I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

(BGM: After All ~苏る思い~)

Even though it was a deserted corner of the staircase, the melodious sound of a piano drifted out from somewhere, carrying a sense of sorrow and sigh, as if watching a beloved person depart on a snowy day. The voice of a woman, weathered by time, rose faintly.

"The ground is clear and the birds are flocking together"

(Flying away from their homeland, flocks of birds.)

ひとりのこの心は、Where is it?

(Where can this lonely heart find refuge?)

Upon hearing this song, Yuu Tenkuji's expression suddenly turned speechless.

Damn, that's a scene from White Album 2...

If I get stabbed in the stomach with a kitchen knife one day, will you, you dog system, play "The Other Side of Sadness" for me again?

"call……"

Unaware of the nonsense he was thinking, and assuming he was bewildered by her actions, Natsukawa Masaki released his grip as if he had accomplished his mission and stepped back.

Her snow-white face was flushed with a drunken blush, and her breathing became hot and rapid.

She pursed her moist lips, ignoring Yui Yuigahama who stood frozen like a statue beside her, and continued to gaze affectionately at Yuu Tenkuji before slowly speaking.

"Have you kissed anyone else?"

"..."

When Yuu Tenkuji came to her senses, her first reaction was to seriously consider the question.

To be honest, he lost his first kiss back in the summer when a female college student seduced him.

But in reality, because of the changes in the world line, the first kiss of a certain female college student and the young lady of the Yuuki family is still intact, so my first kiss should also be intact.

In other words, although he had a vivid memory of being experienced and having used his tongue to dominate college students and young ladies, he was actually just a pure virgin who hadn't had his first kiss or his first time.

...It evokes mixed feelings.

Yuu Tenkuji suddenly recalled that he seemed to have made a decision when he kissed Asuna Yuuki.

—If the third mission also has a 'kissing segment,' he might as well pretend to be a kissing novice, an innocent little boy.

It's not really an act, because in fact, he didn't take anyone's first kiss, and naturally, he never gave away his own first kiss either.

"Kissing—not yet, right?"

Seeing that he remained silent, Natsukawa Masaki smiled and pressed for more information.

Just as he was about to answer, looking into her eyes, in that instant, Yuu Tenkuji's DNA stirred.

—Wow, so this was all just for fun?

"...Of course not, not yet."

Natsukawa Masaki's eyes lit up immediately.

"Then remember this well!"

"Your first kiss wasn't with Yui Yuigahama—Kono Natsukawa Masuzu!"

Pong!

As if that background noise were playing, the silver-haired girl pointed at herself with her thumb, stood with her legs spread apart, and grinned arrogantly.

Yui Yuigahama shifted her astonished gaze from Yuu Tenkuji to her—this guy is utterly wicked, not just killing someone, but also destroying their spirit!

Tenkuji Yuu looked at her with an expression that said, "This woman's brain is definitely broken."

Even as the two looked at her with strange eyes, Natsukawa Masuzu remained unfazed, smoothing her disheveled hair and returning to a calm expression, though the blush on her face had not yet faded.

"So, what are your thoughts?"

Life is hard, I can only sigh.

"...You even gave up your first kiss just to make a joke, you're something else."

“Of course, only romantics would think that a first kiss is something valuable.” She glanced at Yui Yuigahama and shrugged casually. “For me, it’s not even as good as a famous scene from JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, it’s just a simple touch of mucous membranes.”

"You say that, but haven't you considered my opinion at all?"

Natsukawa Masaki blinked, feigning confusion.

"Oh dear, you think you can dodge if you want? I can't plant a seed in your brain to control your actions..." She gently stroked her cheek and sighed helplessly, "I didn't expect you had your eye on my lips all along. What a lewd guy."

Yuu Tenkuji always felt that the gazes coming from the side were somewhat sharp.

"I was just thinking about something, don't accuse people without reason."

"Well, let's not worry about such trivial matters for now..." Natsukawa Masuzu's expression suddenly turned serious, her gaze becoming earnest. "You should understand what to do next, right?"

Yuu Tenkuji simply shook his head, rejecting her suggestion.

"Why? Give me a reason." She glared at him with a chilling tone and cold eyes, clenching her pale fists.

Looking back and forth between them, Yui Yuigahama couldn't understand the current situation anymore—she felt like she and the two of them were in different worlds, and she was just a complete outsider.

What were they talking about? And what was that kiss all about? All sorts of confusion were tangled together, making my head feel a little overheated.

Sensing the change in her expression, Yuu Tenkuji couldn't help but press her brow with her finger.

"...There's no muddy water here for me to wash my mouth. Okay, enough with the jokes."

Natsukawa Masaki's expression changed, and a cheerful smile appeared on her face again.

