I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

From classrooms to teachers' offices, from the kendo club to the cooking club, even after he left the corridor, his romantic exploits still lingered there.

Cases of being rejected after confessing one's feelings are so numerous that even if someone says they are dating someone or having an ambiguous relationship with someone else, unless there is solid evidence like yesterday, with eyewitnesses and clear time and place details, everyone will sigh "Wow, really?" and then forget about it.

When Yuu Tenkuji was browsing the forum in the afternoon, he even saw people gossiping about his relationship with his two junior classmates, Iroha Isshiki and Kanade Tachibana... Although the poster was quickly criticized by the "Silver-haired Angel Guard" and deleted the post, it is enough to show that there is no need to worry about the news of him cheating on his girlfriend appearing on campus for the time being.

...That's right, only temporarily.

Interpersonal relationships are a web. The negative comments about him from Class F, and his own words about dating Yui, will eventually spread. With the help of the school forum, as long as there are enough busybodies and the discussion is heated enough, it is obvious that his school life with Yui and Yukinoshita will be ruined.

The power of public opinion can easily kill a person. No matter how much they wanted to ignore the opinions of others, the two girls could not withstand the pressure of the environment for long and could not find any way to fight against such violence from the majority.

Even with the system's support, Tenkuji Yu could only helplessly lower his hands and express his frustration at this unseen enemy...

It's time to let the entire school witness the real, all-out, and fully-powered "Word Bullet".

If a speech doesn't work, add an instrumental performance; if that's not enough, add a song that goes straight to the heart. As long as you reveal all your cards and combine all your skills and states, from proficiency to perfection, into the strongest "verbal bomb," you should be able to turn the tide.

On a optimist note, perhaps the system will reward you later, allowing you to achieve your goals once and for all?

Public opinion is a fearsome thing. Although she already had a general idea of ​​what was going on, Yuu Tenkuji still dared not underestimate the impact of this matter. Her mind was filled with various solutions, and she was somewhat absent-minded while chatting with Yui Yuigahama.

"Actually, there's no need to worry too much! Just ignore them, and they'll all eventually get bored and leave." Noticing his slightly furrowed brow and thoughtful expression, Yui Yuigahama waved her hand with a relaxed smile.

"I remember there was a cheating scandal in Class B before. Although it caused quite a stir back then, with people calling Mao a scumbag, Suzuki and Takeda breaking up, and Midori and Tsuki crying for a long time, no one cared about it for about two or three weeks!"

She turned her head to look at Tenkuji Yu and comforted her, "Although I feel a little embarrassed for the person involved, the topic of relationship disputes cools down very quickly. As long as there are no new developments, everyone will soon get tired of talking about it and start talking about other more interesting things."

Having spent years mingling in popular groups and being used to striking up conversations based on the atmosphere, her words were more convincing than what Yuu Tenkuji herself had imagined.

However, out of caution, he did not put his mind at ease. Instead, he spread his hands and said helplessly, "I don't know who that A-Mao is, but I am sure that I am more famous than him in Zongwu High School. This means that more people will pay attention to my love affair. When there are more people, the problem is more likely to become serious... So the two cannot be compared."

Seemingly unable to stand him, Yui Yuigahama wrinkled her little nose and puffed out her cheeks in dissatisfaction: "Alright, alright, let's leave this topic at that! Yui, really, I've tried so hard to comfort you and you still have to argue with me! You're so clueless, such a dense guy, such a science student!"

Tenkuji Yu's eyes widened, looking extremely aggrieved: "Why are you swearing at me? Real science students don't even know how to date, let alone think so much about girls!"

"Anyway, no matter what happens, Xiaoyou will protect me and Xiaoxue, right? So there's nothing to worry about. Saying more is just a waste of time!"

"..."

Her crisp, clear voice and straightforward, easy smile made Yuu Tenkuji's next sentence catch in her throat, and her abruptly stopped expression looked rather comical.

At least Yui Yuigahama couldn't help but laugh out loud. She straightened her slightly askew bun hairstyle, looked ahead carefree, and murmured:

"When it's just the two of us together, it's really just like any other day. I never would have guessed that we had a fight yesterday."

