Yuu 476-480 (Patreon)

Title: Sisters’ War (7)

After getting off the train, the two walked side by side on the sidewalk, like a couple drunk on love.

It must be said, Yuigahama unilaterally refused to let go, acting as if Yuu were a hand warmer—though her body was just as warm, unconsciously craving to be hugged and rubbed for more warmth.

The path to school in winter was quite deserted.

Whether it was too cold or too early, it wasn’t until they entered the school gates that it became clear people were watching them.

Even so, Yuigahama had no intention of parting. She kept sharing his coat pocket as if unaware of anything. The smile on her face was relaxed and carefree.

Yuu couldn’t help but be amazed at her boldness. After all, unlike other places, most people at school recognized her.

Since the PV was posted on the forum, Yuigahama had also gained a lot of attention. The two of them together were basically a magnet for stares. From changing shoes to climbing the stairs, there were whispers and plenty of shocked expressions.

This kind of attention should have made the girl beside him, who considered herself ordinary, feel uncomfortable.

But now, she didn’t care at all. She held her head high, basking in the gazes.

“If I don’t have this kind of courage, what right do I have to tell others I’m Yuu-kun’s girlfriend?”

Yuigahama said casually, “I’ve decided. What I want, I’ll say out loud. What I don’t want to give to others, I’ll prove with actions.”

“Like now, I want to tell everyone—Tenkuji Yuu is my boyfriend. You’re not allowed to bother him!”

In short, it was a declaration of ownership, letting the consensus in Class F quickly spread throughout the school.

After saying that confidently, she shrank back a bit. Her big eyes blinked twice. Yuigahama looked at him with slight worry. “Yuu-kun, you’re not mad at me for doing this, are you?”

“I already told Yukinon before. She said she’d never do something embarrassing like this in front of everyone, so it’s up to me…”

After a moment of surprise, Yuu smiled and patted her head. He didn’t mind.

“Why would I be mad? Don’t worry about what Yukinoshita thinks. The more embarrassing actions like this, the better. I’m fine with it.”

“Really? Hehehe, that’s a relief~”

Rubbing against his shoulder like a puppy, Yuigahama smiled brightly with satisfaction. Her steps became lighter.

Their unhidden intimacy inevitably drew the attention of the students around them. But whatever they thought, Yuu had no intention of caring anymore.

As long as it didn’t violate morals or good customs, just live out love. Let others talk.

Yuigahama probably thought the same.

Compared to her shy demeanor in the past, she could now be described as an incarnation of boldness—not just in the possessiveness she openly declared to others on the way to school or taking the initiative to hold his hand when she wanted.

There was a more aggressive side.

Before they entered the classroom, Yuigahama suddenly pulled him to a secluded spot with no one around. Under Yuu’s shocked gaze, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.

Perhaps nervous, she squeezed her eyes shut tightly. Her lips were also pressed firmly together. It was more like a collision than a kiss. After two or three seconds of contact, she pulled back, panting.

Calming her racing heart, her face flushed red. She asked softly, “When you want to kiss, you can kiss.”

“You can, that’s true…”

Saying that, Yuu’s expression was a bit strange.

This was the first time he’d been forcibly kissed at school—the last person who tried was Masuzu. But Yuu stopped her in time since he wasn’t in love with her then, so she didn’t succeed.

Though it felt a bit odd to do something akin to cheating at school, if the person was his own girlfriend, let her kiss him. Yuu wouldn’t lose anything.

“Next time, find a more hidden spot to kiss. That way, we can enjoy the fun of kissing slowly.”

He scratched his hair helplessly. Not knowing what to say, Yuu could only suggest that.

“Makes sense!”

Yuigahama nodded seriously, seemingly considering the advice. Then she seemed to think of something else. She frowned slightly, observing his expression with confusion.

“The way you talk, why does it sound like Yuu-kun is so experienced…”

“Just common sense. I don’t have experience being forcibly kissed at school—weren’t you super nervous kissing because you were afraid someone might pass by?”

Yuu rolled his eyes and said calmly, “Or do you want to try again? This time, we’ll kiss slowly. If someone sees, don’t let go. Let them watch.”

“Hahaha, forget it then…”

Yuigahama, whose boldness wasn’t that strong, felt her whole body heat up just imagining the scene. She could only scratch her face and laugh awkwardly a few times, dropping the question.

“Let’s go. Back to class.”

Yuu turned. As he prepared to leave the small dark corner, he felt his sleeve being tugged and footsteps following.

He didn’t look back. He kept walking toward the classroom with Yuigahama. At the same time, he heard her speak in a mosquito-like voice from behind:

“Well, we’re a couple. Even though Yuu-kun hasn’t officially confessed…”

Yuu didn’t hesitate. “That’s right. What’s up?”

“Well then…”

Yuigahama’s voice grew softer, but there wasn’t a trace of doubt or tremor. It even held a hint of hope.

“Things couples can do, we can do too.”

“…”

Too shocked, Yuu fell silent for a moment. His brain froze briefly from the surprise.

When he came to, he wanted to turn and look at Yuigahama. But she stopped him with her hand first, covering his eyes tightly.

Flustered and embarrassed, Yuigahama snapped, “Wait, don’t look at me now! Yuu-kun, you idiot, do you know how much courage it takes for a girl to say something like that?!”

“No way I’d let a guy take the lead and say it. I don’t want to be judged for no reason…”

Yuu sighed. Then, the corners of his lips curved involuntarily. He said with a hint of admiration, “I thought at most it’d be holding hands or kissing on your own initiative. I didn’t expect Yui to be this bold… You really said something even I wouldn’t dare say.”

“Ngh…”

If the timing weren’t off, Yuu actually wanted to tease her a bit more—like deliberately asking what she meant by things couples could do.

Was it going to karaoke or feeding each other crepes?

Or was it, at night alone, following the mood, going to a hotel, and playing…

A game or something, letting her say the most embarrassing answer herself.

But considering the girl behind him had used all her strength to say that sentence, Yuu gave up on teasing and chose to respond seriously.

He gently grasped the soft, slightly trembling hand beside him. Before she could speak, he opened his mouth, smiling softly:

“Of course. I won’t let a duck right at my mouth fly away. Sooner or later, I’ll make you mine.”

“You’re the duck…” Yuigahama grumbled, dissatisfied, but there was a hint of relief.

Yuu continued, “But you don’t need to rush. High school boys are more aggressive than you think. It’s just that the opportunity hasn’t come. When the time’s right, I won’t hold back, you know~”

He smiled, lowered his head, and whispered into her clean, flushed ear. His warm breath grazed her sensitive skin.

The girl’s breathing hitched for a moment. The shy trembling in her fingertips slowly faded. Instead, she gripped his hand tightly.

Then, all Yuu heard in his ear was a shy but firm response.

“Mm!”

Yuu raised his face. His tone was light, almost cheerful. “By the way, seeing you so proactive, how about I send you some of my precious film collection? Consider it early study material.”

Yuigahama blinked, asking with slight curiosity, “Films? For learning what?”

Yuu didn’t answer directly. He held his chin, musing at her face.

“Mm, let me think… How about we watch them together when we get the chance? As long as Sora doesn’t find out, we can study while practicing… Wait, saying this to my girlfriend, that wouldn’t count as sexual harassment, right?”

Saying this, he looked at Yuigahama with a bit of worry.

“…”

Yuigahama fell silent for a moment. Only then did she realize what he was actually saying.

Her head steamed from overheating. Her shy little hands kept hitting his arm. While hitting, she shouted:

“Yuu-kun, you pervert! You say I’m proactive, but you’re the most proactive, you know?! And, and what’s this about watching films and studying together? You’re worse than my mom!”

