"Mana..."
Looking at her younger sister crying and whining on the ground, Masuzu showed a confused expression, slightly reluctant to pay attention.
Yuu was completely unaffected. He walked toward Mana, glanced at the bald, sunglasses-wearing bodyguard who tried to stop him—making the man instinctively freeze and dare not move—then crouched in front of the blonde-haired girl.
"You said I bullied you, but if I didn't have strength and was beaten down by this Yasuo, would you apologize to me?"
Mana gritted her teeth, her red eyes glaring at him with fear and anger, but she couldn't utter a word in rebuttal.
Of course, if Yasuo had successfully taught Yuu a lesson, Mana wouldn't just refuse to apologize—she'd laugh at him and mock his helplessness.
"At your age, you should use your cuteness as an advantage instead of always trying to fight adults and using dirty tricks... Ah, since you called me brother-in-law, I'll give you a little advice."
Yuu patted her head, adopting the posture of an elder brother giving advice. He spoke gently:
"Your IQ is lower than your sister's, and even she couldn't beat me. So you'd better go home and be a good little sister."
"I kindly forgive you this time, but if one day you meet a perverted criminal Yasuo can't defeat—someone cruel to girls... You're old enough to kiss strange men. You should know what'll happen, right?"
"..."
Mana's eyes widened. She seemed to imagine several horrifying scenes, her small body trembling slightly.
Yuu lifted her chin. "Answer me?"
His voice seemed hypnotic, his eyes locking onto her unstable blue ones. The pressure slowly seeped into her.
The girl was forced to stare back, feeling as if her breath would stop, her entire body stiff and unable to move.
After lasting less than three seconds, she bit her lip, lowered her gaze, and her arrogant tone finally softened.
"...I understand. I won't do it again."
"Good. I like good kids."
Yuu smiled brightly. He no longer applied any pressure. He casually and familiarly pinched her cheek, pulling her up from the ground.
"Though our first meeting was a bit rough, let's officially introduce ourselves—I'm your sister's boyfriend, Tenkuji Yuu. Nice to meet you, Mana."
Mana initially didn't want to respond, but under his kind gaze, she gave a small nod and mumbled reluctantly.
"...Nice to meet you."
Then, without looking at Yuu in front of her, she turned to the bald bodyguard and shouted: "Yasuo, if you can still drive, get in the car and prepare to leave. If not, call someone."
Yasuo nodded, clutching his wrist as he walked toward the sleek black luxury car parked by the roadside.
"And, Masuzu..." Mana looked at Masuzu, placing one hand on her hip. Her aura, which had nearly vanished, returned to arrogance.
"He told me to warn you to behave. You can have a boyfriend, but if you do anything strange that damages the Natsukawa family's reputation, he'll bring you back to Sweden."
"If you don't want to make him angry, you'd better obey, okay?"
Masuzu stared coldly. "Are you done talking? If so, go home. Don't bother me again."
"Tch, heartless person..." Mana clicked her tongue. After complaining a few times, she turned and prepared to leave.
Yuu smiled and said, "Say goodbye? It's very rude to leave without saying farewell."
Mana's forward step stiffened.
"...Excuse me, Sister, Brother-in-law."
She gave a sloppy bow, then quickly walked toward the black car as if fleeing.
Masuzu stood beside Yuu, tugging his sleeve with a gloomy face, whispering as she plotted something.
"What if we finish them off here? So Mana won't go tell that man strange things to get revenge on you..."
A voice from afar immediately rang out: "I won't! Didn't I say I'm thinking of Masuzu?!"
"Tch, she heard it?" Masuzu frowned in annoyance. "My stealth attack failed..."
Mana kept shouting: "You're speaking so loudly—someone who isn't deaf can hear it, you know?!"
"Never mind. Yuu, just bring this girl to my apartment. It'll be easier to kill or hypnotize her..."
CRASH!
Before Masuzu could finish, Mana slammed the car door. The sound of tires screeching on the pavement echoed as the black car sped away.
Every movement showed survival instinct.
Watching the car's lights fade, Masuzu said regretfully, "She escaped..."
Yuu glanced at her. "You're such a good older sister, scaring your little sister like that."
"She started it, so don't blame me... Besides, wasn't you the one who scared her first? You still have the nerve to blame others—that's just like you."
Masuzu crossed her arms over her chest. The frightened expression she'd shown moments ago seemed like an illusion. She was relaxed and calm again, her slender shoulders loose, her bright blue eyes gazing at him.
"To be honest, I thought you'd give her Stockholm syndrome right then and there."
"I just taught her a little lesson. I don't intend to do unnecessary things."
"Like taming her, then secretly performing a double kill with both sisters?"
"Not interested..."
"Then secretly seizing the Natsukawa family fortune through us, eventually building a huge harem in Sweden?"
"Even less interested..."
"Is that so? I'm actually very interested."
