Yuu 266-270

Title: The Disappearance of Natsukawa Masuzu

“This one’s good—try it on.”

“Why me...”

“Cat Café.”

“...Fine, I’ll try it.”

Blushing, Yukino changed into the dress Yumiko had picked out for her.

Yumiko glanced over Yukino’s entire body, shook her head in disappointment, waved her hand, and signaled her to change back.

“Not suitable. Especially around the chest. This outfit would only suit Yui.”

“...”

This kind of anger hadn’t surfaced in Yukino’s heart since the day she met Yuu.

But she had her principles and integrity. A promise already made couldn’t be taken back—so, despite her embarrassment and reluctance, Yukino could only bite her lip and allow them to hold the clothes and dress her.

Yes, them.

Yuigahama, Ordinary Girl, and even Masuzu joined Yumiko. They didn’t want to miss this rare chance to dress up the Ice Queen. They weren’t afraid even when she gave them cold stares, making them shiver from head to toe.

“Yukinon, this dress will definitely look very elegant on you!”

“Yukinoshita-san, please try this one!”

“Yukinoshita-san, this outfit I’m recommending has several styles from international designers—Araki-sensei, you must try it!”

“...Isn’t this men’s underwear?”

“Shallow, Yukinoshita-san, so shallow! Don’t casually define beautiful clothing! Even if it looks like underwear, when you wear it on your head, it’s no longer underwear!”

“Natsukawa-san, I’ll call a taxi to send you home right now.”

That meant get lost.

As for Yuu, he had found a way out for himself.

For most men, shopping with women was undoubtedly torture. They’d be tested physically and mentally. They could only rely on their phones and rest areas to catch their breath.

Yuu was the type to pick clothes randomly, comparing prices rather than brands. He was someone who shopped as quickly as possible. Besides, he was shopping with five women—he’d inevitably end up being used as a tool. Their happiness and sadness had nothing to do with him. In the end, this rare picnic would conclude with trivial matters, and he’d return home with only painful memories.

Of course, getting to witness Yukino’s fashion show should count as luck among misfortunes—but if that were all, Yuu wouldn’t deserve to be called a system owner.

Among the many skills he’d acquired, there was Fashion Sense (Expert Level)—enough to qualify him as a fashion magazine columnist.

Not to mention the two skills: Makeup (Expert Level) and Disguise (Perfect Level). His knowledge of fashion trends, clothing brands, and makeup was deeper than most women’s. His professional level far surpassed that of these high school girls.

So, when the girls posed deadly questions like which one is better, this or that? or this color or that color, which is better?, Yuu didn’t just smile calmly—he analyzed them systematically and offered plenty of useful suggestions.

The girls, who had initially argued over which was better, gradually fell silent. They all stared wide-eyed, as if their perception of him had completely changed.

Even Yukino couldn’t help slightly opening her mouth. She stared at the outfit in Yuu’s hand with a shocked expression.

“I originally planned to just watch and stay quiet, but since you asked me yourselves, I’ll show off a little expertise... Yukinoshita, this one should suit you perfectly—try it.”

Yuu smiled, extending his hand, signaling her to take it.

“...”

They all exchanged glances in silence.

The next second, Yumiko firmly dragged Yukino into another changing room. The other girls surrounded her, completely blocking Yuu’s view.

Their voices clearly reached his ears.

“I feel so disgusted... Could it be that he spends his time studying women’s clothing?”

“Yumiko, don’t say that... Though it’s disgusting, Yuu does have good intentions.”

“I’d rather not have good intentions like that. Anyway, the way he naturally asks girls to try on clothes he picked—it’s impressive in its own way.”

“Sorry, my boyfriend is a bit mentally unstable. Honestly, even the clothes I’m wearing now were chosen by him. They’re so revealing—I want to cry...”

“Hey, Tenkuji-san can hear us from behind... I feel like he’ll come over and hit our heads any second.”

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

The enjoyable shopping time continued for two hours.

