One moment eyes open, the next moment eyes closed.
The person was still lying in bed. The morning sun hadn't yet broken through the thick cloud barrier. The birds chirping outside the window still felt both near and far. Everything was almost the same as moments before.
Yet, strangely, the room that was originally filled with the girl's sweet scent and covered by the natural odor of primal human activity had suddenly transformed into the bedroom he recognized.
In the quiet room, only the sound of his own breathing could be heard.
"I'm back..."
Unconsciously he reached out to the side to feel around, but couldn't find the plains he had explored all night that fascinated him so. Yuu could only sigh regretfully.
(Did I become a virgin again...?)
No, that wasn't what he should be complaining about.
He had long wanted to complain—every time he completed a mission and woke up in bed, Yuu always felt like a hero killed by bandits, reloaded and resurrected at home, with the first thing he saw being the familiar ceiling.
Although it felt ordinary, this design was actually for his own good.
After all, given the situation he was in before mission completion, if Yukino woke up exactly one second after he returned to the real world, and their eyes met...
Yukino, having lost her memories, upon seeing the two of them naked in the same bed, her first reaction might be rubbing her eyes in disbelief, then desperately pressing her temples to avoid fainting on the spot, then choosing to call the police. Before the police arrived, she would hide in a corner of the room with scissors, staring at him with empty, expressionless eyes, preparing to defend herself.
Remembering that scene, Yuu couldn't help but shake his head with both heartache and amusement. He could only say that the System occasionally did good things. It didn't cause his girlfriend to have a mental breakdown right after he completed the mission—unless they regained their memories at that moment, otherwise he might become a despicable man (a disgraced loser).
Setting aside those chaotic thoughts, Yuu picked up the phone on the nightstand and impatiently opened the album to check.
Sure enough, all the collections of Yukino's Christmas mini-skirt photos were gone!
There were several sexy photos of her wearing black and white stockings with garter belts, her face full of embarrassment, pressing down her skirt and stretching her long legs for him to take!
His body began trembling unconsciously. Suppressing the urge to smash his phone, Yuu gritted his teeth angrily, staring at the air in front of him:
"Damn System, I don't care what you did to me before... But this grudge alone, I won't reconcile with you from now on!"
To avoid waking his sister in the next room, he deliberately lowered his voice, like a wild beast emitting a threatening growl.
Exhaling a long breath, and after confirming that all records and traces had been cleaned up by the system as before, Yuu put his phone back. His expression gradually returned to normal.
"Today is Christmas Day... seems like it'll be a bit busy."
Although it was only six in the morning, he was already thinking about things that would happen at six in the evening.
Yuu had decided that tonight he would take Yuigahama home and treat her to... his homemade Christmas roast chicken, to make up for failing to accompany her yesterday.
However, whether it would be a Christmas date just for the two of them, or inviting a few more people to celebrate together, Yuu wasn't sure yet—after all, the girls he liked weren't just one. He wanted to win all their hearts equally, and he also wanted to talk with them as soon as possible, handling all the accumulated problems up to now.
Whatever it was, these were all things he would do during the day or evening.
It was still morning, and nothing had started yet.
A new day, a new beginning, a new self.
And also a new morning to step towards the final mission.
"Should I change into new underwear to better match the atmosphere?"
Leaning against the window and humming happily, Yuu got out of bed. He suddenly pulled open the curtains, welcoming the cloudy winter morning with a refreshed feeling.
Outside the window, branches glistened lifelessly. Roofs of varying heights looked like sleeping polar bears, bending over to catch fish on the ground.
Not many people were walking on the streets at this time. The cold wind blew fiercely, occasionally sweeping snow off dry branches, causing cloud-shaped snow lumps to fall and shatter on the ground.
Yuu couldn't suppress a smile. He liked scenes like this. He used to find them ordinary, but recently he had come to like them more and more.
He liked the coldness of the chilly wind hitting his face.
He liked the snow-covered houses that were actually easy to warm up.
He liked the ice surfaces that accidentally melted into water, glistening under sunlight.
But in the end, what Yuu liked most was—
The snow-covered city filling his entire vision, the most beautiful and happiest sight he had ever seen in his life.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Merely saying you like something isn't enough without action.
