Yuu 336-340

Title: Aioi Shrine and the Enmusubi Tree

As if she placed great importance on the matter, Haruno looked up and stared into his eyes earnestly.

They both stopped in front of the souvenir shop. Their gazes locked, and the atmosphere grew strangely quiet.

“…Sorry, I only brush hair for family or my girlfriend. That action holds special meaning for me, so please understand.”

Returning the wooden comb to her hand, Yuu refused politely but firmly. “Even for a small favor, I can’t. You should try with your little sister. Just don’t mention the reason.”

After speaking, as if not wanting to give Haruno any excuse to pester him, he turned and walked away.

“Is that so? If you say it like that…”

Judging it wasn’t the right time to press further, Haruno could only sigh resignedly and tuck the wooden comb back into her chest pocket.

With his back to her, Yuu frowned slightly, showing a thoughtful expression.

If he wasn’t mistaken, that well-maintained comb had a faint black mark running through its springtime painting.

Was it an accidental scratch, or was the comb truly cracked from within?

If it was really cracked, did that mean something bad was coming?

You couldn’t blame Yuu for overthinking. He had an unreliable system, which made him a bit paranoid. He feared his ex-girlfriend’s memories might suddenly return, and she’d grab his collar, demanding he take responsibility…

But even if that happened, he couldn’t go back to her!

After the world line shifted and his feelings were taken, the only person Yuu liked now was Natsukawa Masuzu. That was beyond doubt.

Forget Yuuki Asuna, who hadn’t even spoken to him yet—his feelings for Haruno were, at most, friendly. If she kept bothering him like this, he could only play dumb and keep rejecting her.

Yuu couldn’t help but sigh.

(Let’s just go with the flow. After all, for others, this never happened. If she’s the only one who remembers, without proof, it won’t have much impact…)

This applied to himself too.

If he hadn’t let the system take his feelings back then and tried to reunite with Haruno, he’d probably just get a confused stare and a “Who are you?” followed by a merciless kick.

Don’t be fooled by Yuu’s demeanor—he was actually quite fragile. He didn’t dare do things that would surely hurt him.

Unless the system could heal the wound. Unless he was determined to end it all.

Yuu sincerely hoped Haruno wouldn’t take the path he was deliberately avoiding.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Leaving Kawai Shrine, he returned to the main path connected to the Momiji Bridge.

Following the dense, red Tadasu Forest ahead and walking straight, he’d see the giant torii gate of Shimogamo’s main shrine.

The sun was blocked by clouds, the sky shifting from gray to dark.

The shaded tunnel was lit by lanterns glowing on the ground. The orange light rising from the earth was beautiful, as if he were stepping into a mysterious, tranquil otherworld.

Walking on the stone path illuminated by lanterns, Yuu felt a slight regret. He hadn’t insisted Masuzu leave her room to enjoy this beautiful, calming forest scenery with him.

So now, the one accompanying him was this troublesome older sister.

“Wow~ The success rate for love confessions here must be super high, don’t you think?”

“Average.”

“The lighting’s great, and the atmosphere too. What else? Are you the type to give flowers during a confession?”

“Maybe.”

“Such a pity. I think just showing up as you are is enough. You don’t even need a confession. After all, companionship is the most enduring expression of love~”

“That’s not true.”

“…”

This was what you’d call a salty response.

Even for Haruno, after being treated like that, she lost interest in continuing the conversation. She obediently shut her mouth, looking at the fiery red forest with a bored expression.

After crossing another stone bridge, they finally reached the main Shimogamo Shrine.

The towering torii gate stood with a commanding presence ahead. To the right was the Temizu-ya, where visitors were supposed to purify their hands and mouths before entering the gate. To the left was a large rock formed from many small stones, called Sazare-ishi, symbolizing the small stones becoming a great rock in Japan’s national anthem, Kimigayo.

Though aware of the purification rule, Yuu, not wanting the hassle, walked straight through the torii gate. Haruno quickly followed beside him, not glancing at the Temizu-ya either.

In a sense, they were both selfish. They did what they wanted, and if they didn’t want to, even a deity couldn’t force them.

In truth, passing the torii gate didn’t mean reaching Shimogamo Shrine. There was another popular spot before it—Aioi Shrine.

