I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

During the turbulent adolescence, such vulgar language is not only circulated among boys, but girls also discuss it in private, sometimes using sharper and more sarcastic words and tones.

She didn't know if Natsukawa Masuzu would mind, but every time she heard such vulgar remarks, she felt indignant for Tenkuji Yu's innocence and wanted to tell everyone—

Xiao You is completely uninterested in women; he is still a pure virgin!

Although she acquiesced to the request yesterday, after returning home and tossing and turning in bed, Yui Yuigahama suddenly realized that it was just a compromise she made as a member of the Service Club.

What about the self who likes him? What about the self who is his good friend?

—Absolutely not!

Of course, it's no use if you disagree.

If Tenkuji Yu really likes Natsukawa Masuzu, then she can only obediently give up her feelings and, even if she feels disappointed and sad, she must smile and wish him well.

But the truth is, he doesn't like anyone right now. He only agreed to be someone else's fake boyfriend because Natsukawa Masuzu asked him to. The criterion for judgment is very simple: no matter who he looks at, Tenkuji Yu's gaze is the same as when he looks at himself, without the slightest ambiguity.

Of course, there will definitely be feelings of envy and imbalance, such as, "Even if it's just pretending, why can she do it when we're just strangers, but I, who knew each other so well two years ago, was cruelly rejected?"

But most importantly, I don't want him to be bound by this fake relationship, unwillingly getting close to other girls.

In short, Yui Yuigahama only wants to tell Yuu Tenkuji—

There's no need to compromise yourself for counterfeit goods!

……

"You promised me."

Unlike her, Natsukawa Masuzu simply said something softly, then nonchalantly turned her face away and looked out the window at the distant, clear sky.

She knew perfectly well that no matter how emotionally moving her words were, they wouldn't carry as much weight as those of Yui Yuigahama, who had known her for a long time.

Struggling is futile; at this point, all hope can be placed on his character, and it is prayed that he is not a man of his word or who judges people by their chests.

...Of course, losing is no big deal; it's not a matter of life or death.

It's just returning to my old life, and incidentally bearing the stigma of being a "dumped woman."

Even so, Natsukawa Masaki did not want to lose.

He didn't want to lose to the girl with the bun hairstyle in front of him, he didn't want to lose to his so-called "good friends," he didn't want to lose to the feelings they had built up over the years, and he especially didn't want to lose to the kindness shown to him, who had never thought of taking advantage of him...

Even if it's just a fake, they still want to prove that they won't lose to the real thing.

That was her unwavering persistence and determination, which she refused to give up no matter what, even though she could only make a living by lying.

"...After all, I have nothing else."

She looked at her reflection in the glass and gave a self-deprecating, mocking smile.

……

Tenkuji Yuu turned his head and looked at Natsukawa Masuri's profile.

That was an expression I'd only glimpsed once in the grove, an expression that seemed to completely expose Zhenliang's vulnerability.

Like a rootless duckweed, lonely and helpless, with a gloomy expression as if deeply disappointed in everyone, including oneself.

Her once-shiny hair was no longer shimmering silver; she simply stood there quietly, seemingly accepting whatever the answer might be.

"...Really, you have moments like this too?"

Yuu Tenkuji couldn't help but sigh inwardly, yet also found it somewhat amusing.

He recalled some things and realized that he really couldn't resist that kind of expression.

Even without the system mission, Yuu Tenkuji didn't think he would make any other choice at this moment.

...But then again, what's going on with this scene?

Why does it seem like I have to choose between two girls who confessed their feelings, and then I'm stuck in a single-line ending like in a dating sim?

Should I save my game here, collect all the CGs, and then reload the save to choose the next one, creating an ending where the two of them can live happily ever after, no matter who it is?

This is the mindset of an old-school visual novel player.

Naturally, this kind of minor scene, which doesn't even qualify as a chaotic battleground, is no problem for Yuu Tenkuji—as long as he tells the truth, he's not afraid of affecting his relationship with his "friends" and "fake girlfriends."

First, he looked at Yui Yuigahama, who was expecting his answer.

"Yuihama, thank you for thinking of me like this... You're right, the trouble caused by the 'fake girlfriend' is indeed quite unpleasant, and it will make it more difficult for me to find a girlfriend in the future."

Tenkuji Yu shrugged.

"I don't want to have to rely on junior girls to make up the numbers in the future, that would be too tragic."

Hearing these words of approval, Yui Yuigahama felt a sense of relief wash over her, and she pressed her hand to her chest, letting out a huge sigh of relief.

"Thank goodness, at least this part isn't just wishful thinking on my part..." Sensing something was wrong, she suddenly widened her eyes, "Huh? Wait a minute? Why are they grabbing a junior? Aren't there better options?!"

Tenkuji Yu pretended not to see the look of surprise mixed with displeasure on her face, and turned to look at Natsukawa Masuzu.

