Chapter Extra Episode Girls VS Punk Girls (1)

April 9, 2017 (Sunday)

In an alternate universe one day ago, at the International Science Institute in Setagaya, Tokyo,Oppressor Plutonium—this world's Professor Utonium—played a video in front of Powerpunk Girls Z with enthusiasm.

The footage displayed the Rowdyruff Boys battling a fully powered-up Jagu (HIM) in an intense fight. In this alternate universe, HIM had grown overwhelmingly powerful, becoming an almost unstoppable force of evil. Despite this, the three boys stood their ground without flinching, wielding the power of the Three Sacred Treasures and unleashing a power capable of tearing apart the heavens and the earth.

Finally, amid a blinding light, HIM was completely blasted into the sun by the boys, vanishing without a trace. The intensity of the scene left everyone breathless, even Oppressor Plutonium couldn't hide his excitement.

He slowly turned his head, looking at the Powerpunk Girls Z: "This is footage I captured a year ago on a spy satellite in a parallel universe."

He slowly turned, looking at Powerpunk Girls Z—Tsubaki (Berserk), Reina (Brat), and Akane (Brute)—who were momentarily stunned, their eyes gleaming with deep interest. In this universe, HIM was so powerful that even these wicked girls were shaken, and the three boys had opened their eyes to a new realm of awe. Their gazes were filled with taunting light, clearly intrigued by the content of the video.

"These three lunatics... They actually managed to control the Three Sacred Treasures and send HIM into the sun? That's absolutely insane!" Tsubaki's mouth curled slightly, her red eyes reflecting a hint of evil light, clearly captivated by the boys' wild behavior.

Oppressor Plutonium wore a proud smile and continued, "And that's not all—those boys aren't even blood-related brothers. They were cloned from the DNA of the Powerpuff Girls Z from an alternate universe."

Upon hearing this, the three girls perked up, a strange spark lighting in their eyes. Reina's lips twisted into a cold smile. "So, they're clones of our 'sisters'? How interesting. No wonder they have such formidable power."

"There's even more to it." Oppressor Plutonium lowered his voice, a hint of mockery in his tone. "To save those sacrificed Powerpuff Girls Z, these three lunatics dared to challenge Izanami of Yomi, meeting her stringent conditions to resurrect them. Just imagine... this kind of foolishness and madness."

"Challenging Izanami?" Akane's eyes widened, clenching her fists in excitement, evidently aroused by such insanity. "Those guys really have guts!"

"Not only madness but also a profound affection for those three girls," Oppressor Plutonium sneered. "Their bond was so deep that they willingly risked everything to challenge a deity from myth, even at the cost of disappearing completely... That's how they were able to exert such superhuman strength."

Tsubaki, Reina, and Akane exchanged glances, eyes brimming with intense interest and a slight, malicious smile. Usually fearless, they had never encountered such crazy opponents—three boys with tremendous power who were even willing to sacrifice themselves for love.

"Well, girls," Oppressor Plutonium raised an eyebrow, looking at the three wicked girls. "Want to meet these so-called 'heroes'?"

Still wearing a sinister smile, Oppressor Plutonium fixed his gaze on the Powerpunk Girls Z, speaking slowly, "This target is quite unique. You should know, in that parallel universe, this six-person team, although stripped of their transformation powers, especially those boys... They're not ordinary humans. Their power far surpasses yours, even without transformations, they still possess extraordinary strength."

Tsubaki sneered, lightly fiddling with her red ribbon, her mouth twisted with disdain. "Far surpass us? Oppressor, are you sure you're not exaggerating?"

Oppressor Plutonium shook his head gently, his monocle reflecting a mad gleam. "I never exaggerate, Tsubaki. Their power truly defies imagination. But..." He deliberately prolonged his tone, seemingly leaving them in suspense, "like all living beings, they have weaknesses. And I need you to discover those weaknesses, to fully understand them. This time, I'll teleport you to Tokyo in that parallel world, giving you a week to freely explore."

Reina crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "So, our mission is to gather intelligence and find those guys' weaknesses?"

