I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

Third, when he confessed to her in the club room, was it really just a sudden whim to cheat on her and take advantage of their time alone together?

No, he was clearly prepared. He had already thought about what to say when he saw her. Even after being rejected, he remained calm and said that he had already determined her feelings, acting as if he was confident.

Upon closer reflection, it becomes clear that his confession wasn't delivered with the urgency of someone eager to express their feelings. Rather, it was a sense of relief, as if he had fulfilled a promise he had made to her—he had simply forgotten everything. He wasn't surprised, as he already knew why she was feeling flustered and bewildered.

Fourth, it's still Yuu Tenkuji.

His attitude was clearly unreasonable. He was always devoted to Yui and could ruthlessly reject any girl who confessed to him. Even when the most perfect girl in the world secretly liked him, he always maintained a "friends-to-heart" distance and never crossed the line.

How could someone become so infatuated with themselves after just one Christmas Eve that they couldn't control their lust and didn't even bother to hide the deep affection in their eyes?

—Unless, what they've forgotten is so important to both of them that if they forget it, the whole world will become very strange.

"Is this what you wanted to tell me...?"

Yukino murmured softly, her gradually understanding gaze seemingly piercing through a pale blue gemstone, seeing that person's reassuring and joyful smile.

Because I understand him, because I like him, because I'm always watching him.

Therefore, no matter how absurd the possibility, as long as it is related to him, Yukino Yukinoshita is willing to believe it.

...provided that he is willing to talk to me properly, and not do anything sudden that would scare me so much that I have no time to think.

"But I really... how come I only realized this now? He clearly gave me the answer from the very beginning!"

The black-haired girl sighed helplessly, her thin, soft lips slightly pursed, but her tense nerves unconsciously relaxed completely.

Like a student who, in the last minute of an exam, finally figured out which formula to use for the final, most difficult math problem, she squinted her eyes with ease and confidence, chuckling softly to herself:

“Even if you don’t remember anything, you must still love me… wait for the me who loves you to come find you”—why didn’t you just say that from the beginning?

"Tenkuji-kun, you really are just like me, an idiot."

Even if he said it directly, people might still think he's out of his mind, but it's better than suddenly hugging someone and confessing his feelings, right?

She knows her own personality. After being done that to her, how could she possibly remain calm and listen to him?

—But anyway.

This must be the answer to all the questions that have been nagging me since I woke up.

Although we don't know exactly what happened, or how Yui should respond, the reason she slept naked is something we don't want to think about further...

However, at the end of the open road, the thin layer of cold mist had already dissipated.

Because he is waiting for me ahead, the superficial is no longer superficial, and the vague is no longer vague—as long as I move forward, I will surely be able to dispel all confusion and rediscover the dignified and strong self I once was.

Yukino Yukinoshita took a deep breath, and her skin, which had been pale from being splashed with cold water, regained a healthy rosy glow. In the mirror, she no longer seemed preoccupied, as if a traveler who had been trapped in a maze for a long time had found a signpost and had already figured out how to take the next step.

First, of course, I should call Tenkuji Yu, whom I had just threatened to hate, and apologize for my lack of composure. Then, as he suggested, I should sit down and have a proper talk with him about the 'amnesia' and the 'necklace'.

However, before that, Yukino Yukinoshita had one more thing she wanted to do.

"I remember a scene from a short story... After a girl with amnesia puts on the token of love given to her by her boyfriend again, she successfully recalls every little detail of the past..."

Despite her face flushing and heart racing at the mention of the word "boyfriend," she couldn't help but gaze curiously at the exquisite snowflake necklace before her, like an innocent girl hoping for a prince charming to come and marry her.

Then, with an experimental mindset, Yukino Yukinoshita swept her hair to her chest and lowered her head to put the necklace on again.

They just haven't started yet—

"Ding dong!"

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, accompanied by an impolite knock.

"Yukino, are you home? If you are, open the door quickly, your big sister is here to play with you~"

That languid and overly casual tone could only come from Yukinoshita.

"Sister? Why at this time..."

Muttering to herself in confusion, Yukino didn't linger in a daze for long. She wrapped the necklace back in her handkerchief, put it in the drawer, and got up to walk towards the entrance.

"Is there something you need? Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

As she opened the door, she immediately questioned her older sister, treating her like an unwelcome guest.

As was commonplace, the female college student outside the door didn't care about her sister's sharp attitude. She waved her hand, signaling her to move aside quickly, as it was cold outside and she wanted to get into the warm room as soon as possible.

"Look at what you're saying, does a sister need another reason to see her younger sister?"

"Then please let me know in advance."

"Well, there's nothing I can do about it. I just happened to be passing by today and thought I'd come up to find you. There's no point in telling you a minute or two in advance, is there?" Yukino Yukino kicked off her sneakers and walked into the house. She looked around the living room, which seemed no different from usual, and smiled meaningfully.

"Or what, are you afraid I'll catch you being intimate with your boyfriend at home?"

She closed the door behind her, and Yukino Yukinoshita frowned, staring at her retreating figure as if she couldn't understand.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Where would I get a boyfriend?"

Moreover, there was a vague feeling that the tone was directed at me... What was this hostile aura coming from?

Hmm... I guess I misunderstood?

Yang Nai shrugged, slowly took a few steps on the wooden floor, and then, as if suddenly remembering something, turned around and smiled at her sister.

"Oh, right! Yukino, speaking of boyfriends, I have some good news to tell you first! It's a secret even your mom doesn't know~"

"Wh...what?!"

I was almost completely unprepared.

The moment her hand left the doorknob, Yukino froze, her eyes widening and her mouth slightly agape, unable to utter a word as if she were choking.

