Yuu 216-220

Title: A New Day, A Fresh Start

Morning at the Yukinoshita residence.

Sitting before her dressing table, Haruno ran her hands through her messy short hair, opened her mouth wide and yawned.

“Ha-ah~ If only terrorists suddenly attacked campus and classes were canceled, that’d be nice…”

Uttering a dangerously careless remark with a blank expression, the college student didn’t reach for the luxurious Mason Pearson wooden comb with natural boar bristles on the shelf. Instead, she pulled out a cheap plastic comb adorned with cherry blossom patterns from her bag and began slowly combing her hair.

Her strokes were uneven, sometimes accidentally snapping one or two strands. This was different from her usual careful grooming routine—lately, this had become Haruno’s habit, whether good or bad, she wasn’t sure.

Sometime recently, although her chest hadn’t changed at all, her shoulders felt much lighter. She no longer burdened herself with so many rules.

“People change, and at the same time, human relationships continuously evolve. Everything flows—nothing is permanent. If we learn from the changing world, then it’s only natural that we change too.”

“...Ah, it seems I’ve said something wise again! You’re amazing, Haruno-chan~”

Haruno giggled to herself, like a circus clown, exceptionally skilled at entertaining her own thoughts.

Looking at her cheerful reflection in the mirror, and at her gradually neatened shoulder-length hair, she lowered her glistening eyes, suddenly slowing her breath, focusing her mind, chasing a vague, elusive feeling.

...The wooden comb gently scratched her scalp, and an unconscious smile tugged at the corner of her lips.

A deeply familiar sensation.

It was different from the routines of her past, yet so familiar it felt etched into the depths of her heart.

What was it?

Like searching for sunlight between snow-laden clouds, Haruno slowly halted her movements, fingers and comb tangled in her hair. Her expression turned serious as she closed her eyes and pondered.

*TING-TONG!*

The pre-set alarm suddenly blared. She turned it off, her arm dropping limply. She tilted her head up and sighed deeply.

“Ha~ Haruno-chan totally failed~ Still can’t figure anything out.”

Used to it by now, she wasn’t particularly disappointed—just slightly unwilling to give up.

Every morning, Haruno gave herself ten minutes of “mystery-solving time,” attempting to unravel the riddles emerging within herself.

The mysterious wooden comb, the hollow feeling of loss, and the strange sensation of having gained something—

Since that day, she’d been like an awkward child, stubbornly trying to untangle a set of nine interlocked rings, persisting every single day.

If her mother and younger sister found out, they’d surely shower her with attention and merciless teasing, right?

Her usual composed, calm, and collected self had become so sensitive as to experience illusions—how ridiculous~

Still, it didn’t matter.

Haruno admitted it—she was a woman who took things too seriously.

What she wanted, she wouldn’t let go. What she had, she wouldn’t allow others to take. What she lost, she would find again—even if it was merely an illusion, she had to know its origin, then decide for herself whether to let go or not.

So, no matter how many times she failed, she would keep trying, until she found the answer.

“But it’s not like there’s been no progress at all~”

Thinking this, Haruno immediately perked up, a smile unconsciously returning to her lips.

After combing her hair, she placed the comb at the bottom of her bag and opened her vanity drawer.

“Let me think… when should I visit Sobu High again…?”

Facing the mirror, she hummed cheerfully as she drew her eyebrows.

After all, there was a certain high school boy who deeply intrigued her.

He was connected to her sister, and related to her abilities, but what fascinated Haruno most…

Was the expression on his face when the young man saw this comb.

Perhaps the key to unraveling this illusion lay with that piano-playing, handsome, and incredibly attractive high school student in her eyes!

Although they’d only met yesterday, he probably didn’t have a good impression of her. And if she visited Sobu High too often, her whiny younger sister would scold her…

But if she truly wanted something, she wouldn’t care too much. To achieve her goal, she would use every means necessary!