Aioi Shrine worshipped Kami no Musubi, a deity venerating tall trees and revered as the god of creation and birth in Japan’s Kojiki and Nihon Shoki. This deity also symbolized eternal life and immortality, one of the Three Creator Gods in Japanese mythology.

Tourists here typically drew love fortunes from the box beside the shrine, then completed the love prayer ritual with their partners, hoping for a happy life and growing old together.

If you enjoyed people-watching, spending ten or twenty minutes near Aioi Shrine would reveal these patterns.

Groups of girls came to the fortune box laughing, with mysterious and hopeful expressions, carefully drawing wooden sticks and exchanging them for fortune papers from the miko. Then they prayed from Aioi Shrine to other shrines and stones, tossing coins at each prayer.

Couples, on the other hand, approached Aioi Shrine quietly, looking happy yet respectful, performing the same rituals with different emotions.

Unfortunately, none of this had anything to do with Yuu.

He only came to enjoy the scenery and take photos. He had no intention of praying.

The Renri no Sakaki was to the left of Aioi Shrine. Two trees grew together as one. New sprouts emerged from their roots, branching into separate canopies. If one connected tree died, a new sprout would automatically reconnect. The tree he saw was the fourth generation.

Due to this strange phenomenon, the Renri no Sakaki was believed to hold prayer powers for love bonds, easy childbirth, child-rearing, and family harmony. Especially for love bonds, it had a magical effect. This was why young men and women eagerly prayed at Aioi Shrine. The tree was even listed as one of Shimogamo Shrine’s Seven Wonders.

Yuu took several photos with his phone. He also captured the fortune box and the shrine but deliberately deleted images where Haruno snuck into the frame.

“How old are you, really?”

“Could be five, could be eighteen. Women are unpredictable~”

Smiling shamelessly, Haruno approached the prayer instruction board. She glanced at it briefly, then suddenly waved at him enthusiastically.

“Hey, how about we pray at Aioi Shrine? They say it binds soulmates. Even if we get amnesia, we could fall in love again. It sounds like it has a magical drama-like effect!”

-

Title: A Heartbroken Girl?

“…”

Yuu’s motion of sending photos to Sora paused slightly. He frowned and looked at her.

“Haruno-san, I’ve been meaning to say this for a while… You know I have a girlfriend, yet you keep saying things like that to me. Don’t you think it’s inappropriate?”

“Things like that?” Stunned for a moment, Haruno, half-turned, realized what he meant. She dragged out her words, “Oh~~ You’re saying that even though I know you’re taken, I’m still flirting with you like this, acting like a shameless woman trying to steal you, right?”

The corner of Yuu’s mouth twitched. “I didn’t say it that harshly…”

“No need to explain, I get it!”

Under his puzzled gaze, Haruno patted his shoulder with a serious expression. “You’re right. Setting aside other factors, I said I like you and invited you to a love shrine. Isn’t that basically flirting? Your girlfriend could come and slap me twice.”

“…Ha, good that you understand.”

Yuu exerted great effort to suppress the urge to grumble. He only laughed awkwardly.

Haruno then said, “But have you ever considered one thing?”

“What?”

She looked up with her mature, beautiful face. The corners of her lips curved slightly. Her eyes were filled with a deep, mysterious smile, as if everything was under her control.

“If I knew that you two aren’t really dating, and Natsukawa Masuzu-chan doesn’t actually like you… Hmm, maybe it’s the same situation as Yukino-chan’s friend, Yuigahama Yui-chan, right now?”

“Tenkuji, would you still see me as a wicked woman stealing someone else’s boyfriend?”

Her voice was soft and low.

At that moment, the thought that crossed Yuu’s mind wasn’t that Yukino had leaked information about that request. Instead, it was how terrifying Haruno’s ability to gather information was.

…As if he deeply trusted the two sisters. But no. He only trusted his own observational skills.

That day, when he followed the Service Club at the fall festival, it was enough for Haruno to notice some things. When she later met Masuzu at the apartment, she must have extracted the information she wanted from their conversation, while Masuzu herself was oblivious and didn’t even realize she was being targeted.

Coupled with some simple reasoning and bold guesses, of course, if Haruno wanted to know, their fake relationship would be like paper in front of her, easily torn apart.

Because of this, Yuu showed no trace of panic or surprise.

