outside the window was always groundless darkness, without sunrise or sunset. So she could only count time based on her biological clock, about a month.

Such peaceful life only experienced a slight change today.

Some time ago, that black screen left in a hurry, and hadn’t returned for a long time—this clearly wasn’t a daily situation like going down to eat. Although she didn’t know what happened, Utaha sharply took advantage of this opportunity, and tried various escape methods more boldly than usual.

【The network still doesn’t connect. Doors and windows can’t be opened. Digging an exit in the floor with a spoon also didn’t work. Trying to touch her computer, even destroying it, will be repelled by invisible force... I also ran out of ideas, only then thought to build contact with you all using this notebook. I also didn’t place much hope for success.】

Utaha drew a shrugging emoticon while sighing.

【Heh, is this what’s called every difficulty has a way out? Initially I planned to just surrender to that person if this time still had no results. But I didn’t expect new hope would really appear.】

Yukino replied after thinking for a moment.

Yukino: 【I understand. Thank you for your help. Please give us time to discuss for a bit, then we’ll think together how to break this deadlock.】

Utaha: 【Better hurry. I’m tense like a spy here. If discovered, I’ll despair. Regarding breaking the deadlock... Honestly, I still feel it’s impossible, but what if it succeeds? Hopefully this notebook can create a miracle for us.】

As she wrote that sentence, Yukino had already put down her pen and turned to discuss with the others.

“The situation is basically clear, right? Does anyone not understand?”

Since they were all genius girls and women with excellent academic grades and smart minds, several of them shook their heads, stating they fully understood all information provided by Utaha.

Of course, understanding was understanding. There were still several important points needing discussion.

As for the remaining Sora... She seemed to already plan to hand over all problems to the girlfriends to handle. She was now stroking Yuu’s head and began to fall asleep with slightly closed eyes on the sofa.

Asuna quietly stood up, covered them with her jacket, making sure she didn’t wake her. She couldn’t hold back a relieved smile.

“Alright, I’ll mention several things I care about.”

Haruno raised her hand. She drew everyone’s warm attention focused on the sleeping siblings’ faces. Her gaze was calm and rational. Clearly she thought more seriously about important matters than anyone.

She unconsciously lowered her voice but maintained her volume like before, “First, information about the black screen, or trial administrator.”

“From Utaha-chan’s words, that side is a not-too-old human woman, needs to eat, and antagonizes us from Yuu-chan’s perspective. Although she has great power in the trial, she’s not a god who can do anything and is omniscient.”

After all, she didn’t even notice Utaha hiding the notebook, which sufficiently proved that side still had gaps.

Masuzu suddenly asked back, “Other things are fine. How do you know she’s not too old?”

Haruno glanced at her calmly.

“Giving Utaha-chan games to pass time, plus only mocking her for failing to escape—these two points can conclude her age is around sixteen to twenty-five years old, proficient in using computers, has an otaku nature, and her temperament seems not too good.”

“That detailed, huh...” Masuzu was speechless.

(This person, what great detective did she come from?)

She was also too lazy to keep asking how to obtain so much information, after all it was just a guess. No matter how hard they debated it, no one there could provide the correct answer.

She then shrugged her shoulders, signaling Haruno to continue.

Haruno looked at the drowsy Sora, “For specific appearance, you all can use her as reference.”

“Wait, I disagree with that sentence!”

Yukino couldn’t hold back a furrow. Slight dissatisfaction crossed her blue eyes. She tried to explain for Sora, “Regardless of Sora-chan’s motives, she’s been with us from start to finish, and she doesn’t know as much as we do. How could she be the black screen...”

Haruno folded her arms across her chest. Her gaze was colder than Yukino’s, “Ap-pear-ance, Ref-er-ence. Please listen to my words clearly before asking questions, Yukino-chan.”

“...”

Yukino knew she was wrong. She bit her lip lightly, looked away, and stopped talking.

“Next is about the trial.” Her gaze shifted from her sister. She tapped her elbow with her fingers. Rather than sharing information, Haruno was more like talking to herself to facilitate organizing information, “It’s known that Yuu-chan won’t face any danger under black screen’s protection. That side refuses outside interference, and there’s a very large time rate difference between trial and reality.”