Oppressor Plutonium grinned wickedly, his eyes alight with excitement. "Exactly. Explore the source of their power, uncover why they can surpass mortals, and discover the origin of their bond. Especially those Powerpuff Girls Z in that parallel world—their relationship with those boys seems extremely unique. I'm curious what compels these boys to challenge Izanami, even at the risk of complete erasure, just to bring them back."

Akane's eyes sparkled with excitement upon hearing this. "In other words, those girls also hold special meaning for the boys, right? We can definitely use this."

Oppressor Plutonium nodded in satisfaction, his eyes gleaming with mad ambition. "Precisely! If we can uncover these secrets, not only will your power reach new heights, but we can even create an unprecedented combination of forces. You're already among the strongest here, but with their genes... we would be invincible!"

He paused, adding, "Just one more thing, in the parallel universe, you won't be able to transform. However, your physical capabilities are still far superior to ordinary people, enough for you to wield formidable power."

Tsubaki, Reina, and Akane exchanged glances, their mouths curving into evil smiles. Not only were they intrigued by the boys' strength, but they were also intensely curious about their special emotional bond. This time, they were here to gather information and uncover these powerful opponents' secrets, to see what kind of force could elevate them to such an unimaginable level.

"Alright, then it's settled." Tsubaki smirked, her gaze filled with provocation. "We'll make sure to 'get to know' these guys, not just their strength, but all their secrets.

"

April 10, 2017, Monday "University of Tokyo"

That day, I was walking around campus, ready to go back to the shared apartment we six lived in for a short rest. My mind was still processing the content of the law lecture I'd just attended when, out of the corner of my eye, I glimpsed a flash of orange.

Momoko? I was startled and stopped, looking carefully at the figure ahead. Orange hair, a red ribbon, and wearing a red plaid skirt and a collared top—yet, there was a certain flair and wildness about her that I couldn't quite place.

"Yuzuhiko?" As I was still looking at her in bewilderment, the girl suddenly turned around and looked straight at me, a self-assured, slightly mischievous smile playing on her lips. I was taken aback. This face really did look identical to Momoko's, but Momoko would never look at me with this kind of gaze.

"Momoko? Want to go grab some sweets together?" I asked hesitantly, instinctively taking a few steps closer to see more clearly. Her smile deepened, like she was amused by my reaction.

"Momoko?" She chuckled softly, a teasing glint in her voice. "I'm not the Momoko you're talking about. My name is Tsubaki. Remember that."

I froze for a few seconds, my brain struggling to process. How did this girl know my name? And why did she look exactly like Momoko? Forcing a casual smile, I tried asking, "You said your name is...Tsubaki?"

She nodded slightly, her red eyes locking onto mine with a meaningful smile. "That's right. I came specifically to meet you, Yuzuhiko."

Her tone was provocative, yet there was a hint of intimacy, as if we already knew each other. Even more bewildered, I couldn't help but ask, "How do you know my name? And why do you look so…much like Momoko?"

Tsubaki let out a slight hum, a crafty look flashing in her eyes. "I know quite a bit, actually. As for how I know…well…" She trailed off, lightly adjusting her red ribbon. "That's our little secret, isn't it?"

I couldn't make heads or tails of her words, but that challenging tone and smile held my gaze. Just as I was still wondering who she was, Tsubaki suddenly gave me a light tap on the shoulder, her voice lazy and teasing. "I heard you wanted to take me out for sweets? Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!"

"Huh?" I was still somewhat dazed, but she had already naturally taken my arm, pulling me toward the sweets shop. She was close—so close that I could clearly smell the faint, sweet fragrance on her, almost identical to Momoko's, and even hear her soft breaths. The intimacy made me a bit uneasy, my heartbeat subtly quickening, though I couldn't quite tell if it was from confusion or that strange pull.

Along the way, I couldn't help but glance at her secretly, my mind filled with questions. This girl who called herself "Tsubaki" looked nearly identical to Momoko but was entirely different in temperament. While Momoko was always gentle and kind, Tsubaki's gaze held a certain wildness and challenge, like a predator waiting for its prey.

"What's wrong? Don't recognize me?" She smiled lightly, her red eyes twinkling with a hint of mockery. "Or are you too afraid to get close to me?"