He only met her gaze with deeper, calmer eyes and answered briefly:

“Yes.”

Haruno’s expression froze for a moment. “…Why?”

“Because she likes me, and I like her too.”

Though it was a fact he’d decided for himself, he believed it from the bottom of his heart.

Because they liked each other, the confusion and unease would persist. That’s why they weren’t willing to completely cut ties with each other.

Someone who knew this but still tried to interfere between them, no matter who, was no different from an intruder.

The only thing that could stop them from truly being together was the knot in their own hearts—and the system.

“…”

The smile on her face slowly faded. Haruno stared into his eyes, as if trying to peer into his heart through those deep black depths.

After a long time, she sighed resignedly and turned away.

“Fine, I’ll restrain myself more… It’s tough being a caring Onee-san. I finally found a junior I want to dote on, but I’m seen as a wicked woman trying to be the third wheel. It really breaks my heart. Sob, sob, sob~”

She placed her hands at the corners of her eyes, pretending to cry a few times, and sighed sadly.

When she turned back, her lazy, cheerful smile was still on her face.

“Well, don’t worry! Until you meet my standards for being my boyfriend, I won’t try to steal you in any way… To become someone I like, you still have a long way to go.”

(There’s a gap?)

(Is it 131 kilometers long, or 33 days?)

Yuu shook his head. He gave her a bright smile too.

“Good. I don’t want to be liked by a dangerous woman like you. You didn’t even rule out the option of stealing me by any means.”

Haruno raised her eyebrows. Her gaze sharpened slightly. “Oh, you lowly high schooler, how dare you talk to your senior like that?”

Yuu shrugged innocently. “I’m just telling the truth. Should I repeat it more politely, Senpai?”

“Good grief…”

As if she couldn’t do anything with him, Haruno put her hands on her hips, laughing sourly and sighing loudly.

“I take back what I said earlier. You’re a little interesting, but you’re even more annoying!”

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

After leaving Shimogamo Shrine, Haruno found an excuse to part ways with Yuu. She went to a restroom in a nearby park to wash her face.

“He’s really like an iron wall… The closer I try to get, the more it hurts when I crash into him. He’s the type I hate the most.”

She muttered to herself.

The cold water and her voice flowed down the drain. Haruno slapped the water off her face forcefully. She slowly raised her expressionless face. Her pale lips opened and closed slightly.

“If that’s the case, why can’t I bring myself to tell him to leave? Why am I letting myself suffer like this?”

Even now, the uncomfortable feeling tore at her heart. Recalling those words, the pain made it hard to breathe.

The pain was so intense that she could only use acting to hide herself. She seemed fine, but under the white light, she looked more helpless.

“A heartbroken girl? Turns out I can still feel this. Tsk, tsk, tsk, how rare.”

With a mocking tone, Haruno couldn’t hold back a laugh, then turned her gaze away, unwilling to look at herself in the mirror anymore.

“Let’s forget about love for now. At the very least… I need to find the truth.”

“I have to know what’s missing from my past!”

Her confused voice regained its determination.

She pulled the wooden comb from her chest pocket. The next second, her eyes widened. She stared blankly at the painting on the comb.

Originally, there was only a faint black line. Now, the springtime painting on the comb looked like glass about to shatter, covered in web-like black cracks. It seemed like it would break into pieces with the slightest touch.

Just ten minutes ago, it wasn’t like this. During that time, the comb hadn’t hit anything. How could it…

She carefully rubbed it with her thumb. The comb’s surface was still smooth, with no tangible cracks.

“What’s going on?”

With shock in her eyes, Haruno stood frozen. After a long time, she put the comb back in her pocket with a complicated expression and stepped out of the restroom.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Yuu returned to the inn just in time for the six o’clock dinner.

After washing his hands, he went to the restaurant. Many people were already seated in two rows. In front of each person was a low, dark brown wooden table. On the table was a tray with a steaming dinner set.

Yuu went to the kendo club to warn them about the balcony issue, telling the club president to be cautious. Then he quickly found the Service Club’s spot.

There was space between each low table, so it didn’t matter who he sat next to. Naturally, Yuu sat beside Yuigahama, avoiding looking at Yukino.

“Where’s Masuzu? Is she not coming out for dinner?”

