I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

This was the promise she made to him in the hallway yesterday.

He hadn't forgotten, and Yui Yuigahama certainly wouldn't forget either.

"How could I give up? This is just the beginning! I'll do everything I can to stop you from arguing!"

Her pink hair fluttered in the wind as she followed with light steps.

Her round, bun-shaped hairstyle and cheerful, innocent smile shone brightly under the warm autumn sun.

△

Meanwhile, in Class 2-J.

Yukino Yukinoshita and Masuzu Natsukawa stared at each other, their arms crossed, the air heavy as if frozen.

"Let's go to the cat house."

"Let's go to the Ferris wheel."

An unyielding voice clashed head-on, and flashes of lightning erupted in the air.

Beside them, an ordinary-looking female student trembled and covered her head, looking like she was about to cry, under the oppressive aura of the two stunningly beautiful girls.

"Waaaaah... I'll go anywhere, why don't you guys decide by rock-paper-scissors..."

Chapter Forty-Four: A Little Interlude Between Summer and Snow

Whether it was fortunate or unfortunate, the two famous beauties of Class J were assigned to the same group, but no extra men interfered between them, allowing them to successfully enjoy the bliss of having two women.

For the ordinary female student who just happened to draw lots and occupy that enviable position, the pressure of being in the same group as these two was far from happy. She just wanted to escape this torturous atmosphere as quickly as possible and let them play by themselves.

I've never seen them this confrontational in the classroom before! Why has it turned out like this...?

"Xia Chuan, can you give me the best reason to go to the Ferris wheel first?"

Knowing that staring at each other like this wouldn't make any progress, Yukino Yukinoshita rested her chin on her hand and spoke in a clear and bright voice: "Putting aside the fact that the Ferris wheel is the furthest facility from us, I don't think three women need to look down at the scenery in an enclosed space."

"Is it really necessary to go to the cat house first?" Natsukawa Masuzu asked with a smile.

"Of course!"

Yukino Yukinoshita immediately puffed out her flat chest, seemingly trying to bolster the persuasiveness of her words, but upon seeing the silver-haired girl's ample bosom resting on her arms, she silently straightened up and coughed twice nonchalantly:

"According to research, playing with cats can stimulate hormones in the brain, relax the mind, and relieve stress..."

"You just want to pet the cat, right?" Without listening to her say much, Natsukawa Masuzu drew a conclusion directly, hitting the nail on the head.

"..."

It felt like liquid nitrogen had been sprayed directly onto her face. Yukino Yukinoshita froze on the spot for a few seconds, but after thawing, she calmly tossed her long black hair over her shoulder and said frankly:

“Okay, I admit I’m somewhat interested in feline creatures, which is why I suggested going to the cat house first… So, are you also interested in the Ferris wheel, Natsukawa-kun?”

"Yeah, I couldn't wait to ride the Ferris wheel when I saw it here!"

"A lie, indeed." The words of judgment fell before she could finish speaking.

As if a sore spot had been touched, Natsukawa Masaki's smile gradually disappeared.

In contrast, Yukino Yukinoshita crossed her arms and gave a graceful yet cold smile.

"Ultimately, we all decide the group's destination for our own selfish desires. We should use a fairer and more accurate method to quickly determine the winner, rather than standing here discussing until we can convince the other side... That would be too inefficient."

"...YES."

With a flick of her silver hair, Natsukawa Masuzu struck a slightly peculiar pose, her composed demeanor returning as she confidently declared, "In that case, in order to 'coincidentally' meet my boyfriend, you'd better obediently surrender here, Yukinoshita-san."

Yukino Yukinoshita raised her eyebrows and smiled even more brightly: "There aren't many people who can defeat me, and you just happen to be one of them, Natsukawa-kun."

The air seemed to have subtly changed, and the whistling wind stirred up barely noticeable dust.

Despite wearing unfashionable sportswear, they resembled two proud and aloof female knights, standing on opposite sides of the track, ready to raise their lances and launch a fierce, raging attack on each other.

The ordinary female students watching were stunned, feeling a strange sensation as if they had become spectators, only able to sit in the stands eating popcorn and waiting for the winner to be decided.

I'm not even qualified to be a referee, and I don't know which side to support... Anyway, I just hope they can resolve this peacefully and not affect my side.

Just as he was thinking this, the two of them suddenly looked over.

"Student ○○, let's decide the winner by rock-paper-scissors, just as you said."

"After all, the other students have already set off. Considering the time constraints, rock-paper-scissors is indeed the best and simplest option."

