While Nozomi was still basking in the afterglow of his earlier encounter with Yukinoshita Yukino, the outside world continued to stir. Particularly, chaos erupted in the home of one Kousaka Kirino.

The game disc of Magical Girl Misaki had been flying off the shelves like wildfire, quickly becoming a hit among fans of the genre. However, for Kirino, the game had dealt her a psychological critical hit.

"What the hell?!"

"Why was the senpai beheaded?!"

"Is this author seriously okay?!"

She yelled at her screen in a mixture of disbelief and emotional devastation. The rollercoaster of emotion was too much. This wasn't the ending she was hoping for—not by a long shot.

Kousaka Kirino had always been head over heels for the Magical Girl Meruru series. The sparkles, the sisterly bonds, the vibrant characters—they were her paradise. When she heard about Magical Girl Misaki, she jumped on it faster than a tsundere avoiding her feelings. Her plan was simple: finish every route, unlock all CGs, and experience the full rainbow of magical girl drama.

But nothing had prepared her for the grimdark abyss she had just plunged into.

The senpai? Decapitated.

The entire squad? Wiped out.

The magical girls? Turning on each other like something out of a psychological thriller.

It was as if someone had taken her sparkly dream and drowned it in despair. She raged onto Twitter like a storm.

"The author has no soul! Give me back my sisters!"

"Give me back my precious senpai, you monster!"

The thread exploded. As it turned out, Kirino wasn't alone. All over the net, comments flared with confusion, heartbreak, and indignation. It was a digital riot of betrayed fans. The plot had backstabbed them all.

Meanwhile, the mastermind behind this emotional carnage, Kamiigusa Misaki, was grinning like a mad genius.

"Yatta! It's working! It's actually working!"

Each rumor, each angry tweet was like fuel to her creative fire. The more people screamed, the more popular the game became. This wasn't just a backlash—it was viral marketing magic.

And all of it, Misaki knew, was thanks to her junior.

If Nozomi hadn't given her the original script and game plan, she'd probably still be making budget-tier animations no one watched. She owed him—big time.

So tonight, she made a decision.

"Yes, I'll visit him. It's time to celebrate! But… hmm, which pose should I use when I pounce on him? Maybe catgirl mode...?"

...…

While Misaki was mentally rehearsing her pounce-of-appreciation, Nozomi himself was completely unaware.

At that moment, he was sitting in his room, opening an express delivery box with curiosity shining in his eyes. The contents: a sleek VR helmet, high-end and futuristic.

Nozomi's lips curled into a smirk.

"So this is it—the virtual reality interface. That was fast."

Even though it was still in internal testing, his Game Life System had already notified him that his artificial elf's hatching progress had hit 90%.

The helmet had been sent by Akasaka Ryunosuke, one of the company's geniuses, along with a note suggesting he try it out early. As a shareholder in the project, it made sense he'd get early access.

But Nozomi didn't put it on right away.

His instincts tingled.

Yes, the tech was top-tier, and yes, his system could probably handle it. But plugging into a partially launched game was basically handing over your soul and data to a volatile system.

Not worth the risk.

"Better wait for the official public beta and let the elf finish hatching first," he muttered, placing the helmet carefully in his cabinet. "No point rushing in."

That night, Sumireko didn't stay over.

She claimed her best friend, Pansy, needed help with something. Nozomi had half a mind to tease her into changing her mind but eventually sighed and let it go.

"Guess I'll message Yukino-chan instead," he said, pulling out his phone with a grin.

Just then, his phone buzzed.

Caller ID: Yukinoshita Haruno.

"Haruno-neesan? That's unexpected."

He picked up. "Hello, Haruno-neesan? What's up?"

"I need to talk to you. Come outside for a bit."

By the time Nozomi stepped out of Sakurasou, Haruno was already there, elegantly waving from her private car. Her smile sparkled even in the dim evening light.

What followed was… well, a surprise.

They arrived at an amusement park.

Yukinoshita Haruno had somehow reserved a late-night session, and the entire place felt like their private playground.

Nozomi quickly texted Mahiru, Sayu, and the others, telling them not to wait for him at dinner.

And then the fun began.

They rode the Ferris wheel, tried the shooting games, and laughed like old friends. Haruno's bright personality and stunning looks were a dangerous combo. Her voice was soft, her smile inviting, and her aura exuded charm.

