I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

"And what?"

"It's nothing!" Yui Yuigahama rubbed her face, huffed in a huff, and turned her head away. "If you don't like it, I won't ask. Anyway, you'll probably be arguing with Yuki while eating, right?"

"I never said I didn't like it. If you want to know, I'll tell you." Yuuki Tenkuji spread her hands, looking completely innocent. "Yukinoshita and I are good friends. How can a normal chat be considered an argument?"

His attitude was no different from usual, and Yui Yuigahama didn't pay any attention. She said, "Have you seen the group message? Remember to wait for me after school, we'll go to the club together," and then turned and left his seat to go to the bathroom with Yumiko Miura and the others.

Yuu Tenkuji could never understand girls' behavior of calling on friends to go to the toilet... It's probably similar to the camaraderie between boys who have fought together.

……

In winter, the sky darkens quickly, making it easy to feel like school is ending so late.

However, around four o'clock, a thick layer of gray clouds covered the teaching building, but the humidity was not very high, making it a comfortable winter afternoon.

As the bell rang, the campus, which had been quiet for some time, was once again filled with vitality.

However, unlike usual, not many students rushed out of the classroom to release their energy on the playground or on their way home from school, and to be reborn under the heavy pressure of studying.

Some people were still laughing and joking in their seats, while others went to the back of the classroom, lifted the canvas, pulled out the half-finished props, and called to their group members to continue the work left over from yesterday.

Saying goodbye to the bustling classroom, without taking their schoolbags, Yuu Tenkuji and Yui Yuigahama headed towards the special building.

Looking around, the corridor is decorated with props such as billboards, promotional signs, and scenery, allowing the atmosphere of the cultural festival to permeate the door of each classroom. Outside the corridor, there are many students gathered on the playground, either rehearsing performances or making large props, with sound equipment and tools ready to start.

Like a preparatory activity for a celebration, everyone participated in it in a harmonious and joyful manner.

Most students prefer to stay at school more during these days than usual—creating, purchasing, rehearsing, and devising strategies, leaving all their academic worries behind, and working with classmates, whether they are close or not, to build their own class's festival booth and gain various experiences that cannot be found in books.

The annual cultural festival always leaves many deep memories, which, when recalled after graduation, evoke a sense of nostalgia for one's lost youth.

However, to be honest, Yuu Tenkuji can't remember what happened at last year's school festival—the only thing he can recall is that he left early, took the snacks he bought at the school festival home to feed his sister, and received a comment like, "Tch, as expected, it was made by a student, the taste is below average."

Thinking of this, Yui Yuigahama happened to ask, "By the way, will Sora be coming that day?"

"I'm not sure. She would never have come before..." Yuu Tenkuji pondered for a while, the image of taking his sister to the hospital for a check-up flashing through his mind, which gave him a little hope.

"Now, as long as the reasons are sufficient, there shouldn't be any problems."

Kasugano Sora's reasons for not wanting to go out are very complicated. It's not simply a matter of social anxiety or being a shut-in. It's very different from a certain erotic loli illustrator. She once said that as long as she could be by his side, she would be willing to leave the home she was used to, no matter where she was going or where she was going.

In other words, what she fears is not humans or the unfamiliar world, but a place where he doesn't exist.

The siblings are each other's refuge, only Tenkuji Yu is a little bit stronger.

"Okay, I'll help out when we need to persuade people! I really want everyone to go to the cultural festival together~"

Yui Yuigahama clenched her little fist, her expression full of interest.

Yuu Tenkuji nodded in agreement, and as they chatted casually, they stepped onto the stairs of the special building, where the blank nameplate for the Service Department soon came into view.

Just like at noon, he knocked on the door first, and only opened it and went in after receiving a response from inside.

Yui Yuigahama looked at him from behind, somewhat surprised, but said nothing.

"Are you here?"

With her back to the window that blocked the cold wind, Yukino Yukinoshita closed her book and waited for the two to close the door before continuing, "Although we can discuss things in the group, I still prefer to convey some important things in person."

"Xiaoxue, ya hello~" As if she wasn't listening to her at all, Yui Yuigahama waved to her excitedly and then walked over quickly.

"Hey!"

