During the summer vacation, this place was where they parted after a date.
Memories of intimacy and farewell kisses in the car flashed through his mind. Yuu couldn't help but wonder if Haruno had deliberately chosen this spot to corner him.
Yuu showed no sign of unease. He only asked, puzzled, "Is something important up?"
"Can't I bother you for something trivial?" Haruno looked at him with keen interest, her gaze as if waiting for him to reveal a weakness.
Yuu, outwardly pretending to be calm but inwardly a bit panicked, chose to brush it off quickly.
"Sorry, I'm in a hurry to get home. Let's talk another time."
"Eh~ So heartless."
Though she said this with regret, Haruno had no intention of stopping him. She simply let him pass.
"By the way, do you know what happened to Masuzu-chan to make her lose her appetite and even her sense of taste?"
"I don't know. That's her private matter."
"What a coincidence. Though not as severe, I experienced something similar at the end of August."
Yuu's steps didn't falter. His tone wasn't cold. He spoke casually, as if chatting with a passerby.
"Is that so? Then you could share your experience with her. Maybe you two can figure out the cause."
"The cause… isn't hard to guess." Haruno smiled mysteriously. She suddenly changed the topic. "Is your relationship with her close?"
"It's average. We were in the same group during the autumn field trip. We didn't talk much… Why are you asking this?"
"Just curious~ What about Dango-chan?"
"Let's say we're a couple."
"Eh~ Why Dango-chan? Isn't Yukino-chan super cute? Doesn't she attract you?"
"Ultraman's pretty attractive to me too. So, does that have anything to do with who I want as my girlfriend?"
After answering up to this point, it was time to show a bit of impatience and refuse to talk further without seeming guilty.
"That makes so much sense. I can't argue with you."
Her regretful voice grew fainter behind him. Yuu didn't look back. He only showed an impatient expression, as if annoyed by the hassle, and quickened his pace, moving out of the glow of the car's taillights.
The next second.
"…I'll wait for you to tell me yourself."
A sudden, hoarse voice, deeper than the night, reached his ears.
The surroundings were silent. The cool night breeze carried the scent of her perfume, connecting to a familiar feeling in his memories.
Yuu unconsciously stopped. He forced himself not to turn around.
"Until I figure out what you're really trying to do, I'll pretend I don't know anything… But remember, my patience won't last long."
Though her tone was icy and aloof, pushing everything away, it hid a warmth and tenderness that could melt anything.
"Someone who makes their girlfriend wait too long is called a scumbag. Hurry back."
Haruno declared with clear, uncompromising words: "Don't say you don't understand what I'm talking about. If you've truly forgotten everything, then from now on, I'll use all my strength and every method to make you remember, one by one."
"Didn't we agree? You'd stay with this troublesome woman until the end. I won't forgive you if you run away halfway."
Time seemed to stop at that moment. The night breeze ceased. The stars stopped twinkling. Only their breathing formed the entire world.
With his back to her, Yuu stood in place, like standing alone in the middle of the sea, helpless.
He slightly opened his mouth, as if to say something. But the activated Clear Mirror, Still Heart made him fall silent and calm again. His fist at his side clenched lightly.
Yet, though his emotions faded, his mind felt filled with chaos. He couldn't form coherent words.
"Haruno-san, you…"
After a moment, Yuu turned and spoke to his ex-girlfriend behind him.
But he heard a hurried voice, trying to cover up, like a child who hadn't tidied their room.
"Wait, don't turn around and look at me!"
Then, Haruno took a deep breath. She muttered unhappily, "Damn it, I hate that formal, distant way you address me… I've decided, if you call me politely again, I won't cooperate with your acting!"
"Haruno…"
"Hmm, that's more like it. I'm sure a smart guy like you understands what I mean. But since I'm worried about unexpected situations, let's agree not to talk about it explicitly… However, the issue of cheating with Dango-chan—we'll settle the score when this is all over."
As if she smelled a lie on him, Haruno gave him no chance to speak. She opened the car door, started the engine, and after those harsh words, prepared to leave.
The exhaust fumes hit Yuu's face, making him unconsciously cover his mouth and nose. He squinted, looking at the woman in the driver's seat with a complex expression.
"You… you're someone who just talks to herself."
"Same to you, you lying little brat."
This time, Haruno didn't look back. Through the car window, her clear, cheerful voice, as if meant for the clouds and stars in the night sky, shattered the calm amidst the night breeze.
"Remember well, I won't forget you again—there won't be another chance for you to leave me!"
"So, don't try to escape responsibility. The rest of your life still belongs to me, my dearest Yuu-chan~~~"
Her proud, confident, and carefree words, along with the black car leaving a white streak, sped off into the night.
She didn't look back or glance at the rearview mirror. She only stared straight ahead with wide eyes.
The cold wind quickly filled the car. Her hair was a mess, her vision obstructed. Her hands gripping the steering wheel trembled slightly—but it didn't matter; there weren't many cars on this road.
Most importantly, that familiar warmth once again filled her heart. Though faint, it was a start to reclaiming everything from the past.
"Ah, I can't hold back…"
"How can the mature Haruno always become a childish, easily provoked kid in front of him?"
In a place her lover couldn't see, Haruno laughed broadly, gently wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes.
She knew he wanted to escape, to lie, to hide… So much like her old self.
Now their roles had reversed. This time, it was her turn to chase him from Chiba to Karuizawa, from home to Disneyland, from July to an uncountable future—
No matter how far she had to go, as long as these memories and feelings remained, Haruno would tie her young lover tightly to her side, even death couldn't part them.
"I'm so glad I could remember…"
Yes…
So glad she could remember, before she completely gave up… Truly, so glad…
"…"
On the empty street, the car's lights faded. The graffiti on the red brick wall was once again cloaked by the night.
Yuu gazed at the winter night sky.
It was slightly different from summer, but when the stars weren't visible, it felt like nothing had ever changed.
"If my feelings were still there, right now, I'd probably be so happy I'd cry and laugh…"
The sigh was carried away by the night breeze.
He tucked both hands into his pockets, turning his gaze to the shadow slanted by the streetlight. He lowered his head and stepped forward in silence.
"Why… why is this actually happening… Tell me, System."
"Tell me what I should do next. Hurry up and give me your manipulative mission, and end this all."
Alone.
Even the voice and panel that always appeared within him seemed unwilling to accompany him for the rest of the walk home.
Yuu could only ask and answer himself.