After all, Haruno was her prospective sister-in-law, so she didn't go too far. She just threatened a little and then released Sora.
"After all, we'll become one family in the future; no need to separate ourselves so clearly."
She put on her warm and cheerful smile again. Under the gaze of the angry silver-haired girl who didn't dare speak, she patted Yuu's thigh.
"So, Sora-chan, let me ask you again—I and Yuu-chan love each other; may I stay here to take care of him and find a way to wake him up?"
"..."
Sora slowly bit her lip, turning her small face away with a sour expression. Like a stubborn child who refused to admit defeat, she pinched Yuu's cheek without saying a word.
Haruno took it as tacit approval. She then wrapped her arm around her sister's shoulder and said in a matter-of-fact tone, ignoring Yukino's instinctive resistance:
"Because of that, this foolish little sister of mine is now secretly in love with that man, and Yuu-chan is still holding onto the feelings from your previous relationship. As long as we make it clear, even if his memories haven't returned, it should still count as mutual love. So she can stay here too."
"N-Nee-san!?"
Yukino cried out in panic and embarrassment. Her head was forced to lean against her sister's chest. She could only look back and forth between Haruno and Sora. Her pale face finally flushed slightly, and her heart filled with awkwardness and confusion.
Most importantly, the fact that her older sister suddenly spoke up for her left her, who had been prepared to retreat sadly, feeling shocked, and she desperately wanted to ask what was on her sister's mind.
"Helping you, helping him, it's also the same as helping myself." However, Yukino didn't need to be confused for too long. As if seeing her sister's bewilderment, Haruno lowered her head slightly and chuckled mischievously next to her ear.
"Besides, being nice to you now, who knows, one day I might rely on this kindness to make you step back willingly~"
"You..."
That unexpected yet reasonable answer made Yukino involuntarily stare at her smile in surprise. She couldn't guess whether Haruno was just joking or really planning such malicious intentions.
In any case, in Yukino's heart, Haruno was indeed the type of person who would do something like that.
However, instinctively, even though she was prepared to bless Yuu and Yuigahama's relationship, the moment she thought about the possibility of having to leave Yuu and hand him over to someone else, Yukino felt...
Very reluctant. She desperately wanted to shoot her sister a disgusted glare and tell her to go play somewhere else.
But since Haruno was indeed helping her, Yukino only pressed her temple and sighed. She slipped out of her sister's grasp without a trace and gathered her thoughts before looking at Sora.
However, at this moment, Sora was already too exhausted to care about the two sisters. She automatically ignored Masuzu, who had nearly blended into the shadows, trying to minimize her presence, and stared at Utaha.
This was the woman she had met for the first time. She seemed the most involved in this incident, holding the magical notebook that recorded things she didn't remember from the past and could provide clues for the future.
She had Haruno's boldness and Yukino's long black hair... Did Yuu like this type?
Various thoughts flashed through her mind, and Sora unconsciously asked: "Are you his girlfriend too? Which number? What month did you start dating?"
"Hah? No, no, I wouldn't date him!" Utaha quickly waved her hands, as if wanting to immediately sever ties with them. She covered her chest with the notebook and took two steps back. "I'm only involved in your affairs because of this notebook's threats. Please don't lump me in with them!"
Honestly, Utaha really wanted to leave the Tenkuji house now, giving these girls with their complicated relationships free space to fight fiercely as much as they wanted, while she returned to the hotel for a good sleep, without needing to get involved in their romantic moral drama.
Unfortunately, good things are always hard to come by. At least, the new content that appeared in the notebook clearly didn't want her to exit the trouble so quickly.
"Whether it's his little sister or his girlfriends, you don't need to be so hostile towards me... After all, it seems I'm sent by Fate to help that man. Just consider me an ally who asks for no reward."
Sweeping her long hair behind her, Utaha sighed helplessly. She then opened the notebook in her hand, drawing all eyes to her.
"In short, stop talking nonsense; let's quickly resolve the main issue and return to our respective homes!"
She showed the inner page to everyone. Four pairs of eyes looked down, scanning the neatly printed new writing on it.
Yukino murmured as she read it: "Part Three. The test has begun. Before the protagonist is completely swallowed by the false cycle, please find the key to entering the dream, and obtain your own existence... Time limit of one hour. If failed, the protagonist will completely forget the existence of those who do not appear in the test after waking?"
After thinking for a moment, Haruno said with a serious expression, revealing her analysis:
"That means Yuu-chan will wake up on his own no matter what. The difference is whether, after waking, he will forget certain things, like what happened to us in the past."
"Then don't waste time; let's quickly find that key." Masuzu, who had been silent until now, stepped forward. She asked Utaha proactively, "Is there text in the notebook that you can see but we can't? Any hints in it?"
Utaha flipped the page towards her, examined it carefully, then shook her head in disappointment: "Nothing's written."
Even so, she smiled optimistically as if relieved: "However, this pattern is actually very clear. You should be asked to find an item with the strongest bond to him, then use that bond or similar invisible power to proceed to the next stage, like breaking into that dream test and waking this man forcefully. After all, scenarios usually go like this. I think the goal is clear enough. What do you all think?"
Several people exchanged glances. The Yukinoshita sisters almost instantly thought of something, their faces showing realization.
"Don't tell me..."
Her tone quickened unconsciously. Haruno turned and asked Sora: "Sora-chan, do you know where Yuu-chan usually keeps his valuables? Like a handmade bracelet given by his girlfriend, for example."
"Hah? As if there's something like that..." The words had just left her mouth when she saw the corner of Haruno's lips lift slightly; Sora wisely didn't ask further. She only answered reluctantly, "I don't know, but maybe in his desk drawer? Since it can be locked, he keeps a lot of things right in the drawer. Easy to grab, and I can't break it open either."
"In that case, I'll check his room." Haruno didn't hesitate. She immediately left the living room, ready to head to the second floor.
However, after taking a few steps out, she suddenly turned back, showing Sora a warm smile like a spring breeze.
"His room is locked. Because you have a little sister who likes to tamper with her big brother's things."
"..."
As if seeing through everything, her deep red eyes narrowed leisurely, observing Sora's slightly stiff expression.
Haruno added with a smile: "So, for the sake of your big brother, my lover, can you unlock his room door for me? I'm sure you're hiding a spare key."
Thus, even though Sora pouted and was extremely reluctant, Haruno obtained the key to Yuu's room and prepared to blatantly invade it.
As for the others, while following her upstairs, they were also lost in their own thoughts.