Yuu 221-225

Title: Be My Boyfriend!

It was indeed fast. After Masuzu led Yuu out of the school building, she turned left and right with ease, smoothly arriving at a quiet, secluded spot near a small grove—successfully ditching all the onlookers eager to witness the drama.

Yuu stared at her with a skeptical look.

“Transfer student?”

“I only know this route. I’ve been here nearly a month.”

Without a trace of guilt, Masuzu casually turned around and faced him.

“Tenkuji-kun, this should be our first real conversation, right?”

Yuu replied flatly, “If we don’t count the two times we passed each other in the hallway and in front of the special building yesterday, then yes—this is our first.”

“Your memory is impressive.” Masuzu smoothed her long silver hair, smiling brightly and slightly shyly, showing off her girl-next-door charm. “I like that about you, Tenkuji-kun.”

The moment those words finished, the wind rustling through the trees suddenly stilled. Silence blanketed the two teenagers standing face to face.

“...So, did you really come here to confess to me?”

Yuu spoke first, showing no surprise.

“Yes. I suppose you’ve already guessed that, just like everyone else.” With a cheerful smile, Masuzu smoothly delivered her lines. “I like you. Be my boyfriend.”

“Reasons?”

“Someone doesn’t need a reason to like another person... Hmm, but I guess you wouldn’t believe me if I said that.” She placed a finger on her soft, moist lips, tilted her head slightly, and pouted as if deep in thought. “Where should I even begin~?”

“Every time I greeted you, every time you saw my panty, and when you played the piano on stage... Ah, there are so many reasons I like you~.”

She turned away bashfully, gazing up at the sky filled with white clouds, letting out a soft huff. “Is that enough? Oh my, making a girl say things like this… Turns out Tenkuji-kun is that cruel!”

“I don’t know about cruel or not, but I clearly didn’t see your panty at the time.”

Ignoring her over-the-top act, Yuu refused to admit to something he hadn’t done.

Masuzu turned back in mock shock. “Oh? So now you’re saying I’m some perverted woman who doesn’t wear panty under her skirt?”

Yuu frowned slightly. “...I didn’t say that. Maybe I just happened to see it by accident.”

Masuzu crossed her arms in front of her chest, denying it without hesitation.

“The wind blew it up that high—how could you not have seen it? And back then, I even asked you to keep it a secret. No matter how you look at it, the odds that I wasn’t wearing any are way higher!”

“...”

Is this girl insane?

Yuu pinched the bridge of his nose, too tired to argue further. “Fine. So were you really a perverted girl not wearing any panty?”

The corner of her lips curled into a victorious smirk, then she shook her head. “No. I was wearing panty that time—but you didn’t see it. I’m just protesting the principle of the matter. I hope you don’t misunderstand.”

Yuu said expressionlessly, “I don’t care whether you wear panty or not. I hope you don’t misunderstand either.”

“Really?”

Suddenly, Masuzu lifted her skirt, revealing the smooth, firm upper part of her thigh.

“There’s no one around anyway… Would you like to… reenact that scene?”

As she said this, she winked at him, her moist eyes brimming with temptation and seduction.

Unfortunately, the man standing before her, despite still being a virgin, had far more experience in such matters than she did.

“If I had the time, I wouldn’t mind.” Yuu said, no longer playing along. “Unfortunately, I have club activities. If you have business, just say it directly. Stop beating around the bush.”

The calm wind resumed its passage through the leaves. Amid the dancing shadows, the girl’s lips slowly curled upward.

“Huh? What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

Her tone still sounded pitiful, but Masuzu’s expression shifted—her smile turned cold and sinister.

Yuu stared straight at her, completely unfazed by her sudden shift in demeanor, as if she’d just dropped her mask. He spoke calmly.

“What’s your goal in deliberately creating rumors about us in public and confessing to me without a shred of sincerity?”

“If this is just a joke, I have no intention of wasting more time with you.”

Masuzu covered her mouth with her hand, giggling softly.

“Scary~ You’re the one who caused a sensation at the club fair and stood up to the Snow Princess. Yet when facing a beautiful girl like me, you feel no love at all and act so unfriendly...”

Her voice suddenly dropped lower. She brushed her shoulder-length hair aside, her smile turning slightly self-mocking.

“You knew all my lies from the beginning, didn’t you?”

“Even without watching your terrible acting, anyone with half a brain could tell you had ulterior motives.”

“So… was it fun watching me act like a clown?”

Yuu couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “You’re the one who came looking for me. Instead of thanking me for not exposing your lies in front of everyone, you’re blaming me?”

That really was no different from a clown.

“You’re right. That was rude of me.”

Surprisingly, Masuzu placed both hands in front of her chest and bowed honestly, admitting her mistake. “Thank you for your gentle protection, Tenkuji-kun. I sincerely apologize.”

Then, sincerity and sarcasm blended seamlessly in her voice.

“I shouldn’t have doubted that you were secretly mocking me, thinking I was a slut, a cheap woman, a naive girl chasing men, or even the queen of Shinjuku’s nightlife counting her conquests.”

The moment those words ended.

Something far more unsettling than the usual Masuzu seen at school slowly seeped out from her.

Yuu’s lips didn’t move, but his eyebrows twitched twice.

“No, I didn’t think you were that bad... By the way, was that last one a real thing?”

“So you actually said it? Tch. You’re such a petty man.”

Straightening up quickly, Masuzu sneered arrogantly.

Yuu pretended to turn away. “...If you don’t get to the point soon, I’m leaving.”

