I really don't want to have a girlfriend.

If she hadn't regained her memories, she, who now despises 'love' and 'relationships between men and women' so much, would definitely have slapped herself in the face without hesitation.

"Feel……"

Tenkuji Yu looked into her eyes, but out of the corner of his eye he could see even the slightest movement of her throat moving and swallowing, not to mention raising her arm, which was currently being held by his hands.

"...I've almost forgotten. How about we do it again?"

"Please don't misunderstand, I didn't mean to sexually harass you on purpose... um?" The words she had prepared beforehand stuck in her throat. Tenkuji Yu blinked, her face full of astonishment, and asked, "What did you say?"

Natsukawa Masuzu maintained her stunned expression, as if to say, "I can't believe you would do something like this," while muttering to him, "I said I didn't feel anything just now. Please hit harder this time. I don't mind biting off my tongue, at least keep it going for a minute."

"..."

Yuu Tenkuji fell silent.

He had never heard of anyone being forcibly kissed and then asking the perpetrator to kiss them harder again.

...Did I kiss this guy so much that he's broken?

Or has Natsukawa Masuzu regained her memories, and that silver-haired, infatuated woman has returned in all her glory?

—Just as he was pondering these things, the girl in front of him had already taken action.

She grabbed Tenkuji Yu's arm and then, using the momentum, stood on tiptoe. A wicked, excited smile appeared on her face, as if she had finally caught him. She pounced on his lips with the speed and ferocity of a hungry tiger or a predator.

Although her movements weren't very skillful, the passion and strength she displayed, like a long-awaited rain after a drought, firmly rooted Tenkuji Yu to the spot. For a moment, she forgot all resistance and retaliation, only staring at her with wide, surprised eyes.

What goes around comes around, and this time it was his turn to be forcibly kissed—but the other person was clearly much more focused on enjoying it than he was, even closing their eyes and wrapping their hands around his waist, starting to rub against his back in a wanton manner.

If other people saw this, they would definitely think that they deliberately came to this corner of the campus, deep in the woods, to start a wild fighting mode.

If it weren't for Tenkuji Yu's strong back, he might have actually been tackled to the ground by the silver-haired girl in front of him, and then she would have dominated him, unlocking more positions that he couldn't experience normally.

Fortunately, lunch break has only just begun, and the location is secluded, so no students from Black Lily Academy will come to watch the commotion.

However, the absence of people nearby does not mean there are no cats.

The only one who witnessed all of this was Yukino Yukinoshita, who looked like a kitten but was far more intelligent than a human!

"..."

The kitten sitting on the ground was also stunned for a long time before it came to its senses from the extreme reversal of "those who are close to others are the ones who are close to them".

Everything happened too fast. She didn't even have time to use her petite and slender body to stop Natsukawa Masuzu. She could only watch as she, like a witch who was sucking the essence of humans, continuously vented her long-suppressed longing and affection on Tenkuji Yu.

As the tail instinctively rises and the fur bristles, an indescribable feeling suddenly boils over in my heart.

Yukino Yukinoshita wasn't sure whether it was jealousy, anger, or something more complicated that made her feel this bittersweet feeling grip her heart.

But, those must be negative emotions that I, as the "girlfriend," would naturally experience, right?

So even though she hadn't recalled their past relationship, that didn't stop her from glaring coldly at Natsukawa Maru while gritting her teeth and thinking to herself—

'It's understandable that he kissed you; after all, there seemed to be a reason, and it wasn't just for romantic love.'

"But now, what right do you have to kiss my boyfriend? You even brazenly kissed him right in front of me?!"

'Get away from him quickly, Natsukawa is so cool!'

'Tsk...it seems some unpleasant memories are about to surface.'

No matter how many words or complaints you have, they can't get out of this cat's mouth.

As for attacking the couple passionately kissing in front of her with her claws, that wouldn't fit her quiet and rational personality.

So before that scumbag had a change of heart and pushed Natsukawa Masuzu away, Yukino took a deep breath, ignoring her rising shame, and let out a long meow to the sky—

"Meow~"

The clear, melodious meows of cats broke through the clear sky covered by branches and leaves, like a whirlwind sweeping through the forest from flat ground, echoing powerfully through the swaying trees.

Less than five seconds later, two women emerged quickly from behind the tree, adjusting their tops and looking puzzled with slightly furrowed brows.

"What's wrong? Why is Yukino screaming so desperately..."

Before she could finish speaking, Yukino's gaze was fixed on the man and woman with their lips pressed together in the middle of the forest.

First, his eyebrows twitched involuntarily, then he slowly narrowed his eyes, as if he had suddenly understood something, and revealed a meaningful smile.

"Oh dear, this is really..."

Kasumigaoka Utaha followed closely behind and witnessed the same scene. She was stunned and suddenly stopped in her tracks, her footing so forceful that it created a crater in the ground.

She suddenly felt like she was being cuckolded—even though she knew this outcome was inevitable, and even though she knew that if anything, she should be the last one to be cheated on, and that she was the one who was cuckolding someone else.

But in this world, she was the first one to arrive!

Why did it turn out like this...?

Well, there's no need to be confused about this, since the culprit is right in front of her, passionately kissing another beautiful girl.

"……hehe."

Seeing that Tenkuji Yu acted like a cheating man caught in the act, and hurriedly distanced himself from Natsukawa Masuzu after they arrived to watch, Kasumigaoka Utaha couldn't help but sneer, crossed her arms, and stood aside, looking down on him with disdain.

"Continue? Why did you stop? Do you mean we have to pay to unlock the extra chapters later on?"

Caught firmly in the gaze of two... three, including the cat's, cold sweat trickled down Tenkuji Yu's forehead. He immediately and obediently raised his hands, shouting without the slightest struggle:

"I can explain!"

In that instant, he realized—hadn't he often done this before?

When caught cheating, she reacted skillfully and decisively, and within two or three seconds, she had already drafted an explanation in her mind. She even had a plan on how to please them and divert their attention from the matter.

What terrifying skills a scumbag can possess...

Tenkuji Yuu couldn't help but shudder at this.

Before they could respond, the silver-haired girl who had just parted ways with him took the initiative to hook her slender, fair arms around his neck, pressing her soft body against him and even rubbing against him a few times.

"Honey, do you remember what I said before?"

"what?"

Yuu Tenkuji temporarily shifted his attention away from the two women who seemed to be watching the show.

But as my gaze swept over her, it met that radiant smile that was both alluring and shyly satisfied.

“We’re all waiting for you, including me… Welcome back.”

After a moment of surprise, Tenkuji Yu couldn't help but smile wryly: "My memories haven't all come back yet."

"Don't worry, mine is too." With her icy blue eyes seemingly flickering with an uncertain light, Natsukawa Masaki savored his scent as she whispered, "It's just that being with you right now, kissing you, gives me a very familiar, very nostalgic feeling of happiness... Even if we are not the same people we used to be, this feeling will not disappear because of the change in memories."

"It has nothing to do with romance. Just like summer can't be without sunny days, Natsukawa Masuke also needs Tenkuji Yu.

She let out a satisfied sigh.

"I might have to say 'welcome back' again soon... Ayu."

……

In conclusion, the group left Black Lily Academy with Natsukawa Masuzu, who had regained her memories.

Knowing that this was a 'virtual world,' she naturally had no objection to skipping class. She didn't even take her schoolbag and followed them over the wall to get on the bus, heading straight for the apartment where Sky Temple Yu lived.

Midway through, the canary that had been watching them from the treetops also successfully joined their group.

Asuna Yuuki in her animal form naturally retains her memories and just witnessed him kissing Masuzu Natsukawa (twice). However, to Yuu Tenkuji's surprise, this canary lady did not throw a tantrum like Yukino, refusing to let him carry her or showing her claws to intimidate anyone who dared to approach her.

She gave him a helpless glare, then obediently perched on his shoulder, occasionally preening her feathers and occasionally pecking his cheeks cautiously, seemingly quite used to being a bird.

In any case, including the newly arrived Kasumigaoka Utaha, one of the prerequisites for clearing this world—collecting all his (female) companions (friends)—has now been met.

Although he was still missing Isshiki Hachiman, she wasn't in this world after all, so Yuu Tenkuji didn't reveal her situation... Even if it was only temporary, he didn't want to get himself into trouble any further.

As you can see, after that kiss in the woods, Yukino ignored him, Kasumigaoka Utaha sneered repeatedly, and Yukinoshita Haruno kept looking him over with a strange smile like that of a predator. Only Natsukawa Masuzu hummed a song indifferently, occasionally teasing the bird on his shoulder, looking relaxed and carefree.

The atmosphere inside the car was extremely strange, and he, at the center of the vortex, was unsure whether he felt a complex mix of emotions—complexity, satisfaction, or helplessness.

However, this is only the first step.

His hidden gaze swept over the bird and the cat, and Tenkuji Yu let out a heavy sigh.

He understood that the matter was not over yet.

To turn Yukino Yukinoshita and Asuna Yuuki back into humans, and to prevent Haruno and Masuzu from turning into animals after school—the most important thing is knowing when to go to Toyonosaki Academy to find the exit door.

It's far too early to relax.

He reminded himself of this, not letting his guard down, and constantly observing the "girls" around him.

Although I felt physically and mentally exhausted, for some reason, a faint sense of satisfaction and peace flowed through my heart.

—Just as Natsukawa Masaki said.

Even if they lose all their memories, the lives they once shared will not become a blank hard drive after being formatted.

There will be records that no one can erase—those we liked and those we loved deeply will always leave a mark on our hearts.

As long as this mark is present, no matter how many times, Yuu Tenkuji will be able to reclaim all the treasures that belong to him.

He relaxed his body, leaned back in the soft seat, closed his eyes, and gently inhaled the air inside the car filled with the fragrance of the beautiful girl.

A smile unconsciously crept onto his lips, and the steady, reassuring beat of his heart guided him to find the most real thing in this illusory world.

"Girlfriend...?"

"For the happiness of everyone, I have to work even harder than before."

Even if the memory fades.

With them by her side, Yuu Tenkuji's wish will never change.

△

It's still that luxury apartment building.

With a group of girls, he boarded the elevator. The tenth floor flashed by, and Tenkuji Yu took out his key and opened the door.

"I'm home—is lunch ready?"

Along with this seemingly pointless remark, the aroma of food wafted through the room, instantly relaxing the mind.

"Everything is ready. Please wash your hands and take your seats."

Still sitting and waiting in front of the entrance, the silver-haired girl spoke expressionlessly, first exchanging a glance with Tenkuji Yu, then sweeping her gaze over the other people (the cat and the bird).