I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

Although it felt like cheating through the system, Yuu Tenkuji was never pedantic. He always used whatever resources he had on hand, and as long as he could achieve his goal, he didn't care about so many people. Naturally, he wouldn't insist on relying on his own willpower to control the recoil.

"It's like adding a new line of defense for myself."

However, the system also issued a warning: this "clear and still mind" should only be used in critical moments. Although there are no side effects when it is activated, if the "clear and still mind" state is maintained for a long time, it can easily affect one's own mind.

The worst consequence would probably be that he would become completely detached from worldly desires, see through the illusions of the world, and become indifferent to human affairs, so that no one except his sister could shake his sexual fetishes.

Yuu Tenkuji's sister complex is similar to the Throne of Heroes of the Heroic Spirits; it is what he relies on to survive until now, so it is impossible for him to be so easily influenced by the so-called "clear mirror and still water"—but other romantic relationships are another matter.

Just as emotions can be taken away by the system, Yuu Tenkuji knew that the system's warning was not unfounded.

"Anyway, I'll only use it when I really can't control the recoil... I'm not someone who's easily swayed."

With a confident smile, after understanding how to use the 'tranquilizer', Yuu Tenkuji turned off the light and prepared to sleep with Masuzu Natsukawa.

Don't overthink it, it's just a proper sleep.

The ancient city is peaceful and serene, and the beautiful mountains and rivers disappear into the night.

The curtains were drawn tightly, preventing the evening breeze from getting in, and the heating hummed, making the room feel like springtime.

The lights were turned off, and the room was pitch black.

Amidst the rustling sounds, the scent of shampoo wafted into his vicinity, quickly warming the cold bed.

Her delicate fingertips tugged at his sleeve, and her breath made him feel unbearably itchy.

"Can't do anything?"

"Do nothing."

She moved even closer, her soft, unrestrained body pressing against hers, her voice slightly seductive.

"Just sleeping?"

"All I sleep is sleep."

"Pfft! Pfft, cluck cluck cluck cluck cluck~" The ambiguous atmosphere instantly collapsed, and Natsukawa Masaki burst out laughing. The laughter, which she tried hard to suppress, sounded like the crowing of an old hen.

This lewd joke seemed to really hit her sweet spot; her soft, hot body trembled for a while before she relaxed and leaned against his chest again.

"Don't expect me to sneak up on you. It's my first time, I'll be shy."

“This is my first time too, but I didn’t intend to ambush you.” Tenkuji Yu raised the arm she was using as a pillow, turned to the side and hugged her, and then it was his turn to use Natsukawa Masuzu as a body pillow.

The moment he pulled that full and alluring body to his chest, he almost rolled over and pressed himself against her. Fortunately, reason prevailed at the last moment, stopping all the movements that would generate heat. Only his heavy, hot breath blew past her ear.

She tensed up just as much, but without any struggle or resistance, slowly softening in his warmth.

"Huh...huh..."

Their breaths mingled in the blankets, the scent of shower gel almost completely covering each other.

At this moment, in an attempt to distract herself, Yuu Tenkuji began to ponder a question—

What exactly is the definition of a mature man?

Money? Status? Or perhaps it's simply how you treat people?

Perhaps all of these are true, but one of the signs of a teenager growing into a mature man is indeed the fact that he "starts to think with his lower body," right?

When a person begins to confront their desires and admits that they are attracted to another person, and can frankly say, "I just want their body,"—Yuu Tenkuji believes that this person has truly matured.

The language may be a bit rough, and proponents of Platonic love certainly won't like to hear it, but the underlying principles are largely the same.

Many teenagers, when they first start dating, often say to girls, "I only like your inner qualities, and I won't have any ulterior motives towards you."

But is that really the case?

Stop trying to hide it! You won't even get aroused by her, yet you dare say you love her?

In order to reproduce, the law of survival dictates that love will always be accompanied by sex, but young people are unwilling to admit this, and keep giving while feeling self-satisfied.

Whether or not one can do it, the desire to do it is certain; there may be a few exceptions, but that does not negate the general principles.

Therefore, a mature man has a very clear purpose—I am good to you because I want to be with you; I just want your body and want to be close to you.

Regardless of how things develop, this idea is the origin of love, the driving force of courtship formed by the intertwining of various hormones in the body.

It's not shameful to admit and face your desires; it's just incredibly difficult to honestly say, "Yes, I am thinking with my lower body!"

To accept it in one's heart and to bear the consequences of one's actions is even more difficult.

In conclusion, this kind of maturity is easily overlooked.

This applies to both men and women.

Naturally, as a mature man, Tenkuji Yu's desire to possess her was at an all-time high. His consciousness was racing downwards, and he was about to start using his lower body's thinking hardware.

"...So cool, I like you."

His rough, beast-like voice fell as he decisively activated the "Heart of Still Water and Clear Mirror" before lust completely took over.