“Seems like it.” Yuigahama sighed resignedly. “I called her to wake up, but there was no response. She’s probably sleeping soundly.”

“You can never wake someone pretending to sleep.”

Yukino said flatly. With the corner of her eye, she saw Yuu sit in front of his tray. She then clasped her pale, slender hands and said softly with her eyes slightly closed:

“Let’s eat.”

“Oh, let’s eat too!” Yuigahama quickly picked up her chopsticks.

Yuu looked at the steaming miso soup on the tray. After a moment’s thought, he said to Yuigahama beside him:

“I’ll stop by your room later. I’ll drag her out to eat or bring food to her. It seems she didn’t eat anything at noon. I can’t let her keep going like this.”

“Eh?”

Yuigahama’s motion of picking up vegetables froze mid-air. Seemingly confused, she blinked her round, bright eyes at him.

“…To our room?”

-

Title: Taking Her Away

After dinner.

“Y-Yuu-kun, wait outside first! I need to tidy up the room! And check if Natsukawa-san has a habit of sleeping without clothes!”

Like a girl nervously inviting a boy to her house, Yuigahama spoke hurriedly before rushing into the room. She slammed the door shut with a bang, leaving Yuu unable to see anything inside.

Yukino, also locked out, pressed her forehead with a resigned expression. “What’s there to tidy up? I already cleaned up before we left, Yuigahama-san… And while traveling, even if Natsukawa-san lacks common sense, she wouldn’t sleep naked here.”

“In fact, Masuzu doesn’t have a habit of sleeping naked,” Yuu added.

Yukino glanced at him. “You know that quite well.”

“She’s my girlfriend. Is it strange that I know things like that?” Yuu tilted his head and smiled, his eyes clear and honest.

Seeing him, Yukino froze for a moment. Then she lowered her gaze, letting out a soft sigh and a faint laugh.

“You used to say so confidently, ‘I won’t take it seriously, it’s just a request…’ But in the end, you both fell into this situation too.”

“Use a better term. It’s called finally agreeing,” Yuu said, glancing at the door. Standing parallel to it, he spoke in a cheerful tone. “If feelings could be suppressed with just a few words, they wouldn’t be so valuable that people would risk their lives and chase them so desperately, right?”

Yukino stepped toward the door. Her voice remained clear and cool.

“I can understand it, but I can’t feel it.”

Looking at her slender back, Yuu teased, “Don’t speak too soon. When you fall for someone, you’ll understand this feeling.”

Her steps paused briefly.

As she pushed the door and entered, Yukino glanced back slightly, giving him a small, somewhat lonely smile.

“Though I don’t think that day will come… I’ll look forward to it.”

After speaking, she entered the room. Her swaying black hair disappeared behind the door.

Not long after, the voices of the two girls called for him to come in.

“Excuse me.”

Without any awkwardness, Yuu strode confidently into the group room shared by the three girls. Ignoring the neatly arranged suitcases in the corner, he passed the living area with a round table and TV, heading toward the bedroom with its paper door already open.

“Natsukawa-san is sleeping inside…” Yuigahama said softly, watching Yuu enter the dark bedroom.

Soon after, following a series of whispers.

“What are you doing?! Let me go!”

Accompanied by an incredulous shout, Yuu stepped out of the bedroom. His expression was flat. Over his shoulder, he carried a wriggling bundle of blankets.

Inside the bundle was Masuzu, the silver-haired beauty looking pale and pitiful.

Her face was flushed, and she gritted her teeth. Her body kept struggling, but she couldn’t break free from his strong arms. “Pervert! Kidnapper! Rapist! Go to a hotel with your scattered female friends! Why are you carrying me out?!”

Yuu answered calmly, “If you dare do things that make people worry, you should be prepared for excessive attention… So, stop making a fuss. Come with me quietly.”

“Don’t think I’m easy to bully. Be careful, I’ll really scream for help!”

“Then I’ll stuff your mouth with socks…”

“You think I’m scared?”

“Yukinoshita’s socks.”

“…”

Yukino: “???”

As Masuzu fell silent with a defeated expression, Yuu looked at the two onlookers and gave a resigned smile.

“Sorry, I suddenly changed my mind. I’ll take her back to my room to take good care of her.”

