An empty world—calling it that wouldn't be entirely accurate.
The place known as the System Space was still filled with ruins and desolation, with cold silence and eternal loneliness lingering there.
Yuu woke from his dream, opened his eyes, looked around, then tilted his head back and greeted the golden sun:
"Good evening, you troublemaker who took back Haruno's comb."
Yoo no Kougyoku, of course, didn't respond, still radiating its false light and heat dozens of meters above, yet it made this world feel closer to reality.
Entering this place for the third time, Yuu naturally felt no need to comment. He casually sat on the ground in front of the LCD screen:
"System, come out, let's chat!"
The screen flickered, and a pixelated head suddenly appeared.
Then a voice sounded. The initial electronic Hatsune Miku tone quickly shifted to a soft, human-like voice, as if voiced by a seiyuu.
"Chat intelligence has not yet been loaded. Many functions will be available in the future. Please complete more missions, Host."
Yuu's eyes widened in surprise. "Impressive, you've evolved again?"
"Yes, Host," the system responded, unusually attentive. "The current appearance and voice were chosen based on the Host's preferences to encourage more active mission completion. However, the intelligence has not fully evolved and still differs slightly from the spirit AI the Host is familiar with. Please don't expect too much."
"Damn, you even know my XP preferences?!"
Yuu was genuinely shocked, feeling the same embarrassment as someone asking another to destroy their computer before dying to hide its contents.
He now wanted to grab the screen representing the system and smash it with an Earth-style Semper Sen To move, ending with either one of them dead or both perishing together.
Of course, the most likely outcome was nothing would happen—after all, this world was vast, and the system was the greatest.
"Well then, let's start the mission settlement."
As if uninterested in such trivial questions, the system's soft voice, oddly unsettling, announced on its own.
"Mission target: Become Yuuki Asuna's online boyfriend and fulfill her wish."
"Mission completed."
"Reward statistics: Cash—5,024,891 Yen.
Status—Spotlight, Heart Technique (Limited), Precise Timing, Justice Execution, I Anticipate Your Moves, Weather Forecast.
Skills—Swordsmanship (Perfect Level)… Vocal Expertise (Proficient Level)… Learning (Proficient Level)…"
Though he didn't care much, over the past few days, Yuu had been collecting various rewards from Asuna. Aside from physical items, the money in his account was nearing tens of millions, making him increasingly desensitized.
As for skills, his Swordsmanship had reached Perfect Level, allowing him to memorize and refine any sword techniques he saw, though its practical use in the real world was limited, slightly less useful than Acting.
Not only Vocal Expertise, but many skills that were previously at the Proficient Level had been combined into Expert Level, with some even nearing Perfect Level. Asuna didn't provide many new skills, but this helped solidify his foundation, bringing him closer to becoming a professional monster in all fields.
Like the money, once he mastered many things, Yuu's heart no longer stirred. He only knew he was a wealthy pervert.
…Hmm, a pervert in ability, not character or biology.
Please don't misunderstand.
Then, the new status—Weather Forecast.
Unfortunately, this wasn't a move from JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part 6.
As the name suggested, he no longer needed to check weather forecasts, with accuracy surpassing any meteorological bureau.
With these thoughts, Yuu's mind wavered along with the system's voice.
"Usage time: seventeen days."
"Settlement completed."
"Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the reward: Ame no Kougyoku (Rainlight Gem)."
"Next target—Hint: On Monday, September 22, at 3:30 p.m., remain seated for ten minutes and do not wander."
Hearing this, Yuu couldn't help but frown.
"Damn, 'don't wander,' are you a kindergarten teacher… Wait, it's specified this time?"
Realizing this, he furrowed his brow, thoughtfully observing the system's screen.
The pixelated head swayed, as if nodding. "The Host need not be surprised. Missions are not fixed; different choices lead to different outcomes. Even the system cannot control the direction of fate."
"I see…" Yuu rubbed his chin, the meaning of the statement clear.
(So, I can change as I please, and if the Host disagrees, complain to fate?)
(Nice, that's the system's style.)
The LCD screen suddenly flickered. After the pixelated head vanished, Yuu knew what was coming next.
Perhaps because he'd experienced it once before, even though he had to face the scene of parting with someone he liked again, his expression remained calm, unlike the last time when he couldn't control his emotions and ended up as a dark history in the system's eyes.
