Yuu 386-390

Title: We Fixed Some Bugs This Time

Yuu frowned slightly and instinctively refused.

“Sensei, I don’t need to go, do I?”

“Why? Shy?” Hiratsuka teased with a playful tone.

Yuu shook his head and stated his reasons flatly.

“First, visiting a sick classmate and delivering assignments and notes doesn’t require a crowd. We’re not going to her place for a party.”

“Second, I’m a guy and not particularly close with Natsukawa-san. If I show up out of the blue, it’ll just make her uncomfortable.”

“Hmm, you’ve got a point.” Hiratsuka crossed her arms in the pockets of her white coat, nodding thoughtfully. “If she’s just sick, it would indeed be awkward for a guy to visit.”

“So, just leave it to Yui…” Yuu shrugged, acting as if it wasn’t his concern. “And Yukinoshita. I’m sure they can take care of Natsukawa-san just fine.”

“What’s with that weird pause?”

Yukino gave him a cold stare. Her pouting face somehow looked sweeter than her usual calm and composed expression.

But Yuu didn’t notice. Yuigahama was tugging at his sleeve.

“Yuu-kun, are you really not going?”

Her soft lips pursed slightly. Her round eyes blinked, as if trying to melt his resolve, with a gentle shimmer in her gaze.

“After all, during the autumn field trip, we were in the same group as Natsukawa-san. We hung out all day… Even if you two barely talked, there’s no harm in just visiting her, right?”

Yuu hid his thoughtful eyes and pulled his hand away. “So, it’s not necessary…”

“Ugh, come on, let’s go together! …Ah, I’m not saying I don’t want to go with Yukinon, okay?” Turning to explain to Yukinoshita, Yuigahama still stared at him stubbornly.

“Sensei said it’s a Service Club activity. It’s the last one before the club’s suspended! None of us three should skip, right?”

“…”

As if caught off guard by her question, Yuu fell silent.

He shifted his gaze. First, he looked at Hiratsuka.

Hiratsuka casually pulled up a chair and sat down, sucking on her lollipop. She swung her long, black-stockinged legs, waiting for them to finish talking.

Then Yuu looked at Yukino. Their eyes met.

Yukino pursed her thin, soft lips. She seemed still upset from earlier, glaring at him coldly but with no intention of contradicting Yuigahama.

Finally, Yuu turned back to Yuigahama’s serious face. He let out a long sigh, as if giving in.

“Fine, I’ll go… But if I get kicked out, I’m heading straight home.”

“Yay!”

Yuigahama immediately brightened, as if a tail were wagging behind her.

“Don’t worry. We’re just delivering documents and checking if Natsukawa-san’s okay. We won’t go inside her place… After we’re done, we can stop by the shopping street, right?”

“Oh, so that’s your plan.”

Yuu couldn’t help but laugh. He ruffled her hair.

“No more issues then. Let’s decide on it happily!”

After observing her students interacting amicably, Hiratsuka clapped her hands firmly. She stood up from the chair and looked at the boy and girls.

“Do whatever you want—finish your tasks and go, or go now. Either way, call me afterward to report the situation. And no rewards—that’s it, dismissed!”

With that, she casually flicked her white coat and strode out of the clubroom.

The three of them exchanged glances and sighed simultaneously.

Rationally, Yuu could always find the right approach.

For example, after completing a task, he’d keep his distance from an ex-girlfriend, leveraging the fact that they’d forgotten past feelings and starting the next girlfriend game without save data.

Yuu did the same with Yukinoshita Haruno and Yuuki Asuna—naturally, since they didn’t remember him either.

They all lost something important after the tasks. Why could they start fresh and act carefree, while he had to keep chasing and couldn’t let go?

So, this was the most correct way, no doubt.

But emotionally, Yuu couldn’t ignore the ex-girlfriends he’d once been close to.

It was like unearthing a time capsule buried as a child. Even if he couldn’t recall the earnest feelings from back then, he’d still hold it in his palm and keep it with those memories.

So, after waking from the previous two tasks, he’d immediately call Yuuki Kouichirou to check on Yukinoshita Haruno and Yuuki Asuna. Only after confirming they were fine would he truly feel at ease.

As for Natsukawa Masuzu, it was purely because he couldn’t find a way to get information about her. That’s why he didn’t take action until the next day.

Yuu was softer-hearted than he thought and cared more about them.