Not to mention… she looked so much like Yukino.

How could Nozomi not be attracted?

Eventually, they sat on a bench beneath the night sky, stars glimmering overhead.

"Surprised I asked you out tonight, Nozomi?" Haruno asked with a teasing lilt.

"A little," he admitted. "But I'm glad you did. I'm enjoying this."

Without thinking, he wrapped an arm around her waist. Bold? Maybe. But she didn't pull away.

Today, Yukinoshita Haruno wore a pristine white hooded jacket, stylishly paired with a soft round-collared shirt in gentle pastel tones. Her tall, statuesque figure carried the outfit with an effortless grace, the kind that turned heads and softened hearts. A white headband rested atop her short, neatly styled hair, just brushing the curve of her ears. It made her already striking features appear even more ethereal—like a snow spirit who had descended into the mortal world for a stroll.

Haruno chuckled, amusement twinkling in her sharp eyes, as she felt a warm hand wrap around her waist.

"Do you even know who you're holding like this? You're way too bold, Nozomi."

The boy beside her raised an eyebrow, a smirk forming on his lips.

"Who else could it be but my fiancée?"

Haruno playfully rolled her eyes and gave him a mock glare, her tone sharpening just a little.

"Since you know I'm your fiancée, what's the story with you and Yukino, hmm?"

Her gaze pierced through the quiet night, curious but tinged with something else—a mix of challenge and vulnerability.

Nozomi didn't falter. There was no point hiding now.

"Yukino... misunderstood. She thought she was the one who was going to be engaged to me. I... I took advantage of that misunderstanding to get closer to her. I won't deny it—I made my move."

He inhaled softly before continuing, voice laced with sincerity.

"Haruno-san, I won't lie. I like Yukino. I really do."

Haruno let out an exasperated sound and pinched his waist, pouting like a cat who'd been scolded but refused to admit fault.

"You're unbelievable, you know that? Telling your actual fiancée that you're in love with her little sister! Scumbag!"

She huffed but her grip didn't loosen.

"So? That night Yukino stayed over at Sakurasou... how far did you two go?"

Her voice was teasing, but there was an unmistakable note of curiosity under the surface.

Nozomi tightened his embrace, his lips curling into a gentle smile.

"We're still in the kissing and hugging phase. I really do cherish Yukino. If she's not ready, I won't push her. I want her to feel safe with me."

Haruno scoffed, her expression one of mock contempt.

"Should I thank you for not being a complete degenerate then?"

"Well, if you're offering thanks, I'll gladly accept."

"Ugh, shameless!"

She pinched his cheeks, stretching them until he looked like a dopey anime character. Nozomi laughed, catching her mischievous hand and leaning forward to plant a kiss on her cheek.

"Haruno-san, I warned you from the start. I'm greedy."

He looked at her, eyes burning with quiet conviction.

"Now that I've made a move on Yukino... I don't want to let her go. But I also don't want to lose you. So tell me... will you still go through with our engagement?"

Haruno's lips trembled, and her eyes shimmered—not from sadness, but from something warmer.

"So, you've got the audacity to fall for Yukino, but no passion for me? I'm not enough to stir that possessiveness in you?"

"Of course not! I want both of you... but I also respect you. You're precious to me, Haruno. I—"

"Enough talking."

Haruno leaned in and pressed her lips against his, silencing his guilty explanation with a kiss as sweet as it was sudden.

Nozomi responded instantly, wrapping his arms tighter around her and lifting her slightly onto his lap. His kiss this time was no longer hesitant or stolen—it was deliberate, earnest.

When they finally broke apart, Haruno's face was flushed, her breath quick and uneven.

"You better not mess up the engagement at the end of the month. You hear me?"

She poked his chest with a finger.

"I love Yukino-chan too. She's adorable, and I don't want to be apart from her. If you want both of us... then make it happen. Convince Mother. Marry us both."

She held his gaze, fierce and vulnerable.

"But don't you dare spoil Yukino-chan and forget me, your real fiancée. I want everything she gets. Every kiss, every touch... I want it too."

Nozomi grinned, his heart thudding in rhythm with hers.

"Deal."

This time, it was he who initiated the kiss—soft and lingering, sealing the unspoken promise between them under the starry night sky.