At three in the afternoon, rain finally began to fall. They still had two hours left before gathering at five, but they’d only visited about half of the shopping street.

Except for Yukino, whose eyes were blank like a doll’s, the others were still full of energy. They swung their large and small bags in their hands and kept walking toward the next store.

“Yumiko, look! Though this is a scenic area, it’s not just entertainment facilities—it has an arcade too... Impressive.”

“Wanna go? Taking photobooth pictures would be fun.”

“There are so many people—hope we don’t have to queue...”

“I think we’ve had enough. Let’s find a café to rest while waiting for the meeting time...”

“What are you saying, Yukinoshita? Our journey’s just begun! Don’t stop here!”

“...I’ll kill you later.”

Regarding the rain.

They planned to wait until closer to meeting time, check the weather, then decide whether to buy rain gear at the convenience store or not—after all, Yukino and Yuu had umbrellas. Yuu even carried an extra raincoat.

If they huddled close, they might not need to buy any. Class B and Class J could each use one umbrella and board the bus smoothly. Nothing to worry about.

But as they were about to head to the arcade, Masuzu suddenly stopped. She said with a slightly apologetic tone: “Sorry, my stomach suddenly hurts. You all go ahead.”

“I’ll accompany you.” As her boyfriend, Yuu naturally had to fulfill his duty to accompany her—of course, not by going in with her.

“No need. You go with them. I’ll be back soon.”

Unexpectedly, Masuzu not only refused his offer to accompany her, she didn’t even make any jokes. She just calmly walked toward the restroom.

And after half an hour passed, she vanished from the world as if she’d never existed.

Gloomy rain covered the entire scenic area.

People who foolishly trusted the weather forecast and weren’t prepared quickly took shelter under roofs. They watched the rain grow heavier, seemingly not stopping anytime soon.

Yuu held an umbrella. He walked through the cold wind and rain. In his other hand, he held his phone. He asked very quickly:

“You didn’t find her in the women’s restroom?”

-

Title: Old Man, Your Power Is Truly Amazing

“I’ve checked all the nearby restrooms. Unless Natsukawa-san went to a farther location, or she’s hiding inside and not speaking...” Yuigahama said hesitantly.

“Why should we even look for her? She’s the one who deliberately disappeared.” Since they were using a group call, Yumiko’s voice sounded slightly annoyed. “Everyone’s having fun, but she sulks and vanishes.”

“She’s not answering her phone. We don’t know where she is. This park area is huge—how are we supposed to find her?”

While searching separately for the missing person, Yukino’s voice remained much calmer: “If she’s deliberately refusing to communicate, then when she returns, she’ll have to apologize to everyone... But we also can’t rule out the possibility that she’s in danger.”

“If we can’t find her within half an hour, we’ll inform the teachers and park staff. It might become a big problem, but it’s the safest approach.”

“Don’t worry, it probably won’t get that bad.” Recalling the photo he’d seen through his ability five minutes ago, Yuu slightly frowned and said quietly, “From now on, I’ll search alone. You all continue shopping. I’ll let you know if I find her.”

“By yourself?” Ordinary Girl asked with slight concern. “It’s like finding a needle in a haystack. If only Tenkuji-kun is searching...”

“Don’t act cool—let us help you.” Yumiko was panting, seemingly running. She said irritably, “She’s not a stranger! Such a small favor doesn’t need calculation!”

“But Yumiko, you just said not to look for her...”

“Shut up! Yui, how dare you, how dare you expose my secret?!”

“Yahahaha~”

Listening to their conversation, Yuu couldn’t help but smile. His voice had a power to calm people. Smiling, he said, “As long as I know she’s not in the women’s restroom, finding her isn’t hard for me. Don’t worry. Wait until I bring her back and have her apologize to you.”

“Yuu, good luck! Make sure you bring Natsukawa-san back safely!” Yuigahama cheered cheerfully.

