Satoru finally spoke, his voice calm but carrying a hint of teasing authority.
"Alright, Arashi… your task is simple," he said, leaning slightly closer to the camera. "Tell us what you like most about that girl — what was her name… yes, Mizuki. Tell us her best qualities. And also tell us something she has done that made you fall in love with her… or at least started liking her."
Arashi stared at the screen, stunned.
"Man… what kind of question is that?" he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "How am I even supposed to answer that? It's embarrassing."
Takumi immediately jumped in, pointing at him with exaggerated seriousness.
"Embarrassing? Seriously? Come on, bro. Moments like this don't come every day. Take advantage of it. There's nothing to be shy about. Just tell us — full details. Okay?"
Everyone's eyes locked onto Arashi.
He sighed softly, straightened a little, and cleared his throat.
"Fine…" he said quietly. "I'll say it."
There was a brief pause — small, hesitant — before he continued, his voice turning more sincere.
"Mizuki… I liked her because she's genuinely kind. Not polite-kind or pretend-kind — the real kind. She helped me a lot… more than she probably realizes. Whenever I was close to breaking, she was there. She stood with me even when I didn't ask for it. Even when I didn't say anything."
His expression softened, his gaze dropping for a moment.
"And honestly… everything she's done for me, I can't really put into words. If I started listing it, it still wouldn't be enough."
He inhaled slowly, gathering the rest.
"She had this way of talking to me… just her voice could calm me down. And whenever I was angry, confused, or completely exhausted, she never pushed. She never complained. She just listened."
His fingers tapped lightly on the table as he remembered more.
"She noticed small things about me that even I never paid attention to. The way I talk. The way I hide things. The way I pretend everything's fine. She understood all of it — quietly, without forcing me to confess anything."
He paused again, the corners of his eyes tightening with something unspoken.
"And maybe… maybe that's why she mattered. Because she didn't treat me like a puzzle to solve. She just stayed. And that meant something."
He looked back at the screen, suddenly aware of how quiet everyone had become.
"That's all," he said quickly, as if he'd gone too far. "Yeah… that's enough."
For a moment, no one said anything. Arashi's words hung in the air, raw and honest, still settling over the group call.
Takumi was the first to break.
"Bro…" he said, leaning back with a dramatic sigh, "that was deep. I thought you were going to say something simple like 'she's nice' and be done with it. But no — you gave us a whole monologue straight from the heart."
Satoru nodded slowly, a faint smirk forming."Honestly, Arashi… I didn't think you had that kind of speech in you. Respect. I almost felt like I should take notes."
Hina giggled, covering her mouth."Oh my God, Arashi! I didn't know you could speak like that. You sounded like you were describing your soulmate."
"Seriously," Miyu chimed in, leaning closer to the camera with a mischievous grin. "If Mizuki heard that, she would melt on the spot."
Arashi narrowed his eyes at the screen, annoyed."Relax. I just answered the question. Don't make it weird."
But the teasing only intensified.
Hina laughed. "Too late! You made it weird yourself with that dramatic explanation."
Takumi clapped his hands once. "I swear, if this was an anime, there would be sparkles behind you while you were talking."
But through all the noise and laughter… Ayane remained silent.
Her expression was calm, but her eyes lowered, her fingers curled slightly near her chin. She wasn't smiling. She wasn't teasing. She was simply… quiet.
And Miyu noticed.
Miyu's teasing grin faded just a little as realization clicked into place.
Wait… this call wasn't even supposed to be about Mizuki.
Ayane's plan, the game she designed, the whole setup — it was never about hearing Arashi talk about another girl.
It was about Ayane.
It was about Ayane confessing.
And now the focus had drifted far away from her.
Miyu straightened suddenly, flashing a wide smile that didn't quite hide her intention.
"Alright! My turn!" she announced loudly, snapping the attention back to the game. "Arashi — what's my task?"
Her tone was light, but her eyes flicked toward Ayane for a split second, as if to say:
Don't worry. I'm steering it back to you.
Miyu leaned forward confidently, resting her chin on her hand.
"Okay, Arashi. I'm ready. What's my task?"
