My first mission: find the culprit.
To do that, I need to get closer to Airi—and figure out who's really behind all of this.
Someone close to her… someone no one would ever suspect.
But why did the other me break up with her?
Now, all of our classmates—and even Airi herself—are against me.
I can't gather any information if no one's willing to talk.
No. There's no time to sulk.
I have to move forward.
First step: get to class.
---
Yuuta stepped into the classroom.
The moment he entered, every pair of eyes locked onto him.
Their stares weren't just cold—they were hostile.
Why are they looking at me like that? I haven't done anything…
How am I supposed to explain something I don't even understand myself?
With a sigh, Yuuta quietly took his seat.
Most of the glares came from Airi's friends.
She was popular—with both boys and girls. Especially among our classmates and even the upperclassmen.
And right now… every one of them looked like they wanted to kill me.
For this mission… I have to get back with Airi.
The school holiday break was just around the corner.
The bell rang. Students rushed out in groups, chatting and laughing like nothing was wrong.
I need to find out what really happened between me and Airi…
Then—Yuuta froze.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
Something—no, someone—caught his attention.
"What… is happening…? Is this really—?!"
Yuuta's Thoughts
Huh? Why is Renji with Airi's best friend… Sakura?
If you're thinking Airi's best friend is Hikari… yeah, you're right.
But Airi actually has two best friends—Hikari and Sakura.
Apparently, they're twin sisters. And both of them are really close to Airi.
Still… why is Renji with Sakura?
I don't get it. What's happening in this world?
I need to clear things up between me and Renji. He's the only friend I truly trusted since middle school.
After he transferred away, I was left alone.
Alright. I'll try to make up with Renji. Maybe he can help me figure things out.
If I can fix things… maybe I can get back with Airi.
Just the thought of being with her again… I want to see her smile.
But first—time to head home.
---
Somewhere Else…
A shadow stood in the distance, watching Airi and her friends closely.
A voice echoed softly:
> "Heh… it's getting interesting."
---
Hikari & Airi
"Airi, what's wrong? Why do you keep looking behind you?" Hikari asked.
"...Nothing. I just feel like someone's watching us," Airi replied softly.
"Maybe it's Yuuta," Hikari teased with a smirk. "Coming to say sorry and crawl back to you."
Airi gave a small smile. "Yeah… it would be nice if he came back…"
But then, tears welled up in her eyes. Before she knew it, she was crying.
"W-What?! Airi, why are you crying?!" Hikari panicked. "I-I didn't mean to make you cry! I just wanted to make you laugh and forget everything… I'm sorry!"
"No… You don't have to apologize," Airi said between tears.
"I just… I can't forget about Yuuta. No matter how many times I try…"
Hikari gently pulled her into a hug.
"Airi… you don't have to carry this alone," she whispered. "I'm always with you. Whenever you need me."
Airi smiled through her tears. "Thank you…"
"Alright," Hikari said, brightening. "Let's go to the cat café! The cute cats are waiting for us!"
Airi wiped her eyes. "Okay… let's go."
---
Back at Yuuta's Home
"Haaaah… I'm back," Yuuta said as he stepped inside.
The moment he walked through the door, his mom rushed over and hugged him tightly.
"My son! You're home! I missed you! I wuv you, I wuv you~!"
"Wha—Mom, what are you saying?! I just came back from school!"
He wriggled free.
"I'm going upstairs! If you need anything, just call me, okay?"
"My cute son~!" she called after him.
Yuuta sighed as he reached his room.
I guess some things never change. In this world or the other… she's always a possessive mom.
He collapsed onto the bed and picked up his phone.
I wonder if the lock is the same…
Click.
"Oh—it opened. Looks like our lock preferences are similar," he muttered.
"But this wallpaper… huh. Goku? He must be a Dragon Ball fan.
I'm more of a One Piece guy… so even our anime tastes are different. Haaaah…"
He scrolled through the contacts—then suddenly paused.
> "Wha—why is Airi's number here…?"
Right. In this world, she was my girlfriend. So it's natural to have her number.
But… he had blocked her.
Should I unblock her? …No. It's best to leave it for now.
He moved on to the photo gallery and started scrolling through.
His eyes widened.
> "That bastard… That's me from this world…"
There it was—a photo of him.
Kissing Airi.
> "He even took a picture?! Damn… this guy was lucky. God really was on his side."
He kept scrolling. Then stopped.
Deleted photos…?
He tapped the folder.
> "What's this…?"