“Tenkuji-kun… tch, too formal. I’ll just call him Yuu-chan~”

As she whispered the name in her heart, Haruno realized she couldn’t suppress her joyful smile. A turbulent emotion stirred in her chest, boiling hot like magma beneath the earth.

Why was this happening?

Finding the answer to that question was precisely why she was pursuing Yuu.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

“Achoo!”

Yuu, who had just finished his morning jog, was slightly startled. He rubbed his nose and stood frozen at the entrance.

“With my current physical condition, I can still catch a cold? It’s not even that cold outside.”

Especially with the Refresh ability, catching a cold from cold air while sweating was impossible. This sneeze felt more like an unreliable warning.

“Damn system, are you planning to stab me in the back again?” He rubbed his chin, concluding with eighty percent certainty.

「Master, the system does not perform unnecessary actions toward you.」

As if to prove its innocence, the soft voice of Hatsune Miku from the system echoed in his mind, making Yuu wince uncomfortably.

He preferred the system cold and mechanical. Too human-like made him uneasy—and this was only at normal intelligence level.

What if, after completing five missions, the system really did transform into a cute girl?

Then, would he really resort to cruel methods like (censored) and (censored) against her?

Out of politeness, Yuu began to hesitate.

But then he remembered the system had forced him first—every doubt vanished instantly, his heart once again hardened with vengeful determination.

“System, if I don’t ask, stay silent. Don’t read my mind, and don’t mock me.”

As he walked toward the bathroom, Yuu firmly issued a gag order.

Though her voice was gentle and pleasant, the system’s tone still sounded slightly robotic:

「Understood, Master.」

The world finally fell silent again.

Since it was still early morning, Yuu took a hot bath, washing away all fatigue while pondering what he should do next.

After leaving the bathroom, he entered the kitchen, his body dry, and began preparing breakfast while calling someone who had helped him greatly across both worlds.

The call connected, but the other end was silent—only heavy breathing could be heard.

“Hello, Kōu-nii?”

“...”

“Are you still sleeping? I forgot you’re a college student who never wakes up on time.”

“...What is it?”

“How’s your sister, Yuuki Asuna? Oh, and do you know Sugou Nobuyuki?”

“...Fine… In prison…”

“Alright, never mind then. Go back to sleep, college boy.”

“Damn it…”

Without waiting for Kouichirou to finish cursing from his interrupted sleep, Yuu hung up. Now that he knew the core issue, his cooking movements became slightly lighter.

He didn’t need to know the detailed shifts in the world’s timeline—just knowing his former girlfriend was safe was enough.

The past was past. He would look toward the future—after all, a healthy mindset leads to healthy love.

“Right. I’m now a slave to love!”

-

Title: Who’s the Next Target?

Yuu laughed, half mocking himself and half genuinely amused.

A fragrant aroma quickly wafted from the kitchen. After preparing two servings of breakfast, he went upstairs and knocked on his younger sister’s door, then returned to the living room without waiting for a reply.

By the time half the breakfast was gone, a silver-haired girl hugging a rabbit doll, with sleepy eyes and unsteady steps, finally wandered into the dining room.

“Why didn’t you wait for me?”

“I have school.” Yuu pushed a glass of milk toward her. “Were you up late gaming again last night?”

“One in the morning isn’t staying up late.” As if stating an undeniable truth, Sora answered honestly, then without even glancing at the milk, went to the kitchen to fetch a glass of barley tea before pulling out a chair and sitting down.

Yuu could only finish the milk and bread himself.

Noticing the dark circles clearly visible under his sister’s pale, flawless skin, he stroked his chin and murmured thoughtfully:

“Hmm… If I dragged you to school, your messed-up sleep schedule would definitely go back to normal, right?”

“Onii-chan, don’t have such dangerous thoughts.” Sora picked up a fried egg, uttering the most fearful words in the flattest tone possible: “There’s no way I’m going to school—unless one day I actually become interested in it. Otherwise, I’ll stay in my room, even if an earthquake hits, I won’t come out.”

