I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

He... had many such filthy and disgusting thoughts in his mind, but he would never admit them willingly!

"Let's get back to the main topic. I'll be having lunch with Yuuki and Natsukawa. What about you?"

Such a strange combination?

Tenkuji Yu raised an eyebrow, becoming somewhat concerned.

However, considering that Yukino Yukinoshita had previously mentioned that the J-class teacher asked her to help transfer student Asuna Yuuki get familiar with the school, and given Masuzu Natsukawa's love for joining in on things, it doesn't seem too strange for the three of them to have lunch together.

Making a fuss would only make him seem guilty, so he put aside his worries for the time being and said in a normal tone, "Let's go to the cafeteria for a farewell dinner with Totsuka. After all, we won't be able to see each other for about two weeks, and we don't usually go out together, so we should take this opportunity to get together."

Yukino said, half sighing and half teasing, "Totsuka-kun again? It seems you don't have any other same-sex friends besides him..."

"What's wrong? Are you jealous?"

"I'm not that jealous of boys." After giving such a curt reply, she suddenly asked, "Where's Yui-hama-san?"

Yuu Tenkuji asked, somewhat puzzled, "Didn't she say in the group chat that she was having dinner with Miura and the others today?"

"No, I mean..."

For some reason, her voice sounded somewhat worried and cautious.

"Is she looking forward to the hot pot party tonight?"

"Probably? Anyway, I didn't see how annoying it was."

Yuu Tenkuji frowned and pondered for a moment, recalling Yui from this morning, but he also became insecure.

"Hmm... I have a feeling that he's hiding something on his mind. Should I go and ask him?"

"No need, I know what she's thinking." As if she had expected it, Yukino sighed in a low voice, "Don't worry about it, it's not a big deal... it should be fine after today."

Can you tell me?

Tenkuji Yu's tone was serious, but then she suddenly laughed easily and teased, "Idiot, how can you tell your boyfriend about things between girlfriends? Remember, you're two-timing right now."

"What does this have to do with having two relationships at the same time? I just wanted to offer a suggestion..."

"I don't need your advice; you'll understand sooner or later anyway."

She cut him off abruptly, then softened her tone and said gently:

"That's settled then, see you after school."

Before the other end could respond, Yukino Yukinoshita ended the call, put her phone in her coat pocket, and let out a soft breath.

"I'll apologize to Yui properly after everything is over..."

Despite feeling down and guilty, I had no regrets.

She closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, her eyes held only unwavering resolve and an indomitable belief.

The request that Yukino Yukinoshita asked Yui Yuigahama to make was very simple.

That is, to have the Sky Temple all to myself for a day—or rather, a night.

This was undoubtedly an outrageous request from Yui, who was also his girlfriend.

...However, Yui probably already guessed what she wanted to do, right?

That's why she agreed so readily and cooperated in concealing the truth from Tenkuji-kun.

From the moment they first met, Yukino Yukinoshita knew that Yui Yuigahama was a very gentle person.

Even knowing she might sneak away, even after saying something so cunning, she didn't hesitate to give up the Christmas Eve date that was so important for couples.

If it were Yukino Yukinoshita, she probably would have hesitated for a long time before she could force herself to agree.

So when she heard him say that Yui looked preoccupied, Yukino Yukinoshita secretly breathed a sigh of relief and even felt a little fortunate.

'That's great, she's not indifferent... she just doesn't want me to mind, so she's pretending nothing's wrong.'

For her, Yui Yuigahama and Yuu Tenkuji are equally important; they are the people she values ​​most in the world, besides her family.

Help them with an open heart, be helped by them with an open heart, and admit your own shortcomings with an open heart.

This is something that Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't do in the past, and it's a growth she's now proud of.

Therefore, there is yet another reason to go to the future—

Make up for Yui Yuigahama today.

"Therefore, I will not forget."

Clutching her chest, she whispered a vow to herself.

He then strode back to Class J's classroom.

The three tables and chairs in the back row had been put together to form a large table. Xia Chuanzhen, the main worker, wiped non-existent sweat from his brow and gave her a fake but bright smile.

"Yukinoshita-kun, welcome back! This is the first time I've ever shared a table with my classmates for dinner, I'm really looking forward to it~"

Not even bothering to look at her, Yukino sat down in her seat, took out her bento box, and said indifferently, "Is it really okay for the girl who came over here to say something like that?"

Natsukawa Masuzu's smile remained unchanged, but her tone carried a distinct sarcasm: "I don't know if it's good or not, but at least I'm carefree right now~ Unlike a certain pretty young girl, whose brows are practically wrinkled, it's really heartbreaking."

"That's none of your business."

"I didn't say it had anything to do with me. I'm just waiting to see the show."

"Speaking of good shows, you seem to have put on quite a few in the past. I still vividly remember how disheveled you looked. I hope you don't mind."

“This is the right place, after all, you will become the next me sooner or later—and at that time, I will carefully record your even more disheveled expression.”

"If you're going to talk in your sleep, then do it in your dream."