"...If you really want to talk about it, it wasn't really an argument."

Tenkuji Yu sighed softly, raised her gaze, and looked at the same scenery as her.

"If you say things to someone you would never normally say because you want to stay together, how can that be considered an argument?"

"Is that so?" Yui Yuigahama blinked blankly, then her silly grin widened. "Hehehe, actually, that's what I thought too~"

"Stop lying." Tenkuji Yu rolled his eyes, but couldn't help but laugh.

As if suddenly realizing something, Yui Yuigahama looked him up and down: "I've just realized... from the past until now, Yui seems to know exactly what to say to please a girl and increase her affection for you. Is there something like a game option reminding you?"

Tenkuji Yu curled his lip: "You've been reading too many novels, haven't you? It would be great if there were such a convenient system."

He would rather have options in his mind that interfere with love than be controlled by this manipulative system.

Seeing his noncommittal expression, Yui Yuigahama put on a curious look, but her eyes narrowed with a mischievous grin.

"So you admit that pleasing girls is your instinct, right?"

"Varied……!"

Her eyes widened suddenly, and Tenkuji Yu took two steps back in disbelief. She looked at her with a hesitant expression, opened her mouth, and after a series of complex changes in her expression, she lowered her head in a dejected and sullen manner, like a criminal confessing his sins in front of a pork cutlet rice bowl.

"If that girl refers to you, then I accept it... My instinct is to please silly and cute girls and make them fall in love with me without even realizing it. I'm sorry."

Both his facial expressions and his voice were flawlessly sincere and genuine.

This made Yui Yuigahama laugh so hard she almost dropped her bento: "Hahaha, Yui, it's such a waste that you're not the lead actress at the cultural festival, hahaha~"

Fortunately, they had already passed through the crowded corridor and were on the tree-lined path leading to the special building, where there was no one else but each other, allowing her to laugh freely without any worries.

Of course, there was no shade in winter; bare branches swayed above their heads, and the light rain that had stopped for a while started to fall again.

Chapter 86 Yui, something's not right with you (21/23)

Even though they were only a short distance apart, Yuu Tenkuji still opened her folding umbrella and invited Yui Yuigahama, whose hair was slightly damp at the ends, to come in.

Without any hesitation, Yui Yuigahama hugged his arm, letting the warmth and softness of the girl press against his right side. The feeling of dependence, like the coolness of rain, penetrated deep into his skin.

Is what's being said on the forum true?

Her head naturally rested on his shoulder, and in a casual tone, she suddenly asked.

"What's the matter?"

“You tell everyone that Xiaoxue is your girlfriend.”

Yuu Tenkuji frowned and thought for a moment: "Hmm... To be precise, what I said to Yukinoshita was 'I'm your boyfriend—'... Ouch, that hurts! I'm sorry, I won't say it again."

"How can it hurt if I bite through your clothes? You liar..." Yui Yuigahama let go of his mouth in annoyance, smoothing out the teeth marks on his clothes.

After a long silence, she spoke softly again:

"Can I be jealous?"

"of course can."

"You know what? The thought of you and Xiaoxue becoming so close without my knowledge makes me feel so lost and sad. My chest aches and feels so tight. It's almost as painful as when I confessed my feelings to someone and got rejected before."

"..."

Yuu Tenkuji didn't say anything, but simply switched hands to hold the umbrella, interlocking their fingers.

Rain was falling outside the umbrella, and he could vaguely sense someone watching him, even though all he could see were withered branches and leaves... Even so, he seemed not to notice anything and continued to listen attentively to Yui Yuigahama's voice.

He wanted to hear her sorrow and her determination, even if the sound of rain drowned out his ears—this was something he had to do, and he wouldn't let anyone else have the chance.

Yuu Tenkuji thought that this was probably a more important and complex feeling than simple liking.

"Why is this happening?" Her voice seemed to come from the white season, she murmured with a sigh, her fingers slowly tightening.

