I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

—Sixth floor.

"Oh, did she tell you about that?" Yang Nai raised an eyebrow, her gaze still fixed on his face, and said in a light tone, "I didn't intend to bother her, I was just a little bit curious... You shouldn't mind, right?"

Tenkuji Yu casually replied, "If she doesn't care, why should I?"

— Fifth floor.

"Really? That's good. After all, you two are boyfriend and girlfriend. I was worried that asking you so many questions last time, including about your personal matters, might have caused some misunderstandings."

She nodded in satisfaction, then suddenly moved away from the elevator wall she was leaning against and took a step towards him.

"Oh, right, Tenkuji-kun..."

—Third floor.

"Is there a problem?"

As she drew closer to her smiling face, Tenkuji Yu's attitude remained somewhat distant and wary, as if he didn't want to talk to her much.

Yukinoshita, however, remained unchanged and went straight to the point: "Can I call you Yuyu? I feel like that name sounds more natural."

—Second floor.

"Sorry, we're not that close yet, are we? While it's your choice how you want to address me, to avoid any misunderstanding from my jealous girlfriend, I hope you won't use that term, Ms. Haruno."

"..."

The cold, polite reply left the black-haired female college student speechless, yet a faint blush rose on her cheeks, her breathing quickened, and her body trembled slightly.

Sensing the change in the other person, Yuu Tenkuji felt a chill run down his spine.

Why is this guy suddenly so excited?

She was never this masochistic before!

"...Alright, since you're so unwilling, I'll continue to call you the way you are now."

Taking a deep breath, Yukinoshita Haruno shrugged nonchalantly.

Just then, the elevator arrived at the first floor, and the doors slowly opened to the sides.

"Are you just giving up like that?"

Before hurriedly leaving the elevator, Yuu Tenkuji couldn't help but ask this question.

The Yukinoshita Haruno he knew was even more arrogant and self-willed than the one in front of him, and was not nearly as obedient and understanding.

"Otherwise what? I don't want you to hate me."

Her natural answer surprised Yuu Tenkuji.

Observing his expression, like a kind older sister next door, Yukinoshita Haruno smiled brightly and gently.

"There's no need to be so surprised, is there? After all, I'll need you to take good care of my silly little sister at school."

Then, she waved her hand, stood still at the elevator door, and made way for her: "Oh right, I forgot I left something upstairs. You can go out first... Or do you want to come up with me to find Yukino?"

Yuu Tenkuji decisively replied, "Forget it, she probably doesn't want to see me on her day off anyway."

He walked quickly past her, the familiar scent of her perfume brushing past his nose, stirring his heartstrings, only to be quickly dissipated by the air in the apartment lobby.

Turning around, Yuu Tenkuji met the ever-present joyful smile in her eyes.

"That's settled then, let's chat again next time!"

"...Okay, if I have time."

As the words of farewell fell, the elevator doors closed completely, and the elevator began its ascent to the tenth floor.

After staring at the elevator in silence for a long while, Tenkuji slowly raised his head and sighed with mixed feelings.

"Is it just my imagination? Is this guy about to remember something...?"

Even though there's no overlap, they're searching for one.

Despite having no memory of it, it keeps testing us.

When talking to her, Yuu Tenkuji always felt like an NPC in a game, constantly giving the protagonist clues.

Watching her gradually approach the truth with his help, and one day discovering that the final boss and the reward for completing the game are actually him, the NPC...

For some inexplicable reason, he felt a sense of unease.

why?

Why are you afraid?

Now, Yuu Tenkuji is also searching for this reason.

……

Inside the slowly ascending elevator.

"..."

Yukinoshita leaned against the elevator wall, her hand pressed against her chest, her eyes closed in a focused expression.

Both senses and mind are heightened to their highest level of alertness, not only to remember the feelings just now, but also to carefully feel the various changes that occur in the body.

My heart was pounding, and my face belatedly flushed.

Perhaps it was because she was alone with him and talking, or perhaps it was because he smelled of her in the elevator, but the girl's heart was fluttering and she couldn't stop. She wanted to cheer and jump for joy in the elevator.

Even so, Yukinoshita Haruno remained calm and analytical.

Besides, in that moment when he treated her coldly, it was as if something sealed in her mind by a stone used to weigh down pickled vegetables finally let out a little air—that's why she had such a terrible reaction at that time.