“Don’t be in such a rush. Aren’t you the type who enjoys the foreplay?” She casually delivered the vulgar joke, ignoring Yuu’s disgusted expression, and gazed up at the clear, bright evening sky.

“This story is long—“

“Then shorten it.”

“I was talking, can you shut up for a second?” Masuzu glared at him. After Yuu shrugged indifferently, she continued. “I’m very popular, Tenkuji-kun surely understands?”

“Since school started about twenty days ago, I’ve received a total of thirty-six confessions—invitations, ambushes, love letters slipped into my bag… I’ve experienced every possible way someone can confess.”

“That must be exhausting.” Yuu commented emotionlessly.

“Exactly.” Masuzu sighed resignedly, her expression calm, confident but not overly narcissistic. “Though to outsiders this seems like a luxurious problem, for someone living it, being too popular isn’t a good thing.”

“After your experience this morning and just now, I’m sure Tenkuji-kun understands exactly what I mean.”

Seeing Yuu nod, Masuzu smiled in satisfaction, twirling her long silver hair around her finger.

“Talking to an intelligent person is easy. So I’ll get straight to the point.”

“I don’t want to be trapped anymore in this tragic life of being chased by countless suitors and constantly receiving confessions. What I need is a fake boyfriend—one who won’t take this fake relationship seriously, someone who can help me live a peaceful, respectful daily life at school.”

“After long observation and evaluation, Tenkuji-kun… you’re my best candidate. There’s no one else but you.”

Masuzu’s tone turned sincere again, like a carnivorous flower releasing sweet fragrance, luring a hungry insect into its trap.

“So, I formally submit my request to you once more—“

As she spoke, the elf-like girl stepped closer. Her deep blue eyes, now dangerously close, locked onto his. Her lips slowly exhaled a soft, tempting breath.

“Please… be my shield… no, be my boyfriend!”

Yuu: “...”

Is this girl actually serious in asking for help?

Before he could say anything, the system panel, as if perfectly timed, suddenly appeared.

「Explanation: Mission has begun.」

「Become Natsukawa Masuzu’s fake boyfriend, showcase your charm, and fill the emptiness in her heart! Rewards will be given based on the host’s performance.」

「Mission end time: Unknown.」

-

Title: So There Are People Like This in This World

“???”

Staring at the mission message, Yuu’s face was filled with question marks.

(Why did the mission suddenly change? This is a Boyfriend System, not some generic Strategy or Romance System, right?)
(What does “showcase your charm” even mean? And “fulfill her desires”?)

Though what he’d just done earlier kinda fit the line about “filling the emptiness in her heart”…

Still, something felt off!

“Wah, is this really something that needs so much thinking?” Seeing him frozen with a strange expression, Masuzu frowned slightly, not understanding his hesitation. “A beautiful girl like me personally making such a request—don’t you just need to use the lower half of your body to answer?”

“Or… is Tenkuji-kun’s lower half not even—“

“Whether it can or can’t, no lower half is capable of thinking.” Pushing system issues aside for now, Yuu stared at her blankly. “It seems you’ve been holding back at school for a long time. Your usual obedient, quiet demeanor is just an act, isn’t it? Is this crude, vulgar version of you your true self?”

“That’s not certain. What if this version of me is also just another mask?” Masuzu giggled cheerfully, gently poking his chest—only to be surprised by how firm it felt. “Fake and real, illusion and truth—that’s the charm of women.”

“...Maybe.” Suddenly remembering someone, Yuu swallowed his rebuttal, brushed her finger away, and sighed. “As for the answer, I’m sure you already know. Of course, I refuse.”

“Yeah, I knew you wouldn’t be that easy to conquer.” Masuzu didn’t seem bothered. She flicked her soft, shimmering silver hair. “Even asking you to walk me home after school, you probably wouldn’t agree, and you’d just tell me to find someone else—that’s exactly what makes you different from other guys.”

“Why do you think that?”

Yuu was genuinely curious. How did this girl know him? Why did she seem to know so much about him?

Masuzu smiled.

“I did a lot of secret investigation, you know? The files about you at my house might be this tall~”

She raised her pale white hand, pointing level with her head, wearing a slightly proud expression.

Yuu shuddered. “That’s way too much! Are you a professional stalker?”

“By the way, the scanned files stored in the cloud are probably around 1TB. I’ve already applied for a world record.”

“1TB... This is so excessive it leaves people speechless.”

“You too—you’re not like you appear on the surface. You’re actually quite sharp with criticism.” Masuzu smiled and nodded, pleased by something Yuu couldn’t understand. “Enough joking. Let’s get back to the main topic.”

“Tenkuji-kun, the question you most want to ask is probably why I want you to be my fake boyfriend, right?”

“You could say that. But no matter your reason, I won’t agree to be your shield.”

Yuu glanced at the system. The mission panel hadn’t changed due to his refusal, nor had it exploded his heart to rewind time.

Sure, earlier this morning he’d said he’d approach the mission from a love-slave perspective and enjoy the relationship without regrets… But that didn’t mean he had to blindly obey his target, do whatever the other party said, and become a spineless pushover just to complete the mission.

After all, under normal circumstances, when an unfamiliar girl asks someone to be her fake boyfriend—to protect her from admirers and endure gossip together—no one with their eyes functioning would agree.

(Better someone else suffers than me. Why should I get dragged into trouble and seek out hardship?)

Even to complete the mission, the current Yuu would find a way he could accept—not like before, when he had to become a rented boyfriend or be forced into a virtual couple because of some game…

Anyway, the system only cared about results. The process was up to his own choices.

“Don’t be so sure?”

Smiling meaningfully, Masuzu placed her hands behind her back and slowly walked along the edge of the small grove.

