After coming to an agreement with Hayakawa, the two of them began their actions.
However, Hayakawa didn't have the time to explain his plan in detail. They used their connections and resources to search for the Yamai sisters all over the city.
After Denji had convinced them to give him one more day, the sisters seemed to disappear, spending the time somewhere unknown.
After much effort, they finally located one of the Yamai sisters.
It was now noon.
Hayakawa parked the car on the roadside and looked toward a deserted beach in Tokyo.
What should have been an empty beach had one person sitting there—a girl with long orange hair.
She sat silently, gazing at the sea's ebb and flow, almost like a lifeless sculpture, unaware of her surroundings.
Looking around, Hayakawa noticed Denji had already arrived and was stealthily hiding behind a tree, observing the girl on the beach.
Hayakawa walked over and asked, "Do you know which Yamai sister this is?"
"Smaller chest, looks like Kaguya," Denji squinted, correctly identifying her.
"Good, she's the more naïve one. Starting with her is a good choice."
Hayakawa mentally reviewed his plan and what he was about to say, preparing for action.
Once they were ready, Denji put on the Bluetooth earphones Hayakawa gave him, ensuring they weren't too visible.
Taking a deep breath, Denji walked slowly toward the girl on the beach.
Both Denji and Hayakawa's hearts raced with anticipation.
"Yo, what are you doing here?" Denji called as he approached.
Hayakawa's first line echoed through the earpiece.
Denji, not daring to slack off, said the lines as naturally as possible.
However, Kaguya clearly noticed Denji's approach. Without turning around, she answered, "Just passing time."
"You're wasting your time watching the waves instead of doing something meaningful. Do you really want to spend your last day like this?"
"I'll do what I want. None of your business." Kaguya rolled her eyes. "By the way, didn't you say you needed a day to think it over? What brings you here so soon?"
"Actually, after thinking for a few hours, I've made my final choice."
"Go ahead, I'm listening."
"As you wished, I've decided to let Yuzuru live."
"Hmph, I guess you've got some brains after all."
A smile spread across Kaguya's face, but Denji's expression froze.
He had just repeated Hayakawa's instructions. His brain didn't process it, he just said whatever Hayakawa told him.
But the moment he spoke those words, he realized what he had said.
"Hayakawa! What are you thinking?!" Denji panicked.
He had approached Hayakawa because he wanted to find a solution that would allow both Yamai sisters to live.
But Hayakawa made him say those words. Did he not fully understand the situation?
If Denji followed Kaguya's wishes and chose Yuzuru, then Yuzuru would go crazy once she found out!
But now, it was too late to turn back. He was nothing but a mouthpiece, repeating what was said to him.
Despite his confusion, Denji forced himself to continue, "And I've already told Makima about my choice. She also thinks letting Yuzuru stay is a good idea."
"Is that so? Looks like everyone prefers Yuzuru." Kaguya smiled, "But that's only natural."
She stood up and dusted off her leather pants.
"Since you've made your choice, it's time for me to meet Yuzuru."
"Wait!" Denji quickly stopped her as she was about to take off.
Kaguya paused and looked at him in confusion.
"We don't know where Yuzuru went. She's probably off somewhere killing time, and might have already left Japan. It's a waste of time to look for her." Denji explained. "Since after merging, your consciousness will disappear, why not make the most of this last day?"
"Make the most of... I don't know what to do with it."
Kaguya hesitated. "Fine, let's talk, what's your question?"
"Since we're here, can you answer a few things for me?" Denji asked awkwardly, shifting the topic.
"When did you become so polite?" Kaguya raised an eyebrow. "Just ask, stop being so tedious."
Denji nervously cleared his throat and continued, "Why do you want me to choose Yuzuru?"
"Didn't I make it clear yesterday? It's because Yuzuru is much better than me." Kaguya spoke with determination. "Only the more talented one should be Wind Taihaku. Yuzuru deserves it more than I do."
