I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

Putting aside the fact that his wife's acting skills were really bad, she didn't show even a hint of wanting to get rid of him.

—Yui took a day off and studied at home?

Upon hearing this news, Yuu Tenkuji felt as if her worldview had been shattered; but upon reflection, it wasn't so strange, and a faint sense of relief welled up in her heart.

After all, she had witnessed her growth firsthand.

Whether it's her unwavering determination to stay by her side at all costs, or her resilience in gradually getting used to high-intensity study hours, these are all highlights she has honed from scratch.

Because she had nothing and was very ordinary at the beginning, she was able to become everything and become the most special one.

Tenkuji Yu believed this.

No matter what great achievements Yui Yuigahama has made, after the initial surprise, I'm sure I can accept it with a smile.

Just like how, even after she explicitly told him she would cheat on him, she remained steadfast in her desire to stay with him.

Chapter Seventy-Seven: What They Wanted to Say

Did she study hard all day to improve her grades, or to distract herself?

The "whatever" question was quickly forgotten by Yuu Tenkuji. He glanced at Mrs. Yuihama, who was blocking the door and giving him a provocative look that said "Get out, get out," but if she really left, it would definitely lower his favorability.

Without saying much, he took out his phone and called Yui Yuigahama, who was probably spying on what was happening downstairs from upstairs.

Mrs. Yuihama didn't stop him, but instead leaned against the doorframe with her arms crossed, muttering with interest, "It really is just like Yui said..."

The call was quickly answered, and a cautious voice came from the other end of the line.

"Hey?"

"Yui, I heard you've been studying all day?" Instead of getting straight to the point, she greeted him in a tone that was no different from usual.

Unlike his polite demeanor when facing his wife, Yuu Tenkuji naturally smiled, and his attitude became much more intimate and gentle.

Mrs. Yuihama, standing at the door, pouted and glared at her despicable prospective son-in-law for his discriminatory treatment of his mother-in-law.

Yuu Tenkuji simply turned away, out of sight, out of mind, and continued her phone call with Yui Yuigahama.

"Yeah, because there's nothing else to do."

Without her usual talkative and lively tone, Yui Yuigahama answered softly, as if she had suppressed all her emotions and was not showing them: "But the efficiency is still not as good as when you taught me. I also made a lot of mistakes on the practice questions, and I don't quite understand them even after looking at the solutions."

"It's already amazing that you've been able to study consistently for so long. Next time, I'll make you a practice test to help you predict exam questions, and then we'll have another study session. When the final exam results come out, you'll definitely impress your teachers."

"It's not that exaggerated..."

She gave a helpless smile, but as if in a hurry to end the call, she quickly returned to silence.

Listening to her breathing, Tenkuji Yu knew that there was no need to continue the pleasantries.

She seemed to have guessed why he had come to see her today, so she made no attempt to hide her attitude of avoidance and rejection—though it wasn't that strong.

Or rather, she was waiting for him to make his stance clear, for him to take the first step in changing the relationship between them.

Tenkuji Yu didn't keep her waiting too long.

This was something he was supposed to do, and even Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't interfere.

With a soothing tone, he spoke softly, "Yui, I have something I want to tell you. Can you come out for a moment?"

"I also have so much to say to Xiaoyou..." That voice, full of longing and sweetness, gradually fell into the soil, turning into a sigh.

"But you didn't come alone, did you... Where did Xiaoxue go?"

Tenkuji Yu pursed her dry lips.

"Wait in the park."

As if she had expected this, her tone was neither surprised nor particularly affected: "As expected."

"Those were the words you two were going to say to me together, weren't they?"

"Hmm... I feel like you're almost smarter than me now?" Yuu Tenkuji had nothing to say, so he could only make a joke to ease the atmosphere.

Unfortunately, Yui Yuigahama didn't appreciate it.

"I don't want to go. You guys go home. Tell Xiaoxue for me that I'm fine and will be back in class soon."

Yuu Tenkuji sighed softly, "Yui, that's not what you said back then."

"Yes, I've changed my mind." She was surprisingly frank. "I thought I could be strong enough to stay by Xiaoyou's side no matter what happened... but when I think about what Xiaoyou and Xiaoxue want to say to me, I'm too scared to see you."

"I used to be stupid and timid... Now I'm a bit smarter, but I still haven't gained much courage."

Hearing her self-deprecating voice, Tenkuji Yu tried to shake her head in denial, but then remembered that she couldn't see her movements now.

He took a deep breath, infusing his words with genuine emotion:

"Yui, even if you don't want to hear it, there are some things I still have to do. I don't want to do these things behind your back, so that's why I told you everything I could that day. I hope you can be mentally prepared."

Yui Yuigahama succinctly countered with:

"Don't you think it's cruel to expect a girl who likes you to be prepared to date her best friend?"

"Yes, I know."