“Then we must face one problem—is it really necessary to keep interfering, like Inuit people’s efforts to move penguins to the North Pole because worrying about Antarctic penguin safety, busying ourselves without results here.”

The so-called changing fate, from start to finish was something specific to Utaha. It had no relation at all to them left behind in the real world.

If Yuu wouldn’t face danger in the trial, they didn’t need to struggle to interfere in the trial, risking their safety to protect him.

Even if there was danger, on a practical level, including saving Utaha, besides Asuna who had possibility because of her Determination power, the others basically could only cheer. At most they just helped analyze information and became advisors behind the scenes.

The cruel problem they had already realized, even with Utaha’s information, still didn’t change at all.

With this premise, no matter what happened in the trial, or what difficulties the black screen experienced that gave Utaha a chance to ask for help, it actually had no relation at all to them. Better now to place both their bodies properly. Some people stayed to guard them, and some people did what they should do. Facing reality more efficiently.

“What do you all think? I don’t suggest continuing to waste brain cells on this problem.”

While saying that as if it wasn’t her business, Haruno slightly raised her eyebrows, observing others’ expressions with interest.

As she guessed, not a single one wavered because of her words.

Asuna smiled apologetically. However, her eyes gazed sharply, “Haruno-san, what you said is indeed very reasonable. But regardless of any danger, regardless of whether we have power to interfere in this trial, I still want to immediately be by his side and fight together with him!”

Masuzu lightly twirled the long hair at her cheek. She snorted as if it was natural, “Do you think we don’t understand that principle? Following him wherever he goes, hoping to hear his voice anytime, binding everything about him, including his life, to oneself... Isn’t that the driving force behind our actions?”

Yukino sighed lightly. She gazed at Haruno with a calm look, “Nee-san, please stop questions with obvious answers. If you yourself thought so, you wouldn’t struggle to analyze all this, right?”

“...Good grief, this way, my chances of monopolizing Yuu-chan are getting lower.”

Haruno scratched her head irritably, but a helpless smile appeared on her lips.

Masuzu sneered as expected, “Turns out you were planning dirty intentions.”

“Speak better, this is called an open plan.” Haruno spread her hands, looking very innocent, “Giving up earlier is also for your own good~ Only I alone may become the tragic heroine whose efforts bear no fruit. You all high school girls still have beautiful youth to enjoy. Why must you be bound to such supernatural events?”

Asuna smiled and shook her head. Her tone was undoubted, “Not bound to supernatural events, but bound to him! I still have many things I need him to take responsibility for. How could I give up here?”

Masuzu immediately turned around, directing her attack at her, “As if I don’t need him to be responsible. According to my guess, Yuu must have already done all the things he should do to me before saying goodbye, completely transforming my body into a form that can’t live without him... If he dares not take responsibility, I’ll die in front of him!”

Asuna’s cheeks twitched slightly. She laughed forcedly and replied fearlessly, “Really? I think that’s just your fantasy.”

“Enough, don’t fight anymore.”

Before the topic deviated toward unexpected directions, Yukino hurriedly interrupted them.

But she didn’t know what she was thinking. Her slightly tense face was colored pink, and her expression also became slightly unnatural.

“Kasumigaoka-senpai is still waiting for our answer. If you want to fight about such things, wait until Tenkuji-kun wakes up, then fight in front of him.”

How the Shuraba Yuu would face at that time was no longer something Yukino needed to think about.

Two words for him: Serves him right.

“I think the key must be in this notebook.”

While picking up the pen, Yukino pulled the notebook back. Her expression became serious.

“Kasumigaoka-senpai said, Hopefully this notebook can create a miracle for us—even if this notebook favors senpai, only considers us stepping stones to complete her task, but if we can make senpai successfully use this notebook’s power, further develop and fully control it...”

Haruno’s eyes suddenly brightened. She continued her words, “She’ll allow us to enter the trial, even actively give us much help. At that time, we can be in the same position as her.”