“She’s really troublesome... Fine, the rest of you regroup at the arcade. Ignore this couple—we’ll play by ourselves.”

“Miura-san, I’ll rest at the bookstore. You all do whatever you want.”

“No way, Yukinoshita, come with me! I’m not done arguing with you about refusing photobooth photos!”

Yuu didn’t listen to the following argument. After ending the group call, he activated the skill <You’re Watching Me>.

Purple thorns lit up with a strange sound effect. They coiled around his phone. After a flash of electricity, the original LINE interface flickered. A photo appeared on the screen.

---This special effect was unilaterally added by the system. Maybe because he turned off the background music, and he did it to add a bit of presence?

Yuu was too lazy to care about trivial things like that. He didn’t stop walking. He narrowed his eyes, carefully examining the scene in the photo.

“Five minutes ago she was still in the restroom, now she’s gone... Did she leave on purpose to avoid being found?”

Of course, Yuu wasn’t using this ability to spy on Masuzu in the restroom.

The silver-haired, beautiful girl in gym clothes sat gracefully in a closed restroom stall. She seemed to be listening to movements outside the door—this was the scene shown in the last photo.

And the relatively accurate location Yuu received was very simple: the women’s restroom in Kiyomizu Scenic Area.

...Well, at least more useful than providing latitude and longitude coordinates.

As Yumiko said, Masuzu was deliberately hiding. She’d vanished without a word.

Yuu had known this from the start. But since he was too lazy to explain the reason, he didn’t tell them directly... As for whether it would make them worry, that had nothing to do with him.

All the fault lay with Masuzu. Why should Yuu have to think too much about it? Sobu High had no such rules, let alone Kiyomizu Scenic Area.

As for her motives and thoughts behind disappearing, once he found Masuzu, Yuu would naturally ask her nicely, then bring her back to the group so she could apologize to those she’d troubled and worried.

“The most important thing is—where exactly is the location in this photo?”

He’d originally been in a building styled like the arcade on the shopping street. Now, she’d moved to the edge of a flower garden.

But the problem was, flower gardens were everywhere on this shopping street. He couldn’t pinpoint her exact location.

“After all, your power isn’t useful, old man.” Yuu held his forehead and sighed. Why did he have a power to find people, yet still couldn’t find her?

No, he couldn’t just give up.

On a trial basis, Yuu activated his ability again. The purple thorns flashed with electricity once more. The screen flickered. The silhouette of a silver-haired girl walking in the rain reappeared as a photo.

No one was around her. He could faintly see a forest nearby—was it near the forest scenic area?

But most importantly, Yuu discovered something new.

“Can this ability be used continuously? If I keep using it...”

An idea flashed through his mind. He reflexively stopped. He didn’t care about the strange looks from others who saw him standing in the rain, staring thoughtfully at his phone. He murmured to himself: “No, in episode eight of part three of the anime, Joseph Joestar used his Hermit Purple on a TV. The famous You’re Watching Me scene also happened then... At that time, DIO appeared on screen as a video, and even gave hints about Yellow Temperance’s later appearance.”

If so, could this joke-like power given by the system do the same?

As soon as this thought arose, Yuu took action.

As his intent strengthened, brighter purple lightning flashed across the thorns. The photo was covered in black-and-white static. Faint, ear-piercing static sounds echoed.

After a few moments, the phone screen cleared again. As if he’d just opened a live stream, the silver-haired girl’s back appeared on the screen.

Rain soaked her gym clothes. She looked pitiful and weak, yet carried a blurred beauty.

Yuu lightly touched the screen with his finger. He found he could also swipe to change the viewing angle. So he immediately switched to the front of the girl, successfully seeing her beautiful, expressionless face.

Then, though he hadn’t opened his mouth, Masuzu’s voice came from within.

“I really am just a childish brat throwing a tantrum.”

Yuu: “...”

It even comes with inner voice?

He retracted his previous words.

(Old man, your power is truly amazing!)