"Is that really the case? To everyone else, you and Yuzuru are both equally talented," Denji asked, "Isn't the reason you want me to choose Yuzuru because she's more important to you than yourself, so you'd rather sacrifice yourself to let her live?"
As soon as Denji spoke those words, a powerful gust of wind surged from Kaguya's body.
Denji braced himself and closed his eyes to shield against the sand, but he was still blown back several steps.
After several seconds, the chaotic wind subsided.
When Denji opened his eyes again, he noticed that the calm Kaguya now had a flushed face.
"What nonsense are you talking about!"
Kaguya crossed her arms and spoke hastily. "Don't use your shallow human logic to guess my thoughts! Yuzuru and I are destined rivals! I'm willing to lose just because she's better than me! Not because I care about her!"
But Denji and Hayakawa didn't believe her words.
Seeing her reaction, they were even more certain of their guess.
It was clear that, for the Yamai sisters, the other was more important.
Perhaps due to pride or self-respect, they were reluctant to admit it to each other.
Realizing this, Hayakawa became more confident in his plan.
He turned to Denji and delivered the line.
"Stop fooling yourself, Kaguya. You don't really think that way, do you?" Denji said, "You're about to disappear, and yet you still won't face your true feelings?"
"You have no idea what you're talking about!" Kaguya snapped, but there was an uncertainty in her eyes.
After cooperating with Hayakawa, the two of them began their actions.
However, Hayakawa didn't have time to explain his plan in detail. They used their resources and connections to search for the Yamai sisters across the city.
After Denji convinced them to give him one more day, the sisters seemed to disappear, spending the time somewhere unknown.
After much effort, they finally located one of the Yamai sisters.
It was now noon.
Hayakawa parked the car on the roadside and looked toward a deserted beach in Tokyo.
What should have been an empty beach had one person sitting there—a girl with long orange hair.
She sat silently, gazing at the sea's ebb and flow, almost like a lifeless sculpture, unaware of her surroundings.
Looking around, Hayakawa noticed Denji had already arrived and was stealthily hiding behind a tree, observing the girl on the beach.
Hayakawa walked over and asked, "Do you know which Yamai sister this is?"
"Smaller chest, looks like Kaguya," Denji squinted, correctly identifying her.
"Good, she's the more naïve one. Starting with her is a good choice."
Hayakawa mentally reviewed his plan and what he was about to say, preparing for action.
Once they were ready, Denji put on the Bluetooth earphones Hayakawa gave him, ensuring they weren't too visible.
Taking a deep breath, Denji walked slowly toward the girl on the beach.
Both Denji and Hayakawa's hearts raced with anticipation.
"Yo, what are you doing here?" Denji called as he approached.
Hayakawa's first line echoed through the earpiece.
Denji, not daring to slack off, said the lines as naturally as possible.
However, Kaguya clearly noticed Denji's approach. Without turning around, she answered, "Just passing time."
"You're wasting your time watching the waves instead of doing something meaningful. Do you really want to spend your last day like this?"
"I'll do what I want. None of your business." Kaguya rolled her eyes. "By the way, didn't you say you needed a day to think it over? What brings you here so soon?"
"Actually, after thinking for a few hours, I've made my final choice."
"Go ahead, I'm listening."
"As you wished, I've decided to let Yuzuru live."
"Hmph, I guess you've got some brains after all."
A smile spread across Kaguya's face, but Denji's expression froze.
He had just repeated Hayakawa's instructions. His brain didn't process it, he just said whatever Hayakawa told him.
But the moment he spoke those words, he realized what he had said.
"Hayakawa! What are you thinking?!" Denji panicked.
He had approached Hayakawa because he wanted to find a solution that would allow both Yamai sisters to live.
But Hayakawa made him say those words. Did he not fully understand the situation?
If Denji followed Kaguya's wishes and chose Yuzuru, then Yuzuru would go crazy once she found out!
