I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

'Hey, is it really just trouble?'

That's what I was thinking, but suddenly a voice rang in my mind.

He subconsciously questioned himself—was there really no happiness, peace of mind, or relief that he had not been abandoned by the past?

If Yukino Yukinoshita regains her memories through this persistence, even if she has lost her feelings for her, can she really remain unmoved and refuse to rekindle their past relationship?

Then, how will he face the system tasks? How will he face the girl who wants to settle down with him after all the tasks are finished?

—Confused and puzzled.

Even an enhanced mind cannot find a clear path in this tangled mess.

Everything that was once given up cannot be restored—it is precisely because of this realization that Yuu Tenkuji is able to confidently face the next mission.

Only then can a path be carved out in a pitch-black wilderness.

If this premise is lost, then all those deep-seated vulnerabilities and pains, all those sacrifices made to leave behind in the end, become nothing more than a fleeting joke...

Why should I be happy because they regained their memories?

"Although she told me not to say it, I didn't want to lie for her... I should have just said it from the beginning."

Sighing with regret, Yukino Yukinoshita looked at him, her voice suddenly paused, and she raised her hand with a frown.

What are you spacing out for? Didn't I say you were feeling much better?

"……what."

The cool touch on the back of his hand jolted Yuu Tenkuji out of his chaotic thoughts, allowing him to see the beautiful girl before him who seemed to have a hint of worry in her eyes.

He unconsciously grasped her wrist, and upon realizing how slender and delicate it was, he carefully loosened his grip, but did not immediately let go.

He simply stood there, letting the gradually melting temperature cool his overheated head.

"you……"

With a slight twitch of her elbow, Yukino Yukinoshita bit her lip, wanting to say something, but the moment she met his gaze, it felt as if a soft spot in her heart had been forcefully poked, and the struggle quickly subsided.

After struggling for a while, she sighed softly as if giving up, her expression relaxing helplessly.

"...I'll give you ten more seconds, or I'll consider slapping you to bring you back to your senses."

Fortunately, no one usually comes here. Otherwise, if someone saw this scene, she would probably reflexively use slaps or aikido to clear up the misunderstanding and get rid of the rude member who was taking advantage of her.

With a perfect appearance, a kind heart, and gentle charm, she truly lives up to her reputation. Her older sister can never compare to her in this respect. Yukino Yukinoshita, feeling somewhat embarrassed, tries to distract herself by praising herself.

As for what he was thinking or why he suddenly did such a thing, she didn't intend to ask, because he would definitely be too embarrassed to answer honestly.

Yukino Yukinoshita usually doesn't do things that are meaningless.

In the deserted corridor, the afternoon shadows fell quietly.

The delicate girl gently touched his cheek, while the tall boy lowered his head and slowly closed his eyes as if falling asleep.

"……Feel sorry."

In less than ten seconds, Yuu Tenkuji opened his eyes, released Yukino Yukinoshita's wrist, and exhaled all the air from his lungs.

His calm, deep black eyes looked at her with renewed composure.

"I was thinking about things from the past, and I just drifted off into a daze."

"I should apologize. The minister's concern is not something you can use to act cute."

The wrist that had been touched was still warm, but there was no pain or red mark left.

Yukino Yukinoshita deliberately ignored it, naturally placing it beside her, and turned her head away with a stern and indifferent air, stepping towards the stairwell.

"You owe me a favor... Class is about to start, hurry back to the classroom."

"Understood, my beloved Minister."

Using honorifics, Yuu Tenkuji smiled again, her tone flat: "As for the question from earlier... please tell your sister that I don't have a specific type I like. If I had to say, I prefer my younger sister right now."

I wasn't lying.

That's why Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't help but look at him with a strange gaze, hesitating to speak.

Which sister is she? What kind of liking is she? Asking is pointless; it's probably just a way of giving a perfunctory answer anyway.

Therefore, Yukino Yukinoshita chose not to care.

"I will relay the message truthfully. However, that guy is most likely just interested in you as a toy, so it's best not to have too high expectations."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

"...Be serious for once."

"Yes, Minister."

Too lazy to pay attention to his grinning face, Yukino Yukinoshita went downstairs with a cold expression.

His voice came from behind, and I slowly followed.

"Under the Snow".

"what's up?"

"If someone says you have no friends in the future, mention my name."

