I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

"Humph."

With her hand pressed to her chest, Yui Yuigahama breathed a sigh of relief, glanced gratefully at Yuu Tenkuji, and then placed the map between the three of them.

"Yumiko is choosing a shopping street. I want to start climbing from this 'Inkstone Peak' first. What about you, Yumi?"

Tenkuji Yu glanced at the map and pointed to a spot: "There's a small Ferris wheel here. If you want to go, you'd better go early, otherwise you'll likely have to wait in a long line, which will delay your later itinerary."

“Ah, that makes sense…” Yui Yuigahama bit her soft lips, looking hesitantly at the icons of the mountain peaks and the Ferris wheel.

Yumiko Miura frowned, seemingly wanting to ride the Ferris wheel. Just as she opened her mouth to say something, she noticed Yuu Tenkuji giving her a sneer.

So he shut his mouth, crossed his arms, and tapped his fingers impatiently between his elbows, too lazy to express his opinion.

"...How about we decide by rock-paper-scissors then?" Yui Yuigahama quickly made the decision. "But it's Yuuko and Yuuko who will play rock-paper-scissors. After all, we can climb the mountain anytime. I'll just withdraw now."

Yumiko Miura looked at Yuu Tenkuji again, her expression still full of hostility, her fist already poised to strike at her side.

Tenkuji Yu glanced at her a few times, then suddenly asked bluntly:

"I don't think I've ever offended you, have I? Or is your temper just naturally this bad?"

Yumiko Miura paused for a moment, then gave a cold laugh, staring at him with chilling eyes.

"I just can't stand some people who, because they're popular, still flirt with other girls even though they have girlfriends, without ever thinking about how others will perceive them!"

Yuu Tenkuji blinked, then pointed at herself, saying incredulously, "Me? Popular? Having ambiguous relationships with other girls?"

Yumiko Miura shrugged and looked away as if it were none of her business.

"I wasn't talking about anyone. It seems you're quite self-aware."

"..."

As Yuu Tenkuji fell silent with a strange expression, Yui Yuigahama also looked at her friend in surprise, feeling a sense of astonishment that she hadn't expected the truth to be like this.

"Yumiko, could it be that you started to be hostile towards Yu because of me?"

Miura Yumiko arrogantly raised her chin, looking completely justified: "What? You're being gossiped about because of him? Aren't all those unpleasant rumors because of him? He already has such a beautiful transfer student girlfriend, yet he still drags ordinary girls like you, Yui, into it. If we don't teach this public enemy of women a lesson now, he'll only become more unscrupulous in harming other girls in the future!"

Yui Yuigahama quickly waved her hands to explain, "No, that's not it! Yumiko, you've misunderstood... Wait, didn't you just say I'm ordinary...?"

Yuujin Tenkuji nodded in agreement: "Yui is quite ordinary. You got that right in the whole sentence."

"Xiao You, shut up!"

Yui Yuigahama glared at him fiercely.

The two looked at each other for a few seconds, then suddenly burst out laughing.

"Ha ha ha ha--"

"I really didn't expect this... I thought there would be some complicated reason, but it's actually quite simple, hahaha..."

The previously tense atmosphere suddenly became cheerful.

"W-What's wrong? What are you laughing at? What's so funny?!"

Looking back and forth at the two smiling faces, Miura Yumiko hadn't even reacted when Yuigahama Yui suddenly pounced on her, almost causing her to fall backward.

"Whoa! Yui, are you a dog? Don't pounce on me like that!"

Cheek to cheek, Yui Yuigahama smiled with a mix of happiness and peace of mind.

"It's nothing~ I just feel so good to be friends with Yumiko!"

"Hey, why are you suddenly saying such cheesy things...?"

Miura Yumiko struggled uncomfortably, her face flushing slightly. When she met the gaze of Tenkuji Yu, who was watching the scene with a smile, she couldn't help but bar her teeth in annoyance, her blush deepening.

"What are you looking at! You scumbag, stay away from Yui!"

Who are you calling a scumbag?

"You're a scumbag!"

Yuu Tenkuji nodded: "I get it, so you're a scumbag who's had gender reassignment surgery. Stay away from Yui!"

"..."

Chapter 43 What bad intentions could Youyou possibly have?

Despite its unassuming name, "Qingshui Scenic Area" is the most well-equipped and innovative small resort in the area.

There are attached hotels, shopping streets that stretch from the mountainside to the foot of the mountain, and amusement facilities such as Ferris wheels and pirate ships. Looking around, the dark gray and green intertwine, and the modern buildings blend seamlessly with the natural mountain forest. Everyone can find their own fun here.

The assembly and dispersal points for the general staff are located in the lobby at the entrance of the scenic area.

There is still a long way to go to get to the Ferris wheel halfway up the mountain, and you may even need to climb a mountain path.

Fortunately, the park has considered the needs of visitors who are unwilling or unable to climb the mountain, and has specially set up a light rail line that goes directly to the Ferris wheel halfway up the mountain. There is no need to pay extra for a round trip, which helps save a lot of time and energy.

"Let's just take the light rail up." Without hesitation, Yumiko Miura made this decision.

Yui Yuigahama had let go of her. After a brief explanation between the two, she no longer harbored strong hostility towards Yuu Tenkuji, who claimed he "didn't intend to flirt with his friend." Instead, she adopted an attitude of ignoring him and only spoke to Yui Yuigahama as if she couldn't be bothered with him.