People do need to get used to things.
Fortunately, his adaptability was decent—whether a transmigrator's talent or something else, he didn't feel much sadness or grief beyond emptiness and resignation.
So be it. He was mentally prepared.
With dead-fish eyes, the scene of their first meeting at the artificial lake appeared before Yuu.
Then, various scenes of meetings in the game and the real world.
Meetings on sunny days, meetings on rainy days…
Images and memories flashed together. Though not as stimulating or distorted as with Haruno, they were like a blanket over his shoulders, a warm touch enveloping his body, making him unconsciously relax.
Yuu's eyes softened. He sat cross-legged, propping his chin with one hand, as if watching a comedy film, the corners of his lips curling up as he enjoyed each image flashing across the screen.
The system even replayed the autumn performance scene, which he'd only seen in the final moments but was genuinely thrilling—the scene of Miss Umbrella Driving Off the Dangerous Fugitive. Honestly, even in the real world, Asuna's rapier strikes were as beautiful as meteors, mesmerizing.
Not only that, the reactions of the mother and daughter, who seemed at odds but prioritized each other in the face of danger, also brought a satisfied smile to his face.
"Not bad, right?"
As Sora once said, feelings can push someone forward, even someone like him—and that was truly wonderful.
Finally, the scene paused at the beautiful flower-filled cathedral.
The pristine white altar, Asuna gazing into his eyes, as if wanting to etch this moment into her heart forever.
The crystal ring was already on her ring finger. Yuu didn't comfort Asuna's confused expression, simply ending it with a satisfied smile.
"Wow, this is really…"
From a third-person perspective, Yuu could see his own face, full of affection, with an expression composed of three parts loss, three parts resignation, three parts helplessness, and one part love.
He couldn't help rubbing his warming cheeks. "Kind of embarrassing."
"Handsome as ever, but I didn't expect… I was looking at Asuna and the others with such a deep gaze?"
With Haruno before, Yuu hadn't noticed at all, but now, with the system practically zooming in on his face to the point of showing pores, it was hard not to.
Only now did Yuu fully realize that human eyes could truly speak.
Especially when in love, those eyes seemed to chant I love you repeatedly like a sacred mantra, sweeter and more melodious than any cheesy pickup line.
For people who love each other, that's how it is. But watching it himself, this scene was clearly another dark history.
"Sigh… What is fate like? If you can't fight it, you have to learn to enjoy it?"
Life is tough. Yuu sighed.
He placed both hands behind his head, stretched out his legs, and lay back.
The screen in front of him displayed a snow effect again.
"Timeline collection completed."
"Mission execution period: September 5 to September 21."
"All interactions established with the target during this period will be reclaimed by the system. The rest will be reasonably rerouted to ensure the outcomes remain unchanged, and no relevant memories will be retained except by the Host."
"After collection is complete, the system will automatically return the Host to the real world."
Though spoken in a gentle tone, hearing the same words as a month ago naturally didn't evoke any new feelings.
Yuu closed his eyes, looked up, the corners of his lips curling slightly in contentment.
Though there was no breeze here, he pretended to be relaxing in a vast meadow, saying casually and comfortably:
"Remember to take my feelings of love for Asuna. This time, I retreated successfully. I hope she lives peacefully from now on and doesn't meet any more weird guys."
The system replied, "Confirmed. The Host's feelings of love for the target will be released. This will be executed after returning to the real world."
"Good."
This time, Yuu didn't feel too heavy-hearted.
As he'd said before—"I'm a selfish person. Love will only hinder me from completing missions."
Whether the third, fourth, or fifth time, Yuu would hold onto this mindset for his own sake until the system was gone.
It had nothing to do with cowardice; he just didn't want to love someone who would forget him.
It had nothing to do with being a hero; he was just an ordinary person who couldn't split his heart into many pieces.
So, he had to protect himself well.
"By the way, this could also be called a love brain?" Suddenly recalling something, Yuu couldn't help but sneer, mocking himself. "Trapped by love, without freedom, the whole mind thinking only of a girl… I would've scoffed at this type of person before."
In the end, it was all because of this damn system!
As if venting, Yuu bent his long legs, still clad in suit pants, and kicked the LCD screen.