“First of all, I once heard you say—‘The rumors aren’t entirely wrong. At least in terms of charm, you really can’t compare to that transfer student with the surname Natsukawa.’”

Like reciting anime dialogue, she delivered it with dramatic flair, her ocean-blue eyes gleaming with amusement.

Yuu immediately reacted. “That’s what I said to Yukinoshita in the Service Club after school started… Were you eavesdropping from outside?”

“Your manners are terrible. I just happened to pass by, and you two were speaking too loudly. I would never do something so low.”

After defensively protesting, Masuzu shrugged. “Since then, I’ve been paying very close attention to you~ After all, someone who can treat Yukinoshita-san so rudely, mocking her without mercy… surely must have given up on love, right?”

Yuu stared blankly. “That’s an utterly illogical assessment...”

“My Masuzu-style assessment. My radar is extremely accurate.”

Masuzu tapped her temple with a finger, her eyes slowly narrowing as if a flash of wisdom passed through them. “Observation, recognition, and subsequent testing—each step only strengthened my conviction: Tenkuji Yuu is uninterested in love.”

“Oh? Why so?”

Yuu raised an eyebrow, his expression gradually turning serious. He began to see her in a new light.

Could this girl actually have something going for her?

Under his gaze, Masuzu declared firmly: “Even though there’s a big-chested girl constantly following him, practically throwing herself at him like meat offered to a starving dog, he remains unmoved. Aside from occasionally peeking at what’s beneath the buttons with a perverted gaze, he shows no intention of getting close—always maintaining proper distance like a true gentleman!”

“His resistance to love-slave influence is incredibly strong. His mind must be exceptionally firm—strong enough to match my own! This is the first reason I say only you can do it.”

“...”

Yuu’s cheek twitched. He pressed his temple, feeling a slight headache. “I’ve never looked at anyone with a perverted gaze, and please don’t call my friend a big-chested girl.”

Besides, this girl’s brain was clearly messed up—and so was his for even reconsidering his opinion of her.

(...Sora, this world really is full of strange people.)

As if not hearing his explanation, Masuzu hugged herself and sighed. “Honestly, at first I thought you were gay. You’re gentler toward handsome guys than toward beautiful girls. Turns out, there are people like that in this world.”

“I’m leaving.”

Yuu turned and walked away with a blank face.

Seeing he wasn’t bluffing, Masuzu, unfazed by her own surprise, immediately delivered her pre-rehearsed line:

“Even though factors like becoming popular at the fair, being gossiped about with a beautiful schoolmate who supports our relationship, and rejecting other admirers are in my favor… before making a decision, what I consider most isn’t the benefits—but the risks.”

“What if I’m rejected? What if you spread it around? If I’m going to speak, I need to ensure a perfect outcome...”

Yuu turned back and saw her pulling out her phone. Like a detective placing evidence on the table, Masuzu proudly showed her screen to the criminal before her.

Then, she smiled sweetly, as if she’d already won the battle.

“If you don’t want everyone to know your other identity, please accept my request—Rental Boyfriend.”

“...”

Honestly, Yuu had completely forgotten.

He did have that identity as a rental boyfriend.

After the first mission ended, he’d never opened that rental agency website again, nor received any notifications telling him to go on dates or firing him for inactivity.

Now that he thought about it, maybe the system had been handling everything to prevent interference with his missions—but why hadn’t it just deleted the identity instead of leaving it on the site? Yuu didn’t understand.

(Was the trap to stab me in the back planted long ago?)
(One identity usable for two missions? This system really loves cutting corners.)

Of course, though he asked inwardly, the system gave no meaningful reply. Yuu could only record this debt in his heart and face the reality before him.

What Masuzu showed him wasn’t the webpage itself, but a screenshot.

“I’ve copied all the data there, and set it to automatically distribute worldwide the moment my heart stops beating.”

Her tone was serious, but her expression was slightly amused. Masuzu continued casually: “If you keep refusing me, I might become so heartbroken that my heart stops? At that moment, the entire school will know you’ve been doing side work like this—your friends’ stares, your teachers’ scolding, your peers’ misunderstanding...”

“Even if you’re not expelled, you probably won’t be able to stay in this school. That’s called social death! Wow, terrifying~ Can’t even imagine.”

Not like a rose.

It was a sharp, cruel smile—like a poisoned needle. She openly revealed her worst side.

With exaggerated acting and vivid words, Masuzu, to achieve her goal, didn’t hesitate to use the most shocking and disgusting methods to strangle him.

The opponent before him wasn’t easy to deal with. If persuasion failed, she’d resort to threats—because she only had this one card, she’d play it with all her strength. Better to go overboard than fail completely.

After a moment’s thought, Yuu had basically guessed her plan. He sneered inwardly.

(...Equally cunning, but Natsukawa Masuzu is far more childish and naive than Yukinoshita Haruno.)
(If comparing strength, maybe it’s like the difference between Agumon and WarGreymon?)
(In a quiet little grove, threatening a strong young man with an unshareable secret—just so he’d become her fake boyfriend… Tsk tsk, who gave her the courage to do something like this?)

“So, threatening me with this—is your guarantee that I’ll become your shield?”

After a moment of silence, Yuu shifted his gaze, frowning as he stared at her.

Like he was looking at a fool.

Unaware of his thoughts, Masuzu stuck to her script, smiling brightly. “Threatening sounds too harsh. This is a request. I’m inviting you to be my accomplice—a sinful bond of shared secrets, where neither can betray the other as long as the contract holds...”

Slipping her phone back into her pocket, she stepped in front of Yuu and suddenly rose onto her toes, bringing her beautiful face close.