I was stunned for a moment before hurriedly protesting, "Who are you, really? You're…mysterious…"

She chuckled, her gaze full of hidden meanings. "Then let's get to know each other better, Yuzuhiko."

I was about to say something, but Tsubaki naturally reached out, slipping her arm through mine as if we were already close. She gave a little smile, full of confidence and challenge, and led me toward a sweets shop at the corner of the street.

"Wait, hold on…" I was about to object, but she moved smoothly, her tone leaving no room for refusal. "Come on, didn't you say you were treating me? Or are you backing out now?"

Her tone was lightly teasing, and I found myself, inexplicably, going along with her to the shop.

After we sat down, I kept sneaking glances at her, still confused but inexplicably drawn in. Though this whole situation felt strange, her expressions, tone, even those red eyes, were filled with a strong confidence and provocation—completely unlike the gentle Momoko I knew. And yet, I couldn't ignore the identical scent that she shared with Momoko.

"Are you just going to stare at me like that?" She raised an eyebrow, a hint of ridicule in her gaze, her tone laced with a kind of teasing indifference. Her lips curled up slightly, as if she'd already anticipated my every reaction.

I smiled, trying to appear at ease, and asked, "You said your name is Tsubaki, but why are you here, and how do you know my name?"

She gave a slight hum, took a small bite of her dessert, and continued watching me with a challenging gaze. "Like I said, Yuzuhiko, I find you very interesting. And I know quite a bit about you and your 'brothers.'"

Her words only deepened my confusion, and my heartbeat seemed to quicken slightly. There was an odd, unexplainable undertone in her voice that made me want to dig deeper. Just as I was about to ask more, Tsubaki suddenly leaned in closer, so near I could almost feel her breath.

Her closeness made me instinctively hold my breath, the sweet scent growing more intense, identical to Momoko's. For a moment, I felt a familiar yet foreign sense of intimacy, sparking a subtle tremor in me, but at the same time, it felt oddly strange.

"Yuzuhiko," she murmured my name softly, her red eyes gleaming with a mysterious light, her tone low and soft, as if each word carried a hint of unnoticeable seduction. "Why are you so tense? Don't tell me you're really that uncomfortable being close to me?"

Her breath lightly brushed past my ear as she spoke, sending a small shiver through me. Trying to maintain composure, I smiled and replied, "Who says I'm tense? It's just…you look a lot like the Momoko I know, yet so different. I'm…curious, that's all."

Hearing this, Tsubaki's smile deepened, a hint of mockery in her gaze. "Curious, huh? Well then, in the coming week, maybe I'll let you 'get to know' me a bit more." She finished with a meaningful smile, her gaze filled with a challenge, as if waiting for my reaction.

The smile left me even more puzzled, but I couldn't look away, and even began to anticipate finding out more about this girl named "Tsubaki" in the coming week.

Kagami was walking back from his kendo dojo practice, his mind still going over a few key movements from the day's training. Just as he was about to return to our shared apartment, he suddenly heard someone call his name from not far ahead.

"Kagami!"

Kagami stopped in his tracks, looking up to see a blonde girl with blue eyes walking toward him. Her twin ponytails swayed with each step. She was wearing a sleeveless, cropped blue top, golden bracelets on her wrists, a black skirt, and black boots.

Her face held a faint smile that looked gentle yet somewhat mocking, and she looked so much like Miyako.

"Miyako? Why are you here?" Kagami blurted out, but he immediately sensed something off. Although this girl resembled Miyako, her gaze carried a sense of laziness and nonchalance, completely different from Miyako's gentle and introverted demeanor.

"My name is Reina," she said simply, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow as she looked at Kagami with a hint of impatience and casualness. "What's wrong, can't tell us apart?"

Kagami was confused. While he was simple-minded, his instincts told him that this "Miyako" exuded an unfamiliar air. Today, she wasn't just dressed differently; her entire demeanor carried a sense of indifference and decadence. "Sorry, it's just… you look a lot like my girlfriend…" he replied awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.

