July 31st — the last day of the month.
In the Magic City region, Chen Xinyi, having just finished watching the 7 PM drama on Xing Tong TV, immediately switched channels to Jinhui TV.
Sunday evenings from 7 to 11 PM were prime time across the country. Nearly every major network aired its flagship seasonal drama, making the ratings war during this window particularly fierce.
And yet, even amid such fierce competition, 'White Album 2' remained highly competitive.
For example, the drama airing on Xing Tong at 8 PM had been ranked 7th in last week's autumn season ratings. Still, Chen Xinyi didn't hesitate for a second before switching channels.
Because, for her taste, 'White Album 2' was just better.
Whether she'd continue watching after tonight all depended on where the plot went.
She was a staunch "pure love" fan — with zero tolerance for cheating plots, love triangle betrayals, or emotionally shady drama.
The first four episodes of 'White Album 2' had been fine — the classic three-person ensemble: meeting, bonding, falling in love.
But that Episode 4 ending…
You bought a ring for Setsuna's birthday, and then… bailed?
All because Haruki had heard some "important news" about Kazusa from her mother?
Skipping such a meaningful date with his girlfriend for another girl?
It just felt… wrong.
To Chen Xinyi, it screamed one thing:
"Kazusa is more important to him than Setsuna."
But Setsuna was his official girlfriend!
"If tonight this show drops some betrayal BS—Haruki cheating on Setsuna—I'm dropping it for good."
That was her final line.
While commercials played before the episode aired, she was active in the Team Setsuna fan chat, chatting with other loyal viewers.
A few minutes later, Episode 5 began.
That same familiar song, 'Todokanai Koi', opened the show. But this time… it hit different.
When it first played in Episode 1, it had just been a nice melody.
Now, with the tension building…
Those lyrics felt heavy.
"How can I reflect my heart in the mirror, so you can see it clearly?"
"How can I engrave my name deep within your soul?"
"A love that became a distant dream…"
If these were just lyrics, fine. But…
In the story, it had been explicitly stated — Haruki wrote these lyrics himself.
And let's be honest… that song clearly wasn't about Setsuna.
Because it was Setsuna who confessed first. The lyrics spoke of unspoken feelings, of longing, and regret.
So who was it about?
The answer was painfully obvious.
Chen Xinyi took a deep breath and tried to shake it off.
Then the episode began — with a gut punch.
Haruki lies to Setsuna over the phone, saying he's sick and can't make it.
Chen Xinyi frowned.
"Here we go…"
Kazusa stepped off a plane, and Haruki was already waiting for her at the airport.
He explained himself — that he had come because she was leaving the country after graduation to pursue music, and he wanted her to tell him and Setsuna properly before she left.
Okay, technically, that still made some kind of sense.
But the BGM shifted… darker now.
Kazusa clearly didn't want to talk, brushing him off.
"I'm sorry."
Haruki caught the subtext immediately. That apology — it wasn't for him.
It was for Setsuna.
And that was the moment Haruki's character cracked.
"Why… are you trying to disappear from my life?"
If this had been the original game, the players would've seen Haruki's inner monologue explaining how he always had feelings for Kazusa, but repressed them after getting together with Setsuna.
But TV dramas don't have that luxury.
Without internal narration, this scene ran the risk of making Haruki look like a complete two-timing jerk — angry because he couldn't keep both girls.
Thankfully, Jing Yu's performance had improved. He managed to deliver the emotional weight of the scene, and while Chen Xinyi didn't feel angry…
She felt utterly stunned.
"Am I really… just that insignificant to you?" Haruki said bitterly.
"Exactly. That's why I couldn't say anything!"
"Aren't we friends?" Haruki asked, his face pale, like a ghost.
"If I can't even say what I really feel to you… Are we really friends? What kind of boyfriend does my best friend talk to me like that?" Kazusa responded with a pained look, masking her sorrow with a cold smile.
What even is this conversation?!
Where does Setsuna fit into this?
Across every 'White Album 2' fan group, Team Setsuna exploded with rage.
"What the hell is this plot?"
"They're really pulling this melodramatic nonsense in Episode 5?!"
"Teacher Jing Yu, where's the brilliance you had in 'Your Lie in April'? This male lead is a disaster."
"Haruki's expression is clearly showing affection for Kazusa. Then why'd you accept Setsuna's confession?"
"Setsuna's suffering, and I hate it."
"Let's keep watching. So far, Kazusa's holding the moral line — she hasn't betrayed Setsuna."
"You know… what if Haruki's role is actually just to crush Setsuna's heart, and the real plot is Kazusa comforting her? And eventually… Setsuna falls for Kazusa?"
"Whoa, wait… that's actually kind of genius."
"Is that the twist?"
Chen Xinyi read the group chat and finally calmed herself down a little.
But the next scene…
Took things even further.
An acting showdown between Jing Yu and Xia Yining.
And while Jing Yu's acting had improved, Xia Yining's sheer presence overwhelmed him — and it worked.
Because in that scene, Kazusa was meant to emotionally dominate.
"You're the one who disappeared first," she said, voice shaking. "You're the one who ran to a place I couldn't reach."
"So far away, yet so close… You're the one who set up this torture. And now, you dare blame me?! Watching you two together every single day—cutting into my heart like a knife—and you say this is my fault? That's too cruel!"
Kazusa's execution theme, "After All", played softly in the background.
And just like that—
The full force of "White Album Studies" descended upon the nation.
Chen Xinyi clutched her stomach.
This plot. This dialogue…
It shattered the last threads of hope for so many viewers.
These two — Haruki and Kazusa — clearly had mutual feelings for each other.
Kazusa couldn't stand watching Setsuna and Haruki together anymore. She was willing to break their trio's eternal bond just to escape the pain.
And yet…
Chen Xinyi's eyes blurred with tears.
She loved Setsuna the most — always had.
But this scene?
Kazusa…
Kazusa really got to her.