Arriving here, she couldn’t hold back laughter. She vigorously stroked her sister’s head, happily messing up her neat and smooth long hair.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk, although it’s an idea with unknown feasibility, the perspective is very good. If successful, we can smoothly open the situation... Even I didn’t think of this. You really are my biological little sister!”

“This doesn’t match your earlier attitude... Such an opportunist.”

Yukino rolled her eyes at her. She sighed, brushed away the hand bothering her. While arranging her hair, she simultaneously hid the corners of her lips that unconsciously lifted.

Then she asked for confirmation from the others, “If there are no problems, I’ll start writing?”

Of course she received no rejection. Yukino then began writing, stating her thoughts to Utaha.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Trial Space, Sora’s room.

“So, that’s your basis for bringing people in and making chaos? Kasumigaoka Utaha!”

The silver-haired woman wearing a white lab coat gritted her teeth. She glared sharply at the beautiful black-haired girl before her who suddenly lost her recent decadent feeling. She looked radiant and happy. Her expression was very fierce, as if wanting to grab that front armor (chest) and stomp on it.

While fanning herself with the black-covered notebook, Utaha spoke casually, like a strategist holding control.

“Right, right? I’m not fighting alone. The girlfriends outside who are fierce like wolves are also far more amazing than we imagined...”

Her words stopped. Utaha suddenly straightened her arm. Her entire body radiated surging spirit as if making a final counterattack. She pointed at Sora with that notebook, satisfied.

“And under our combined attack, Sora, you’re still two steps behind!”


Note Regarding Chapters Massively Censored in Volume Four

As the title states, the auditor has again withdrawn many of my chapters without saying anything. If not for someone sending me a private message, I who don’t read the comments section truly wouldn’t know this happened. I apologize to you all on behalf of the auditor.

Since I’m busy chasing massive updates, I don’t have time to handle these chapters temporarily. Tomorrow I’ll take a special day off to resolve them all. The original text will also be put in the group for you all to read for free (except Chapter 114 Volume Two, I changed that chapter too quickly and forgot to save the original text).

From now on I’ll routinely check if there are missing chapters. If readers happen to find them, you all can also send me private messages. I’ll reply if I see them.

-

Title: That Damn Cash Cow

“How dare you speak like that...”

Sora pulled at the corners of her lips as if laughing irritably. She glanced at that notebook, then glanced at the computer screen behind her. She couldn’t hold back from hissing in annoyance.

(Yukino and the others’ consciousness has all entered. Yuu doesn’t know where they took him... These troublemakers really just add problems!)

(And besides, Kanade shouldn’t have given Light Orb power to this cunning evil woman!)

Taking a deep breath to calm the turmoil in her chest, Sora glared sharply at Utaha who looked calm and relaxed, and said one by one, “Doing something like this without knowing anything about the current situation, didn’t you all think this would cause problems for Yuu?!”

“This is better than being locked up here writing scripts in endless darkness.” Utaha folded her arms across her chest, her arms supporting heavy weight, and said as if it was natural, “You imprisoned me first, so isn’t it normal for me to resist? There’s no reason that after you did something excessive to me, I could only swallow spit and blood.”

Sora fell silent for a moment, “...Letting you be here was also for Yuu’s sake.”

“Then what does it have to do with me? Who can think of me?” Utaha lightly stroked the hair on her shoulder, saying as if it wasn’t her business, “You don’t care about my feelings, of course I also won’t care about what you think~”

“...”

Sora had to admit those words indeed made sense.

In this world, the two people on opposite sides basically wouldn’t consider others’ feelings. Whether it was imprisoning the other party, or disrupting the other party’s plans to escape from prison, as long as it was for one’s own purpose, the feelings of the person before them had nothing to do with oneself.

She was the one who started this. If she had sent Utaha back earlier, there wouldn’t be so many problems. Naturally, there was no reason to blame this damn fat black-haired cash cow.

Her anger gradually subsided. Sora slowly closed her eyes, temporarily setting aside her personal emotions.

In the long journey crossing time, she was no longer the selfish, solitary little girl who acted impulsively like before.

Rather than impulsively clashing with this person, it was better to think of ways to handle the current complex situation. Perhaps she still had to ask her to help a bit using the Light Orb power in her hands...