Her long, thick lashes framed cold, sharp blue eyes—deep as a whirlpool, trying to pull him in. Her warm breath and the fresh scent of her hair intertwined, like a witch’s temptation.

She spoke softly, her moist, soft lips parting slightly:

“A relationship like this… don’t you find it intriguing?”

“After all, you don’t intend to date anyone either. Just help me a little. Later, if you peek under skirts, I can pretend not to see.”

“—So, what’s your answer?”

At such close range, where any slight movement forward would result in a kiss.

Masuzu smiled, but her eyes were empty—no trace of doubt.

Yuu didn’t smile, nor was he swayed by the girl’s softness and scent. He simply sighed, as if just realizing something.

His breath brushed against Masuzu’s lips, causing her to unconsciously pout, her brows slightly furrowing.

“Indeed, if others found out I worked as a rental boyfriend, my school life would be over, wouldn’t it?”

Ignoring system interference or the possibility of someone else discovering the rental boyfriend secret, perhaps this would be the outcome.

As he spoke, Yuu also stepped back from Masuzu. “Though your freeloading behavior is utterly shameful—and if genders were reversed, this would be a scene from a porn comic—when I think about it, being the boyfriend of a beautiful girl like you isn’t actually hard to accept...”

“Not only would I look cool in front of others, but I could also enjoy the feeling of being chased by a girl.” As if finally giving in, Yuu shrugged resignedly, seeming to look forward to such developments, the corner of his lips slightly relaxing.

Seeing this, Masuzu’s eyes sparkled. “See? Then… Wait!”

Before she could finish, she seemed to realize something. Her pupils suddenly shrank, she stepped back in shock, staring at him in disbelief.

“This plot, this tone, this feeling—could it be?!”

Blue eyes, silver hair.

Though she was an elegant, seductive girl, she unconsciously raised both hands and crossed them behind her head—striking a strange yet charismatic pose.

“Yuu, your next line is!”

The moment she said it, Yuu’s shadow seemed to deepen slightly. He lifted his face slightly, speaking in a flat, indifferent tone.

As if their hearts had synchronized, their voices suddenly merged:

“But, I refuse!”

The words sent birds flying from the trees. Autumn wind carried the coolness of grass.

Among the dappled shadows, the two stared at each other, the atmosphere slowly falling silent.

“...”

“...”

“...Aren’t you going to finish the next line? The thing I love most, Yuu, is...”

Yuu shook his head, staring at Masuzu’s JoJo-like pose with a strange look.

“It feels kinda embarrassing. Let’s just drop it.”

As if deeply provoked, Masuzu widened her eyes in anger, pointing at him and shrieking: “You only half-played a JoJo joke, Yuu, you bastard!”

“...This is the first time I’ve been called a bastard for not finishing a joke.”

Yuu rolled his eyes silently, said nothing more, and turned to leave the small grove.

-

Title: Welcome to the Service Club

Then, as expected, Masuzu chased after him.

“Are you sure you want to refuse? Everyone will know you’re a little bastard who can be hired by anyone?”

Yuu didn’t turn around. “Idiot, do you even know what a rental boyfriend is? Besides, if you say that, aren’t you afraid your reputation will be ruined when news spreads about you wanting a fake boyfriend to deceive others—and also being a JoJo fan?”

“Being a JoJo fan isn’t embarrassing. I just never showed it to anyone—that’s a noble quality, shining and invincible like a diamond!” Masuzu proudly puffed out her chest, then quickened her pace to walk beside him, smiling calmly.

“Besides, even if you did spread it, who would believe you? I have undeniable proof. If we both tell our sides, don’t you think it’s obvious who people would believe?”

“Then, want to try?”

Yuu stopped, tilted his head, and smiled at her.

The moment she saw that smile, Masuzu froze. Her smile stiffened on her face, her pupils shrank uncontrollably, and a cold chill crept up from the depths of her heart.

In those clear black-and-white eyes, there was no emotion—only darkness and utter emptiness, completely lifeless.

Yuu slightly narrowed his eyes and smiled. “Isn’t it more interesting to see who can drive the other out of this school, rather than pretend to date, Masuzu?”

“...”

Masuzu couldn’t help but lock eyes with him.

Unlike the fear she felt when facing her father, this was a tremor as if she were standing before a black hole—something that could suck her in and swallow her at any moment.

Though his voice was soft, an unnatural coldness crept up from the soles of her feet, as if her entire body had been frozen. She felt no desire to resist.

Masuzu unconsciously swallowed, a voice echoing in her mind: Why am I only realizing this now?

The man before her truly was different from other guys his age. He wouldn’t be swayed just because she was beautiful. He could ignore her threats—and even threaten her back.

She hadn’t just conspired with a tiger; she might end up being eaten by it herself. Clearly, Masuzu had been too confident and chosen the wrong person to ask for help.

“This world isn’t that simple and gentle, where you can get everything you want.” Yuu said, turning his head without looking at her expression, then continuing to walk away. “Whether you stray too far or cling too tightly to being ‘right,’ you’ll face things you can’t handle—things that will only hurt you in the end.”

“Only when you find your own way to survive on a path full of scars can you truly be called an adult, Natsukawa-san.”

Watching Yuu leave behind those words, growing farther away,

Masuzu stood in place, slowly lowering her head, silent for a moment.

“...Heh, don’t act all wise over there.”

The voice that slipped through her clenched teeth was filled with mockery, self-derision, and fragility.

“If you have a better way, tell me now? Rent yourself out as my rental boyfriend? Sorry, but my allowance isn’t enough for that.”

