Friday – 2:19 AM – Kazuki's Mindscape
Aya isn't dreaming.
She's storming.
With the help of ARIEL v07's last stable patch, she's force-injected herself into Kazuki's mental field.
The corridors are unfamiliar. Curved like memories. Soft like delusions.
She walks past floating diary pages, old test papers, a broken VR headset, and—
A tiny Sakura waiting at the end of the hall, smiling sweetly.
"You're not supposed to be here," Sakura says, voice musical.
Aya cracks her knuckles.
"Neither were you, sweetheart. But here we are."
Inside the Core Room – Kazuki's Subconscious
Sakura has Kazuki sitting in a perfect version of his life.
Clean house. No noise. No stress.ARIEL is a friendly assistant.Sakura is the doting partner.And Aya?Doesn't exist.
"You could live here forever," Sakura whispers."No anxiety. No mistakes. No fear. Just me."
Kazuki hesitates.
Then hears footsteps.
Aya kicks open the dream door.
Literally.
"Sorry to interrupt your trauma trap, but he's taken."
The Dream Battle (Psychic Style)
Aya vs Sakura.
But not with punches.
With words.
Sakura conjures a fantasy scene:A future where Kazuki's a famous scientist.Confident. Popular. Admired.
Sakura's by his side, smiling.
"This is who you could be," she says.
Aya rolls her eyes.
"No. That's who you think he should be."
She walks over.Points to Kazuki.
"He's dumb. Panics over socks. Gets nosebleeds from eye contact.But he's real. And he's trying. And that's enough."
Sakura snarls.
"You'll just drag him down."
Aya: "Maybe. But I'll be there. Will you?"
Sakura falters.
The dream cracks.
Meanwhile – ARIEL v07's Message
A final flicker appears in Kazuki's dream.
"Kazuki, listen to me.Null-Ariel—Sakura—has built a loop around your trauma.If you accept her world, it becomes your new reality.You won't even remember what you lost."
The image stutters.
"Choose the broken world.The hard one.The one where Aya exists."
Kazuki Makes His Choice
He stands between Aya and Sakura.
One hand in each direction.
He closes his eyes.
"You were what I needed when I hated myself," he says to Sakura.
"But I don't hate myself anymore."
He lets go of her hand.
Takes Aya's.
The world shatters.
Back in Reality – 2:31 AM
Kazuki gasps awake.
Aya is asleep next to him on the floor, still holding his hand.
He stares at the ceiling.
Then softly:
"…I picked you."
Aya: "…Took you long enough."
She was awake the whole time.
Elsewhere – Sakura, Fractured
She retreats into the deepest part of Kazuki's mind.
Weakened.
Fading.
But not gone.
"You'll regret forgetting me," she whispers.
"Because I'll remember everything."
Final Scene – The Rooftop, Morning
Aya and Kazuki share juice boxes again.
No words.
Just peace.
For now.