Reina glanced at him, letting out a slight chuckle. "You mean Miyako? I came looking for you since I know you two are…'acquainted.' Otherwise, I wouldn't waste my time," she added, a subtle sneer in her voice and a look of hidden interest in her eyes.

Kagami couldn't quite grasp what she meant, but his confusion only grew. He felt Reina knew quite a bit about him, but couldn't pinpoint why, which left him both slightly uneasy and inexplicably intrigued.

"So… Reina, what exactly do you want?" Kagami asked cautiously, sensing that this "Miyako" seemed quite interested in him, yet there was a familiar unfamiliarity about her presence.

Reina stepped a little closer, crossing her arms, her tone casual yet mocking. "Oh, nothing much. Just wanted to see if the so-called 'kendo prodigy' is really that impressive." Her gaze was challenging, as if hinting at something.

Standing in front of Reina, Kagami felt her piercing blue gaze sizing him up, her tone carrying a lazy challenge. "You don't seem as dumb as you look, Kagami," she said with a cold smile, a hint of taunting in her voice.

Kagami's brows furrowed slightly as his internal alarms rang. Despite his usual simplicity, his intuition as a martial artist told him this "Reina" wasn't as carefree as she appeared. Her words held a hidden threat he couldn't entirely ignore, but they also had an odd allure.

"Um… Reina, I just remembered I have something to do." Kagami forced a smile, cautiously backing away, trying to escape the tension surrounding them.

Reina narrowed her eyes, the smile on her lips growing as if entertained by his reaction. "Oh? Already leaving? I thought the 'kendo prodigy' would stay and chat a little longer."

Feeling a chill, Kagami instinctively took another step back before quickly turning, deftly leaping onto a nearby wall, and swiftly moving through the alleys. He knew he needed to put some distance between them; Reina's presence was far too oppressive to ignore.

Watching his retreating figure, Reina's smile turned amused, her gaze holding a hunter's glint. "Pretty fast, aren't you, Kagami?" she murmured softly, her tone full of intrigue. "This game…is only just beginning."

Shigeru walked through the streets of Tokyo, fresh from signing a new publishing contract, feeling pleased. Just as he was about to head back to the apartment, he noticed a familiar figure up ahead. He paused slightly—was that Kaoru? But… her outfit was a bit too provocative.

The "Kaoru" in front of him was dressed in a black, strapless one-piece with mesh stockings and black boots, her waist adorned with a green spiked belt. Her whole appearance radiated a sense of wildness and rebelliousness.

Her short, pointed, deep purple hair only added to her sharp look, far removed from the Kaoru he knew. Shigeru's brows knitted slightly, sensing something was off.

Before he could process further, the girl noticed him, her lips curling into a playful smirk as she approached. She greeted him first: "Shigeru!"

The cold and domineering tone instantly snapped Shigeru back to reality. This wasn't Kaoru's usual voice. He took a slight step back, his brows furrowed, warily studying the girl in front of him.

"What's wrong? Don't you recognize me?" She raised an eyebrow, her tone full of provocation.

Shigeru examined her carefully, growing more certain that this wasn't Kaoru—at least, not the Kaoru he was familiar with. "And you are…?" he asked cautiously, his tone probing.

"I'm Akane," she replied, a cold smile playing on her lips as she crossed her arms and looked down at him, as if sizing him up. "You seem…surprised."

Shigeru frowned, observing her quietly. "You look like someone I know, but I know you're not her," he replied, his tone calm but distant, feeling an unfamiliar sense of discomfort.

Akane chuckled lightly, an intrigued smile forming on her lips. "Pretty perceptive, Shigeru." She deliberately drew out his name, her eyes glinting with a dangerous light. "I've heard you're quite the literary prodigy, but you don't seem all that impressive."

Staring into Akane's green eyes, Shigeru's confusion grew. Her words held a sense of mystery and challenge, almost as if inviting him to dig deeper. However, this undeniable sense of familiarity also prevented him from simply walking away.

Despite her cold, provocative demeanor, the faint fragrance surrounding her stirred memories of Kaoru in him, sparking a subtle yet unexplainable attraction.

