After leaving Space Mountain, Yukino's condition was surprisingly stable.
"Didn't I tell you? I'm not scared of extreme rides like this, I just don't like them."
Tidying her hair, messed up by the wind, she didn't look at him, but the corners of her lips faintly curved upward with a proud expression. "Sorry, you miscalculated… A trivial roller coaster like this is no threat to me at all."
"So confident?" Yuu raised an eyebrow slightly, stroking his chin as he recalled. "I don't know who was squeezing their eyes shut and gripping my sleeve tightly as the roller coaster kept climbing."
"…"
"I don't know who was trembling at the highest point and only calmed down after I patted their head a few times."
"…"
"By the way, who was that adorable little girl who needed support getting off the ride and took a dozen seconds to compose herself?"
"…"
As if she didn't hear him, Yukino remained silent. The cold aura radiating from her back grew stronger, and her fingers, tidying her hair, stiffened like a machine.
Yuu suddenly smiled. Before her anger peaked, he shrugged and said casually, "Since you're so brave, let's try the Coffee Cups next. They're just slightly faster teacups. They shouldn't be more extreme than a roller coaster."
At those words, Yukino audibly inhaled, her chest seeming to swell slightly in a way he couldn't quite see.
"…If you want to try, go ahead and try alone. I won't join you a second time."
Saying that coldly, Yukino walked toward Space Mountain's exit.
As Yuu moved to follow, she suddenly stopped again, slowly tilting her head.
Yukino tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. One of her cheeks, lightly flushed with a cherry hue, turned toward him. Her eyes, like lake water reflecting light, mirrored his figure.
"Are you deliberately trying to make me angry to make me forget what I said to you on the train?"
As always, though it was a question, she used a declarative tone.
As if locked by her clear gaze, Yuu also stopped. He smiled without confirming or denying.
"The wind was too strong then. I didn't hear what you said."
"Liar." Yukino sneered with disdain, as if she saw right through him. "You should understand, a man full of lies can never be my ideal boyfriend… I know there are many things you can't say, but even your own feelings—can't you face them honestly?"
"Something I'm not even sure of myself, how can I be honest about it? I don't like ambiguity." Yuu shrugged, firmly turning the question back. "What about you? If I'm not mistaken, in everything we've been through, aren't you the one more restless than me?"
He suddenly stepped forward.
His aggressive words carried a strange pressure, enveloping the slender figure before him.
"Yukinoshita, let me ask you—from Yui's feelings to the three-person date turning into a two-person one, which of these can you face honestly and resolve on the spot?"
"None, right?"
Yuu stared into her eyes, asking word by word. "Likewise, even if I'm not the ideal boyfriend in your heart, you can still hold my hand this closely, hear your own racing heartbeat, feel your rising body temperature—why? Can you honestly say the reason?"
"If you can, I can too."
Her clear, distinct pupils contracted. Yukino opened her mouth slightly, stunned, and fell silent.
Yuu saw every ripple in her dark blue eyes. He knew he shouldn't be asking her these questions.
When he was most helpless, Yukino reached out to help him.
When he didn't know what to do, Yukino's gentleness and fairness made choices for him.
…Come to think of it, even if the task wasn't complete, Yuu still owed her a lot.
They should each be happy in their own way. He was the one who recklessly changed their friendship, arbitrarily placing them in this increasingly difficult situation—he was the mastermind creating the problem.
Yukino was innocent. As the culprit, Yuu had no right to force her to give any answers.
His way of speaking, his actions…
He really had no right to comment on anything.
"…Sorry, I spoke without thinking. Pretend I didn't say anything."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the regret rising in his heart made Yuu lower his head immediately. He honestly admitted his mistake.
Suppressing his chaotic emotions, he took a deep breath to calm down. A relaxed smile curved his lips as he tried to act like nothing happened.
"Let's go. Where to next? Panda Pan's Adventure?"
Speaking, Yuu passed by Yukino's side, not looking at her expression. His demeanor was calm.
But after a few steps, his arm was tugged.
"Done talking and now you want to run?"
It was a chilling, emotionless voice.
Yuu didn't pull his arm away forcefully, afraid of hurting her overly slender fingers. He only sighed softly and slowly turned around.
(Her gaze is cold and scary too. But it's much softer than I imagined?)
(Hm? Isn't she angry?)
(What's going on?)
"You're right, a troublesome person like you can't be dealt with just by talking."
Like a leopard finally spotting its prey's weakness and slowly baring its fangs, Yukino curved her lips, looking at his slightly uneasy expression with a strange smile.
Yuu instinctively swallowed. "You dare call me troublesome. Who's really the troublesome one… Hey!"
Not letting him finish, the girl suddenly reached out, grabbed his collar, and pulled him down, bringing his proud head to her level, just a palm's width apart.