"Ayu is so kind... But thanks to you, my 'JOJO Heart' is already full, and it won't be able to hold any more."

That's all for today. With that, the silver-haired girl placed one hand on her pert chest and sighed contentedly.

Too lazy to deal with his girlfriend anymore, Yuu Tenkuji looked towards his best friend.

"Don't worry about it, that guy was just trying to recreate a famous scene from a comic book... For foreigners, kissing is just like saying hello."

Natsukawa Masuzu interjected, "No, that was a kiss full of my heart!"

Do you even believe that yourself?

She gracefully tossed her long hair aside and looked up: "Of course I don't believe it!"

Without turning her head, Tenkuji Yu didn't see the blushing face gradually returning to its snow-white and calm state.

He solemnly explained to Yui Yuigahama, who was gradually understanding the situation:

“I will handle Ryou’s matter properly. Although I don’t think there’s a problem, if I really encounter difficulties that I can’t solve on my own, I will still bring it up and discuss it with you or Yukinoshita. After all, I accepted this request as a member of the Service Club.”

"..."

Yui Yuigahama looked at him, her chaotic heart gradually calming down like a cotton blanket that had just been dried in the sun.

Although she was still somewhat bothered by the fact that he had been forcibly kissed in front of her, she also understood that whatever she said now would just sound like the lament of a defeated dog and wouldn't change reality.

Are you suggesting I pounce on him and overwhelm his scent?

Yui Yuigahama was somewhat tempted, but no matter what, she still couldn't bring herself to do something so bold in front of others like that foreign transfer student.

"Yes, I believe you'll be fine, Xiaoyou."

In the end, all I could do was give that bitter smile.

Seeing her lack of enthusiasm, Tenkuji Yu couldn't help but reach out and flick the bun on her head, smiling slightly:

"Don't look like you've just broken up with someone. To me, you're just like Totsuka, one of the most important friends in this school."

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Fierce Battleground Between My 'Fake Girlfriend' and 'Good Friend'

He didn't mince words, but frankly expressed his feelings and emotions.

Although he couldn't date her or reciprocate her feelings, this girl, who had been thinking about him for the past two years and was now questioning his "fake girlfriend" for his sake, was indeed much more important to Yuu Tenkuji than Masuzu Natsukawa.

That's why I must clearly tell her my thoughts, instead of leaving her hanging in ambiguity, or simply ignoring it and letting her worry about how to handle the relationship.

This is the responsibility a man—someone who is liked by young girls—should have.

From the past to the present, Tenkuji Yu has always done this.

"Yuigahama, if you're really unhappy, I can break up with Masuzu for a day and treat you to a trip to the zoo. I'll cover all the expenses, and you can eat whatever you want without holding back!"

He patted his chest and said this in a tone full of pride.

Natsukawa Masaki crossed her arms and glanced at him sideways: "I underestimated you, Ayu, to actually say something like that."

Even so, she simply watched from the sidelines, without any intention of interfering.

Yui Yuigahama looked them over, finally fixing her gaze on Yuu Tenkuji.

His face was reflected in her clear, gentle eyes.

"...That's such an exaggeration, really."

After a long while, she suddenly sighed and her shoulders slumped heavily.

Then, with a wry smile, she gently touched the little bun on her head.

"Xiaoyou too, and Xia Chuan-kun too... Is it because I'm not weird enough that I feel out of place with you guys?"

"Then I recommend watching JoJo, Dango-chan." Seizing the opportunity, Natsukawa Masuzu spared no effort in promoting her interest. "If you watch JoJo, you can keep up with our... no, the whole world's trend!"

"JoJo's Bizarre Adventure? Hmm, I've heard of it before, I'll definitely watch it!"

Yui Yuigahama nodded at her with a natural and friendly smile, her previous confrontational demeanor gone, and she was as gentle and harmless as a puppy.

Natsukawa Masaki stood there stunned, then clutched her chest and sighed:

"She's a rare good person... I misunderstood her."

Yuu Tenkuji couldn't help but roll his eyes. This guy's judgment criteria were definitely related to JOJO.

"And then, Yui..." Yui Yuigahama tilted her head, her bright eyes carrying a hint of mischief, and said with a giggle, "I've remembered the promise that you'd take me to the zoo the day after breaking up with Natsukawa! Natsukawa doesn't mind, right? After all, you're just a fake girlfriend!"

"..."

The sudden attack left Natsukawa Masuzu with her mouth agape, her expression frozen in an unnatural way.

Tenkuji Yu quickly turned his head away, his face tense to suppress his laughter, his lips twitching slightly.

Noticing the commotion, the silver-haired girl glared at them, a forced smile on her face, and said: