Night. An office somewhere.

Darkness swallowed the room—

Only the dim glow of a computer screen illuminated fingers dancing across the keyboard.

*Every story deserves its perfect beginning and its own thrilling tale. My job is to weave them all together and share them with anyone who buys my game.*

My fingers tapped the black keys as those words slowly appeared on the monitor.

—Yeah. This game is nearly finished.

As the programmer and scriptwriter for this RPG, I was about to embed this text into the game’s opening scene.

"Haaah…"

I grabbed a can of coffee from beside me, tilted it back, and let the bitter liquid slide down my throat.

That sharp bitterness gave way to a smooth aftertaste—just enough to jolt me awake.

This RPG had consumed me for days.

I glanced at the row of empty coffee cans beside my desk—three sleepless nights’ worth of work.

After all that effort, the game was finally almost complete.

I stretched, exhaustion pulling at my limbs, and slumped forward onto the desk.

"Yuki-kun… Yuki-kun!?"

A familiar, melodic voice cut through my drowsiness.

I jolted awake.

*How long was I asleep?*

My gaze snapped to the ringing phone—my fiancée’s custom ringtone.

I shook my head hard, forcing clarity, and answered.

"Hello?"

"Honestly! You’re so slow, Yuki-kun! How much longer do I have to wait?!"

Her voice crackled with exasperation.

"…!!"

I checked the computer’s clock. July 5th. 9:40 AM.

*Our appointment time was an hour ago.*

Panic shot through me. I scrambled to save the game files, slammed the laptop shut, and stammered into the phone:

"S-sorry! I’m coming right now! Just… wait for me a little longer!"

"If you’re not here in ten minutes, I’m leaving!"

The line went dead. She always meant what she said. Ten minutes meant ten minutes. Not a second more.

I bolted to the restroom, splashed cold water on my face, then sprinted for the elevator.

My name is Nikaido Yuki. I build RPGs from scratch—coding, scripting, the whole world. This project? I’d handpicked the best writers nationwide. Every line of code, every story beat, poured my soul into it. I couldn’t wait for players to experience it.

The girl on the phone? My fiancée—Mamoru Mayuko.

Our engagement was arranged by the Nakatani Family. But after everything we’d been through… we’d grown fond of each other.

I burst out of the office building and raced toward the park, legs heavy as lead from sleepless nights. *Gotta make it to Central Park in ten minutes.*

"Hah… hah… hah… made it…"

I skidded to a stop at the park gates, gasping, and fumbled for my phone.

9:48 AM.

*Only eight minutes passed.* Relief washed over me.

*Three more minutes late, and she’d never forgive me.*

I called her. After two rings, she answered.

"Sorry, I’m here. Where are you?"

"Guess~" Her voice turned playful, teasing, like a whisper against my ear.

"No games. We agreed on ten minutes. You’ve got two left—just tell me where you are."

"Hmm~"

Suddenly, soft hands covered my eyes.

The phone chirped: *"Guess who?"*

I smiled. "Alright, Mayuko. No time for this. We’ve got things to do today—and I need to get back to coding after."

"You guessed right~"

She spun around to face me, tongue poking out.

"Pulling another all-nighter? You look awful."

Three sleepless nights had left their mark. I hadn’t really checked my reflection in the restroom mirror.

"N-not really… Let’s go. I only have time to visit *her* with you today. After all…" I rubbed my neck, avoiding her gaze. "You’ll be her future sister-in-law soon."

"Aww… Can’t we enjoy our day off properly?"

"If I don’t finish the script today, your dad—my boss—will kill me."

"Honestly. Such a workaholic."

"Can’t argue with that." I shrugged. The deadline loomed: two weeks to deliver this game. Years of planning meant he was breathing down my neck.

"But once it’s done? Your dad promised me a long vacation. Time to pick out wedding dresses… take photos…"

"Promise you’ll be there for me then?"

She looped her arm through mine, a sweet floral scent drifting from her skin. The warmth of her wrist against mine made my cheeks flush. I scratched my head, steering us toward the flower shop.

"Gotta buy flowers first. She loves the ones I bring…"

"Of course. For my future little sister-in-law."

A memory flashed—my aunt announcing my engagement to Rei in her hospital room.

Rei’s face had gone pale. I’d stood frozen at the doorway, unable to meet her hollow eyes.

We bought her favorite carnations and headed to the hospital.

"Oh? Mr. Nikaido! Visiting your sister again?" A nurse wheeled a cart out of Rei’s room as we arrived. She recognized me—few relatives ever came to see Rei.

"Hm? Not alone today? Is this your wife?"

"Not yet. But hopefully soon."

"Nice to meet you. I’m Mamoru Mayuko, Yuki-kun’s fiancée. Thank you for caring for my future sister-in-law." Mayuko bowed politely.

"What a lovely girlfriend you have."

"How’s she doing today, Ms. Tsukigawa?"

"Stable. Just finished breakfast. Now’s a good time to visit." She pushed her cart away.

I opened the door.

Inside, Rei sat in her white hospital gown—a cage she’d lived in since birth.

Congenital heart disease.

After our parents died, relatives fought over their inheritance. No one cared for her.

I was all she had left.

"Brother…"

Her face lit up when she saw me.

Then her smile vanished as Mayuko stepped inside.

"Why did you bring *her* here?! Get out of my room! Ugh…"

Rei clutched her chest, breath hitching. The sight of Mayuko had triggered her.

*Her heart.*

Mom once told me: *"Rei took on your pain so you could live freely. Protect her."*

I’d clung to that lie since childhood. Years of devotion had made her dependent.

"Mayuko, wait outside for a bit."

I’d hoped today’s good mood meant she’d accept Mayuko.

I helped Rei swallow her medicine. Her breathing eased.

"Feeling better?"

"Why save me? Bringing *her* here… you want me dead, don’t you?"

Her glare burned with betrayal.

"You promised we’d always be together… I love you, Onii-san! I’d give *anything* for you! So why *her*? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?"

Her voice frayed with each "why," her unfocused eyes locking onto mine. Chills raced down my spine.

"…"

I sat beside her bed, fists clenched on my knees.

No words came.

*What do I even say?*

"Oh. So *that’s* how it is."

"So brother has fallen for that woman too, huh? It makes sense. Given Rei’s current condition, even if she loves him… but brother too… why is he leaving Rei? Whether it’s parents or brother, everyone has abandoned Rei. Rei didn’t get this illness because she wanted to…"

"Haa…"

I let out a deep sigh, feeling utterly helpless at the misfortune that had befallen my sister.

"I had originally wanted to spend my whole life taking care of you until you recovered, but now it’s already…"

"Liar…"

"Huh?"

Perhaps sensing her low and intimidating voice, I turned my head to look at her.

But she kept her head down, burying her somewhat gloomy gaze in her jet-black hair.

"Liar, liar, liar! Brother is a big liar!"

On this point, I really couldn’t retort—after all, I was the one who broke the promise first.