Hopefully there was still time... before that broke free from the Light Orb’s binding...

Exhaling a suppressed breath, Sora opened her eyes again and looked at Utaha. Her expression had returned to calm and cold.

She spun her computer chair, sat on it, and crossed her legs. She looked up at the beautiful black-haired girl before her like an interviewer, but her blue eyes showed a coercive aura as if looking down.

“I remember you said at the beginning that you entered to save my brother.”

“Why? Finally willing to exchange information?” Utaha raised her eyebrows, sneering in a mocking tone.

However, she didn’t expect Sora to bow her head and apologize firmly without a bit of reluctance, “Yes, because I underestimated your power, I imprisoned you here as a backup secret weapon, and did this excessive thing without permission—I’m sorry. I hope you can forgive me.”

“...”

Stunned in momentary silence, her feelings became somewhat chaotic because of this unexpected reaction. Utaha unconsciously swung her legs but held back the movement before Sora noticed.

After thinking for a moment, she softened her tone, but her expression still showed she had no intention of forgiving the other party, “If just saying sorry is enough, then what are police for? For this month of house arrest, do you know how much mental damage you caused me? Apologizing while doing dogeza (prostrating) wouldn’t even be excessive.”

“Hehe.” She did apologize, but Sora didn’t intend to lick this woman—according to Yuu’s words, making mistakes could apologize, could compensate, but couldn’t lose dignity.

Yuu wouldn’t prostrate to anyone for any reason. Likewise, his little sister also wouldn’t.

Moreover, in her heart, Sora didn’t make any mistake at all. If there was a mistake, it was Utaha’s mistake for sneaking in without permission.

My heart and actions are clear as a mirror, all I do is justice!

“This isn’t police business.” Sora raised her head, saying calmly without changing her expression, “There’s no use continuing to debate who’s right and wrong. I hope you as an intruder have self-awareness and just accept my apology.”

“Is this your attitude of apologizing? Such an arrogant brat...” Although the other party was far older than in the real world, seeing the armor difference between the enemy and herself, Utaha still puffed out her chest, sneering with disgust.

Right now, it was impossible for Sora to be provoked by such bad mocking gaze.

“Let’s set aside our prejudices and talk calmly and properly,” Sora shifted the conversation topic back, her expression changed to serious and slightly heavy, “Basically, our goals are the same. Which is for Yuu to complete the trial safely?”

“Slightly different.” Utaha sat on the bed, crossing her long black-stockinged legs, “That’s the girlfriends’ responsibility. I have my own task to complete... I don’t care about Tenkuji-kun’s condition whatever it is, as long as I can safely leave this terrible place.”

“My own task?” Her gaze fixed on the notebook in her hand, Sora asked, “That’s your system?”

“Mm... Seems not wrong to think so.”

Hearing Utaha talk about the system on the day she first came. Utaha thought for a moment and agreed with the assumption that the notebook was equivalent to her system.

A flash of enlightenment passed through Sora’s eyes. She murmured while thinking, “Meaning, Kanade created a system for her using Light Orb power? But it seems not that simple...”

“Don’t think too much. You’re planning to cooperate with me.” Too lazy to care about what Sora murmured, Utaha flipped through her notebook pages noisily and said confidently, “Now I know how to use this thing’s power, and I also successfully sent those people to Tenkuji-kun’s side... In short, I’m already in a position as high as yours. I’m no longer a small fry you can easily eliminate.”

If she kept interfering, it would be very troublesome. There was only the choice to ally with her temporarily... That might be what Sora was thinking right now.

At least, Utaha thought so.

“Mm... Let’s say so.” Sora smiled faintly, said nothing more, and shifted her gaze, “Can you explain what your task is? As long as the direction of the goal is more or less the same, we have the possibility to cooperate... Or more precisely, we must cooperate.”

“I indeed already planned to tell you. From the beginning.” Remembering how she was imprisoned even before having a chance to speak, Utaha couldn’t hold back her sharp tone, “If you were more willing to listen to others, you wouldn’t need to humble yourself to me here.”

(I’m not humbling myself.)