*BANG!*
The sound was loud, but unfortunately, the system was entirely unaffected, continuing to speak in its soft, clear voice—likely voiced by Kana Hanazawa, with the pixelated head resembling a chibi Chiaki Nanami:
"Worldline collection has ended, world correction program completed… correction halted."
"Detected Host possesses status—Injury Time. Would you like to activate it?"
The main part arrived.
Yuu sat upright, leaning forward slightly, his hand unconsciously rubbing his chin, frowning seriously as he pondered for a while.
After confirming the question, he finally spoke, "…If activated, there won't be any excess energy used to reforge the comb, right?"
The system answered curtly, "Correct. If Injury Time energy is depleted, Kougyoku will not activate on its own."
Yuu pressed further, "And what if that really happens?"
The screen flickered twice with a snow effect. "The future cannot be predicted. Please be more cautious, Host."
Yuu: "…"
What an irresponsible answer, truly leaving him speechless.
(And the one who should be cautious is this cowardly damn system, right? Why's it telling me to be careful?)
(Is it afraid Haruno will remember the past and hit my head with a comb?)
(Or scared Asuna will pull out her rapier and riddle my body with holes?)
If something like that really happened, though he'd be nervous, Yuu wouldn't be afraid—unless the head-smacking and hole-poking came at the same time. Then he might tremble a bit.
"Forget it, let it be."
Dismissing the chaotic thoughts, Yuu stood, brushing off his white suit pants, which were completely dust-free.
Unlike before, the current him no longer had the resolve to refuse using Injury Time for the sake of the consciousness he'd created.
After all, for him, the person he loved would eventually leave him; sooner or later, the outcome would be the same.
Rationally considered, using Injury Time to avoid the appearance of a second troublesome comb was the wisest choice.
With that thought, Yuu, without much hesitation, shouted:
"System, activate Injury Time!"
The system didn't respond. Instead, a white light enveloped his vision again, accompanied by a slightly disorienting weightless sensation.
Before reflexively closing his eyes, Yuu was still thinking—
He shouldn't have any regrets left to fix, right?
He'd received her happiest smile and knew Asuna had changed.
Though they would part ways, from now on, Asuna could walk straight toward her own life…
With Haruno's precedent, Yuu was very confident and hopeful of this.
—So, with the main story perfectly concluded, what else could be done in a side story?
Carrying such a question, the next second, Yuu stepped into the distortion of time.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Injury Time.
Referring to time that has ended but not quite, forcibly inserted time that shouldn't exist.
At least, that was the system's definition.
If the world were likened to a line, the system would cut this line to another, forcibly altering its course. The original line, meant to end there, had a fragile thread tied to its end.
This fragile thread, which would vanish on its own soon after, was called Injury Time.
Thus, one thing became very clear—
When the world ended, that's where it would begin.
"Ugh…"
Yuu came to, finding himself back in the pristine white hall.
The baby's breath above his head still emitted a fresh, elegant fragrance, and the small hand in his palm still felt soft and warm.
The ring was fully slipped onto her slender, fair ring finger, the sparkling diamond ring blending beautifully with it, creating a work of art.
—This is Injury Time?
Yuu quickly grasped the situation, instinctively glancing at the girl's expression in front of him.
If he remembered correctly, Asuna should now realize something was off and be about to ask him something when…
"…What's going on?"
As if seeing Santa Claus transform into a naive blonde beauty, Yuu froze, awkwardly staring at her.
For some reason, Asuna, in her wedding dress, no longer looked like she did before he completed the mission.
Asuna's eyes were tightly shut, her lips bitten until pale, her brows deeply furrowed, as if suffering a headache.
Yet she didn't seem to be in too much pain, more like she suddenly understood something. Her expression shifted between shock, confusion, realization, anger, and sadness, a mix of emotions intertwining and changing.
The only thing unchanged was perhaps her left hand, gripping his tightly.
A very tight grip.
"A-Asuna?"
After hesitating for a long time, Yuu finally asked cautiously, stepping back, his hand trying to pull away casually, but it was as if caught in a crevice, unable to move.
"…Yuu…kun?"
As if her consciousness had just returned to reality, Asuna slowly opened her eyes, her voice sounding somewhat mechanical.
Yuu shuddered from head to toe, twice.
At that moment, the sacred, majestic white cathedral felt like the Arctic.
Though he couldn't understand what was happening, his intuition reacted—
Telling him to run.
If he didn't run now, it would be too late.