The morning after the typhoon passed, Akane and I went to a nearby general hospital for a check-up.

After confirming we were in good health, I changed into hospital clothes and sat in front of the counseling room—"When the hospital called, I wondered what had happened…"

Sitting beside me, the mature beauty Saitou Miyako smiled as she placed a hand on Aqua’s head.

"You did well, Ruri. I’m proud of you."

"I see."

"Yes."

Miyako looked genuinely happy.

Since everything had gone according to plan, I couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty.

As I was thinking that—"Ruri!"

Four or five young men and women approached quickly.

At the front was a beautiful girl with long black hair and a princess-cut fringe—Sumi Yuki, a fashion model and the current ace of the dating reality show 'LoveForReal'.

Perhaps because the others had arrived, Miyako distanced herself from me.

I stood up as well.

"You’re here."

"Where’s Akane!?"

"She’s in counseling with her mother. She’s physically fine, so she’ll be okay."

A collective sigh of relief spread among them.

Things hadn’t been resolved, but at least it was a start.

After some quiet conversation—the counseling room door slowly opened.

Yuki rushed forward first—and slapped Akane across the face.

The sound echoed.

As Akane held her cheek, Yuki’s tears fell.

"You idiot… Why would you… You made us worry… Why didn’t you talk to us!?"

Turning my back on the two confirming their bond, I headed toward the press club.

* * *

After that, news of Akane’s suicide attempt spread online, sparking all kinds of debate.

Some people backed off from the backlash, but others escalated it further.

Hypocrites condemning the darkness of social media clashed with antis calling her an attention-seeking ‘mentally unstable girl.’

"...You really did it, didn’t you. I was stupid to praise you."

Miyako looked at me with both exasperation and reproach.

"I understand what you’re trying to do. The attention will increase, and she’ll gain defenders. But critics will increase too. It balances out. As a strategy against backlash, it’s not a great move. You know that, right?"

"If it balances out, that’s good enough."

The attention increased.

Even if the number of critics rose, their proportion decreased.

That’s all that mattered.

"You really are selfish. You’ve made this much bigger. Can you take responsibility?"

"I’ve already planned the landing point. There’s no problem."

The issue right now is the difference in information between us and the viewers.

So we just need to fill that gap.

* * *

After the next recording—

"You want photos and videos of everyone?"

"You have them, right? You were always taking pictures."

"I mean… not that many. Maybe around 100 at most."

"That’s enough."

"...And what are you using them for?"

"The current situation is built on misunderstanding and bias toward Akane. Even if we deny it verbally, no one will believe us. So the fastest proof is photos and videos. We’ll use them to feed the people waiting for information."

"—I see. So you’re going to show 'LoveForReal' from our perspective and drown out the antis with supporters."

As expected of a popular YouTuber—quick to understand.

"Exactly."

"You can edit videos too?"

"I can handle most things."

"You really can do anything. Alright, give me the data when it’s done—I’ll upload it."

"That helps. But you’re doing it too. Actually, all of you are. Otherwise it’s meaningless."

And just like that, we started producing our version of 'LoveForReal'.

* * *

A few days later—

"That scene where I hugged Akane—we need that for sure."

"I didn’t record that…"

"That’s fine. I have it."

I opened my laptop.

There was a massive amount of data.

Everyone stared in shock.

"Where did you get this?"

"I didn’t take it. Fixed cameras. I negotiated to borrow the footage."

"They actually agreed?"

"Everything depends on negotiation."

* * *

Back then—

"You want the fixed camera data? We have it, but we can’t give it to you."

"Because it would expose that the show framed Akane as the villain."

"Exactly. So leave."

"Is it really only a disadvantage?"

"What do you mean?"

"If things stay like this, the show will be remembered as one that drove someone to a suicide attempt. But if she recovers, that changes everything."

"...And if it fails?"

"Then how about this—if it succeeds, Akane and I will date."

That would reshape everything.

"...Do you understand what you’re saying?"

"Akane doesn’t really have a choice. And coming from you, that’s ironic."

After a pause—"...Fine. Take it."

