I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

Yui Yuigahama chuckled twice, trying to cheer herself up, but then buried her face back in the pillow, kicking the bed and letting out a deep sigh.

"...What expression should I wear when I face him from now on?"

I didn't give him the graduation gift I was supposed to give him. We agreed to be friends from now on, but now I don't even dare to send him a single message.

All the courage and drive she had left her after that failed confession.

Yui Yuigahama can proudly say that she is not only an idiot, but also a complete waste.

"Oh, right." Remembering the graduation gift, Yui Yuigahama picked up her schoolbag from the ground and took out the simple yet beautiful beige notebook.

She stared blankly at the cover for a long time, recalling all the time she had spent with him in the past. She couldn't help but bite her lip and cry quietly for a few minutes before she stopped crying and opened the inner pages.

The sentence, written in a neat handwriting in the corner of the first page, immediately caught my eye.

"Some people bear heavy burdens for thirty years, while others are trapped in a cage; some wander alone in the darkness for a very long time."

Fortunately, there are always stars to pave the way in this world, so even through thorny and bramble-filled terrain, the journey was not in vain.

—This is an excerpt from a classic work; I hope you will continue to strive and remain true to yourself.

"..."

Yui Yuigahama remained silent for a long time before slowly putting down her notebook, gently resting her head on the pillow, and gazing at the deep night outside the window.

Books and stars are not far apart; at least she once touched them.

Now that we're back to square one, do we still have the courage to reach out and hold them all firmly in our hands?

Yui Yuigahama was unaware of this.

Even in the deep of night, the star still shone brightly, illuminating the path before her.

So even amidst thorns and brambles, I have no regrets.

……

A new spring has begun.

Yui Yuigahama changed into her new uniform, twirled in front of the mirror, and smiled with satisfaction at her bright outfit that perfectly suited her high school girl image.

"very good!"

"Mom, I'm going out!"

Will I meet him on the long slope?

Will I run into him on the crowded tram?

Will I see him at the bustling school gate?

Yui Yuigahama took a deep breath, suppressed these thoughts, and faced her new high school, new classmates, and new friends with an energetic smile.

She has decided to forget those feelings and start liking someone who will like her back.

It just so happens that the two of them are in different classes. As long as they don't run into each other at school, try not to talk to each other, and don't think about things related to him, one day they will be able to completely erase all the marks that Tenkuji Yu left on them!

A year of unrequited love led her to successfully gain admission to Zongwu High School.

What changes will a year of being strangers bring?

Yui Yuigahama can move forward on her own without needing books or stars.

……

I finally made it through this year and entered my second year of high school.

Upon seeing the familiar figure in the front row of the middle seat in the new classroom, Yui Yuigahama couldn't help but take two steps back, her heart racing uncontrollably.

"We're in the same class?! What do I do? What do I do? I can't run away, ......"

I can't calm down at all.

A year of being strangers is completely useless. When I see him, I still feel a tickle in my chest. The feelings that I thought I had sealed away are bubbling up again, and my eyes can't leave his back.

But reason told her to ignore the man who had rejected her and to find someone better to fill the void in her heart.

But I can't find it!

Nobody is better than him!

No one else would comfort themselves with grand principles when they're feeling down, just like him.

No one else is like him, flicking his little dumpling when he's unhappy;

No one else is like him, with a pleasant fragrance, beautiful eyes, and a lovely voice, and who patiently stays by your side, pulling you forward together...

I can't forget him, I can't erase him completely, I still like him just the same.

"Silly Xiaoyou, naughty Xiaoyou, despicable Xiaoyou... Why do I like you so much!"

Yui Yuigahama bit her lip indignantly, but a helpless and relieved smile appeared on her face, as if she had been defeated by herself.

She didn't know where the courage came from, but she took a step towards him.

Hearing footsteps, Tenkuji Yu glanced over indifferently, but when he saw it was her, he widened his eyes in surprise and turned around halfway.

"Yuhihama?"

"Oh, what a coincidence. We're in the same class."

Yui Yuigahama looked directly at him with a smile on her face and took a deep breath.

"—Long time no see, Xiao You!"

Even today, she would still change for him.

Although there's still some distance between us now, starting as friends should bring me closer to him, right?

Then quietly, gradually...

Hold that star in your hand and never let go.

……

In the spring of my second year of high school, cherry blossoms and love blossomed in all their splendor.

In conclusion, Yui Yuigahama has someone she likes.

…………

.........

