"—Shido."
Hearing soone call his na, Shido reflexively stopped and turned around. After seeing clearly who it was, he hurriedly stepped forward and asked.
"Maria, you ca at the perfect ti. Yutsuki suddenly ran off after the non-daily date. Everyone is very worried, do you know where she is?"
"Yutsuki... I understand."
After indicating to Shido to leave it to her, Maria closed her eyes, seemingly searching for Yutsuki's location through the system. A mont later, she opened her eyes and nodded.
"Found her... over by the shrine. It looks like there shouldn't be any problems."
"Is that so, that's great."
As soone who experienced this non-daily date together with her, Shido vaguely felt that this date inadvertently touched upon so heartaches Yutsuki didn't want to ntion.
So hearing that Yutsuki was fine, Shido couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.
It wasn't that he was afraid Yutsuki would do sothing stupid, but given Yutsuki's personality, she would most likely choose to swallow her feelings of lancholy and then pretend to be her usual self when facing everyone.
"The shrine, right? Thanks, Maria. Then later... Maria?"
What surprised Shido a bit was that Maria shifted her steps, using her petite body to block Shido, showing no intention of making way.
"Shido, I'm sorry. Right now, I have an important matter I want to talk to Shido about."
"Um... I have to go find Yutsuki first, can we talk about it tonight?"
"Don't worry, it won't take up much ti."
Although he cared about Yutsuki's current situation, since Maria insisted to this extent, Shido had no choice but to put Yutsuki's matter aside for now and seriously listen to what Maria had to say.
"Up until now, many non-daily dates have happened, and various kinds of information have been gathered... However, I still cannot understand what love is."
Maria said with so self-bla.
After all, this was currently the only breakthrough for Itsuka Shido and the others to escape this computer world. Everyone was so kindly helping her, yet she had made no progress. Shido could tell that Maria was feeling very depressed.
"Well... I can't really explain clearly either... what love exactly is. But if Maria needs anything, I will definitely help."
"Thank you. Indeed, I have a favor to ask of Shido." Looking into Shido's eyes, Maria said slowly and seriously, "Shido, please make a choice."
"A choice?"
"Yes." Arusu nodded gently and continued, "In the data of this world, there is no love that has borne fruit... Therefore, I am not clear on the subsequent developnts."
"Developnts, huh..."
Shido looked thoughtful.
"So, please make a choice. That person who can vow to mutually love you—"
Solemnly repeating her request, Maria's pale blue eyes were filled with pure expectation.
A troubled look appeared on Shido's face.
"A choice... to ..."
For so unknown reason, right at this mont, scenes and past events, like a movie playing, surfaced in Shido's mind.
The puzzle pieces of mories continuously assembled, gradually forming a girl's seemingly calm and exquisite face, lingering in Shido's heart.
The words he originally intended to use to change the subject were silently swallowed back.
"Sorry, Maria... As expected, I'm still very worried about Yutsuki's situation."
After saying sorry, Shido directly bypassed Maria and, without hesitation, ran towards the direction of the shrine with all his might.
Maria didn't stop him. Although Shido didn't say it, he had undoubtedly already given Maria his answer.
"Do your best, Shido. I look forward to... that deep love forged in that future."
Perhaps it already exists now, perhaps it will continue to exist in the future. The future of Itsuka Shido and her.
_________________________________________________________________________________
[Shido, get up.]
—Uuu... It's still early, let sleep for five more minutes.
[...You said the exact sa thing five minutes ago and ten minutes ago. Do you really intend to get up?]
—Ah~ The covers are so comfortable, I'm so lazy I don't want to move~
[Shido... did you forget what you promised to do today?]
—Today is a day off, right~ Let sleep a little longer~
[Ho~ If you don't get up, I'll take those notebooks you sealed in the cardboard box and give them to Kaguya. I believe she, who has an incomparable obsession with dark powers, will definitely be able to fulfill your unfulfilled wish to carve a twelve tier dark magic circle at the demon hour, summon Satan the Demon King of Hell, sign a contract, and toy with the humans of the world in the palm of her hand...]
"—I'm up ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
Shido, with a volu close to a roar, drove his body to quickly roll up from the bed.
"Well~ Good morning, it's another beautiful day. My dear Shi-do-kun~"
Seeing Ryougi Yutsuki sitting on the edge of his bed, a little devilish smile on her exquisite and pretty cheeks, Shido scratched his head.
"Good morning, Yutsuki."
...
"Geez, even though you invited on a date yourself yesterday, and I kindly ca to wake you up today. I didn't expect you to actually forget about it today."
During breakfast, Yutsuki, while eating freshly toasted bread, complained to Shido dissatisfiedly.
"That's why I said I really didn't forget." Shido looked at Yutsuki throwing a little tantrum next to him, feeling a mix of amusent and helplessness. "At nine o'clock this morning, after we prepare the bento for the outing together. We're going to picnic by the lake in the nature park, right? I'm not wrong, right."
Hearing Shido say the correct answer, Yutsuki's displeased expression eased a bit.
"Hmph... I suppose so. Then saying those things earlier..."
"Well... because thinking about going on a date with Yutsuki, I was so excited I couldn't sleep all night, and as a result, I was totally groggy in the morning."
Just like a grade-schooler going on a field trip. Shido scratched his cheek sowhat embarrassedly.
"Hmph... is that so..."
Yutsuki nonchalantly turned her face away and said sowhat hesitantly.
