"Is that so?"

Even if Lulu Lu was foolish and swept up in joy, she knew Lily Liu wasn't crying over how delicious the omurice was.

She gazed at her tear-streaked childhood friend, hesitated a moment, and spoke softly:

"Lily… you're lying to me, aren't you? Even if the omurice were *that* good, it wouldn't make you cry."

"Are… are you actually angry with me? Lily, if there's something you want to say—just say it."

Lily lifted her eyes and met Lulu's gaze.

In them, Lulu saw deep frustration and disappointment—as if she'd done something utterly unforgivable.

(And honestly… she had.)

After a few seconds of silence, Lily took a shaky breath and launched into a heartfelt plea:

"Lulu, please turn back while you still can… Let me go now. I won't tell anyone—I'll pretend it was just a prank, okay? You've always acted on impulse since we were kids, but this time, be rational. Think: how long could you really keep me? One day? Two? Or 'forever,' like you said? This is just your one-sided fantasy. Please… think it through. What if teachers or our parents find out? What if they call the police? Lulu, your future is so bright—you're smart, beautiful, from a good family… you're meant for great things. I don't want you to ruin everything over a moment's impulse… *cough*… Lulu… *cough*… I'm begging you. Let me go. It's impossible between us. Truly impossible… *cough*… Even if… even if I *do* like you—still like you, even now—it won't change anything. Kidnapping me won't make it work. You can't fight parents, school, and police alone… *cough*… Please… don't drag yourself into the abyss."

Lily grew more agitated as she spoke, choking into coughs before finally catching her breath.

Lulu listened quietly. She'd braced for anger—but instead felt moved.

Lily's words held little blame, only genuine worry for *her* future.

Lily, ever practical, had framed everything from Lulu's perspective. Lulu could feel her fear—that this would shatter the bright path Lily believed Lulu deserved.

*She truly cares for me.*

But the line that shattered Lulu's composure was: *"Even if I really do like you… and still like you even now."*

Tears instantly welled in Lulu's eyes.

It wasn't just a confession—it was *more*. Said while imprisoned. Proof Lily's feelings were real, raw, and unwavering.

If joy had levels, the omurice comment was 50 points. This? Far beyond 100. For a yandere, nothing surpasses hearing your beloved say they love you back.

Watching her crying, pleading childhood friend, a fierce resolve ignited in Lulu's chest.

*I will make this path end perfectly. I won't let your worries come true.*

"Lily, I understand your feelings," Lulu said gently, cupping Lily's cheeks and wiping her tears with a handkerchief. Her voice was soft but unwavering. "But I'm sorry—letting you go is the one thing I cannot do."

"Because no matter what… I will never let you leave my side, Lily."

Lily let out a sorrowful sigh, shook her head weakly, and whispered:

"Lulu… you *will* regret this."

"Maybe," Lulu smiled faintly. "But right now, I'm happy. Because you're here with me."

As she reached to comfort Lily—

Lily jerked away, shaking off her hand, voice trembling with emotion:

"YOU IDIOT!!!! FOOL! DUMMY! BRAINLESS JERK!!!"

"LET ME GO!!! I DON'T WANT TO IDENTIFY *YOU* AT THE POLICE STATION, YOU MORON!!!"

"Lily," Lulu said, her tone suddenly grave. She locked eyes with Lily, voice steady and sincere.

"You're underestimating me. I didn't act on a whim. We *will* have a beautiful future—just as I promised. I'll remove every obstacle keeping us apart. We *will* live happily together. I swear it."

As Lulu's yandere resolve peaked, her role-play gauge hit 100%.

Time slowed. The world stilled.

Then—a neutral, lazy voice echoed in her mind:

"Congratulations, little sister Lulu Lu. You've reached the save threshold. I know you have questions. Since you've entertained me so well… a brief explanation."

"You might think maxing the role-play gauge means 'perfect yandere performance.' Not quite."

"100% means you *both* perfectly embodied the yandere role *and* hit a critical story node—earning a save. Both conditions are mandatory."

"Think of each save as a 'sync success.' Your gauge resets to 90% afterward. Fail later? Restart from the last save. Seen *Re:Zero − Starting Life in Another World*? Similar system. Starting over from scratch is possible too—but restricted."

"Only after achieving a 'Normal' ending or higher can you restart freely. Until then: recent save only."

"Oh, and the game isn't cleared until you reach the 'Perfect' ending~"

"Keep going, little sister Lulu Lu."