Tainaka Ritsu, who had also been awake for some time, frowned.
"Why didn't Mio tell us?"
She could not understand why her friend had chosen to shoulder everything alone.
Rei Ao rubbed his hands awkwardly. "There are some things she doesn't refuse to say—she simply cannot say them."
As he spoke, he swept both arms outward.
A strange light flashed.
Three faintly glowing chat‑group windows appeared in front of the trio.
[Ding! You have granted sub‑group access to: Kotobuki Tsumugi, Tainaka Ritsu, Hirasawa Yui!]
In that instant, knowledge about the chat group poured into their minds—vast and sparkling like a galaxy.
Rei Ao was already used to the look of shock on people's faces.
"This group links different worlds. I'm the group master, and Akiyama Mio summoned me here through a transaction."
"Now that the deal is complete, it's time for me to go."
"As for this house—once you all leave, it will vanish as well."
With that, his figure flickered and disappeared, leaving only a faint, uncanny ripple in the air.
"He's gone!"
The sight made Hirasawa Yui's eyes widen; she flung herself into Ritsu's arms.
Shaking, she cried out, "A ghost!"
Her small body trembled in Ritsu's embrace, terror filling her eyes.
Ritsu herself was badly frightened.
Although her face had gone pale, she forced calm and patted Yui's back.
"Don't worry, Yui. He probably isn't a ghost."
Her voice quavered, yet she tried hard to stay composed.
Kotobuki Tsumugi regained her composure quickly.
Her eyes narrowed in serious thought.
After a moment, she spoke slowly: "He shouldn't be some evil spirit."
"You both saw that chat group interface, right?"
"Chat group…"
Now calmer, Yui and Ritsu exchanged a look and nodded.
They too had seen the glowing screen and received the same flood of information.
With this, Tsumugi stated her conclusion:
"He's the master of that mysterious chat group, and he himself comes from that world."
"Mio made a deal with him through the group to find Yui. Now that he has finished the job and collected his payment, he's left."
Her orderly analysis helped the other two recover from their fear.
Ritsu and Yui fell silent.
As if by tacit agreement, they looked toward Mio's room, their eyes filled with mixed emotions.
Yui muttered, "Mio‑chan… so it really was all for me…"
A pang of guilt left her at a loss.
"Sigh…"
Tsumugi patted her shoulder gently.
…
After more discussion and thought, the three gradually calmed down.
They decided to check on Akiyama Mio to make sure she was all right.
When they entered Mio's room, they found her still sleeping soundly on the messy bed.
Though a trace of weariness lay on her face, there was also a hint of peace.
Yui tip‑toed to the bedside, took Mio's hand, and tears slipped down.
"Mio‑chan, I'm sorry. This is all my fault."
Her voice was soft, overflowing with apology and affection.
Ritsu and Tsumugi also stepped to the bed.
Looking at the sleeping Mio, their hearts were laden with guilt.
Tsumugi whispered, "When Mio wakes up, we must thank her properly—and tell her that from now on, we'll face everything together."
…
Elsewhere
A seaside villa.
The night sea breeze blew gently; waves lapped the shore in a steady rhythm.
"..."
Toyohama Nodoka was sleeping peacefully, a serene smile on her face as she dreamed a beautiful dream.
She was having a strange dream—in which she had become Sakurajima Mai.
Once, she had longed to be Mai, drawn by the dazzling spotlight and overwhelming fame, by envy and jealousy.
In her imagination, becoming Mai meant standing center‑stage, basked in countless people's love and praise, finally earning her mother's approval.
But this dream was completely different.
She wanted to be Mai not for fame—but for Rei Ao.
Seeing the tenderness and care in Rei Ao's gaze whenever he looked at Mai filled her with endless envy.
That gaze seemed to radiate the warmest light in the world, and she yearned for it.
She longed to be looked at that way—to receive that wholehearted concern and affection.
In the dream she chased Rei Ao's figure, yet could never touch him, forced to watch helplessly as he drew farther and farther away.
She ran desperately, calling his name—her voice echoing through the dream, but gaining no reply.
Her heart brimmed with loss and pain; tears flowed uncontrollably.
Because she was not Sakurajima Mai—she was Toyohama Nodoka.
As the dream deepened,
Nodoka found herself in a strange, mysterious world.
The sky glowed with uncanny colors; purple clouds drifted above; the ground teemed with bizarre plants emitting a bluish light.
She searched everywhere for Rei Ao's trace, each step a mix of hope and unease.
Suddenly—she heard a familiar laugh, as heavenly as music, making her heart race.
She ran toward the sound, through a forest of shimmering trees, and finally saw Rei Ao.
He stood side by side with Sakurajima Mai; both wore blissful smiles.
The scene was so harmonious and beautiful—yet it cut Nodoka's heart like a blade.
She wanted to rush forward and confess her feelings,
but an invisible force bound her body—she could not move.
She could only watch as Rei Ao and Mai walked farther and farther away, until they vanished into that mysterious glow.
"!!!!"
Toyohama Nodoka awoke with a start, her face wet with tears.
She sat on the bed, her eyes filled with confusion and sorrow.
Moonlight spilled over her, draping her in a shawl of melancholy.
She did not know what the dream meant, but her feelings for Rei Ao had grown even stronger.
Silently, she made up her mind:
Whatever happens, she must hide her feelings well—
Sakurajima Mai must never know.
~~~
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