* * *

Back to the present—

We selected photos together.

I edited them and matched them with Kengo’s music.

"Ruri, you’re really good at this."

"I can do most things."

"Wow, that sounded arrogant."

"...Two days left."

* * *

Two days later—

After episode 7 aired, an official PV was uploaded.

Title: Our LoveForReal

Thumbnail: complete darkness.

People clicked out of curiosity.

The first image—

The moment Akane scratched Yuki’s cheek.

But then—

Yuki forgiving and hugging her.

Then more images—

Laughing together.

Fixing hair.

Sharing drinks.

Unscripted smiles.

Moments never shown before.

Their bond as friends.

Finally—all six together.

Laughing.

Fade out.

Text appeared—This is our story. The time we shared beyond the stage.

It clearly showed Akane wasn’t hated.

But backlash wouldn’t disappear completely.

That’s the nature of modern outrage.

Still—I wasn’t done.

The video continued.

All five members appeared.

"Thank you for watching!"

Conversation followed—about the show, effort, fun.

"…But it’s ending soon."

Silence.

"Then we can’t end like this."

Nods.

One person was missing.

"Come back, Akane."

"We’re waiting."

Five voices called out.

Hands waved.

And Yuki stood in the center, praying.

* * *

The video, posted on the official LoveForReal account as a ‘compilation,’ reached an astonishing 80,000 retweets within 24 hours.

Kurokawa Akane’s image was completely restored, and it became the decisive factor in cementing this season’s popularity of 'LoveForReal'.

"The LoveForReal members are seriously so close."

"Yuki definitely didn’t want Akane to get bashed either."

"I didn’t expect the whole show to protect Akane like this."

"It really feels like they’re true friends."

Social media was flooded with positive opinions, far surpassing the number of Akane’s antis.

* * *

After the 7th recording of 'LoveForReal'—

Thump.

The sound of my heartbeat and the pain in my chest overlapped almost simultaneously.

I could feel my face heating up.

I had told him I would come today, but opening this door required immense courage.

—He’s beyond this door.

After leaving the hospital room that day, he had already disappeared.

I hadn’t seen him since.

Of course not.

He had been working tirelessly to create that high-quality video while handling his own work.

There’s no way he had time to call me.

I wanted to see him.

To talk to him.

To express my gratitude—my emotions.

But even so—I couldn’t open the door.

My heart hurt.

My pulse wouldn’t settle.

It felt like when I first stood on stage as a child.

—Maybe I should tell the director and go home today…

"He’s late."

I faintly heard his voice from beyond the door.

I didn’t know who he meant.

But it could be me.

—Ruri-kun is waiting.

He was waiting for me.

He ran through the typhoon for me.

He made that video.

He protected my place.

If I turned away now, all of that would be wasted.

No matter what I was ashamed of—I couldn’t do that.

I steeled myself and opened the door.

It had never felt this heavy before.

Nor had anything beyond it ever seemed so bright.

The light was blinding.

As my vision adjusted—

Our eyes met.

"...You’re here."

Eyes where light and darkness coexisted stared straight at me.

A dazzling light—yet an even deeper darkness that could swallow it whole.

Just looking into them brought back his scent, his warmth—the sensation of being consumed by his darkness.

—I should praise myself for not collapsing.

My legs were unsteady.

They were probably trembling.

I wanted to run.

To kneel.

But I couldn’t stop.

My trembling legs carried me toward him.

Like gravity pulling me to a star.

"Welcome back, Akane."

There was no emotion in his voice.

No blame.

No sense of obligation.

Just natural—like greeting a friend who returned from a walk.

I never knew such a simple ‘welcome back’ could make me so happy.

—What can I do?

How can I repay this kindness?

How can I return these feelings?

What can someone like me do for someone like him?

"For now, everyone’s waiting."

Before I knew it, he stood and gently pushed my back forward.

Yuki and Mem were there.

"...I’m sorry."

"Idiot, why are you apologizing?"

The apology slipped out unconsciously.

But they misunderstood it.

"Welcome back, Akane. We’ve been waiting."

"You did great. I’m really glad you came."

They hugged me gently.

