The Runaway Vita
"So, Bianca. Do you like Carlyle?"
"Ah, uh...?"
Vita's eyes froze. It was an unexpected question. And the content was utterly bewildering. She never dreamed Emily would throw such a direct, honest question at her like this.
So Vita's mind went completely blank, leaving her dazed.
'Do I like that guy Carlyle...?'
What did that even mean? The literal meaning? If so, how was she supposed to answer? Even thinking about whether she liked Carlyle didn't yield any clear response.
No, actually. She had started to realize, from yesterday onward, that she might like Carlyle Schultz.
Yeah, but. She still couldn't give a definite answer to this question.
'...Of course it's weird.'
Thinking that liking Carlyle was strange made answering the question incredibly awkward. Why was it strange? There was no need to spell out the reasons.
She was originally a guy.
Vita couldn't precisely define what her current emotions were. The moment she tried to pin it down, it felt like there'd be no turning back.
"Uh, um..."
The other two watched her intently, holding their breath.
'What do I do...?'
Vita bit her lip, fidgeting with her fingers, hesitating to respond. What was she supposed to do? How could she answer to brush this off smoothly?
Vita's lips twitched, and she finally forced an ambiguous smile.
"I don't have to answer, right...?"
She tried to slip away casually.
"Yeah, you do."
But Emily's expression was deadly serious. There was even a hint of fervent determination to hear the answer.
'This time, I need to know.'
In fact, Emily had resolved herself inwardly. Her somewhat forceful push this time had a purpose that went against the game's rules.
She'd gone overboard to uncover her friend Bianca Shama's true feelings.
So naturally, Emily wanted to know. Whether the other person—Bianca Shama—truly reciprocated them. She thought it was strange that Bianca wouldn't admit it.
If they both acknowledged their feelings clearly, even if one side couldn't easily yield—and even if it put Emily at a huge disadvantage—maybe they could have a fair competition.
That way, even if she lost in the end, it wouldn't feel unfair. What could she do if both of them liked each other?
But in this state? If Bianca wouldn't even admit her own feelings, yet Emily still ended up losing, that would bruise her pride too much.
'At least, Bianca... if you truly like Carlyle from the heart, then admit it.'
And after that. Emily, who already liked Carlyle, would give her all too.
Even if she got rejected after both poured their hearts out, she might be able to accept it.
In fact, she had to. Emily prided herself on having that much common sense.
It would hurt—a lot—but she could bear it. Because she liked Carlyle.
Her feelings were so strong that she'd hesitated until now, leading to this mess. But losing to someone who didn't even have the courage to admit they liked him? No, she couldn't accept that.
So for her own sake, and surely for the other's too, she had to press this now.
"Tell me, Bianca."
Emily urged her on.
"..."
Tick-tock—tick-tock—
The sound of the clock echoed in Vita's mind.
Before the truth game, she vaguely recalled Shasha's words.
—I think friends shouldn't hide things from each other! It's not that hard. Just answer!
Yeah, actually. If she just spat out that she didn't like that jerk Carlyle, it would all be over in one sentence.
But for some reason, Vita couldn't say it.
Thinking of Carlyle's sincere confession to her. Emily's serious expression. In this sudden situation, she couldn't lie.
Emily added,
"Oh, and by the way. No 'I like her as a friend' excuses or anything like that."
Vita had been about to grasp at that straw, but now it was blocked.
"I, I..."
She kept hesitating, unable to continue. Her head was a mess, her breath catching.
So, for now. She couldn't answer this abrupt question.
She wasn't sure.
'Do I like Carlyle Schultz?'
She thought it was possible. Honestly, she knew she was shaken by him—maybe even past that point already.
But rationally, it still felt wrong.
'I'm... originally...'
She was originally a guy. How could she say she liked Carlyle Schultz, or saw him romantically?
Yet why couldn't she just say no?
Vita felt her sense of self shaking.
"...S-sorry. I need to use the bathroom for a sec...!"
