No matter how good something is, if consumed in excess, it can turn into something harmful.

I learned that when I was seven years old.

Fruit is healthy food; that’s what teachers always said, and I believed them. Since it tasted so good, I ate it whenever I got the chance.

Especially apples.

As I grew up, I came to love them so much that every time Dad took me shopping, I wouldn’t ask for candy or chocolate, I’d ask for apples.

The dense yet soft and juicy texture gave a sweet and sour taste that was so satisfying with every bite, it made me want another the moment I finished one.

But one day, my tooth suddenly started to hurt. And when Dad took me to the doctor, I was told that the main cause was none other than apples, the very fruit I’d always been told was healthy.

That experience left quite a shock, and ever since that day, my fondness for apples gradually faded.

Even something good, when consumed excessively, can still have side effects.

And so, I began to wonder.

What if the thing consumed excessively isn’t something good to begin with. What if it’s something that’s already known to be unhealthy?

Like video games.

Dedicating my life to them, like there’s no tomorrow.

That’s who I am.

---

"Why are you zoning out like that, Yuri? Aren’t you hungry? Why haven’t you eaten yet?"

The faint sound of a cooling fan.

The noise of activity outside, muffled by the curtainless window.

The keyboard shifted slightly as my arm brushed against it.

Holding a round, red fruit that felt a bit heavy in my hand, I lowered it to look at someone’s face.

Still staring at me, they looked even more confused now, though their hand hadn’t stopped reaching into a bag of potato chips.

"What’s wrong?"

"U-Um. I was just wondering… why is there an apple here?"

Their eyebrows lifted as they glanced at what I was holding. Their expression instantly turned embarrassed.

They moved to scratch their head but stopped, realizing their hands were still dirty from the chip crumbs.

"Pretty sure that came from my fridge. I was in a rush this morning, so I must’ve accidentally tossed it into my bag and brought it here."

Carefully digging into their pocket so as not to dirty their pants, they pulled out what seemed to be a handkerchief.

"If you don’t want it, you can just leave it on the table. I’ll eat it later."

I gently shook my head. My bangs itched as they nearly touched my eyelids, but I ignored it and looked down.

"... It’s fine. I like it."

I took the first bite, and the taste that I remembered from when I used to love this fruit filled my mouth and spread to the tip of my tongue.

"Is that so? In that case, maybe I’ll bring one now and then. My dad tends to buy fruit a lot too."

"... Thanks."

"Oh yeah, by the way, Yuri. I have something I want to show you."

I looked up to show my curiosity about what they had to say.

After wiping the chip crumbs off with the handkerchief, they picked up their phone from the desk and showed me a picture.

But rather than a photo, it was a drawing.

A rough sketch, almost like a doodle, but the bold outline was enough for me to recognize who it was meant to be.

It was the protagonist from the visual novel I had made earlier.

"I drew this last night. You said you didn’t want to publish your game with AI illustrations, right? And since it seems like we won’t be getting an artist anytime soon… I thought I’d try to help."

Turning their gaze away, the orange light cast a glow over their unsure expression.

"Though… I’m still not confident if it’s any good. What do you think?"

"Why..."

"Hm? D-Don’t tell me you don’t like it?"

No, I liked it. I really, really liked the drawing they made, the effort they put in, and above all, the fact that they cared enough to want to help, even though they’d said their part-time job might keep them from being around the club much.

But why... why did the protagonist they drew remind me so much of someone?

"... W-Why... does she look so much like me?"

"Ah. So it’s at least recognizable, huh. I made her look like you on purpose. After all, the protagonist’s identity in the other world is a princess, right? Don’t you think the two of you match?"

"W-Wh—"

I leaned back, and my chair squeaked loudly as it scraped the floor.

The apple slipped from my hand and rolled somewhere out of sight. But I didn’t bother looking for it or picking it up.

Only question after question raced through my mind at what they said.

Me? Like a princess? A brave, dignified, beautiful character? What part of me did they see that made them think I could match someone like that?

"... Don’t move so suddenly, Yuri. You startled me. Hold on, I’ll get the apple."

Without waiting for my permission, they crouched down and started looking under the desk.

"..."

Thank you.

If it weren’t for you, I’d probably still be spending my days alone, never doing what I truly wanted.

I love games and want to make them.

But no one supported me, except you. Even though I only half-jokingly invited you to help me start a Game Club I wasn’t even sure would work, you believed in it.

You always know what to do and act before I can even process things.

Do you remember that day we waited out the rain together?

When you said you only saw me as a little sister, to be honest, it hurt a bit.

But I know that’s probably for the best. We’re just classmates; senior and junior, who happen to share the same hobby.

There’s no need to add anything unnecessary.

Because I know. I’m not someone worthy of being by your side.

I’m just a coward. Someone who knows what needs to be done but still refuses to move.

Someone who stayed silent, even though you did everything to make this Game Club real.

... What exactly did you and Ms. Mizu talk about in the infirmary today?

I have a vague idea. But I’m too afraid to ask.

So all I could say was:

"Sorry."

"Huh? What are you—ow!"