Every word radiated the pride of a shut-in, yet utterly unimpressive.

Yuu shook his head and sighed, but suddenly remembered something and smirked mischievously.

“What if your big brother had a girlfriend at school? Would you be interested then?”

“...”

Her chopsticks froze mid-air. Sora stared at him motionlessly, her bright, deep eyes quiet and unreadable.

Yuu instinctively wanted to take back his words, but in the end, he met her gaze honestly, the smirk still on his face.

Breakfast had barely begun, yet the dining table was already shrouded in midnight-like silence.

“...Later. If you actually get a girlfriend, maybe I’ll consider it.”

To his surprise, Sora’s expression remained completely flat. She said it so casually, then lowered her head and continued eating.

Yuu frowned, confused. He had no idea what she was thinking, so naturally, he didn’t press further.

It was just a spur-of-the-moment tease. Whether he got a response or not wasn’t really important.

After all, whether she went to school or not was her choice. Whether he had a girlfriend or not was his business. Neither wanted to meddle too much in the other’s affairs.

But Sora’s minimal reaction was truly strange...

In the quiet atmosphere, the plates were soon empty. Yuu cleaned up and prepared to leave for school.

Sora stood by the entrance, hugging her rabbit doll as she watched his tall figure in uniform and leather shoes. Her cherry-blossom lips remained tightly closed.

“...Be careful on your way.”

Yuu opened the door. “I’m going to the café today. I’ll be back before dinner.”

“Not going to tutoring?”

“...No.” Yuu paused briefly. He couldn’t help but ask, “Sora, why did I used to go to tutoring?”

“You forgot?” Sora’s confused voice came from behind. “You said you were annoyed seeing the top-ranked student in our grade, and wanted to stand above them and mock them in the next exam, so you signed up for tutoring to improve your academics... But the next exam hasn’t even happened yet, right? Giving up this quickly isn’t like you.”

“Of course...”

(Not like me? What kind of cheap villain dialogue is this? Has the system altered my world’s storyline like this?!)

Yuu’s cheek twitched. He stared at the road outside, unable to smile.

—Damn system, messing up his character. He’d remember this debt!

“...It’s because now I can already stand above the top student and mock them. So I’m too lazy to waste time there anymore.”

Saying this calmly, Yuu stepped out the door.

“Is that so? You’re really impressive then.” After offering a clearly insincere compliment, Sora covered her mouth with one hand, yawned, and turned to go upstairs. “Come back early, ha-ah~ If you don’t care about my progress on the assignments, just pretend I said nothing.”

Although she didn’t go to school, Yuu didn’t let her become a full-time gamer either. He had long given her assignments like a teacher, and her current progress was nearly equivalent to a first-year high school student.

“Don’t worry. You have to finish your assignments before I get back—don’t just play games.” A slightly amused voice faded away as the door closed behind him.

Sora stood with her back to the entrance, pausing in front of the wooden staircase.

“Such a nag...” She sighed, complaining under her breath, then stepped up with her small, slender white feet. “But... school, huh...”

Muttering, she unconsciously hugged the doll tighter. Her thin, soft lips turned pale from biting.

“It feels like Yuu is drifting further away from me.”

Since this summer vacation, the lingering anxiety and loneliness in her heart had slowly grown; more and more about him, she no longer understood.

Even though they were the only two living here, in this empty house, she could no longer sense his presence.

(If I go to school… could I get closer to him?)

With conflicted thoughts, Sora angrily smacked the doll, deciding to stop thinking about it for now.

Going up to the second floor, she didn’t return to her room. Instead, she took out a spare key, opened Yuu’s bedroom door, and slipped inside.

Soon after, soft sighs of satisfaction and slightly irregular breathing could be heard in turn.

“Yuu...”

“Don’t leave me.”

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Autumn—neither as scorching as summer, nor as bitterly cold as winter, nor as warmly blooming as spring.