Arashi stared at the screen for a moment, as if weighing his options. A calm, almost bored look crossed his face — the type that said he wasn't in the mood for simple, easy tasks.
He wanted something challenging.
He wanted something that would make Miyu regret asking so boldly.
"Alright," he said finally, his tone flat but edged with mischief, "your task is simple."
Everyone leaned closer.
"You need to eat something… disgusting. Something you normally wouldn't even touch. I don't care what it is — pick the grossest thing in your kitchen. And eat it on camera. Properly. No spitting, no cheating."
Miyu went silent.
Takumi's jaw dropped. Hina covered her mouth. Satoru froze.
"WHAT?!" Miyu exploded, nearly falling out of her chair. "Arashi, what kind of psycho task is that?!"
Arashi shrugged casually.
"You asked for a task. I'm giving you one."
"No, no, NO!" Miyu shook her head violently. "Choose something else! I am NOT eating anything disgusting. You're insane."
Arashi's expression didn't change.
"Fine," he said calmly. "If it's too difficult for you, just say you can't do it."
Miyu froze.
Her pride twitched — visibly.
Takumi whispered, "Oh no… he touched her ego."
Hina giggled nervously. Satoru just smirked.
Miyu narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean 'too difficult'? I can do it. I just don't want to."
Arashi tilted his head a little.
"Oh," he said, voice cool as ice. "So you can't. That's okay, I understand."
Miyu's mouth fell open.
"Ex— excuse me? I NEVER said I can't. Don't provoke me!"
Arashi shrugged again, acting almost bored.
"Then do it."
Her pride snapped.
"FINE!" she shouted, slamming her hand on the table. "I'll do it! Just wait!"
The whole group erupted in chaos.
Takumi was laughing so hard he nearly fell off his chair. Hina was squealing into her pillow. Satoru smirked like he'd been waiting for this moment all night. Ayane's lips twitched — the faintest smile — but her eyes were still quietly observing Arashi.
Miyu stormed out of view, muttering threats under her breath.
"Unbelievable… disgusting task… who does he think he is… I'll show him…"
The sounds of cabinets opening and things clattering echoed through her mic.
Takumi wiped tears from his eyes. "Bro, she's going to kill you after this."
Arashi leaned back calmly. "She asked for it."
Hina gasped. "Oh no… oh no… she's coming back—"
Miyu returned into frame holding something on a plate — the group leaned closer, squinting.
It looked like a horrifying combination of:
Leftover cold noodles
Pickle juice
Something mushy and unidentifiable
A half-squashed banana mashed on top
Takumi gagged instantly. Hina covered her face. Satoru whispered, "That looks illegal."
Miyu slammed the plate down dramatically.
"There! This is disgusting enough, right?! If it isn't, I swear I'll throw it at someone."
Arashi nodded calmly.
"Looks fine. Go ahead."
Miyu stared at the plate like it was a demon sent from hell.
"I can't believe I'm doing this because of YOU," she hissed.
"You can quit," Arashi replied.
Her ego flared again.
"Shut up! I said I'll do it!"
She grabbed a spoon, scooped a horrifying mix that made the camera shake, and—
"NO NO NO, MIYU DON'T—" Takumi tried to stop her.
Too late.
She shoved it into her mouth.
There was a full five seconds of silence.
Her face went from normal to disgust to horror to betrayal to realization to regret to chaos.
She gagged. She choked. She flapped her hands like a dying chicken.
"OH MY GOD—" Hina screamed.
"Breathe, woman!" Satoru yelled.
Takumi rolled on the floor laughing. Literally rolling.
Ayane stared in shock, then burst into a quiet laugh she tried hard to hide behind her hand.
Miyu finally swallowed it, eyes watering.
She slammed the spoon down.
"There," she croaked. "Happy now?"
Arashi blinked once.
"Good job."
Miyu pointed at him in rage. "After this call… I'm going to haunt you."
Takumi coughed. "Bro… that was the bravest thing I've seen all year."
Hina giggled. "I'm clipping this. I'm definitely clipping this."
Satoru nodded. "Historic moment. Legendary."
Ayane just watched Arashi for a moment longer — not Miyu, not the reactions — just him. Quietly. Thoughtfully.
