Earlier, somewhere in the amusement park.
A girl rushed out of the women's restroom. While drying her wet hands with a handkerchief, she hurried toward the Ferris wheel, her face showing anxiety and frustration.
"Ugh, why did I have to get a sudden stomachache…"
She should've been able to follow them from behind, sneak into the third cabin back, and see if they'd do anything naughty alone in a closed space…
But whether the milk she drank that morning was spoiled or what, a strong, sudden stomachache ruined her perfect plan—God knows how much she suffered and how annoyed she was fighting her gut in the toilet!
Thinking about it, the hurrying Yuigahama couldn't help clenching her fists. She added a bit of strength to her legs, aggressively pushing against the crowd.
Ignoring the weird looks around her, she looked solemn. She swore to herself—when they met later, she had to ask if they kissed on the Ferris wheel!
If the three of them wanted to be together, there shouldn't be secrets like this!
"Hah… hah… They shouldn't be gone…"
She rushed from the restroom to near the Ferris wheel at top speed. Yuigahama held her knees, panting. She anxiously looked left and right.
In the sea of people, she couldn't confirm if the two were still on the Ferris wheel or had gone elsewhere.
She took out her phone, hesitated briefly, then put it back in her pocket. Wiping sweat cooled by the cold wind, her expression gradually firmed.
"Their date isn't over. At least until we regroup, I shouldn't disturb them…"
She murmured softly. To avoid being spotted by them if they passed, Yuigahama looked around. She headed to a café with a second-floor terrace.
Others might not accept it, but as Yuu's official girlfriend, she was truly willing and actively made this choice—let her boyfriend date her best friend once to catalyze their somewhat awkward relationship.
Face your feelings, everyone!
Besides, only by doing this could Yuigahama gain both friendship and love. She could fulfill her wish without losing anything.
She'd long given up on a normal romantic relationship.
And reality proved her choice right. Her plan was unexpectedly successful.
After secretly observing all day, the two's closeness clearly increased. Both Yukino and Yuu's gazes toward each other had changed—no need for a kiss to know, it was the sweet-and-sour scent only couples have, different yet natural.
Yes, this was the stage she wanted to see!
Yuigahama was very satisfied with today's results. She even oddly felt the fulfillment and loss of watching her own child finally marry.
For them, today's date would surely be an unforgettable memory!
Though dusk had fallen and it was nearly time to regroup and leave, Yuigahama wanted this precious memory to have a perfect enough ending.
So, she had to keep hiding. She couldn't appear and interrupt their alone time until the two actively contacted her or they left the park together.
And all the jealousy and hurt built up during this time, she'd find a moment and make Yuu properly compensate her privately…
"Come to think of it, I really am a model girlfriend, right? Hehe, Yuu-kun will definitely praise me when he finds out~"
Yuigahama couldn't help chuckling softly. She casually bought coffee at the counter and eagerly walked to the second-floor terrace.
Stepping onto the Italian-style wooden floor, she looked left and right, wanting a good spot to view the Ferris wheel area and confirm if they were nearby.
But before reaching the railing edge, she heard someone in the corner say her name.
"Yuigahama-san, you finally came."
Yuigahama startled, suddenly turning toward the familiar voice.
"Ma-Masuzu?!"
A beautiful girl with silky silver hair held binoculars, smiling brightly at her. Her right hand slowly formed a thumbs-up, placed in front of her chest.
"YES—" Her lips curved. The thumb suddenly tilted sideways, sliding down gracefully and quickly. "I am!"
Yuigahama's eyes widened. She reflexively shouted, "JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Part Three, Avdol's signature pose!"
"Correct. Didn't expect you to watch JoJo too." Masuzu nodded satisfied, a genuine smile on her face. "You're truly the only friend I acknowledge. Fate has decided we're together."
"Ahaha, I don't even know when I started watching JoJo… Actually, Masuzu watching JoJo is the weirdest thing. It doesn't suit you at all."
Scratching her short ponytail, she laughed awkwardly twice. Yuigahama unconsciously ignored the last line. Her gaze swept the figure leaning on the railing, holding binoculars. She couldn't help asking confusedly:
"Masuzu, you came to the amusement park alone?"