“Unlike you, the mature one, someone like me can only think of boring, cruel ideas like threats and manipulation.”

“How ridiculous...”

Her words mixed with the rustling wind among the leaves, barely audible even to herself.

Refusing to dwell in sorrow, Masuzu took a deep breath, concealing the faint expression on her face. Her expression returned to calm, and she had no intention of chasing him further.

Failure was failure. She didn’t mind continuing to pursue him, but she didn’t want to waste time on something useless. Rather than wasting time, it was better to think about how to deal with the fallout if news about her asking Yuu to be her fake boyfriend ever leaked.

Yet, as she lowered her head in thought, a voice she thought had long faded suddenly rang out right in front of her.

“That’s why you’re still far from mature.”

She looked up in shock. The man stood in a spot bathed in afternoon sunlight, gazing toward her.

“You’ve already come this far. Why not try asking for help honestly? Isn’t the risk of threatening someone much higher than just asking?”

“Ask for help?” Her blue eyes were like a cold pond. Masuzu sneered, sounding almost desperate. “I already did that at first. Do you forget how firmly you rejected me? Should I count how many goldfish you keep in your head?”

“With that tone and hypocritical attitude, anyone with a shred of pride wouldn’t agree.” Yuu rolled his eyes, speaking irritably. “I’m not asking you to become some naive, innocent girl, and I don’t expect you to be humble—but just speaking nicely shouldn’t be that hard, right? Or were you born with crooked eyes and mouth, needing me to fix them for you?”

“Before lecturing others, I suggest you gain some self-awareness.” Masuzu scoffed, lowering her eyes in thought, her expression gradually turning serious.

Suddenly, she crossed her hands in front of her stomach and gave a slight bow toward Yuu.

“I need a fake boyfriend to solve my problem. Please help me, Tenkuji-kun.”

Her silver hair fell, hiding her expression. Her tone wasn’t particularly sincere, nor did it carry much emotional fluctuation.

This was likely just a trial. She didn’t place much hope on it, nor did she expect a good outcome.

But for Yuu, it was enough—even a lie could be one that made people feel comfortable.

“Why didn’t you say it like this earlier? I’m not a demon.”

Yuu smiled, his cheeks lit by the warm afternoon sun, all coldness gone.

“Helping a friend in need is only natural for us.”

“Natsukawa-san, welcome to the Service Club.”

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

In the special building, inside a classroom with no nameplate.

“Yuu-kun is taking so long... Yukino-chan, what do you think Natsukawa-san wanted to talk to him about?”

Sitting behind the long bench, Yuigahama kept glancing at her phone, then at the door, her legs swinging unconsciously. She looked restless.

Yukino, by the window, flipped a page of her book, speaking calmly without looking up. “If you’re so curious, why don’t you just go after them and see?”

“I-I can’t!” Yuigahama quickly waved both hands, lips slightly pursed, her voice growing quieter. “That’s their private matter—how could I chase after them and eavesdrop? Besides, Yuu-kun told me to wait for him at the club first...”

“I said go after them to ask, ask what you’re curious about—not eavesdrop...” Yukino’s cheek twitched slightly. She massaged her temple and sighed deeply in resignation. “If you can’t do that, then just follow his words and wait obediently. When he arrives, just make him confess honestly, right?”

“Confess honestly...” Yuigahama lowered her head, her index fingers poking each other sadly. “I’m not anyone special to Yuu-kun. If he doesn’t want to talk, there’s nothing I can do...”

-

Title: Sir, Isn’t That Enough?

Yukino frowned, no longer holding back. She lifted her cold gaze from her book. “Then just stay quiet and don’t disturb me reading.”

“Huuu, Yukino-chan is so mean...”

Yuigahama certainly understood that her current behavior was annoying, and she had already resolved to act calmly like an adult, unmoved by emotions.

But she still worried!

Recalling how Masuzu had greeted her so warmly yesterday, her premonition of a love confession grew stronger. Even though she believed Yuu wouldn’t accept it, she still couldn’t suppress the anxiety and fear gnawing at her heart.

This feeling… seemed even more painful than when her own confession had been rejected...

Yuigahama froze for a moment, then shook her head.

No, the rejection had hurt more. Back then, she’d cried under her blanket until her eyes were swollen shut. Compared to that, the fact that the guy she liked was being confessed to by a beautiful girl from school was nothing!

“...How boring.” Seeing her fluctuate between sadness and cheerfulness, lost in her own thoughts, Yukino shook her head disinterestedly and returned her focus to her book.

At that moment, the door to the Service Club opened.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

Yuu walked in carrying his bag, casually closed the door behind him, and strolled to his usual seat.

Yukino closed her book. Her bright eyes fixed on him, her tone lightly teasing. “Called out for a love confession?”

Yuigahama, who had just opened her mouth to speak, froze upon hearing that and stared at her in shock. “Yukino-chan, that’s too blunt!”

Yukino shrugged calmly. “Isn’t that normal? I don’t see why we need to hide anything.”

Yuigahama puffed her cheeks and grumbled. “That only applies to popular people like you...”

“There’s really nothing to hide.” Yuu glanced at her, wondering whether he should explain a little or just get straight to the point. He turned to Yukino. “By the way, the rumors about us have already spread everywhere. And you still have the energy to gossip about me? That’s surprising.”

“Rumors?” Yukino looked genuinely surprised, her lips parting slightly in confusion. “What rumors?”

“...So you didn’t realize at all.”

Yuu couldn’t help but laugh. This innocent side of Yukino was rare—much cuter than usual.

