I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

"Have you tried it?" Natsukawa Masaki frowned, quickly grasping the key point.

"Try... Ahhhhhh?!" Realizing what those words meant, Yui Yuigahama hurriedly waved her hands, her face turning even redder than before, and said in a flustered manner, "How could that be! I'm still a virgin... no, anyway! You haven't done 'that' yet, but Natsukawa-san is planning to buy that thing in advance, I understand!"

"...Tch." Natsukawa Masuzu clicked her tongue in annoyance, feeling extremely displeased that Yuigahama Yui had seen through her.

What annoyed me most was that I actually felt shy and embarrassed because of what she said, and even subconsciously put the condom back on the shelf, as if I had given up to my love rival.

—It seems my courage isn't as resolute as Zeppeli's.

"Think what you want, I'm leaving."

Carrying the three cans of drinks in her basket, Natsukawa Masuzu bypassed Yuigahama Yui and headed towards the counter.

After paying, she noticed that Yui Yuigahama had also hurriedly picked up her package and followed her out of the convenience store.

"Natsukawa-kun, wait for me!"

Natsukawa Masaki frowned, crossed her arms, and turned to the side like a hedgehog covered in thorns, looking at her warily.

"What? You want the drinks in my hand? Like a traveler in the desert who drinks his own urine to quench his thirst, do you want to get these drinks from me?"

"You really do have a strong JOJO vibe..." Yui Yuigahama smiled wryly. She was used to Yui's appearance and attitude, so she wasn't surprised. "I just wanted to ask you, since you're all prepared to do 'that' with Yui, shouldn't you two be officially dating?"

"What's it to you?"

Natsukawa Masuri showed no intention of answering and turned to leave. Her aloofness made Yui Yuigahama hesitate, but she still followed after her, persistently asking:

"I like Xiaoyou too, is that not a good enough reason?"

Her tone was as if to say, "She's just a fake girlfriend, what's with all the arrogance?"

"Like? You can really say that so easily..." Her irritation intensified, and unable to hide her wavering, Natsukawa Masuzu glanced at her with a sharp look and a mocking smile.

"Since that's the case, I'll tell you the truth—Ayu not only came to my house, but also took care of me when I was sick, kissed me, and made porridge for me! Are you satisfied now?"

"And all of this happened?"

Unexpectedly, Yui Yuigahama simply blinked, showing no sign of wavering as expected: "But even if you've done all this, you're still not officially dating, right? Are you still in a client-client relationship?"

"..."

Seriously, what's going on with this dumpling sauce?

She usually acts silly, fitting the stereotype of a big-breasted, brainless woman, but now she's so incisive and aggressive. Was all that acting just an act?!

To lower my guard, they actually went to such lengths to put on an act... Very well, I misjudged them, Tuanzi-chan.

You're the Tobio who got Bucciarati to take you to the Colosseum, right?

"So what if it is? So what if it isn't?"

Natsukawa Masuzu took a deep breath, suppressing her wavering emotions from her face and looking down at the "loser" with the composure of a girlfriend: "I don't need to report my affairs with him to you, do I? If you really care that much, you might as well ask him directly, and stop bothering me."

"Well, that's true."

Yui Yuigahama stared at her, her gaze not only unwavering but also retorting with an air of self-righteousness: "But why does Natsukawa-san always take the long way around when all you have to say is either 'I'm really dating him' or 'We're not really dating yet'?"

"Wouldn't it be easier to make people back down if we were more decisive and efficient?"

Natsukawa Masaki was speechless for a moment, opening his mouth but unable to utter a word.

For some reason, she didn't dare to meet Yuihama's straightforward and frank gaze, so she turned her face away, gripped the plastic bag handle tightly, and continued walking briskly forward.

"Yeah, you're dating! So you'd better give up on her right now, Ayou is mine alone!"

And then her irritating, helplessly amused voice rang out from behind.

"Natsukawa-kun, ever since you fell for Yu, you've become less and less able to lie."

As soon as she finished speaking, Natsukawa Masaki stopped in her tracks, as if she were fleeing.

"……what?"

She slowly and incredulously turned her head, staring wide-eyed at Yui Yuigahama behind her.

"You're saying I like him?"

Chapter 107 Yui Yuigahama and Masuzu Natsukawa

Yui Yuigahama instinctively took a step back when she was stared at with that terrifying expression.

"W-What's wrong? I didn't say anything wrong, did I..."

Natsukawa Masaki opened her mouth.

Isn't that obvious? So what if we met earlier? I like him much more than you do, to the point of love!

My favorite character is Yuu Tenkuji.

I love this world the most!

You lowly loser dumpling, don't interfere in our loving life!

—That's what I originally wanted to say.

They can say anything superficially, handling lies and social niceties with ease, even in situations that could be easily resolved with a few casual words...

