I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

Ultimately, the starting point was good intentions; it was just a difference in the methods used, and for oneself, both were the most correct choices...

That's right, as long as the lie isn't exposed.

"Congratulations, host, you have received the reward: Learning (Proficient Level)."

"Three levels of learning (proficient level) have been achieved. Automatic synthesis is now possible."

"Congratulations, host, you have received the reward: Learning (Expert Level)."

Chapter Sixty-Five: Kyoko Yuki, Nobuyuki Sugo

"Then I'll go in first."

At the entrance of the Yuuki residence, Yuuki Asuna gently waved goodbye to Tenkuji Yuu.

Her eyes crinkled into crescents, her smile gentler than the moonlight: "See you tomorrow, let's sit together then. I can teach you."

"Who will teach whom is still uncertain... See you tomorrow, I'll send you a message when I get back."

After saying that, Yuu Tenkuji prepared to leave, glanced at the alley entrance, and suddenly, as if he had thought of something, turned to Asuna and asked:

"By the way, if I happen to run into your family someday, like your mother... would you mind if I told her directly about our relationship?"

"Huh? My mother?"

Her eyes widened, as if she couldn't understand what he was saying: "Do you know what she looks like?"

"Yes, I happened to see him once when I went to visit your brother."

Although both your brother and your mother were people you met on the way when you went to see someone.

“But…” Asuna Yuuki hesitated, then said, “Putting aside the fact that we’re not officially dating yet, I’m afraid my mother will make things difficult for you if we don’t prepare beforehand…”

"Well, it's too late to worry about that now." Tenkuji Yu turned his gaze away from her.

Asuna was taken aback, and was about to ask him what he meant when...

The crisp sound of high heels came from the garage next door and quickly approached the two of them.

"Asuna, it's so late, why are you still out? And why didn't you answer my calls earlier?"

The moment the stern and cold words reached her ears, Asuna almost jumped up in fright, her eyes widening in disbelief.

Her facial expression kept changing, and finally she shrugged, cautiously turned around, and looked towards the source of the sound:

"Mom, Mom? Why are you here..."

"Answer my question first!"

Kyoko Yuuki strode over, her sharp eyes fixed on her daughter. As if not allowing her to change the subject, she said in a rather stern tone, "Didn't I tell you to take a taxi home? You didn't go straight home after class, and I couldn't get through to your phone. How much more worried are you trying to make me? Do you expect me to call the police before you show up?"

The questions came crashing down on her like a storm, leaving Asuna Yuuki flustered and speechless, unsure how to explain herself.

"Um, I..."

Tenkuji Yu quietly stood beside her, passing the warmth of his palm to her once again.

As if she had finally landed after floating in the air, Asuna Yuuki finally calmed down and gave him a grateful smile.

She immediately took out her phone from her bag and found several missed messages and calls. She then promptly bowed her head and apologized to her mother.

"I'm sorry! I forgot to unsound my phone after class. I didn't mean to worry you!"

“Forget…” Her long, cold eyes stared straight at her. Kyoko Yuuki pursed her lips and remained silent for a long while before suddenly letting out a heavy sigh and lecturing her with one hand on her hip:

“There have been a lot of rumors lately about fugitives committing murders, especially targeting young women like you. If something happens to you, no amount of apologies will help, you know?”

I'm so sorry!

Asuna Yuuki bowed again, not daring to raise her head.

"An apology is enough. Just learn from this lesson!"

Looking down at the whorl of her hair, although his attitude remained stern, Kyoko Yuuki's tone carried a hint of resigned helplessness.

"I'll let it go this time, but in the future, when you get off tutoring and neither Sada nor I can pick you up, I'll call a taxi for you in advance... There are a lot of blind spots for surveillance cameras around here, it's too dangerous for you to walk at night."

"...Yes, thank you, Mom."

Upon hearing this, Asuna Yuuki straightened up, placed her hand on her chest, and relaxed as well.

However, remembering what her mother had just said, her expression changed slightly, and she said anxiously, "Um, about the taxi..."

"Then, there are other things."

Kyoko Yuuki completely ignored her and turned her attention to Yuu Tenkuji.

With a furrowed brow and sharp eyes, this well-maintained woman, who appeared to be in her early thirties, showed no mercy, scrutinizing him from head to toe as if conducting a psychological assessment. Finally, her gaze stopped when the two held hands, and she quickly understood what was going on.

Tenkuji Yu remained completely unfazed, letting the other woman scrutinize him with the same eye she would give a merchandise, and even had the leisure to think about other things.

I had heard Asuna say before how strict her family was, how cold and ruthless her mother was, and how she even gave him the impression of a stepmother...

However, judging from their conversation just now, their relationship seems to be quite good.

That's really good news.

"May I ask who you are?"

Before he could speak, Kyoko Yuuki asked directly.

Although the tone wasn't exactly rude, the condescending and indifferent manner was completely undisguised, clearly showing that he didn't take this high school student seriously.

Yuuki Asuna, forgetting her nervousness, quickly stepped forward to answer for him.

