The variety show airing on TV had a runtime of about ninety minutes.
Minamoto Senya quietly sat on the sofa, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on the screen for the entire duration.
From the halfway point onward, she had been in a relaxed, cheerful mood, having witnessed her childhood friend effortlessly navigate the pranks of the show. Not once did he fall for any of the tricks. Instead, it was as if he had a precognitive awareness, turning the intended pranks back on the production crew in perfectly orchestrated counteractions.
"Even if you explain a hundred times that the show is unscripted, and the guests' reactions are entirely instinctive, there will probably always be some audience members who just don't believe it."
When the program ended, Yukinoshita Haruno sought Senya's opinion, confirming her satisfaction before turning off the television.
It was nearly eleven o'clock at night.
On an ordinary day, Senya would have been fast asleep by now. Her extreme self-discipline kept her daily schedule exceptionally regular, far better than her night-owl older sister, a model of modern youth with early-to-bed, early-to-rise habits. Her energy and physical stamina were still relatively high, but when it came to sheer physique, she remained far behind the level of her childhood friend. It was obvious: growing up in a "culinary desert" abroad, where lunch was nothing but fries and fried fish, had left its mark. A luxury sports car needs 98-octane fuel, but if you fill it daily with 92, problems are inevitable.
"Senya, do you think Chiya's reactions on the show were scripted in advance?" Haruno asked.
Senya tilted her head, still immersed in the cheerful atmosphere of the program. Her face remained composed, yet her heart fluttered with excitement at her friend's clever and composed antics. Her pulse quickened, an unusual moment of girlish emotion breaking through her normally controlled demeanor.
Haruno, being her sister, didn't need her to hide her thoughts. She nodded openly. "Let's not count the first scene on the yacht. It's possible he sensed the crew's setup in advance, or perhaps he heard the clumsy footsteps of the staff behind him, which gave him a heads-up. After that, his reactions were only natural."
"But in that pitch-dark room later," Haruno continued, "he relied solely on sound to evade the night-vision-equipped staff, eventually finding the large folding fan on the table and… well, letting everyone feel its impact. And he even anticipated the trap on the floor and reacted to the prop noodles… Only the last one, where the half-naked man fell from above, was a genuine reaction."
Senya shook her head immediately. "I don't think so. I believe every part of the program up to that last moment was his true instinctive reaction. Only the final one was slightly unnatural."
Haruno perked up. "Oh? Why do you think that?"
"No special reason—just a feeling."
Haruno's lips curved into an ambiguous smile. Senya quickly changed the subject awkwardly. "How did you even find out Chiya was on this show?"
"I was curious too. Judging by your surprised reaction, you had no idea at all, which is strange given your relationship with him."
"Answer my question first," Senya pressed.
"Don't rush. How do you think I knew? Of course, Chiya told me himself. We've been close for a long time; he likes to talk things over with me."
"Don't act so casual!" Senya muttered.
"No, really. It was Touka who mentioned it in passing during a chat. Chiya has done many media interviews before, but this kind of entertainment program was a first. I thought it would be fun and invited you along."
Haruno's eyes twinkled mischievously. "I'm surprised he didn't tell you himself. Aren't you usually inseparable?"
Senya stayed silent, then said thoughtfully, "Perhaps he has other plans."
Haruno exhaled slowly, pondering her sister's soft, almost love-struck demeanor. Influenced by their mother's outwardly strict approach, she always believed girls should be self-reliant. But seeing Senya like this—soft, affectionate, entirely absorbed—felt worrying. Even if Chiya was exceptional in every way, it made Haruno uneasy.
"Other plans? Such as?" she asked.
"Perhaps he intends to tell us later when everyone gathers, watching the show together and chatting happily. I haven't gotten any information from Touka, but it somewhat confirms my guess."
"…This kid is hopeless."
"What's that look on your face…? Never mind. It's late, I'm going to bed. You should too."
"Good night."
Haruno waved lazily as Senya left the living room. She lingered by the window, gazing at the moonlight, thinking about her sister's state and the uncertainty surrounding Touka's side of things. After a moment, she remembered she hadn't bathed since arriving home and, deciding not to waste more time, turned off the living room lights and headed toward the bathroom. Along the way, she noticed the light spilling from their father's study. Curious, she peeked inside.
Their father sat solemnly, listening to their mother, while a competitive game's "Defeat" flashed on the nearby computer screen. Haruno felt a pang of sympathy for him, having his relaxation interrupted.
Caught in her thoughts, she suddenly met her mother's gaze. She started to turn, but her mother called her back.
"Has Senya gone to bed?"
"Yes, just now. Mom, why are you still up?"
"I needed to talk to your father. Also, I'd like to ask you a favor."
Haruno tilted her head. "I'll guess… It's about Senya, isn't it? Something involving Chiya?"
Their mother smiled, acknowledging her deduction. "Yes. You're not busy, so I'd like you to invite Chiya over for dinner."
"Why me? Senya could just call…"
"I have other plans for Senya. A formal invitation requires proper etiquette, showing our sincerity as the Yukinoshita family."
Haruno raised an eyebrow, thinking of her mother imagining a dramatic scene: herself, her father looking mournful, and Senya hearing, 'Please take care of our little daughter.'
"You'll understand later," her mother said, leaving it at that.
Haruno agreed, though she delayed her own bath to call Touka and check Chiya's schedule. The call went through after ringing several times. After greetings and a brief pause, Touka's sleepy, exasperated voice answered.
"…Haruno, do you realize what time it is?"
"You're just too much like an old lady with your schedule! It's summer vacation; who sleeps this early?"
After explaining her purpose, Touka confirmed that Chiya had just returned home and would be there overnight. They arranged for Haruno to visit the next morning to invite him.
Satisfied, Haruno ended the call with a playful, "Love you~" after Touka promised to prepare Chiya's favorite meal.
Meanwhile, Senya, back in her room, did not immediately sleep. She downloaded the episode she had just watched, saving it to her personal cloud for repeated viewing and reference. By the time she finished, it was just past 1 a.m.
Despite fatigue, she felt a quiet satisfaction. Even abroad, she followed Chiya's life closely, collecting meaningful moments from his public appearances. It wasn't out of obsession, but admiration—his dedication, his efforts, his constant drive forward inspired her to maintain her own diligence.
Earlier in the living room, her gentle, sincere state had confirmed to Haruno that Senya was completely captivated—her own thoughts acknowledging that Senya had, in a sense, fallen headfirst into affection for Chiya.
The variety show, though centered on pranks, also subtly revealed Chiya's everyday struggles: eating lunch in the car between engagements, dozing briefly in transit, wearing the same clothes on consecutive days due to time constraints. These glimpses showcased both his dedication and the compromises he made.
Senya watched, heart aching yet admiring, and wondered why he pushed himself so hard. It felt as if the world demanded his constant effort, and she was determined to understand and support him.
That night, before sleep, she dreamed of him: back in summer at their kindergarten, reading under a tree while the cicadas droned, feeling the familiar warmth of his presence beside her. She smiled even in slumber, the memory of childhood and her feelings blending seamlessly.
Haruno had taken their mother's instructions seriously. Though she didn't fully understand the underlying motives, she resolved to carry out the request to invite Chiya over.
It was a rare responsibility; the last time their mother had asked something like this was back in elementary school, when Haruno had been tasked with looking after Senya. But even then, her vigilance was largely unnecessary—the younger girl was always well-protected.
Early the next morning,