But why can't I make a sound?

"...Don't talk nonsense, I would never fall in love with anyone."

A hoarse voice escaped his throat, and his gaze slowly fell from Yui Yuigahama to the ground.

The same applies to autumn outings.

Why is she so honest? Why doesn't she wear a mask and deceive each other? Why does she look at me with that gaze that seems to be trying to open up to me?

Short-sighted and emotional people, those who don't know how to enjoy life, always blurt out what's on their minds.

For Natsukawa Masuzu, this was undoubtedly a very short-sighted and naive act.

However, both Tuanzi-chan and that angelic junior did the same thing.

Are you kidding me? Is sincerity really that amazing? That wonderful?

So what should she do if she can only survive by pretending?

Now that I can't lie to Yui Yuigahama, what direction should I keep going in...?

"...Natsukawa-kun, why can't you just admit it?"

Seeing Natsukawa Masuzu looking as if she were terrified, with a flustered and vulnerable appearance, Yui Yuigahama bit her lip unconsciously after a brief moment of surprise.

Her hands slowly clenched into fists at her sides, her expression hidden in the shadows of her hair. Though she managed to maintain a calm, low voice, a subtle tremor was impossible to conceal.

"Clearly...clearly Xiaoyou likes you too...clearly you two love each other, so why are you still running away now?"

"Why is it that Xiaoyou likes you... yet you don't even dare to cherish that little thing..."

"It's like saying that what I've wanted for two years is completely worthless..."

"What did you say?" Natsukawa Masaki stared wide-eyed, seemingly not having heard her heartfelt confession. "Ayu... likes me? We love each other?"

As if unwilling to believe it, she shook her head violently, stomping her heel as if to crush the joy welling up inside her, her voice rising uncontrollably:

"wrong!"

"No, no, no, no—!!"

It was a cry that sounded like a lament.

Facing Yui Yuigahama in front of her, and also facing her own heart, she poured all her strength into shouting:

"I will never fall in love, I will never like anyone!!! I would never do such a boring and ugly thing. Don't tarnish my relationship with him with your values ​​and your idiotic love-struck mind!"

"Natsukawa-kun, don't underestimate the power of the word 'like'!"

Suddenly raising her head, baring her teeth like an angry puppy, Yui Yuigahama glared at her and roared back defiantly, "I don't know what you've been through to become so hostile to love and afraid to like someone, but liking is liking! Love is love! You may be too shy to say it, but it still belongs to you. It won't just disappear just because you say it's gone!"

"Just like how I know Xiaoyou likes you, but I still can't immediately let go of my feelings for Xiaoyou!"

"And ultimately, it's because you like him that you're arguing with me about these 'boring and ugly things,' isn't that right?!"

You can deny the meaning of those words, but you can't deny the significance that has already taken root in your heart—that is love.

Ignoring the surprised looks from passersby, Yui Yuigahama stared intently at Natsukawa Masuzu's expression, not even noticing the tears welling up in her eyes. In that gradually blurring world, she could no longer allow herself to continue to cower like this.

"I……"

Natsukawa Masaki took a few steps back, trembling as if she were in an ice coffin under her aggressive gaze.

Her expression was contorted and disheveled. She opened her mouth several times, trying to make a sound, but couldn't utter a single word of defense. Her mind gradually went blank.

It's like being forced to stand on the edge of a cliff, where the moment you resist, you'll be pushed straight into the abyss, causing you to resist, fear, and feel uneasy.

boom--

The plastic bag in my hand fell to the ground without my noticing.

With a dull thud, three cans of drinks fell out and rolled and scattered in different directions.

In the end, Natsukawa Masuzu ran away.

Under Yuigahama Yui's disappointed and sorrowful gaze, she turned and swung her legs toward the apartment without looking back, disappearing around the corner in no time.

The silence beside me lasted for a long time.

"When you fall for someone, there are definitely times when you feel sad and want to run away..."

"But Natsukawa-san, you are the one who should feel happy."

Yui Yuigahama murmured, biting her lips until they turned white, bent down to pick up the drinks, and quickly left the spot where she was being watched by the crowd.

……

For her, romance is definitely not everything.

After being rejected two years ago, Yui Yuigahama matured and understood the pain of not being able to get what she wanted, as well as the discomfort of not being able to let go.

Even so, she chose to maintain the status quo, finding happiness in simply being by his side—this was not a sign of humility, because he cared for her just as much, though their feelings were still not fully in sync, and it would simply take some time.

Even if the things she wants to pursue are still far away, Yui Yuigahama is willing to wait until she can reach them.

Then one day, what you wanted was easily taken away.

Using false reasons and an awkward attitude, in such a short time, they stole away the tender gaze I had been waiting for for two years.