Yukinoshita Yukino regretted the idea of eloping with Narumi Tōru the very next day.
Why? Because—
"Oh? Asking for extended leave for Yukinoshita…?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka raised an eyebrow and looked with thin suspicion at the curly-haired youth who'd brought the black-haired girl into her office.
"What did the doctor say?"
"Doctor."
"...I mean, I know Yukinoshita's condition, but why is it you bringing her here instead of a guardian?"
"Ah~ Haruno stayed up all night on her phone and finally fell asleep at dawn, so I'm taking her home for her."
Narumi flashed the sunny, good-boy smile to match the line—completely nonthreatening.
"That girl… really, staying up on her phone at night."
"iPhone 13 Pro Max."
"...You should go see a psychiatrist, or I'll send you to ICU—take your pick."
Yukino pressed her hand to her forehead, empathizing fully with Hiratsuka's bulging vein and forced smile.
"All right, you can take her. I'll confirm with Haruno later."
Hiratsuka waved her hand impatiently. In this simulation she'd been Narumi's homeroom teacher, and therefore not particularly wary of him.
"Or are you going to discuss things with the Yukinoshita family yourself? You two are exes yet you're acting all chummy… you've got some nerve."
"We're not children who get angry and stop talking every time we disagree, sensei."
Narumi stood, bowed slightly to Hiratsuka with that breezy smile, then turned to meet the silent Yukino's eyes.
"Well then, we won't keep you."
His look said, "it's time". Yukino nodded and quietly thanked Hiratsuka, then left the office with Narumi.
"First time a good student told a lie?" Hiratsuka muttered.
They walked down a corridor packed with students; Narumi kept an easy pace and stole a sidelong glance at the girl matching his stride.
"You lied. It didn't come out of my mouth, so it's not my lie," Yukino said coolly, already smooth at hair-splitting excuses—perhaps a skill she'd picked up somewhere.
"Feels like I corrupted you," Narumi said, scratching at his face with sheepish amusement—only in appearance, of course.
"—That's probably the most obvious explanation," a clear, unexpected voice cut in, accompanied by decisive footsteps.
Narumi looked up to find a boy in a Sōbu High uniform standing before them—golden hair, serious expression.
"Narumi-senpai… where are you taking Yukinoshita-san?"
Narumi recognized the student: Hayama Hayato, a prominent figure at Sōbu High who had a complicated relationship with the Yukinoshita sisters.
In this simulation Hayama's impression of Narumi was equally complex—after all, Narumi had been Haruno's boyfriend, someone Hayama cared about, and now Narumi lingered around Yukino a lot.
"As far as I know… Yukinoshita-san only needs regular checkups? You didn't tell Haruno you'd take such a long leave… where are you planning to take her?"
Oh—had the kid heard everything outside the office?
"Hayama-kun, if you're coming out with concern, I appreciate it," Yukino said, her face pale but her tone cool and emotionally distant.
"But where we go is plainly none of your business."
"Yukinoshita-san... sorry, this might sound foolish coming from me, but I just don't want you to—be hurt or deceived."
Yukino and Hayama had been friends in elementary school; by high school their relationship had become awkward enough that even greeting one another felt strained. Haruno had once explained some of the backstory to Narumi—he remembered fragments now and let a half-smile show as he tightened his grip on Yukino's hand.
"Hayama, you're a good person."
Narumi said it plainly, and then—before the expression on Hayama's face could harden further—he added:
"But being a good guy doesn't always work. Trying to make sure no one gets hurt by living like that can backfire. You know that yourself, right?"
Hayama averted his eyes, the pain and frustration of being seen through reflected on his brow.
"I'm different. As you can see, I carry no baggage—I'm unreliable, shameless, whatever. If you want to call me the villain who absconds with an inexperienced second young miss, fine—go ahead."
Feeling Yukino's cool but soft hand gradually warm in his, Narumi looked at the girl at his side.
"—Because sometimes those things have to be done by the bad guys."
Yukino didn't reply, but she could clearly see her own face reflected in his pupils: the one that trusted without question.
He was a loudmouthed, shameless, baffling presence in a simulation—but right then he was the only person she could rely on.
"If that's your choice, I understand," Hayama said, his face a mix of resignation and worry. Maybe he'd never expected to actually be able to stop them.
"Escaping won't solve everything, Yukinoshita-san… sooner or later you'll run into someone even harder to deal with than me. If you've decided this, be prepared."
Hayama took a breath and, brushing past Narumi, added in a low, advisory voice:
"When that happens, please take responsibility, senpai."
Then he turned and vanished around the corner, leaving Yukino with a conflicted expression and Narumi nonchalant as ever.
"Responsibility coming from his mouth sounds odd—I'd rather hear it from you, little Yukino."
"Maybe in the next life."
"Yare yare~"
They walked out of the school together until they reached the gate. By the used car parked at the curb, two jittery figures had been waiting for some time—
Hikigaya Hachiman and Yuigahama Yui, the other two members of the Volunteer Service Club.