I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

“If you think it’s okay, then so be it. After all, the Service Department has never taken on this kind of request before, and I’m not sure what kind of advice would be beneficial to you… However, please don’t involve other people.”

As she said this, her eyes sharpened slightly, carrying a hint of warning.

"Others?... Ah, you mean Dango-chan?"

Natsukawa Masuzu suddenly realized, then shook her head with a laugh: "Is it because of rumors about her? That has nothing to do with me. If she hadn't taken the initiative to come up to me back then, the school would probably still be talking about 'Yukinoshita and Tenkuji are rumored to be dating' or 'Natsukawa and Yukinoshita may become love rivals'... I don't intend to involve anyone other than Yuu."

"..."

Her expression subtly changed, and Yukino Yukinoshita fell into a brief silence.

Ever since being reminded by Yuu Tenkuji that day, she had paid a little attention to her surroundings and found that quite a few people were indeed gossiping about her and him, even ignoring major news such as the US presidential election and changes in the international situation—nothing could be more annoying and irritating.

From this perspective, the rumors circulating outside are indeed irrelevant to the parties involved; rather, it's more accurate to say that they acted hastily.

Without understanding the situation in detail, he warned Natsukawa Masaki based on unfounded rumors. It can be said that he unintentionally joined forces with those foolish classmates.

"...I'm so sorry for misunderstanding you. I was just a little worried about Yuihama-san, and I didn't mean to blame you." Realizing her mistake, Yukino Yukinoshita immediately apologized and looked at the silver-haired girl again with an open and honest gaze.

"However, I won't take back what I said."

“Natsukawa-kun, from the perspective of the president of the Service Club, I hope you can take this request seriously, including Tenkuji-kun’s rights—no matter how despicable he may be, he is still a member of our club recognized by the school and approved by all the club members.”

“If he gets involved in trouble because of you, as his superior and leader, unless he resigns from the department on the spot, there is a very high chance that I will have to clean up the mess for him.”

"To avoid that kind of thing happening, please be careful about 'pretending to be a couple,' whether in private or in public..."

She began to lecture in such a stern manner.

Natsukawa Masuri's brow twitched slightly, her expression stiff. She glanced furtively at Tenkuji Yu and mouthed quietly:

'This guy is being way too nosy!'

Tenkuji Yu put down his chopsticks, carefully looking at her soft, pale pink lips, trying to decipher the words she wanted to convey.

'Pants, did you see them?'

'...'

Oh no, we can't communicate with lips.

Natsukawa Masuzu sighed inwardly, too lazy to be a good student anymore, and directly reached out to stop Yukino Yukinoshita's long-winded speech.

"Alright, alright, I understand, Minister, don't worry~ So, may I take away that perverted man next to me who's been peeking at my thighs and fantasizing about all sorts of things?"

Yukino Yukinoshita shut her mouth, casually covering her skirt with her hand, and glanced at Yuu Tenkuji with the look of someone looking at trash.

"Please do as you wish. If possible, it would be even better if he could never come back."

"That depends on his own wishes," Natsukawa Masaki chuckled. "After all, he's the kind of student who improves after being lectured."

Yukinoshita Yukino: "..."

I have a feeling she's being sarcastic about something, but is it just my imagination?

Natsukawa Masaki turned her gaze to Tenkuji Yu.

"Ayu, can you come out with me for a bit?... You can put down your lunchbox. I have to leave later. You can come back and continue eating."

Tenkuji Yu obediently put down the bento box that she had eaten a third of while watching the play, and followed Natsukawa Masuzu toward the corridor outside the Service Club.

△

The autumn wind swept past the girl's skirt, revealing a section of her taut, milky-white thigh.

Even now, Yuu Tenkuji is still pondering a question:

Was she wearing clothes or not at that time?

She was wearing something, but with her skirt lifted up to that extent, there were no ties or fabric that should have been there.

Although he said she wasn't wearing anything, based on his observations of Natsukawa Masuzu over the past few days, he felt that she wasn't the kind of pervert with an exhibitionist fetish, but just an ordinary pervert who liked to use JOJO references.

Schrödinger's panties...

"I was just kidding, I didn't expect you to show your lecherous nature when we were alone together."

Turning to face him, Natsukawa Masaki touched her skirt with her small hand and sighed helplessly.

"You want to see it?"

"It's actually fine," Yuu Tenkuji answered honestly. "It was just simple curiosity."

"...Curious whether I'm wearing any clothes or not?" Natsukawa Masaki paused for a moment, then quickly realized what she meant.

Tenkuji Yu nodded and said seriously, "Don't worry, it's just human nature, it's not because I'm lusting after your body."

Being curious about this question is not perverted.

This is because it is a research question about the unknown. Just as anyone would be curious about how to prove that all the nontrivial zeros of an automorphic l-function lie on the line re(s)=1/2 in the complex plane, they would not want to stick out their tongues to lick a beautiful sequence formula.

Unfortunately, people's joys and sorrows are not shared. Natsukawa Masaki felt that this guy was pushing his luck. He kissed her yesterday and now he wants to see her underwear.

What about the day after tomorrow? Are you planning to lick my boots right away again?

Her fair face flushed slightly without her noticing. She took a deep breath, suppressing the jumbled thoughts in her mind for the time being, and put her hands on her hips with a mix of helplessness and annoyance: "Let's talk about this nonsense after school. I have something important to say, which is why I came to the Service Club to find you."

"What important matter?" Tenkuji Yu frowned slightly.

"Didn't your homeroom teacher call you in for a talk?" Seeing his clueless look, Natsukawa Masaki became puzzled. "Last night, my father sent the surveillance video of us kissing at the apartment entrance to the school. Although it's not serious enough to warrant expulsion, a verbal reprimand and a written apology are inevitable. It's basically messing with my mentality... Haven't you received any notification yet?"

Yuu Tenkuji nodded and pondered for a moment.

He recalled the meaningful look that Hiratsuka-sensei had given him during the morning class meeting.

So that's how it is...

He turned his slightly serious gaze to the silver-haired girl: "So, the change in group rules for this autumn outing was also influenced by us?"

Natsukawa Masaki looked completely bewildered.

"Huh? The group rules have been changed? Is that true?"

"..."

Okay, breaking up couples was Shizuka Hiratsuka's own decision, it had nothing to do with them.

"Why would your father do something like tattling? Is he bored?"

Tenkuji then asked this question.

"How should I know? He's clearly someone who doesn't care about family at all, yet he still has the time to worry about so much."

Natsukawa Masaki clicked her tongue, her face showing undisguised disgust: "Mana and the bald guy in sunglasses must have told him everything that happened yesterday. He probably did this as a warning to make me behave, right? After all, for him, it's just a phone call. He can annoy me effortlessly. What a bargain."

The mocking voices gradually chilled the air in the cool corridor, and the girl unconsciously bit her lip, her fists clenching nervously.

After a moment of contemplation, Tenkuji Yu comforted her in a calm tone: "But in the end, it was all for naught... As long as we keep a low profile outside the school and don't give outsiders any leverage to make a big fuss, we can still do what we're supposed to do on campus. We don't really need to worry about the school taking action against us."

After all, that's the school spirit at Zongwu High School. As long as it doesn't affect grades, dating is a student's freedom.

Furthermore, as a double champion in the "Autumn Club Showcase" and an "all-around genius" who has shone in front of everyone, the higher-ups would certainly not allow him to suffer any injustice or have the idea of ​​transferring schools unless absolutely necessary.

As Natsukawa Masaki said, this is just a warning; it's not very harmful, but extremely disgusting.

Tenkuji Yuu himself didn't seem to mind, but Natsukawa Masuzu felt like she'd been force-fed a pound of dog food, her face filled with nausea and displeasure.

“I understand. If he really wanted me to go back, he wouldn’t use such childish methods; he could have just targeted my apartment directly… As things stand, I can still feel at ease for now.”

I just don't know how long this peace of mind can last...

Biting her lip hard to suppress her unease and anxiety, Natsukawa Masaki calmed her heavy breathing and spoke in a low voice:

"Let's be cautious for now. Once he goes abroad to do business, he won't have time to deal with my affairs."

As she said this, she resembled a Persian cat that had hunched over, moving cautiously even when a tiger was huddled in the corner of its cage.

His former composure and pride were now suppressed, and he dared not act recklessly anymore.

"Okay, I'll listen to you."

Gazing at her solemn expression, Yuu Tenkuji concealed his thoughts and said nothing more.

He simply gave her a reassuring smile and reached out to stroke her long, silvery hair: "Don't worry too much. As an accomplice, I'll take the blame for anything that happens... You just need to continue your lies."

Natsukawa Masaki raised his eyes, his azure eyes shimmering with light, and also revealing his smile.

"So dedicated to making contributions?"

"I'm a good person."

"Do you treat everyone like this?"

"I only treat my girlfriend like this, whether it's real or not."

She pulled his hand down, then suddenly rested her head against his chest, nuzzling him gently: "That's good... I don't want to leave this school now."

Pressing her hair down with his chin, Yuu Tenkuji said softly, "If you're leaving, remember to tell me."

"Why?"

"Because I'm your accomplice, your fake boyfriend who's prepared to live and die with you."

"Aha?"

Natsukawa Masaki gave a mocking laugh, yet she couldn't help but breathe in the warmth of his chest, her arms unconsciously wrapping around his back.

"If you're so enlightened, why don't you come to Sweden with me and say that classic line?"

"What classic lines?"

Yuu Tenkuji was taken aback, then recalled the words she had said in front of the amusement park.

"I'm taking your daughter with me."

—In front of Mrs. Yukinoshita.

"...Did they go directly from fake couples to fake married couples?"

Natsukawa Masaki shook his head and gave a wry smile, just like him.

"That's a really big joke. Just pretend I didn't say anything."

hey!

Seemingly having recharged enough, she decisively released her hands and lightly took a few steps back.

After tidying her slightly disheveled hair, the girl raised her delicate chin, regaining her usual composed and arrogant demeanor.