Autumn was just autumn. Loneliness discarded by other seasons hid behind its beautiful scenery—neither hot nor cold, full of emotion yet heartless.

Late September. Walking down the path to school, the atmosphere of autumn growing ever thicker.

Hands in his pockets, Yuu gazed at the leaves spiraling down from the sky, pondering who his third target should be.

Generally, there were three people he least wanted: first, Yukinoshita Yukino; second, Natsukawa Masuzu; third, Hiratsuka Shizuka.

He unilaterally disliked Yukino, didn’t want to deal with Masuzu—who seemed even more troublesome than Yukino—and absolutely didn’t want to get involved in a teacher-student romance with a thirty-year-old single woman from a Jump series.

Then, there were three people he could more easily accept: first, Yuigahama Yui; second, Isshiki Iroha; third, some random background character he didn’t know.

First, Yuigahama was his classmate from middle school, who once confessed her feelings to him—and he actually liked her quite a bit.

If Yuu accepted her feelings naturally and they shared a fulfilling relationship, he might quickly complete the mission while also leaving behind sweet memories for himself.

Second, Iroha was his junior at both school and his part-time job. She was cheerful and obedient, and called him “senpai” in the cutest way.

Though their relationship was nothing special, the senior-junior dynamic made interaction easier, and her smile was truly beautiful—even his boss had raised his wages because of it. Overall, dating a girl like her should be far easier—at least easier than with a gaming-obsessed college girl or noble daughter.

As for the background character, there wasn’t much to say. Yuu just hoped her personality wasn’t too bad, so he could enjoy this boyfriend mission and have a similar experience to the previous two times.

A cool, gentle breeze brushed his bangs aside, revealing a pair of serious eyes beneath.

Yuu, currently in “love slave” mode, took this matter very seriously.

“It feels like a lottery... Can’t I just choose my target myself?”

The path ahead uncertain, he let out a long sigh.

Yuigahama seemed to be running late today. She wasn’t waiting for him at the usual hilltop. Yuu didn’t stop, quickly boarded the train, and headed toward Sobu High School amid the growing crowd of students.

As he drew closer to the school gates, glances from all around became more noticeable, and occasionally, he caught whispers.

-

Title: Gossip

“That’s the guy who performed at the autumn club fair last week...”

“Did he really beat all those clubs?”

“Of course! Otherwise, how could that weird Service Club get first place in both the club evaluation and popularity rankings? I just wonder if he’ll do the same thing at this year’s culture festival...”

“No, there aren’t any challenges at the culture festival...”

“I want to hear him play that song again...”

As Yuu walked toward the school gate, it was as if Moses had parted the Red Sea—the crowd automatically made way for him.

Gazes filled with admiration, respect, and curiosity surrounded him like cotton, making his entire body feel itchy.

Yuu couldn’t help but sneer.

Completely different from the attention on stage, the daily life of a celebrity was far more uncomfortable than he’d imagined.

“Even though I mentally prepared myself, being stared at by so many people while walking really is unbearable...”

Fortunately, once the initial sensation faded, there probably wouldn’t be so many gawkers anymore.

At the recent Autumn Club Fair, Yuu hadn’t just performed an almost flawless piano piece and won first place in the club evaluation.

In public, under the name of the Service Club activity, he challenged numerous clubs—including the Cooking Club—and ultimately secured a decisive victory, with only the Kendo Club narrowly escaping defeat.

The prizes from defeating those clubs now sat proudly displayed in the Service Club room, serving as monuments to this legendary fair.

It wasn’t just a recent thing—since Sobu High’s founding, this was the first time a club activity had been so audaciously dominant, naturally causing quite a stir.

Back then, there were even fan groups following him, cheering and clapping every time he won a club challenge. Occasionally, deep voices would shout things like “Yuuu!!!” or “Mama loves you!!”—which honestly gave him the chills.

How many times must I say it—no male moms, no male moms, no male moms!