"Huh?" The ordinary female student looked back and forth between their faces, shrugging her shoulders, somewhat at a loss.

"Is it...is it okay? Actually, you can decide for me, I'm fine..."

Yukino Yukinoshita frowned immediately, emphasizing her statement: "You are also a member of the group, so you naturally have the right to participate in all decisions regarding group actions! It's okay if you don't have a place you want to go; just tell us your opinion."

Natsukawa Masuzu smiled slightly, adopting her usual good-natured demeanor, and said gently, "Oh, right. Don't be afraid. Although Yukinoshita-san has a bad temper, she wouldn't do anything so mean as to bully her classmates."

"..."

Yukino Yukinoshita glanced away, a cold smile playing on her lips, ignoring the other person as if a crow were cawing.

"...I see, I understand."

After carefully observing their expressions, the ordinary female student nodded and finally mustered up the courage to stand in front of the two.

Looking closely at those two stunningly beautiful faces, she snapped out of her daze and blinked knowingly:

'Although both her demeanor and appearance seemed to belong to another dimension, inspiring awe yet also an instinctive distance.'

'But how should I put it...upon closer inspection, they're actually just ordinary, kind-hearted girls!'

Thinking about it this way, I immediately relaxed and smiled as I extended my fist.

"Then let's play rock-paper-scissors!"

Yukino Yukinoshita nodded: "Okay. Just a heads up, I'll be releasing a stone."

"...Huh?"

The ordinary female student looked bewildered.

Natsukawa Masuzu smiled dismissively: "Captain Yukinoshita hates lying. How many times do you think I've heard that from him... Of course, I'll release the paper."

"Huh?!"

The ordinary female student stared in astonishment.

Yukino Yukinoshita revealed a charming and cute smile: "Rock-paper-scissors is a game of strategy, and winning by lying is within the rules... Did he ever say that I'm the kind of person who's so rigid that I can't even adapt to playing games?"

"Huh?!!"

The ordinary female student stared, speechless except for a gasp of surprise.

Natsukawa Masaki's face darkened.

"I'm sorry, he doesn't actually know you that well."

Yukino Yukinoshita narrowed her eyes, neither giving an inch.

"I don't want to get too close to him either. But you, haven't you forgotten your original intentions?"

"Don't worry, everything is going well."

"That's good. With your rude attitude, I thought I had accidentally bothered you in some way."

"This is what you call awful? Do you live in Utopia?"

No one knew where the war had started, but the sounds of clashing weapons rang out once more, and the smell of gunpowder filled the air.

"...No, now is not the time to argue!"

Quickly recovering from her shock, the ordinary female student, without thinking twice, raised her fist and shouted loudly:

"Come on—rock, scissors..."

Their attention was drawn to her, and they reflexively followed her movements, each swinging down their slender arms.

"cloth!"

……

The ultimate winner was an ordinary female student.

"Then, shall we go hiking?"

She clenched her small fists, asking with some trepidation and nervousness.

"..."

Natsukawa Masuri and Yukino Yukinoshita exchanged glances, then sighed in unison, seemingly unwilling. Their eyes were vacant, and they listlessly touched their hair, yet they still honestly told the truth:

"The winner decides..."

"Great!"

△

I don't know how things are going with the pretty girls, but here at Tenkuji Yu...

Because they had decided on their destination well in advance, there weren't many tourists when the three of them arrived at the light rail station. They didn't even have to queue and were able to enter the carriage smoothly.

Besides them, there were several students from Zongwu High School who walked faster, as well as students from other schools who were also there for the autumn outing.

Chapter 45 Do you really think this is a good idea? (Part 2)

"Luckily I came when the park opened, otherwise, with other tourists, the queue would have been really long."

The light rail train moved slowly, and Yui Hihama looked out the window at the receding scenery. At the station, a crowd of people had already begun to form, waiting for the next train.

"After riding the Ferris wheel, should we go straight down the mountainside or go to the top first to see the scenery?"

Tenkuji Yu took out a map, pinched his chin, and looked thoughtful.

Across from Yui Yuigahama, Yumiko Miura glanced at him sideways, pursed her lips, and said, "Of course we're going down to play. Hiking with just two or three people is incredibly boring. Unless I call other groups to come along, I'm not doing it."

“Very good.” Yuu Tenkuji nodded and put away the map.

"Let's go hiking then. Today is a beautiful autumn day, perfect for a hike."

He said this not because he was deliberately contradicting Yumiko Miura.