Which One? Huanyue!

Qian Huanyue rubbed away the tears that had spilled from laughing, finally managing to stop.

She had never imagined that her future self—or rather, her self at this very moment—could become like this.

Softness, happiness, and emotion kept welling up from her chest.

It seems like... I really did it...

"Hmm..." Qian Huanyue half-narrowed her eyes, resting her chin on her hands as she softly interrupted everyone, smiling. "I like you."

"Huh?" Shiori's face flushed red in surprise, as though some unexpected memory fragment had surfaced in her mind. "Like?!"

"I like all of you very much~" Qian Huanyue stuck out her tongue playfully. "Don't get the wrong idea."

"Mm! I like Huanyue too." Tohka waved energetically.

"But," Qian Huanyue turned her gaze toward the window. Night had fallen before anyone noticed. "It's already very late."

Qian Huanyue took small steps toward the door. Her earlier delighted, inscrutable expression instantly turned blank as she glanced back. "Um, excuse me, where am I staying?"

"Will you be staying here for the night, Huanyue?" Shiori asked gently, a hidden longing showing in her brown eyes.

Spirit Apartment had specifically set aside a room for Huanyue. Of course, Shiori hoped Huanyue would stay.

"Is that okay?"

"Of course. That room was prepared for Huanyue from the start."

"Huh?" Huanyue blinked in surprise.

A room... prepared for me?

Why... would they specifically reserve a room for her? Were we really that close?

Qian Huanyue tilted her head in slight distress upon hearing that, silver hair sliding over her shoulder. In a tiny voice too quiet to hear, she murmured, "Staying over at a friend's house..."

I should probably tell my family...

Mm...

...?

A suddenly stifling sensation surged up in her chest, leaving her momentarily dazed.

"Huanyue-chan—Huanyue-chan." Rinne's gentle call came at just the