Yuzuru Yamai's appearance was completely unexpected to Denji.
But with so many unexpected events happening today, he had become somewhat numb to it all.
Without asking why she was here, Denji put on his clothes and opened the window, letting her slip into his room.
"Curious, Denji, shouldn't you be asleep by now?"
Although she had come to find him, Yuzuru Yamai seemed puzzled as to why he was still awake at this late hour. She asked, "Is it because of the final evaluation score? You seemed troubled before Yuzuru and Kaguya left."
"Yeah... your final score was a tie, so Makima gave me the decision," Denji said, not hiding anything, nodding.
Since even Kaguya Yamai had noticed, the more perceptive and calm Yuzuru Yamai definitely wouldn't have missed it.
"Has Denji made a choice yet?"
"Well... tomorrow, in front of Makima, I'll tell her who I've chosen."
"Curious, can you tell me first?"
"... It's not against the rules."
Actually, this was against the rules.
Because Makima had warned Denji that, once the final evaluation score was given, if the two Wind Spirits couldn't accept becoming the one to be devoured, they might go crazy. She had told Denji not to reveal his choice to them, even if they figured out he had the final say.
However, now that Kaguya Yamai had voluntarily chosen to be eliminated, Denji was, of course, going to choose Yuzuru Yamai.
This was certainly good news for Yuzuru Yamai.
So Denji wasn't afraid of her losing control and said straightforwardly, "Congratulations, Yuzuru, you'll be the one to stay. Aren't you happy?"
Upon hearing Denji's answer, Yuzuru Yamai stood still, clearly stunned.
It seemed like she was too happy to know how to react.
Thinking back to the conversation with Kaguya Yamai earlier, Denji's gaze toward Yuzuru Yamai became more complicated.
"Why?"
After a moment of silence, Yuzuru Yamai asked, "Why did you choose Yuzuru?"
"Because you're more calm and serious than Kaguya. Even though you're a bit cold and don't talk much, inside you're very gentle."
To be honest, Denji didn't really know who to choose. His decision to pick Yuzuru Yamai was entirely because Kaguya Yamai had asked him to do so.
But after being warned by Kaguya Yamai that he couldn't share their conversation with anyone, Denji just repeated the list of reasons Kaguya Yamai had previously given.
However, after hearing Denji's explanation, Yuzuru Yamai didn't show any joy at all.
In fact, there was a slight trace of agitation in her tone.
"Contradicting, I'm not as good as Denji says. The truly excellent one is actually Kaguya."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"To elaborate, though Kaguya is a bit reckless, she's a very hard-working child. When I encounter difficulties, I may hesitate and retreat, but Kaguya never gives up." Yuzuru Yamai said earnestly. "Not only that, but Kaguya's personality is also more cheerful than mine. After spending time with her, I realized that Kaguya is a much cuter child than me."
Hearing Yuzuru Yamai's words, Denji's expression grew more confused.
It seemed like he couldn't understand why she was saying so much.
Wasn't the goal for them to devour the other and become the complete Wind Devil? Isn't that what they wanted?
Why would she choose to be self-sacrificial now?
Suddenly, Denji's thoughts snapped.
His eyes widened, and he quickly raised his head.
"Could it be... you..."
A ridiculous guess appeared in his mind.
So absurd that he questioned whether he was hallucinating and everything was just a dream.
"You want me to choose Kaguya?"
He asked in a shaky voice, his heart thumping.
Upon hearing this, Yuzuru Yamai nodded slowly.
"Correct. This is why I came to find you tonight," Yuzuru Yamai said solemnly. "Although I appear to look down on Kaguya on the surface, in reality, I envy everything about her. Kaguya is far more suited to be the true Wind Spirit Yamai."
Perhaps everything that had happened today had been too overwhelming.
After hearing Yuzuru Yamai's request, which was nearly identical to Kaguya's, Denji's already fragile brain completely shut down.
His expression contorted in pain, and he let out a meaningless groan of despair.
"No way... are you serious? You're not joking, are you?"
"No, right now, I'm completely serious, not joking at all."
"So, now you're telling me that tomorrow I should choose Kaguya instead of you?"
"Of course. Kaguya is the best choice, Denji won't regret it."
"But I already chose you. You can live, why give up the chance to keep living?"
"Because..."
When Denji heard Yuzuru Yamai's question, a faint smile appeared on her otherwise expressionless face.
It was as though she had thought of something pleasant, and her lips couldn't help but curl up slightly.
"Because Kaguya is like a child, curious about everything in this world. She is the true free spirit, like the wind." Yuzuru Yamai's voice took on a warm tone. "I don't want to take away her right to enjoy the world. I want Kaguya to live happily, and that will fulfill me."
Staring at the smiling girl in front of him, Denji's mind involuntarily flashed to Kaguya Yamai's expression, filled with resignation and farewell.
The two faces blended together, making Denji feel even more restless.
He didn't understand what kind of relationship the Yamai sisters had.
Denji didn't know.
Because he had never seen such a relationship before.
But... he felt that the Yamai sisters probably loved each other.
Though he didn't really understand what love was.
But no matter what, he was now caught in an impossible dilemma.
Kaguya Yamai had asked him to choose Yuzuru Yamai, and now Yuzuru Yamai was asking him to choose Kaguya Yamai.
Denji felt like a piece of cheese stuck between two slices of bread, unable to breathe.
"What if I don't choose Kaguya?"
"Warning, if Denji persists in his indecision, Yuzuru will blow up all of Tokyo and all of Denji's companions."
"..."
Denji didn't know what to do anymore.
It seemed like, no matter who he chose, Tokyo was going to be blown up.
"Final reminder, if you don't want this to happen, please, Denji, make sure to choose Kaguya tomorrow."
Yuzuru Yamai gave the final warning.
"Yuzuru believes in Denji. You will make the right choice."