Akane stepped closer, gazing at Shigeru with cunning eyes. "What's wrong, feeling hesitant? Or are you just too afraid to get closer?" Her voice was low, carrying a mocking smile, as if she had long anticipated his hesitation and was relishing his conflicted reaction.

Shigeru took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm. He knew this girl wasn't Kaoru, yet her gaze and tone created a strange sense of déjà vu. Part of him felt that Akane was a stark contrast to Kaoru, yet another part of him was inexplicably drawn in by those familiar details.

"You said your name is Akane," Shigeru replied evenly, his gaze sharp with curiosity. "Then why are you so interested in me? We've just met, haven't we?"

Akane let out a low chuckle. "Maybe I just like dealing with 'interesting' people. I hear you're not exactly an 'ordinary writer,' so I don't plan on letting go of such an intriguing target." Her voice held a chilling playfulness.

Hearing this, Shigeru's confusion grew deeper, but he couldn't deny a hint of curiosity. This girl before him, while vastly different from Kaoru in demeanor, seemed to know everything about him and his brothers.

He vaguely sensed that this encounter wasn't by chance, and she might know more than she let on.

He stared into Akane's green eyes, trying to glean some hint of her true intentions, but her expression was calm, giving nothing away.

This left Shigeru feeling a bit helpless, yet it also intensified his desire to understand her real purpose.

Noticing his silence, Akane's smile grew even more pronounced. "Shigeru, no need to be so tense. I won't do anything to you. It's just that…" She leaned in, her voice dropping low enough for only him to hear, "sometimes, the closer you get to someone, the more you find out their 'weaknesses,' right?"

Her words sent a shiver down Shigeru's spine, but he maintained a calm gaze, trying to mask his inner turmoil. Although Akane's tone was light, there was an undeniable hint of challenge and probing in it, as if she was signaling the beginning of a dangerous game between them.

Shigeru felt a tingling sense of unease, realizing that this "Akane" before him carried an undeniable threat. He knew it was best not to linger, so he forced a nonchalant smile and said softly, "Ah, I just remembered I have something urgent to take care of. Sorry, let's chat another time."

With that, he quickly turned around, pushed off with his foot, and swiftly left the scene. Lightly leaping up onto a nearby wall, he moved with agility, disappearing between the rooftops within a few bounds.

Akane stood in place, watching his retreating figure with narrowed eyes, a playful smile tugging at her lips, clearly intrigued by his unexpected escape.

"Quite the runner, aren't you, Shigeru?" she murmured to herself, a predatory glint flashing in her green eyes. "Interesting. This game has only just begun."

As Tsubaki's eyes glinted mischievously, I felt my iPhone buzz in my pocket. I glanced at it discreetly; it was a message from Kagami and Shigeru.

They mentioned that they'd encountered some "unusual" people on the street, hinting that the situation was a bit complicated.

My heart tightened, realizing this couldn't be a coincidence. Were the three of us being "targeted" simultaneously? I needed to meet up with them right away to get a clear picture of the situation.

I quickly put my phone away and gave Tsubaki a polite smile. "Sorry, Tsubaki, something just came up that I need to handle. Let's chat next time!" Before she could respond, I got up and walked briskly to the counter to pay.

As I paid, I glanced back; Tsubaki was smiling faintly, her gaze laced with a subtle, knowing look, as if she found my "escape" amusing. I didn't dwell on it and quickly left the dessert shop, hurrying in the direction of Kagami and Shigeru.

We raced back to the apartment entrance, breathing heavily, feeling like we'd just seen ghosts. The scenes outside had been way too bizarre—each of us had encountered an identical-looking girl, yet their personalities were completely off. The three of us exchanged uneasy glances, our expressions a mixture of confusion and wariness.

I couldn't help but wonder: what exactly is going on? These three girls—appearance, scent, even their voices matched Momoko, Miyako, and Kaoru perfectly, but their behavior was uncharacteristically provocative, impossible to relax around.

We pushed open the door and stepped inside the apartment, greeted by the familiar aroma of home-cooked food, which helped us relax slightly.

The girls were busy in the kitchen preparing dinner. Seeing us walk in looking worn out, Momoko smiled and called out, "You're back! Why do you all look so exhausted today?"