Then he gently pushed away Yuigahama’s head, which had suddenly leaned in to sniff him like a puppy, saying casually:

“Stop sniffing. That’s just how it smells.”

Though Masuzu hadn’t worn perfume, whether it was her natural scent or some expensive body wash, just being near her briefly had left her fragrance on Yuu’s clothes.

Like she’d just discovered her husband’s infidelity, Yuigahama’s eyes widened in disbelief, her cheeks slowly paling.

“S-so, does that mean… Yuu-kun and Natsukawa-san…”

“She did something to me! But I’m still pure—don’t get the wrong idea.” After correcting her, Yuu decided to get straight to the point. “I’ll introduce someone to you. She’s supposed to be the Service Club’s first client this week.”

“Client?”

Back from the gossip talk, Yukino frowned slightly, her mind racing. She quickly pieced together the story.

“You mean Natsukawa Masuzu has a problem and wants the Service Club’s help, so she deliberately went to your class and confessed to you?”

“Exactly. Not far off at all.” Yuu casually dropped an old proverb, making Yukino roll her eyes in amusement.

“Eh? So you mean…” Yuigahama blinked, her face lighting up again. “I misunderstood?”

“Not exactly...”

“Then what’s the truth?! I’m so confused!!!” Yuigahama grabbed her head, rubbing her hair bun, lamenting like someone suffering from low intelligence.

“Yuigahama-san, be quiet.”

After being scolded with a frown, Yuigahama instantly froze, obediently shrinking her shoulders, her eyes darting back and forth between Yuu and Yukino.

Yukino shifted her gaze, staring at Yuu with mild displeasure. “Why didn’t she come to me—as her classmate and president of the Service Club—but instead went straight to Class F to find you?”

Yuu replied casually. “Because I’m far more reliable than you.”

“...” A murderous aura flickered in her cold eyes. The book in Yukino’s hand seemed ready to launch.

Yuu waved his hand. “I’m joking. Ask her yourself for the real reason.”

He looked toward the door.

“You can come in.”

The Service Club door opened again. The beautiful silver-haired girl stepped in gracefully. As soon as she entered, she elegantly bowed and spoke in a soft voice:

“Hello, everyone at the Service Club. Sorry to disturb you during your busy time.”

“I’m Natsukawa Masuzu. I transferred here from Sweden this past summer. I’m just an ordinary transfer student—please don’t be too harsh on me.”

Yukino: “Don’t be too harsh?”

Yuigahama: “Why does Natsukawa-san now feel so different from the one earlier...”

Ignoring their reactions, Masuzu turned to Yuu. Her eyes glistened, her lips pouted sadly, and she spoke in a sorrowful voice:

“Sir, isn’t that enough? Or do I have to kneel and lick their shoes like before just to satisfy you?”

Yuu: “...”

Yukino: “...”

Yuigahama: “...”

An awkward silence, as cold as winter’s arrival, blanketed the frozen air of the Service Club.

Facing the two women’s stares—each looking at him as if he were trash—Yuu took a deep breath, stood up, and put on a friendly smile.

“Natsukawa-san, let’s step outside for a moment and talk.”

Masuzu backed into the corner of the room, crossed her arms over her chest, and firmly refused. “Clearly, you have bad intentions toward me—so I refuse!”

“Tenkuji-kun, sit down.” Near the window, Yukino tucked her hair behind her ear and said coldly, “Natsukawa-san, if you came for a serious matter, making jokes like this upon entering is extremely rude. I have the right to ask you to leave and reject this request.”

“I apologize, Yukinoshita-san.” Masuzu nodded, said nothing more, and sat down in the chair across from the long table.

After glancing at Yuigahama, she gave her a smile of ambiguous meaning, then turned to Yuu, her expression turning serious.

“Are you sure? Do you really want me to tell them about that?”

“The Service Club is more trustworthy than I am. Don’t worry—this matter won’t leak.”

“I’m not worried about that... Never mind.” Masuzu sighed. “As long as you agree, the rest is up to you.”

Yukino crossed her arms, staring at the two of them with clear displeasure. “Can you two stop playing mind games? If there’s something you want from the Service Club, speak directly to the club president—not to some low-ranking member who disappears whenever he feels like it.”

Yuu shrugged, too lazy to argue with the Snow Queen’s jab.

As if finding the scene before her quite entertaining, Masuzu slightly lifted the corner of her lips. She casually twirled her shimmering silver hair and smiled naturally.

“What can I do? For this particular issue… it seems only Tenkuji-kun can help me.”

-

Title: Why Just Staring? Clap Your Hands!

“I’m listening.”

Masuzu paused briefly, then decided to begin with this sentence: “Yukinoshita-san, you must understand what it’s like to be too popular, right?”

“Chased by self-proclaimed ‘cool’ guys, hated by your own gender for doing nothing, becoming daily gossip and strange stares—everyone’s brain flooded with hormones, fools who can’t think about anything except who likes whom... Hehe, why don’t you all just die? In hell, you can date without hesitation! Strip naked and die together—love slaves, the lot of you!”

“Natsukawa-san, your energy is awfully negative?” Yuu kindly reminded her after Masuzu finished her rant.

“Ah, sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

Masuzu cleared her throat, hiding her overly dark expression, and returned to her bright smile.

“But since Tenkuji-kun trusts you all so much, I suppose it’s fine if my true self shows a little, right?”

“I don’t mind.” Yukino said, though unconsciously she massaged her temple, closed her eyes, and sighed deeply. “But Tenkuji-kun, the people you associate with... they all have traits just like you.”

Yuu glanced at her. “She’s your classmate. Don’t blame me for all her faults.”