But now, it was too late to turn back. He was nothing but a mouthpiece, repeating what was said to him.
Despite his confusion, Denji forced himself to continue, "And I've already told Makima about my choice. She also thinks letting Yuzuru stay is a good idea."
"Is that so? Looks like everyone prefers Yuzuru." Kaguya smiled, "But that's only natural."
She stood up and dusted off her leather pants.
"Since you've made your choice, it's time for me to meet Yuzuru."
"Wait!" Denji quickly stopped her as she was about to take off.
Kaguya paused and looked at him in confusion.
"We don't know where Yuzuru went. She's probably off somewhere killing time, and might have already left Japan. It's a waste of time to look for her." Denji explained. "Since after merging, your consciousness will disappear, why not make the most of this last day?"
"Make the most of... I don't know what to do with it."
Kaguya hesitated. "Fine, let's talk, what's your question?"
"Since we're here, can you answer a few things for me?" Denji asked awkwardly, shifting the topic.
"When did you become so polite?" Kaguya raised an eyebrow. "Just ask, stop being so tedious."
Denji nervously cleared his throat and continued, "Why do you want me to choose Yuzuru?"
"Didn't I make it clear yesterday? It's because Yuzuru is much better than me." Kaguya spoke with determination. "Only the more talented one should be Wind Taihaku. Yuzuru deserves it more than I do."
"Is that really the case? To everyone else, you and Yuzuru are both equally talented," Denji asked, "Isn't the reason you want me to choose Yuzuru because she's more important to you than yourself, so you'd rather sacrifice yourself to let her live?"
As soon as Denji spoke those words, a powerful gust of wind surged from Kaguya's body.
Denji braced himself and closed his eyes to shield against the sand, but he was still blown back several steps.
After several seconds, the chaotic wind subsided.
When Denji opened his eyes again, he noticed that the calm Kaguya now had a flushed face.
"What nonsense are you talking about!"
Kaguya crossed her arms and spoke hastily. "Don't use your shallow human logic to guess my thoughts! Yuzuru and I are destined rivals! I'm willing to lose just because she's better than me! Not because I care about her!"
But Denji and Hayakawa didn't believe her words.
Seeing her reaction, they were even more certain of their guess.
It was clear that, for the Yamai sisters, the other was more important.
Perhaps due to pride or self-respect, they were reluctant to admit it to each other.
Realizing this, Hayakawa became more confident in his plan.
He turned to Denji and delivered the line.
"Stop fooling yourself, Kaguya. You don't really think that way, do you?" Denji said, "You're about to disappear, and yet you still won't face your true feelings?"
"You have no idea what you're talking about!" Kaguya snapped, but there was an uncertainty in her eyes.
"I certainly understand, even the people in the Fourth Magic Course understand, the only one who doesn't understand is you."
"Just some Denji, don't teach me here!"
"So, that means, in your heart, Yuzuru actually isn't important at all, huh?"
"Hmm..."
When Denji said this, Kaguya Yamai's expression froze for a moment.
Her lips moved a few times, as if she wanted to argue, but also as if she wanted to affirm it.
But in the end, she was like a defeated rooster, not giving any response.
"Alright, you win. I admit it, I do think Yuzuru is very important. Are you satisfied now?" Kaguya Yamai asked angrily. "But now that you know, what can you do? Make me feel awkward?"
"I don't intend to make you feel awkward." Denji said seriously, "It's just that, before you disappear, don't you want to tell Yuzuru your true feelings, let her know what you really think of her?"
"No!"
"If Yuzuru is really important to you, then you shouldn't be lying to her, right?"
Hearing this, Kaguya Yamai fell silent.
She stared at the sea not far away, and for a moment, didn't respond.
Aki Hayakawa felt cold sweat in the palms of his hands.
Because he knew, he had already taken the conversation into Kaguya Yamai's heart, touching something hidden deep inside her.
And now, she was considering whether to continue to delve into it.
Whether she should treat Denji as someone she could truly confide in.