“Hmm? Your mom said something similar? No wonder, she’s a married woman—she really gets it!”

“Yuu-kun!”

“Hahaha, kidding, don’t get mad… Ow! Don’t bite me in front of our classmates!”

“Hey, you over there! What’s with the lovey-dovey act so early in the morning? Let go of Yui!”

“You should tell Yui to let go of me! Double-Helix Gold Drill Idiot!”

“What…! You dare say that, you jerk! Yui, bite him harder!”

The lively noise spread like a boiling pot.

Before morning classes, Class F of the second year was already as bustling as a festival.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

During the break.

In the private message interface, messages with white boxes and black text kept popping up against a grassy green background.

Yuu: {Yukinoshita, I have a question.}
Yukino: {Can’t ask in the Service Club group chat?}
Yuu: {Better not let Yui know for now.}
Yukino: {If you did something to hurt her, I suggest you confess to her directly. Don’t come to me for advice.}
Yuu: {Hahaha, not only did I not hurt her, I even kissed her in the hallway today.}
Yukino: {…Shameless. Only you.}
Yuu: {Heh, double standards. Forget that. Let’s talk about something important.}
Yuu: {What’s up with your sister yesterday? Did she get some kind of shock or something?}
Yukino: {She bothered you with a message?}
Yuu: {Pretty much.}
Yukino: {Hah… I roughly know. Let’s talk at lunch. No need to avoid Yuigahama-san. She has the right to know anything related to us.}
Yuu: {Fair point… But why do I feel like you prefer Yui over me, the handsome guy?}
Yukino: {Don’t worry. It’s not about either of you. I just prefer normal humans.}
Yuu: {Using your phone during class? Is this the study attitude of the second daughter of the Yukinoshita family?! I’m reporting you!}
Yukino: {I’m blocking you. See you at lunch break.}

And so, after the lunch break.

The three gathered in the Service Club again.

-

Title: Sisters’ War (8)

Since the conversation was quite personal, they didn’t call the other three members of the film crew. They also had no plans to use today’s lunch break for filming. They arranged their bentos and began chatting while eating.

“What’s the issue you wanted to discuss?”

Nibbling on her chopsticks, Yuigahama looked at them both curiously.

She had only seen the group notification, knowing Yukino had something to tell them, but she didn’t know the specifics.

She had asked Yuu earlier, but he said he wasn’t sure either. They had to wait for Yukino to explain herself.

One by one, like puzzle solvers, Yuigahama couldn’t help but feel something suspicious. But she couldn’t think of anything related to the three of them that Yukino specifically needed to explain…

Wait, could it be?!

A spark flashed in her mind. Her eyes widened as if she’d realized something. Her chopsticks fell from her hand onto the table in shock.

Yuigahama said with a trembling, incredulous voice, “Could it be… you two didn’t go home last night but secretly went on a date behind my back?!”

(That’s why Yuu-kun seemed so experienced when he said that this morning—kissing after a date is just common sense!)

(And that line about not having experience being forcibly kissed at school—doesn’t that mean he’s had it outside school, just didn’t tell me~?!)

Yuigahama suddenly understood everything. So this was what they wanted to tell her…

A layer of mist gradually clouded her bright eyes. Complex feelings and pain surged in her throat.

But instead, Yuigahama clenched her fists. She turned her sadness and anger into strength and lunged at Yukino beside her.

“Since you two have already kissed, I want to too!”

“What… Wait!”

Yukino, initially speechless and holding her forehead at the comment, saw a pair of pink dango buns charging at her like a collapsing mountain or tree. Her expression shifted. She only had time to set down her bento before she was locked in a warm, soft embrace.

“W-what are you doing, Yuigahama-san?!”

Her face flushed red. Yukino tried to resist, but she found the other’s strength was greater than expected. She couldn’t stop Yuigahama’s face from getting closer.

“If we’re going to be together as a trio long-term, we can’t forget to maintain fairness!” Yuigahama stared into her eyes seriously. Her face slowly showed an odd flush. “So, me and Yuu-kun, you and Yuu-kun have kissed. That leaves us two…”

“??? Yuigahama-san, your logic is deeply flawed. This is way too abnormal… Tenkuji-kun, don’t just watch! Hurry and pull her off!”

Seeing Yuigahama as if possessed, her strangely excited face getting closer, the warm breath from her lips sent an odd tingling sensation through Yukino’s body.

Yukino gritted her teeth. Half-embarrassed, half-pleading for help, she shouted at Yuu.

Then she realized—

(This jerk is covering his eyes with both hands, mimicking a kid peeking at their parents’ exercise outside the door, spying through his fingers with excitement and curiosity!)

(He’s fully prepared to watch the show to the end. That’s a sign he has no intention of saving me!)

(I’ll have to kill him sooner or later!)

Even Yukino, who considered herself calm and elegant, couldn’t suppress the murderous intent surging in her heart at this scene.

Fortunately, Yuu wasn’t so immoral as to let his girlfriend forcibly kiss his other girlfriend.

“The joke stops here.”

He grabbed Yuigahama’s collar, lifting her off Yukino back to her seat like picking up a puppy. He scolded helplessly, “I haven’t kissed her yet, so how could I let you kiss her first?”

“I won’t let you kiss me either!” Yukino, still fuming from his earlier spectating, sat up from her reclined position. While fixing her slightly disheveled clothes, she glared at him with adorable, angry eyes.

“Not kissed yet?” Yuigahama blinked, unsure if she felt relieved or regretful. Her strangely excited expression slowly faded. She finally calmed down.

Sitting in her chair, she observed their reactions. Only then did she truly realize something. Tilting her head slightly, she said, “Eh, did I misunderstand?”

“Of course!” Yukino’s voice came through gritted teeth, firm and resolute.

After taking a few deep breaths, the flush on her cheeks faded back to pale. She glared at them both with a cold, commanding stare.

“Before I finish speaking, eat properly and don’t interrupt! Understood?”

Yuigahama immediately put on a serious expression, picked up her bento, and said loudly and earnestly, “Understood!”

Yuu, beside her, felt a bit wronged. “I wasn’t planning to interrupt…”

“Understood?”

Yukino wasn’t harsh. She just looked at him coldly, her expression emotionless. But her blue eyes seemed ready to lose their light at any moment.

“Understood, my lady.” Yuu raised his bento box, complying reluctantly.

“Good. Then I’ll start from the beginning.”

Yukino nodded, her expression returning to normal. After organizing her thoughts for two or three seconds, she said:

“First, Yuigahama-san, do you still remember my sister—Yukinoshita Haruno?”

“Haruno-san? Of course!” Slightly confused why she asked, Yuigahama gave a positive response, her expression turning reminiscent. “Yukinon’s sister is really a beautiful woman… Her aura is amazing too. She’s also very kind to people. Just, there’s this sort of…”

“Sort of?”

“Sort of… feeling I don’t know how to explain.” Scratching her cheek, Yuigahama smiled shyly, as if considering Yukino’s feelings. “Anyway, she helped us a lot at the fall festival. Though I can’t read what’s on her mind at all, she should be a good person.”

Yukino paused for a moment. She asked, a bit seriously, “Even if she deliberately brought Natsukawa-san to see Tenkuji-kun that day, would you still think so?”

Yuu didn’t speak, only frowning slightly and sighing inwardly.

“Eh?” Yuigahama blinked, looking back and forth between them in confusion, her bewilderment deepening.

“Deliberately? What do you mean…”

Her eyes sharpened. Yukino said, word by word, “I mean, she’s had a crush on Tenkuji-kun for a long time and has been secretly doing things to interfere with… your relationship.”