"Alone, yes. But not to play." With a mysterious smile, Masuzu waved at her. She pulled another pair of binoculars from her bag and shoved it into her hands.
"You must be tired following them all day."
Yuigahama blinked dumbly, only then reacting. Her expression turned terrified.
"Eh?! You, why—"
Seeing her so shocked she nearly dropped the item, panicking like caught stealing bread by a teacher in class, Masuzu's lips curved wildly. Finally, she couldn't help laughing heartily. Her elegant, dignified skin peeled away, her bad nature clear.
"Yui-chan, you're so slow~ You followed them but didn't notice I was following you. This is the proverb of the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, right?"
"How did you know… Wait, why follow me?!" Asking in disbelief, Yuigahama unconsciously stepped back twice. She still didn't fully grasp the situation. "Even if you wanted to follow, you should follow Yuu-kun…"
"You're right. I was following him." Under her suddenly realizing gaze, Masuzu snapped her fingers cheerfully. She said slowly, "But while following, I happened to find a comrade like you. Seeing you enjoy stalking more than me, I felt bad interrupting your fun. I didn't greet you."
"What fun. I'm not following because I like it…" Yuigahama muttered. She took the binoculars and examined them. Only then did she realize.
This half-foreign noble silver-haired girl even bought backup gear for stalking!
Impressive. Was this a professional stalker from overseas?
Though admiring, Yuigahama still had something to say.
She stared at Masuzu, her gaze gradually serious.
"Masuzu, though it's weird for me to say, reduce near-criminal stuff like this…"
But before guiding the lost girl back to the right path, Masuzu reached out, openly cutting her off.
"First, I personally don't like stalking either. No Golden Spirit at all."
Yuigahama blinked. She didn't say it, but didn't believe it in her heart.
Masuzu shrugged helplessly, too lazy to explain. She continued, "Second, I don't have your strong heart to watch others date and flaunt affection all day from behind… The reason I'm still here is purely because I feel something interesting will happen today."
She pursed her lips, smiling with interest. "Reality proves my instinct right."
"Something interesting?"
Under Yuigahama's confused gaze, Masuzu turned and leaned on the wooden railing. She held the binoculars to her eyes, pointing in one direction.
"Look there. At the Ferris wheel exit corner, that shadowed spot."
Though her face still showed confusion, Yuigahama hesitated briefly. But she couldn't resist the strange curiosity and anxiety in her heart. She stood beside her, took the binoculars, and looked the same way.
Soon, the ponytail girl couldn't help exclaiming, "Found them! That's Yuu-kun and Yukinon… Eh? Why is Haruno-san there too?"
"This is today's most interesting show. Your luck is great. You met me right at the opening." Masuzu laughed carelessly. Her arm unintentionally reached Yuigahama's waist, gently pulling her close.
Shadows touched closely. To others, they looked like close friends, right?
Though the fact both held binoculars watching the crowd below was oddly hard to explain… But Masuzu's goal was basically to be on the same side as Yuigahama.
As long as she didn't find it weird, it was fine. Others' opinions didn't matter to her.
Thinking so, Masuzu slightly shifted her gaze from the distant scene. She secretly glanced at the ponytail girl beside her.
Silently, she smiled softly. She didn't know why herself.
Though not a way to get close to Yuu, she genuinely wanted to get along with Yuigahama.
And as fellow peeping friends, now was the best time to warm their relationship—honestly, since spotting Yuigahama sneaking at the park gate, Masuzu had been waiting for this scene.
Compared to Yuu facing the sibling horror below, her luck today was like getting consecutive gold and rainbow items for free in a mobile game!
Masuzu's eyes sparkled happily. She leaned her head closer, secretly sniffing the scent in her hair—Mm, besides shampoo, there was strong sweat from running…
Wait, is this toilet smell?
Ugh…
"Interesting show? What are you talking about, didn't they just run into each other…"
Confusion and shock filled her mind. She didn't notice the person beside her planning an attack. Yuigahama muttered somewhat anxiously.
Through high-magnification binoculars, she focused on the three's interactions and expressions. But she couldn't understand what they said. She only knew Yuu's expression didn't look good.
"…Ahem, I don't know that. With someone like Haruno-san, anything she does isn't surprising."