As for the incident involving helping outsiders capture a fugitive, calling the police, ending the club fair early, and casually riding off in a police car—thanks to changes in the world’s storyline related to Yuuki Asuna—none of that had occurred, sparing him one headache.

Still grumbling internally, Yuu casually strolled past the stares and entered the school gate.

“Hmm?”

At the edge of the crowd, he spotted Yukino.

Her black hair flowed softly, shining with elegance. The quiet girl, delicate as a snow doll, walked with steady, graceful steps, gliding into the school.

She seemed highly sensitive to gazes. She immediately frowned and turned, but upon seeing it was Yuu staring, she froze slightly. Her eyes swept over the crowd surrounding him, quickly grasping the current situation.

As if barely suppressing a laugh, Yukino pressed her lips together, tilted her head slightly, and gave him a thin, sweet smile.

—Didn’t I wish you good luck last night? Can you feel how I used to feel?

It was as if she were saying exactly that.

Yuu’s eyebrow twitched. He shot her a glare.

—Are you enjoying my suffering?

—I’m not that low. I don’t take pleasure in someone like you suffering.

Yukino smoothed her hair, shot him a proud, disdainful look, then turned and continued walking.

Since everyone’s attention was fixed on Yuu, few noticed her. Her presence, as if she existed in a world apart, seemed even more serene and elegant—Yukino clearly relished being ignored and left in peace.

Yuu gave a bitter smile, his eyes growing darker.

Suddenly, he quickened his pace toward Yukino. The gazes of the people around him unconsciously followed, watching the two equally stunning figures.

Yukino sensed something wrong as she felt someone approaching—but before she could flee, it was too late.

“President!”

It was a bright, warm shout—like that of a cheerful athlete.

Yukino, who had been facing away, couldn’t help but shiver. When she turned in shock, she instinctively stepped back, clutching her bag, her shoulders shrinking slightly into a defensive posture like an angry kitten.

“W-what do you want?”

“Don’t be afraid. I just wanted to say hello.”

Yuu smiled brightly. His voice wasn’t loud, but clear enough for the surrounding students to hear: “Thank you for your perfect arrangements at yesterday’s fair. You’re truly amazing, President Yukinoshita, top of our grade. Getting dual first-place rankings? That’s all thanks to you! Honestly, the only person I couldn’t beat was you!”

“This...”

Frozen in place, Yukino blinked in confusion—her mind seemed to stall for a few seconds. She snapped back to reality when she noticed the change in the surrounding gazes. Her small, pink lips parted slightly in disbelief.

(So this guy actually planned to drag me into his mess too?)

Her expression instantly turned cold and angry. Yukino glared at him with her bright, beautiful eyes. Just as she opened her mouth to retort, she saw him suddenly bow ninety degrees, his voice full of enthusiasm and sincerity.

“So, good morning, President Yukinoshita! Please accept this respectful greeting!”

Yukino: “...”

(Is his brain broken?)

Yuu slowly raised his head. In a corner unseen by anyone, he gave her a cold, mocking smirk.

—As president, isn’t it only natural to share problems with your club members?

Meeting his gaze, Yukino clenched her fists, gritted her teeth for a moment, then slowly smiled.

Behind that thin smile, veiled in aurora-like elegance, were eyes as clear and cold as polar ice.

—The problems you create yourself—what do they have to do with me? This is nothing but childish, baseless anger, Tenkuji.

—Sorry, my heart really is this small. But a broad-minded president like you surely wouldn’t hold it against me, right?

—Wouldn’t you call animal control if a stray dog bit you? Right now, I genuinely want to call the police station.

—Then go ahead and call?

—Idiot. Why would I waste my time and phone credit on you?

“Hmph…”

“Heh…”

In a wordless exchange incomprehensible to anyone else, intense sparks flew through the air.

They locked cold stares, neither backing down, each trying to freeze the other with the iciest glare possible.

But to the students around them, after Yuu’s enthusiastic greeting, Yukino didn’t respond with her usual icy expression. Instead, she gave him a soft, beautiful smile.

