The next day.
Welcoming the new morning, Yuu faced the rare winter sunlight. He cursed his yesterday self.
"Idiot, all you can do is push problems to the future!"
He went downstairs and turned on the water.
While brushing teeth in front of the mirror, Yuu carefully reviewed yesterday's events. He also planned for the future.
Anyway... The System was back in action, meaning his vacation ended.
"Morning was a harmonious cooking class. Tachibana and Isshiki learned what they wanted. Sora didn't antagonize them much. Total success."
But at noon, while lovingly preparing lunch with a friend, without warning, the System's wheel crushed him again. Like an immoral capitalist urging subordinates to work immediately.
"The four-choice issue was left to Yukinoshita to decide... If she wasn't there, I might've really given up choosing and let the System do whatever."
Mouth full of toothpaste foam, but Yuu couldn't hold back a smile.
His past self surely wouldn't believe he'd feel happy over improving relations with Yukino—
He once swore to save her. Whether possible or not was questionable, but that sentence alone saved Yuu.
If someone knew his fragile side, he could calmly show his strong side to those he wanted.
"Next, explain to her what the ideal boyfriend task really is, without violating System warnings..."
After that, he and Yukino must come clean to Yuigahama about his girlfriend openly cheating with her best friend.
Thinking of the dumpling girl's possible expression, Yuu couldn't help grimacing. His stomach hurt—but no choice, it must be done.
He wasn't stupid. He knew hiding would bring greater disaster and wounds. So, he strived for honesty as much as possible. If unable to say truth, he'd dodge otherwise. That's how he interacted so far.
But after all preparations, felt sadness, and questions asked, Yuigahama should've mentally prepared. Her reaction shouldn't be too intense.
If she couldn't accept, Yuu could only...
"Tch!"
He spat white-foamy saliva into the sink. Yuu rinsed. After tidying his already handsome face, he left the bathroom. Changed into sportswear, preparing for morning jog.
Though his body, System-enhanced to bare-handed bear-killing without exercise, he kept the morning jog habit. He thought calmly about his affairs in the cold, fresh morning wind.
Light steps lightened his mood too.
"In the afternoon, through games, Sora's relations with everyone improved. She wasn't as afraid... Whether my feeling or not, she seems to like Tachibana more than Isshiki and Yui."
When playing in his room, for team games, Sora actively paired with Kanade. No hostility or wariness like their hospital first meet.
Is this girl friendship?
Though not understanding, since good, Yuu didn't probe further.
"After that, Haruno..."
Riverside scenery flashed by. Yuu let his body move mechanically. Expression calm, eyes focused in thought.
"Not coincidence. She prepared... Maybe realized something wrong since visiting day. After noticing Masuzu's amnesia similarities to hers, to get more info, she brought Masuzu before me. Observed her reaction, and mine."
Haruno unchanged. She'd do anything for goals. Even used Masuzu to test him—Masuzu's later forced kiss, perhaps from something Haruno said in the car?
To Yuu, memory-recovered Haruno was true final BOSS. She'd only hinder hiddenly, piling problems and difficulties.
Yet what she wanted was simple: just reunite, fulfill promise to advance together.
So simple, yet Yuu must reject fiercely.
"Anyway, now I like someone else..."
The sigh blown by cold wind. Yuu suddenly stomped ground hard. Calf veins bulged. Body accelerated. Became blurry light shadow, weaving freely through quiet streets and alleys.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Ten minutes later.
Forehead slightly sweaty. Yuu stood at door, slightly panting. After overworked calf tendon recovered from tear, he opened house door and entered.
As he closed door, whole body refreshed. Looked relaxed, not like just doing five hundred weighted squats with cement pipes at empty construction site, just to feel physical fatigue.
No need shower. Yuu went straight to kitchen. Donned apron, started preparing breakfast.
"Haruno and Masuzu can only react spontaneously now. Unfit for active actions. As for Asuna, as long as I avoid Kuroyuri Academy area, won't meet her. No need over-worry..."
"So, forget unnecessary. Focus on Yukinoshita and Yui."
After sorting situation, he set this principle for future actions. Mood lightened.
If trying handle everything, end with handling nothing—though superhuman physique and abilities from System, fundamentally Yuu remained ordinary human. Couldn't perfect everything.
Especially feelings. He was amateur, like middle schooler first dating. Far from playboys.
So, only one thing he could do now.
Namely, see goal ahead, advance straight.
"After school today, Service Club meeting... Don't know if Yukinoshita has time. Feels time short."
Skilledly served two breakfast portions. Went upstairs, called Sora to eat.
Under sister's sleepy gaze, Yuu left house. Took out phone, messaged Yuigahama.
Yuu: [I'm out. Want to head to school together?]
Other read about one minute later.
Yui: [Bit flu. You go first. Don't wait.]
Seeing phone, Yuu frowned slightly—Yesterday not cold all night, why flu?
Yuu: [You okay? I'll visit. Should still time cook porridge bowl.]
Yui: [No time! You go first. I'll catch up soon! (Muscular Arm Shiba Dog Sticker)]
Yuu: [Alright. Tell me anytime if trouble.]
After read, Yuigahama sent no reply.
Yuu pocketed phone. Since she said so, his steps toward Yuigahama's house changed direction, continued to school.
Then, during morning classes, he heard Yuigahama took sick leave that day.