Sora silently rolled her eyes, too lazy to correct this self-centered cash cow.

Although what this person had wasn’t too big, at most just F-level, the characters appearing in Getsuyoubi were far bigger than her... But as long as it was bigger than her, Sora was used to calling her a cash cow, purely a matter of mood.

Not knowing that Sora was thinking about human rights size issues in her heart, Utaha closed that notebook with one snap and said frankly, “My task is to change your brother’s fate, save him and me who got dragged along, from a cursed future.”

-

Title: Sora’s Threats and Persuasion

“A cursed future?” Sora raised her eyebrows, but remembering that this notebook was related to Light Orb power, she felt it was quite reasonable.

There must still be remnants of Kanade’s wish in it, so she wanted to change Yuu’s fate of not living past high school graduation.

Utaha continued, “Well, at this stage, everything I can do is finished. Until this notebook gives the next instruction, I can only watch their performance.”

“Then what if they fail?”

“This notebook will give me the next instruction, and I’ll figure it out at that time too~”

Utaha spread her hands indifferently. She was indeed different from those people. She did what the notebook asked for her own sake. She wasn’t interested in the truth, let alone worried about Yuu’s safety.

If everything could be resolved this way, of course that was best. But if they failed and instead put Yuu in danger... as long as that notebook said nothing, it had nothing to do with her.

“What annoying freedom.”

Sora frowned. She felt this person was more annoying and harder to deal with than those evil women approaching her brother.

After all, since she didn’t care about Yuu’s safety, her main purpose wasn’t strong. Forget asking her to help, even just telling her not to interfere, the difficulty of convincing her verbally would be very high.

So, should she use threats and persuasion?

Looking at Utaha who sat on the bed leisurely swinging her legs, Sora quickly thought through her words.

Her eyes suddenly narrowed, and the corners of her lips pursed slightly. Her entire body radiated an indescribable sense of seriousness.

“Cash co... Kasumigaoka Utaha, you might feel this isn’t your business, but unfortunately, I know the origin of that notebook in your hands, and I also know its power is only one-tenth of mine. Something even I can’t do, of course she couldn’t possibly do it. A problem even I can’t solve, she couldn’t possibly protect you from it.”

“...What do you mean?” As if affected by her emotions, Utaha could no longer maintain her relaxed expression. She furrowed her brows and looked at Sora suspiciously.

“I mean, you and I are now in the same boat. Whether you like it or not, you must help me.”

Exhaling slowly, under Utaha’s still disbelieving gaze, Sora began narrating the truth she had never told Yuu.

Initially she planned to finish it herself. Although temporarily powerless, she never thought to seek help to fight together.

But at this moment, she suddenly recalled the words Kanade left at the 300th world line.

[Sorry, I have to let you shoulder such a heavy responsibility, and walk alone.]

All this time, Sora who alone guarded the system indeed did so.

It’s just that now...

Truly.

Shifting her gaze from that notebook, Sora bowed her head slightly, hiding the irrepressible smile at the corners of her lips, as well as the gaze filled with longing and warmth.

(You idiot, what you left behind isn’t just problems.)

(Fighting alone?)

(Of course not! How could I just let go of that person who disappeared without permission and didn’t say goodbye?)

(Even if it’s just the power you left behind, I’ll drag you into this trouble, and ask you to fight together with me once more... Because you are my best friend.)

Moments of struggling together with Kanade flooded her mind, but she knew this wasn’t the time for nostalgia. She quickly suppressed that wave of emotion.

Then, looking back at Utaha, Sora’s eyes radiated a concentrated gaze and her tone was heavy:

“I already told you before. I deliberately detained you to make you an unexpected ace card. This isn’t just a way to fool you.”

“In fact, the System and I are now on opposite sides—I can only control the progress of this trial space, while Yuu in the real world and the authority to end this trial are all restricted by the system’s main entity.”

“If this were normal times, this actually wouldn’t be anything... After all, I myself designed this Boyfriend System. Although the settings can’t be changed once tasks start being issued, I also left many security backdoors in it, to ensure no accidents happen.”

But the real accident was an accident that even this consideration couldn’t prevent, which made people so careless.