Snapping out of her shock, Yuigahama hesitated for a moment. In the end, she seemed to give up on asking why. She just scratched her cheek and smiled wryly. “Then, don’t be too noisy… Though if others find out, it probably won’t be an issue.”

After all, Yuu was just a supporter. Even if he brought a strange girl to his room, the kendo club coach couldn’t control him… Besides, Masuzu was his acknowledged girlfriend. Whatever they did was reasonable.

Imagining the scene briefly, Yuigahama’s cheeks flushed. She felt a bit scared looking at the two of them. Her heart ached slightly and beat faster.

Beside her, Yukino crossed her arms over her chest and said bluntly, “You’d better be careful. Since you’re here for the tournament, act like a participant. Don’t have any accidents before the match that could affect your performance.”

What kind of accident?

After she said that, Yuigahama couldn’t help imagining strange things.

Like mental exhaustion from an all-night “workout,” or accidentally injuring his waist or other body parts…

(No, no! Yukinon definitely didn’t mean it like that. Yuu-kun taking Natsukawa-san to his room alone, he’s definitely not planning to do anything like that!)

Yuigahama quickly shook her head, banishing all those unhealthy, censored thoughts from her mind.

And reality proved… she wasn’t entirely wrong.

Yuu and Yukino weren’t thinking of such things. The only one with similar thoughts was Masuzu.

“Yukinoshita-san, Dango-chan, are you going to let him take me back to his room to be humiliated and toyed with? Why are you just standing there watching? Is this a Service Club activity too?!”

“Don’t drag us into your couple’s quarrel.”

Facing Masuzu’s accusations, Yukino only spoke coldly as she walked to the bathroom. “If you truly felt violated, we wouldn’t ignore it—but ask yourself, do you really hate what he’s doing?”

“If not, please take your boring flirting scene elsewhere. I’m not interested in watching.”

Masuzu fell silent. Once again, she was speechless.

Before carrying her out of the room, Yuu turned toward the bathroom and raised his voice. “Oh, by the way, Yukinoshita.”

“Can you stop talking to me while I’m in the bathroom?” Yukino’s slightly annoyed voice came from behind the door. “Fine, what is it?”

“I ran into your older sister on the way. I don’t know if she’s already looked for you.”

“!”

A few seconds later, Yukino hurriedly opened the bathroom door. Wiping her wet hands with a handkerchief, she looked toward the door with a shocked expression.

“You said she came too… Wait? Where is she?”

“She left after we talked.”

-

Title: This Is How I Love You

“…”

“She just left without explaining, as annoying as ever.”

Yukino furrowed her brows. She sighed, pulling out her phone, preparing to contact her troublesome older sister who had come to Kyoto without telling her.

At that moment, Yuigahama turned around. Her light pink hair swayed around her neck.

Under the lamplight, her smile bloomed like a bright sunflower, reflecting sincerity and beauty in Yukino’s eyes.

She no longer avoided it and chose to surrender.

She said, “But I really like that kind of Yuu-kun.”

Outside, the winter night.

As if it would stay like this forever, the darkness spread into an endless distance.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Without attracting much attention, Yuu successfully carried Masuzu back to his room.

This was also thanks to Masuzu not screaming or making a fuss. Even if passersby saw the odd scene, they’d only think they were playing something unique. They’d smile and pretend not to notice, secretly admiring the strength of the man’s arms.

“Masuzu, you’re heavy.”

That was the first thing Yuu said after setting Masuzu down.

Masuzu, who had resolved to stay silent, immediately raised her eyebrows, unable to hold back a glare. “I haven’t eaten properly for days. You think I could still get fat?!”

Yuu locked the door. He crouched in front of her, a smile on his face as he stroked her hair. His voice was incredibly gentle.

“If it’s not because you’re fat, why do you feel heavier in my heart?”

“???”

Staring in shock at the happy smile on his face, Masuzu quickly put on a disgusted expression. Like a female knight whose face was poked with something gross by a pig-headed man, she scoffed bluntly, “If I committed a crime, you could punish me with the law or personal punishment. Don’t disgust me with cheesy romantic lines like that!”

Yuu dodged her attempt to bite his finger and continued asking with a smile, “Don’t like it?”

“I hate it to death.”

