I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

"...Fine, call me whatever you want. I'm logging off."

His tone conveyed a sense of dejection, as if he had been rejected by a girl after confessing his feelings.

Although they haven't seen each other since that day, Yuu's relationship with him has gotten better and better. They talk about anime or complain about life, and the frequency of their messages is even much higher than that of Yukinoshita Haruno.

It's true that men are more comfortable with each other.

Just as Yuu Tenkuji put down his phone and was about to turn off the light and go to sleep, an email suddenly arrived.

Upon opening the package, I discovered that the sender was the agency that rented my boyfriend.

『Application regarding extension of package time』

"Oh, they're here?"

Yuu Tenkuji wasn't surprised.

He needs to get a reward from Yukinoshita, and Yukinoshita also needs him to continue the lie.

Judging from her behavior, a week is clearly not enough time—she's only a sophomore, with two years left until graduation, so there's no rush for her to get engaged.

There are also opportunities to enjoy so-called "free love".

As for what kind of emotional changes might occur... that's not something Tenkuji Yu needs to worry about.

He was just a hardworking, rented boyfriend.

He is a rented lover who leaves Yukino after Yukino feels satisfied.

"This is where you select 'agree,' right...? Let me see, they've changed to a time-based plan? No time limit... Isn't this just giving me free money every day?!"

Looking at the explanation provided by the agency, Yuu Tenkuji's eyes widened in surprise.

Good heavens, this is like a heifer riding on an electric wire, all the way with awesomeness and lightning!

He earns 30,000 a day. After deducting the agency's referral fee, even if Yukino Yukinoshita is busy, he can still make a net profit of 15,000 a day while lying at home playing with his sister. That's 150,000 in ten days and 450,000 in a month!

Is this what it feels like to be kept? I love it!

Just thinking that the money would eventually be taken away by the system made Yuu Tenkuji calm down instantly. After thinking for a moment, he sent a message to Yukino Yukinoshita.

"Even if you're rich, there's no need to spend money like this. A regular time-based plan is fine. Anyway, I won't accept boyfriend requests from anyone other than you."

Because that's how the system is defined.

If it weren't for the fact that the status of being a rented boyfriend couldn't be easily canceled, and Yukino Yukinoshita needed a legitimate reason to meet him, he could have easily given her a free ride out of friendship—tsk tsk, saying it like that feels a bit like rounded corners.

Not long after the message was sent out, a reply was received from Yukinoshita Haruno.

Hush money?

puff!

Yuu Tenkuji couldn't help but laugh. He understood both meanings of the hush money, but he wasn't angry.

Both of them knew that this was a rental relationship that had begun to twist, a mixture of lies and truth.

Their willingness to continue means they are prepared to be distorted, even if it means gradually falling into the abyss.

As for what she was thinking, Yuu Tenkuji couldn't be sure.

But for him—as long as the system exists, even this abyss will become a lie.

All he had to do was be a good boyfriend to Yukino Yukinoshita until then, and be careful not to fall in love with her.

Before Yuu Tenkuji could respond to the hush money issue, another message arrived.

Goodnight, little Youyou, sweet dreams~

This time, it was her initiative.

A smile unconsciously crept onto her lips. Tenkuji Yu quickly replied to her message, then put her phone aside and collapsed onto the bed.

This is what he said before the lights went out—

Goodnight, Yangnai, sweet dreams.

The long night ended, and the sound of rain ceased.

The dark clouds gradually dispersed, and the clear night sky enveloped a gentle dream, as if whispering:

I'm so glad to have a summer like this.

Chapter Sixty-Four: Are You My Master?

The following afternoon, Yuu received a message from Yukino Yukinoshita that she was currently free.

However, because I have other things to do later, I can't go to other places with him. I can only take care of the cat Xue Nong first.

After getting into the car at the agreed-upon location, Yukinoshita Haruno drove him to Aomori Animal Hospital.

The atmosphere in the car was very peaceful, as if nothing had happened yesterday. The two chatted casually about recent events—most of the talking was done by Yukino Yukinoshita, and Yuu Tenkuji was listening.

"Socializing is such a hassle."

"Indeed, not to mention the guys, a pretty girl like you must be annoyed by this every day, right?"