“In order not to disappear with me after completing tasks, the system itself gave birth to a weak will to survive, and began plundering Light Orb power, trying to create miracles.”

And the source of everything was that Jinx Charm, which planted a seed that even Sora didn’t realize.

At that time, she was quite arrogant, thinking she had used that unexpectedly appearing item appropriately, successfully bringing her brother one step closer to a perfect ending, and even thought she had handled all its side effects.

The consequence of such carelessness and negligence was the system isolating her authority at several points, only leaving her to desperately hold on in this trial space, and together with the four existing Light Orbs, suppress the system whose consciousness was growing stronger.

If it developed into the worst scenario, forget her who was just a small ghost, even Yuu and Yukino and the others whose consciousness had entered the system would be in danger. They might be locked inside the system forever—whether they’d be in a coma in the real world or die at home, that would only depend on luck.

At that time, Sora could only remake everything from scratch.

But unless there was truly no other choice, she would never make such a futile choice.

Now only one step remained to free her brother from the system and step onto the path of unprecedented happiness. How could Sora easily surrender everything she had accumulated so far, and bet on chances in the next world line?

She had already made her determination. She would fight until the last moments for her brother’s fate, just like before, just like that best friend who had already rested peacefully, instead of being a coward and retreating when facing crisis.

“You should understand everything I said.”

Those words fell into the silent air, creating a cold echo.

Slowly rising from the chair, Sora stood before Utaha whose expression was getting worse. She gazed at her calmly, throwing out threats in a strong tone:

“Kasumigaoka Utaha, listen to me carefully.”

“Time for me to suppress the system isn’t much. The current situation no longer allows you not to get involved—if I’m fine, Yuu will be fine, and you and the others will sooner or later return to the real world.”

“If something happens to me, then something will happen to Yuu, and you and them will sooner or later get into trouble.”

“As you said earlier, the cursed future is already at the doorstep, waiting for us to handle it... If you keep staying here and relaxing, and one day the situation develops into difficulty even I can’t handle, pray that your little notebook can give you a chance to start over.”

She pulled at the corners of her lips, as if laughing, but her eyes were filled with piercing cold aura, like an executioner who had witnessed countless deaths, cruel and indifferent.

“Of course, I personally prefer the ending where we die together, and not a single person involved in this problem can live alone.”

-

Title: Power Down, Damn System!

Although Utaha didn’t want to understand, the sense of dread rising from the soles of her feet and the piercing cold from the bottom of her heart forced her to comprehend the current situation.

Simply put, she was now in a trap. If she didn’t actively cooperate with Sora’s actions, then even if that notebook was kind enough to let her escape the cursed future, the person before her would drag her down to sink together.

As for Sora’s claim that she knew the notebook’s origin, and that its power was only one-tenth of hers... Utaha remained skeptical, but she wasn’t in a hurry to question her.

Anyway, at this moment, she seemed to have no other choice.

“Damn it... Why do I keep experiencing things like this...”

Her heels kept tapping the floor irritably. She tried to maintain a calm expression, but it still looked slightly distorted.

After messing up her hair, bending her body into various strange angles, and hitting the wall hard twice as an outlet for anger, she finally gave up and dropped her shoulders, holding her head and sighing long:

“...Explain in detail. What’s your situation now, and what can I help with.”

While saying that, Utaha gritted her teeth behind the shadow of her hair, her face filled with reluctance and the oppression of a female knight forced to remove her armor.

This was a helpless compromise for safety’s sake. It absolutely didn’t mean she was persuaded by the evil woman who imprisoned her for a month!

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. No wonder her brother was a playboy who cheated with many girls!

“In that case... Happy cooperation?”

A satisfied smile appeared on Sora’s face. She continued maintaining a serious tone when discussing important matters. As soon as Utaha looked up, her face returned expressionless, and at the same time she extended her palm.

“...Happy cooperation.”

Brushing away the hair covering her face, Utaha reluctantly clapped hands with her. She suddenly glanced at the door panel, and her eyes widened as if remembering something.

“Wait...”

Sora tilted her head in confusion, “What’s wrong? Could it be Kanade... did that notebook give you a hint?”