After admiring it, Yuu pulled out his earphones and connected them to his phone. He prepared to compare the entire park’s map to guess Masuzu’s location as accurately as possible.

But the next second, a sensation of energy rapidly draining from his body made his fingers reflexively loosen. He nearly dropped his phone to the ground.

Holding his waist, Yuu muttered with a strange expression:

“Just running a live stream, and my stamina drains this fast?”

He, who had been blessed by the system to nearly become a superman, finally felt the kidney weakness he hadn’t experienced in a long time...

How to describe it—there was a slight sense of nostalgia.

-

Title: I Need You

Why run away?

Just wanted a place to be alone.

Why leave without saying goodbye?

Didn’t want to explain the reason to them.

But won’t she have to return for the group meeting later? What should she do then?

It’s fine—just sincerely apologize!

Say the phone suddenly died and she accidentally got lost, pretend to be pitiful—surely there won’t be any problem.

As long as you’re a good girl, you get candy—Chuunibyou’s Great Victory!

“Even a lie this stupid is truly hopeless.”

Pushing back her rain-soaked bangs, Masuzu sighed.

Inventing excuses to leave the five of them, wandering alone until they called, refusing their calls, hiding in the restroom to play hide-and-seek—hoping they wouldn’t find her, yet also hoping to be found.

When she truly wasn’t found, she didn’t even bother buying an umbrella and just walked straight into the forest. With no destination and no desire to do anything, she just followed her instincts, walking forward and farther away.

—Look, the one suffering from chuunibyou is actually a beautiful high school girl with a perverted body!

Hahaha, so funny!

In short, Masuzu was now in a mood where she’d die if she didn’t belittle herself.

“Do I have a masochistic personality... Let me think—this is similar to which JOJO character...”

Her thoughts were too chaotic. Even her JOJO thoughts began to slow down.

Masuzu looked at a puddle on the ground and saw her own pitiful, ridiculous reflection on the water’s surface. She couldn’t help mocking laughter at herself.

She thought she could ignore everything and continue like two hours ago—walking around, chatting with those people, then quietly ending this field trip and returning to her daily life full of lies.

Yet, at some point, the emotions buried deep within her suddenly exploded.

Just being beside them made her whole body itch; just hearing their laughter made her nauseous and wanting to vomit—like a foreign object mixed into porridge, desperate to expel it as quickly as possible.

When she realized that the foreign object was herself, she had already been standing still among a crowd of strangers for some time. Light rain fell from beyond the awning, soaking her thin gym jacket.

“Yeah, it’s all Dango-chan’s fault... If she hadn’t randomly cared about me, I wouldn’t feel so uncomfortable.”

“The snow woman is also to blame. Though she’s the same Stand-type as me, why can she interact with that group as if nothing’s wrong? Doesn’t she feel out of place?”

“And that blonde with the double drill twin-tails... The Ordinary One... what’s her name? I only know her last name is ○○... Wait, was that censored?”

She complained about many things to herself, with only the sound of rain accompanying this solo song—so tragic and pitiful.

Masuzu looked up. Without realizing it, she’d strayed far from the shopping street. Around her were only tall, dark green trees. A winding path lay ahead, as if leading to another world.

She wiped the rain from her face and smiled bitterly, “The biggest mistake is Natsukawa Masuzu. A person who only knows how to lie—what right does she have to walk and chat with friends?”

If you can’t take it, just leave. Isn’t that perfectly normal?

She had no reason to be scolded, nor did she expect anyone to come looking for her. After all, when the meeting time came, she’d have to obediently return. So better to do what she wanted, even if it was so childish she couldn’t even bear to look at herself.

Thus, the girl continued walking.

Her once pristine white gym shoes were now muddy, splashes rising, and the wet path played an irregular melody.

The sound of rain was deafening, continuously draining her body heat. The world before her eyes blurred, and her breath seemed to turn into white mist.

Though it wasn’t that cold yet.

“Then, the most outrageous one is Tenkuji Yuu.”

