I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

"Ah, I see... Thank you, Xiaoxue! But you were clearly dancing the male's steps, yet you seemed so skilled at it."

"Well, in first grade, we all learn folk dances in PE class, right? To avoid holding hands with boys, I started joining the boys' group from then on. And since there were more girls than boys in our class... So even though I know the girls' dance steps, I'm more proficient in the boys' steps."

"As expected of Xiaoxue, no wonder she's called the Ice Queen..."

The two girls chatted casually while dancing the old-fashioned steps, slowly circling around the campfire on their phones.

To be honest, there was absolutely no lively atmosphere like dancing around a campfire, let alone any enjoyment of it... At most, it could only distract you from the conversation you were just having.

However, perhaps because it was their first time experiencing something like this, the brother and sister seemed to have much more fun than the girls. Several times they almost bumped into the table and chairs set up in the middle as a campfire, which shows how intense and focused their actions were.

Hmm... saying it like that might be a bit too restrained.

Before they knew it, Yukino Yukinoshita and Yui Yuigahama stopped chatting and stared blankly at the various strange poses the brother and sister were striking, their slightly open mouths agape in surprise.

"Qiong, it's coming—a mid-air spin followed by a spinning top rotation!"

With her hands carefully guiding her movements, Yuu tossed the petite silver-haired girl into the air. As her skirt fluttered, her white lantern pants were revealed. She flipped over and landed lightly like a black butterfly wing. Then, magically, she began to spin, as elegant and agile as a top.

At the same time, it was accompanied by the girl's cries of pain, which were hard to tell whether they were from excitement or agony.

"Which high school would do a bonfire dance like this?! Ugh, I'm so dizzy, I feel like throwing up... But it's so exciting, let's do it again!"

"Hahaha, this time let's try this one—an ultra-difficult duet, Flying Swallow in the Palm!"

Tenkuji Yu laughed heartily a few times, then grabbed his sister's slender waist, tossed her upwards, and let her feet land on his palms, steadily supporting her weight of over forty kilograms.

This time, Qiong couldn't care less about dancing. She quickly covered her head and screamed, "Waaaaah, I'm going to crash! Wait, I'm really going to crash into the ceiling!"

Looking up at the bottom of her skirt, Yuu Tenkuji kindly reminded her, "Don't worry, you're not that tall."

"..."

The trembling stopped instantly, and the lights above seemed to be gradually obscured by the deep black mist that emanated from them, rather than by the lining of her tightly concealed lantern pants.

Kasugano Sora suddenly spoke in a cold voice:

"Yu, have you ever heard of a leg technique that falls from the sky?"

"what?"

"—Deadly scissor kick! Die! This is divine punishment for questioning your sister's figure!"

"Wait! That's dangerous!"

Watching them playfully and naturally frolic with each other, the two girls dancing the traditional bonfire dance couldn't help but feel envious, and their movements became increasingly unorthodox and casual.

Of course, let's forget about acrobatic moves like those brother and sister. Even if they could do them, the fact that they weren't wearing safety shorts under their skirts is a hurdle in itself.

Even though Yukino Yukinoshita was wearing thermal tights, she didn't have the embarrassment of accidentally exposing herself while doing a mid-air somersault in front of these acquaintances.

If it were just him, perhaps it would be barely possible...

"Xiaoxue." Her close friend's quiet call pulled her back to reality.

Today, Yukino Yukinoshita is increasingly able to control her facial expressions and blood flow.

Even though another strange thought had just popped into her head, she still managed to calmly ask Yui Yuigahama, "What's wrong?"

Are you really ready to say goodbye to Xiaoyou?

"Huh?"

The unexpected serious question caused Yukino Yukinoshita to pause in surprise.

Then, she unconsciously looked away and glanced at the hesitant shadow at her feet.

"...I don't know. But ever since I learned the truth, I've been preparing."

"But it's not completely finished yet, right?"

Yui Yuigahama, observing her expression, softened her gaze and gave a slightly bitter smile.

"To be honest, I don't know if I'll remember what I'm thinking now... but I actually have thought about it."

She spoke clearly, as if she wanted to leave her voice deep in Yukino's heart beneath the snow.

"I've thought about the idea of ​​Xiaoxue losing her memory like the others, so I can have Xiaoyou all to myself until the end. I feel a deep sense of relief and pride about it, like a victor."

"..."

Her movements involuntarily froze on the spot. After a few seconds of stunned silence, Yukino quickly tried to get her hands and feet back to the beat of the music, but her movements became somewhat chaotic.

Then she slightly widened her eyes, her gaze filled with confusion and a sense of betrayal as she looked at her dearest friend, her voice soft as if she were sighing.

"Yui-kun, why..."

Why did you have this thought, or why did you say it out loud?

Before they knew it, Yui Yuigahama had taken the lead in the dance steps.

