I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

Honestly, the purring sound a kitten makes when it's comfortable could melt even the heaviest snow, right?

In short, it's very therapeutic.

"So what are you going to do?"

“My sister loves cats, and I originally wanted to use this cat to amuse her… but she rented an apartment where she can’t keep a cat.”

This time, under the snow, Haruno reached out to pet the cat. Her long, slender, fair fingers would occasionally poke or scratch his chest unintentionally, and then, when he glared at her speechlessly, she would pet the cat again.

"But I haven't had much free time lately, and it's quite pitiful for it to stay here any longer. So I was wondering if you would like to adopt it. I can help you prepare all the necessary items."

After thinking about it, Yuu Tenkuji decided it would be better to talk to Sora about it in person. So he said, "I'll ask my sister when I get home and give you an answer later."

"There's no way to force it. I have many friends, and finding it a reliable owner won't be difficult."

She brought the cat back, then suddenly looked up at Tenkuji Yu and smiled slyly:

"So, here's the problem!"

"Huh?" Tenkuji Yu gave him a look of disgust, as if to say, "What kind of crazy idea have you come up with now?"

Holding the cat up to her face, making its innocent, clear cat eyes look directly at Yuuki Tenkuji, Yukinoshita continued speaking like a voice actress:

"What is this kitten's name?"

1. Yukinon

Second, Yunyun.

Third, Haihai.

If you answer correctly, I'll call you Yu-kun; if you answer incorrectly, you'll call me Haruno—so, please answer!

"..." Tenkuuji Yu paused for a moment, looking at the cat with a strange expression, and decided to speak frankly.

"You just want me to call your name, don't you?"

He had seen this plot in many works; it was usually the domain of arrogant and tsundere characters.

So, when exactly did Yukinoshita Haruno, this cunning and cheerful girl, turn into a tsundere?

"Ugh, can you please stop being so unromantic?" Yukino Yukinoshita peeked out from behind the cat, pouting helplessly. "The mall was so cooperative back then, so why are you complaining so much about something as simple as how to address someone?"

"As expected, you were just lusting after my body..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Tenkuji Yu decisively said, "I choose number two, Yuu."

Yukino Yukinoshita immediately smiled: "Bah, wrong answer~ The correct answer is Yukinon! Isn't that a cute name?"

"She is quite cute..."

"You actually said my name is cute? You've been eyeing Yukino all along, haven't you?"

"...Enough! Are you even being reasonable?"

Seeing his exhausted expression, Yukinoshita Haruno couldn't help but rub her face against the kitten Yukino, chuckling happily.

"Meow--"

The kitten, though confused, meowed happily nonetheless.

Since Yuu Tenkuji hadn't made a decision yet, the two left Yukino there temporarily, and together under an umbrella, they returned to the underground parking lot of the mall.

It seemed that after a day of commotion, Yukinoshita Haruno had finally exhausted her energy. She was quiet in the car, with a faint smile on her lips, focused on driving and not interested in chatting with him.

Yuya Tenkuji was happy to have some free time. After resting with his eyes closed, he soon arrived at the usual pick-up location.

He took out his umbrella, glanced at the misty rain outside the car, and decided not to go to that barbecue stall today—whether it was open or not was another matter, but as long as he got caught in the rain for a few seconds in front of his house, Qiong would still kick him into the bathroom to take a shower.

"Then I'll be going now, Yang Nai."

As if pondering something, she leaned against the steering wheel and casually answered:

"Okay, see you next time~"

Just as Yuu Tenkuji opened the car door and was about to open the umbrella, he stretched the umbrella handle out of the door.

Suddenly, a pulling force came from his arm, and he fell backward without warning. In his wide-eyed astonishment, Yukinoshita's pretty face drew closer and closer.

Finally, it was stuck at zero distance.

Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, her pupils were watery, and she gazed at him as if drunk or awake; her hot breath hit his face, and her lips quickly found their place, blocking the sound he hadn't yet uttered.

"Hmm... Whew..."

Their jaws touched, their tongues lightly touched, but then seemed to realize it wasn't the right time and quickly withdrew.

About ten seconds later, Yukinoshita Haruno released him, took a few soft breaths, gently touched her rosy lips with her fingers, her cheeks flushed, and smiled with her lips pursed.

"Oh no, I'm getting a little addicted~"

"..."