Masuzu struggled, finally breaking free from the blanket bundle. She sat up, slightly out of breath. Her sapphire-like eyes still held a trace of shadow.

“You know I hate this kind of thing the most. Why do you still—”

“Because you do things that make me unhappy too. I’m just returning the favor. Not too much, right?”

Yuu sat cross-legged in front of her and spoke casually.

And, as if he no longer intended to fight, he launched a frontal attack.

“I originally planned to keep arguing like this until you couldn’t take it. But after meeting someone outside, I realized dragging this out would only make me more uncomfortable.”

“Someone? …Yukinoshita Haruno?” While combing her disheveled silver hair, Masuzu immediately recalled the words he’d said earlier. She unconsciously gripped the hair in her hand.

“So, you really went around with her earlier?”

“Yeah. I strolled around Shimogamo Shrine. The scenery was beautiful, and I took some photos.”

Masuzu almost laughed in frustration at his nonchalant attitude.

“Oh? That’s great. Why don’t you just die?”

Hearing her hate-filled words, Yuu smiled instead. “No way. Until I hear you say you love me, I won’t die.”

“What’s with that shonen manga line…” Masuzu sighed in exasperation and waved her hand. “Fine, I love you—there. Whether you die or not, I’m going back now.”

As she tried to stand, Yuu grabbed her cold, soft hand and pulled her toward him.

In the end, her soft, precious body fell into his arms. She looked up at him with a small, shocked face.

Yuu’s eyes turned serious. “You think I’d accept a half-hearted answer like that?”

“…Sorry, I won’t give you the answer you want.”

As if giving up on resisting, Masuzu let her whole body go limp. She closed her eyes and said despairingly, “Do whatever you want—lock me up or anything. From the start, I’ve never had the strength to resist you… Maybe this is the best ending.”

As soon as she finished, Yuu reached under her hips.

“Since you say that, I won’t hold back.”

“Eh? Wait—”

Amid her reflexive cry, Yuu scooped her into his arms and walked toward the bed prepared by the inn.

The sudden sensation of being lifted and pressed against his broad chest reminded Masuzu of the day he carried her to bed when she had a fever. Her heart wavered for a moment.

When she came to, she was already lying on soft, cool blankets, like a pig on a cutting board.

The man pinned her waist with his knee. She could only see his arms—not overly large but strong and firm. His beast-like breath and heat enveloped the space above her. Her slender, frail body was almost entirely covered by his shadow.

“Masuzu, there’s no point in running. The girl I love, I’ll get her no matter what.”

Yuu pursed his handsome lips. His eyes were sharp, his voice low and full of aggression.

For some reason, despite being in a position where she’d be pounced on, Masuzu felt relieved.

Like returning to the past before she confessed her love. Like… finally abandoning the right path, and they could fall into hell together.

“…Like a domineering boss.” She raised her hand, gently wrapping it around his neck. “Those words don’t suit the always-gentle you.”

(But let it be like this.)

(As long as it’s not about love, I’m willing to give you everything…)

(Because being away from you these past few days has been so painful.)

“Finally, I can return to your side.”

The corners of her lips curved softly. Her chest was filled with a warmth she hadn’t felt in a long time.

Masuzu closed her eyes. In her heart, she was ready to be broken and unable to get up tomorrow.

(They say people with strong physiques can fight longer. Seven times a night is nothing… So someone all-around in sports like him might act like a male dog in heat.)

While thinking strange things, Masuzu felt him slowly lower his head. His hot breath burned the skin of her neck. Her body temperature spiked almost instantly. Various parts of her body reacted with excitement. Her heart pounded with hopeful rhythm.

The next second, his soft lips kissed just above her collarbone.

“Hmm…” She couldn’t hold back a moan. Her nose let out a breath.

It felt like her collarbone was seared with an iron rod. But it didn’t hurt. The electric shock-like sensation paralyzed her entire body. Only a tingling feeling rose to her nerve endings.

Biting and sucking. Her fingers unconsciously intertwined. Her body shifted restlessly, rubbing against him.

This was the start of affection. She could feel his gentleness and love for her—which made her even more itchy and impatient.

“Don’t, don’t kiss my neck anymore. Move somewhere else… It’s ticklish.”

Masuzu herself didn’t expect such a shy, soft voice to come from her mouth.