"Same here, being overly optimistic isn't a good thing."

You speak, I speak, as if swords are mercilessly slashing at each other, yet neither can defeat their equally matched opponent.

Even though neither of them looked at each other, the invisible sparks of their collision burned the air with a scorching smell.

"Uh, that..."

Yuuki Asuna, caught between the two, looked embarrassed.

Although she had absolutely no idea what they were talking about, and why they were eating together when they clearly didn't get along, she figured these two were the only people she was really close to at her new school, so she forced a smile and tried to smooth things over.

"By the way, did you both bring lunch? Did you make it yourselves? Mine was prepared by the housekeeper. I wanted to make it myself, but unfortunately I can't get up early enough. I was thinking of practicing my cooking skills during this winter break."

Shedding her cold and aloof demeanor, Yukino Yukinoshita took out her bento box and, taking advantage of the situation offered by Asuna Yuuki, said, "Yes, I live alone and cook all my meals myself."

"Wow, that's amazing!" Asuna Yuuki exclaimed, clasping her hands together in admiration. Then she looked at Masuzu Natsukawa and asked, "Where's Natsukawa-kun?"

"Mine was made in a factory."

She smiled mysteriously.

"Huh?"

Under Asuna Yuuki's surprised gaze, Masuzu Natsukawa pulled a packet of jelly drink from her bag and waved it smugly in front of her.

"Wei○in's latest product is both nutritious and delicious, and it also saves a lot of meal time~"

"I-I see..." Asuna Yuuki tilted her head slightly, a hint of confusion in her eyes, her lips twitching slightly. "Natsukawa-san, is your lunch just jelly drinks every day...?"

"Is there anything wrong with it? For some personal reasons, I don't really like eating, so I've gotten into the habit of using jelly drinks to supplement my nutrition and replace meals."

Natsukawa Masaki shrugged, gave a casual explanation, and then suddenly looked at Yukino Yukinoshita with a smile.

"Yuki-kun, you don't need to worry about me being malnourished. At least my figure is perfectly developed, much better than some people who eat normally."

"..."

Asuna Yuuki didn't dare to respond at all, but cautiously observed Yukino Yukinoshita's expression out of the corner of her eye.

Unexpectedly, her reaction was very calm. This composed demeanor made Natsukawa Masuzu's provocation seem quite childish.

"Let's eat first. I'm not used to talking while eating, so please understand."

Yukino Yukinoshita opened the bento box nonchalantly, picked up her chopsticks, and said quietly, "I'm starting to eat."

Yuuki Asuna snapped out of her daze and quickly opened her lunchbox, preparing to start eating lunch in the awkward and silent atmosphere... Although she really didn't have much of an appetite now because of those two.

"Okay, I apologize."

As if all pretense had suddenly vanished, Natsukawa Masuzu abruptly bowed to Yukino Yukinoshita in an apologetic tone, her voice full of sincerity.

Ignoring her reaction, Natsukawa Masaki looked up, casually turning the bottle of jelly drink, and said nonchalantly, abandoning all deliberate provocation and hostility:

"I thought I could at least find out your current plans, but I didn't expect you to be so patient. It makes me feel like a clown... Although it's unpleasant, I can only admit defeat."

"Congratulations, Yukinoshita, you won."

Yuuki Asuna: "..."

What's with the win or loss thing? Are these two about to start their riddle-solving mode again?

She held chopsticks in her mouth, trying to minimize her presence and obediently doing what a background character should do.

"Sorry, I've always won."

Only after swallowing the food in her mouth did Yukino Yukinoshita slowly open her mouth and calmly answer Natsukawa Masuzu: "I roughly understand your purpose, but no matter what, all your little tricks now are useless and cannot affect us at all."

“No, you don’t understand.” Natsukawa Masaki shook her head, smiling mischievously. “I don’t have any ulterior motives, at least not right now.”

Yukino Yukinoshita frowned and finally looked at her properly: "So all those things you said just now were because you had nothing better to do and wanted to pick a fight?"

“You only guessed half right.” Natsukawa Masuzu held up one finger. “The other half is because there are things I want to know.”

She narrowed her eyes slightly, the smile on her lips vanished abruptly, and replaced with an extremely serious expression.

"Yukino Yukinoshita, are you planning to end everything today? Considering tonight is Christmas Eve... how far do you intend to go?"

"..."

A ripple appeared in her dark blue eyes, and Yukino Yukinoshita pursed her lips slightly, silently gazing at her.

...That's right. Natsukawa didn't know that Yuki was also one of his ex-girlfriends, which is why he spoke so vaguely and used such a simple hint to question himself.

The situation is probably the same for Yuuki-kun.

Although it's unknown whether she has regained her past memories, it's certain that Asuna Yuuki also doesn't know about the 'ex-girlfriends'—after all, if she doesn't say anything, there's no obligation for them to reveal the information.

Since she doesn't know the truth, it's understandable that she'd be confused by what Xia Chuan is saying.

"Ugh……"