As if unsure what expression to make, Tenkuji Yu frowned slightly, looking at her with a complicated expression.

Stared at like that by him, she tilted her head in surprise and asked with a knowing smile, "What's wrong? You can say whatever you want to say, I'll accept any criticism."

Her eyes were gentle, yet her smile had an ethereal fragility.

The second kiss, which she initiated and almost forced, happened between the two people in the rental relationship.

Just as Yukino Yukinoshita said, from any perspective, Yuu Tenkuji has the right to criticize her and refuse to continue the loan agreement.

She might be waiting here.

When he can no longer tolerate it, he will stop her distorted behavior and bring the even more distorted relationship back to square one.

Yukino realized that continuing would be extremely dangerous.

But she was unwilling to step on the brakes herself, so she could only rely on this kind of interrogation-like calculation to make Tenkuji Yu make a choice.

slam-la-

The car was quieter than on a rainy night.

Yuu Tenkuji didn't speak; his expressionless face revealed no emotion.

After silently gazing at her for a long while, he simply shook his head, opened his umbrella, stepped out of the car, and uttered two sentences:

Be careful on your way back.

"Also, there are only three days left on your lease. If you want to continue renting from me, remember to renew the fee."

The rented boyfriend closed the car door.

All that remained was Yukino Yukino leaning back in her chair, head tilted back, sighing wearily.

"Ugh... This is so immature."

She acted just like a child throwing a tantrum.

This is a foolish act that Yukinoshita Haruno would never normally do.

So when he left, his lies came to an end; the snow fell again, and everything returned to normal.

She rubbed her cheeks, cheered herself up, and laughed in the empty car, stretching out a big yawn.

"Mmm~ Today was truly an unforgettable day—"

The phone suddenly rang, and Yukinoshita Haruno stopped her musings and answered the call.

"Hey, it's me."

"Next week? Okay, I got it, I'll go..."

“Cultivating feelings…” Yukinoshita Haruno subconsciously looked at the small, not very good-looking Mr. Pan doll in front of the windshield.

She twirled a strand of hair between her fingers and smiled calmly, "I understand. We'll talk about it later."

△

"Congratulations, host, you have received the reward: Acting Skills (Perfect Level)."

Tenkuji Yu paused, glancing at the torrential rain outside the umbrella.

Suddenly, he folded his umbrella and disappeared into the rain.

Chapter Sixty-Two: It's just a little emotional entanglement with the boss.

Have you ever been caught in the rain at six in the evening? I have.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Go take a shower!"

Similar to last time, Yuu Tenkuji was sent to take a shower, then cooked dinner and chatted with Kasugano Sora about raising cats while eating.

“My friend picked up a cat, and recently his work has been going very well, so he has a lot of spare money at home that he can use.”

"so?"

"So—tell me, do you want to become its slave?"

"?" With chopsticks in her mouth, Qiong looked completely bewildered. "Isn't he the master?"

"Ha, what master does a cat have?" Yuu Tenkuji sneered, as if mocking his past self. "The cat is the master, and the human is the slave. You work yourself to the bone just for a moment of careless favor from it, and you don't even dare to punch or kick it when it scratches or bites you."

"Then why would anyone keep a cat as a pet?"

"Because petting cats is so satisfying!"

“…Masochistic.” Qiong sighed, saying dismissively, “If you want to keep it, go ahead, I have no objection. But I can’t guarantee I can take good care of it.”

After all, Yuu Tenkuji has to go out to work and go back to school after summer vacation, so most of the things related to taking care of the cat are basically left to her.

Kasugano Sora thought that she was quite bored being home alone all the time. If she had a cat as a playmate, even if it was a little tiring and annoying, it probably wouldn't be a big deal.

If one day the cat turned into a beautiful girl, I could ask her to help with housework—but no, I have an older brother at home, so I'd better not change.

"Then it's settled!" Yuu Tenkuji immediately approved. While eating, she sent a message to Haruno Yukinoshita.

She was probably still driving when she sent a voice message. Of course, Yuu Tenkuji wasn't stupid enough to open it in front of Sora—she directly converted the voice message to text.

"Next time you come out to play, take Cat Sister with you on the way back. I'll also prepare a luxurious litter box for you."

Since it's a voice-to-text message, there are quite a few typos in one message, but at least it's readable.

"This is troublesome."