Yuigahama’s mouth fell open in shock. “Eh?!!”

“Last night, she confessed to me. She’s the one who persuaded Natsukawa-san, who also likes Tenkuji-kun, to join our film crew. She tried to drive away a tiger by swallowing a wolf. She spied on you two while disrupting your relationship’s progress.”

More question marks popped up in her head. Yuigahama looked at Yukino’s grim face in disbelief. “Spying? Interfering? And all for Yuu-kun… Would someone as mature as Haruno-san really do that?”

“To achieve her goals, that person has always been willing to do anything, no matter the matter… Sorry.” Yukino lowered her head regretfully, letting out a soft sigh. Her tone was low.

“As her sister, I advised her to let go of her obsession with Tenkuji-kun. But she didn’t listen at all. She even countered me with reasonable arguments.”

“So last night, we had a small fight over this. After she told me not to meddle, I couldn’t hold back…”

Saying this, Yukino suddenly hesitated, looking like it was hard to speak. Her fair, delicate face flushed again with a cherry-blossom pink. She seemed strangely shy.

Yuigahama looked at her, puzzled. “Couldn’t hold back?”

Yuu blinked, showing a purely curious, adorable expression like a child. “Couldn’t hold back from doing what?”

Yukino glared at him coldly. Then she took a deep breath, tightened her small face, and sipped her self-brought black tea with a calm expression. She said slowly:

“I just couldn’t hold back from declaring war on her.”

“…”

“…”

In the silence, Yuu and Yuigahama exchanged glances. Their expressions were somewhat strange and a bit confused.

“Declaring war… What kind of declaring war?”

“Can you repeat what you said to her last night?”

Her hand holding the teapot trembled slightly. The corner of her eye twitched. Yukino suddenly showed a gentle smile, looking at them like it was spring.

“Better not say it. Let’s move on to the next topic.”

Sensing that if they kept asking, they might face treatment more terrifying than life-or-death danger, they both obediently shut their mouths, letting Yukino continue her unfinished words.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

“It seems now that Yukinoshita Haruno being on the opposing side for love is a foregone conclusion.”

With two-thirds of her bento left, Yukino sipped her tea elegantly and continued her explanation. “Declaring war on Nee-san was to show a firm stance that I’ll never let her succeed… After all, Yuigahama-san is Tenkuji-kun’s official girlfriend. And I, for now, due to the request, do have a relationship somewhat like a girlfriend with him. Emotionally and logically, I can’t let her play petty tricks behind our backs.”

“You could just confess honestly. I wouldn’t mind if you liked him…” Yuigahama muttered, but her voice was loud enough for anyone to hear clearly.

She gently tucked her hair behind her ear, covering its soft, pale base.

Yukino ignored her and said calmly, “So now, we have two things to do—first, stay vigilant against Nee-san’s attacks and find a way to make her back off due to difficulties. Second, resolve Tenkuji-kun’s issue as soon as possible and eliminate the fact that he’s currently two-timing.”

She paused, continuing systematically and clearly, “Right now, Nee-san is likely considering my reputation and won’t spread the second-girlfriend issue. But as time goes on, no one knows if she’ll act recklessly—”

Yukino looked at them both with a grim expression. “When that happens, we’ll have to face a public opinion battle on a different level from last time.”

Influenced by her serious and cold demeanor, Yuigahama couldn’t help but swallow hard, growing a bit nervous.

“It’s going to be that serious… I thought it was just another love rival. As long as Yuu-kun ignored her, there wouldn’t be a problem…”

“I hoped so too. Unfortunately, Nee-san doesn’t seem inclined to sit still and has already started acting.” Yukino looked at Yuu. “I’m right, aren’t I, Tenkuji-kun?”

Yuigahama also turned her gaze to him.

“Mm, before we discuss this…”

Yuu frowned slightly, as if detecting doubt in her words. He looked into Yukino’s eyes thoughtfully.

“Yukinoshita, so you really told Haruno-san you’re my girlfriend?”

“…” Yukino’s blue eyes trembled slightly.

“I didn’t expect you to have the courage to admit something like this to your family… I underestimated your resolve.” Yuu clutched his chest, sincerely showing respect. “Don’t worry. As your ideal boyfriend, I’ll definitely fight alongside you to the end! For our brighter future!”

The pointless embarrassment vanished instantly. Yukino massaged her brow as if with a headache, sighing expressionlessly. “Yuigahama-san, use any method to shut his mouth.”

“Oh.”

Yuigahama nodded obediently, picked up a piece of tamagoyaki, and approached Yuu while covering her eyes.

““I didn’t say use that method!”” they shouted in unison.

After a brief squabble, the topic finally got back on track.

Yuu took out his phone, showing them the text message Haruno sent.

“I think Haruno was provoked by her sister’s declaration of war yesterday. She sent me this text in the middle of the night, stating she’d start pursuing me with full force.”

Though he was terrified when he saw it in the morning, he seemed relaxed now, as if he didn’t care at all what the older sister might do to him. He also accepted the fact that a mature woman sent him a threatening message to date a high school boy.

Yuigahama, with her normal worldview, found it hard to accept. “That’s too scary… Does pursuing someone you like really need to go that far?”

“She’s long been abnormal.” Yukino silently added: (Just like you, Yuigahama-san.)

Then she looked at Yuu, propping her right elbow with her left hand and her chin with her right, showing a thoughtful expression like his earlier.

“Tenkuji-kun, there’s one strange thing I’m curious about… Though there’s no contact name and the content is odd, how did you know this was a text from my sister? You know her number?”

“…” Yuu froze for a moment.

Honestly, he didn’t expect Yukino to ask this. Naturally, he hadn’t thought of how to answer beforehand.

Finding an excuse that wasn’t a lie might fool her.

Hearing this, Yuigahama couldn’t help but frown slightly. Her lips pursed into a cute petal shape. She muttered, analyzing, “Yeah, it’s weird why Haruno-san is so obsessed with Yuu-kun…”

“If it was just meeting in the summer and helping at the fall festival, even if it’s love at second sight, she shouldn’t be this into Yuu-kun. Obsessed to the point of being like the yandere otakus talk about… Even fighting with Yukinon without hesitation. Something feels off.”

Both looked at him simultaneously. Their gazes were clear and frank, without doubt or questioning.

Just because they wanted to know more about him and hoped Yuu could provide answers, they asked directly:

“Tenkuji-kun, have you ever had a relationship with her before?”

“Yuu-kun, did you unintentionally do something to Haruno-san that raised her favorability?”

-

Title: Sisters’ War (9)

The cold winter wind battered the window. The creaking sound echoed quietly in the suddenly silent clubroom.

“…”

For some reason, Yuu was at a loss for words.

Faced with the two girls’ questions, he suddenly forgot how to come up with his usual perfect excuse.

…No, he understood. The reason was simple.

It was just instinct forcing him to be honest with them.

Simply put, Yuu didn’t want to lie to Yukino or keep hiding things from Yuigahama.

So, subconsciously, he asked himself in his heart:

(It’s come to this. It’s time to tell them that Haruno was once my girlfriend.)

(Whether they believe it or not, saying what needs to be said is better than hiding it from start to finish, only to be blamed later for not being honest sooner, making things more complicated.)

Since Yukino questioned him in front of his house, Yuu should have told them this secret.

But the reasons he couldn’t be honest were more numerous than the tissues used by an allergy sufferer.

Take one example—if they knew that Haruno wasn’t just one-sidedly crushing on him but had dated him, only to be forced to break up due to some mysterious factor, and now was obsessed with him just to continue their relationship.

It’s easy to imagine the countless problems that would follow. Yuu could practically see a future where he’d be interrogated endlessly, and resolving the task would become even harder.