While his sister was still fast asleep, Yuu cleared the snow outside the door, then made two servings of breakfast. One serving he kept in the rice cooker to keep warm, and one serving he finished himself.
Around seven-thirty to eight o'clock, he quietly left home with his wallet and keys. The trains had stopped due to heavy snow, so he ran all the way to Sobu High. Every time he breathed, it felt like ice fragments were falling from the alveoli in his lungs, but they quickly evaporated due to his body temperature.
The reason he ran to Sobu High at this time was actually very simple—the morning news happened to have a live street broadcast. While eating and watching TV, he happened to see a figure passing by at the edge of the background. Judging by her appearance, she seemed to be heading towards Sobu High.
No need to ask or test further. Yuu quickly finished his breakfast and immediately rushed to Sobu High, just to keep his promise, to find and meet her as quickly as possible.
However, when he arrived at the tall, locked front gate of Sobu High, he couldn't help but frown and began doubting whether his eyes were playing tricks on him.
"Yukino wouldn't be able to enter like this, right... Huh? Wait."
Since Yuu usually entered through the main gate, he hadn't realized there was actually a small side gate next to the school gate for students or teachers. The key hung beside it wasn't locked, and there were clear signs of opening and closing.
The piled snow at the gate wasn't scattered on the ground either, but neatly pushed aside.
Clearly, this was Yukino's doing.
Yuu felt relieved: "My goodness, just stepped into adulthood and already running around like this. You're quite strong, huh... Oh, I forgot, you're as pure as I am now."
Telling a joke only he could understand, Yuu with an inexplicably joyful smile lightly stepped into the school through the small gate. Without hesitation, he headed directly to the Service Club on the second floor of the Special Building.
The curtains were drawn. From below, he couldn't tell if the lights were on. As Yuu climbed to the second floor, he unconsciously slowed his steps.
No need to doubt anymore.
There was a scent belonging only to her on the stairs, becoming clearer in the dry, fresh winter air.
"Would suddenly appearing startle her... Or should I make some sound to alert her? No, the most important thing is, from where did her memories start being remade..."
The closer he got to the Service Club location, the heavier his movements became, as if burdened by all the doubts in his mind, hesitating to actually walk to the Service Club door.
Yuu had to admit that due to the influence of a mentality similar to homesickness, he suddenly didn't dare to greet Yukino who might be alone in the club room right now. He began to waver and hesitate again.
After all, he was afraid, afraid that Yukino would look at him with confused and unfamiliar eyes, and suddenly say "Who are you?" to him.
As if the entire world had abandoned him and reset all memories related to him.
...But he also knew, that was impossible.
There was still the Service Club group on LINE, and he also had Yukino's contact. Although they were no longer a couple, they should still be friends.
So, no need to be afraid.
Yuu stood in front of the door and slowly took a breath.
Raising his hand, he knocked on the door.
KNOCK-KNOCK!
After three seconds of silence, a cold, melodious voice sounded slightly nervous.
"Who is it?"
"It's me."
Yukino seemed somewhat relieved: "...Tenkuji-kun? Come in."
Yuu opened the door and looked inside from the threshold.
Under the winter sunlight, she was like a white plum blossom blooming in snow. Yukino sat near the window as usual.
Her black hair was beautiful like lead powder. Her fair, tight skin was flawless. Except for the slightly modest chest area, she was an almost flawless beautiful girl.
Yuu suddenly remembered the scene of first seeing her.
Autumn afternoon with sunset, winter morning with sunrise. No matter the background, she remained beautiful, captivating him.
This was who-knows-how-many-times in his heart he felt grateful, thankful that he didn't let the system take back his feelings, thankful that he still loved her.
(Things that belong to me, even if they bring pain, shouldn't be discarded so casually...)
Yuu smiled relievedly, and once again decided in his heart that he must recover the two feelings that hadn't returned yet.
"What is it? What's so funny?"
Seeing Yuu's smile, Yukino seemed to misunderstand. Her eyebrows slightly raised with coldness, and her expression showed slight displeasure.
She calmly put the alarm back into her coat pocket, adjusting her sitting position back to her usual elegance and composure.