Regardless of their surroundings, the two gazed at each other with apparent affection—everything was clear without words. The onlookers all understood.

The school gate fell silent for a brief moment.

Then, louder, more intense whispers burst into flame, spreading rapidly like wildfire across dry wood.

Just like that.

The gossip about the top-ranked “Snow Princess” of the grade and the “Prince of Service” who caused a sensation at the club fair slowly became today’s number one rumor at Sobu High.

“...Hmm?”

Quietly slipping past the edge of the crowd, a silver-haired girl with shimmering hair slightly frowned, watching the two distant figures with a meaningful gaze.

Then she blinked—and smiled, sly and beautiful.

-

Title: Natsukawa Masuzu’s Attack!

“Yuu, right now everyone at school is saying you’re dating that girl named Yukinoshita.”

Before morning classes began, in Class 2-F.

The first thing Totsuka said to Yuu after returning from outside was this.

Looking into those soft, gentle eyes, Yuu’s sour mood—leftover from his morning encounter with a beautiful girl—immediately melted away.

“Can this even be misunderstood? I just greeted her politely, and she even glared at me angrily. Can’t other people feel the absolute zero temperature radiating from her eyes?”

Yuu sighed resignedly, propping his cheek on his hand as he scoffed: “Totsuka, let me tell you, even if I were to die by a knife slash, jump from here, and die out there, I absolutely wouldn’t—“

Mid-sentence, he suddenly remembered the existence of the system and clamped his mouth shut as if choked.

Making casual promises wasn’t a good habit. If one day he were betrayed from behind by that system again, he’d regret it.

“Yuu?”

Noticing his sudden change in demeanor, Totsuka tilted his head in confusion. His soft, short silver hair fell gently over his slender shoulders.

Yuu rubbed his forehead, feeling slightly dizzy. “...Never mind. The point is, I’m not dating her. We’re just in the same club.”

“I see~” Totsuka exhaled, patting his chest with relief and smiling.

As his hand slowly lowered, Yuu stared at him oddly. “Totsuka, your reaction...”

“Eh? N-no, it’s not like that!”

Totsuka frantically waved his small hands, his handsome, cute cheeks turning red. For some reason, he couldn’t bring himself to meet Yuu’s eyes.

“I-I just feel that even though Yuu and that girl Yukinoshita might seem like a perfect match, if you actually started dating, it’d feel like celebrities getting married—like there’s this untouchable aura or something...”

“Is that so?” Yuu frowned, ignoring his awkward explanation as he murmured thoughtfully, “I get Yukinoshita, but I’m pretty approachable, right? I’m not like those top-tier popular students at the peak of the social pyramid. There’s no way I’d be elevated that high...”

“Yuu, you’re underrating yourself.”

Totsuka gave a faint, bittersweet smile, wiping his reddened cheek with the back of his hand as he looked at Yuu with warmth and sincerity. “Yuu was amazing yesterday! Just playing the piano that impressively was enough to draw attention. You defeated so many clubs in front of everyone, and even beat the undefeated kendo club president—“

“If you don’t believe me, just look. Even while just sitting in your seat, plenty of people are watching you.”

Following his gaze, Yuu openly glanced around the classroom, meeting the eyes of several classmates without flinching.

Indeed, among the thirty or forty students, about a dozen were secretly watching him.

Some were using him as conversation material, others observing him like an alien species, while a few quickly looked away the moment their eyes met his.

Just like when he was swarmed at the school gate, even while sitting still, he remained the center of attention and atmosphere.

The only difference was one girl, who was glaring at him with wide eyes, as if deeply wronged, pouting her cheeks in frustration and sadness, staring sharply from afar.

Even when their eyes met, she didn’t look away. Instead, she puffed out her well-endowed chest and widened her already large eyes even further, making one worry they might pop out.

That angry glare silently protested something.

“...Geez.”

Yuu deliberately looked away, placing his hands over his mouth and coughing as if nothing had happened.

