I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

But there is only one thing he can clearly tell everyone based on his memory.

"This guy was definitely jealous just now."

That's why there's doubt, that's why there's unease.

Is it just a coincidence, or is it that Yukinoshita Haruno is recalling the past and, as his 'girlfriend,' naturally displeased with his intimate behavior with Yuigahama Yui?

Yuuki Tenkuji didn't dare to ask, so he chose to play dumb and remain inactive until he got more information. He pretended to have forgotten the past and couldn't understand Yukino Yukinoshita's actions and feelings.

Only by feigning ignorance can he maintain his composure and rationality.

……

Yukinoshita Haruno is also pretending to be stupid.

There were so many strange things happening. Even after personally experiencing what it felt like to be N○R in person, and being forced to watch her boyfriend and female classmate holding hands and facing each other like enemies, she still restrained the urge to flip the table and confront them, and decided to observe how things would develop for the time being.

She didn't know if Xiao Youyou was pretending to be stupid, or if he had forgotten those precious times and feelings like everyone else... Recognizing the wooden comb didn't mean anything. Perhaps he only had a vague impression of it, or perhaps he couldn't recognize her for some reason.

Faced with a situation that cannot be judged by common sense, taking the initiative without knowing anything is not Yukino Yukinoshita's style of doing things.

Like a war that has been waged silently, she needs more intelligence as a weapon—in order to avoid making foolish mistakes and to ensure that her lover returns safely to her side and calls her "Yono" with that gentle and sunny smile once again.

Yukino Yukino will not act rashly, even though she is about to be overwhelmed by her love.

"Until then, I'll let bygones be bygones regarding your affair with Tuanzi-chan, Xiaoyou."

She turned her gaze away from the two inseparable figures, feeling irritated and uncomfortable, but she still had to put on a normal smile.

"However, this doesn't mean I forgive you..."

"Once the truth comes out, I will definitely make you scream and say, 'I never have the energy to find another woman again!'"

Now, all I can do is vent my increasingly insatiable desires by fantasizing about him in my mind.

Chapter Twenty-Eight: She Seems to Be Lovesick

Yukino Yukinoshita rang the doorbell.

"Is anyone there? Natsukawa-kun, it's Yukinoshita, your classmate."

Knock on the door, and call out.

After a long time, there was still no movement inside the house.

Yukino Yukinoshita, Yuukokuji, and Yui Yuigahama watched from behind her and offered their suggestions one after another.

"Just call the police. I know people in the Metropolitan Police Department, so even if it's a bit exaggerated, it doesn't matter."

"You're not shouting loud enough! You think you can pet a cat with such a soft voice? Say it again!"

"Xiaoxue, could we borrow a spare key or something from the administrator?"

"..."

These people are all here to make things worse, aren't they?

Pressing her temples as if in pain, and resisting the urge to kick Yuuki Tenkuji's shin in front of them, Yukino Yukinoshita spoke coldly: "Quiet down, everyone. If anyone makes a sound, I'll have security kick them out."

Ignoring the indifferent expressions of the two men, she knocked harder on the door of Xia Chuan's apartment.

"Xia Chuan, I'm here to deliver your study materials and to check if you're safe... If you don't respond within a minute, I'll consider asking the building manager to open the door for me, and I don't rule out calling the police."

"All of the above actions have been approved by Professor Hiratsuka, so don't worry that I'm just bluffing. Please open the door as soon as possible to receive your information."

Hiratsuka-sensei really did let her do whatever she wanted; that's not exactly a lie, just a bit of an exaggeration.

Since it concerned the safety of others, Yukino Yukinoshita did not hesitate and directly used the most efficient method—taking action without listening to threats.

A minute later, she took out her phone.

Click.

Just then, the sound of the chain being released rang out, followed by the lock turning and the electronic safety lock illuminating its unlocked indicator.

The door was slowly opened, gradually widening from a crack.

"Under the snow? Ah, what a rare guest..."

That was a voice even weaker, thinner, and more powerless than Yuu Tenkuji had imagined.

Under everyone's gaze, the girl peeked out from behind the door. The moment she saw a group of people behind Yukinoshita, she reflexively wanted to close the door, but hesitated for a moment before closing it completely.

"Why are there so many people... Are they planning a home invasion robbery or a group rape?"

"I told you, it's just delivering study materials, you don't need to worry about them." Yukino Yukinoshita expressionlessly took a brown paper bag from her bag. "We also need to confirm why you skipped class and went missing... Can you tell us? Is it a cold or something?"

"Just treat it as a cold. Tell the teacher I'm fine, and I'll go to school when I'm better." A pale little hand reached out from the doorway and took the things. "Thank you, Yukinoshita-san... You can go back now."

Yui Yuigahama spoke up at this moment, stepping forward to take Yukino Yukinoshita's place: "Um, Natsukawa-san!"

"...Yuihama-san is here too." She seemed to realize she hadn't seen him clearly earlier, and said softly, slowly opening the door a crack just enough to show her face. "I heard you went to Kyoto. Did you have a good time?"

"Yes, it was very enjoyable! I bought a lot of local specialties, I'll bring them to you to eat tomorrow!" Yui Yuigahama said with a smile.

I don't know why, but even though our relationship was only so-so before, talking to her face to face now, I feel a sense of ease and comfort, like being with a friend, and I unconsciously use a friendly tone.

Across from her, Natsukawa Masuzu seemed to share the same feeling. Her wariness and indifferent coldness gradually dissipated. She leaned her thin and weak body against the door panel, looked at Yuigahama Yui in front of her, and smiled faintly.