"..." Yuu rolled his eyes. He was too tired to talk to this shameless person.
Masuzu was best at baiting. If Yuu agreed, she'd definitely mock him again as a playboy, bastard, and so on.
Yuu always distanced himself from such false accusations.
"Aren't you afraid?"
Masuzu suddenly asked without reason.
"What?"
"Retaliation from the Natsukawa family. Even if Mana didn't say it, that bald man will definitely report it."
"His name's Yasuo... Is the Natsukawa family really that powerful?"
"Extremely powerful. They can even use local board members to monitor my school life."
"I see..." Yuu thought for a moment. The Yukinoshita family were local board members and successful entrepreneurs—did he really need to fear the Natsukawa family after kidnapping their eldest daughter?
Though the two couldn't be compared, for someone with a system as backup, he didn't need to fear retaliation from the Natsukawa or Yukinoshita families.
"Then we'll discuss it when they come for revenge." Yuu shrugged, speaking casually. "I don't care about your family situation. I just do what I want."
"Like teaching a lesson to your mischievous little sister—and also..."
As he spoke, Yuu gently patted Masuzu's thin, fragile back, smiling as he said, "Being your support, so you don't show that desperate, helpless expression... That's what a boyfriend should do."
The twilight slowly faded. Streetlights turned on, and the sky grew calm in pale gray.
Masuzu looked at his profile, as if she'd found stars in the dark night sky—ones that made her seem brighter, deeper within her heart.
Her heartbeat had never been so clear.
"...Desperate and helpless? I'm not such a fragile woman."
After a pause, she lifted her silver hair from her shoulder and smiled too.
"I forgot to say nasty things to that man before he left, so you could see my determination. Such a mistake... You, over there with the Stand, quickly stop time and chase them."
Yuu nodded in satisfaction. "Right. Arrogant, stubborn, and selfish like this—that's the Masuzu I know."
"Hmph, even a fake boyfriend dares to be arrogant."
Masuzu sneered in disgust, suddenly hugging him and burying her small face in his chest.
She started rubbing her face against him.
"Hmm~"
As she rubbed her face, Masuzu even made a comfortable breathing sound. She moved her left cheek to the right, then back from right to left, as if wanting to cover his entire chest with her scent.
"Eh... Masuzu?"
Yuu's expression turned strange. He placed his hands on her shoulders, unsure whether to push her away or hug her back.
(Why is she suddenly so clingy? Isn't this too sudden?)
"What is it?" Masuzu answered lazily.
Yuu asked hesitantly, "Is this what a fake girlfriend should do?"
"We've already kissed. Why are you asking such a stupid question?" Masuzu sighed resignedly. "Well, basically, this is just copying a JOJO joke."
"Which part? Which volume?"
Yuu didn't recall any face-rubbing scenes in JOJO.
"..."
Rub.
"...Aren't you going to answer?"
Masuzu snorted. "You not only ignore my JOJO jokes, but you also forgot I said we should act more real than real—truly cruel and arrogant Tenkuji."
"Natsukawa-san, is your evaluation of me a bit biased?"
As a result, before Yuu could push her back toward the apartment door, Masuzu stuck to his chest like gum, continuing to rub her face.
Yuu lost count of how many times she rubbed her face—like she wanted to release all the affection she'd stored from the past. It was very annoying, but he couldn't bring himself to push her away. He could only let her be with a resigned expression.
Yet, he didn't hate it.
Only now did Yuu realize—he actually loved the feeling of being trusted and relied upon—
It was like proving he had the right to exist in this world. He didn't need to worry that no one would care if he disappeared anytime.
Even if he didn't have to be a hero, as long as he was willing to reach out and help others, to be their support... Sooner or later, someone would support him too.
Just like him and Sora—they'd both gone through that.
Just like the two previous missions—he'd gone through that too.
"Masuzu, you haven't fallen in love with me, right?"
"What are you saying? Do you enjoy insulting me with the thoughts of love followers? Cruel Yuu."
"Never mind. Pretend I never asked."
Yuu firmly gave up, but Masuzu had no intention of ending the conversation.
"Didn't I tell you long ago?"
Masuzu smiled like then, her tone cold, not a trace of seriousness.
"I love you, Yuu."
But beneath her shimmering silver hair, her ears and cheeks were faintly tinted with red—beautiful like twilight that hadn't yet faded.
Like a pure silver lily blooming to illuminate the night.
Yuu froze for a moment, then smiled in admiration.
"I'm the one who should say it—you're truly a fake girlfriend."
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, host has received a reward: Disguise (Expert Level).]
[Congratulations, host has received a reward: Martial Arts (Expert Level).]
[Congratulations, host has received a reward: Intimidation (Status).]
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Inside the sleek black luxury car.
"That man—my intel says he's an ordinary person with no background, supporting himself and his younger sister through part-time work... Though his sports grades are good and his strength is greater, that terrifying aura... It was even scarier than Father when angry."