Clearly, after hearing the rumor that he was dating Yukino, Yuigahama was now extremely unhappy and desperately needed a reasonable explanation.

As a mutual friend (in her mind), surely she didn’t like feeling this excluded, right?

Realizing this, Yuu couldn’t help but sigh again.

At this moment, he slightly regretted his act of revenge at the school gate. He’d acted too hastily, turning an already troublesome situation into an even messier one.

Couldn’t he have just teased Yukino in the Service Club room with the door closed?

When small matters are blown out of proportion by the masses, nothing good comes of it—like the growing number of gawkers and increasingly annoying ambiguous stares.

If one day Yukino were truly chosen by the system as a mission target, Yuu estimated that once their relationship was revealed—real or fake—he’d still have to endure this kind of scene until the rumors died down...

Wait!

A sudden thought struck him, and Yuu couldn’t help cursing inwardly.

Could it be that the system wants to exploit this chaos and immediately force him and Yukino into a fake boyfriend-girlfriend relationship or an officially recognized couple?!

Please, I’m just overthinking this...

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Although the rumors about the two of them continued to spread as time passed, as an ordinary Japanese high school student, Yuu’s daily life didn’t change much.

The four morning classes passed peacefully. Aside from being called on more often by teachers to answer questions, no one came asking for his autograph during break. Apparently, everyone was consciously maintaining a respectful distance.

Yuu finally understood what Yukino experienced every day. Fortunately, he had Totsuka as a close friend, so he wasn’t completely isolated.

During lunch break, instead of going to the Service Club to bicker with others, he chatted and ate in class with Totsuka.

Yuigahama had come by briefly, seemingly wanting to talk to him, but her popular friends dragged her to the cafeteria for lunch. Not long after, she sent a private message: “Meet at the club today!!” typed with thick, unmistakable irritation.

Even though there was a trio chat group in the volunteer club, she deliberately sent a private message, as if afraid he’d escape out of guilt.

Then in the afternoon, during music class, the teacher even asked Yuu to go up and play the piano. After he finished, the teacher joked: “You play way better than me—why don’t you teach music from now on?”

“Of course! Everyone, just study on your own! Let’s have some fun!”—Yuu really wanted to say that, but unfortunately, he held himself back.

After the three afternoon classes ended, the clock finally struck 3:30 PM.

Students around him busily packed their bags, discussing whether they had club activities or if they’d head into town to hang out.

Yuu remained seated, staring at the large bold text on his system panel: “Sit quietly in your seat for ten minutes. Do not move.” He folded his arms across his chest, his feet tapping rhythmically to a mental tune: la~ li la~ la li li li la~.

Completely different from his mindset this morning, he now had absolutely no hope for this mission’s target.

“Judging from the instructions, the mission target will come find me themselves, right?”

Not like some alien from the planet Deviluke falling from the sky, but rather walking straight into the classroom to talk to me.

I hope Yukino’s already gone to the Service Club...

Thinking this, Yuu couldn’t help glancing toward the classroom door.

“Yuu, aren’t you going home?” Totsuka, passing by with his bag, looked at him curiously. “Are you waiting for that girl Yuigahama to go to the club room together?”

Yuu shook his head, sighed, and replied, “No, I’m just thinking about something. I’ll leave in a bit.”

“...”

Though puzzled, the silver-haired teen was eager to get to his club, so he didn’t press further. He bid Yuu farewell and left the classroom.

Two minutes passed. Yuu continued waiting.

Yuigahama, lingering at the back of the class, had delayed until now. After finally finding an excuse to send her friends ahead, she stared at Yuu seated in the front row.

She really wanted to leave with him, but seeing him motionless in his seat, lost in thought while gazing toward the classroom door—like he was thinking of some beautiful girl somewhere—her soft cheeks couldn’t help puffing up again.

She pulled out her phone, lowered her head, and rapidly typed a message.

“Stop daydreaming, come to the club room (メ ?皿?)メ!!!”