"unnecessary."

"It's not about repaying a debt of gratitude; my friendship isn't that valuable... Don't you think we have a pretty good understanding? This kind of friendship is quite rare, isn't it?"

His tone was very serious, even sincere.

"I'm sorry, not at all..." Yukino Yukinoshita fell silent halfway through her sentence. After thinking for a long time, she finally decided not to lie about such a thing.

After taking a deep breath, she looked up at him on the steps, her gaze sharp as ever, yet without the usual coldness.

"Do as you please. I won't change my attitude or actions because of so-called friendship."

Yuu Tenkuji nodded: "I don't know either, it's just that the word 'friend' sounds nice."

Stunned, Yukino Yukinoshita pressed her brow and sighed, "...It's pointless."

"That's hard to say," Tenkuji Yu laughed.

This smile is much more pleasing to the eye than his previous one.

Yukino Yukinoshita withdrew her gaze from his face, slightly pursed her lips, said nothing more, and quickly walked down the stairs.

Because he had delayed the journey, the otherwise leisurely return trip became urgent, and the two had no choice but to speed up their departure from the quiet special building and head towards the bustling teaching building.

Together with the 'friends' I just made.

△

"That guy, he actually came to such a remote place to go on a date with a girl...?"

Through the window, Kasumigaoka Utaha watched the two figures leaving the special building, her gaze following the steps of the boy, muttering to herself.

As if sensing something, he suddenly looked up in this direction.

But before that, Kasumigaoka Utaha had already turned her back and left her original position.

"Why is it that the book only describes my 'past' with him..."

Chapter Twenty-Three: If the affair partner is Xiaoxue...

During break, Class 2-F.

"We'll make props together after school, is that alright, Tenkuji-kun?"

"Sure, but could you go to the club before that?"

"Of course, the time is very flexible. Please go to the head of the logistics team to assign tasks when the time comes."

"Understood, thank you for your hard work."

After saying goodbye to the class monitor who had come to explain the work for the cultural festival, Yuu Tenkuji turned to Yui Yuigahama and asked, "What about you over there?"

"I want to work on clothing with Yumiko." With a hint of regret in her voice, Yui Yuigahama casually placed her hand on his shoulder, tapping it lightly like playing the piano, her cheeks slightly puffed out.

"They don't have any tailoring experience. It's not too late to start learning now. What if they hold everyone back..."

Sky Temple Yu smiled and said, "If you really don't know, just ask me. I'll finish my work and then I'll help you."

"Yui can even sew?!" Yui Yuigahama's eyes widened, then her face scrunched up as she pouted in dissatisfaction.

"Not only that, she's also a culinary expert. Her feminine charm is just too high... Xiaoyou, it's a good thing you're a boy, otherwise the other girls would be in too much trouble."

Tenkuji Yuu nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, if I were a girl, there would be no Yukinoshita among the most beautiful girls in school."

That situation was probably similar to how Haruno crushed Yukino.

She's better than her in every way, knows more than her... even her breasts are definitely bigger than hers.

Don't ask him where his confidence comes from. It's impossible for it to happen anyway, so what's wrong with being arrogant in his imagination?

However, in comparison, even though many people say that Yukino Yukinoshita is a perfect superhuman without any flaws, in the eyes of Yuuto Tenkuji and even Yui Yuigahama, she is just a relatively smart, aloof, and always independent and strong-willed eccentric beauty.

nothing special.

That's why I can treat her as a friend and treat her as an equal.

"By the way, Yui, did you go to the Service Club for lunch?" Yui asked curiously, her finger resting on his shoulder.

"Yeah, there's not much else to go."

"Then... Xiaoxue is here too?"

Startled for a moment, Tenkuji Yu glanced at him with amusement and reached out to pinch his soft, fair cheek.

"Isn't it because my girlfriend is already checking up on me? Is she afraid I'll cheat on her with Yukino?"

The tone he used just now definitely had the air of a wife checking up on him.

"Ugh... It's not like that~" Yui Yuigahama mumbled, her eyes looking aggrieved. "I was just asking casually. I'm not that clingy..."

"And if the affair is with Xiaoxue, I feel like it's more acceptable than with other people..."

She deliberately left the last sentence unclear, causing Tenkuji Yu to release her cheek in confusion.