Biting her nails, Mana complained restlessly, hiding the small tremors that hadn't yet subsided by moving her legs.
The driver, Yasuo, fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly: "Miss, forgive me if I'm bold, but I hope you won't confront him directly... Not just his strength—my intuition tells me that high school student seems to hide many things."
"He had the power to shatter my arm bones, but he didn't... If you truly want someone to teach him a lesson, you'd need at least three men with abilities like mine, and they'd need batons or stun guns to have any chance of winning."
"You're rating him that highly?" Mana couldn't help but be surprised.
Yasuo nodded. He didn't say more, calmly continuing to drive.
His attitude was clear. Even if seen as overly cautious, he didn't want to trouble someone clearly with deeper background—it wasn't worth it.
Mana ruffled her hair, whining in frustration: "Damn it~~ Why is there a monster like that around Masuzu?! So it'll be harder to make her come home, right?"
The girl who just wanted her sister to return finally could only slump her shoulders in despair, sighing as she blankly stared out the window.
"I can't beat him... Fine. After all, Masuzu will be very happy there, right? Her boyfriend is so great, and he's willing to protect her like a knight..."
Muttering, Mana felt a little envy.
—Envy for that man, who could be so close and familiar with her sister, trusted and relied upon by her.
"...Hmph, too bad his personality is so annoying. He'll definitely be dumped by Masuzu sooner or later!"
Cursing the man angrily, Mana unconsciously touched her cheek, as if she could still feel the warm fingers that had gently pinched it twice.
Like a real older brother—though his gaze was fierce and his attitude cruel, he had an adult aura that made people willingly bow and let him protect and tease them. The sense of safety from his smile was incredibly strong.
If someone like this became her brother-in-law, would he protect her too, just like he protected her sister...
"Hmph, I don't need that."
Mana muttered, but unconsciously smiled, happily enjoying the scenery outside the window.
As for today's apology—let's discuss it when they meet again next time...
That would be a good excuse to see her sister. Hopefully, that annoying brother-in-law wouldn't be there.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Sister, how long will you keep watching here?"
Inside the luxury apartment.
After being pulled by her sister behind a decorative plant, Yukino watched the couple outside affectionately, frowning in disgust. She desperately wanted to go upstairs and return to her room.
Unfortunately, her hand was tightly held by her sister—she couldn't break free at all. Her sister had no intention of listening to her protests, still standing there as a loyal spectator, refusing to leave until the performance truly ended.
"If you want to talk, go talk. If you don't want to be seen, just leave. Why watch other people being affectionate here..."
Yukino didn't understand Haruno's actions. She didn't understand why her sister was acting so crazy, dragging her along.
Haruno shifted her gaze from Yuu, finally glancing at her younger sister.
"Yukino-chan, you wouldn't understand, would you?"
"...If I understood, would I be asking you? Sister, since when did you become so stupid?"
"Rude." Haruno flicked her forehead, mentally noting this debt to settle later in the room. Her gaze returned to the man still affectionate with the silver-haired girl, the corner of her lips lifting into a faint smile.
"I'm just doing an experiment."
"What kind of experiment?"
Haruno didn't answer. Instead, she calmed her mind, her eyes turning cold as ice, silently feeling her emotions from within.
It was very strange.
Though this was only their second meeting.
Though she didn't feel even a trace of romantic feelings.
Though she didn't think they had anything in common.
Though she had no memory of this young man in her mind—so of course, he had no place in her heart.
Yet, when she saw Yuu being affectionate with his girlfriend, and saw the gentle smile on his face—reserved only for her—somehow, there was always a pain in her heart, as if choked by chains. Her head felt like something was swelling, and her whole body felt uncomfortable.
Haruno wanted to separate them and reclaim ○○○—
Though such an impulsive urge arose, Haruno remained calm.
The rational monster observed everything from above, calmly analyzing her own feelings—cold, objective, and correct.
Because she felt uncomfortable watching them being affectionate, she would keep watching. She would keep observing, never looking away.
She would let the pain pierce her heart, until she understood the shape of her wound. She would understand why she felt this way—until she obtained a hundred percent reliable answer.
—That's why it's called an experiment.
Haruno didn't believe she'd fall in love so easily. She didn't believe she'd change without reason. She could only obtain objective data and conclusions through experimentation.
"...What can I do? Who told me to be such a twisted person?"
Haruno closed her eyes, smiling bitterly in resignation.
Yukino watched her sister's expression in confusion. She looked toward the two people outside the apartment, seeing them wave goodbye, and Masuzu preparing to walk toward the main door.
"Sister, let's go... You've spied enough, right?"
"Hmm."
Haruno gave Yuu's back one final look.
To find the answer. To find something real in this world full of lies.
Haruno thought—she needed to get closer to this pain.