She took her best friend's snow-white arm and spun her around before hearing a soft reply from between her silky, glossy black hair.

"...all of them."

Yui Yuigahama chuckled softly.

"Because I am different from you. It took me a long time to catch up with him, but you were able to hug his arm in just a few weeks or even a few days."

As if she had expected it, her answer was swift and natural.

"So, I must have been very resentful in the past, right? No, I'm still very resentful now."

"I arrived before Xiaoxue, and I've liked him for so long, so why should I have to share Xiaoyou with him? The stronger this feeling is, the stronger my gloating will be now."

"..."

Looking at her completely composed expression, Yukino Yukinoshita gradually lowered her head, biting her lip and unable to speak.

It felt like a strange soreness was stuck in my throat, making it difficult to even breathe.

Do you feel guilty? Do you feel wronged? Should you blame Yui Yuigahama?

I think I felt the same way that day in front of Yuihama's house.

...No, things have changed.

"sorry."

The crackling sound from the campfire suddenly became clear in my ears.

Yukino Yukinoshita slowly raised her head, looking intently and calmly into her gentle, bright eyes, which seemed to reflect the flickering firelight.

"I like Tenkuji-kun and I don't want to be separated from him because of anyone... nor will I give up liking him for anything."

Even if they are friends, even if they can understand her feelings.

But Yukino Yukinoshita has never regretted liking him.

Love is war, love is a selfish game.

Whether they are cunning or newcomers, if they cannot even overcome these obstacles, what right do they have to become someone he can rely on?

As if speaking to her past self from seconds ago, Yukino Yukinoshita said softly but firmly:

“I am his girlfriend. Always, no matter what.”

Suddenly raising her arm, Yukino Yukinoshita forced Yui Yuigahama to spin around, then reached out and caught her as she fell backward, lowering her head.

Their breaths touched, and they gazed at each other from an extremely close distance, neither of them looking away first.

"You jumped in the wrong place here."

She suddenly laughed, her lips curving upwards in a defiant manner, revealing a relaxed yet mischievous smile.

Yui Yuigahama stared wide-eyed, seemingly stunned by this rare expression, her eyes filled with Yukino Yukinoshita's smile.

Then, she unconsciously murmured, "So handsome... Now it's my turn to two-time, is it too late...?"

"what?"

"No, no, it's nothing! Just kidding!"

Startled back to her senses, Yui Yuigahama quickly suppressed her inexplicable flutter of the heart, straightened up from Yui's embrace, and said with feigned composure, "Although I knew Yuki would say that, her assertive attitude still took me somewhat by surprise..."

"You knew I would say that?" Yukino Yukinoshita tilted her head slightly.

The dance had entered its final stage, and she had regained control, leading her best friend's somewhat clumsy steps.

Yui Yuigahama laughed awkwardly, "Yeah, I just saw that you didn't really make up your mind yet, and I thought I'd give you a push, so I said those things... I hope it didn't backfire?"

"If making me feel bad counts as having a negative effect, then it does." Yukino sighed helplessly, as if she couldn't do anything about it. "Even if it was just a joke, those words were just too..."

"I'm not kidding, those are my true feelings."

Yui Yuigahama met her gaze, a slight smile playing on her lips, and said softly, "...Even so, I want both of you to be happy."

She suddenly leaned forward, close to Yukino's ear, her soft breath brushing against her hair.

"If we remain stagnant, we will see nothing and gain nothing. We must make a change."

"Although I'm very unwilling, I don't even have the right to be a coward... So Xiaoxue, I can only rely on you."

"You must become Xiaoyou's hero and stay with him until the end, until you both find happiness."

Yui Yuigahama took a step back and smiled calmly: "I said those things on purpose to encourage you."

Yukino Yukinoshita bit her lip, staring intently at her: "Are you trying to urge me to make a choice and say goodbye to him?"

"That's not wrong, but the way it's phrased is a bit annoying."

She couldn't help but smile wryly. The music finally came to an end, and the two stopped, their hands naturally separating as they fell to their sides, their eyes fixed on each other.

Yui Yuigahama said, "Yukino, let's finish this 'mission' quickly. We need to let Yuu move forward."

Yukino Yukinoshita said, "You really want me to lose my memory?"

"Yes, that's right."

Yui Yuigahama laughed cheerfully.

"Quickly lose your memory, forget everything about dating Xiaoyou... and then, once again, without ever separating, let's get back together!"

With an incredulous look, Yukino Yukinoshita shook her head and sighed, "You clearly forgot that it would be better for you, but you still insist on causing trouble for yourself... I really don't understand what you're thinking."

Yui Yuigahama patted her chest and declared confidently, "Because you are all very important to me, and I don't want to give up on any of you!"

"..." Yukino Yukinoshita was stunned for a moment, then chuckled, "Well, we're in the same boat in that respect."