But at that moment, she didn’t have time to dwell on trivial things like that.

His lips obediently moved away from her neck, lightly kissing her forehead.

“I want to continue too… But before everything’s ready, let me leave a mark first.”

With that, the warmth left her.

As if her mind was frozen by the sudden cold air, Masuzu froze for a moment. Then she sat up abruptly, staring at Yuu, who sat beside her with his knees bent.

“What did you say? Ready? You mean a condom?”

(Why can someone stop at this point?)

(Your self-control is insane. Why don’t you become a professional FPS player?!)

“I keep one in my wallet as a charm. The inn probably provides them too.”

Yuu shrugged. His tone was no longer low and domineering like before. He spoke casually, as usual. “I just wanted to tell you, until we’re truly dating, I won’t touch you, and I won’t let you go either.”

“Masuzu, this is how I love you—no matter how long it takes for you to accept it, I’ll wait, and I’m willing to keep waiting.”

Maybe this was the first lie Yuu ever told Masuzu?

“Yuu…”

Stunned, Masuzu stared at him with wide eyes. Her sapphire eyes rippled with emotion.

-

Title: She’s So Cute

After a brief silence, Masuzu turned her face away. Her long, glossy silver hair covered her flushed, sweet face.

“I won’t fall for your sweet words… Do you remember what you said to me on the mountain?

‘Liking you as an individual and liking Natsukawa Masuzu are two different things—so don’t worry, I won’t want to date you, and I won’t seriously pursue you.’

‘Someday, I’ll like another girl. I’ll seriously pursue her and have the kind of relationship you hate most with her.’

“You said that, so why are you still so persistent with me? Go like another girl!”

Speaking in an awkward tone, Masuzu slowly turned back. Her deep blue eyes looked gloomy and dim. She said to him in a self-deprecating tone:

“There are so many girls around you. Whether it’s Yukinoshita-san, Dango-chan, or even those two juniors, they’re all so much better than me, a fake girlfriend who can only live with lies.”

“They’re real and beautiful. That’s a place I can’t reach, no matter how hard I try. Only by using a fake relationship as an excuse can I stand confidently by your side… You know that feeling. The light around me is too dazzling. Without shadows to cover me, I can only lower my head and escape, searching for another corner that suits me.”

Beneath her confident and elegant exterior was a fragile, weak, insecure, and dark heart.

The components that made up Masuzu must be incredibly complex.

There was a spiciness like seasoning, elegance like truffles, and sweetness like honey. All these flavors mixed in squid ink, stirred until inseparable. Beneath the glamorous surface was a deep darkness, but beneath that lay a transparent sediment yearning for clarity.

She was like Yukinoshita Haruno… No, she was completely different.

By now, Yuu no longer compared the two.

Because Masuzu was Masuzu. Her distortions, confidence, insecurities, weaknesses, cowardice, and persistence—her smiles and tears—were all uniquely hers, her singular inner self.

Though not entirely beautiful, she unconsciously drew him in.

Because Masuzu was so flawed, Yuu wanted to make her happy and see her smile by his side.

“People can change, Masuzu.”

Yuu reached out. Smiling, he patted her head. “At the same time, relationships between people keep changing. Everything in the world is constantly moving, and nothing stays the same. It’s natural for people to change after learning from the world’s changes.”

Masuzu stared at him in confusion.

“Back then, I did think that way. But just as you’ve unconsciously come to like me, words spoken in the past can’t shackle you now—that’s what feelings are.”

“I don’t like you…” Even now, when that word was mentioned, Masuzu reflexively wanted to deny it.

Yuu pressed his thumb to her soft lips, silencing her murmur. “Besides, do you think I’m the type to choose what looks best over what I like most?”

“It’s not because you think they’re good that I have to choose them. And it’s not because someone’s more suitable as a girlfriend that I have to pursue them, Masuzu.”

He used his not-too-large palm to cover half her cool face. His fingertips stopped at the corner of her eye. He could feel her skin’s temperature gradually rise and warm.

“Remember, no matter how badly you talk about yourself, I like this flawed you—and from now on, I’ll like you even more.”

“If the light is too dazzling, hide by my side.”

Yuu smiled. He pulled her onto him, letting her silver-haired head rest against him, leaning on his chest.

“I can give you as many shelters as you need.”