Masuzu whispered, “He’s the main culprit—the bastard, the virgin, the virgin creature.”

If it weren’t for that man, why would she suddenly feel so restless?

She feared the day of parting with him, feared the day she’d have to distance herself from these moments, feared the things she’d grown accustomed to would leave her. That’s why she couldn’t help running away—running to a place known only to the rain.

As long as she left first, it wouldn’t count as a loss.

Using this reasoning as a shield, hiding in this rain so her heart could freeze again, masochistically cutting off all unnecessary emotions.

Masuzu once again realized she was lowly, boring, and hopelessly childish.

“Right, things related to love—whether real or fake—will disappear sooner or later.”

She slowly stopped walking again.

Masuzu raised her hand to the overcast sky. Rainwater flowed from her palm, down her arm, and into her sleeve. The cold, slippery sensation made her shiver, and she bit her pale lips.

Though blocked by her gym jacket, her underwear was nearly soaked.

Even so, Masuzu maintained this position, letting a thin, fragile voice escape her throat:

“Affection, friendship, sex, love... Like a father leaving a mother, a mother leaving me—things this unreliable, I don’t need them at all!”

Then, why did being alone feel so uncomfortable?

“...Really, it’s so cold.”

(Yet, when I’m with you, my body easily warms up.)

(When chatting with you, discussing JOJO with you, doing rubbing with you, being carried up the mountain by you...)

Fragments of memories surfaced. Unconsciously, the cold feeling truly vanished.

As if suddenly understanding something, Masuzu couldn’t help narrowing her eyes, raising her hands to the rain, and laughing foolishly.

“Haha, so that’s how it is...”

“It has nothing to do with love. It’s just that I, as myself, need it.”

Precisely because she needed Yuu, she had to leave him.

Afraid of being abandoned at any moment, she became restless and decided to leave on her own—then, hoping Yuu would come looking for her, hoping to meet him again in this rain.

That way, even in this life full of lies, perhaps she could obtain a truth that belonged only to her.

A truth more undeniable than shallow things like love.

“So, I need you, Yuu—“

“Sorry, whether it’s a hired boyfriend or a fake boyfriend, we don’t offer that kind of service.”

A familiar voice came from behind.

Masuzu froze in place, then slowly turned around, seeing Yuu holding an umbrella in one hand, panting while holding his waist.

“Good grief... Why does every mission have such a similar plot? Can’t you be more creative? Why torture people like this...”

-

Title: Giving Each Other Shackles

Yuu’s exasperated muttering faintly echoed through the rain. Before the girl could hear it clearly, a jacket and umbrella had already covered her head.

Instantly, the thick gray sky became her world, and amid the noisy rain, only she remained—his presence and voice became everything.

“You’re not Shawshank, stop striking that weird pose. Hurry and come back with me.” (Though he was actually Andy.)

“...”

Masuzu lifted her head, pushing aside the jacket covering her eyes, unconsciously biting her lip.

“Why did you come?”

“I used telepathy to find you—thank Joseph. The old man’s ability is pretty useful.”

The girl didn’t respond normally, instead continuing to ask as if she hadn’t heard. “But didn’t you say there’s no such service? Why did you have to come?”

Yuu clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“I came to find Natsukawa Masuzu. What does that have to do with a fake boyfriend?”

Masuzu’s lips whitened from biting.

“But besides being a fake boyfriend...”

“Didn’t you say you need me? Then stop talking so much.”

The words cut through the rain curtain plainly.

Yuu wiped the raindrops from the girl’s face with his half-soaked sleeve. Bending down, he looked seriously into her sapphire-blue eyes.

“Let me be clear—I’m not a good person, and I don’t want to get involved with someone troublesome like you.”

“So Masuzu, if you need me by your side, offer me anything you can as payment. That way, I won’t leave you without reason or warning, like you just did.”

“...”

The world beneath the umbrella fell silent for a moment.

