I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

Soon, Yuu Tenkuji found Kanade Tachibana's name tag in the second-year students' shoe locker.

Upon opening it, as expected, a pair of white sneakers were neatly placed inside. Touching the lining with my fingers, I could still feel the residual warmth inside.

"You just arrived? That means you won't go as far as the third floor..."

Yuu Tenkuji murmured unconsciously, thinking of certain fetishists who seemed to react excitedly to the shoes worn by beautiful girls, even if they smelled of feet, they would go crazy like a cat that had inhaled catnip...

Well, that sounds a bit insulting to cats, I apologize.

He simply couldn't understand why anyone would like shoes and socks full of germs and odors, even if they were used by a stunningly beautiful young woman.

Maybe it doesn't smell bad enough?

Take Tachibana Kanade for example. No matter how popular or well-liked she is at school, if her feet smell as bad as Hiroshi's, then probably no one would dare to touch her shoe cabinet, let alone let her little feet in white stockings step on the ground.

There are limits to human depravity, unless you stop being human.

"Yue, thankfully I don't have that kind of fetish."

With a disdainful purse, Tenkuji Yu closed the shoe cabinet door, casually wiped her fingers that had touched the shoes on her trouser leg, changed into her own indoor shoes, and stepped into the corridor.

The morning air was clean and cool, and a few dust motes shimmered in the golden light. The surroundings were so quiet you could hear a pin drop, and the sound of your heartbeat was clearer than the distant chirping of birds.

Everything was as clear and transparent as the surface of water, and any movement would create unusual ripples.

Facing the completely dark, empty classroom, Tenkuji slowly closed his eyes and temporarily stopped breathing.

He prepared to activate the "Heart of Clarity and Stillness," greatly enhancing his five senses and bringing the entire teaching building into his sensory range to the maximum extent.

Without having to search around like a headless fly, relying solely on his physical abilities and condition, even if Tachibana Kanade wanted to run to the top floor in such a quiet environment, the sound of him going up the stairs would be immediately detected by him.

Like a predator in the water, it can accurately devour its fleeing prey simply by observing the subtle changes in the water flow.

Tenkuji Yu revealed a confident smile.

Unless she miraculously conceals the commotion, otherwise...

The thought had barely crossed my mind when the sound of a piano rang out from the music classroom at the far end of the corridor, its crisp notes shattering the tranquility of the teaching building.

In the corridor, Tenkuji Yu stood there with a stiff smile, looking like a fool.

"..."

Fine, she had no intention of playing hide-and-seek with me at all.

Slightly exasperated, Yuu slapped her forehead. Since no one knew anyway, she quickly shook off her embarrassment and walked towards the music room with a normal expression.

What started as a test of the piano gradually became a continuous sound, like raindrops falling into a fine drizzle.

The closer you get, the clearer it becomes, and the more your emotions are stirred.

"This is... a piece of music I've never heard before."

Despite possessing perfect playing skills, Yuu Tenkuji had never heard the melody lingering in his ears before.

Simple and gentle, it seems to reach straight to the heart, communicating with the audience with the purest emotions.

He was all too familiar with this feeling—the state of "emotional transmission" combined with playing skills could achieve such a profound effect.

'I remember in the very first timeline, it seemed like 'I' taught Tachibana Kanade's playing skills to perfection...'

The sound of the piano fell softly to the ground, like a light rain moistening the grass. You could smell the warmth and freshness of spring. Cherry blossom petals twirled, leaving ripples on the small puddles.

Yuu Tenkuji subconsciously slowed her pace, as if she were about to remember something. Her eyes became unfocused, and she gradually became immersed in the melody, a warm feeling spreading through her chest.

When I came to my senses, I found myself standing in front of the music classroom.

He hesitated for a long time, took a deep breath to calm himself down from the melody that seemed to control people's hearts, and then reached out and opened the door of the music classroom.

The music stopped at the same time.

Her waist-length silver hair was almost transparent, and the morning light from the window gave it a golden, silky texture.

The misty atmosphere made the young girl in front of the piano appear even more ethereal, like a reflection in a spring, indistinct with the slightest touch.

Her face was as white as snowflakes drifting in through the window on a winter night, and her pale golden eyes looked over, warm and bright like candlelight.

"You've arrived."

Perhaps it was her petite and slender figure that was too beautiful, or perhaps it was the vague images in her mind that affected her mind.

After the soft, melodious voice rang out, Tenkuji Yu snapped out of her daze and, for some unknown reason, spoke in a somewhat nonsensical manner:

"I remember that we couldn't use the music room without the teacher's permission."

Tachibana Kanade blinked, without showing any strange expression, and obediently replied, "The music teacher told me that I can use the music room whenever I want, and also gave me a spare key."

Seeing the change in his expression at the door, the girl thought for a moment and added, "Although it happened in the past, I opened the door with the power of the Light Jade."

Of course, Yuu Tenkuji had no intention of arguing with her over such a trivial matter.

After composing himself, he went into the music classroom and closed the door behind him.

"Caiyu just went to your house to look for you."

Kanade Tachibana watched him walk over without saying a word, but simply patted the long piano bench with her small hand, gesturing for him to sit down next to her.