"I didn't expect besides me, there would be someone else so idle as to suddenly come to school for morning study."
Yuu looked at the desk. Indeed, there was a classic novel with a bookmark on it. He couldn't help but complain: "You're really enthusiastic. Ignoring the train stoppage, you still came to the Service Club to read. Couldn't you use the heater at home..."
"None of your business, it was just a sudden idea." Yukino looked at him who came empty-handed, the confusion in her eyes deepening, "Instead, you, if not for morning study, what are you doing at school?"
"Looking for you." Yuu was very honest, and closed the door behind him.
Thus, he once again received Yukino's wary gaze, as if she considered him a sexual offender like during their first time alone.
Somehow, seeing the beautiful girl with hands protecting her chest and pulling out an alarm again, Yuu could barely hold back his laughter.
After all, to be honest, he even knew how many moles were on her chest, and Yukino was still being guarded like this...
No, mustn't laugh! If he laughed now, he'd be considered a pervert!
"What business do you have looking for me? To the point of chasing me to the club room... Couldn't you contact me online?"
A firm gaze watched him. However, somehow, after contact with his somewhat strange, almost laughing gaze, Yukino's wary, defensive body slowly relaxed, as if she had already confirmed that Yuu wouldn't hurt her.
"Besides, does Yuigahama-san know about this? Although this isn't the first time we've been alone, after you started dating her, you should pay more attention to maintaining propriety in all aspects, to avoid misunderstandings."
Seeing her lecturing with a proper tone, Yuu slowly sighed, and the smile on his face gradually faded.
"Yukinoshita, someone once said this to me."
"What?" Yuu's unrelated answer surprised Yukino, and she didn't even react when Yuu walked toward her.
"Even now, even me, would you say, That's just the past, in the future? —She once asked me like that. At that time I couldn't answer, because I didn't want to see the desperate and sad expression on her face after I nodded."
Yukino frowned more deeply, feeling a headache. She pressed her temples with her thumbs: "This sentence feels somewhat familiar... Wait, what exactly do you want to say with this unrelated talk?"
"I just want to tell her..." Yuu stood near the window, looking at Yukino whose blue eyes were wide and slightly surprised.
"Tenkuji Yuu in the future will embrace Yukinoshita Yukino of the present, including the past parts."
Then, he bent down without hesitation, embracing her who had lost her memories, as if leaving nothing behind, even together with her chair.
"I love you, will you go out with me, Yukino."
When they met again, Yuu had decided to say this sentence, to welcome a new beginning.
This was also one of the vows Yuu made with Yukino.
Ignoring the girl who suddenly stiffened and turned to stone in his embrace, he relaxed his entire body, inhaling the fragrant, fresh scent of her hair.
Slowly raising his gaze, Yuu looked at the scenery outside the window shrouded in thin mist.
The dark clouds that had been dropping snow all night slowly dispersed. Sunlight broke through the layered cover, shining on the unmelted snow-white new clothing.
The winter sun reflected a calm, beautiful light. Ahead was the road and scenery under the snow stretching continuously. Even the best eyesight probably couldn't see its end.
Yuu's gaze looked far ahead, a hopeful smile overflowing from the corner of his mouth—Since he got entangled with this damn system, he had never felt so relieved, open, and relaxed.
Although it's said that everyone must work hard for their own future.
But what was needed now was to try to expand the paths he could choose, rather than limiting his own possibilities with others' labels and labels of correctness, and ultimately becoming a shackled coward.
As long as he made preparations like this, someday when he found his goal, he would be able to run with all his strength toward it, toward them.
The end of that road was very broad. Although there was still thin, cold mist, it would surely disappear before the newly emerging sunrise, right?
Anyway, Yuu thought so.
He would start striving for it from now, striving to win back his girlfriends, and together with them, create a future where everyone could be happy.
So, perhaps only this sentence could express his current feelings—
"I really want to have a girlfriend again..."
SLAP!
As soon as those words were spoken, a clear palm print quickly imprinted on Yuu's gently smiling face.
"Let go of me, you scoundrel!"
A cold voice mixed with disbelief, embarrassment, and anger sounded extremely clear in the Special Building where only the two of them were present.