Then, her long lashes fluttered. Her soft lips released warm breath, and Masuzu spoke slowly, as if confirming. “Not a mission, but a transaction?”

“Exactly. Now you can relax, right? Don’t doubt my professionalism.”

Yuu smiled, hiding the fatigue between his brows from the girl’s view. Casually, he straightened up again. “Unconditional love can’t be trusted. Then, trust paid companionship—though it won’t last forever either, at least it’s more reliable than love that can change at any moment. In this world, nothing lasts forever, so we can only seek alternatives.”

Masuzu wasn’t easily swayed. Her eyes sparkled with an ambiguous light, and she asked as if demanding. “Wouldn’t it be easier for you to leave me and find a normal girlfriend when you meet your soulmate?”

“First a mission, now a transaction. Why do you care so much about me? What do you really want from me?!”

Her voice unconsciously grew louder, eventually drowning out the sound of her heartbeat and the rain, echoing in her ears.

A moment later, Yuu said casually,

“Your body.”

“Hah?!” Masuzu froze in shock, then wrinkled her nose and denied it. “Liar, Dango-chan’s chest is clearly bigger than mine. You could grope hers anytime but don’t! Could it be you have a special interest in mixed-race girls? A silver-haired lover?”

“Whatever you say.” Yuu shrugged, the girl’s gaze unable to pierce his thick face. “As long as you become mine, I’ll become yours. We can discuss other things later. This is a bond beyond love!”

“You think I’ll believe that? How ridiculous...”

Before she finished speaking, Yuu extended his hand, covering the girl’s face along with the jacket.

“Give each other shackles—the transaction is that simple. If you disagree, we’ll go back to our old ways, and I promise I won’t desire your body.”

“...Shackles.”

Masuzu’s muttering stopped.

Her expression hidden in shadow, her body—soaked and trembling moments ago—slowly relaxed, as if warmed by a fireplace.

“So you’re saying I don’t need to pretend to be a lover, don’t need to build a relationship, and can gain appropriate rights and benefits just through a transaction?”

“Roughly speaking, yes.”

“Heh, just like my father.” Masuzu suddenly sneered and mocked. “He married Mana’s mother out of mutual need. I’m also sick of people who prioritize profit and measure feelings with money. I didn’t expect you to be on the same side as him.”

“Is that so?” Yuu was slightly surprised but had no intention of taking back his words. “Then, you’re refusing?”

“Yes—but I’m rejecting your rejection!”

As if to prove her resolve, Masuzu suddenly pulled the jacket covering her head, then stood on tiptoe and placed it on Yuu’s head.

Under the umbrella, two people were wrapped in a jacket.

Under the jacket, they gazed at each other at extremely close range.

“Can I cling however I want?”

“Even right now.”

“Is it okay if I’m possessive?”

“I’m very possessive too.”

“You won’t leave me because you fell in love with someone else, right?”

“As long as this transaction continues, now or in the future, I’ll be by your side.”

“Good.”

Masuzu smiled contentedly, then lifted her chin and pressed her soft, cold lips to Yuu’s cheek.

Then, she whispered in his ear. “After all, it was the taste of a lie.”

“Where’s the lie?” Yuu looked innocent.

“Because I know—I’ll never fall for someone like this... Even now, you’re still hiding something from me. You’re not doing this for yourself at all.” Masuzu rested her chin on Yuu’s shoulder, her wet, warm body pressed against his chest, her voice lazy like a cat. “By the way, the love I mean here is in the general sense, not between man and woman.”

“That’s really a broad confession...” Yuu smiled bitterly, supporting the umbrella with one hand while the other wrapped around her waist, letting her snuggle closer.

“So, what’s your answer?”

“Fine. You may do whatever you want to me, provided you take responsibility and cherish me with deep feelings—like Jonathan’s affection for Dio.”

“Your example is a bit off.”