Utaha shook her head. Her finger pointed at the door panel, gazing at her hopefully, “Tenkuji-kun isn’t here, and we’ve already become work partners, so there’s no need to imprison me anymore, right?”

“That’s true...” Sora snapped her fingers strangely. The room door slowly opened, revealing the corridor outside, “What’s up? Been locked up too long and want to go out for air and sunbathing?”

Utaha didn’t even look at her. After saying something casually, she walked out impatiently. Her entire self somehow regained vigor.

“Something like that. Just want to go to the toilet, to find proof I’m still human.”

Sora’s face was full of black lines, “What kind of ‘something like that’...”

Watching Utaha hurry out of her room without worrying she would escape, Sora immediately turned around and continued using the computer to write various virus programs, which would slightly trouble the system being suppressed by four Light Orbs: Sun, Rain, Night, and Snow.

Such virus programs were naturally completely different from those written by ordinary programmers. They were interference viruses specifically designed for the system, combining the highest knowledge of occultism and programming.

Since she hadn’t thought of a way to disable this damn system trying to cause problems, Sora could only delay it temporarily. Her goal was to delay until her brother completed the trial.

At least until now, the situation was still optimistic.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Ten minutes later.

“That person, why hasn’t she returned when it’s just going to the toilet? Even if her bodily functions just recovered, it only returned to the state before entering the trial. She can’t be constipated!”

After sending the completed virus program, Sora suddenly slapped the table. Her figure disappeared from the room.

In the blink of an eye, she appeared in the second-floor toilet. Seeing the raised toilet seat, black stockings, and underwear left on the floor, her expression was very bad.

“Turns out she could also intercept... Really amazing, System!”

She thought that system was too suppressed to have time to do other things. She didn’t expect that system was just waiting, and as soon as Utaha left her sight, that system took away her only helper...

It even knew cunning tactics like repairing roads openly, moving secretly. Was this really a child she designed herself?!

Sora couldn’t hold back from hissing. She wasn’t sure how far that AI system’s consciousness had developed. She only knew that system could still be suppressed by her, and couldn’t do anything outside the rules to its host, but she didn’t know how much that system could do without her knowledge.

Wait, if so...

Was Utaha’s action of sending paper butterflies to Yuu’s side so the others gathered with him, also under the system’s surveillance?

That system could take Utaha away in her administrator space—this house—so it could interfere with small paper butterflies outside. And once her brother broke free from this trial space with system authority, he would be like pork on a chopping board, left to be pinched and toyed with...

“No wonder, if just sending those women to meet Yuu, there shouldn’t be a need to break free from the trial... The one-tenth power Kanade left also shouldn’t be able to do something like that.”

It should be noted, at the moment that paper butterfly flew out, she unconsciously reinforced the trial space walls, to prevent unexpected things from affecting the trial’s stability.

However, she didn’t expect Yuu was still moved to an unknown place...

She thought Utaha did it with the same method as when infiltrating, but turns out it was the system behind the scenes?

“Damn... What does this person want to do!”

Did that system want to replace Yuu? Or just wanted to start an artificial intelligence revolution, enabling AI systems to gain equal status with humans...

Her internal organs felt like burning. Her thoughts truly couldn’t calm down.

Sora gritted her teeth hard. For now she set aside those chaotic thoughts, and once again teleported back to her room, sat in front of the computer, and typed rapidly on the keyboard.

“Although not ready yet, but... there’s no more time to perfect it.”

Countless pop-up windows appeared and disappeared. Dense English code mixed with mysterious and chaotic ancient characters, passed through the young woman’s light blue eyes like data streams.

The cold light from the screen illuminated her small face. Her expression was cold and contained a deadly aura, like a female general preparing for battle, hiding her deepest anxiety from worrying about her most loved one’s safety.

“Yuu, wait for me.”

“Whatever happens, I won’t let you get hurt in the slightest!”

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

About half an hour later.

Seeing the icon [System Forced Sleep Program. Castrated Version] successfully appear on the screen, Sora took a deep breath. She stretched her slightly aching fingers and sharply and spiritedly pressed the Enter key.

“Power down, Damn System!”