Their kindness made me happy.

But even as they held me—my eyes remained fixed on him.

His presence, his scent, his voice, his warmth—more than anything, his eyes.

Even when he was so close—I understood nothing about him.

—Tell me.

What does the world look like to you?

What do your beautiful eyes see?

What are you searching for?

What do you want?

No matter how much I reach—I can’t understand him.

But someday—I want you to depend on me enough to tell me everything.

Like you saved me—I want to save you.

I want to give you what you seek.

I want to be the only one wrapped in your darkness.

If you wished it—I’d even give you my life.

Because without you—I would have lost it that day in the rain.

* * *

Akane returned safely, so from now on she would rejoin the recordings.

I wanted to explain the deal I made with the production staff to get the fixed camera data, but she was busy with Yuki and Mem.

"From now on, maybe you should create a character a bit more."

"A character… what kind?"

Yuki smirked mischievously and turned to me.

"Why not ask Ruri? He’s always wearing layers of masks."

"I’m not wearing masks…"

"If you’re going to act, pick someone unlike yourself—but not so different it becomes unnatural."

"I want something more concrete…"

After thinking—"So, what kind of girl do you like?"

"Why me?"

"You’re the only guy here."

"...Fine. Someone with talent. Someone I can’t imitate."

"That’s tough…"

"And confidence. People with absolute confidence have strength in their eyes."

"So—beautiful, talented and confident."

"...Sounds abstract."

After thinking—"Like Ai from B-Komachi?"

That was the answer I wanted.

"Yeah. That works."

"B-Komachi was everyone’s dream."

"I see… she’s really beautiful."

"I’ve seen her videos a lot. My siblings forced me to."

"That good?"

"Yeah. The best idol I know."

"...Then I’ll try it. I’ll become your ideal girl."

"Go for it!"

"Win him over!"

"Let’s see what you can do."

It went as planned.

Now all that remained was her ability.

But I underestimated it.

In the entertainment world filled with talent—she was called a genius in acting.

And I didn’t yet understand what that truly meant.

From this moment on—our relationship would change completely.

Though I didn’t realize it yet.

* * *

People gathered in the school building, which held a kind of quietness you normally wouldn’t experience on a weekend. Starting today, Akane had fully returned and with all six members finally present, the real filming was about to begin.

"Everyone, I sincerely apologize for all the trouble I’ve caused! I’ll make it up to you through my hard work! Thank you in advance!"

Right before the cameras started rolling, the girl with slightly bluish-black hair bowed deeply in front of everyone. She didn’t raise her head until the scattered applause around her had completely died down.

"...It’s fine that you’re working hard, but don’t overdo it again. You didn’t forget what I told you before, right?"

After finishing her greeting, Akane naturally came to stand beside me, and I whispered to her. She responded with a smile that was more relaxed than I had expected.

"Of course. You mean calculating the risks I can carry, right? Thanks. I’ll be careful."

"As long as you understand…"

"We’re starting the cameras!"

I felt a slight sense of unease at Akane’s state, but at the same time the cameraman’s voice rang out. I straightened my back and switched my mind into work mode, and at that moment—the atmosphere of the girl standing next to me changed.

In that instant, my skin prickled. My blood flow sped up and a tingling sensation spread from my fingertips through my entire body—my brain sounded an alarm telling me not to look at her. Yet, as if being pulled by a thread, my gaze turned toward her.

The one there wasn’t the usual serious her, nor the weakened version of her I had seen on that rainy night. The one there was not the girl I knew.

And yet, I knew that aura.

My eyes were drawn to every single one of her movements. A casual yawn, a wave toward the camera—gestures that normally shouldn’t be done much. And yet there was no discomfort, instead I couldn’t look away. It was pop-like, cute and had a strange pull to it.

There was none of the unstable darkness that Ruri had, nor the beauty of Shiranui Frill.

It was simply a pure, dazzling white light.

A natural aura that burns the eyes of all who see it and even turns that pain into pleasure.

"Ruri☆"

On this day, in this world, for the first time since she was born—no, even including her previous life—Ruri felt fear toward another person.