It felt as if a cold towel had been slapped onto his body, the heat throughout his body began to dissipate rapidly, his racing heart calmed down, and even the holy sword Excalibur was swiftly sheathed. All desires vanished at that moment.

With his eyes closed, he could even see a still lake in his mind, its waters as blue as a mirror, as if a stone thrown in wouldn't cause a ripple.

At the same time, Yuu Tenkuji discovers that her senses have become more acute than usual.

He could clearly hear the shy yet expectant heartbeat of the girl beside him, and he could also hear the sound of someone opening the window while talking on the phone next door;

Even with your eyes closed, you can vaguely sense the layout of the room. You don't have to worry about your little toe bumping into the corner of the table even without the lights on. Every rustle of wind is reflected on the lake's surface.

Tenkuji Yu quickly understood.

—So that's how it is. Besides being a 'sedative,' can it also make me stronger?

As expected of my generous and lovely system, it gives away the realms that many martial artists strive for without hesitation, and the price isn't too serious.

What surprised him even more was that this was not a state of "absolute rationality"—his own emotions were still there, and his feelings for the girl beside him had not diminished in the slightest.

However, after only a few seconds, Yuu Tenkuji turned it off.

...This fire-extinguishing efficiency is really too strong; he's afraid that if it's left on for too long, even the embers will be extinguished.

"Go to sleep, you have a match tomorrow."

After saying this lazily, Tenkuji Yu hugged Natsukawa Masaki, her breathing as steady as if she were hugging an ordinary pillow, and closed her eyes peacefully and happily.

"..."

Natsukawa Masuri, who thought she was really about to face a big battle, was stunned in his warm embrace, and even suddenly felt a sense of disappointment and unfulfilled desire.

"...Did you accidentally enter 'sage mode'?"

Tenkuji Yu didn't answer her, but gently touched the back of her head, his fingers lingering in her hair, warm and soft.

As sleepiness gradually deepened, Natsukawa Masaki yawned slightly, not caring how he had suddenly calmed down. Like a lazy cat, she closed her eyes, nuzzled against his chest and breath, and slowly drifted into an unknown dream.

However, she had a premonition.

Tonight will be the most peaceful and happiest dream she's ever had since the day she was separated from her mother at the age of seven.

Chapter 129 You Like Me More Than You Hate Love

next morning.

Upon waking and opening his eyes, seeing Natsukawa Masuzu straddling him, Tenkuji Yu's mind went blank for a moment before his first thought was:

"The mission isn't over yet... Great."

Then, a clear mind began to function, and gradually began to understand the current situation.

"...What are you doing? It's so cold."

He recalled a scene from many anime series—"the childhood friend straddles the boy's back and shakes him to wake him up."

However, now that the role has been changed to the girlfriend, it seems more reasonable and more thought-provoking.

Good morning!

Natsukawa Masaki greeted him cheerfully.

She was wearing a light blue nightgown, straddling Tenkuji Yu's stomach, looking down at him from directly above. Her naturally falling silver hair tickled his face.

"I'm watching this sinful man sleep."

"Who has committed the most heinous sins..."

“Sometimes I really want to kill you and then meet you in hell—that’s how sinful I am.”

As she said this, her expression was quite serene, and her smile was so happy it seemed to glow.

He was completely different from his gloomy appearance yesterday.

"Don't say such dangerous things so early in the morning..."

"Everyone who confesses their love to me, I curse them to a terrible death in my heart, you know?" she said proudly. "I am that kind of twisted, gloomy, hypocritical, malicious, shameless, brazen, heartless, arrogant, who wantonly belittles and insults others, and treats them like monkeys—"

Ugh, here we go again.

In a way, it's quite impressive that this guy can come up with so many bad things to say about himself.

"Alright, alright." Tenkuji Yu sighed, supporting her slender waist, preparing to remove her from his body.

Natsukawa Masuzu leaned against him. The close contact through the sheets allowed him to clearly feel the curves of the girl's body.

"Unruly, arrogant, selfish, willful, unreasonable, pathetic, miserable, and tragic—and, she is also your favorite girl, who also loves you the most."

"..."

"Don't get me wrong, this isn't the answer I'm giving you... I just want to tell you that if you ever leave me without permission, I'll risk everything to take you down with me and crush you and all the happiness you've brought me—that's how important you are to me."

She looked up and smiled.

The morning light filtering through the curtains made her sapphire-like eyes shine even brighter than any beautiful sight in Kyoto.

"Prepare yourself! Your 'girlfriend' is just that awful woman."

"...I thought you were going to say something."

Tenkuji Yu lay on the bed, nodding to the girl nestled against his chest. Just like last night, he gently ran his fingers through her hair, his tone slightly helpless.

"The moment I said 'I like you,' I had no intention of going back on my word."

"Ok!"