I'll give my daughter one more second.

"Zhenbai, don't be fooled by Wu Shen! He... he's the kind of person..."

Seeing Mashiro and Wu Shen being so intimate, Eriri subconsciously tried to persuade them, but halfway through her sentence, she suddenly realized something and stopped talking.

Is he actually a surprisingly good person?

No, no, no, how could I think like that!? Eriri shook her head violently, trying to shake off this terrible thought that had suddenly popped into her head.

"Eri, you're so cold. I just took the blame for you, and from tomorrow everyone will think I'm a pervert who forces high school girls to draw erotic comics. Even if you don't fall for me, you could at least give me some compliments," Wu Shen said half-jokingly.

"Ugh, I'm sorry..." Because Wu Shen's words were so convincing, even the tsundere Eriri could only blush and admit defeat.

To be honest, if Wu Shen hadn't suddenly appeared and helped me, I really wouldn't know what to do this time.

"This was actually my fault. I only intended to conduct a surprise inspection of the contraband, but I accidentally knocked Eriri's schoolbag over, causing the drawings to fall out." Hiratsuka Shizuka sighed deeply.

"Eh? So it was because of Hiratsuka-sensei?"

Eriri was still completely confused about how the incident started, but after Hiratsuka-sensei explained it to her, she finally realized what had happened.

Eriri became nervous when she realized that her secret had been discovered by her teacher.

"Don't be too nervous, I still respect students' personal preferences. However, it's best not to bring these kinds of things to school. Although comics are prohibited items and skipping class is a violation, I'll turn a blind eye for now since I also bear some responsibility this time," Ms. Hiratsuka said calmly.

"Thank you, teacher." Eriri nodded quickly.

Fortunately, she encountered a relatively open-minded teacher, Hiratsuka Shizuka, in this incident.

"Don't thank me. If it weren't for Wu Shen's quick thinking this time, even I wouldn't know how to handle this situation properly. If you want to thank someone, thank him instead," said Hiratsuka-sensei with a wry smile.

"Thank you so much this time..." Eriri turned her head away, and after hesitating for a long time, she finally managed to stammer out a short sentence.

"Just a verbal thank you? I thought Eriri would have a more radical compensation plan." Wu Shen shrugged.

"Dream on! I would never repay you with my body!" Eriri retorted, blushing.

"Uh, that's not what I meant. I guess you're a true ecchi manga artist? Your thoughts really do jump around like most people." Wu Shen shook his head slowly.

"Stop being so long-winded!"

After Wu Shen's teasing remarks, the lingering fear and tension in Eriri's heart vanished without a trace.

Seeing Eriri back to her usual bickering self, Wu Shen slowly breathed a sigh of relief.

It's good that nothing major happened. Although rumors that he's a pervert will probably start flying around tomorrow, increasing Mashiro's favorability and changing Mashiro's best friend's attitude towards him is a win-win situation no matter what. Wu Shen revealed a knowing smile.

The group chatted for a while about how to handle the situation, then said goodbye to Professor Hiratsuka and left the office.

The three walked side by side in the hallway. After a short while, Eriri, who had been hesitant, seemed to have made up her mind and suddenly stopped.

"Um... Mashiro, I have something I'd like to talk to Wu Shen about alone, is that alright?"

"Huh? If Eriri has something she wants to say to Wu Shen, why is she asking me? Why doesn't she just ask Wu Shen directly?" Mashiro tilted her head, looking somewhat confused.

"Ahem, anyway, Wu Shen, I need to talk to you! Are you coming or not?" Eriri looked at Wu Shen and glared at him fiercely.

“Come on.” Wu Shen nodded.

At this moment, Wu Shen was puzzled. He had clearly helped Eriri, so why did this girl look so bitter and resentful, as if she wanted to devour him?

"You guys chat, I'm going back to class now, see you later~~" Mashiro pointed to the classroom sign not far away, then waved and left.

Since they were already very close to the classroom, Wu Shen and Eriri didn't need to worry about Mashiro getting lost.

"What's wrong? What do you want? Make it clear beforehand, no need for repayment with your body. I already have Zhenbai." Wu Shen joked in a serious tone.

"Who wants to repay you with their body?" Eriri suddenly tossed her head, using the momentum to slap Wu Shen hard with her twin ponytails.

"Blonde twin tails are mostly tsundere, the ancients were right. If you want to express your gratitude, it's okay to be more honest." Wu Shen swayed left and right, nimbly dodging Eriri's "Blonde Twin Tail Deadly Whip".

"Ahhh! Thank you so much this time! If it weren't for you, I really wouldn't know what to do..." Eriri stomped her foot and spoke her true feelings.

"No need to thank me. Isn't your affection for me skyrocketing? Looks like my plan worked. To win over Mashiro, I need to start with her friends! If I can get Eriri's support, winning over Mashiro is just a matter of time."

I'm so angry! I don't know why, but hearing that sentence makes me incredibly angry!

Tsk, though I'm reluctant to admit it, for a fleeting moment I actually felt a crush on Wu Shen, and even thought he was kind of handsome. This is illogical!

It's an illusion, it must be an illusion! Isn't there a phenomenon called the suspension bridge effect? ​​It must be this false attraction!