That was the downside of telling the truth.

Precisely because Yuu didn’t want to do something with such poor returns, he tried to hide as much as possible in the past.

As for Haruno’s feelings, it wasn’t that Yuu didn’t consider them. He just found it hard to care, sympathize, or pity her. It was as if his sensitivity in this area was completely blocked. Subconsciously, he stood from a rational perspective, analyzing everything related to her.

This might be a side effect of the feelings that were taken—like a wall isolating his former girlfriend from his heart.

On the other hand, the reasons to be honest with Yukino and Yuigahama were plentiful.

Trying to slowly open his heart to them, sharing the pressure piling up inside; as allies, they should share information. After all, he’d already told them about the task. It shouldn’t be an issue to mention his ex-girlfriend too, and so on…

The reasons to keep hiding grew weaker.

Thus, the answer emerged naturally from his heart.

Yuigahama had loved him for two years and was even willing to share her boyfriend with her friend. She was more stubborn than anyone.

Yukino was willing to be his girlfriend just because of his request, facing the bizarre task of the ideal boyfriend together. She was softer than anyone.

The two girls before him deserved for him to overcome this issue.

Yuu smiled unconsciously.

He could feel his shoulders lighten at that moment. His chest felt filled with something warm. Starting from his left chest, it felt slightly hot.

If it was them, from now on, he wouldn’t need to hide so much.

Whatever secret he shared, after the shock, questions, disappointment, anger, or even sadness, they would sigh helplessly and face it with him.

Yuu was absolutely certain of that.

“Yuu-kun?”

“Tenkuji-kun, what’s wrong?”

Amid the increasingly confused gazes of the two girls, Yuu suddenly took a deep breath. His eyes shifted from evasive to serious. Finally, he met their gazes.

And, word by word, he said:

“Because Haruno was my ex-girlfriend.”

The next moment.

*THUD!*

“…”

“That person… was my ex-girlfriend.”

*THUD!*

“Yukinoshita, your sister, was my ex-girlfriend…”

*THUD!*

“I… once…”

*THUD!*

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

The cold wind outside the window kept blowing. Dark clouds covered the warm winter sun.

Silence still spread in the clubroom. After the girls’ questions, no one spoke again.

“What’s wrong, Yuu-kun? Didn’t sleep well?”

Seeing Yuu sitting in his chair with blank eyes, not answering for a long time, Yuigahama was the first to speak. She couldn’t help but ask with concern.

“Looking like this…”

Yukino also frowned, observing his expression. Her first reaction wasn’t to suspect he was too embarrassed to answer but to recall the fragile look he showed her in the hallway that day.

That scene flashed in her mind. Subconsciously, her voice softened, as if not wanting to disturb a sleeping cat, matching her gaze.

She asked gently, “Are you remembering the past again?”

Amid her question, the light in Yuu’s dark eyes slowly regained clarity. The numbness faded from the depths of his pupils.

As if he’d just returned from another world, Yuu blinked. Seeing the worried looks of the two girls, he paused again. The corners of his lips twitched, and only then did he slowly show a smile.

“It’s fine, don’t worry… As for your questions, I actually don’t know how to answer. Sorry.”

He took a light breath and exhaled slowly.

He looked slightly relieved but also a bit helpless.

Though still confused, seeing Yuu sweating on his forehead and unwilling to say more, they silently suppressed their curiosity, shifting to concern for his physical condition.

“If you’re not feeling well, you need to say so. We can go straight to the infirmary and use the afternoon classes to rest!”

“Drink some tea and rest. Everyone has moments of feeling unwell.”

As if they didn’t care about why Yuu was suddenly lost in thought, Yuigahama pulled out a handkerchief, gently wiping his sweat. Yukino found a disposable paper cup from the cabinet, pouring some black tea from her thermos for him. She also turned up the heater in the clubroom.

Meanwhile, Yuu sat in his chair, eyes slightly closed as if resting, quietly enjoying their care.

His racing heart gradually calmed. His foggy consciousness slowly cleared. The events that just happened kept replaying.

—In this world, perhaps only he knew.

During that seemingly dazed moment, he had told the two girls—

“Haruno was my ex-girlfriend.”

The first time those words left his mouth, Yuu’s heart exploded in his chest like an apple in a strong man’s grip. Juice splattered in his chest.

He didn’t have time to faint. When he came to, he was back to the moment before answering.

As usual, the system gave him a second chance.

Yuu, having learned many lessons, should have given up then, finding another excuse to face them reluctantly.

But he hesitated for less than half a second. Looking into the girls’ eyes, Yuu chose to open his mouth again.

Where did that impulse come from? He didn’t know.

He suddenly decided to ignore everything, like a passionate teenager in puberty. Gritting his teeth, he fought the system to the end, refusing to give up easily.

So, the second time, he racked his brain and used a different phrasing.

The third time, he thought hard and used another language.

The fourth, fifth…

The tenth, eleventh…

The hundredth, hundred-and-first…

In the end, he even used sign language, Morse code, Unown script, Martian, Elvish, and every method to make them understand, just to tell the truth.

It was also to prove, again and again, that the current him wouldn’t lose to a system hiding in his soul, cruelly attacking others’ hearts.

Today, Yuu resolutely chose death.

Until his consciousness couldn’t take it anymore, nearly fainting.

The number of times his heart was exploded, and time rewound—Total: 131 times.

No exceptions. The moment they learned this fact, the system would use the crudest method to fix this timeline.

Yuu could still feel the lingering phantom pain of his exploded heart in his chest. It was like a warning left to silence him, likely to persist for a while before fading.

The pain made him sigh inwardly.

(Jerk… You’re really, truly cruel…)

This was reality.

His resistance was futile. His changes were like an ant shaking a giant tree.

Without a second chance, a fool like him fighting the system would have a cold corpse in front of his girlfriends. Where would he have time to feel pain?

Even after trying countless times, the system wouldn’t let him say what shouldn’t be said.

Yuu understood this truth.

…Even so.

(At least, I won’t be like before.)

Lowering his head, he couldn’t help but grin, chuckling softly with a stirred and excited heart.

In the past, he lost to the cruel reality imposed by the system, sitting limply with bent knees, changing his choices with a mature attitude.

But now, Yuu, holding a cup of hot tea with cold sweat wiped from his forehead by a handkerchief, decided from this moment to change the system with his own choices.

The first step was dying 131 times before it, breaking the record left in the past.

He didn’t stop at this number because he gave up, was disappointed, or was desperate, nor because he feared his heart would break from constant explosions—It was just tactical avoidance.

He couldn’t think of a way to deal with it now. But that didn’t mean he had to admit defeat to the almighty system.

Whether it was pure unwillingness or helpless anger.

Yuu just wanted to tell himself: “From now on, no matter what happens, don’t forget to stand tall and flip off the damn system torturing you.”

After all, someone declared war on her family for him.

Someone supported him from behind. Someone loved someone like him from then until now.

For these people, he mustn’t forget to fight.

Yuu should have realized this.

In front of them—he could lose, but he mustn’t admit defeat.

(Hmph… Hahaha…)

Laughing heartily in his heart, Yuu suddenly raised his head, looking at Yuigahama and Yukino, who were still worried about him.

The smile on his face returned to normal and cheerful. He said happily:

“I told you, I’m fine. Stop looking at me like that, or I might end up liking you both even more.”

“…”

The practiced flirtation left both girls stunned, as if their hearts were truly shaken.

The next moment, one huffed, the other laughed.

Both girls looked away, skillfully ignoring Yuu’s faux-sincere gaze.