That’s why, when he heard Masuzu was absent from school without reason, he was caught in a dilemma between rationality and emotion—he didn’t want to reconnect with an ex-girlfriend, but he was also worried something had happened to her due to a timeline change.

If not for Yuigahama’s persistence, Yuu might have convinced himself with some excuse that they’d go anyway, so he could ask later.

And now, rationality had lost. Emotion took over. He couldn’t help but wonder why Masuzu was absent and had cut off contact.

(System, do you have even a bit of a brain?)

After asking inwardly, Yuu suddenly remembered—hadn’t the system finished updating?

What was updated?

He opened the system panel. He didn’t find anything different from before, but he also didn’t see the small text System updating: Progress XXX.

(System?)

Yuu called out a few times in his mind. The voice that usually responded when summoned, often annoyingly, didn’t appear. It was as if he’d accidentally turned off notifications and sound. It was so quiet it made him uneasy.

He frowned slightly and temporarily closed the system panel.

(Did you break yourself during the update? Hello, we fixed some bugs this time?)

The system shouldn’t be that stupid… The likelihood of it preparing something bad and causing trouble was higher.

Though he couldn’t stop what the system wanted to do, Yuu stayed vigilant, mentally preparing for a sudden attack.

Even so, he couldn’t help but complain—first the Bad Luck Charm, then a failed system update. Why were there so many problems even before this task started…

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Finally, as evening approached, streetlights began to glow in the dim corners of the streets.

The three Service Club members had just finished their tasks and walked out of the school gate. They headed to the luxury apartment where Yukino and Masuzu lived.

-

Title: She’s Here

Three pairs of footsteps echoed through the streets of Chiba. From bustling roads filled with the hum of cars to simple homes glowing with bright lights and the faint sound of laughter from TVs, they gradually entered the quiet, luxurious residential area of the wealthy.

Though it was just past five, nearing six, the sky was already dark. Dim stars twinkled at the edge of the horizon, like constellations arriving for winter without saying goodbye to summer.

Yuigahama looked up. Her slender, graceful neck stretched almost straight. But what she saw wasn’t the calm, indifferent night sky—it was the tall, majestic apartment building before her.

Her eyes widened, and she exclaimed sincerely, “It looks so expensive! Does Yukinon live in a place like this alone…?”

“Yes, I moved here not long after school started.” Yukino said, pulling out her keycard. She swiped it over the black box by the door, and the glass door slid open automatically. “The price for a unit is indeed a bit high, but my mother bought several when she invested early. Compared to now, it was practically a steal.”

“That’s not important. Yui was just speaking offhandedly.” Yuu said, following behind. He casually stepped into the apartment lobby, a place he’d visited almost daily for a while.

The floor was so clean it seemed you could see the underside of a girl’s skirt in its reflection—unfortunately, even sharp eyes couldn’t catch that dark, mysterious view.

Yukino was wearing a trench coat, tightly wrapping her slender, delicate frame. Yuu could only see the elegant curves of her calves.

Though Yuigahama’s skirt was shortened, perhaps due to a girl’s instinct, she always managed to avoid any posture that would expose her. Her absolute territory turned into a wailing wall, blocking lustful gazes behind the swaying fabric, making the faint glimpse of her inner thighs all the more tantalizing.

…That said, Yuu wasn’t staring to peek under their skirts. He wasn’t that shameless.

He just glanced.

Honestly, their legs were really nice.

“Instead of talking about housing prices, why don’t you tell us about the challenges you face living alone?”

Hearing Yuu say that, Yuigahama immediately hugged Yukino’s arm. Her eyes sparkled as she said, “Right, Yukinon! Do you usually cook for yourself? Or order takeout? Don’t you feel lonely coming home with no one to greet you?”

“Are you underestimating me, Yuigahama-san?”

Yukino snorted coldly, not turning her head. Her back stood upright with pride, as strong and graceful as a cedar tree.

“Just living alone, what’s the problem? As for loneliness, that depends on the person.”

From the side of her face, the corners of her lips curved slightly. Her tone grew lighter with her changing expression. “At least I feel more relaxed and comfortable here than at home. So, of course, I don’t feel lonely.”

(Oh, because she’s far from supermodel Haruno, huh…)

Yuu raised an eyebrow but didn’t say it out loud. He just watched her press the elevator button. The floor display above slowly descended to the first floor.

As the elevator doors opened, Yukino turned and asked, “My place is on the eleventh floor. Natsukawa-san’s is on the tenth… Do you want to stop by my place first, drop off your bags, and have some tea, or go straight to the tenth floor?”

“You’d invite us to your place for tea?” Yuu was surprised. “I thought you’d kick us out once the task was done.”

Yukino glanced at him, saying flatly, “You don’t have to come. Or rather, don’t come. I don’t want to use my guest-hosting etiquette on you.”

Yuu shook his head. “We’re friends. Don’t be so formal.”

Her black hair spun in a half-circle. Her clear eyes, like well water, fixed on him seriously.

“So, in your mind, I’m some rude person who brings friends to the door and then kicks them out?”

“…”

Yuu fell silent for a moment. Then he scratched the back of his neck in frustration and looked away.

“Alright, I misjudged you.”

“Good that you know your mistake. I forgive you.” Yukino nodded, her expression returning to calm and composed.

But Yuigahama, standing beside her, clearly saw Yukino’s right hand, hidden behind her back, clench into a small victory gesture.

She’s cute, but why does it feel so familiar to be left out like this?!

(Even though my relationship with Yuu-kun is closer now, why can’t I join their conversation…)

“No, I can’t think like that!”

Yuigahama shook her head. Not wanting the Service Club’s atmosphere to change, she chose to overlook this small matter. Her relaxed, cheerful smile returned to her face as she followed her prospective boyfriend and best friend into the elevator.

“Then, let’s go to Natsukawa-san’s place first to deliver the documents, then rest at my place… It shouldn’t be too late. If you want to head home early, that’s fine.”

The tenth-floor button lit up. Yukino glanced at both of them. After confirming they had no objections, she pressed the close-door button.

“Wait!”

Just before the elevator doors fully closed, a clear, beautiful voice rang out from the lobby, piercing straight into the ears of those inside.

Yukino reflexively pressed the open-door button. After realizing who the voice belonged to, she deeply regretted it, wishing she could cut off the hand that pressed it.

Why did she invite trouble when her kindness backfired!

“Yaa~ Almost missed it. As expected of Yukino-chan. You’re trying so hard not to leave your big sister behind~”

The person hurried across the clean, bright floor. Her mature, gentle face was still flushed from rushing. As soon as she entered the elevator, she hugged Yukino’s shoulders, affectionately rubbing her cheek against her hair.

Her tone sounded deeply moved, but her smile was rather mischievous.

“Let go…”

Yukino struggled to break free from her grip, reluctantly biting her lower lip. Her nose wrinkled, showing an annoyed expression somewhat similar to Yuu’s earlier.

“I swear, next time I take the elevator, I won’t wait for anyone… By the way, why are you here again, Nee-san? Don’t you have university classes?”

“Look at the time. Classes are over~”

Speaking casually, Haruno glanced up at the elevator’s rising floor display. She raised an eyebrow. “Tenth floor? Yukino-chan wouldn’t press the wrong button. So, you have business with someone on the tenth floor?”

“None of your business.”

Yukino brushed past Haruno. She looked at the back of the elevator, at the two whose shoulders and backs of hands were touching, and said helplessly, “Sorry. Someone annoying showed up… I’ll invite you over another time.”

“Oh, it’s fine! Haruno-san isn’t annoying at all!” Yuigahama quickly waved her hands. She cautiously glanced at the smiling college student, unconsciously using polite language. “On the contrary, we’re the ones who shouldn’t be intruding. Let’s visit Yukinon’s place again during the holidays when we all have free time.”

Yukino’s expression softened. She nodded with a smile.

At that moment, Yuu and Haruno locked eyes.

Since this wasn’t his first time meeting her after her amnesia, Yuu remained calm. Haruno only showed a surprised expression when she rushed into the elevator.

After that, she stayed composed and relaxed, meeting his sharp gaze without changing her expression.

But whether it was his imagination or not…

Her gaze finally settled on the touching shoulders and hands of Yuu and Yuigahama. Her pupils shrank to pinpricks for a moment, then slowly widened.

Her inscrutable smile gradually spread. Her eyes narrowed into dark crescent moons.

“Arara? Ararara. Ararara~”

Haruno took a long, delighted breath. Tilting her head slightly, she laughed teasingly. “Isn’t this Tenkuji-kun and Dango-chan? It’s only been a few days, so why do you two look so intimate~”

“Eh? N-no, it’s not like that…”

Yuigahama didn’t even have time to feel embarrassed. She instinctively pulled her shoulder back, laughing awkwardly. Her fingers gently pinched the hem of Yuu’s shirt, seeking comfort. She couldn’t understand why her friend’s older sister suddenly exuded such intense pressure.

Haruno saw the scene. Her expression vanished for a moment.

Then, she turned her deep, lightless eyes to Yuu. Her smile remained gentle and bright, like an older sister teasing her younger brother.

“Oh no, Dango-chan says it’s not like that~”

“Tenkuji-kun, are you sad? Hmm?”

A final sigh-like sound drifted out.

A cold, heavy aura instantly enveloped the entire elevator, as if the cables had frozen from within, making the elevator ascend painfully slowly.

And in the midst of that chilling atmosphere, Yuu, stared at emotionlessly by her, felt his heart pound inexplicably.

“Haruno-san…”

-

Title: Is This a Battle of Wits in Love?

“Not really. It’s enough for me to know that my relationship with her is good.”

Like an innocent boy who couldn’t read the room, Yuu tilted his head slightly and looked at Haruno with confusion.

“On the other hand, Haruno-san, why do you care so much about our business? Why do I feel like you’re not exactly thrilled…”

“Me, not thrilled?”

Haruno took a deep breath. She raised an eyebrow. Her emotionless eyes stared straight into the depths of his, as if silently questioning him—

<You little punk, you dare ask that when you’re cheating right in front of me?>

“Yuu-kun…”

Though she didn’t know why the atmosphere suddenly grew so tense, Yuigahama instinctively grabbed his hand, as if to give him courage—or to warm each other in the cold and face Haruno together.

Yukino frowned. Her small hand clenched at her side. She looked like she wanted to step forward and pull her sister back, but she hesitated, unsure of what her sister was thinking.

Different thoughts intertwined. The air in the elevator froze. That was the state of things for a few seconds.

“…Hasn’t changed, huh.”

Haruno muttered to herself, so softly that even the person in front of her couldn’t hear.

“He’s still the same as before. When he plays dumb, no one can tell.”

A warm light reignited in her eyes. The corners of her lips curved up with nostalgia. Her heart beat warmly and strongly.

When she came to her senses, her chest was filled with joy and relief.

She wanted to hug him, ignoring the other two. She wanted to tell him she remembered everything. That starting today, they could be like before, going everywhere to eat delicious food, visiting places they’d never been, doing everything they wanted to do—

But her calm rationality, like a monster, suppressed all those thoughts.

Haruno froze her emotions for the moment.

“Sorry, sorry. Did I startle you? I was just trying to make the trendiest joke. Even if you two are really dating, it has nothing to do with me. Why would I be mad~”

Holding back her nausea, Haruno smiled again. She patted both their shoulders, her tone cheerful and light.

“How’s that? My acting’s pretty good, right? The Sobu High cultural festival is coming up soon. If any class needs an actor, you can come ask your big sister to be a stand-in!”

“So it was just acting… Haruno-san’s aura was so scary. I thought you were serious.” Yuigahama sighed in relief, laughing awkwardly from exhaustion. “My class is doing a play, but we have enough people. I don’t know about other classes…”

“Is that so? What a pity.” Haruno replied with a laugh, her gaze quickly shifting away from her.

Meanwhile, Yuu and Yukino exchanged glances. They blinked and raised their eyebrows, communicating silently.

<Do you believe her?>

<No.>

<What do you think?>

<Who knows. Deal with your sister yourself.>

<Sorry, can’t.>

“…”

<You and Yuigahama-san…>

<Jealous?>

<Damn you.>

Right on cue, the elevator stopped at the tenth floor, and the doors opened. Haruno stepped out first, asking as if nothing had happened:

“By the way, who are you looking for here? A friend?”

“Just a sick classmate who didn’t come to school.” Yukino said flatly. Based on the address provided by the teacher, she quickly located Natsukawa Masuzu’s door number.

Yuu and Yuigahama were the last to exit the elevator.

She was still holding his finger. He could feel faint cold sweat, but she held on tightly, as if unwilling to let go.

“Yui?”

“Hm? Oh, sorry…” Yuigahama flinched, as if waking from a dream. She let go of his hand. Her expression was a bit complicated. Lowering her face, she whispered, “Just now, for some reason… I suddenly felt like Yuu-kun was going to be taken away.”

“By Haruno-san?” Yuu was surprised. Then he raised his hand, ruffled her head, and smiled. “No way. No one can take me from you. I’ll always keep the promises I make. As long as you remember that, I’ll always be by your side, like now.”

“Hm! Even though I’m pretty dumb, I won’t forget something that important.” Yuigahama nodded with a smile. But her tone wasn’t as enthusiastic as her expression, as if she were forcing herself to be cheerful.

With two others outside and Haruno constantly watching them, Yuu couldn’t say more. After pinching her cheek affectionately, he followed Yukino’s steps.

With a clear, calm mind and perfect acting, no one could see the massive tidal wave that had surged in his heart just seconds ago. Yuu barely controlled his emotional fluctuations like Haruno had, nearly blurting out the question stuck in his throat.

(That reaction, is she falling for me again after her amnesia, or…)

“…”

Haruno still remembered. During their time dating, whenever they had free time, they’d drive around and go on dates everywhere.

Once, at a car show, he merely glanced at a scantily clad model. Haruno pulled him to a corner, held his head with both hands, forced him to look straight at her, and said with a gentle tone and a happy smile:

“Arara? Ararara. Ararara~”

“My dearest boyfriend, want me to get her contact info for you? Even with me by your side, you’re still looking at other girls with those eyes. Her charm must be so great you can’t resist—I get it. You want to try a three-way date, right? Sounds fun, doesn’t it? Hmm?”

Back then, her sarcastic tone and that “Hmm~?” intonation were exactly the same as now. Intense jealousy seeped from behind her fake smile, along with a cold murderous intent that wanted to gouge out his eyes.

Of course, whether she was joking or serious, Yuu couldn’t tell back then. Like a lie that was only thirty percent false, it was the most mysterious and captivating thing about Haruno.

But one thing he could tell everyone clearly, based on his memories:

“This woman was definitely jealous just now.”

That’s why Yuu was confused and uneasy.

Was it just a coincidence, or did Haruno remember the past and feel upset seeing him and Yuigahama so close, as his girlfriend?

Yuu didn’t dare ask. So he chose to play dumb, waiting for more information before acting. He’d pretend he too had forgotten the past and couldn’t understand Haruno’s actions or feelings.

Only by playing dumb could he maintain the calm and rationality in his mind.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Haruno was also playing dumb.

Too many things were strange. Even after personally experiencing the feeling of seeing her boyfriend cheat right in front of her, forced to watch him hold hands intimately with a classmate and stand side by side to face her like an enemy, she still restrained herself from flipping the table and giving up. She chose to wait and see how the situation unfolded.

She didn’t know if Yuu was playing dumb or if, like others, he had forgotten that precious time and feeling… Recognizing the wooden comb didn’t mean anything. Maybe Yuu only vaguely remembered it, or perhaps he couldn’t admit it for some reason.

Facing a situation that couldn’t be judged with common sense, attacking blindly wasn’t Haruno’s style.

Like a war started in silence, she needed more information as a weapon—to avoid falling into a trap and to ensure her lover could safely return to her side, calling her Haruno again with that warm, bright smile.

Haruno wouldn’t act recklessly, even though her overflowing love was almost unbearable.

“For now, I won’t make a fuss about your cheating with Dango-chan, Yuu-chan.”

She shifted her gaze from the inseparable pair. Her heart felt irritated and uncomfortable, but she had to show her usual smile.

“However, that doesn’t mean I forgive you…”

“When the whole truth comes out, I’ll definitely make you cry and say, ‘I don’t have the energy to chase other women anymore!’”

For now, she could only rely on fantasies to vent her increasingly insatiable desires.

-

Title: She Seems to Be Lovesick

Yukino pressed the doorbell below.

“Is anyone inside? Natsukawa-san, it’s Yukinoshita, your classmate.”

She knocked on the door and called out.

After a moment, there was still no movement from inside.

Haruno, Yuu, and Yuigahama watched from behind her, offering suggestions one by one.

“Just call the police. I know some people in the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. It’s fine even if it’s a bit excessive.”

“Your voice lacks enthusiasm. With a voice that soft, are you trying to pet a cat? Try again!”

“Yukinon, can you borrow a spare key from the manager?”

