"Is that so?"
Yuu didn't need to answer; just by looking at his expression, Yukino had already reached a conclusion.
Her black hair swayed slightly with the movement of her head. She crossed her arms and sighed resignedly. "Honestly, I can't imagine what reason would force a man to cheat. Especially when you say it so blatantly like this, even announcing your crime in front of one of the victims… Can't you explain even a little?"
Yuu snapped out of his thoughts. Before he could fully process the complex emotions in his heart, he answered while spreading his hands. "You think I don't want to? It's already good that I can directly state the goal. My difficulties are too many to explain."
After grasping the system's restrictions, everything he revealed—whether to Sora, Yui, or Yukino—constantly teetered on the edge of triggering a time loop through death. Yuu couldn't say more.
Even so, it was better than saying nothing, wearing a suffering expression, carrying everything alone, and leaving those who cared about him perpetually confused.
At least, that's what Yuu thought.
Of course, honesty had to be selective… For example, Yukinoshita Haruno. Unless she voluntarily asked about things related to the past, Yuu wouldn't bother explaining anything to her, even though one of them had regained their memories.
What was once left behind isn't easily reclaimed.
"Goal? Difficulties?"
Propping her chin with her hand, Yukino pondered, showing a thoughtful expression. "From your words, it sounds like someone forced you to make this absurd choice… No, it's more like someone gave you an unavoidable task."
"You can't defy your superior's orders. You also don't dare make the decision yourself. That's why you're so anxious that you couldn't help but confide in the perfect me?"
"…"
Stunned, Yuu stared at her as if she were a ghost, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.
"Yukinoshita, are you a god or a mind-reading Esper?"
(With just this little information, she's already guessed the truth almost perfectly. Is this person too smart, or does she understand me too well?)
"Just simple deduction. I don't mind if you call me a god; after all, I am the perfect me."
Flicking her long hair as if hiding her pride, the smug smile that briefly appeared on her lips was quickly suppressed. Yukino furrowed her brows and looked at him seriously again.
"Then it's my turn to ask."
Yuu blinked. "But you haven't answered…"
"Answer my question first."
"Everything has an order…"
"Hmm?"
Any objections?—That was her tone.
"…No objections. Go ahead, Yukinoshita-sama the Goddess."
Under her cold, undeniable gaze, Yuu could only raise both hands helplessly. But for some reason, his heart felt much lighter.
Though the countdown had only a little over a minute left, after talking with her briefly, the suffocating feeling gradually faded. The confused and helpless emotions vanished silently, like snow melting under sunlight.
(…So, I trust her that much, huh?)
He felt like a child whining to his mother. Realizing this, Yuu sighed quietly to himself.
"First…" Her fingers tapped her elbow twice. After choosing her words, Yukino began speaking seriously, as if interrogating. "Have you ever discussed this with anyone else?"
Yuu answered honestly. "Except for my sister, outsiders know about my cheating. As for the three-versus-one choice, I only told you. Maybe I'll only ever tell you."
"Mhm. It's not something you can just say." Yukino commented flatly, then continued asking, "Your relationship with Yuigahama-san… No, let me rephrase. You'll be in a relationship with Yuigahama-san while also being the ideal boyfriend for someone else. Have you considered her feelings?"
"If I hadn't, I wouldn't be this troubled now." Yuu shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. "Both she and I made the appropriate resolutions beforehand… That's also why we haven't actually started a relationship yet."
"So, you knew you'd cheat sooner or later and had Yuigahama-san mentally prepare first?"
It was more a confirmation of fact than a question.
Yukino gently pressed her temples and sighed again. "If those words didn't come from you, I'd sincerely suggest she see a psychiatrist… Either crazy or an irredeemable jerk."
Yuu raised an eyebrow and smiled. "I didn't expect you to trust me so much. Truly my friend."
Yukino showed a faint smile too. "Yeah, my fault for knowing that advising you is completely useless. I'm someone who firmly gives up when the time comes. I won't do pointless things like that."
"Hehe. You're indeed smart."
"Next… Since you can't explain the reason, my final question is this." Muttering softly, Yukino erased the smile from her face. Her cold, calm gaze locked onto Yuu's eyes.
"Why did you tell me?"
(Forget how much courage it took to say something like this. With his IQ, he can't possibly not know that choosing to be honest will only make his task more complicated and harder to complete.)
(Ideal boyfriend?)
(What ideal boyfriend would blatantly say they'll cheat? Isn't saying it just asking for trouble?)
Though this contradiction suited Yuu's troublesome personality, Yukino still wanted to know—What was the real reason this guy chose to be honest with her?
"…"
This seemed to be a question that required thought. Yuu fell silent for a few seconds before speaking slowly.
"There are many reasons, but maybe none are what you want to hear."
In the kitchen, where the air flowed calmly, they looked at each other. Their expressions were natural, no longer pretending.
"I can't lie to Yukinoshita."
"Can't, or won't?"
"Same thing."
"Why?"
"I won't tell you."
"You like me?"
"I like you from a human-to-human perspective. But as a man and woman, forget it."
"Heh. The guy who was just sneaking glances dares to say that."
"Hey, buddy, can we get back to serious business?"
"The serious business is that you haven't said what I want to hear."
Her expression suddenly turned tense and serious. Yukino stepped forward, standing in front of Yuu.
The distance between them suddenly shrank to an intimate closeness. Yuu could smell her scent. Even with so many dishes on the table, the unique, fresh, sweet fragrance of the girl still pierced his nose.
Tilting her small, pale, and flushed face upward, Yukino parted her cherry lips slightly and asked, word by word:
"Tenkuji-kun, what do you want me to answer? Tell me the truth."
"…"
Yuu held his breath, as if choking.
Though he was just standing there, he felt cornered against a wall, with no room to retreat or dodge.
Just as he couldn't lie to Yukino, Yukino wouldn't let him lie to himself.
"Alright…"
With no intention of resisting, Yuu closed his eyes as if surrendering.
The remaining seconds, less than ten, vanished from his sight. His vision went dark.
Even so, her presence remained vivid. Yukino was like a cold snowflake, leaving residual warmth in his palm.
Sighing, expelling all the air from his lungs, Yuu spoke slowly:
"Can I ask you, Yukinoshita?"
For the first time, Yuu stopped pretending to be strong. He surrendered the weakness in his heart.
If he couldn't choose, let someone else choose—But such a sneaky, cowardly method wouldn't be forgiven by anyone.
"Forgetting any favors owed to you for now, I won't stand by if my friend is in trouble."
Without the slightest hesitation, Yukino spoke as if it were only natural.
Then, her cold, soft fingers touched his forehead, gently smoothing out the creases there.
Her voice seemed to laugh and sigh at the same time.
"So, Tenkuji-kun—I accept your request."
"Whatever the cost, I'll save you from that expression."
[Time Remaining: 0:01]
[Target Confirmed: Yukinoshita Yukino.]
[Instructions: Task Activated]
[Become Yukinoshita Yukino's ideal boyfriend. Rewards will be given based on the Host's performance.]
[Task End Time: Unknown]
[Task Hint: Yukinoshita Haruno's memories have been restored. This character may affect the task's progress. Please proceed with caution, Host!]