“Worrying about someone like you is such a waste of energy. Hurry up and eat.”

“No helping it, this is the normal Yuu-kun~”

With that, the clubroom’s atmosphere calmed again. The girls’ expressions gradually relaxed.

Yuigahama suddenly remembered something.

“Oh, right, that didn’t count earlier. Yuu-kun still owes us an official love confession!”

Yukino’s hand paused mid-bento. She frowned, thought for a moment, then shook her head.

“I don’t need something like that.”

Yuigahama was adamant. “No way! It’s a must. Yukinon, don’t be shy~”

“What’s a must… I’m not shy. Besides, this is just a girlfriend in name. A love confession would be weird.”

Sighing helplessly, Yukino looked at Yuu, saying calmly, “You think so too. I’m different from Yuigahama-san. The goal is only to make you my ideal boyfriend, not a real lover.”

“Yuu-kun!”

Yuigahama looked at him with hopeful eyes, signaling him repeatedly. But she saw Yuu nod in agreement with Yukino, showing no intention of siding with her.

“Yeah, like Yukinoshita said. Our dating has a purpose. No need for unimportant stuff like that.”

Yuu also looked at Yukino, spreading his hands helplessly and smiling. “Be it a love confession or a kiss, those are Yui’s rights as the official girlfriend. It has nothing to do with the current Yukinoshita. As for what an ideal boyfriend should do, that’s another matter to discuss.”

“Mm—!” Yuigahama narrowed her eyes, looking slightly upset at Yuu, as if blaming him for saying that.

Yuu didn’t intend to mind her. He just carefully observed Yukino’s expression.

“Mm, I’ve thought about this too. For now, I don’t have many clues or know where to start.”

The long-haired girl by the window didn’t change her expression, remaining calm and indifferent, seemingly unshaken by the words.

Her long eyelashes lowered slightly. She avoided eye contact with Yuu, pursing her cherry-colored lips slightly, and said casually, “This weekend, we’ll go out as a trio. Maybe we’ll figure it out then.”

Yuu, who had just agreed with her, now contradicted her as if picking a fight. “But shouldn’t we speed things up? Is it okay to be this relaxed?”

Yukino frowned slightly, raising her gaze with mild displeasure.

“Then give a suggestion. I don’t have a habit of acting recklessly.”

“Giving suggestions is fine. But we’ve been dating for a while. Have you really never thought about things related to being lovers that you want to do with me?”

The moment those words came out, Yukino’s body visibly stiffened.

Her blue eyes soon glared with a mix of embarrassment and anger. Her white teeth bit her lower lip slightly. A faint blush colored her snow-white cheeks.

“You utterly tactless person. You really dare ask that… Do you want me to take the initiative and tell you to do couple-like things?”

“Why not? It’s your right!”

As if finally hearing the answer he wanted, Yuu sighed in relief. He took the initiative to meet the girl’s cold, sharp eyes, smiling gently.

“Yukinoshita, I want to know your thoughts. I also want to know what you’ll do to fight back after declaring war on Haruno.”

“…”

Yukino was slightly stunned, unconsciously opening her mouth. Words seemed to rise in her throat, but she quickly suppressed them.

“You’re not clueless. Yukinoshita-san, who never lies.” Yuu didn’t miss her reaction. He narrowed his eyes at her, his smile slowly turning mischievous.

“Don’t be shy now… The tables have turned. I’ll let you know what a true lie detector is. Hiding is useless.”

(So, admit it honestly, Yukino.)

(What do you want me to do as your boyfriend that meets the standards in your heart?)

“…Truly embarrassing.”

Under his gaze, after just a few seconds of silence, Yukino sighed as if giving up. A trace of mockery and helplessness crossed her face.

Then it all vanished, replaced by a serious, commanding expression. She said undeniably:

“Fine, I’ll be blunt—I thought of a few steps for the Boyfriend Project last night. I also know that starting now is the most efficient choice… But I had slight hesitation about actually doing it. That’s why I lied about not having clues. I’m sorry.”

Her tone was heavy, her expression quite serious.

Yet the blush gradually spreading from her ears to her cheeks made this cold-aura girl look anything but serious. She was like a child trying hard to mimic an adult, cute in her pretense.

“You really made a plan… What’s the first step?” Yuigahama couldn’t help but ask.

Ignored by them earlier, she wasn’t just unangry—she even watched the guy flirt with the girl.

If she weren’t genuinely curious, she might have waited for them to finish before jumping in to summarize.

“The first step, well, the first step… Ngh…”

Rarely, Yukino showed a wavering expression.

She unconsciously avoided their gazes, biting her lip slightly, looking at the ceiling, then the table. Her eyes roamed the entire clubroom until she realized there was nothing left to see.

Only then did Yukino take a deep breath, as if preparing herself. Her fingers gently touched the hair by her ear. Her slender back straightened. She tried to shed her weak, shy aura.

Then, the girl spoke to them in an elegant, mature tone, her voice barely louder than a mosquito’s. She said calmly, “Calling each other by first names. Then, holding pinkies for one minute. Get used to each other’s presence first.”

“…”

“Mm, that’s the first step of my Ideal Boyfriend Formation Project…” After finishing, she thought again and asked uncertainly:

“There shouldn’t be any issues. Though it’s a bit conservative.”

Once those words were spoken, the entire Service Club was enveloped in a silence so profound you could hear a pin drop.

Yuu and Yuigahama exchanged glances with odd expressions, thinking nearly the same comment.

…If this is what she calls a bit conservative, what were they doing this morning?

-

Title: Sisters’ War (10)

Before the preparatory bell for the first afternoon class rang.

Yukino returned to her classroom. The lingering warmth on her face had faded, and she resumed her usual icy beauty demeanor.

As always, the moment she stepped into the class, she drew many gazes. But soon, those gazes withdrew as if bored.

Compared to yesterday, there were fewer whispers around her. The uncomfortable malice also dissipated in disappointment, like sharks losing their bait.

Now, only one person in the class still held a strong interest in her.

“Yukinoshita-san, what were you all talking about in the Service Club just now?”

Masuzu calmly stepped into her cold, repelling aura, flicking her long, flowing silver hair. She asked with a face full of curiosity.

Yukino glanced at her. Her face showed no expression, her eyes clear like a cold pond.

Masuzu had a bad track record here—no need to mention the previous forced-kiss incident. She willingly became her older sister’s pawn, then used her sister in return, indirectly causing Yukino to declare war on her sister. Yukino remembered all this in her heart.

She wasn’t a vengeful person, but she wasn’t so magnanimous as to overlook everything.

With this indelible bad impression, seeing Masuzu’s friendly smile now, Yukino instinctively became wary. She silently wondered if the other was plotting something bad.

Of course, she wouldn’t take the initiative to ask—she had no interest in petty conspiracies.

When facing someone she truly disliked, Yukino was too lazy even to speak harshly. She would only respond coldly.

“Some things that have nothing to do with you.”

“Don’t say that~ Aren’t we good friends on the same team now?”

Masuzu said with a smile, not at all intimidated by the cold attitude.

Rather than calling her shameless, it was more accurate to say she was solely focused on her own goals, completely unbothered by how others viewed her.

(She’s a weirdo of the same type as Nee-san.)

Yukino concluded as much in her mind. She had no intention of talking further with her, responding directly with an official statement:

“Our relationship hasn’t reached the level of friendship. If it’s not related to filming, I have no obligation to tell you.”

After saying that coldly, she immediately took out the textbook for the upcoming lesson, opened it to her last marked page, and began studying quietly.

“Alright, so cold~”

As if expecting this outcome, Masuzu shrugged indifferently, turned, and walked back to her seat.