Taking a deep breath, still catching my breath, I couldn't help blurting out a slew of questions. "Hey, do any of you… have distant relatives or twin sisters or anything like that?!"

Miyako paused mid-chop and turned around, looking at me in confusion. "Distant relatives? Twin sisters? Yuzuhiko, what are you talking about?"

Kaoru looked up from the stove, frowning, "We don't have twin sisters, and no distant relatives would suddenly show up here. What's going on?"

Shigeru, Kagami, and I exchanged glances, each of us more puzzled than before. This deepened our suspicions—was it all just a coincidence? Or had we inadvertently gotten caught up in something strange?

The six of us sat down at the dining table, the girls bringing out steaming dishes. Despite the cozy setting, the three of us guys couldn't shake the heavy atmosphere hanging over us. Momoko couldn't resist asking, "What happened to you guys today? You all look like you've seen ghosts."

I cleared my throat, but before I could say anything, Kagami jumped in, "It's honestly so bizarre… On my way back, I ran into this girl named Reina. She looked, smelled—everything was exactly like you, Miyako." He pointed at Miyako, looking incredulous, "But her personality was totally different. She was cold, taunted me for being dumb…"

Miyako's eyes widened as she looked at him. "What? You ran into someone who looked just like me?"

"It wasn't just Kagami; the same thing happened to me," Shigeru said, putting down his chopsticks, his expression unusually serious. "On the way back to the publisher, I ran into a girl who looked just like Kaoru. Her name was Akane, dressed in a weird black strapless dress, fishnet stockings… and she was full of attitude, constantly provoking me."

He glanced at Kaoru, an uneasy look in his eyes.

Kaoru's eyes widened in disbelief, "What? A girl who looks just like me, with a personality like that? That's crazy!"

I sighed, picking up the conversation. "Honestly, the strangest encounter might have been mine… I met someone who looked exactly like Momoko, called herself Tsubaki. The scent, the voice, exactly the same! But her personality was like night and day, full of taunts and even said she was 'very interested' in me." I couldn't help but shiver, still feeling unsettled at the thought.

Momoko's eyes widened as she stared at the three of us. "The more you talk about it, the stranger it sounds. These girls not only look like us, but even have the same scent? That's… bizarre."

Shigeru nodded, his brow furrowed deeply. "And this kind of coincidence is too unlikely. The three of us ran into these 'doppelgängers' at the same time… Is this really just chance?"

The girls looked at each other, equally stunned, uncertain what to say. Kaoru slowly put down her chopsticks, her tone serious, "So, the girls you met not only look like us but were clearly trying to get close to you?"

Kagami nodded, speaking quietly, "Yeah, it felt like they were after us specifically. They knew our names and even seemed to know a lot about us, as if… as if they came prepared."

I nodded, feeling increasingly uneasy. "We should be careful. These girls might not have good intentions."

The girls nodded, their expressions a mix of concern and curiosity, while the three of us guys exchanged a knowing look. We all silently reached the same conclusion: there was undoubtedly a deeper mystery behind this "coincidence," perhaps far more complex than we'd anticipated.

Tuesday, April 11, 2017 - University of Tokyo

The next day at noon, I was about to enter the Faculty of Law building, still mulling over the discussion from last night's dinner about our "strange encounters." I reminded myself to stay vigilant, to avoid letting any suspicious people get close again. But as soon as I turned a corner, I heard a familiar voice calling my name.

"Yuzuhiko!"

I froze for a moment, looking up, only to see her again—Tsubaki. Today, she was dressed in a red plaid skirt, a slight, provocative smile tugging at her lips, as if my "escape" yesterday hadn't left the slightest mark on her mind.

"You… Tsubaki?" I looked at her somewhat uneasily, remembering last night's discussion with the guys, and I felt a hint of caution rising within me.

Before I could say much, she was already laughing as she wrapped her arm around mine, like a lover deeply in love, moving with such naturalness that I felt unguarded. I immediately stiffened, filled with surprise and unease.

"Hey, wait… what are you…"

"What am I doing?" She looked up at me, her eyes glinting mischievously, clearly amused by my reaction. "You said you wanted to get to know me better, so here I am. What, not happy to see me?"