It wasn't because I was happy to be treated coldly, but because I realized that I seemed to be getting closer and closer to the truth, and I barely managed to suppress the joy of sudden enlightenment.

And hazy images emerge from the depths of my heart, making this illusory mirage seem even more real.

"Tenkuji-kun... no, I'll just call you Yu-kun."

"I'm fine with anything."

"Then how about I call you Little Brother You?"

"Never mind, I'll go with Yu-kun."

"..."

Scenes that have never appeared before, conversations that have never been heard before.

Now, as if suddenly remembering something, it abruptly inserts itself into those bland and uninteresting memories of the past.

The hand on his chest unconsciously clenched into a fist.

Yukino Yukinoshita bit her lip hard and frowned, uttering a conflicted murmur in the elevator where she was all alone.

“I knew something was wrong… That was definitely not the first time we met at the fall performance. I must have seen him much, much earlier…”

Even earlier, was it during summer vacation? Her own changes also started during summer vacation; something must have happened then that was enough to change all her habits!

Taking a wooden comb from her pocket and placing it on her forehead, Yukinoshita closed her eyes and pondered for a few seconds, but still couldn't find the answer.

"Wait for next time... He escaped too easily this time. Just wait for the next time when he can't escape..."

Thinking of this, a slight smile finally appeared on his troubled and conflicted face.

—At that point, it won't be a matter of getting to the bottom of things.

That's right, we have to squeeze every last drop out of him!

"Ding dong!"

Lost in thought, the elevator arrived at the eleventh floor.

Yukino Yukinoshita, of course, did not go out. Instead, she pressed the button for the first floor again, preparing to go downstairs to go home for dinner.

And then, without realizing it, I began to look forward to it—

I hope to meet that boy on my way home and go to many, many fun and interesting places with him.

"That really is a cute idea, almost like love at first sight."

She laughed at herself, but then hummed happily twice.

Chapter Seventy-Five: Happy New Year's Eve! (Two Chapters Combined)

Mid-October, Monday.

The lush green leaves on the branches gradually turn yellow, and the school uniforms officially change from summer to winter. Long-sleeved uniforms are paired with dignified coats, and the youthful bodies of the girls under their short sleeves are hidden in the cold wind as the seasons change.

The skirts remained as short as ever, unaffected by the low temperature, stubbornly and proudly swaying with their own beauty; only the frequency of thermal tights appearing was gradually increasing, and looking around from the school gate, black tights could be seen everywhere, creating another refreshing sight.

"After returning from the autumn outing, the feeling of autumn is becoming more and more obvious."

Yuu Tenkuji remarked casually as he mingled into the crowd of students heading to school and entered the school gate, where he changed into indoor shoes at the usual shoe locker.

His ability to subtly adjust his presence was always in use, making him indistinguishable from other students as he calmly and comfortably walked towards the classroom.

Walking through the corridor adjacent to the playground, the shouts of the sports clubs outside are exhilarating, adding a touch of passion to the youthful atmosphere on campus.

Seemingly in preparation for the sports season following the cultural season, they've been shouting their numbers louder and louder while running on the track lately, as if they're trying to make the whole autumn surrender to them with sheer force.

"Very good, very energetic!"

After offering a sarcastic compliment, Tenkuji Yu strolled leisurely into the teaching building without stopping.

He was very fortunate to have joined a very free literary society... or more precisely, a service department where one could basically do whatever one wanted when there was no commission.

Apart from the minister's somewhat difficult personality, the Service Department has almost no major flaws—even the minister's personality can be overcome.

That's right, as long as you're more difficult to deal with than her, that's all you need to do.

On this point alone, Yuu Tenkuji believes that he can replace the high and mighty Yuki-onna at any time, trample her underfoot, and take the place of the "most difficult" department head.

It's just too much trouble to do that, and he doesn't want to rely on the Service Department to realize his wishes. It's actually quite nice to just stay there occasionally, play with the 'cats', and pass the time. There's no need to go to all this trouble.

...Hmm, next time I chat with Yukino Yukinoshita, I can say that on purpose to annoy her.

"Morning."

Good morning!

Upon entering Class F, Yuu Tenkuji turned off his presence adjustment and casually greeted the passing students.