But her eyes narrowed slightly, as if considering something. A cold, emotionless glint flashed in them.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

After school.

Some people successfully completed today’s filming. Both actors and cameramen were improving, with the likelihood of NGs significantly reduced. It was estimated they’d finish filming soon.

The Cultural Festival’s opening was still a week away. For them now, that was more than enough time.

After all, it was just a short film. Costs and special effects were nearly zero. Aside from Yuu, no one had professional skills. Everyone did it casually, just needing to have fun while maintaining quality.

This time, they weren’t busy until the school gates closed.

Around 5:30 PM, under the slightly dark winter sky, everyone walked toward the station, chatting casually.

“Damn, if only Masuzu and Yukinon didn’t live in the same apartment, I could try the feeling of walking home together now…”

Nibbling her fingernail beside Yuu, Yuigahama muttered reluctantly:

“Going to school together in the morning might get spotted by Masuzu… Most importantly, we can’t let classmates see Yuu-kun and Yukinon being intimate… Ugh, why does it feel harder than cheating!”

Yuu looked at her, speechless. “Don’t put it so badly. And if this were really cheating, would the victim help the cheater figure out how to cheat here…”

“Yuu-kun, shut up! This is important to me too!” Yuigahama scratched her hair, not looking at him, still immersed in strategizing. “Besides eating in the clubroom during lunch break, you don’t have time to interact with Yukinon… So, let you two slowly get used to each other in the clubroom, like today? But if I watch from the side, Yukinon will get shy, so I can’t join… But if I don’t join, I can’t monitor your progress…”

Listening to her muttering, Yuu sighed as if giving up.

(This girl, whether it’s the double responsibility as a best friend and girlfriend awakening, she’s more proactive than anyone about the two of them falling in love. She’s become a brave supporter. Since lunch break, she’s been thinking of ways to speed up their relationship.)

(Is she really that eager to see her boyfriend date her best friend?)

Though it was hard to understand Yuigahama’s thoughts, at least Yuu could make Yukino’s elementary-school-level dating pace a bit faster.

Recalling what happened at noon, Yuu couldn’t help but smile.

“Senpai, what are you guys talking about?” Iroha tilted her head curiously. The two girls had lowered their voices, not letting others hear the content.

Even Masuzu, quietly walking behind them but actually eavesdropping and observing, didn’t know what Yuu and Yuigahama were saying.

Yuu smiled, saying with mock mystery, “A secret. If you want to know, you’d have to trade with a secret of your own.”

“A secret?” Iroha paused, then put her hands behind her back. Her lively eyes darted around. She pursed her lips and said, “I don’t have any secrets~ How about Senpai tells one first? Then I’ll think if I have a similar secret to trade.”

“Like, how old were you when you stopped wetting the bed?”

Iroha immediately shouted angrily, “Who’d want to know a secret like that!”

Interestingly, Yukino showed a slightly odd and awkward expression. It wasn’t clear what she associated it with, but it wasn’t noticeable.

Under Yuu’s occasional jokes, the topic naturally veered everywhere. No one noticed Yuigahama’s troubled expression the whole way. They parted at the station.

After Yuu got home, he didn’t receive a message from Yuigahama. Instead, he got a private message from Masuzu, who had added him as a friend through the LINE group.

Masuzu: {Any filming this weekend?}
Yuu: {No.}
Masuzu: {Why not? Isn’t it better to shoot on holidays when fewer people will disturb us?}
Yuu: {Well, for Cultural Festival prep, there’ll be plenty of people at school on weekends…}
Masuzu: {True. I didn’t notice. So you all have plans this weekend?}
Yuu: {What’s up?}
Masuzu: {If you’re free, we could hang out together. Interact a bit.}
Yuu: {Sorry, I’m busy. No need.}
Masuzu: {…}

Yuu put down his phone, handling Masuzu in what he thought was the most perfect way.

But he didn’t expect that the silver-haired girl on the other end looked at the chat history on her screen. Her gaze was calm and serene, her face flushed as if drunk. The corners of her lips slowly curved into a pure, innocent smile.

“Then, most likely, he’ll go out with them this weekend… I need to prepare to follow them in advance.”

She muttered softly to herself, opening Haruno’s chat. After thinking for a moment, she decided not to tell her about this.

With Yukino’s personality of hating evil and pursuing efficiency, if she got this information, she’d likely confront Haruno directly for a sisterly talk.

Considering both sisters were equally clever, the younger one wouldn’t need to hide her identity.

That meant Masuzu’s role as a double agent leaking information might already be known to that terrifying and pitiful college student.

She wasn’t sure if Haruno would be angry about this. But for now, Masuzu felt it was better to avoid trouble. She wouldn’t take the initiative to provoke her wrath.

When Haruno called, she’d respond to the situation and wait patiently. She didn’t want to be swept up by the tail of the typhoon that was her terrifying ex-girlfriend, causing the plan to proceed earlier.

“Mm, that’s that.”

Tossing her phone aside, Masuzu stretched her body. As if she hadn’t been seriously plotting just now, she casually opened an instructional video and began doing yoga earnestly.

It’s said that girls who learn yoga are more easily liked by men.

Body flexibility, muscle control—not only could they perform moves ordinary people couldn’t, but a single high leg lift could catch a man’s attention. With the most direct charm, it could make him interested.

No matter how strong Yuu was, he likely had the desires of a normal man. He’d like beautiful girls.

To stand out among so many girls and seize the chance someday to let him fully appreciate her beauty.

Masuzu didn’t plan to just play small tricks behind the scenes.

She wanted to be mature, sweat with effort, and improve her bargaining chips to steal the world. Until she returned fully prepared, she wouldn’t be careless…

“So, let you two compete slowly~”

She couldn’t help but curl her lips, muttering to herself with joy but also cynicism, like watching fish in a pond fight over food:

“Love isn’t worth trusting. To get something, holding it tightly in your hand is the right answer~”

“Hee hee hee~”

Outside the pitch-black window, an evil laugh echoed from the girl’s room.

It was accompanied by groans and moans from the pain of stretching, decorating this quiet, ordinary night.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Yukinoshita Residence.

“Yeah, just install it in front of that house’s door… Infrared camera? Forget it, too many would be easily noticed. Just hide it discreetly. I only want to see the comings and goings. The most important thing is not getting caught.”

Giving instructions to the staff on the phone, Haruno thought for a moment and added, “Also install a pair outside the gate of XX luxury apartment. Watch the surrounding security. Fix the equipment and leave. Don’t linger in the same spot.”

“I know, don’t worry… The deposit’s already transferred to your account. I want results ASAP.”

After talking to the mysterious professional, Haruno hung up, placing her phone aside. She leaned back in her chair and sighed.

“I can’t wait for opportunities to come. I have to actively seek them or even create them…”

Since sending that threatening message to Yuu, she’d truly entered a state of alert. No longer just talk, she personally spun silk, trying to weave a web Yuu couldn’t escape.

Haruno had considered going straight to his house last night, revealing everything, and not giving her foolish younger sister a chance to turn things around.

But after careful thought, she found it would be more disadvantageous. There was even a strange unease in her heart, as if doing so would worsen the current situation. It stopped her from making that decision.

In the end, Haruno chose to trust her instincts, seeking an opportunity to strike.

“This blow must be an absolute victory. Yuu-chan’s best at escaping. If I don’t seal all his exits first…”

Muttering as such, she closed her eyes, sinking into thought. Her mind spun quickly.

Not sure what she recalled, Haruno suddenly showed a slightly silly, pure, nostalgic, and slightly wistful smile.

“This time, neither you nor I can escape anymore.”

The words echoing before her were heavy, carrying the weight of determination.

