Sometimes it isn't distance that pulls two souls apart.
It's the silence left too long between them.
Day Two — Mission 'Claim Yuriko'
That morning, the breeze was still light and the sun peeked through the leaves.
Acxell Ayasaka stood along the second‑floor corridor, one hand resting on a rusted metal pillar.
His eyes weren't looking far—
they were fixed on a single desk inside Class 2‑B.
Yuriko Hanekawa.
She still came to school.
Still sat in the same seat.
But her aura…
…was no longer the same.
[Mission Timer: 4 Days Remaining]
[Passive Disruption: Moderate]
[Target Emotional Lock: Jealousy, Receptiveness]
[Suggested Action: Controlled Engagement – Sincere, Unexpected]
"If I wait in silence, you'll keep slipping away."
"But if I push too soon, you'll run."
Acxell drew in a breath.
The first move had to be odd, not romantic.
School Canteen, First Break
The canteen wasn't crowded.
But the long table at the far end sat empty—as if waiting for someone.
Acxell sat there. Alone.
He pulled out a lunchbox from his bag.
Not from home—
he'd made it himself that morning.
It wasn't pretty.
It wasn't neat.
But it meant something.
"Acxell‑kun?"
Yuriko stood in front of him.
Bento in hand.
One earphone still dangling.
"Can I sit?"
Acxell didn't smile.
"If you don't want me to persuade you with the system, sit."
Yuriko raised an eyebrow—
but sat anyway.
Her voice had the edge of defiance, but she swallowed it.
Yuriko:
"You always speak harshly when you're afraid."
Acxell:
"I'm not afraid."
Yuriko:
"…Then why did you bring lunch for two?"
Acxell:
"Because I know your taste."
Yuriko:
"Or… because you feel guilty?"
Acxell stayed silent.
He slid one lunchbox toward her.
Without a word, he lifted the lid—inside, simple rice rolls with Japanese egg slightly cracked.
[Bond Sync Attempted]
[Status: Weak – Reaction Pending]
Yuriko stared at the food for a long moment.
She didn't eat.
Her hand hovered—
"Why are you doing this now, Acxell?"
"When I've already started to step back?"
Acxell looked straight at her.
No dodging. No smile.
"Because I don't know how to love when everything's calm.
But I know I'll regret losing you like this.
I don't like Shiro.
But I hate myself more when I stay silent."
[Emotional Trigger: Heart Exposure – Mild Resonance]
[Yuriko Status: Receptiveness Unlocked – Pending Confirmation]
Yuriko didn't answer yet.
But she opened the bento, took one roll, and chewed slowly.
"Too salty."
"But I'm hungry."
Acxell didn't reply.
He bowed his head slightly, but beneath his sleeve…
…his pulse throbbed lightly at his wrist.
[System Signature Detected: Yuriko – Resonance Reinstated]
[Passive Jealousy Blocked: Shiro]
[Lilith System Update: Mission Flow Restored – Temporary Sync Achieved]
And far away—in the shadowed folds of another dimension—
a pair of red‑violet eyes watched.
"Good boy. But not enough."
"You've only postponed the disaster."
— Lilith Veiyra, Goddess of Temptation.