"It's really cold. Stop being stubborn. I haven't finished speaking yet."

"Holding a grudge? You're so funny. Why would I do something that only a 'real girlfriend' would do?"

Natsukawa Masaki chuckled, casually crossed his arms, and continued talking while looking at the window.

"Don't worry about me. I'm aware that I can't keep my promises, so I'm like a frog urinating on the ground... Please don't mind me, go back to your 'good friend' who has a crush on you."

"Doesn't that just sound awkward and sarcastic...?"

Taking a deep breath, Natsukawa Masaki gathered her long hair, her tone devoid of any warmth.

"Oh, so what? I'm really sorry for upsetting you. I'll try to improve in the future. But I'll try not to talk to Master Yu in the future, so it doesn't really matter whether I improve or not. Wow, as expected of Master Yu, you've done what others can't do with ease."

Tenkuji Yu's lips twitched slightly: "You're even more awkward than the road on Mount Akina..."

Natsukawa Masuzu pursed her soft, cherry-colored lips, her expression changing this time, looking as if she was about to turn and leave at any moment.

"Really."

Yuu Tenkuji sighed, knowing in his heart that arguing with her at this moment would only complicate matters further.

So he chose to speak frankly:

"Didn't I tell you? I'm a 'professional,' I wouldn't even consider trouble like you."

"..."

Silently, Natsukawa Masaki turned around, and his deep blue eyes finally met his gaze.

"As agreed yesterday, I will continue to be your 'fake boyfriend' until your troubles completely disappear and you no longer need my help."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yuu Tenkuji smiled and extended his right hand to Yui Yuigahama in front of her with a dignified air.

"So, you can just keep your lie, 'fake goods'."

It was as if every word had struck his heart; Natsukawa Masaki stood there, stunned.

She stared at Yuu Tenkuji as if lost in thought, or as if trying to draw him in with her eyes. The staring lasted so long that Yui Yuigahama felt uneasy and wanted to break the strange silence between them.

But just as she was about to do so, she noticed that Natsukawa Masuzu slowly curled the corners of her mouth, revealing a stunningly beautiful smile as bright and radiant as a jewel.

"I thought you could come up with more touching lines, ha, is this all you've got?"

“You don’t need that kind of thing, do you?” Yuu Tenkuji rolled her eyes.

“That’s right, it’s all fake anyway, so it doesn’t matter whether I say it or not!” She nodded smugly, her expression returning to its usual lively and cheerful self, as if the person who was so cold just now, as if she wanted to live to the end of the world, wasn’t her at all. “By the way, wasn’t my acting pretty good just now? Did you really think I was sad because you didn’t choose me?”

"Hehe, whatever you say goes."

Natsukawa Masaki tossed his long hair and shrugged helplessly: "He's so stubborn that he refuses to admit the truth."

"Damn, this guy seems to be about five times more annoying than before..."

Yuu Tenkuji shook his head and sighed. Just then, he suddenly felt a cold touch on his cheek.

Instead of taking his hand, Natsukawa Masuzu placed both of her small hands on his cheeks, took a step forward, and looked up at him.

"...Huh?"

This atmosphere...

Tenkuji Yu blinked, and suddenly a familiar feeling arose—yes, it was definitely déjà vu.

Yui Yuigahama's eyes widened, and after realizing what was happening, she opened her mouth but couldn't make a sound.

Because of the next moment.

With a charming, smug smile, Natsukawa Masuzu stood on tiptoe in front of her, brought her face close, and pressed her soft lips against Tenkuji Yu's lips.

"mua~"

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

The three people who stopped moving at the same time were thus frozen in time, creating a classic painting that will be passed down through the ages.

Chapter Twenty-Five: A Woman Who Would Even Abandon Her First Kiss for a Memorable Scene

If you really want to hide, Yuu Tenkuji can.

However, because he was distracted by the system notification and had almost gotten used to being kissed, he did not escape Natsukawa Masuzu's kiss, which was not very passionate and was as simple as leaving a mark.

"Congratulations, host, you have received the reward: A Man with Background Music (Status)."

"Note: In certain situations, the system will automatically play suitable background music for the host. This background music will be heard by outsiders, who will subconsciously ignore any inconsistencies in it."

"Some background music may bring beneficial status effects to the host."

While being kissed, Yuu Tenkuji was internally complaining.

System...you are very powerful.

They even came up with this kind of joke-based reward. Is it so that when I go to Egypt to fight DIO, they can play the Platinum Execution Theme to secure the victory?

The problem is, if there are no enemies, what use is this thing other than making the scene even more ridiculous?!

However, Tenkuji Yu quickly realized what he could do in this state if there were no enemies.

“Xiao You…”

Out of the corner of her eye, Yui Yuigahama's pupils contracted as she stared in disbelief.

He held his right hand in front of his chest with his left hand, his fingers trembling slightly, as if he was suppressing the urge to shout it out on the spot.