“…”

(These people, they’re all here to cause chaos, aren’t they?)

Yukino massaged her temples as if she had a headache. Resisting the urge to kick Yuu’s leg in front of everyone, she spoke with a cold expression, “Please be quiet. Anyone who makes noise again, I’ll have security escort them out.”

Ignoring the indifferent expressions of two of them, she knocked on Masuzu’s apartment door a bit harder.

“Natsukawa-san, I’m here to deliver study materials and check if you’re okay… If you don’t respond within one minute, I’ll consider asking the manager to open the door for me, and I won’t rule out calling the police.”

“All the above actions have been approved by Hiratsuka-sensei. So, don’t worry that I’m just bluffing. Please open the door and accept your documents.”

Hiratsuka had indeed told her to do whatever she wanted. This statement couldn’t be considered a lie. At most, she added a touch of exaggeration.

Since this concerned someone else’s safety, Yukino didn’t hesitate. She used the most efficient method—if the threat didn’t work, she’d take action.

One minute later, she pulled out her phone.

*CLICK!*

The sound of a chain being unlatched rang out. Then, the lock turned. The electronic security lock’s light lit up, indicating it was unlocked.

The door slowly opened, from a narrow crack to wider.

“Yukinoshita? Heh, that’s rare…”

It was a voice weaker and more fragile than Yuu had imagined.

Under everyone’s gaze, the girl poked her head out from behind the door. When she saw the crowd behind Yukino, she instinctively moved to close it but hesitated before shutting it completely.

“Why are there so many people… Are you planning to rob me or gang up on me?”

“I told you, I’m just delivering study materials. You don’t need to worry about them.” Yukino expressionlessly pulled out the brown paper bag from her bag. “And I also want to confirm why you didn’t come to school and can’t be reached… Can you explain? Are you down with the flu or something?”

“Let’s just say it’s the flu. Tell Sensei I’m fine. I’ll return to school once I’m better.” A small, pale hand reached out from the door and took the items. “Thank you, Yukinoshita-san… You can all go back now.”

But at that moment, Yuigahama spoke up, stepping forward to take Yukino’s place. “Um, Natsukawa-san!”

“…Yuigahama-san came too.” Masuzu spoke in a low voice, as if just realizing it. She slowly opened the door wider until her face was visible. “I heard you went to Kyoto. Did you have fun?”

“Yeah, it was super fun! I brought back lots of souvenirs. I’ll give you some tomorrow!” Yuigahama said with a smile.

For some reason, though their relationship had only been casual before, talking face-to-face now felt comfortable and familiar, like chatting with a friend. She unconsciously used a friendly tone.

Masuzu seemed to feel the same. The cold, wary indifference gradually faded. She leaned her thin, frail body against the door, looking at Yuigahama in front of her, the corners of her lips curving slightly.

“Then, thank you… Sorry for worrying you.”

“It’s fine. I’m just glad to see you’re okay!” Though surprised by her suddenly approachable attitude, Yuigahama nodded vigorously. She couldn’t help but scratch her head and laugh awkwardly. “Uh, though you don’t seem that okay…”

“It’s just a slight discomfort, nothing serious.” Shaking her head and after a brief exchange, Masuzu prepared to close the door. “It’s getting dark. You should head home and rest… I’m going back to sleep. Once I’m better, I’ll return to school, and my phone will be reachable.”

She placed her hand on the doorknob, her body slowly retreating. She caught a final glimpse of Yuigahama’s expression, as if she wanted to say something.

Beside her was Yukino, who hesitated. She didn’t want to ignore it but also didn’t want to interfere. Then there was an unfamiliar older sister who seemed uninterested in her, her eyes constantly glancing at the boy standing at the back of the group.

And he, frowning slightly, looked at her with an expression of shock and confusion he couldn’t hide.

(Why? Does he think a popular, beautiful girl at school couldn’t possibly look this disheveled?)

(Too bad. I don’t even know why I’m like this.)

Masuzu found it amusing. Of course, she recognized him. That guy was the all-around king, wildly popular at Sobu High School. He became famous after a legendary feat, defeating most of the sports clubs single-handedly during the autumn showcase.

He was the top student in class, could play the piano, and cooked amazingly well. Masuzu heard he even had a fan club formed by girls, more popular than the baseball or soccer team’s aces.