"W-Well. If you're looking forward to it that much... I-I won't hold it against you this ti... Because I was so excited I couldn't fall back asleep after waking up at three... It's not just who was looking forward to it... that's great..."
Halfway through her sentence, Yutsuki's voice had beco as small as a mosquito's.
It seems Yutsuki is also really looking forward to this date...
Although he didn't hear what Yutsuki said, seeing Yutsuki's thoroughly red ears, even Shido could understand Yutsuki's thoughts.
So cute. While using a knife to spread mayonnaise on cheese, Shido looked at Yutsuki, who turned her head trying to cover up the fact that she was shy, and secretly chuckled in his heart.
Since confirming their relationship as lovers with Yutsuki, whether it was becoming shyer or more honest, as ti went by, the number of tis Yutsuki acted spoiled towards Shido also began to increase.
I've already beco a man worthy of being relied upon, huh.
Shido couldn't help but think sowhat proudly.
"No, I do like you, that's true. But you're definitely overthinking it."
Yutsuki had recovered at so point. She very calmly read Shido's inner thoughts, and then unhesitatingly shot down the little pride that arose in Shido's heart.
Well, even so. Yutsuki is still Yutsuki... Shido thought speechlessly.
...
"Ah~ What a nice place~"
A forest path surrounded by woods and flower bushes, filled with fresh air different from the city streets, and a very comfortable temperature.
Just taking a normal walk was an enjoynt. Not just Yutsuki, even Shido unconsciously relaxed.
Suddenly, Yutsuki turned and said to Shido:
"Shido, let sit on your shoulders."
"S-Sit on my shoulders?"
Shido said with a panicked expression.
"Mhm, because it's so boring before we reach the lake. So Shido, help raise my line of sight a bit."
"How old are you..."
"Well~ No one's watching anyway. Shido, you're a man, right? Don't tell you can't even carry your own girlfriend~"
From the standpoint of a girlfriend, seemingly provocative and spoiled, just a few simple sentences completely sealed off Shido's option to refuse.
If he couldn't carry Yutsuki's weight, without a doubt he'd be dead the next second.
"Well, if Shido can't do it, vice versa, Shido sitting on my shoulders is also fine. It sounds pretty fun anyway."
Well, with Yutsuki's strength, carrying a man's weight is indeed easy. But sitting on his girlfriend's shoulders to enjoy the view like a child... trying to imagine it, even if others didn't say anything, Shido himself would feel utterly pathetic.
"Can't be helped."
Shido sighed and helplessly squatted down with his back to Yutsuki.
Yutsuki cheered triumphantly and straddled Shido's shoulders.
Because the weather wasn't cold yet, Yutsuki was wearing won's sumr shorts. Although this spared Shido the worry of seeing up Yutsuki's skirt (?), the silk-like smooth sensation of her thighs pressing against both sides of his neck made Shido's cheeks heat up. Does Yutsuki not know that this stimulation is a bit too much for the virgin Itsuka Shido?
"Y-Yutsuki... it's touching."
"Well~ For lovers, this level is very natural, right?"
"Spare ..."
Letting out a long sigh, after silently reciting "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form" countless tis in his heart, Shido finally cald down.
"Hold tight... Heave-ho—!"
After adjusting his posture, Shido exerted force and stood up carrying Yutsuki. Honestly... surprisingly light.
"Oh, oh, I see the lake! The lake is over there, Shido! Full speed ahead—"
After her line of sight rose, Yutsuki shouted excitedly like a child.
Well, even though she says that, with Shido's stamina, walking leisurely is at most his limit. If he sprinted, he'd be exhausted in less than twenty ters.
Even so, Yutsuki's mood didn't drop at all. She frequently laughed and waved to greet passing pedestrians.
Aren't we being seen?
Shido thought with a bitter smile. Although if seen by students from school, Itsuka Shido would probably beco a sacrifice at so cult's witch festival the next day.
However, in reality, Shido's worry was unnecessary. Because this park belonged to a nature reserve, the very strict security system made young people coming here to play quite rare. Along the way, the people Shido and Yutsuki t were grandpas and grandmas who were already up for morning exercises or work, and seeing Yutsuki, they all returned friendly smiles. So even clapped and laughed, sighing "Ah, to be young—" or things like that. It made Shido feel a bit embarrassed.
Well, a life like this isn't bad either. Looking at the innocent and brilliant smile on Yutsuki's face, Shido thought from the bottom of his heart.
"Oh, oh! Shido-go, the lake is right in front of us! Throttle to the max, start the turbo engine, full horsepower! A beautiful tomorrow is waiting for us!"
"Do you think I'm a race car!? I told you I can't accelerate! Wait, why is there suddenly such a steep downhill here?! —Stop, stop, stop, I can't brake ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
Amidst the sound of rustling leaves, the babbling of the stream, and the chirping of birds, offering a wonderful accompanint to this late autumn forest scenery. And within it, the young couple letting out screams and cheers, is their date coming to an end... who knows? ╮(╯▽╰)╭
Original author's PS: Uh, let explain here. In the ga, before Shido and Maria et here, there was originally supposed to be a scene where Shido and Marina et. Shido and Maria's conversation actually happened once before the non-daily date. Marina didn't run into him because I arranged for her to et Yutsuki. And because the content of the two conversations with Maria was similar, I just skipped it.
Original author's PS: In the original ga, after entering an individual route, each character actually has about three or four dates. But considering this is fanfiction, I'll write two... strictly speaking, just one, and then enter Maria and Marina's True End.
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