His gentle voice fell like feathers.

For the first ten seconds, Masuzu didn’t move against his chest, as if her consciousness had drifted away.

The next ten seconds, she slowly raised her trembling fingers, gripping his collar, gradually tightening her hold.

Like being found at last in a long-lost forest. Like discovering that a long-lost treasure was always beside her bed.

She hugged him tightly, as if entrusting her entire heart to him. No sobs, no tears, but her fingertips were filled with sorrow, digging firmly into his flesh, quietly leaving marks.

Then, in his gentle embrace, the sorrow faded, and her strength evaporated. Like a baby sleeping in its mother’s arms, she curled up against his chest, safe and happy.

“Can you give me time, no matter how long it takes?” Masuzu asked in a spoiled tone.

“On the condition that you don’t back out,” Yuu inhaled the scent of her hair. As if wanting to remember every minute and second, he said softly, “Go find your answer. Don’t run away anymore… No matter where you go, I’ll be with you.”

“…That’s such a reassuring answer.”

Masuzu looked up and kissed his chin.

Her snow-white skin flushed. She gazed at him with eyes that seemed to melt, giving a slightly silly smile.

“Hehe, this is a reward for saying nice things~”

Yuu couldn’t hold back a laugh.

(Really, this Masuzu. She’s so cute.)

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

After making her lips swell from kisses and leaving many dark purple marks on her neck and soft skin above her chest.

Yuu refused her request to return to her room for a jelly drink. He went to the kitchen, retrieved the dinner set he’d asked to be saved in an insulated box, and fed her while watching TV. The atmosphere was harmonious and warm, a rare occurrence.

After Masuzu was full, it was time to bathe and sleep.

“Wanna… bathe together?”

She covered her chest, looking at him cautiously. Even the backs of her ears were as red as apples.

Having endured a tough trial, Yuu didn’t hide his regret. He sighed and said, “Let’s skip it for today. The main course should be saved for last. I want to have you after the knot in your heart is untied. It feels incomplete now.”

“Picky guy. Is this some kind of psychological virginity complex?”

Masuzu muttered discontentedly. She gently twirled the silver hair falling over her chest. Suddenly, her gaze shifted to the tatami below. Her voice grew softer until he could barely hear.

“If you don’t want to eat, it can be settled another way… I also want to do something for you.”

“Huh?” Yuu blinked. His usually sharp brain jammed for the first time.

She glanced up secretly, eyeing his crotch, then casually looked away. She stammered as she spoke.

“W-Well, doesn’t it hurt? It’s been… hard this whole time.”

“…”

Even Yuu, with his strong mentality and ability to act shamelessly like a city wall when needed, couldn’t help coughing awkwardly a few times. He unconsciously tilted his hips slightly and turned away from her.

“Though I can control my muscles, some parts I can’t control.”

He hoped she understood how hard he was restraining himself.

If Masuzu was truly his girlfriend, it wouldn’t matter. Yuu wasn’t against premarital intimacy. The kisses and touches earlier nearly sparked a fire. The kiss marks on her body were proof…

But the moment he thought about how this alluring, sweet girl behind him would soon forget him. Maybe she’d live alone until old age, or fall into another man’s arms.

His head, once raised, drooped, and his heated stomach quickly cooled.

Readers could call him pretentious or a virginity monster—indulging in desire with someone who’d forget him was something Yuu never did, whether with Yukinoshita Haruno or Yuuki Asuna. Now, in front of Natsukawa Masuzu, he wouldn’t act differently.

He hadn’t changed since he fell for someone… And someone like him didn’t have the right to lecture Masuzu.

“I won’t hold back when I want to do it. For now, hold off.” Taking a deep breath, Yuu walked to his suitcase, grabbed clothes and his phone, and turned toward the bathroom.

“I’m gonna take a bath.”

“Cold shower?”

“A cold shower at a hot spring inn?”

“I heard of a case where someone did that in a pool and got a virgin pregnant…”

“Relax, I’ll remember to drain the water.”

“So you’re really planning to do that in the bathtub? Yuu, you pervert!”

“…”

Forget it. Masuzu, with her mouth full of dirty words, was much better than the gloomy, quiet her.

With a resigned smile, Yuu closed the bathroom door and started filling the tub with water.