Their breaths mingled, as if they could feel the warmth of each other's lips. They locked eyes, seeing themselves reflected in the other's gaze, their heartbeats seemingly synchronized.
"Remember—I will save you from that expression. That promise still holds."
As if carving the words deep into his heart, the girl, more dominant than Yuu just moments ago, stared straight into his eyes, speaking in a heavy, undeniable tone:
"Not for that weird task, but purely for you. I want to help you."
"This is what I want to do. Until it's done, there's no reason to give up or take it lightly."
Her expression was serious and intimidating, as if proclaiming a law.
"Yukinoshita Yukino is your girlfriend. I've acknowledged this fact—whether it troubles Yuigahama-san or forces me to face Nee-san, nothing can make me let go of this identity, not even you!"
"So from now on, please treat me with the appropriate attitude… Not just casual joking or deliberate pretend actions."
"Admit it."
Yukino could only admit it.
For some reason, she slowly showed a smile, her eyes narrowing like a lazy kitten's.
Her gaze, accepting a somewhat helpless reality, was softer than early spring when snow melts.
"You'll like me sooner or later, just as I'll like you sooner or later."
"Even without the request, if we keep hanging out as friends like this, one day I'll…"
Her murmur stopped there.
Yukino blinked, her breath catching unconsciously. After staring at his shocked, handsome face and well-defined lips for a moment, her face flushed with embarrassment. Her eyes slowly widened, her body temperature clearly rising.
"A-Anyway!"
She released his collar in a slight panic, stepping back a few paces. The aura that seemed about to kiss him vanished quickly.
Inhaling cold air into her lungs, Yukino glanced at the ground, subtly twirling a strand of hair on her cheek.
"No matter… what happens in the future, no matter the reason…"
Her white teeth bit her pink lips. She tried to maintain surface calm, but her voice grew softer, slightly nervous.
"At least for now, I'm really looking forward to… our next date…"
Her shy words ended. Her fair, adorable face was fully flushed.
Yukino closed her eyes tightly, pressing her hand to her chest, taking a deep breath.
Suddenly, she clenched the hand on her chest and swung it.
(Good, I said it!)
She even showed a satisfied expression, as if accomplishing a great feat, her aura sparkling.
After calming down somewhat, she cleared her throat twice, returning to Yuu's side calmly. She linked her arm with his.
"Holding hands is too much hassle. Let's walk like this… By the way, I'm more comfortable calling you Tenkuji-kun. I won't change that unless something comes up."
Like a stray cat newly found, Yukino approached cautiously, careful not to let her small chest touch his arm.
Maintaining that distance, she finally felt safe. Pursing her slightly curved lips, she looked ahead naturally. "Next stop is Panda Pan's Adventure. After the cable car, we'll take a photo together. There's a sticker photo machine there; we can take pictures with exclusive backgrounds only available here."
Her voice declared the current issue resolved, ready to move to the next stage.
The path ahead was wide open. Though a thin mist still shrouded the top of the tall castle tower, it would soon dissipate in the increasingly lively amusement park, right?
"…"
The girl stepped forward first.
Yuu didn't resist, following her away from Space Mountain toward Panda Pan's Adventure.
After a moment of daydreaming, he snapped back as if from a distant place. His shocked expression slowly turned complex.
Looking down at the girl beside him, whose flush had nearly faded, Yukino seemed calm and even slightly pleased. Yuu opened his mouth hesitantly, his usually sharp mind unable to find a single word for the moment.
After a while, he asked cautiously:
"…Um, Yukino?"
"What, thirsty?"
Yukino looked up, her eyes quickly locking onto a small vendor ten meters ahead. Pursing her slightly dry lips from talking too much, she smiled faintly, her voice cheerful:
"Let's buy drinks there! I'm thirsty too. Though food and drinks in the park are pricey, they're tastier than convenience store ones. Next time, I suggest bringing your own water… I usually buy the special Panda Pan edition drinks here."
"No, that can wait. I just wanted to say…"
Yuu tugged the corner of his lips with a complex expression. The soft touch on his arm made him feel confused for the first time.
"Is this really okay?"
"What's not okay? Isn't this your goal? You didn't seem like this before entering the park."
"Really liking me… isn't a good thing."
"Relax. I won't become like Nee-san or Natsukawa-san, losing my senses and going extreme just because I fell for someone…"
Yukino looked at Yuu. As if tired of pretending or forcing herself, she tilted her head and showed a calm smile.
"Even if I do, I won't regret this choice now."
"Because saving you makes me feel an irreplaceable satisfaction."
She said, smiling like that.
"…"
At that moment, Yuu took a deep breath. Thousands of words surged to his throat, then got stuck.
Suddenly, he smiled.
He looked at the sky, letting out a happy laugh toward the heavens where clouds and mist had cleared.
"Haaa… You're really a weird one."
A beauty that wasn't intrusive, pure, smart, and honest—perfectly suited to Yukino.