Eriri mustered her courage and looked up at Wu Shen, but her face involuntarily turned bright red. She quickly turned her face away.

What's going on? Why can't I even look at his face?

"Hmm? Eriri, you're blushing? Are you too nervous about what happened earlier? Or have you finally realized how charming I am?"

"Yeah, right." Eriri lowered her head, pouted, and kicked Wu Shen's shin. "Speaking of which, how did you know I was in trouble?"

"After Mashiro found me and I learned what had happened, I quickly came up with an idea and ran over to help. Luckily, I arrived in time."

Because of Mashiro? No wonder Mashiro wasn't there then, she must have gone to find Wu Shen for help? Eriri lowered her head deeply, feeling inexplicably disappointed.

"I'm saying, if... if you knew the truth yourself instead of Mashiro telling you, would you still have come?"

"Am I calling you an idiot?" Wu Shen tapped Eriri's forehead.

"Who are you calling an idiot?!" Eriri retorted angrily, her two ponytails standing on end as well.

"Of course I'm talking about you. This kind of thing has nothing to do with who told me, right? We're practically acquaintances. If I knew about this, I would definitely try to help you. Of course, if it were a stranger, then forget it. I'm not that kind-hearted."

"So that's how it is... That's enough for me..." Eriri breathed a sigh of relief, as if she had figured something out, and murmured softly.

"What is enough?" Wu Shen asked, puzzled.

"Do you really like Mashiro?" Eriri asked seriously.

"Isn't that obvious? Of course I like it! Speaking of which, after this incident, you should realize that I'm not the bad guy you thought I was, right? Can I take care of Mashiro now?"

"Alright! In that case, I'll fully support you and Mashiro!"

Eriri raised her head. At this moment, she was no longer blushing and could look Wu Shen in the eye normally.

"Really?" Wu Shen's eyes lit up.

Seeing Wu Shen's happy expression, Eriri felt a little happy, but deep down she also felt a little pain.

"Since I've chosen to support you, you can only succeed, failure is not an option! Understand?" Eriri pouted and asked with her hands on her hips.

"Understood, Commander Eriri!" Wu Shen gestured and replied earnestly.

That's good, that's good...

Eriri dislikes Wu Shen because she decisively nipped a potential relationship in the bud when it was just beginning to blossom.

That's enough.

Eriri turned to the side, the strange, ambiguous feeling in her heart had disappeared, and she began to discuss with Wu Shen how to help him win over Mashiro as they walked.

The sound of their footsteps echoed in the empty corridor, and Eriri's consciousness began to blur again without her realizing it.

Eriri's love story ended before it even began.

——————————————————————————————————————

"Eri? Are you alright?"

In the darkness, Eriri suddenly heard a familiar voice calling her name.

Her senses began to return slowly, and her previously numb body gradually regained its feeling. Eriri gradually felt as if she were being held in someone's arms.

Realizing this, Eriri suddenly shuddered and abruptly opened her eyes.

The first thing that caught my eye was Wu Shen's face, which was all too familiar. Then, Yun Ying and Wei Ling, two little girls, also came up to me.

"Phew... It's good that you're alright. Hey Yunying, next time you're going to do something like this, can you at least let me know beforehand? I thought something had happened to Eriri."

Seeing that Yingli seemed to be alright, Wu Shen breathed a sigh of relief. He gently helped her up and then began to lecture Yunying, who was standing nearby.

"Waaaaah, I was wrong. Next time I give someone future memories, I will definitely tell Dad."

"What? There's a next time?"

"N-No, that's all! Eriri-neechan is probably the last one. I haven't observed any other possible futures yet."

"Stop! Don't observe anymore! Do you understand?"

"Mmm." Yunying's little head kept shaking up and down.

Just like in her future memories, Wu Shen still loves to meddle in other people's business. Eriri thought to herself as she gently freed herself from Wu Shen's arm and leaned against the wall.

"What you're saying is all irrelevant. Compared to all that, has your opinion changed, Eriri-neechan?" Mirin asked eagerly as she leaned closer.

"My thoughts?"

Eriri glanced at Wu Shen secretly, then shrugged: "Of course my opinion hasn't changed. Don't think that a mere future memory can change my opinion of Wu Shen."

I'm sorry, I lied. My opinion of Wu Shen has indeed changed drastically again. But I don't intend to say it out loud; like the ending of the future memory, the present is enough.

"I have to go now. Bye-bye~~"

Eriri turned around to open the door, but halfway there she suddenly stopped and turned to look towards the living room.

Wait, something's not right! Is this really enough?

Besides herself, Mashiro was surrounded by many people, including Nanami and Utaha.

If it were just Mashiro, that would be one thing, but why would she sacrifice her own love for someone else?

"Wu Shen, answer me a question: Do you like Mashiro?"

"Huh? Why are you suddenly asking this?" Wu Shen suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Just tell the truth."

"Of course I like it."

"And what about Kasumigaoka?"

"Eri, why are you suddenly asking me such a dangerous question?" Wu Shen was in a panic.

"I'm neither a winner nor a loser in life, so just answer me calmly. I won't do anything to you like other people do," Eriri said, sounding quite composed.

"I like it." Wu Shen nodded.

What about under the snow?

……

After a long series of questions and answers, Eriri clicked her tongue and said, "That's a classic scumbag's statement."