In the end, Vita bolted.
In that brief moment, countless worries had swirled through her mind, refusing to settle.
So she chose to run.
Suddenly, she stumbled to her feet, flung open the door in a panic, and dashed into the hallway.
"Where are you going, Bianca?!"
Shouts came from behind, but Vita squeezed her eyes shut, clamped a hand over her mouth, and ran.
One place had instinctively come to mind.
***
A midnight chase out of nowhere.
Emily Swan followed right behind Bianca Shama.
'Don't run away, Bianca...!'
She was determined to confirm her feelings this time.
Beyond that, she couldn't just let her go. Especially after last night's incident.
But everyone else was asleep, so no need to draw attention.
Fortunately, Bianca Shama had no idea she was being followed. In other words, she was so out of it that her running pace was slow.
Emily trailed the staggering Bianca, holding her breath.
'Why am I...'
In truth, Vita was barely coherent.
Why was she running? Couldn't she have just said no?
Even if Emily was serious, couldn't she have brushed it off?
But why? Why couldn't she?
Maybe it was that cabin yesterday. That sincere confession she'd heard there.
His words, that subdued voice, the warmth of his embrace, the emotions she'd felt.
'Yeah, definitely...'
All of it might be holding her back, she thought.
Now, she couldn't flatly say she didn't like Carlyle Schultz—that brazen guy.
Her mind was in chaos.
Vita finally reached the lounge balcony, her destination.
Thankfully, it was deep night, and no one was around. She leaned on the railing, catching her breath in short gasps.
'This... isn't right.'
Her head told her this wasn't like her.
'Me... liking Carlyle...?'
It could happen, she thought. It was possible.
But she couldn't affirm it.
Because she was a guy. Definitely originally a guy.
'And Emily...?'
What about Emily Swan? Wasn't she the one Vita had crushed on forever?
Her longtime crush asking point-blank if she liked Carlyle Schultz—how could that not confuse her?
Vita still couldn't grasp her own heart.
In truth, it was leaning one way, but the moment she tried to commit, everything felt off.
And there was Emily too. The one she'd always liked.
She was originally a guy, so of course she'd liked girls.
'...Liking Carlyle would be weird, right?'
'Yeah, anyway. It's not like that'll ever happen—'
Ah, wait.
In that instant, Vita realized something. A clear epiphany struck her mind.
Yeah, from the start. There was no need to agonize.
She'd turn back into a guy anyway.
So liking Carlyle meant nothing.
Thus, she realized anew—there was truly no need to worry.
'What was I...'
Maybe the fresh air had cleared her head a bit? Vita let out a wry chuckle at her earlier self.
Whether she liked Carlyle or not—such concepts were meaningless from the start.
'...Because it's impossible.'
Her liking Carlyle, him liking her back, their hearts connecting in some future.
She'd turn back into a guy.
For a split second—throb— her chest ached for no reason, but Vita nodded.
'Yeah, that's right.'
With her thoughts sorted, her heart felt a little lighter.
This was the natural conclusion. She could confidently say now that she didn't like Carlyle Schultz.
She had to. It was only right.
'...This has to be correct.'
Finally organizing her mind, Vita let out a deep sigh.
'Tomorrow... I'll apologize to both of them separately.'
As Vita thought that, a voice suddenly spoke up.
"Have you sorted out your thoughts a bit...?"
***
"This place is pretty nice."
The person approaching beside her was none other than Emily Swan.
Catching her off guard, Vita panicked.
"E-Emily...?"
"How could I just sleep when my friend ran off like that?"
Her scolding tone wasn't wrong, so Vita bit her lip.
"...Sorry, Emily."
Emily let out a soft pfft of laughter.
Then she said quietly,
"I chased right after you, and you didn't even notice?"
Was she that out of it?
But enough time had passed since she'd arrived here.
'During that time, Emily was...'
Apparently waiting outside the lounge.
"Ahh..."
Vita sighed.