She’d been in the same group as him and Yuigahama during the autumn field trip. But he didn’t seem interested in her. He never spoke to her the entire time, always ignoring her. And during photos, he chose the spot furthest from her.

But thinking about it, wasn’t that strange?

If he was so popular, he should’ve tried to pull her to his side. Even if Masuzu couldn’t use him as a “shield” she could at least stir up some gossip to keep annoying guys at bay.

If he didn’t dislike her, building a good relationship with him was something she’d do…

“Why?”

As she wondered, she suddenly lacked the strength to even hold the doorknob.

Her knees buckled. Her soul felt like it was being yanked from her body. Masuzu fell backward, unable to stop herself.

She didn’t feel pain. Only a massive wound in her heart, as if freshly sliced open. Pale blood gushed, making it hard to breathe.

“Why do I feel worse than when I woke up this morning… Why am I crying again…”

Like that morning, she silently asked herself what strange illness she was suffering from.

Until dizziness overtook her consciousness and her vision darkened, Masuzu still hadn’t found the answer.

“Natsukawa-san! Natsukawa-san!”

“Are you okay?!”

“Wait, don’t rush to call an ambulance.”

In the darkness, only his voice rang out clearly.

“It’s possible she fainted from hunger. Carry her to the sofa. I’ll make some warm porridge.”

-

Title: Can This Be Called a Love Rival?

A familiar setting, a familiar space.

Yuu walked into Masuzu’s kitchen. His eyes scanned the sink and counter, so clean they looked like they’d just been taken from a showroom.

The cooking utensils, dishes, and ingredients he’d once left here were, of course, gone. Everything was back to being pristine, just like the first time he’d entered.

He opened the fridge. Naturally, there was no meat or vegetables he’d left behind. Only a few cans of drinks and coffee remained. In the corner, two or three boxes of Weider in Jelly were stacked. The top box was open, with four packets of instant jelly still inside.

Unconsciously, Yuu reached for the box. He stopped before touching the jelly, sighed, and pulled his hand back.

“I need to break this habit…”

Ignoring the urge to tidy the jelly, he turned and walked out of the kitchen.

In the living room, Haruno looked up, Yukino held Masuzu’s waist, and Yuigahama held her legs. They carefully placed the unconscious Masuzu on the sofa.

Since they couldn’t find a blanket and didn’t want to enter someone’s bedroom without permission, Yukino took off her trench coat and draped it over Masuzu, who was only wearing pajamas and looked frail and thin.

Her black hair clung to her slender, graceful back. Her white winter shirt outlined a simple yet beautiful figure. Yukino bent down, earnestly using the back of her hand to check Masuzu’s forehead temperature.

(This person, she’s someone who can only show her kindness through actions, huh.)

Yuu’s smile flickered briefly before vanishing. He walked closer.

“Don’t tell me it’s a fever. Her body temperature is so low, I’m wondering if she just came out of a fridge. Are we really not calling an ambulance…” Yukino frowned, pulling her hand back. She happened to glance at him, her eyes suddenly sharpening. “Why are you smiling in a situation like this?”

“It’s a forced smile.” Yuu spread his hands innocently. “There’s no food in her house. I need to go buy some.”

Though she knew the first part of his sentence was a lie, this wasn’t the time to nitpick. Yukino only snorted coldly, grabbed her bag, and headed for the door.

“Wait, Yukinon, let me go instead!” Yuigahama, unsure what to do after helping move Masuzu, hurriedly stopped her. “Your trench coat is still covering Natsukawa-san. You’ll get cold going out in just a shirt.”

“I can go upstairs and grab a jacket.”

Just as she finished speaking, Yuu patted her shoulder, pointing his thumb toward the kitchen.

“You make the tea. I’ll go buy the ingredients.”

Her clear blue eyes narrowed slightly. Yukino asked coldly and calmly, “The reason?”

“My cooking’s better than yours, and I’m the one making the porridge. Of course, I’ll decide what ingredients to buy.”

“You could make a list.”

“Oh, great idea, but I don’t want to.”

“…Childish.” Like a kid being underestimated, she muttered unhappily. Yukino turned expressionlessly. “Fine. Where’s the tea?”

“In the leftmost cabinet above the stove.”

“How do you know?”

“I saw it!” Yuu said in a surprised tone, as if he couldn’t believe Yukino was that clueless.

Yukino took a deep breath, leaving only her cold back and swaying black hair facing him.