As if it were a matter of course, Tenkuji Yu answered calmly, but his fists clenched unconsciously at his sides.

"Do you think I won't feel guilty saying these things to you? I wasn't lying when I said I wanted to be with you. If I had a choice, why would I ignore the girl who has liked me for three years and ask my friend Yukinoshita to date me? Do you think I'm that bored?"

"..."

Yui Yuigahama was speechless, as if she were chewing on these words. After a long while, she hesitated before speaking: "You asked Yuki to date you? Why..."

After calming down her agitated emotions, Tenkuji Yu said calmly, "Since you don't want to hear it, I won't force you to tell you. I'm sorry."

"No, I..." Hearing the distant voice, Yui Yuigahama instinctively wanted to explain, but before she could speak, she felt a surge of resentment and unconsciously shouted it out:

Are you trying to say that it's all my fault for not being considerate enough?!

"If you want to be with me, why don't you confess your feelings properly and sincerely ask me to date you? That way, even if you really have to date Xiaoxue, I can find a reason to convince myself!"

"But right now I'm just your good friend. Every time I want to admit I'm your girlfriend, I don't have the confidence, and I can't find any reasons to comfort myself—"

Because I simply don't deserve it!

Perhaps overwhelmed by her emotions, her voice grew louder and more agitated as she accused, vented, and roared, even tinged with a hint of sobbing.

Holding the phone to his ear, not pulling away from the deafening sound, Tenkuji Yu calmly gazed at the desolate winter street, listening to the soft panting that followed her words, and slowly spoke:

"You already have the qualifications... To me, you're different from everyone else."

She seemed to bite her lip, and said haltingly, "I don't want that kind of ambiguous statement."

"What do you want? Anything I can give you, I will give you."

Tenkuji Yu sighed, slowly loosening her clenched fist, as if whispering to her, and perhaps to herself:

"I just want to walk into the future with you, and I don't want to see you force yourself."

Making choices solely based on one's own actions will inevitably hurt others, no matter which way one goes...

He felt once again that his life was indeed hellish.

At this moment, however, there was no Yukino Yukinoshita to share this burden with him.

Chapter 78 A Three-Person Date? (17/23)

"..."

The only sound was the whistling of the cold wind. In the frozen silence, the two gradually regained their composure.

Yui Yuigahama spoke first, her voice a little hoarse:

"I don't want to talk about it anymore... Xiaoyou, you and Xiaoxue should go back first."

"Um, I'm sorry."

I don’t know when it started, but Tenkuji Yu has gotten into the habit of apologizing: “If you’re not feeling well, I can bring you a pot of medicinal porridge.”

"I'm not feeling unwell, it's just that my voice is a little hoarse from shouting just now."

She chuckled dryly, cleared her throat, and said in a light tone as if to sweep away the awkward and heavy atmosphere, "Although I'm not that angry, this seems to be the first time we've ever argued."

With a slight smile, Yuya Tenkuji replied, "Yes, I really hope there will be countless more times like this in the future."

Yui Yuigahama said with dissatisfaction, "Who would want that? Humph, Yui, you actually hate me, don't you?"

“Quite the opposite.” Yuu Tenkuji shook his head. “If two people want to be together for a long time, they can’t avoid arguing from time to time… Even if they’re lying in bed, too old to move, they still have to bicker and argue with each other. I think that’s a very romantic thing.”

“That’s true, it sounds like something you and Yuki would do.” Yui Yuigahama sighed softly, as if talking to herself, “Starting tomorrow, let’s pretend nothing happened. Our Service Club’s routine will remain unchanged, and don’t bring up cheating again, just don’t do it in front of me…”

"Yui." This is just escapism, and it will only lead to an unhappy ending.

He was about to say that when Yui Yuigahama's next words shut him up.

"Then let's go on a date this weekend."

"...Huh?"

"Starting this morning, let's split into groups like this: me and you, Xiaoxue and you, me and Xiaoxue... and then the three of us can go on a date together and say everything we want to say, okay?"

He turned his head in surprise to look upstairs, and his eyes met those of Yui Yuigahama, who was drawing back the curtains.

Her eyes were red, as if she had just cried, but in her eyes, which had cleared up after the rain, there seemed to be a clear and unwavering lake-like light.

"Are you serious?"

With wide eyes, Yuu Tenkuji asked incredulously.

"Yes, that's my solution. It's the only method I can think of."

Yui Yuigahama nodded gently, her expression becoming increasingly resolute: "Although I don't know what kind of future I'll get, at least it's much better than crying in bed with my mother!"

She said earnestly, word by word, "Xiaoyou, you have no right to refuse—do I even have the right to say that?"

"..."

Staring blankly upwards, Tenkuji Yu opened his mouth, and finally laughed helplessly.

"Your words are always there."

"Okay, it's settled then!" Yui Yuigahama smiled with satisfaction, gave him one last look, and ended the call as she drew the curtains back.