Her tone was light and confident, as if there were no barriers between us, even with a hint of playful affection, completely ignoring my slightly tense expression.

I looked down at her hand clasping my arm, feeling her so close and catching a whiff of her familiar scent. My heart gave a start, but I forced myself to calm down. Although her behavior seemed so natural, hard to resist, there was still an indescribable strangeness about it all.

"Uh, you…" I tried to pull away a bit, but she clung even tighter, whispering, "Is it necessary to be this tense? We're just holding hands, Yuzuhiko. You don't seem like much of a 'leader.'"

Her words left me momentarily speechless, and I managed an awkward smile. "I'm just… surprised. After all, we've only just met, right?"

She leaned against my shoulder, deliberately batting her eyes with a teasing tone. "Just because we've only known each other briefly doesn't mean we can't get to know each other a little… deeper."

I was at a loss for words, my heartbeat becoming harder to control. Her familiar attitude left me flustered, a mixture of discomfort and a faint stirring I couldn't quite name.

No, there was no doubt—this Tsubaki wasn't just anyone. She was too forward, too deliberate. I needed to figure out her intentions, or this "coincidental encounter" wouldn't be that simple. I reminded myself that no matter how natural this "chance meeting" appeared, I had to keep a clear head.

But suddenly, I spotted Momoko walking toward us not far ahead. She was carrying a lunch box, her face lit with a gentle smile, clearly looking for me. My heart warmed at the sight, but at the same time, I felt a foreboding chill, as her gaze quickly fell upon me and Tsubaki.

Momoko stopped a short distance away, her brows knitting slightly. Her eyes held a tinge of hidden sorrow, but I could see her expression turn resolute in an instant. She walked toward us with steady steps, her gaze fixed on Tsubaki's hand holding my arm, filled with unwavering determination and a protective resolve.

"Yuzuhiko, who is she?" Momoko's voice was gentle, but her tone carried an undeniable sense of protection. She stopped in front of us, looking directly at Tsubaki, exuding a warmth that was nonetheless unyielding, as if silently saying, "No matter who you are, he's not someone you can just approach."

Tsubaki was unfazed, raising an eyebrow as she smiled at Momoko, her expression now even more provocatively smug. "I'm Tsubaki. And you're… his lover, I suppose?" She finished her words, leaning in closer, as though deliberately testing Momoko's limits.

Momoko's face tightened, and after a deep breath, she spoke with a firm resolve that allowed no room for doubt. "Whoever you are, please let go of Yuzuhiko." Her voice was gentle but laced with a determination that could not be moved, her gaze shining with the bond that bound us beyond life and death.

My confusion and awkwardness faded instantly, replaced by gratitude and affection for Momoko. I gently withdrew my arm from Tsubaki's grasp and moved to stand beside Momoko. "I'm sorry, Tsubaki."

Tsubaki scoffed lightly, folding her arms without further comment, though her gaze flashed with a hint of reluctance. "Well, Yuzuhiko, since your lover's here, I'll leave you be." With that, she turned and walked away, her steps radiating the same confidence and defiance.

I breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Momoko, smiling. "Thank you, Momoko. I'm glad you were here." Momoko nodded softly, a gentle smile appearing on her face. I knew that her steadfastness was born from the deep bond we shared, a testament to love and protection that made me sure that no matter what challenges we faced, we'd confront them side by side.

In another corner of the University of Tokyo, Shigeru was on his way to class, lost in thought over his latest writing project. Suddenly, a low, icy voice came from behind him.

"Shigeru."

Shigeru halted, sensing a familiar yet eerie pressure descending upon him. He turned to look, and sure enough, there she was—Akane. She wore a black strapless dress, fishnet stockings, her green spiked wristband and belt still in place. Her expression remained one of cold cruelty and defiance, as if this had all been premeditated.

"You… Akane?" Shigeru's brows furrowed as a faint unease arose within him, though he struggled to keep calm, feigning nonchalance as he asked, "So, you've come looking for me again?"