Just as the cold hands were about to touch her cheeks, Yukino Yukinoshita blocked the "high-five attack" with a book, her softened expression showing a hint of helplessness.

"You're already a second-year high school student, please be a little more mature, Yuihama-san."

"Hehehe, that's just how girls play around~"

Not feeling any regret, Yui Yuigahama smiled and withdrew her hand, swinging the little dumpling as she walked back to Yuu Tenkuji's side.

The schoolbags were placed on the table, and the two pulled out chairs and sat down.

Unlike usual, Yui Yuigahama instinctively sat next to his shoulder. When she saw Yukino Yukinoshita's gaze, she moved away a little, flustered and shy, her expression revealing her guilt.

Seeing that she only tilted her head in confusion, didn't see anything, and quickly turned her gaze away indifferently, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Yui Yuigahama didn't understand her own feelings. It was as if she was afraid of her parents finding out that she had a boyfriend, and also as if she didn't want their situation to affect the atmosphere of the entire Service Club.

When Yumiko pressed him for answers at noon, he readily admitted that he and Yu were already in a "quasi-couple" relationship... Why couldn't he do the same with Yuki?

"Yui, what's wrong?"

"It's nothing..." he asked softly, and Yui Yuigahama answered softly as well, "Yu, do you think we should tell Yuki after we start dating?"

Yuu Tenkuji thought for a moment: "No need, right? We can just admit it when she asks. She doesn't seem interested in this kind of thing."

"That makes sense... Well, then, that's settled!"

As if she had received comfort from him, Yui Yuigahama breathed a sigh of relief.

Chapter Twenty-Four: The Opportunity to Pin Yuu Tenkuji Underway

"Are you finished?"

After they finished their whispered conversation, Yukino Yukinoshita tapped the book cover lightly and spoke, her voice even clearer and more melodious than the ringing of Christmas bells.

"Next is the cultural festival. Since the executive committee members have more work than you think, and you should also be busy preparing for your class booths, I plan to suspend after-school club activities until the cultural festival ends."

Since they had expected it, they weren't too surprised and nodded.

The so-called "service club activities" are mostly just chatting, reading, and playing on their phones in this club room, with hardly any requests to be handled.

In addition, since Yuuki Tenkuji had to skip the event for various reasons, almost half the time was spent with Yui and Yukinoshita just having awkward conversations or doing their own things, making it a rather uneventful experience with nothing memorable.

Therefore, even the sentimental Yui Yuigahama didn't feel "reluctant because club activities were suspended," let alone Yukino Yukinoshita.

"But we'll come over to have lunch with Xiaoxue every day!"

As the cool voice faded, Yui Yuigahama raised her hand in a serious manner to add to the comment.

Yukino Yukinoshita pressed her temples again: "Don't make it sound like I need you guys to keep me company. I'm actually quite happy to have some peace and quiet without you guys..."

"Yui, you asked the wrong question." Before she could finish speaking, Yuu Tenkuji said to Yuihama in a reproachful tone, "Even if Yukinoshita is really afraid of being lonely, you can't say it so bluntly."

"I'm so lonely, I really want to have a meal with Xiaoxue, please~"

—Only then might she accept it.

"R-Really?" Yui Yuigahama stared in disbelief. "I feel like this will only make Yuki more resistant..."

"Hehe, your feeling is right, Yuihama-kun." Zhan Yan smiled, but there was no smile in her icy blue eyes.

Yukino Yukinoshita looked at Yuu Tenkuji, tilting her head cutely to one side, and spoke in a gentle and kind tone:

"Hey, you spoiled vice-minister over there, if you keep talking nonsense, don't blame me for punishing you in my capacity as minister."

Yuu Tenkuji: "..."

His lips twitched slightly as he glared at the beautiful girl with long, straight black hair, who was beaming with pleasure at having gained the upper hand for the first time, her whole face sparkling with delight.

How could this woman utter such a vicious threat with such an innocent expression?

The absolutely righteous Yukinoshita-san couldn't possibly be so despicable! Who are you?!

"Loves to act cute?" As if excluded from the air, Yui Yuigahama looked back and forth at them in confusion, her lips unconsciously pouting.