"Thank you in advance... I'm sorry to have worried you."

"No, I'm so glad to see you're alright!" Even though she was surprised by her sudden easygoing attitude, Yui nodded vigorously, then scratched her head awkwardly and smiled, "Uh, well, I don't really look alright..."

"I'm just feeling a little unwell, it's nothing." Shaking her head, Natsukawa Masuzu finished speaking briefly and prepared to close the door. "It's getting dark, you should all go back and rest... I'll go back and get some more sleep. If everything's alright, I'll go to school, and we'll keep in touch by phone."

She placed her hand on the doorknob, slowly backed away, and glanced one last time at Yui Yuigahama's hesitant expression.

Beside her was Yukino Yukinoshita, who hesitated, not wanting to leave it unattended but also not wanting to take the initiative to intervene. There was also an unfamiliar older sister who seemed uninterested in her, her eyes constantly glancing at the boy standing at the back of the crowd.

He was looking at me with a slightly furrowed brow, his expression revealing surprise and confusion.

—What, do you think a beautiful schoolgirl couldn't possibly look this disheveled?

It's a real shame, I don't know why I've become like this.

Natsukawa Masuzu found it quite amusing. Of course she recognized that person; he was the popular all-around champion of Soubu High School, who became famous after single-handedly defeating most of the sports clubs at the Autumn Showcase.

He's first in his grade, plays the piano, and cooks incredibly well. I've heard he already has a fan club among girls, and he's even more popular than the ace players in the baseball and soccer clubs.

I was in the same group as him and Yuihama on the autumn outing, but I didn't seem to be interested in him. I didn't talk to him at all, always ignored him, and chose the place furthest away from him when taking pictures.

But thinking about it carefully, isn't that too strange?

If he's such a popular guy, I should try to win him over. Even if I can't find a way to make him my 'shield,' I can at least create some rumors to deter those annoying guys who come to confess their love based on lust.

If I didn't dislike him, I would try my best to get along with him...

Why?

Confused, I suddenly lost even the strength to hold onto the doorknob.

Her knees buckled, and as if her soul had been ripped from her body, Natsukawa Masaki involuntarily fell backward.

I can't feel any pain, only the sensation that my heart has been ripped open, from which pale blood is gushing out, making it hard to breathe.

"Why do I feel even worse than when I first woke up... Why am I crying again..."

Just like this morning, I silently asked myself what strange illness I had contracted.

Even as dizziness overwhelmed her consciousness and darkness enveloped her, Natsukawa Masuzu still hadn't found the answer.

"Natsukawa-san! Natsukawa-san!"

"Are you alright?!"

"Wait, don't rush to call an ambulance."

In the darkness, only his voice was particularly clear.

"It's possible she fainted from hunger. I'll carry her to the sofa and go cook some hot porridge."

Can Chapter Twenty-Nine be considered a love rival?

The familiar furnishings, the familiar space.

Yuu Tenkuji walked into Masuzu Natsukawa's kitchen, his gaze sweeping over the sink and countertop, which were so clean they looked like they had just been moved from a showroom.

The pots, pans, seasonings, and ingredients that were once left here have naturally disappeared, returning the place to the cleanliness it was when he first stepped into it.

Opening the refrigerator, there were of course no meat or vegetables left by him, only a few scattered cans of nutritional drinks and coffee; in the corner were two or three boxes of Weide jelly that she relied on for survival, the top box of which was opened, and there were still four packs of ready-to-eat jelly left inside.

Subconsciously, Yuu Tenkuji reached into the box, paused before touching the jelly, and then sighed as she withdrew her hand.

"Habits need to be changed..."

Then, ignoring the urge to tidy up the jelly, he turned and walked out of the kitchen.

In the living room, Yukino Yukinoshita looked up, Yukino Yukinoshita supported her waist, and Yui Yuigahama carried her feet, carefully placing the unconscious Natsukawa Masuzu on the sofa.

Unable to find a blanket and not wanting to intrude into someone else's room, Yukino Yukinoshita took off her trench coat and covered Natsukawa's thin, frail body, who was only wearing pajamas.

Her black hair clung to her slender back, and her pristine white winter shirt accentuated her youthful yet graceful figure. Yukino Yukinoshita bent down, carefully checking her forehead temperature with the back of her hand.

...This guy only expresses his gentle nature through actions.

A smile flashed across her face, and Tenkuji Yu walked over.

"Don't even mention a fever, her temperature is so low I'm starting to wonder if she just came out of the freezer. Aren't you really going to call an ambulance...?" Frowning, Yukino Yukinoshita withdrew her hand, her gaze suddenly sharpening as she looked at him. "What are you laughing at in a situation like this?"

"This is just a helpless, bitter smile," Yuu Tenkuji said innocently, spreading her hands. "Her family doesn't have any ingredients, so we need to go downstairs to buy some."

Although she knew he was lying about the first half of his statement, now was not the time to argue with him. Yukino Yukinoshita simply snorted and picked up her schoolbag, heading out the door.

"Wait for Yuki, I'll go!" After moving the people, Yui, who was standing there dumbfounded, quickly stopped her, "Your trench coat is still on Natsukawa-san. You'll get cold if you go out wearing just a shirt."

"I can go upstairs to get my coat."

No sooner had she finished speaking than Tenkuji Yu patted her on the shoulder and pointed to the kitchen with his thumb.

"You go make the tea, I'll go buy the ingredients."

Her pure blue eyes lifted slightly, and she asked calmly and coolly, "The reason?"

“My cooking is better than yours, I even cook the porridge myself, and of course I get to decide what ingredients I want to buy.”