Taking deep breaths of terrace air several times. After secretly distancing from Yuigahama, Masuzu took the binoculars again. She refocused on the Ferris wheel exit show. She said simultaneously:
"Though not expert, I can lip-read. I'll translate synchronously for you."
"Eh? Is this really okay…"
Yuigahama couldn't help hesitating. She wasn't even surprised Masuzu knew lip-reading. She just struggled internally—should she observe with her up here or rush down to their side and face the sudden Haruno together.
Hearing her hesitant tone, Masuzu said carelessly, "What's not okay? They have their own business to settle. If there's an issue, just call and check, right?"
"Remember, we're observers now."
"Nngh…" Yuigahama bit her lip. She didn't argue.
She just murmured inwardly: (Masuzu is an observer, true. But I'm not…)
Her boyfriend and best friend were dating, intercepted by her sister who's also a love rival. Logically, she should rush down to help.
But for some reason, she accepted Masuzu's suggestion just like that.
Not moving, Yuigahama stood before the second-floor terrace railing. She watched the ground scene through distant binoculars. At the same time, she listened to the girl beside her softly, melodiously translating lip-read words one by one.
"This, how, could…"
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"How could this happen?"
Her hand grip slowly tightened. Yukino snapped from shock. She frowned, biting her lip. She looked up at the man she already liked. Anxiety trembled in her eyes.
But seeing his stiff expression, the cold girl recalled words the other once said. She quickly closed her eyes, took a deep breath. Her expression slowly calmed.
When she opened them, her dark blue gaze was sharp as ice knives. All anxiety and doubt vanished completely.
Amid her flowing black hair, Yukino stepped forward, standing before Yuu.
Her back straight. Expression solemn. She locked eyes with Haruno's lightless cold ones. No hint of retreat.
"Ex-boyfriend? Dating in July? I don't want to be too rude, but Nee-san, you really should see a psychiatrist."
Haruno's gaze slowly shifted from Yuu's face. Like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, she smiled softly:
"My foolish little sister, didn't I say not to interfere in our business?"
Yukino said firmly, "Your business is my business. You have no right to decide!"
She folded her arms politely. She lifted her head and chest. She faced directly the sister she always feared.
Her heartbeat unconsciously quickened.
She felt various hormones secreting rapidly. She didn't know if her face flushed—couldn't care now.
So, she deepened her breath, gathering courage.
Cold air cleared her lungs. Her mind was fresher and calmer than ever.
Her voice paused only briefly.
Yukino put on a cold, tense expression. In a natural, flat tone, she openly declared to her sister:
"I am Tenkuji-kun's girlfriend. If nothing changes, I'll also be his wife in the future."
"Even if it's you, Nee-san, I won't allow you to interfere with my partner repeatedly."
"And the current me has the right to say this to you—"
She uttered each word, as if piercing the other's heart.
"Please like someone else and stop thinking badly of my boyfriend!"
"…"
Silence lasted briefly.
As if the world lost sound. Countless joys and laughter evaporated from the park.
The air was dead and cold like Haruno's eyes.
No waves appeared. It pressed heavily on their three shoulders.
Slowly, a sneer emptier than a cold smile curved her lips. Haruno didn't hide her contempt for her sister. She sneered:
"Finally admitting it? Like cats, so you became a thief cat yourself?"
"Sorry, not everyone who breaks your heart is called a thief cat." Yukino retorted unrelentingly. "How about introspecting why you're unpopular?"
They glared at each other. They let the surrounding temperature plummet. Killing auras rose.
Though the sisters' tones were colder than December's winter wind, a faint burning smell hung in the air. As if a volcano gathered energy under their feet, ready to erupt and topple everything on the ground.
Influenced by this atmosphere, the crowd near the Ferris wheel unconsciously circled them. They all looked over, slowly forming a clear empty ring around the three striking figures.
Just as their testing ended. The love rivals' gazes froze cold. They prepared to officially attack each other.
Blocked behind Yukino, Yuu finally stepped forward.
He used a deliberately softened voice to break the frozen cold air:
"You two, don't fight over me yet. Listen to me."
But the always-effective Word Bullet bounced back off the same ice wall, failing.
His very sincere words only got two cruel responses—
"I said I'd protect you. Stay quiet behind me."
"I'll deal with you later. Let me punish our family's thief cat first."