The disappearance of Nobuyuki Sugo sent a ripple of unrest through the corridors of the company. Rumors flitted like leaves in the wind, but in the end, the operation didn't hinge on Sugo alone. A new face swiftly stepped into the vacant position, and the machine kept turning.

Chief researcher Kayaba Akihiko, the genius wrapped in mystery, remained unmoved by Sugo's sudden vanishing act. Instead, his focus was locked on the heart of the system—the glowing virtual core suspended in the center of the control chamber, pulsing softly like a living heart. A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

"A marvel of science and art," Kayaba whispered to himself. "And I've already unraveled half of its secrets."

"Dr. Akasaka, how's the AI upgrade coming along?" he asked without turning.

Behind him, Akasaka Ryunosuke, clad in a pristine white lab coat and wearing his usual casual confidence, chuckled lightly.

"It's done. The code's been fully upgraded. Now, it's up to the internal test players to push it to its limits."

Thanks to the Data crystal provided by Nozomi, Ryunosuke's AI program had undergone a breakthrough. What once seemed like the ceiling had now become the floor. The artificial intelligence, codenamed "953," could now autonomously optimize and evolve the game world. Operators? Obsolete.

And that was exactly how Kayaba wanted it.

To him, the perfect virtual reality was one where AI governed all, where the illusion of a self-sustaining world became indistinguishable from reality. But he wasn't naive. He understood the implications of anchoring the world to the virtual core. Control, oversight, and influence—all of it would ultimately trace back to one person.

He could have copied the core. Replicated it. But he didn't.

He chose instead to leave that single, delicate flaw in the system. A built-in vulnerability, a check against himself. Perhaps it was pride. Perhaps it was madness. Perhaps it was the wish of a lonely soul yearning to play a game where everyone could join him in his world.

And on the day of the public beta, he would make his move. A gamble that would change everything.

...…

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, Nozomi was already having an entirely different kind of adventure.

After successfully calming Yukinoshita Yukino earlier that day, he found himself back in the park under the amber light of the afternoon sun.

Waiting.

And right on cue, a radiant girl with long, cherry-pink hair and eyes that sparkled like a mischievous cat came running towards him.

"Have you been waiting long, Nozomi-kun?" she asked, slightly out of breath.

"Not at all. I just got here myself," Nozomi replied with a grin, eyes scanning her outfit appreciatively.

Today, Sakurahara Momo was a vision. Dressed in a cute pink top paired with a white mini skirt that danced with the breeze, and a crystal necklace resting delicately on her full chest, she looked like she had stepped out of a shoujo anime. Her legs, clad in white thigh-high socks, were enough to stop traffic.

"You look amazing today, Cherry-senpai," he said teasingly. "So... am I still your fake perverted boyfriend?"

"Of course! That's the whole reason I called you out today." Momo rolled her eyes playfully, stepping closer and looping her arm around his. Her body pressed against his like it belonged there.

"That guy showed up again. The one from before. He still thinks I made you up to mess with him. He refuses to give up."

Nozomi's lips curled into a mischievous smile. Taking his role seriously, he reached around and gave her shapely rear a light pat.

Momo stiffened slightly at the contact but quickly shot him a glare that was more flustered than angry.

"Should I go talk to him directly? As your possessive and over-the-top fake boyfriend, it's my duty to scare him off."

Momo shook her head, a glimmer of gentleness in her eyes.

"Let's not. He's not a bad person. Just... a little too hopeful. I don't want to crush that. Let him figure it out on his own."

What she didn't say aloud was more revealing: if Nozomi solved the problem, she might not have a reason to keep asking him out.

"Alright, I'll respect your wishes, senpai. So, what's the plan for today?"

"Amusement park," she said, her face lighting up. "And then a movie. I already got the tickets!"

"Nice. I vote we start with the carousel," Nozomi said, grinning.

"Huh?"

A short while later, Momo found herself seated on a beautifully painted carousel horse, cheeks flushed as Nozomi sat right behind her, arms loosely wrapped around her waist.

Her breath caught in her throat.

"Now I get it... You're a total perv! You picked this ride on purpose!"

She could feel the heat of his body pressed against hers, the boldness of his posture sending tiny shocks through her.

"You said it yourself," Nozomi whispered into her ear. "I'm your big perverted boyfriend, remember?"

Momo's heart fluttered wildly. Despite the embarrassment, a sweetness bloomed inside her.

Nozomi wasn't just pretending. He was noticing her. Treasuring her charm. Touching her like she was something precious. It was thrilling, intoxicating—a far cry from the oblivious boy she used to chase after.

Thinking back, Momo realized that her past feelings had been born from frustration. She had wanted to be seen, appreciated. But that part of her life was over.

Because now, someone was looking at her like she was the only girl in the world.

---

Nozomi shamelessly rested his chin on her shoulder and planted a light kiss on her flushed cheek.

Although Sakurahara Momo's cheeks burned with embarrassment, her heart swelled with sweetness.

Nozomi was that kind of guy.

The kind who would notice her beauty. Who would be captivated by her charm. Who wouldn't hesitate to act on his desires.

Compared to him, that other boy—the boring, oblivious "Hose" guy who never understood her signals—seemed like a malfunctioning NPC.

She used to admire that boy because he was kind. Because he was gentle.

But maybe, just maybe, it was more about her pride. Unwilling to accept that someone would ignore her allure.

That, too, was over.

Sakurahara Momo was done with her past one-sided crushes. She was done with the ache of silent waiting. She had seen how painful it was—not just for her, but for Tsukimi as well.

Now?

Now, she just wanted to embrace the warmth this perverted but honest boyfriend gave her.

Momo narrowed her eyes gently. Letting his warmth sink into her skin, she suddenly turned around.

Their lips met.

A soft, electric kiss.

Nozomi blinked in surprise—Momo had taken the initiative?

But he wasn't exactly a shy protagonist either.

With a smile forming at the corners of his mouth, he slid his arms around her slender waist and deepened the kiss, drawing her into a slow, burning exchange.

Meanwhile, in the shadows of the amusement park—

Kusami Runa/Tsukimi stood frozen. Eyes wide, hand clapped over her mouth.

She couldn't believe what she was seeing.

Sakurahara Momo—the beloved student council president of Toshobu High, the group favorite of Class 5.3—was actually locking lips with Nozomi?

And they were cuddled together on the carousel like a perfect anime couple?

Something stung in her chest. She thought Momo was just joking when she said Nozomi had to take responsibility for what happened. Just like she herself had said, half-joking, half-hopeful.

But this…

Momo wasn't joking.

She had acted first. Boldly. Shamelessly.

In another corner of the amusement park, a girl with a secret crush on Momo watched, biting her lip until it nearly bled.

Jealousy twisted in her chest like a kunai.

She had always thought Momo's "pervert boyfriend" act was just that—an act. But now, watching Momo respond so naturally, so warmly—

It was unbearable.

That guy… That damn Nozomi…!

She had to do something. She couldn't let this twisted pervert continue defiling her beloved Cherry.

That's what she told herself, anyway.

But Cherry was still right there, clearly happy. Clearly touched.

So she, like Kusami Runa, could only grit her teeth. Suppress the storm raging inside.

And keep watching the carousel of intimacy spin on before their eyes.