……

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Fan Meeting? (Two-in-One)

holiday.

Although Angel Cafe wasn't as bustling as usual, it still had a lot more customers than usual.

"If it weren't for that new coffee shop that opened nearby, our business would be even better..."

With her elbows resting on the table, Isshiki Yu sighed.

Yuu Tenkuji sat by the window, slowly replying to messages on her phone. She casually answered, "What's there to complain about? I don't have to worry about the shop closing down. The work is very relaxed, and I have more time to do my own things. Isn't this the best environment for a working person?"

"That's true... but there's still a subtle feeling of unease, like my customers are being taken away! And I'm surprisingly hardworking at work, you know?"

Waving her little fist, Isshiki Yu sighed helplessly, as if she had no idea what to do about it.

She immediately twisted her slender waist and sat down next to him with a "whoosh!" and leaned over to look at his phone screen.

"Hey senior, are you chatting with your girlfriend? There's such a cute junior girl right next to you talking to you, don't you think that's a bit much?"

She complained in a sweet, delicate voice, but her expression wasn't very serious; it seemed she just wanted to start a casual conversation.

A soft fragrance wafted close, and strands of flaxen hair seemed both near and far.

Naturally shortening the perceived distance, getting close to the other person without making them feel clingy—this is a skill every lovely girl is born with.

However, perhaps out of concern that he has a girlfriend and might be misunderstood as seducing her, Isshiki Hajime didn't get very close, and looking at her phone was just for show.

Looking away from the chat interface, Tenkuji Yu glanced at her sideways.

"It's excessive to abandon your girlfriend for a junior, isn't it?"

Although this junior is still excessively cute.

Because they had arranged to meet at this cafe, Isshiki Hatake didn't have a work schedule today, so she was wearing casual clothes instead of her uniform.

As autumn arrived, although the weather wasn't exactly cold, she still wore a beige sweater, her delicate pink fingers tucked into the overly long sleeves; underneath, she wore a light brown V-neck knit top, revealing a small section of her collarbone, looking both youthful and vibrant yet exuding a mature charm.

The form-fitting clothing accentuated the girl's youthful and delicate curves. The denim shorts paired with black leggings showed off her slender and straight calves. It was clear that this outfit had been carefully planned, highlighting her charm and strengths to the fullest.

Yuu Tenkuji secretly memorized this outfit, hoping to persuade his sister to wear it when he got back. At home, Sora only wore that white dress, and her wardrobe was filled with more than a dozen identical pieces. He didn't know how long it had been since he had seen her dressed like a normal girl. Even when she went to the hospital, she would just throw on a trench coat and call it a day.

If possible, he also wanted to dress up Sora in sailor uniforms, business attire, and maid outfits, and hold a costume party exclusively for his little sister...

Unfortunately, Qiong would definitely say, "If you wear it, I'll wear it too," and in the end, no one would wear it, and they would act as if nothing had happened.

"That's true."

Isshiki Hajime nodded. Yuu Tenkuji initially thought she was agreeing with his sordid thoughts, but he quickly came to his senses and looked at her thoughtful expression.

"After all, your girlfriend is that Natsukawa-senpai who's known as the 'Norse Jewel,' the 'Cosmic Beauty,' and the 'Valkyrie of the Empire'!" Iroha Isshiki said matter-of-factly, resting her chin on her hand. "With someone like that as your girlfriend, most women are like cats and dogs to you, you wouldn't be interested in them at all, right?"

"What's with all those weird titles... And besides, there are plenty of people who are interested in cats and dogs, okay?"

Yuu Tenkuji couldn't help but sigh.

Putting aside the Japanese people's stubbornness... it's true that Natsukawa Masuzu is pretty, but she's not exactly stunningly beautiful.

At least from her own aesthetic point of view, Yui Yuigahama, Yukino Yukinoshita, and even Iroha Isshiki would not pale in comparison to her.

The way she exaggerated it gave people the feeling that this junior was implying something...

"Please don't complain about such trivial things, okay?"

Rolling her eyes in exasperation, as if giving up on a serious conversation, Iroha Isshiki also took out her phone and casually said while swiping, "To be honest, I still can't quite believe it... that Natsukawa-senpai who rejected a bunch of confessions, actually dating someone like you, senpai. Could it be that she was deceived by your talent and looks?"

"What do you mean by 'this kind of person'? I don't even know if you're praising me or not."

"It's a compliment, of course it's a compliment!"

"Nobody would believe that."