This was also the reason why Aki Hayakawa didn't step in personally, instead choosing Denji to be the messenger to talk to Kaguya Yamai.
Foolish people are always closer to each other.
It wasn't clear how much time had passed, but when Denji started to get a little anxious waiting, Kaguya Yamai finally let out a small sigh.
"You're right, I shouldn't have hidden my feelings from Yuzuru." Her expression became a little dim. "But Yuzuru is a very gentle person. If I tell her my true feelings, she will definitely hesitate when it comes to swallowing me."
Upon hearing this, Aki Hayakawa and Denji both froze.
So this was the reason why the Yamai sisters didn't want to open up to each other?
It wasn't because of their own pride or arrogance, but because of the other's gentleness and kindness.
They maintained a surface-level competitive, adversarial relationship, constantly picking at each other, saying things to provoke anger, all to prevent the other from realizing their true feelings.
In doing so, on the day of the final battle, they would be able to swallow each other without hesitation or regret.
Such a thing... was too sad...
Aki Hayakawa's determination to save the Yamai sisters grew even stronger in his heart.
"So, you plan to keep Yuzuru in the dark forever?" Denji asked. "I think that's unfair to Yuzuru, and also unfair to you."
"What does that have to do with you? You've already made your decision, so you don't need to worry about the rest."
"You're willing to sacrifice everything for Yuzuru, but Yuzuru will always see you as a rival and enemy. I can't tolerate that."
"Why?"
"Because I'm Yuzuru's partner, so I don't want someone as kind as Yuzuru, after disappearing, to always be seen as a competitor by Yuzuru." Denji said, "If Yuzuru could just tell Yuzuru her true feelings tomorrow, clear up the misunderstandings, then at least she would leave without any regrets, even if she disappears."
"I... I can't do that..."
"Of course you can, and I know deep down that Yuzuru actually wants to do it too."
Since Kaguya Yamai considers Yuzuru the most important person, she obviously wants to leave a good impression on Yuzuru.
However, precisely because Yuzuru is the most important person to her, she doesn't want to tell her true feelings.
Otherwise, after their two bodies merge, Yuzuru's heart will surely bear a scar that can never be healed.
Seeing Kaguya Yamai's conflicted expression, Aki Hayakawa decided to move on to the final stage of his plan.
If she was hesitating, then he would push her along a little.
"Since you're so reluctant, I won't force you." Denji said. "But after you two merge, I'll replace you and tell Yuzuru your true feelings."
"No!"
Hearing this, Kaguya Yamai immediately panicked: "You can't do that! If you do, Yuzuru will be hurt even more!"
"So I still suggest that you tell her your feelings yourself tomorrow."
"You... you despicable person!"
"Anyway, think it over."
After saying the last line, Denji turned and left.
He was almost sure he understood what Aki Hayakawa wanted to do now.
If both sides no longer hid their true feelings, and they could each speak openly, then maybe things could still take a turn.
Because of their mutual concealment, although the Yamai sisters cared deeply for each other, they didn't realize that they actually held an important place in each other's hearts.
As long as they understood this, and spoke from the heart tomorrow, perhaps the merging wouldn't be necessary anymore.
"Well done, it seems like Kaguya Yamai's side is sorted."
No unexpected events happened, Denji returned safely, and Aki Hayakawa couldn't help but sigh with relief: "I just got news, Yuzuru's location has been found. It's a bit far, let's hurry up and go."
Denji looked back at the still-conflicted Kaguya Yamai and asked, somewhat uncertain: "Are you sure Kaguya Yamai's side is really settled?"
"We've done all we could, we've made the stakes clear, now it's up to Kaguya Yamai to decide." Aki Hayakawa answered, "But I believe, deep down, she doesn't want Yuzuru to keep misunderstanding her. We've pushed her enough, that's all."
"I hope so."
Denji scratched his head.
"Now, let's go and talk to Yuzuru."