"That's right, that look was absolutely disgusting. Luckily, my mother is capable enough that she doesn't need her daughter to sell her body for profit."

"I see..."

She suddenly said in a joking tone, "Little Youyou, if some big boss suddenly tried to lay a hand on me, and I called you for help, would you come over?"

Without a second thought, Yuu Tenkuji replied, "Of course I would. From my boyfriend's perspective, I would rush over without hesitation, knock him away, and rescue you."

"What about from Yuu Tenkuji's perspective?"

"..." He stood up in silence, frowned and pondered for a moment before slowly speaking.

"Try to secretly rescue you, or create some disturbance so that he has no time to do that kind of thing."

"Hmm, the answer I expected." Yukinoshita Haruno nodded slightly, her expression revealing neither satisfaction nor dissatisfaction.

Tenkuji Yu glanced at her, just as he was about to ask her if she was deliberately bringing up this topic to hint at something.

Yukino Yukinoshita spoke up again:

"I heard that a resort has been built in the undeveloped area on the outskirts of the city, and they are currently inviting people from all walks of life to experience and play there. They are also holding a lottery for vacation discounts online."

It's a clear attempt to change the subject.

Tenkuji Yu withdrew her gaze and followed up on her topic, replying, "I just found out. So, do you want to come along?"

Yukinoshita laughed: "Sure~ Let's stay together sometime, how about two days and one night?"

"Let's forget about staying overnight..."

"Oh? Afraid you won't be able to resist temptation and will unleash your beastly desires on me? Heh heh heh, little Youyou is a man too~"

"How could that be? I'm just afraid you'll unleash your beastly desires on me."

"..."

At that moment, Yukinoshita Haruno revealed a very bright smile.

Then, she slammed on the brakes, parked the car on the side of the road, locked the windows, and pressed him directly onto the seat. Before she could cover her mouth, she kissed him forcefully and passionately.

The action was like venting, devoid of any tenderness.

After she finished, she breathed slightly and stared intently into Tenkuji Yu's eyes.

Her cheeks and lips were the same vibrant red, and she smiled with a mature and alluring charm.

"Is this what you mean by 'unleashing one's animalistic instincts'?"

He stuck out his tongue and gently licked his lips, which were slightly bleeding from the intense activity.

"You... sigh."

With a helpless glance at her, Tenkuji Yu straightened her disheveled clothes and hair, wiped the blood and water stains from her lips, and let out a long sigh.

"Has the work pressure been this high lately?"

“Yeah~” Yukino Yukinoshita smiled casually, restarted the car, and drove onto the road.

"So, even someone like me is willing to tolerate Xiao Youyou, she'll definitely become a huge star as a host in Shinjuku!"

Tenkuji Yu pouted, and said with a hint of complaint:

"One capricious person like you is enough. I can't handle any more."

"Wow, that's a great line! You're allowed to kiss me gently once."

Tenkuji Yuu didn't bother to answer her, and instead looked out the window at the passing scenery.

The car quickly parked in the parking lot next to the animal hospital.

Before getting off the bus, Yuuto Tenkuji suddenly grabbed Yukino Yukinoshita's arm and gently kissed her with practiced skill.

It only lasted a second, but it made her stare wide-eyed in shock, and it took her about ten seconds to come to her senses.

"...Why?"

"I simply keep my girlfriend's words in mind."

Tenkuji Yu opened the car door nonchalantly, but her voice carried a hint of laughter: "I'd rather not be a male escort, a boyfriend is more suitable for me... Also, you need to practice your kissing skills more."

"Um?"

Yukinoshita wrinkled her nose in protest, but when she got out of the car and met his gaze, she couldn't help but smile.

Aren't you afraid of spoiling me?

"I'm actually scared. But, what can I do? I'm just a rented boyfriend."

Tenkuji Yu shrugged and led the way into the animal hospital.

The outpatient and waiting areas were quiet, but the animal care and inpatient areas at the back were as noisy as a market.

Especially after he obtained "Beast Language (Proficient Level)," he was like a genius fluent in eighteen languages ​​who walked into the argument venue of the eighteen-nation joint conference, and he was almost shaken back by the waves of shouts.

"Idiot! Idiot! The author is an idiot!"

"Someone open my cage right now, I'm going to eat that stupid bird!"

"Stupid dog, can your teeth even be used to chew things?"