Yuigahama tugged on his sleeve, moved her chair closer to his, and whispered, “She’s so intense... Does Natsukawa-san have trauma related to love?”

“Don’t ask me—I just found out she hates love this much myself.”

Yuu glanced at Masuzu, only to be greeted by a flirtatious wink from her.

Seeing this scene, Yuigahama felt as if something she’d long chased had suddenly been claimed by someone else. Without realizing it, she puffed her cheeks. Somehow finding courage, she slid her fingers to his wrist.

“Yuigahama?”

She turned her face away as if nothing had happened. Her ears turned red, but she made no move to pull away.

Feeling the slightly trembling fingers under the table, Yuu didn’t push them away. After a soft sigh, he pretended not to notice, returning Masuzu’s mischievous gaze.

“The feelings you described—I do understand them.” Yukino looked toward Masuzu sitting across from her, as if she’d found a rare kindred spirit. She smiled. “Indeed, rather than being worshipped, it’s better to quietly climb to the peak—somewhere no one can see.”

Masuzu interrupted. “Sorry, I haven’t thought that deeply. Being admired is fine, as long as it doesn’t make me sick.”

Yukino opened her mouth. “...I see.”

“Pffft!”

Yuu burst out laughing, covering his mouth while also gently pulling his hand away from Yuigahama’s.

Yukino glared at him. When she turned back to Masuzu, the temperature in her eyes dropped again, and she spoke flatly: “So? Your problem is being too popular?”

“In short, yes. Not only do I get confessions almost every day, but there are boys from other classes and upperclassmen who come to spy on me—like watching a koala. There are even stupid bets about who’ll end up dating me. Nothing good ever comes of it.”

After a long complaint, Masuzu sighed. “On the contrary, I envy Yukinoshita-san... This month, I’ve hardly seen anyone confess to you.”

Before she could respond, Yuu interrupted, barely holding back laughter: “Because everyone knows she’s unapproachable—who’d confess to an ice statue?”

“Tenkuji-kun, if you can’t speak properly, please just stay silent or be reborn?”

Though the afternoon sun outside the window was warm, the ice statue still radiated coldness with full force—only after Yuu fell silent did Yukino take a deep breath to calm herself.

“...Natsukawa-san, what that crude, foul-mouthed man said over there is true. Specifically, since the beginning of school, I’ve made it clear I don’t want confessions—I’m not interested in dating. So gradually, I’ve stepped out of that circle, no longer seen as a target, no longer the subject of gossip.”

Ignoring the interruption, Yukino gave advice with utmost seriousness: “You’re a transfer student. Since people don’t know you, shallow men will naturally try to confess to you. So show a clear attitude of refusal. Never interact ambiguously with anyone. In time, your surroundings will collectively agree not to bother you, and naturally, you’ll escape the problem of being too popular.”

Masuzu’s eyes widened slightly, seemingly surprised. “So you actually gave me real advice—and it even makes sense...”

“In serious matters, I never joke.” Proudly smoothing her long hair over her shoulder, Yukino gave a slight smile. “Of course, truth always lies with the right side.”

Yuu showed an agreeing expression and immediately clapped. “Clap your hands! Yuigahama, why are you just staring? Clap your hands!”

“Ah? Oh...”

Yuigahama looked confused but followed Yuu’s lead, clapping dazedly.

The crisp sound of applause echoed through the classroom.

As a result, Yukino’s face, which had been proud and bright a moment ago, returned to its earlier gloomy, icy state.

“...Tenkuji-kun, today you’re ten times more annoying than usual.”

“I just wanted you to know—the right way isn’t always usable.” Yuu stopped clapping and looked at Masuzu. “Natsukawa-san, will you follow her advice?”

Masuzu stared at him. For some reason, she felt like Yuu had turned the tables on her.

But as long as her goal was achieved, the process didn’t matter. She quickly dismissed the thought and shook her head.

“Though it’s good advice, it takes too much time. Besides, I’m not used to dealing with people with a cold face like Yukinoshita-san.”

The usual Masuzu was the well-behaved girl in teachers’ eyes and the graceful girl in students’ eyes. She wasn’t entirely different, but she had a huge difference compared to Yukino.

Perhaps because she seemed much more approachable, her popularity among boys was even higher than Yukino’s—she’d received dozens of confessions in less than a month.

Now, asking her to imitate Yukino would take time and require changing her entire lifestyle. Too troublesome.

“I don’t deal with people with a cold face...”

Yukino frowned, about to defend herself, when Masuzu spoke again.

“Sorry for not telling you earlier—blame that guy over there...” Her voice suddenly dropped lower. She slightly lowered her head, sounding like an experienced senior.

“When the idea of finding a way to prevent future problems came to mind, my action was already complete!”

After saying that, the corner of the girl’s lips curled into a smile—she seemed very pleased with her successful insertion of a joke.

But in reality...

Since only Yuu understood what Masuzu meant, the other two stared at her in confusion, and Yuu felt embarrassed for her.

“Are you done acting? What does that even mean?” Yukino asked, frowning in bewilderment.

If she was already done acting, why was she still seeking help from the Service Club?

“Maybe that wasn’t quite accurate. When I was almost done with that action, I was called by someone to seek help from the Service Club.”

Masuzu finished speaking with a smile.

Everyone followed her gaze—toward Yuu.

“If no one else has a better suggestion you can accept, I’ll agree to your request.” Yuu nodded, endorsing her words. “And if there is, you don’t need to force yourself to do it. Isn’t this far better than your previous method?”

Masuzu sighed and honestly lowered her head. “Although I don’t want to admit it, you’re right... I didn’t think things through earlier.”

