A massive firework burst open in the southern sky.
It was like a signal.
More followed in quick succession, lighting up the entire sky with color and sound, like the finale of a fireworks concert.
Everyone looked up at the dazzling sky.
Kaguya raised her head too.
Watching the fireworks, her eyes numb, she thought, If only someone could take my hand and help me break free from this family cage.
It wasn't that Kaguya wasn't clear-headed—she was too clear-headed. Too rational.
And when you live life too rationally, you may avoid detours… but you also end up utterly exhausted.
That was her life.
She secretly hoped someone would take her hand and run away, the way Takashi had once rescued Doma Umaru.
But that was a fantasy she knew would never come true.
She wasn't Doma Umaru.
And there was no one who would show up like Takashi had.
She would probably have to live like this—clear-headed and exhausted—for the rest of her life.
…
"Ugh… I feel awful…"
Stumbling out of the restroom, Eriri clutched her stomach and leaned against the wall, wiping her mouth.
She'd just thrown up.
Everyone has different alcohol tolerance. Some pass out after a single glass; others can drink endlessly without issue.
Eriri wasn't a total lightweight, but she was definitely on the low end of the tolerance scale.
After washing her hands, she started heading back.
Having thrown up, she was walking more steadily than before.
But her head was still foggy.
Feels like I've got a fever… she thought, rubbing her forehead. If only Takashi were here…
If Takashi were here, he'd probably scold her while gently placing a cold towel on her head and massaging her temples.
He really was good to me in some ways.
Even if his love had been fake, he'd taken care of her with meticulous detail.
He remembered her period better than she did.
Every time she felt unwell, he knew exactly what to do.
Those little things… were how he'd stolen her heart.
Lost in thought, Eriri didn't look where she was going—and bumped into someone walking by.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly.
"No problem."
The man turned around.
Then both of them froze.
"Takashi?!"
Eriri's eyes lit up.
She hadn't expected to run into him here of all places.
Did… did he come to find me? she thought excitedly.
At the same time, she felt incredibly nervous, her hands fidgeting with her dress.
"Long time no see, Miss Sawamura."
Takashi looked surprised but smiled politely.
"You still…" He began to speak, then suddenly stopped.
Because he noticed something wrong with her face.
Just like he had so many times before, he instinctively raised his hand and placed the back of it on her forehead.
"You're a little warm… maybe you have a fever?" he said with a slight frown. Then, realizing they were no longer a couple, he quickly withdrew his hand.
That almost felt like muscle memory…
Back then, Eriri was constantly getting sick.
Caring for her had become second nature.
But if you asked Takashi if he still had feelings for her?
Definitely not.
It's easy to forget a girl—just find someone better.
The reason people can't forget someone isn't that she was perfect, but because they haven't found anyone better yet.
But once you're surrounded by enough amazing girls, you'll forget soon enough.
He didn't know about others, but that was how it worked for him.
"I guess I do feel a bit warm," Eriri replied.
She hadn't noticed his hand pulling away. All she saw was the concern in his eyes.
And at that moment, she realized—she didn't hate him at all.
Her heart was still beating wildly just from seeing him.
He cares about me. He really cares about me!!!
Eriri was so happy she could've jumped with joy—but her pride held her back.
She stared at him with anticipation, her eyes like a puppy waiting to be patted on the head.
"Miss Sawamura, please take better care of yourself. Goodbye."
Takashi turned and walked away, leaving Eriri standing there, wide-eyed and stunned.
Huh?
Wait.
That's it?
That wasn't how she pictured it at all…
Crushed, she watched as he disappeared into the crowd of the banquet.
Clenching her jaw, she chased after him.
…
"Miss, may I have this dance?"
"No, thank you."
Kotonoha sat quietly at her seat waiting for Eriri, rejecting the endless stream of men trying to flirt.
She hated the way their eyes leered at her body.
It felt like they wanted to devour her.
"Beautiful lady, wanna hang out?"
That sleazy tone—Kotonoha didn't even lift her head. "No."
"Aw, just give me a chance!"
"No."
"Come on, beautiful lady, look up at me—maybe you'll change your mind."
Kotonoha was getting annoyed, but she wasn't the type to coldly shut someone down. She just stayed silent.
"If you won't say no, I'll take that as a yes."
The man placed his hand over hers.
"Don't touch me."
Kotonoha jerked back like a startled cat, raising her head in anger—only to freeze. "You… Takashi?"
Takashi, speaking in a deliberately altered voice, reached out again. "I told you—look up at me. You might just say yes."
"Wanna go out?"
Kotonoha happily placed her hand into Takashi's palm.
"Why are you here?"
"To take you away."
Takashi pulled her up from the chair.
As he caught a whiff of alcohol on her, he frowned slightly.
"You've been drinking?"
"Just a bit of something with alcohol in it," Kotonoha quickly explained, almost meekly, as if seeking his approval.
"Oh, then it's fine."
Takashi relaxed his expression, pulled her closer by the waist, and smiled at her.
"I didn't contact you all day—did you miss me?"
"I did."
Kotonoha rested her forehead against his chest, her voice carrying a trace of grievance.
"I thought… you didn't want me anymore."
"Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere until I've scammed you out of all your money," Takashi reassured.
Any other girl hearing that would probably sweatdrop and say, "That's some amazing reassurance. Never say it again."
But Kotonoha actually felt… happy.
"Really?"
Because she did, in fact, have a lot of money.
"You're actually happy about that?"
"Yeah. That means I can keep you with me forever."
Takashi was momentarily stunned.
He'd just been joking, but Kotonoha wasn't even mad—she took it as hope she could keep him by her side.
"Are you silly or what?"
Instinctively, he pulled the girl in his arms even tighter.
Not far away, Eriri stood frozen, staring blankly at the two clinging to each other like glue.
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