"Why did Xiaoyou take my Xiaoxue away? Xiaoxue is mine alone, and she can only be mine..."

"...So you're from over there?"

Yuu Tenkuji had to admit that he was startled and momentarily lost in thought for three seconds before realizing she was joking.

During this outpouring of complaints, she made a joke that left everyone speechless... Honestly, it was a little creepy.

After all, he had indeed done something that affected the friendship between the two girls, and he would feel guilty when he needed to.

"Haha, scared you, huh?"

She tilted her chin up as if she were pleased with herself.

The speed at which she regained her smile and warmed her tone made Yuu Tenkuji wonder if her perfect acting skills were even inferior to Yui Yuigahama's.

"Xiaoyou, I won't complain anymore. I won't say those self-pitying things anymore!"

After laughing, she suddenly declared loudly, her clear and uplifting voice seeming to drown out the sound of rain throughout the world.

Why so suddenly?

When Tenkuji Yu looked down at her, all he could see was the pink-haired little dumpling swaying on the top of her head, which was pressed against his arm.

She said, "Because this will only make you feel guilty towards me, it won't make you fall in love with me, right?"

"..."

That hit the nail on the head. Tenkuji Yu was speechless. His mouth, which could usually talk a lot of nonsense, became clumsy again.

Yui Yuigahama didn't wait for him, but continued as if announcing a fact: "So, I can't just talk about it, I have to actually take action."

"...was it your mother's suggestion?"

"No, that's not true! Actually... I've wanted to do this for a long time."

Suddenly, the footsteps on the bluestone pavement came to a stop, and ripples spread out around the feet.

A light drizzle fell, and the lips under the umbrella felt a little cold.

Her tiptoes landed slowly, and Yui gazed intently at his lips. Seemingly dissatisfied with the angle, she pressed down on his shoulder and kissed him again, even teasingly biting his nose.

As their lips parted, she revealed a faint smile, as if she had suddenly matured, her gentle and charming voice whispering in his ear.

"Your mouth is for kissing the person you love, not for saying those 'loser' things that only a loser would say... My mom only ever told me that, the rest are things I've always wanted to do."

"...Including biting my nose?" Tenkuji Yu pursed his lips, his feelings so complicated that he could only complain.

With a smug smile, Yui Yuigahama winked mischievously: "Hehe, if you're unhappy, you can bite back~"

"Oh? Is it limited to a specific body part?"

Yuu Tenkuji's expression immediately turned serious, with a hint of eagerness in his eyes.

"Location? You don't mean you want to bite my ear... Ah!!"

The reserved Yuihama quickly understood his meaning, her face flushed red, and she hurriedly let go of his hand and fled into the special building.

"Xiao You is such a pervert! She has a mother complex! She's obsessed with breasts! Things are progressing way too fast!"

"Oh my, you know a lot." Despite being so severely slandered, Tenkuji Yu strolled leisurely in the rain, a frivolous and mischievous smile on her face.

"But I didn't say I was going to bite your breasts, did I? I'm not like you, a little puppy. At most, I'd bite my tongue or hair or something... You actually thought of that yourself, Yui, something's not right with you."

"You're the one who's acting strangely! I'm going to tell Xiaoxue on you and let her see your true colors!"

With a gurgling, menacing sound in her throat, Yui Yuigahama snorted angrily, then buttoned up all the buttons on her chest as if guarding against a thief. Like a husky let loose, she ran upstairs with her short skirt billowing in the wind.

Shaking off the water droplets on his umbrella, Tenkuji Yu followed behind her at a leisurely pace. The worry between his brows had vanished without a trace, leaving him as refreshed and cool as the air inside the building.

"Today is white..."

……

I arrived at the clubroom early, intending to wait until they arrived before opening my lunchbox, and in the meantime, I would read to pass the time.

Yukino Yukinoshita found herself unable to concentrate on reading a single word; restlessness and fidgeting were the best descriptions of her state.

She knew what she was worried about, though it was a feeling she had never experienced before—like a child who had done something wrong preparing for a family meeting, the waiting time could be so long and agonizing.