The table rattled. Slowly, they emerged from under it, wincing in pain. In their hand was the apple I had bitten into.

"... Nothing."

As always, I lowered my head and stared at the three wrapped breads on the table, gifts from someone.

The memory of them handing them to me replayed in my mind.

---

"I’m sorry. I regret what I did."

Since lunchtime, I hadn’t returned to class. I just sat there, staring at a computer screen that had shown the default wallpaper for who knows how long.

Until the last two people I thought would ever speak to me again came into the clubroom and bowed their heads.

My lips parted, but no words came out.

"Hey, don’t just apologize right away~ At least explain why. You’re just making her confused~"

"She’s right..."

Lifting the plastic bag she brought and handing it to me, she spoke again.

"We realized what we did wasn’t right. Even if you lost rock-paper-scissors, we shouldn’t have made you go buy all that food by yourself. Especially when I didn’t have enough money to pay."

"So... we’re sorry, Yuri. I actually wanted to pay you back sooner, but she’s still embarrassed from how easily you beat her up—"

"H-Hey! You don’t have to say that part!"

... They’re not actually that bad. Their words and actions could be harsh, even hurtful, but deep down, they were still good people. If they weren’t, would they still choose to be friends with someone like me all this time?

Though... their apology came a bit too late.

Staring at the keyboard, I pressed a random key.

"I-I... won’t forgive you."

Why would they say this now, after it was already too late? You should’ve done this earlier. If you had, we would’ve had enough members for the Game Club, and he wouldn’t have needed to rely on Ms. Mizu.

"... Is that so? I thought I might get another free lunch if I apologized. But I guess you’re stuck to that senior now and don’t need us to keep you company. Whatever. Here, take this."

Tossing the plastic bag onto the desk, the contents spilled out, and one of the bread rolls rolled to a stop right beside the keyboard.

"Let’s go. She’s useless now."

"Humm~ Yuri, you’re no fun~"

And with that, the sound of the closing door marked their departure.

---

Sometimes, when happiness comes, time seems to pass so quickly.

So quickly, that you might not even realize that what you’re experiencing now, will eventually become nothing more than a memory.

The evening sky dimmed, gradually fading into night.

Walking through the alley toward home, the night breeze blew my bangs, and I instinctively held my skirt down to keep it from fluttering.

Then, my eyes were suddenly covered by someone’s hands.

"Guess who!"

The texture, the voice, the way she leaned in close and reached up just to cover my eyes, it was easy to tell who it was.

"... M-My little sister?"

"Correct! Yay!"

As my sight returned, a girl appeared behind me, her twin tails swaying with her movements.

"As a reward for guessing right, you have to answer the question I’m about to ask."

"... Isn’t this supposed to be a reward for me?"

Ignoring my confusion, my little sister went ahead with her question.

"First question! Has your relationship with that guy you brought over yesterday made any progress?"

"I-I..."

Why is she suddenly asking about this? I use my bangs so she can’t read my expressions.

But there’s no hiding from her.

"Hmm, judging by how you’re coming home later and later lately... does that mean the Game Club you’ve always wanted to start is finally up and running? And now you’re staying after school with that guy? How indecent."

"W-What part of that is indecent!?"

I mean, yes, it’s just the two of us in the clubroom, but it’s not like anything inappropriate is going on.

We’re just spending time together.

"Hehe. Still, I was seriously shocked when you brought a boy home out of nowhere. I mean, no warning at all, and suddenly he’s in your room. I nearly had a heart attack! If Mom had been home, I bet her reaction would’ve been just like mine."

"Mom..."

The biggest reason I wanted to start the Game Club.

I know Mom’s right, that I should study and that life isn’t just about doing what you like.

But I can’t stop.

No, I never even tried to stop. No matter how bad my grades got, no matter how angry Mom became, I couldn’t stop playing.

Because I love video games, from the bottom of my heart.

If I stopped playing the one thing Dad taught me before he left, who else would remember that he was ever here?

My sister’s voice returned as we continued walking.

"Hey, does Mom already know about the Game Club?"

"Y-Yeah, though... she didn’t say anything about it."

"Good. If you keep it a secret, she’ll find out eventually anyway. She’s not that strict though, as long as our grades are on point."

Grades, huh? I’m not sure I can keep up with that standard anymore.

As we turned the corner, our house came into view.

"B-By the way... it's unusual for you to come home at this time. Isn't it, usually early?"

"I’m not the only one who joined a club, you know. The captain of the soccer team finally let me into the main squad, so I stayed late for practice today."

"... Congrats."

"Thanks, hehe."

Reaching the front yard, we opened the gate and entered the house. The lights were already on, so that meant Mom was home. We split up and went to our rooms.

But when I opened my door, the bag I was holding slipped from my hand.

Sitting on my bed, Mom was scrolling through her phone.

My computer was gone. My console setup had vanished. Dozens of action figures were missing from the shelves, leaving behind only a few game posters, probably too hard to peel off the wall.

"Yuri, you’re back? I cleaned up your room a little. You said you started a Game Club at school, right? In that case, there’s no need to play games at home anymore. From now on, I’ll tutor you directly after school."

A.