Haruno slowly opened her eyes, checked the time, and suddenly reached out to move the mouse, waking the sleeping computer.

The screen lit up. She opened a webpage. A video was ready.

She pulled open a drawer. Looking at the small, round device inside, a cold glint flashed in her eyes. The corners of her lips deepened, with a touch of softness.

“This is the weapon I prepared just for you, Yuu-chan…”

If this didn’t work either, if Yuu still wouldn’t look at her honestly—Haruno was ready to part with her first love.

Her chest ached with uncontrollable pain. But she ignored it, lowering her head and muttering to herself:

“Honestly, only those who obtain love are willing to obey it.”

“Sorry, I’m not as strong as you think.”

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

That night.

Several figures lurked in front of Yuu’s house. Ten minutes later, they dispersed simultaneously, leaving only a faint red glow flickering among the bushes.

Even Yuu, handling company matters in his second-floor room, didn’t suspect someone would sneak to his doorstep at midnight to install surveillance cameras. They weren’t aimed inside but specifically recorded when he left.

He didn’t receive a second threatening message. Yukino’s side was finally making progress. His girlfriend wasn’t just not jealous—she was actively trying to bring them together. Everything went smoothly, like the short film he was shooting.

After summarizing this rather good day, Yuu pulled up his blanket, preparing to sleep with a satisfied smile.

Before closing his eyes, he couldn’t help but think he might dream of the cold, long-haired girl’s expression suddenly flushing and stiffening when he called her “Yukino!” today.

Too adorable. It made him unconsciously want to tease her more, to see her shyly cover her cheeks…

“Mm, I hope I can have a dream like that.”

After all, in reality, Yuu couldn’t be that cruel to Yukino, his benefactor of sorts. He’d likely get hit with a woman’s self-defense technique before he could try.

He could only think about it in dreams. Everything’s possible in dreams. Anything can be done.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

The next morning.

Yuu usually had strong willpower and high body control, almost able to regulate his nail growth.

Rarely, he secretly went to the bathroom to wash clothes before his sister woke up, destroying evidence most boys would find hard to mention.

He pounded the sink with a face full of grief and anger:

“Damn it, so rare for this to happen. Let me remember what I did…”

Though his memory was excellent, why was he so bad at dreaming?

Was this a restraint from the vast universe targeting him?!

Yuu gritted his teeth unwillingly, silently swearing.

Next time, he’d definitely have a sweet dream where he stayed fully conscious and remembered it clearly!

Definitely next time!

-

Title: Sisters’ War (11)

The morning sunlight streamed in. For once, thick clouds didn’t cover the sky today.

The winter sky was clear. The small house, home to just two people, felt warm and bright, as if you could fall asleep under a blanket of light by closing your eyes.

The steam from hot food rose to the ceiling. The air was calm and peaceful. The chirping of birds outside the window was the main melody.

“Yuu, did something happen?”

Suddenly, a sweet, clear girl’s voice broke the silence.

At the dining table, Sora, holding a bowl and chopsticks, paused her eating. She looked at him with a suspicious expression.

“Hm?” Yuu tilted his head, smiling brightly. “Nothing happened. Why ask that?”

“Hah… Haven’t you looked in a mirror?”

Sora pouted, slightly displeased, looking like she wanted to slap his face.

“If nothing’s wrong, why are you smiling so creepily? Can’t you eat normally?”

Yuu sighed, setting down his bowl and chopsticks. He raised his chin slightly.

“Honestly… Sora, your big brother has seen the world.”

“…Seen the world?” Sora’s eyes widened in shock. Looking at her brother across from her, the phone number for a mental hospital flashed in her mind.

That once-handsome face seemed to shed all worldly desires, slowly radiating a holy light, trying to dazzle her eyes.

Yuu adopted a saintly monk-like posture to lecture his sister.

“Sora, sometimes you must let go, sometimes you must take. All things in the world can’t escape one word: balance. If so, why obsess over so many worldly thoughts? Follow your conscience. That’s all.”

“Yuu, did something hit you outside…” Sora, initially a bit worried, suddenly recalled something. Her face darkened, and she pursed her lips thoughtfully. “No way. I heard there’s something called a sage mode for boys. After releasing their desires, they enter a time when their minds are clear like a sage…”

She blinked as if realizing something. Not sure what image she conjured, a faint pink blush appeared on her fair cheeks. She tentatively raised her gaze to him. “Yuu, don’t tell me you secretly this morning…”

“Don’t think weird things.”

He immediately dropped his smile. Yuu picked up a piece of vegetable with his chopsticks, calm as usual, exuding the dignity of the head of the household. He said in a heavy tone, “Just teasing you. Kids shouldn’t have so many dirty thoughts. Hurry up and eat.”

“I’m sixteen already, and you still call me a kid?” Sora rolled her eyes. Used to his fatherly style of switching faces and denying his actions, she didn’t care. Muttering, she picked up her bowl again. “Maybe I know more than you…”

Yuu snorted coldly. “So what if you’re an ‘experienced driver’? Someone eager to hear about wet dreams is just a naughty kid in the end.”

“I’m not eager… Wait, so it was a wet dream?” The corners of Sora’s lips curved up, a curious glint sparkling in her eyes.

Yuu shut his mouth, not answering. She kept pressing.

“An erotic dream. Who did you dream about?”

“Did you know? I heard Aragaki Yui married Hoshino Gen. A bunch of wives out there were heartbroken.”

Ending the round with his terrible topic-changing skills, Yuu finished breakfast, cleaned up, and said goodbye to his adorable, inexplicably delighted sister. He prepared to head to school.

As he closed the front door and stepped onto the dry, cold street outside, he suddenly felt tense—a sensation of being watched.

“Weird…”

He looked around. Aside from the evergreen bushes in winter and cold-resistant plants, he found no source for this feeling—not behind utility poles, neighbors’ fences, or even in the clear sky.

There were a few crows lined up neatly, perched on high-voltage wires, staring at him.

Their jet-black eyes gazed coldly, locking onto his figure without moving, as if ready to swoop down and finish him with an ultimate move. It genuinely made his whole body uneasy.

So, taking advantage of the sparse morning crowd, Yuu picked up a few small stones from the ground. He tossed them twice casually, a sly smile suddenly appearing on his face.

“Secret Technique! Sky Maiden’s Flower Scatter!”

*WHOOSH!*

He waved his hand. The stones shot upward like scattershot bullets, precisely grazing each crow’s head, causing a flurry of panicked black feathers. Their wings flapped, and they scattered in different directions.

“Stare at what…” He sneered disdainfully. After driving them all from his sight, Yuu hummed casually, continuing toward the station.

As for the feeling of being watched, it vanished after he left the area.

After confirming the crows weren’t controlled by the Uchiha family, he dismissed the matter and paid it no more attention.

—The faint red glow flickering among the bushes was obscured by the warm winter sun and leaf shadows.

At the distant Yukinoshita residence, the college student woke from sleep with an odd feeling. Haruno happened to see the man’s back leaving the camera’s view.

She stared blankly at the monitor for a long time before snapping out of her daze. Rubbing her eyes, she stretched and yawned loudly.

“Hah… Poor high schoolers, having to wake up this early every day~”

Muttering half-mockingly, half-smugly, she shifted her gaze from the clock, picking up the half-finished work on her desk. She held it up, examining it carefully.

“Mm, stuff made while half-asleep really isn’t great quality… I thought I could finish it easily with my smarts. Turns out it’s harder than I expected.”

Sighing helplessly, Haruno tossed the overnight work into the trash, taking a new set of raw materials from the drawer.

Luckily, she’d prepared in advance, buying several sets for testing and backups. She had enough to ‘seclude’ herself until she crafted the most perfect finished product.

