September 19, Friday night.
The night filled the sky like thick ink, rain had just fallen, a cool breeze blew, crisp and slightly damp.
Escorting Asuna to the gate of the Yuuki family's house, Yuu let go of her small hand.
"When you get to Sobu High, send me a message. If I have time, I'll come find you guys."
"Okay, got it." Asuna nodded with a smile, brushing her brown hair behind her ear, her eyes soft as water. "Dad and Big Brother said they want to meet you. If they're not busy that day, they'll come along."
Yuu's lips twitched; this was the first he'd heard of it.
"Your dad's one thing, but why's Kou-nii getting involved… He used to be so sneaky, always trying to introduce you to me and set us up, and now he's acting like nothing happened?"
Asuna scratched her fair cheek, giving a wry smile.
"Maybe it's his mischievous side? Including telling me to punish you in the game…"
Suddenly remembering something, she blinked, asking with keen interest, "Before we got to know each other, Big Brother talked about me, right? How did he describe me?"
Yuu thought for a moment. There was no need to lie deliberately and let Kouichirou face Asuna's fist—he wasn't that mischievous.
…Especially since, if he said it, Asuna might not believe him.
Asuna wasn't foolish and knew Yuu's personality well. If he didn't fake it convincingly, she'd know whether it was true or a lie just by hearing it.
Never underestimate a girl in love.
So Yuu answered honestly, "Your appearance and personality were praised to the skies, of course, to lure me into the trap…"
"And did you fall for it?" Asuna interrupted impatiently, her eyes sparkling like a child's.
"I fell, I fell, I totally fell for your trap." Yuu rolled his eyes, and Asuna giggled with satisfaction. "Then he said you were stressed by your mom and studies. Without a prince on a white horse to save you, your life would've been miserable, something like that."
"Ah…"
Asuna fell silent, her expression complex, sinking into quiet for a moment before sighing. "Yeah… just like Big Brother said."
"If I hadn't entered that game, if I hadn't met you, Yuu-kun, the me now might've been forced by Mom into a blind date with Sugou-san. Even if I didn't want to, I wouldn't have had the courage to resist, and I'd end up…"
Her voice suddenly grew hoarse, choking as if she might gag.
Her hands clenched tightly at her sides, Asuna bit her lip and shook her head vigorously, her brown hair swaying behind her.
That outcome—she didn't dare imagine it, didn't want to imagine it. Just the thought made her feel as if her body heat was stolen, leaving her cold and trembling.
Better to die than accept a future like that.
Calming herself, Asuna took a deep breath, then suddenly looked up.
The person she loved stood before her, and the happiness and warmth of security filled her chest again, giving her the courage to face anything.
Then, she smiled at him sincerely and gently. "I'm so lucky I met you, Yuu-kun."
"Lucky you saved my life, lucky you pulled me forward… Like Big Brother said, you're my prince on a white horse."
"…Hey, that's too much." Even with Yuu's shameless nature, he couldn't help but look away, slightly embarrassed, scratching the back of his neck.
"I just did what I wanted to do. No need for such serious terms…"
"What's wrong with that? To me, it's really important~"
"Besides, that white horse prince is an old creep kissing a corpse. I hope you don't compare me to him."
"…"
The moment those words left his mouth, the tenderness in her eyes and her teasing smile froze on her face.
The atmosphere, not yet warmed from its seriousness, plummeted back to freezing with that one sentence.
Though used to his knack for ruining the mood, Asuna still clutched her forehead, letting out a long, helpless sigh.
"Yuu-kun!"
Her tone was so stern it reminded Yuu of being scolded by his mother in the past.
"Yes," he wiped the expression off his face, responding with mock seriousness.
Asuna glared at him fiercely, her brows furrowed, speaking with conviction:
"Even this side of you—I love it! I really, really love it!"
"…"
Seeing Yuu's stunned expression, she suddenly giggled.
Then, standing on her tiptoes, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her soft lips to his.
Not intense, not teasing, just wanting to convey the unspoken love into his heart.
A kiss full of affection and focus.
Soon, strong, reliable arms returned her embrace, their breaths and warmth intertwining, as if to completely set ablaze the cool autumn night.
Their shadows under the streetlamp seemed to merge.
Her face flushed, panting, her body softening as if it might melt, Asuna leaned into his embrace, unable to stand upright.
This was the usual reaction after a deep kiss, no matter how many times.
Unfortunately, no matter how she initiated, the other side always responded calmly and effortlessly, pulling her into an even deeper intimacy, slowly making her forget who she was or where she was, leaving only embarrassing sounds lingering in her mind.
Question: With a boyfriend who claims to have no dating experience yet kisses more skillfully than her, how should a girlfriend handle these complicated feelings?
Asuna felt a bit unwilling, vowing in her heart that sooner or later, she'd get back at him in another area!
"If only I didn't want to do it in a more formal setting…"
"What?"
Her faint murmur, though so close, wasn't clear to Yuu.
"Nothing!" She huffed lightly, straightening her clothes while secretly glancing back, relieved to see no lights on in the house.
Her skin still felt the burn of his touch, as if it left a scorching mark.
Rubbing her cheeks, surely red up to her ears, she asked as if nothing happened, "Next week, want to come to my place? I'll tell Mom we're studying together."
"Oh, sure." Yuu didn't think much, agreeing immediately.
Next week's matters weren't part of his considerations.
Because in his plan, everything had to end this week.
"Okay, we'll talk about it later then!"
Patting her chest, grateful he didn't overthink and make her more embarrassed, Asuna laughed happily. "Alright, see you this weekend! I'm really looking forward to your performance."
"Don't worry, I won't let you down."
Casually smoothing her soft, messy hair, Yuu gazed deeply at the face of the girl completely in love, pursed his lips—still warm and moist—and turned to leave.
"Oh, right, Yuu-kun."
"What's up?"
"That line, [Stand Tall!]… You remember it?"
By the artificial lake at the vacation villa, it was the moment the Word Bullet skill idea emerged, and also the scene of Yuu and Asuna's first meeting.
How could Yuu forget?
"…"
His steps halted, and with an odd expression, Yuu slowly turned.
But it wasn't the confused or shy look she'd imagined.
Staring straight at him, Asuna crossed her hands behind her back, her clear voice ringing as if she wanted the whole world to hear.
"Your voice, from then until now, and even into the farther future—I will never forget it!"
In the mid-September night breeze, her smile shone as bright as the galaxy.