“Sorry, got a little influenced... Well, anyway, I have nothing. No family by my side, no friends, no lover—even my only partner in crime just disappeared a moment ago.” Masuzu’s voice sounded whiny, slightly spoiled, yet relieved, as if a burden had been lifted.

“So, take whatever you want—just don’t take yourself away.”

“Got it. Then, is the contract sealed?”

Hiding her face against his chest, Masuzu hugged Yuu’s back. She nodded slowly, as if rubbing, her ear tips reddening beneath her silver hair.

“How dare you transact with someone as troublesome as me. I hope you’re mentally prepared.”


-

Title: The Sky Before Dawn Lightens

“If it weren’t like that, I wouldn’t have come to find you.”

“Then, that’s great.”

Masuzu closed her eyes, curled the corners of her lips in the warm embrace, and hugged him tightly, as if wanting to merge herself into his body.

—Someone once said that a lie repeated a hundred times can become truth.

But clearly, that’s just self-deception.

Because what’s fake remains fake, and will never become reality.

One day, you’ll realize it’s something so fragile it shatters with just a touch—even weaker than snow under sunlight.

Maybe I, who’ve survived by relying on such things, am just as fragile?

…But, it doesn’t matter anymore.

“Hahaha…”

Autumn rain sometimes slanted with the wind, yet Masuzu felt safer than standing under a roof, as if an umbrella had sheltered the entire world.

From this moment on, a shackle surpassing lies—lower, worse, and more hypocritical than that—had tightly bound her, and also bound Yuu.

She truly couldn’t hold back her laughter, wanting to share her happiness with all of humanity.

She needed him, and he needed her too—yes, there was no “love” stronger than this.

Anxiety vanished, fear disappeared, and a feeling never felt before filled her chest.

Right now, Masuzu might already know what happiness looks like.

“So that’s it… Yuu, you’re that Happy Jizo, aren’t you?”

“Do I look small? Don’t talk nonsense. Let’s go. Everyone’s waiting for you.”

“Tch, can’t we just not go back? Let’s elope. Run to the ends of the earth and spend our days having kids every day.”

“You just don’t want to get scolded, right? Running away from the group, deliberately not answering calls, making others worry… Everyone’s really angry.”

“...If you understand, quickly help me think of a way.”

“Just apologize honestly.”

“If apologies worked, why would police exist? As a warning, if you cheat, don’t even try apologizing. I’ll cut it off immediately.”

“My... don’t use such crude words.”

“That’s not important. What matters is, I don’t want them to hate me.”

“This is the first time you’ve been honest... Don’t worry. I’m here.”

“Yuu… Hmmm, a reliable man.”

“Right? You just need to behave well—your boyfriend will figure things out.”

“Don’t use words that make me anxious like that!”

The overcast sky, without realizing it, began to clear.

Clear sunlight emerged from behind the clouds, kissing the raindrops on the umbrella’s surface, shining like jewels.

The air felt fresh and crisp. Leaves and puddles formed a path after the rain, two sets of footprints stepping on it, sending up small splashes.

Yet the two under the umbrella seemed as if they hadn’t returned from another world—still holding the umbrella, covered by a jacket, hands tightly clasped.

With smiles on their faces, they walked side by side toward the increasingly bright path ahead.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

[Ding!]
[Congratulations to Host on your reward: Finance (Expert Level).]
[Congratulations to Host on your reward: Magical Transaction (Permanent Status).]
[Natsukawa Masuzu… The mission isn’t over yet, Host, please keep striving.]

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

When they returned to the arcade, the five girls were already waiting at the entrance—they’d been informed beforehand, and for some reason, they all felt slightly relieved.

Then came the time for interrogation.

“Do you have a reason?”

Yukino asked in a flat tone, like a teacher catching a student cheating. Though not angry, her presence sent chills down one’s spine.

“Tch...”

Yumiko stood beside her, seemingly wanting to say something too, but seeing Masuzu soaked like a drowned rat, her heart softened. The harsh words she’d prepared couldn’t come out, so she could only click her tongue to show dissatisfaction, then leave the situation to Yukino, who had a cold and ruthless heart.