But Miyu wasn't done.
She wiped her mouth and suddenly straightened, remembering the real purpose of the night.
She turned to the camera, eyes sharpening.
"Alright!" she said loudly, forcing energy back into her voice. "Now that my traumatic experience is over…"
Her eyes flicked toward Ayane — subtly, intentionally.
"…it's Ayane's turn."
Miyu straightened in her chair, still recovering from her own horrifying ordeal. She fixed her eyes on Ayane.
Ayane's hands fidgeted nervously in her lap. She could feel everyone staring at her — the anticipation from the group almost physically pressing down on her shoulders.
Miyu leaned forward, voice teasing but commanding. "Your task… is simple. You just have to tell us who you like. It doesn't matter whether we know him or not. Just… tell us. The details can come later. But first, you need to say who he is."
Takumi practically vibrated in excitement. "Finally! Now we get to see what type of guy Ayane likes!" he said, leaning toward the camera, his grin impossibly wide.
Ayane's cheeks immediately turned crimson. Her fingers twined nervously together, her lips parting slightly as she stammered, "W-Well… you… you already know…"
Her voice dropped almost to a whisper. "I mean… you know I… I like… I love… I love…"
And then, without warning, a deafening CRASH echoed through the house. The lights went out instantly, plunging the room into complete darkness. The sudden silence was broken only by startled gasps and the sound of shuffling.
Arashi was on his feet immediately. "What happened?" he said, voice sharp but controlled. He sprinted toward Ayane's room, phone in hand, torch lighting the way through the pitch-black hallway.
He found her huddled in the corner, wide-eyed and trembling, her fingers clutching her knees tightly.
"You're okay, right?" he asked, crouching beside her. "Are you hurt?"
Ayane shook her head, barely able to speak. "I-I'm fine."
Arashi gave a reassuring nod, keeping his torch steady. "There's nothing to be scared of. Come on, let's go check outside. Something probably happened — nothing dangerous, okay?"
Together, they stepped cautiously outside. A few meters away, the cause of the chaos became clear: a car had collided with an electric pole. The metal crumpled on impact, sparks flickered weakly, and the pole leaned at an awkward angle, which explained the sudden blackout.
"Looks like no one's hurt," Arashi said, exhaling in relief. "Just the car and the pole. That explains the blackout."
Ayane let out a shaky laugh. "I… I thought… something worse had happened," she admitted.
Arashi said. "It's okay. Let's head back inside."
Once they were safely inside, Arashi guided Ayane gently toward her room. His voice was calm, steady — exactly what she needed after the scare.
"There's nothing to be afraid of," he said softly. "Just go… take your time. Go to bed and sleep. It's okay. Everything's fine."
Ayane shook her head quickly, pouting slightly. "I… I won't be able to," she whispered.
Arashi tilted his head, eyebrows raised. "Then what should we do?"
She hesitated for a moment, cheeks flushed, before finally blurting out, "You… you sleep with me."
"Huh?" Arashi's brow arched in surprise.
She took a deep breath, her voice small but firm. "Please… just this once."
Arashi studied her for a long moment. Then, finally, he gave a small nod. "Alright. I'll sleep on floor. You stay in your bed."
Ayane exhaled in relief, a tiny smile flickering across her lips. "Okay," she said softly.
She busied herself quietly, arranging her bedding and making everything comfortable. The room settled into a calm, soft rhythm — the quiet hum of the night outside mixing with the faint rustle of sheets as she finally lay down.
But even as her body rested, her mind did not.
Anger, frustration, and confusion churned beneath the surface. She felt trapped in a strange mood she couldn't understand, a storm raging silently inside her. Quietly, she slipped from her bed and made her way to the washroom, needing a moment alone.
She shut the door, pressed her forehead against the cold tile, and let the tears come.
"Why… why does this always happen to me?" she whispered through sobs. "Why is it always like this… with me?"
Her hands clenched tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I… I don't understand. I planned everything perfectly today… and the moment it was my turn… it all fell apart. Why does it always go wrong for me?"
Her voice cracked, trembling through the room. The frustration, the helplessness, the anger — all of it poured out as she wept quietly in the darkness, feeling the weight of the night press down on her.