Though she didn’t know when the chance to give it would come—Haruno had a hunch.

Maybe tomorrow, maybe this weekend. It was time to act proactively and break the stalemate maintained so far.

“And I don’t want to lose to Yuu-chan…”

The corners of her lips curved into a relaxed smile. But the laziness in her eyes vanished, hardening into a blade-like sharpness.

She said to herself, “From then until now, I’ve never won a single match against him… If I can only beat him once in my life, it has to be now!”

“Only by doing better than him can I make him change his mind!”

She took a deep breath, threading the needle. Her fingers moved again.

For the final battle, whose start was unknown, Haruno still worked tirelessly alone in her room today.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

The fervor radiating from the students might drive away all the cold winds around the school.

The next few days were spent in the festive atmosphere of Cultural Festival preparations. Even the dry branches seemed adorned with the colorful festival vibe.

Even on weekends, many people bustled around Sobu High.

Some set up haunted houses to be scarier. Others ensured all yakisoba ingredients were in the large kitchen fridge. Some prepared prizes for challenge booths, attaching a slogan to one: “Tenkuji and dogs not allowed to participate.”

Though soon after, the booth disappeared from the stall area. Classmates searched for it for a long time, finally finding it in the trash pile, cut into pieces, unable to be reassembled.

Thus, the students reached a consensus—not only Yuu himself but also his true fan club members were ruthless characters ordinary people shouldn’t mess with.

This interlude, for Yuu, preparing to go on a date with two girls today, was a trivial matter he didn’t even need to know about.

While his classmates were still rehearsing for the Cultural Festival performance, he stood in front of a statue at Chiba Station’s North Exit.

Leaning against the hard wall, one hand in his jacket pocket, he looked down at his phone, clearly waiting for someone.

He didn’t look up, but many women passing by couldn’t help turning back for another glance. Bolder ones even took out their phones, secretly snapping two or three photos before hurrying away guiltily, sharing the pictures with their sisters excitedly.

Yuu didn’t care. He knew how handsome he was.

No need for much refinement. With his Expert-Level Mode skills, he knew how to dress suitably.

He wore flat white canvas shoes. His winter clothes were clean and elegant. Dark blue jeans accentuated his long, straight legs. His large, strong hands gripped the phone tightly, fingers clearly defined, nails neat and even—so handsome even Kira Yoshikage might get excited over them.

His short, tidy hair fluttered in the cold breeze. His Adam’s apple, uncovered by a scarf, was strikingly sexy. His side profile was handsome, calm, and steady. The corners of his red lips formed a barely noticeable curve, as if anyone speaking to him would be greeted with a spring-breeze-like smile.

Yuu had checked the mirror before leaving. Of course, he knew how strong his specially dressed-up charm was—maybe just striking a few poses could make him fall for himself?

Sora even complained he was going out to be a ‘host.’ He nearly couldn’t leave the house due to her jealousy and had to coax her gently.

After all, Yuu’s foundation was excellent. Combined with system-enhanced physical qualities and passive status boosts from miscellaneous skills, when he got serious, charm naturally clung to him.

Even if he just stared at someone expressionlessly, a cool, dominant aura of handsomeness would radiate from within.

This was both a good and bad thing.

While confident in himself, he could also make his female partner shine. The downside was, if he didn’t tone down his presence, he might not have peace the whole way—perhaps this was how big celebrities felt going out without a disguise?

Overall, Yuu just wanted to date two beautiful girls.

He dressed up deliberately so they wouldn’t be embarrassed. He also tried his best to reduce his presence to avoid being approached. This was the first time he realized dating was such a troublesome activity…

Though dating two people at once was indeed a first for him…

“They should be here soon, right?”

Yuu checked the time. Today, he arrived twenty minutes early on purpose, just to beat someone who always arrived ten minutes early.

He didn’t have a habit of letting girls wait in the cold wind. He wasn’t afraid of the cold either. Waiting a few hours outside was fine—though he’d never do that either.

Originally, he wanted to bring Yuigahama along. But she insisted they meet separately at the station for the ‘dating feel.’ Reluctantly, Yuu came alone to the agreed spot to wait.

When the time came, he started looking around. He quickly spotted a girl standing out like him, equally eye-catching but stunningly beautiful in the crowd.

His steps paused. Then he walked toward her.

Like a lofty fairy descending to the mortal world, the girl ignored the mortals’ gazes. Her eyes locked only on him. Her black hair swayed lazily behind her, like a cat’s tail waving elegantly at him.

“Morning. Where’s Yuigahama-san?”

The cold, clear voice sounded unusually warm today.

“She said she wanted to meet separately. So she’ll probably arrive later?”

Yuu shrugged helplessly, his gaze sweeping over her outfit.

Today, Yukino wore a light blue silk long-sleeve top with a round collar adorned with lace. The bottom was paired with a white pleated skirt. Outside, she wore an unbuttoned cream trench coat, warm and exquisitely ladylike.

“Very beautiful,” Yuu couldn’t help but praise.

As if expecting the compliment, Yukino didn’t panic. She just nodded casually, as if it was only natural.

“I know I’m very beautiful. The public’s eyes are sharp… But thanks for the compliment.”

“And I’m very handsome too.”

After a brief silence, Yukino looked at him oddly. “So?”

“So, I complimented you. You should compliment me too,” Yuu said, dissatisfied, his expression as innocent as a child who got perfect grades but no reward from their parents. “Let’s not lie to each other. How about we praise each other honestly?”

After a long silence, Yukino sighed heavily, showing helplessness at dealing with him.

“…Hah, can’t you stop doing childish things like this?”

“Just passing the time~”

Yuu dropped his expression, smiling nonchalantly.

Before he finished speaking, the long-haired girl suddenly stepped forward, coming very close to him.

A clearer, more delicate scent than usual hit Yuu’s nose.

At that moment, Yuu realized that despite her usual calm and honest demeanor, she’d made subtle refinements to her appearance for today’s date.

For example, makeup so light it seemed like none. Or a slight change to her usual hair ribbon style. And the natural fragrance—hard to tell if it was her hair, body, or soap—making her sweeter and livelier than usual…

“You’re handsome too.”

As Yuu was stunned, Yukino fixed his messy collar. Smiling, she said in a tone like humoring a child, “Satisfied now? Really… If you keep being stubborn, I’ll ask Yuigahama-san to deal with you.”

Since Yukino disliked lying, both “You’re handsome too” and the following words were the truth.

Yuu nodded, satisfied. “Not a waste of my time picking out clothes.”

He suddenly changed the topic, raising an eyebrow and looking at the beautiful black-haired girl who’d returned to her original distance. “By the way, about calling each other by first names…”

Her fair face instantly flushed lightly. Yukino cleared her throat twice, saying seriously, “That, we’d better discuss when Yuigahama-san arrives…”

Coincidentally, as Yukino finished, both their phones dinged simultaneously with a message notification.

They pulled out their phones. It was a message from Yuigahama, mentioning both in their three-person group chat.

Yui: {Ugh, I got a stomachache before leaving. I’ll try to catch up later. You guys go have fun at Disneyland first!}
Yui: {You really have to love each other and enjoy your date properly~}

After reading the message, they simultaneously looked up from their phones, staring at each other with slight shock, their thoughts complex and varied.

Yuu thought: Yuigahama, who said she wanted a three-person date, was the one leaving them alone today. With such contradictory actions, had her mind veered into some strange direction?

Meanwhile, Yukino thought:

(Yuigahama-san, I considered you a friend, and you set me up like this?!)

Where was the promised three-person date? She’d only mentally prepared for that…