“Report: No reason!” On Yuu’s advice, Masuzu bowed her head honestly, sincerely apologizing. “I argued with my boyfriend, ignored your feelings, and hid away. I’m truly sorry! Forgive my immaturity!”

Yukino fell silent, glancing at Yuu, who was pretending nothing had happened beside her. She massaged her temple briefly before sighing.

“...Fine. It’s good that you recognize your mistake. Don’t do something like this again. Even if you just want to be alone and calm, at least keep your phone on so you don’t unnecessarily worry others.”

“Yes, I understand. I’ll remember your advice and never forget it.”

“...”

Seeing Masuzu acting so humbly, Yukino was slightly surprised and didn’t feel worthy of lecturing her further. So naturally, she shifted her target to Yuu.

“Where did you find her?”

“In the small forest.”

“Why did you chase after her there?”

“I wondered the whole way. Fortunately, she has an easily recognizable trait.”

As soon as Yuu finished speaking, Masuzu smiled, then stomped hard on his foot.

Yuu’s face turned pale—he winced but made no sound or cry.

Seeing this scene, Yukino couldn’t help but chuckle slightly, quickly covering her mouth with the back of her hand, then speaking in a flat tone: “That’s indeed an effective method—better than searching the entire park like a headless fly.”

She wasn’t a lie detector—how could she see through Yuu’s desperately told lies?

After Yukino gave her opinion, Ordinary Girl also offered a few comforting words. Then Yuigahama stepped forward, noticing their hands still tightly clasped.

“...Natsukawa-san, you really do love Yuu.”

Masuzu’s expression didn’t change. She smiled and said, “Of course. This is a love I want to spend my whole life with—and have children with him.”

“I see… so sneaky.” Yuigahama murmured, yet there was no surprise on her face. Instead, there was a helpless feeling of I knew this would happen.

“Can’t be helped—Yuu really is incredibly popular. I wouldn’t be surprised if half the girls he knows love him, not just Natsukawa-san.”

Masuzu’s eyebrows twitched, her tone finally showing agitation: “Yuigahama-san, what are you really trying to say?”

“Nothing. I just hope Natsukawa-san can treat Yuu a little better.” Yuigahama looked at her, as if having made a decision. Her gaze was firm and bright. “If you keep avoiding him and causing trouble like this, as Yuu’s friend, I won’t stay silent like I am now!”

“...Even without you saying it, I know.”

Unconsciously, Masuzu gripped Yuu’s hand tighter—no room left for a triumphant smile.

The small storm caused by the one who ran from the group finally subsided. Though outside had calmed, there was still about an hour until the meeting time. On Yumiko’s suggestion, they returned to the arcade to take various sticker photos.

There were six-person group photos, female group photos. There were Service Club group photos of Yuigahama, Yukino, and Yuu, and also couple sticker photos of Masuzu and Yuu.

Lastly, both pasted them in the same spot on their phone cases.

“Tch, only dating couples do things like this.” Masuzu put on a disgusted face, yet she stared at the intimate sticker photo where their cheeks pressed together with wide smiles, as if she’d never tire of looking at it.

“Alright, stop staring. It’s time to gather.”

Yuu extended his hand to her. Familiarly, she took it, their fingers interlacing, then she asked:

“Yuu, if I kissed you in front of all the students, do you know what would happen?”

“Explosive news on the school forum, then your father comes to take you home.” Yuu only thought two seconds and came up with both answers.

Masuzu nodded. “Right. So, if something like that really happened, what would you do?”

Yuu only shrugged indifferently.

“Do whatever you want—I’ll follow… that’s our transaction.”

“Good, perfect answer!”

Masuzu hugged his arm as if praising him, pressing her two soft, full mounds against him, clinging tightly.

Leaning her cheek against him, Masuzu whispered:

“But I couldn’t bring myself to do it.”