Before that, Yuu Tenkuji pulled her back to his side with a slight force—a move that Kyoko Yuuki saw clearly, causing her brows to furrow even deeper.

“I’m Asuna’s classmate. It would be too dangerous for her to take a taxi alone, so I specially brought her back.”

Standing ramrod straight, Kyoko Yuuki calmly gazed at him.

"What about the name? And, there's more to it than that, isn't there?"

Tenkuji Yu smiled slightly, met her gaze with the same straight eyes, and said confidently and earnestly, "Tenkuji Yu, I am currently trying to be friends with your daughter with the intention of getting to know her. Please give me your guidance."

"Yu-kun..."

With a strange emotion flickering in her eyes, Asuna gazed intently at his profile, a gentle smile slowly spreading across her lips.

Then, she hugged Tenkuji Yu's arm, turned to face her mother, and said, word by word, "Mom, he is the person I said I liked yesterday!"

"..."

Kyoko Yuuki remained silent for a moment, her narrow eyes sweeping over the two people in their intimate pose. Her voice remained as calm as ever, sending chills down one's spine: "What do you mean by 'like'? You're just someone you met online and started dating casually, aren't you?"

"And they just happen to be in the same cram school... Asuna, it's not just games that are affecting your studies, but also this 'classmate,' right?"

"No, that's not how it is!"

Asuna Yuuki hurriedly tried to explain, but Yuu Tenkuji spoke for her first.

"That's not true at all."

"Aunt Yuuki, I'm a second-year student at Soubu High School. I came to Ichiyo Academy today specifically to find Asuna and develop our online romance into a real-life relationship."

Perhaps because she was called "auntie," Kyoko Yuuki's expression noticeably darkened.

"This is outrageous! I know Soubu High School. It's the municipal school with the highest academic deviation rate in Chiba, yet there are students who are addicted to games, even dragging other people's daughters into it..."

After a pause, she asked in a deep voice, "Tenkuji-kun, what's your recent school ranking?"

Being a parent who values ​​education, Yuu Tenkuji had already guessed that she would ask this question, and answered very quickly:

"I ranked third in the grade last time the school started. If I perform at my best next time, first place will be a piece of cake."

Although I haven't actually taken the test yet, compared to expert-level learning skills, Yukino Yukinoshita is just pathetic!

Even without upgrading her learning skills, as long as she increases her reading volume and has the help of tutoring class notes, Yuu Tenkuji is confident that she can overpower that high and mighty Yuki-onna and take away her number one throne.

After hearing his confident statement, Kyoko Yuuki's expression gradually softened after her initial surprise.

"Your grades are also quite good... That makes sense. Asuna is in the top class; you can't be classmates with someone who doesn't have that kind of ability."

Looking at the two people standing opposite her, leaning on each other, she had to admit that despite her displeasure and dissatisfaction, they were indeed a perfect match.

They were a perfect match in terms of height and temperament, and the atmosphere they shared was different from what I thought of as an "online romance"... In fact, they were no different from ordinary couples.

Kyoko Yuuki wouldn't go back on her word so quickly—her initial impression had improved somewhat. Putting aside the game aspect that she found extremely distasteful, what she needed to see next was whether this young man was worthy of her daughter, and what benefits the two of them could bring together.

If the other party comes from a prominent family or has accumulated remarkable experience at such a young age, then there is no reason to oppose the relationship between the two. It would be better to simply let go, which would also avoid unnecessary arguments with your daughter. It would be a win-win situation.

vice versa.

But even if she had such thoughts, it didn't mean she would back down now and let the two of them continue their lovey-dovey relationship.

"It's getting late, Tenkuji-kun, you should go back now."

Abruptly interrupting the conversation, Kyoko Yuuki gave the order and gestured for her daughter to come over. Her tone was less confrontational, but it lacked warmth either:

"I will carefully consider your relationship with Asuna... Until I approve of you, I hope you can maintain a pure relationship and not do anything too outrageous."

"Mom?! Mom?!"

As if struck by a huge surprise, Asuna Yuuki called out, half overjoyed and half shyly reproachful, only to be glared back impatiently by Kyoko Yuuki.

"Aren't you coming over here? Let me make this clear beforehand, I won't agree to your plans so easily."

"Well……"

Yuuki Asuna hesitated for a moment, then glanced at Tenkuji Yuu. Only after he smiled and raised his chin did she release his warm hand and walk towards her mother, turning back to look at her every step.

"Who I date is none of your business..."

"What did you say?"

"N-nothing."

Upon entering her home, Asuna Yuuki bid farewell to Yuu Tenkuji once more, and he nodded slightly, politely gesturing to the Yuuki mother and daughter before turning to leave.

The initial meeting with the parents went much easier than he had imagined; he encountered virtually no difficulties.

This also proves the importance of addressing the root cause – judging from the change in Kyoko Yuuki's attitude towards him, we have a clear idea of ​​how to change her mind about him, thereby changing her attitude towards Asuna, and successfully completing the mission.

If things go as planned...

Perhaps next week, Yuu Tenkuji will experience what it feels like to be forgotten for the second time.