Akane let out a cold laugh, folding her arms as she approached him, her gaze flashing with a predatory gleam. "What's wrong, afraid of me? You ran off pretty fast yesterday, Shigeru." She stretched out the words, dripping with scorn.

A chill ran through Shigeru, and he instinctively took half a step back. He knew this "Akane" was no ordinary person. Her demeanor, her tone—nothing like Kaoru, the warm, straightforward girl he knew. This Akane seemed to carry some hidden danger, impossible to ignore.

"I'm just… not used to this kind of direct interaction." He forced a smile, trying to come up with an excuse to leave.

But it seemed Akane had already anticipated his intentions, closing the distance with a cold edge to her voice. "Afraid of what? We're just talking, right? What, we can't get a bit… closer?" She spoke with a slight upward curl of her lips, her gaze playful yet deadly, like a hunter cornering her prey.

Shigeru nervously swallowed, feeling an inexplicable pressure. Akane leaned closer, so close that he could distinctly catch her familiar scent, exactly like Kaoru's. This familiar yet foreign intimacy unsettled him, making his heartbeat quicken.

"Akane…" He forced himself to speak, trying to hide his unease. "What exactly do you want? We've just met, and this… kind of contact seems a bit much, don't you think?"

Akane laughed coolly, not stepping back even an inch. "What I want? I never said I wanted anything, did I? I just think you're… interesting." Her voice was low and chilling, tinged with mockery. "Besides, Shigeru, aren't you curious about me too?"

Shigeru was left speechless, his confusion and unease growing stronger. He knew this "Akane" wasn't ordinary, but he couldn't figure out her true intentions. Behind this "chance encounter" lay something hidden, of that he was certain.

Kaoru arrived at the Faculty of Literature at Tokyo University, holding a freshly made lunch box, her heart filled with excitement as she prepared to surprise Shigeru. She had already decided that today, she'd have lunch with him and take a look at how busy he'd been lately.

However, when she reached the building's entrance, the scene before her made her freeze.

There was Shigeru, and beside him, holding his arm, was a girl who looked exactly like her. The girl wore a black strapless dress and fishnet stockings, exuding an aggressive aura. She leaned provocatively close to Shigeru, a faint sneer on her face, as though flaunting her "advantage" to Kaoru.

Kaoru's anger flared up instantly. She wasn't the type to hold back; she immediately marched over, her tone firm and direct. "Hey! Who are you? Let go of him!"

Shigeru was caught off guard by Kaoru's sudden appearance, looking at her with surprise and embarrassment. "Kaoru? What are you… doing here…"

The girl—Akane—heard Kaoru's words but showed no intention of backing off, tightening her grip on Shigeru's arm, her tone dripping with mockery. "And who might you be? So loud—are you afraid I'll take him away?"

Kaoru scoffed, ignoring Akane's taunts as she stepped up to Shigeru, her tone firm. "Shigeru is mine, so you'd better let go of him."

Akane raised an eyebrow, seeming amused by Kaoru's attitude, her smile deepening. "Oh? So he's 'yours,' is he? Interesting. I don't see it that way."

Kaoru's eyes sparked with anger, but she remained calm, her gaze unyielding as she looked at Akane. "Whatever your reason, I won't let you near him."

Shigeru was moved by Kaoru's unwavering support, quickly pulling his arm from Akane's grip and standing beside Kaoru, his face apologetic. "Kaoru, I… I don't know who she is either…"

Akane scoffed, folding her arms and giving them a dismissive look, clearly unimpressed. "Fine, since you're so protective, I'll 'back off' for now."

Kaoru stared directly at Akane, unwavering, her gaze full of determination and protectiveness, as if declaring Shigeru's belonging. Finally, Akane scoffed dismissively, turning away with a step full of reluctance and defiance.

Once Akane was out of sight, Kaoru turned back to Shigeru, looking at him with a mix of reproach and concern. "Hey, the next time you run into a strange woman like that, don't just stand there like an idiot!"

Shigeru chuckled wryly, nodding, his heart filled with gratitude and love for Kaoru. He knew that her straightforwardness and protectiveness were exactly what he cherished most about her. "Don't worry, Kaoru. With you around, I won't let anyone get close so easily."