The triplets decide to host a sleepover—a rare attempt at normalcy. They invite a few classmates, hoping to blend in, to experience something ordinary. Hana arrives first, followed by Mei, who has finally settled into a tentative friendship with Ruby. Then there's Ichiro—the sarcastic, sharp-eyed boy who watches Souta with quiet suspicion.
"You're too wholesome to be real," Ichiro mutters as he grabs a handful of chips.
Souta just grins. "Maybe I'm just good at pretending."
The night unfolds with snacks, games, and ghost stories. Happy, ever the entertainer, performs shadow puppets with a level of precision that could rival a full-scale production. The room fills with laughter, the kind that makes the world feel small and safe.
Then, at 2 AM, as the others drift into quiet conversation, Ichiro turns to Souta. His voice is softer now, almost hesitant.
"Do you ever feel like you're pretending to be human?"
Souta pauses. The question lingers in the air, heavier than it should be.
"Every second," he admits. "But… I want to keep trying."
Ichiro doesn't press further. Instead, he tosses a blanket toward Souta.
"Then pretend your way into a dream."
The next day, the class is given an assignment: bring a photo that represents their truth.
Ruby chooses a childhood picture with Ai—her mother, her anchor.
Aqua picks a snapshot of their old apartment hallway, a place filled with quiet memories.
And Souta…
He brings a photo of Happy, sitting on the windowsill, bathed in sunlight.
"This bear was with me when I thought no one would ever love me," he tells the class. "And even now, when I could create anything I want… I still keep him close."
Some students chuckle, thinking it's childish. But most listen. Really listen. Even the teacher looks a little misty-eyed.
Later, after club activities, Souta walks home alone. He stops at a vending machine, inserts a coin.
The machine freezes.
The world around him stills.
A voice—soft, distant—echoes from nowhere.
"You've made a nice life, Souta. But how long can you fake being human?"
The coin drops. Reality snaps back.
Souta shivers, glancing around. Behind him, the shadow of the vending machine lingers—longer than it should. As if something else had just walked away.
Then, Monday arrives.
The triplets step into school—Ruby adjusting her bangs, Aqua flipping through his script notes, Souta balancing a sleepy Happy on his head while munching on melon bread.
The homeroom teacher claps for attention.
"We have a transfer student joining us today. She's from overseas, but her Japanese is excellent."
The door slides open.
She steps in.
The room falls silent—not because of her beauty, though she is striking, but because of something else.
Her eyes—deep, cold, unblinking.
She bows politely.
"My name is Tsukigami Reina. I hope we can become… very close."
Souta blinks.
Something is off.
For just a flicker—so brief it could be imagined—the light around her bends. The way it does only when he uses his power.
That day, Reina is assigned the seat next to Souta.
She smiles gently.
"You're Hoshino Souta, aren't you? I've heard you're… interesting."
Souta shifts in his seat.
"I'm just trying to live normally."
Reina giggles softly.
"What's normal for a god, I wonder?"
Souta freezes. Their eyes meet.
For a moment—just a second—her pupils glow with a light that isn't human.
Happy, nestled in Souta's backpack, twitches. Growls softly.
That night, Souta gathers Ai, Ruby, and Aqua. His voice is quiet, uncertain.
"I think she's like me. From the other world. But not… not kind."
Ai places a hand over his.
"Then we protect each other. Like always."