What truly stunned her was not the so-called secret of "only telling her and not her mother," nor her older sister's unusually enthusiastic attitude, nor even the rare, genuinely radiant smile the other woman displayed.

But -

"This is it."

Yang took out his phone from his pocket, pointed the screen at her, and pressed the power button.

Then the screen lit up, and a group photo set as the wallpaper was clearly reflected in Yukino's bright and clear dark blue eyes, as if frozen into a painting with stiff colors.

As if she had expected it, she said with a cheerful laugh:

"Surprised? We've been dating for a long time, but we've kept it a secret from everyone for various reasons. But considering it's almost the end of the year, I thought I'd take this opportunity to announce it and give you all a New Year's surprise... And, as my sister and his best friend, I felt I should tell you first!"

"Your Tenkuji-kun—Little Yu-Yu—is actually my boyfriend."

Chapter Thirteen: A Scheming and Wicked Woman

Let's turn back time a little.

After rejecting Yu's suggestion, Yukino Yukinoshita walked decisively out the door and headed towards her car.

It was that red brick wall covered with graffiti and advertisements that held countless memories of their time together and their separation.

However, the car she was driving today was different from usual. This brand-new white sports car was something she planned to give to Tenkuji Yu as a means of transportation after he turned eighteen and passed his driver's license test.

It doesn't matter if his family doesn't have a garage to park the car. Anyway, Yang Nai owns quite a few properties. He can just pick any room for him to use as a garage, and it can also be used as a place to stay overnight when he doesn't want to go to a hotel for a rendezvous. It's a two-birds-with-one-stone solution that he can come up with easily. There's nothing to worry about.

Unfortunately, due to various factors, I forgot to tell him about this today—but there's no rush. After all, marital property is shared by the couple, so what's hers is his, and sooner or later they will be inseparable.

"So I don't need that kind of 'exclusivity' that's like comforting a child."

Recalling her proud and assertive statement, Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't help but sigh, slamming her head on the steering wheel as she began to regret her words.

"He clearly didn't have that intention... He could have just taken this opportunity to eat Xiaoyouyou up as his Christmas dinner, and at the same time slowed down the others... Why did I have to pointlessly show off in front of him..."

However, it might not be just bravado.

Because he could see through her lie, and because he didn't want her to force herself—so the answer he could accept at that moment must be the unquestionable 'truth', right?

Yukinoshita Haruno cannot deny it.

Even with a rational monster constantly behind her helping her analyze the best options, even though she was truly willing to use any means to possess Tenkuji Yu, and from the bottom of her heart didn't want to see him meet with other women, and even started thinking about which basement would be the most convenient place to lock someone up...

Upon hearing his seemingly affectionate but actually childish "exclusivity agreement," she couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. She proudly raised her neck and decisively rejected him.

Was I foolish? Very foolish; Do I regret it? Yes, I regret it.

But if Yukino were given another chance to choose, she still wouldn't succumb to that gentle embrace that was trying to melt her—

That sincerity was more unacceptable than any of the lies he had ever told.

"Tsk, what can I do? I'm just such a troublesome woman. I don't want what's offered to me; I have to go and fight for it."

With a self-deprecating smile, the female college student rubbed the red mark on her forehead, took a deep breath, and her usual calm and confident smile reappeared.

Then, shifting into gear and pressing the accelerator, the white sports car sped along the turbulent traffic like a smooth and agile streak of light.

……

Out of pride, she rejected his proposal, thus creating an opportunity for other girls to take advantage of him—a foolish yet selfless choice that made Yukino Haruno feel nauseous just thinking about it.

Even though she understood that he was only throwing this Christmas party to completely resolve all the problems and prevent a repeat of her tragic experience, she was still filled with frustration and unhappiness, and wanted to do something bad to vent her frustration.

The scenery outside the window flashed by, and my fingers tapped anxiously on the steering wheel.

In less than ten seconds, a brilliant idea flashed into her mind, shining brightly like a light bulb on the path ahead.

"Right, better to be early than late, why don't we go now... hehehe..."

A mischievous smile unconsciously crept onto his lips, and a wicked glint of impending prank shone in his eyes.

Yukino took the cardboard light bulb off her head, then suddenly turned the steering wheel. Her aimless wandering had a new target, heading straight for the luxury apartment only a 20-minute drive away!

It only took about ten minutes for Yukinoshita Haruno to park the car in the basement garage and then take the elevator straight up to the eleventh floor.

Perhaps out of a desire for revenge, or perhaps simply because she was too lazy to tell him even such a trivial matter, she didn't tell Tenkuji Yu what she was planning to do—to give her younger sister a heads-up beforehand and let her experience the cruelty of reality.

They were very close sisters, so close that they even fell in love with the same man... Now that their positions have been reversed, how can she be allowed to easily escape the pain that her older sister once experienced?

As for whether Yuuyu would have any objections if she found out, Yukinoshita Haruno wasn't worried about that.

Or rather, there was a slight expectation for his reaction.

"After all, it's something Yukino had to know sooner or later, it's just that I'll tell her myself. If Yuuyu dares to blame me for this..."

That proves that he is not suited to juggling multiple relationships—someone who can't even be fair and objective in judging the facts wants to be the head of the harem?

Don't make me laugh! That kind of scumbag only deserves to be stabbed a dozen times in the stomach by the mentally broken female protagonist, and then his life story will be made into a game for future generations to laugh at and be warned against, forever unable to shake off the synonym for scumbag.

Most importantly, Yukino Yukinoshita did not believe that there was any need to keep their relationship a secret in this timeline, where the god had not yet issued a mission and they were still mutually in love.