Though he didn't meet her eyes, Yuu knew she was referring to Haruno.
After all, in his memory, Haruno had once said something like this:
"She always wants to prove she's not weaker than me. Too bad, aside from clinging to that meaningless first-place spot, she hasn't done anything else~"
If her attitude toward outsiders was already so dismissive, then toward the person herself, with her personality, it must be even more extreme, right?
That's why Yukino's tone became so intense, even sharp.
"When this person stands in your way, you'll realize your own weaknesses and try to surpass that towering mountain. But no matter how hard you try, the path to the peak seems endless. You can only keep striving, keep improving, keep pushing forward until you can't think of anything else—and at that moment, surpassing the shadow looming over your head becomes a purpose you can never let go of."
As if forgetting she was only answering a question, her face and tone darkened, her head slightly bowed, her entire being radiating a cold aura like black snowflakes.
*TOK!*
Yuu tapped the table. Yukino flinched as if waking from a dream, avoiding his gaze and taking a deep breath while pressing her chest.
"…That friend you mentioned, if he really can do everything, tell him to find someone far superior to him in some aspects, or even someone who utterly crushes him in everything."
Regaining her calm composure, Yukino concluded: "If he can't find such a person among peers, look among seniors. If not among seniors, break a record… Set an endpoint, and only then can a person shed their laziness and keep moving forward."
It was a sound theory. She stated it boldly and honestly, her voice clear and irrefutable.
After a moment's thought, Yuu countered: "What if he's not interested in challenging anyone and doesn't care about breaking any records?"
"Then let him fend for himself," Yukino replied firmly, her eyes showing clear disdain. "A troublesome person like that should go meditate in the mountains."
"…"
(Sorry, I am that troublesome person.)
Stared at silently by Yuu, Yukino touched her hair, sighing helplessly. "Fine, let me think…"
Her bright blue eyes flicked upward. She pondered quietly for a moment, then said with a slightly uncertain tone:
"How about trying to figure out what matters most to you?"
"What matters most?" Yuu was slightly surprised.
Yukino nodded, her soft black hair swaying gently like a waterfall with her movement.
"Not heavy stuff like the meaning of life, but what you value most."
She raised one finger, her melodious voice floating in the quiet air: "People who value money chase money; those who value love chase love—everyone, to some extent, has something they cherish in life. Slyly enough, your friend values purpose, so he's searching for a target to pour his passion into."
"In short, finding a purpose is simple. It's about your willingness to strive for it and not making excuses for your shortcomings."
Frowning, Yuu rubbed his chin, lost in thought.
"Valuing something… that becomes the purpose?"
A month ago, he wouldn't have hesitated. He'd have chosen his sister and money without a second thought.
His sister was his only family, a treasure he'd protect for life—its importance was unquestionable.
Money was the guarantee of survival. With money, he could give his sister a better life… That hadn't changed even now.
So, what he valued was clear.
It was Kasugano Sora.
…But even after finding the answer, Yuu still couldn't pinpoint a direction that could be called a purpose.
Protecting his family was a starting point, ingrained in him like eating and drinking.
But now, Sora was living happily enough—though her body was still frail, with regular checkups and proper nutrition, let alone exercise, even childbirth wouldn't likely be an issue.
Their home was a family inheritance, with savings and no debt. Neither sibling was extravagant; daily expenses weren't high.
In other words, even if Yuu chose to be a slacker, took a civil service exam, and lived leisurely, he and his sister could live happily and comfortably for the rest of their lives.
What was the point of striving further?
He had system rewards, a quietly improving physique, and various odd skills.
Yuu had too many things he could do—compete in contests, write, open a restaurant, audition for films. With stamina, standing out in any industry wouldn't be hard.
But it wasn't necessary.
Because those were things he could do, not things he had to do.
Because they were options given by the system, not choices born from his heart.
"Did I ever have such a thing…"
He had.
Yuu recalled, in that empty room with no one else, the version of himself that chose to sever his emotions, chose to smile and part ways with Haruno.
His purpose was clear: to avoid greeting tomorrow with sadness.
Because the journey of those emotions was too painful, after being forced onto the next track, he decided not to strive and became a lazy player.
As Yukino said, Yuu was making excuses for his cowardice, blurring the direction of his purpose.
That's why he couldn't find it.
Lost in thought, Yukino, who'd been observing his expression with interest, let out a meaningful chuckle:
"Well, did that answer solve your problem?"
"Tenkuji-kun, who's smart, not short on money, not lacking love, and several times better-looking than average?"
Yuu: "…"
Had he shown too many openings, or was Yukino as perceptive as her older sister?
"Yeah, it's decent, worth referencing."
Yuu rolled his eyes as he answered, clearly not wanting to let the girl get too smug.
But as if seeing a kid stubbornly refusing to admit fault, Yukino covered her mouth with one hand, laughing even more gleefully.
"Decent? Barely? But you were lost in thought for quite a while. Care to share what you realized so deeply?"
"Fine."
Raising an eyebrow, Yuu didn't back down, returning a smile: "Turns out the school's number one Ice Queen has someone close to her she can't beat, no matter how hard she tries. Quite surprising."
"Must be a mature, beautiful, gentle, all-capable older sister who leaves her younger sibling in awe, right?"
"…"
The calm expression on her face vanished completely. Yukino glared at him with a terrifying, murderous look.
Like a kitten with its tail stepped on, she almost arched her back and hissed at him.