As for the idea of ​​going to the shopping street, since it didn't sound as fun as the Ferris wheel, Miura Yumiko had already casually ignored it and directly took the Ferris wheel suggestion as her own.

Tenkuji Yu didn't care, after all, he was broad-minded and wouldn't bother with such a high school girl.

"The blonde double-helix drill girl is right. It would be unwise to waste time walking if we wanted to visit other attractions."

"...What's wrong with my hairstyle?"

The Queen of Flames instantly became enraged, unable to continue ignoring the person who was asking for a beating, and looked as if she wanted to tear him apart on the spot.

Tenkuji Yuu shrugged with a relaxed expression, showing no fear whatsoever in the face of that menacing and aggressive aura, as if bathed in a gentle breeze.

If it were someone else—like that Snow Woman—she would probably just give him a cold glance, smirk slightly, and then ignore him as if he were a wildcat in heat.

It's not very offensive, but it's extremely insulting. There's usually nothing you can do about Yuna Tenkuji's attitude. You can only change the subject or provoke her even further, which is more difficult than teasing a cat.

Now, when facing a Bronze-level opponent like Miura Yuko, who is easy to hook, Tenkuji Yu feels a strange sense of pleasure in crushing a noob. He even has a set of words in mind that he can use to make his opponent cry in anger...

Of course, it's just a thought—Youyou isn't a devil, what bad intentions could she possibly have?

"Alright, alright! If Xiaoyou is okay with it, let's take the light rail to ride the Ferris wheel!"

Seeing the joyful smile on Tenkuji Yu's face, in order to prevent that situation from actually happening, Yuigahama Yui still obediently stepped forward to act as a peacemaker, separating Miura Yumiko's glare at him, and took the initiative to hold their hands, trying to liven up the atmosphere.

"Today is our only autumn outing for second graders! Our goal today is to visit all the fun and interesting places before we go back!"

"Hey, Yuuko, Yumiko, come on over—"

"Hey, hey, oh—!"

Yui Yuigahama raised their hands high and cheered excitedly.

Unfortunately, all she received in response was an awkward silence.

"..."

On the right, Miura Yumiko rolled her eyes at her with a look of utter exasperation, as if she were an idiot.

On the left, Yuu Tenkuji watched her with the gentle gaze one might give someone mentally challenged, his silence only piercing the girl's heart even more.

"Ah, hahaha..."

Yui Yuigahama awkwardly lowered her hand, her face gradually turning red. Under the slightly amused and converging gazes around her, she couldn't help but shrink back, lowering her voice in embarrassment:

"Nothing happened! Let's go!"

"Really..." Miura Yumiko sighed, rubbing her forehead.

I don't know what Yui was thinking, shouting like that in public, making herself look bad now.

Just as she was about to leave this awkward area with Yui, she heard a loud shout beside her:

"oh--!"

The man's voice faded.

An even more awkward atmosphere than before descended upon them.

Amidst the astonished and strange gazes of the crowd, Yuu Tenkuji smiled calmly and looked down at Yui Yuigahama, whose hand he had raised.

"Sorry for being a little slow to react just now... Shall we start our first group operation now?"

His hasty steps froze on the spot.

"Eh? It's okay if you don't need it, since it was my idea after all..."

Yui Yuigahama spoke softer and softer, but finally seemed to understand the meaning of his smile. Her sweet dimples appeared on her cheeks, and her hunched shoulders and neck straightened up again. A natural and gentle smile bloomed on her face as she looked at him.

"Thank you, Xiaoyou!"

"You're welcome. I wouldn't want to leave my friend feeling awkward alone." Yuu Tenkuji ignored her, turned to Yumiko Miura with a smile, and said, "You agree, right, Miura-san?"

"……have a finger in the pie!"

Yumiko Miura gritted her teeth, then suddenly raised both of their hands to her ears and called out perfunctorily:

"Oh—is this okay now!"

As she quickly lowered her hand, a light blush crept onto her otherwise dignified face. She bit her lip to suppress her embarrassment and glared at Tenkuji Yu with displeasure.

Yui Yuigahama chuckled and shook her arm reassuringly, "Thank you too, Yumiko~ It's so great to be in the same group as you guys!"

Miura Yumiko snorted, shook off her hand, and strode forward.

"Stop with the nonsense, let's get going!"

"Ah, Yumiko, wait for me!"

As Yui Yuigahama called out, she turned her head, about to say something to Yuu Tenkuji, when she noticed that he had also let go of her hand and was leisurely walking towards the Ferris wheel.

"What are you daydreaming about? You're our captain." He said to her, who was still standing there.

Yui Yuigahama was stunned. Pointing to herself, she exclaimed, "Captain? Me?"

Yuu Tenkuji said matter-of-factly, "What else can we do? Every group needs a leader. She doesn't like me and I don't want to listen to her, so only you can take on this responsibility."

"But……"

"No buts. You'll have to arrange the operation from now on, otherwise we'll end up arguing sooner or later." With a crisp and decisive tone, Tenkuji Yu put his hands in his pockets and said without turning his head.

"I'm still waiting for you to let us get along well and enjoy this autumn outing together. Are you going to give up now?"