Though her tone was sincere, Yuu could tell Masuzu didn’t truly feel regretful—she clearly had no intention of self-reflection.

“What kind of request?” Yuigahama asked hesitantly, a bad feeling creeping in.

On the other hand, Yukino, clearly displeased, slowly took a breath and spoke in a cold tone:

“So, the two of you already agreed on the request’s content—just came here to look for better advice, so you came to the Service Club?”

“Exactly, spot on.” Facing her sharp gaze, Yuu spoke honestly. “If you can give better advice, of course, this would just be an ordinary request.”

“Unfortunately, you couldn’t satisfy the client, so I can only solve her problem according to the agreement we already made... Choosing the best option—that’s the most correct way, right?”

“...”

Yukino bit her lip until it turned white, clenched her fists on her knees, but couldn’t argue.

Rather than the most correct, the client chose the most suitable...

Choosing the method most suitable for herself and ignoring others’ sincere but unwanted advice—this was undeniably correct too.

Yuu had closed all paths for rebuttal. And the one deciding all of this wasn’t the two of them, but the client—Natsukawa Masuzu.

Yukino could only admit that, if she viewed this request as a competition, she’d already lost to Yuu, who’d brought the judge onto the field.

Losing was losing. It wasn’t something worth dwelling on—she wasn’t the type who had to succeed at everything. Though she rarely failed, she’d never feared failure.

She just needed to win next time.

Being brave enough to admit mistakes and skilled at drawing conclusions—that was Yukino’s intelligent side.

—But she was furious.

Just seeing Yuu’s face made her angry. Hearing his lecturing tone made her angry. Being forced to yield with logical reasoning made her angry too!

Though Yukino had told herself not to care about someone like him, feelings of resentment and rage still bubbled like lava, her chest tightening and swelling with irritation.

There was no doubt—Yukino was now extremely angry. Her entire face was icy, her voice frozen.

“...Fine. Then I’ll leave it to you.”

After saying that, she lowered her head as if too bored to care, and reopened her book.

Though it looked like a sulk, she at least managed to maintain her dignity as Service Club president.

Yuu shrugged. He wasn’t particularly proud of achieving his goal either. He turned to Yuigahama.

“The request is simple. She just wants me to be her fake boyfriend to ward off confessions from those guys.”

Yuigahama nodded. “I see, that is simple...”

Then she suddenly slammed the table, exclaiming in disbelief: “F-f-f-fake boyfriend?! No way! Absolutely not!”

She was so worked up her lips trembled, stomping her feet anxiously.

Masuzu tilted her head, hiding her laughter, asking with feigned confusion: “Why not? Yuigahama-san?”

“Because... because...” Yuigahama’s face flushed with panic as she scrambled for a reason. “Fake can become real! Right, on TV it’s always like that—two people accidentally mistaken as a couple end up falling in love...”

Masuzu blinked. “Isn’t that good? Tenkuji-kun is a valuable asset. If I hold onto him now, future gains are guaranteed~”

Yuigahama’s eyes widened further. “But... didn’t you just say you hate love?!”

“I do hate it—that’s why I lied.”

Masuzu’s tone turned cold, her innocent expression vanishing instantly.

She stared at Yuigahama, dark flames flickering in her clear, icy eyes.

“Fake becoming real? Don’t joke. Just imagining it makes me want to vomit! If love is so beautiful that fake can become real, then why are there murder cases over love? Why do so many couples marry and immediately divorce? Why are there always children abandoned by their parents?”

“I-I can’t generalize...”

“So? Can’t generalize—does that mean we should ignore potential harm? Just because fewer people get hurt, should we ignore those who are hurt?”

“...”

After leaving Yuigahama speechless, as if trying to spit out a foreign object from her mouth, Masuzu continued with hatred, disgust, and revulsion:

“Blindly loving each other like fools, making irresponsible promises, wasting time having fun, manipulating people like drugs or religion to make them fall—hah! How ridiculous. What reason do I have to accept garbage like love?”

“Those who want to fall into the pit, go ahead. But I won’t. Don’t try to force that false beauty on me—it only makes me want to vomit... So don’t worry, Yuigahama-san.”

Slowly calming her fiery emotions, Masuzu lifted her gaze calmly, her voice as strong as steel.

“Fake is fake. I will never—never, even in death—allow it to become real!”

“...”

The atmosphere seemed to fall silent in response.

As if stunned by that unshakable, determined voice, Yuigahama opened her mouth but couldn’t speak. In the end, she could only look at Yuu, as if pleading for help.

“Yuu-kun, something like this...”

“I already said it’s a fake boyfriend—why are you so worked up? Don’t act like I’m actually going to fall for her.”

Yuu casually waved his hand, signaling her to sit. “Besides, I don’t intend to date anyone now. Since she made the request, as a respectable member of the Service Club, it’s only natural I help—as long as it’s within acceptable limits.”

After saying that, he turned to the girl near the window.

“You agree, right? Club president.”

“...Hmph.”

Yukino scoffed with a cold face, making no move to lift her eyes from her book.

“...Then, fine.”

Yuigahama quietly stared at Yuu. After a while, she finally managed a helpless, bitter smile, awkwardly scratching her cheek.

Sitting back beside him, she lowered her head, staring at her pink-painted fingertips as if trying to shrink her presence into invisibility, hiding herself within the clubroom.

Yet, her hair bun still looked deflated, strands of pink hair hanging down, concealing her lips, which she couldn’t stop biting.

“...You know why I was so worked up.”

A lonely cry wandered through the silent valley.

For three years now, no answer had ever returned.