Yuu Tenkuji readily sat down at the end of the chair, turned to look at the serene silver-haired girl, and continued in a casual manner, "She heard from your parents that you walked out of the house in your uniform as if you were possessed, and she was anxious to find you and worried about your safety... She's waiting for me at my house to pick you up. I gave her the rest of the breakfast, so you can look forward to her cooking skills."

"Please help me apologize to everyone." After listening quietly, Tachibana Kanade lowered her head slightly and said apologetically, "There are some things that are difficult to explain to my parents. If I meet with Ayaha, I won't be able to be alone with you like this... In addition, time is of the essence, so I had no choice but to resort to this."

Is time running out?

Suddenly realizing something, Tenkuji Yuu, without showing any emotion, sighed and asked, "So, you really did this on purpose to get me here?"

Tachibana Kanade nodded.

He then asked, "Wouldn't it be faster to just send a message?"

"Hmm, but I can't do it."

Under Yu's puzzled gaze, she took her phone out of her skirt pocket, pressed the power button, and swiped her finger across the screen, but she couldn't unlock it no matter what she did.

"My existence is almost gone. I can't use technology now, and I guess in a while I won't even be able to touch the piano keys anymore?"

Li Hua spoke casually, his fingers touching the piano keys, seemingly with some lingering affection and regret.

Looking at her slightly drooping long eyelashes, Tenkuji Yu was stunned for a long time before suddenly saying, "Tachibana, why don't you try saying 'Hey, Siri, make a call for me'?"

Tachibana tilted his head, seemingly puzzled, but still did as instructed.

"Hey Siri, make a call for me."

Ding dong.

The phone rang, and a gentle, polite female voice answered.

"Okay, who would you like to call?"

"..."

"..."

The two stared at each other in silence, their eyes completely indifferent, seemingly oblivious to the awkwardness in the atmosphere.

But one person still blushed silently, their ears turning a rosy hue, and their eyes darted away somewhat guiltily.

Without revealing who it was, Tenkuji Yu casually looked away and gestured for her to put her phone away: "Well, it's normal not to think too much in the heat of the moment... Let's get back to the point. You should know what I want to ask you."

"……Um."

Having shaken off the shame, Tachibana Kanade let out a soft breath. A faint blush still lingered on her fair face, but her expression had returned to its previous calm as she spoke gently:

“At the end of the last cycle, I thought I was going to disappear completely... But before I lost consciousness, a musical score suddenly appeared in my hand, temporarily preserving my existence and power. When I woke up, I found that I had ‘returned’ with you.”

"You mean, you saved yourself from disappearing?"

Tenkuji Yu raised an eyebrow in surprise, a guess flashing through her mind reflexively.

"Someone who can do something like that..."

"It can only be Kosuke, right?" Tachibana Kanade concluded matter-of-factly, sighing softly, "I don't even know how to repay her for wasting her precious power for me..."

Yuu Tenkuji interrupted her: "Are you going to say 'it's not worth it' again?"

"...No, I won't say it again."

After a pause, Tachibana Kanade shook his head vigorously, staring intently at him as if trying to see into the depths of his heart, and said earnestly, word by word, "No matter how meaningless my life may be, as long as you are still supporting me and encouraging me, it has immeasurable value."

"I will no longer deny those futile past experiences... because I don't want to deny my encounter with Xiaoqiong and You!"

She suddenly raised the corners of her mouth and smiled faintly.

Like a summer breeze opening the petals of a lotus, or the quiet beauty of falling autumn maple leaves.

"Perhaps that's why Xiao Qiong gave me a chance to regret it, allowing me to make a final attempt to make amends?"

Over the years, just as she understands Tenkuji Yu, the two of them have a deep understanding of each other.

Therefore, it was not surprising at all that Tachibana Kanade was not present. Even though she was not there, Sora still knew that she would eventually be persuaded by Yu and that the "opportunity to make amends" would be handed to her.

Unfortunately, her somewhat awkward personality prevented her from giving herself the chance to thank or apologize in person...

With a gentle touch of his palm to his chest, Tachibana Kanade smiled and silently savored the unspoken warmth.

"That guy is the mastermind again..."

Having figured out the details, Yuu Tenkuji couldn't help but make this comment.

You even said you didn't know who was interfering and that you needed to find Tachibana Kanade as soon as possible... You're willing to deceive your dearest brother just to be your friend's wingman?

Qiong, you've really changed so much!

While he was inwardly criticizing, more doubts began to surface.

If that's the case, then are "there's a problem with the cycle of reincarnation" and "teaching the cow monster a lesson" also excuses for her to get herself together and come see Tachibana Kanade?

Yuu Tenkuji wasn't sure, but she felt that something really serious had happened to her to send that message and not even come out of her room to see her.

...Never mind, I'll ask her when I get back. Right now, Tachibana Kanade is more important.

After all, he hadn't forgotten that Tachibana Kanade had just said "time is of the essence".

With a serious expression, Yuu Tenkuji didn't beat around the bush and asked directly, "So what state are you in now? Will you still disappear?"

"Well, if I hadn't 'self-destructed' in the last reincarnation, I might have been able to think of a way. But..."

At this point, Tachibana Kanade lowered her head in shame, gently biting her soft, cherry-blossom-colored lips, her voice unconsciously becoming soft: "With the power that Sora can use, this is the most she can do... I'm so sorry, even though you all tried so hard to keep me here, I still couldn't witness the final ending with you..."