"When did Xiaoyou start acting like a spoiled child?"

You believe what she says?

Having finally been caught red-handed, he inexplicably didn't want Yui to know that he had done "that kind of thing" to Yukinoshita.

Tenkuji slowly withdrew his humiliated expression and snorted coldly, "It's just mutual mockery, don't take this trash talk seriously."

"Oh? Although I've said some hurtful things and made some slips of the tongue, I've never lied, especially when it comes to trustworthiness..."

With a beautiful smile that was both delightful and cruel, Yukino Yukinoshita reached out and lifted her long, silky black hair, looking down at Yuu Tenkuji with a haughty gaze.

"He should be taller than a 'little boy' like you who can't even lie properly, right? Do you think Yuihama-san will believe you or me?"

Even though they've accepted their friendship, she still won't give up any opportunity to pin Yuu Tenkuji down.

Just as he always seizes the opportunity to mock and ridicule himself, seeing the other person bow their head or admit defeat makes him feel unconsciously happy.

Conquering and being conquered, even between friends—Yukino Yukinoshita doesn't see anything wrong with that.

"Go ahead and drown in your foolish confidence." Yuu Tenkuji rolled her eyes, not wanting to put Yui Yuigahama in a difficult position, and decisively ended the topic.

"Is there anything else? If not, we'll be going now. See you at lunchtime."

Getting back to the main topic, Yukino Yukinoshita didn't intend to pursue the fleeing enemy. Instead, she frowned slightly and said with a troubled expression, "Actually, there's something else..."

Suddenly, Yuu Tenkuji raised his hand: "Wait, someone's coming."

He paused, and the two girls looked at him in surprise.

Yukino Yukinoshita parted her cherry-colored lips slightly, about to say something, when she faintly heard the crisp sound of footsteps outside the corridor, the heels of shoes striking the ground forcefully.

A few seconds later, the door was flung open with a bang—if it weren't for his reminder, she would have been startled by the sudden sound.

The instant this thought flashed through her mind, Yukino Yukinoshita's next thought was:

'He clearly heard the sound beforehand, yet he didn't take the opportunity to laugh at me. Is this guy really Tenkuji Yu?'

Then his face turned cold, and he glared unhappily at the white-robed teacher who had rudely entered the room.

"Hiratsuka-sensei, how many times do I need to tell you, please knock before you come in!"

"Sorry, sorry, I'll definitely do it next time." Hiratsuka Shizuka replied insincerely, scratching her head and laughing as she strode over to her, placing a document wrapped in a brown paper bag on the table.

"Here, these are the test papers and homework for Xia Chuan in your class. Ms. Furukawa was busy and couldn't come, so I brought them for her."

"...Thank you, Hiratsuka-sensei." Unable to deal with this overbearing teacher, Yukino Yukinoshita could only purse her lips helplessly and put the paper bag into her schoolbag. "Also, please tell Furukawa-sensei that I will only be responsible for delivering the things. Please don't expect me to get on good terms with her just because we live nearby."

"Is it wrong to check on a classmate? She lives alone and doesn't answer the phone. Professor Furukawa is even considering telling that big businessman directly, 'Your daughter didn't go to school today.' Out of caution, I thought I'd have you go to her house to check on her first."

Hiratsuka Shizuka shrugged, her tone casual, but her eyes were fixed intently on Yukino Yukinoshita.

“A cold or fever is fine, but a sudden disappearance is a big deal… It doesn’t matter if you say it’s just worrying unnecessarily, but Yukino, please check on her situation. If you find anything wrong, call me and I’ll handle the rest.”

"Since you've put it this way, even if I didn't ask you to, I wouldn't have any choice but to agree, would I?" Yukino Yukinoshita sighed, showing no sign of resistance. "I really don't know whether to say that you're cunning, teacher, or that you're too concerned about your students' safety."

"I don't care! After all, it's our duty as adults to humbly accept the opinions of children!" As if she had uttered some famous saying, Ms. Hiratsuka waved her hand smugly and then turned her gaze to the other two who remained silent.

“Perfect, you guys can come along too, consider it a club activity for the Service Club… Yukino’s communication skills are still a bit worrying.”