[Fifth Day] After a conversation with Ichinose Honami about Karuizawa Kei's situation, she gave you permission for your next move. As a result, word of your relationship with Kei spread rapidly through both of your social circles. Although many of Kei's so-called "friends" scoffed at the idea, your continued updates of affectionate moments convinced others that you were truly dating. Those who still doubted were gradually painted as jealous girls envious of their friend's boyfriend.
That night, you received a message from Kei. She was both nervous and thrilled by how the situation had changed so quickly. While modern women no longer need a man to prove their worth, for someone like Kei—who had long suffered bullying—a quality boyfriend became a solid wall of protection. But she knew it was all a fragile illusion. If the matchstick girl at least held her flame, this warmth belonged to someone else. With the flick of your switch, she could be cast back into the darkness.
You were surprised by how perceptive she was. That night's conversation revealed Kei to be someone who, though momentarily misled by fantasy, made every step with thoughtful deliberation—just like the plea she sent you tonight.
[You've reached a branching point. Your next path will be determined by your current traits.]
Branch 1: Accept Kei's request. Ending Route: [Dreamlike Illusion] Unlocks CG: "She and His Cat", "Actor", "The Ephemeral Fireworks"
Branch 2: Reject Kei's request. Ending Route: [Summer Has Ended] Unlocks CG: "Sisters", "Fireworks", "I Like You"
Traits detected:
Tokyo Heartthrob
Guardian of Flowers
Outcome: Branch 1 selected.
"Sure, I'll do it."
Once again, you gave her the same promise as yesterday. You calmly accepted her emotional dependency.
Whether that was the right or wrong choice remains to be seen.
[Sixth Day] On your way to drop Ichinose Honami off at her part-time job, you noticed she seemed a little down. When asked, she said her younger sister Maki had been upset lately. You recalled Honami mentioning a few days ago that Maki's cat wasn't feeling well. You asked if she had contacted the vet clinic you'd recommended. Honami confirmed the cat had already been taken and was recovering well.
Ruling that out, you suspected Maki's mood stemmed from something else. Just as you debated whether to probe further, Honami suddenly asked where you'd been the past two days. You casually replied that you'd been hanging out and taking photos with Kei. Honami fell silent for a moment, then abruptly mentioned her part-time job would end tomorrow and that she had finally saved enough to buy her sister a hair clip. She asked if you'd spend the following day with her. You happily agreed.
During your outing with Kei that day, she mentioned receiving a friend request from someone named "Ichinose Maki." Thinking it might be a relative of Honami's, she accepted it. But after adding her, Maki sent a long and bizarre message, even asking to meet in person. Concerned, Kei asked you to come along.
Glancing at the profile picture and recent posts, you immediately recognized it was indeed Maki herself. You'd been planning to resolve things with her anyway, so you agreed to accompany Kei.
Before the meeting, you bought a glass of orange juice.
The designated meeting place was a café on the third floor of a department store. Upon entering, you saw Maki seated by the window. She didn't seem surprised to see you with Kei. Thanks to her mother and sister's upbringing, she had always been the polite, quiet type in public, yet energetic at home.
You noticed the untouched coffee on the table—clearly a prop inspired by something she'd seen in a drama or novel. A thirteen-year-old wouldn't enjoy coffee. You placed the orange juice before her and nodded for Kei and yourself to sit down.
After ordering an iced Americano for yourself and an iced cocoa for Kei, Maki suddenly said something that froze you in place:
"Why didn't you date my sister?"
It sounded strange—perhaps even taboo—but in your case, it made sense. You had grown up with the Ichinose sisters, and to Maki, who had always seen you two together, the idea of you and Honami dating seemed natural. Because of that, she had consciously buried her own vague feelings for you.
Others thought the same: friends like Hirata Yosuke often assumed you and Honami were a perfect match. Rumors even circulated that you were secretly dating. But deep down, you knew the truth: your relationship with Honami remained that of childhood friends.
"Answer me."
As you drifted into memory, Maki leaned forward, her small frame pressing toward you. She barely touched her favorite orange juice. Her face, so much like Honami's, threw you off.
"Are you still raising the cat I gave you?"
"Yeah, I am. And when 'Hotaru' got sick the other day, didn't I give you the vet's number?"
"She's healthy again now." Maki's eyes lit up talking about the cat.
"But what does that have to do with why you and my sister aren't dating?"
You took a sip of bitter Americano, memories flooding back to your first taste of it.
"Maybe it does."
That was your answer.
[CG Unlocked: She and His Cat]
"Today, once again, I orbit around the words I really want to say, like a satellite. I answer him vaguely. I like the cat he gave me. I like cats. I like him."
Would you like to view this CG scene? (It may impact future progress.)