Yuu grinned happily. He turned and saw Haruno staring at him, smiling. Her eyes were full of interest and a hint of danger.

(Good grief, what’s this woman planning now?)

The thought crossed his mind. Yuu forced himself to shift his attention. After pulling his wallet from his bag and slipping it into his pocket, he glanced at Masuzu, unconscious on the sofa, her face pale and lips colorless. He walked toward the door as if it wasn’t his concern.

“I’m going to buy ingredients. I’ll be back soon. I’m leaving Natsukawa-san in your care… Remember to open the door when I ring the bell.”

“Oh, I’ll come too…” Yuigahama hurriedly put on the jacket she’d just taken off. As she moved to follow, a hand pressed her shoulder from behind.

“Wait, let me go instead.”

Haruno said earnestly, “Your friend… Natsukawa-san, right? You should stay here. After all, I’m just a stranger to her. If she wakes up and sees an unfamiliar person in her house, she might faint again from fear. That wouldn’t be good.”

“Eh…” Yuigahama blinked, feeling surprised and at a loss for words.

Haruno’s reason was too contrived. She didn’t even try to hide her intention to go with Yuu. Yuigahama didn’t know how to react, her feelings a tangled mess.

In the end, she could only look to Yuu for help.

Yuu ignored Haruno’s exaggeratedly cute wink. He thought for a moment and said to Yuigahama:

“Haruno-san has a point. We still don’t know what’s wrong with Natsukawa-san or why she suddenly fainted… If you’re by her side, it’ll probably be easier to get information from her and calm her down.”

“So, you two stay here. I’ll go alone.”

After speaking, without looking at Yuigahama’s cheeks puffing up like balloons, Yuu quickly left the apartment.

The door closed quietly.

The scent of boiling water wafted from the kitchen. In the living room, the two women slowly shifted their gazes from the door and looked at each other across the sofa.

Yuigahama bit her lip slightly. Her hands clenched at her sides. Her puppy-like, moist eyes no longer avoided Haruno’s, staring straight at the college student.

Haruno leaned halfway against the sofa, propping her cheek with her hand. Her lazy, calm gaze met the dango girl’s stare with composure.

“What’s up? Got something to say?”

With no intention of playing a silent drama, Haruno spoke casually, immediately taking control.

“Um, Haruno-san.”

To her surprise, Yuigahama spoke with a slightly serious tone. Her eyes were earnest, unaffected by Haruno’s aura.

“If I misunderstood, I apologize in advance…”

She took a deep breath and asked, “Haruno-san, your feelings for Yuu-kun—”

“I like him. A lot.”

Before she could finish, the blunt, razor-sharp answer left Yuigahama momentarily speechless.

“B-but, you’ve only met a few times and barely talked…”

“That’s just your perspective. Besides, even so, can’t I fall for him at first sight?”

Haruno smiled gleefully. As if not taking it seriously, she casually twirled her dyed-red hair and said, “His performance at the autumn showcase was enough to catch anyone’s eye. Is it strange that I like him?”

“But Yukinon…”

“Yukino-chan doesn’t know, but what does that have to do with her? You can’t control liking someone. Even if he’s my little sister’s classmate, it’s all the same.”

Faced with that bold statement, Yuigahama was at a loss for words. She lowered her head in silence.

In the end, she just wanted to confirm Haruno’s feelings, even if it meant nothing.

Whether that person truly liked Yuu or not, there was nothing she could do or change—

Right. Just like Haruno couldn’t change the fact that she liked Yuu and would soon be his girlfriend.

(Even if she really wants to date a younger guy, to me, it just means one more rival… Yuu-kun clearly doesn’t want to get too close to her either. I have the advantage. There’s nothing to worry about or fear.)

(On the contrary, Haruno-san must feel sad, right?)

(I hope Yuu-kun doesn’t use words that are too harsh when he rejects her.)

“…I see.”

Letting out a slow breath, as if she’d found her answer, Yuigahama casually raised her gaze and gave Haruno a sincere smile.

“I like Yuu-kun too. I’ve liked him for almost three years. I’m trying to become his girlfriend as soon as possible. Even if my rival is Yukinon’s older sister, I won’t give up!”

“…Hm?”

This time, it was Haruno’s turn to widen her eyes. She looked in surprise at the girl who had made peace before the fight even began.

(With such a magnanimous mindset, is she that confident, or just desperate?)