From then until now, Yuu thought, this was Yukino at her most adorable… And perhaps in the future, it would always be like this.
At least, in his eyes.
"Huh, same to you."
Yukino shrugged nonchalantly, pulling his arm toward the vendor. After buying two drinks, she walked lightly toward the bamboo-decorated entertainment hall.
"By the way, I remember you saying your charm isn't enough to make me commit crimes, that I wouldn't touch you at all?"
"Didn't you also say only insects would like me? Tsk, Insect-shita Yukino."
"Please don't drag Yuigahama-san into this, Insect-kun Tenkuji."
Bickering as they entered Panda Pan's Adventure and again as they exited the cable car, they shifted from arm-linking to hand-holding, entering the Panda Pan souvenir shop.
The sticker photo machine was there. While their hands were still free before shopping, Yukino pulled him to take their first sticker photo together.
Enthusiastic expression, eyes sparkling like a child's, cheeks pink with anticipation—this was a Yukino he'd never seen before.
No overly intimate poses. They just leaned against each other, smiling naturally and safely at the camera.
After taking the photo, they entered the free-coloring session. Yukino, new to sticker photos, couldn't help panicking while operating the machine, needing his help to adjust settings like the background.
Holding the stylus, Yuu deftly tapped the panel. "Let's pick this bamboo background. Don't add anything else. I don't like overly cluttered photos."
Quickly grasping the controls, Yukino pushed him away from the screen, tapping rapidly with a serious expression.
"I don't like cluttered ones either. But Mr. Panda is a must. Add one… No, ten."
"Too many! Are you trying to cover my face with pandas?!"
"Oh, good idea~" Raising her brows and pursing her lips, Yukino smiled mischievously and adorably. "I'll put a panda censor over your face. Don't let your face reduce Mr. Panda's cuteness."
Yuu smiled insincerely, saying in a friendly tone, "Dear Miss Yukino, ever heard this?"
"When taking sticker photos, seventy percent of guys choose to forcibly kiss the girl beside them to leave a memory."
"Really? So what?" Yukino turned, completely unbothered by his empty threat.
Then she honestly removed the excess pandas, leaving just two on their shoulders.
"Thank me. I've considered this much for you. Who told me to have a heart as vast as Mount Mitake, willing to forgive your arrogance and rudeness."
"Relax, I'm not interested in forcibly kissing anyone." Yuu snorted coldly.
After all, it was always others forcibly kissing him.
After the edited sticker photo was printed, they left the machine, split the photos, and admired and discussed them briefly before browsing the shop.
Seeing Yukino immediately tuck the sticker photo into her bag, Yuu stopped his fingers holding one corner of the photo, asking in confusion, "Not planning to stick it on the back of your phone? Most couples do that."
"Not for now. I'm a bit… embarrassed." Yukino covered her mouth with her hand, her face slightly red, murmuring softly, "If Nee-san finds it, it's fine… If Mother finds it, it'll just cause bigger trouble."
"You're right."
Yuu didn't care much. All this time, whenever he took sticker photos with a girlfriend, he'd stick them on the back of his phone case to prove his loyalty.
Though this phone case already had sticker photos from three girls who'd taken them with him… This was the fourth.
"Capturing a girl's heart with various unintentional little actions…" Seeing his unhesitating move, Yukino couldn't help chuckling, teasing, "It's tough being your girlfriend. Having to wonder every day if another girl's been charmed by you like this."
"I act upright and do right." Yuu rolled his eyes. "This is called a warm, considerate man. Don't compare me to central air conditioning."
"Two-timing and daring to say you're not central AC? Truly shameless." Yukino retorted with a roll of her eyes, sneering.
"I didn't ask because I didn't want to embarrass you… Tenkuji-kun, you're so skilled at taking sticker photos. How many times have you come with Yuigahama-san? Why don't I see your sticker photos with her on your phone?"
"I've never taken a photo just with Yui." Yuu defended himself calmly. "We took one together during the Autumn Study Tour. Did you forget?"
"Autumn Study Tour?" Yukino tilted her head in confusion, frowning as she searched her memory. "Though we did split into two groups… As far as I know, we didn't have a sticker photo session?"
"…Ah, right." Yuu suddenly realized, sneering helplessly.
After all, the past was the past. Events related to Masuzu had undergone slight changes and erasures.
In the altered worldline, their six-person group indeed didn't go to an arcade for sticker photos.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Disneyland, a certain corner.
At an outdoor café seating area, a silver-haired girl held high-magnification binoculars. Through a street mirror's reflection, she silently mimicked Yuu's lip movements.
"Sticker photo… Autumn Study Tour…"
"Familiar words. Do they have something to do with me?"
"I did join the Autumn Study Tour, but nothing worth remembering…"
Staring at the scene, Masuzu pondered, distracted. She felt something being tugged, wanting to surface from the depths of her heart.