Send!

Feeling his phone vibrate, Yuu pulled it from his pocket, glanced at it, then bent his head to reply.

“You go first. My pants are glued to the seat with 502 adhesive. Need ten minutes to stand up.”

“??? Seriously? Should I call a teacher?”

“Lying. But me telling you to go to the club room first is true. I’ll follow soon.”

“...”

After sending several angry stickers, Yuigahama stood up in frustration, glaring at his back as if trying to pierce him with her eyes, grabbed her bag, and headed toward the back door of the classroom.

At that moment, about five minutes after the dismissal bell, a faint commotion arose at the front door of the classroom.

“That’s from Class J…”

“Is she just passing through…”

“This is far from the international course—could she be looking for someone…”

The voices grew closer, clearer.

A light, subtle fragrance arrived with the breeze, as if carrying an exotic scent.

Yuigahama couldn’t help but stop, turning with curiosity.

Yuu rubbed his face in resignation, as if his bad premonition had come true—his eyes now completely lifeless.

But then he sniffed, frowned, and dismissed his earlier suspicion.

“Sorry, excuse me…”

The girl didn’t keep the class waiting in curiosity and confusion for long.

Walking through the corridor crowd with her long, slender white legs, she stepped into Class 2-F and stood gracefully before the door.

Hands behind her back, she tilted her head with a smile and called out in an elegant, cheerful voice:

“Is there a student named Tenkuji in this class?”

“...”

The moment those words finished, the atmosphere inside and outside the classroom instantly fell silent.

Surrounded by everyone’s stares, Yuu couldn’t help but grimace.

Busy cursing in his mind, he didn’t react immediately.

“...You’re truly impressive, System.”

(You really had to pick one of the three worst-case scenarios, didn’t you? You don’t want me to live in peace, do you?)

(Why did it have to be this transfer student girl—someone who seems drawn to emptiness and always wears that mysterious smile...)

Natsukawa Masuzu.

At the back of the classroom, Yuigahama’s bag accidentally slipped from her hand and fell to the floor.

「Mission Objective Updated.」

-

Title: But I Knew Him First...

「Explanation: Accept Natsukawa Masuzu’s request and proceed to the next mission phase.」

(That’s it for the update? Are you deliberately reminding me because you’re afraid I’ll refuse if I hear it?)

Shifting his attention from the system to the girl at the door, for some reason, Yuu now wished his target had been Yukino instead of Masuzu.

He could already smell trouble—and it reeked. But then again, wasn’t it true that any girl chosen by the system as a target must have some major personal issue to resolve?

Yukinoshita Haruno had deep-seated personality issues and a forced engagement.

Yuuki Asuna struggled with fear-based trauma and a complicated relationship with her mother.

Not to mention their appearances—on that front, they both had uniquely troublesome problems.

—Which meant that a girl without any uniqueness at all wouldn’t even qualify as a system target.

What a terrible system for discriminating against ordinary girls!

“I’m Tenkuji. Is there something I can help you with?”

After mentally cursing the system, Yuu stood up and asked, without waiting for someone else to call his name.

“Ah, I’m so glad you’re still here. I was worried you might’ve already gone home.” Masuzu patted her chest in relief, smiling sweetly and gracefully—causing many boys in the classroom to stare in awe.

“There’s something I’d like to discuss with you. Could you come with me for a moment?”

“Is this something that can’t be talked about here?”

“Yes. If we talked about it here...” She gently touched the silver hair resting on her shoulder, then shyly averted her gaze. “...It’d be a bit embarrassing.”

“Wuuuooooo—“ An indistinct cheer erupted in the classroom, mostly from the boys—some even dropped to their knees in despair.

With just those words, the after-school atmosphere in Class 2-F instantly heated up from every direction.

Under the curious and shocked stares of his classmates, Yuu fixed his eyes on Masuzu, not missing the brief, fleeting smirk that flickered across her lips.

...Something’s definitely up.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, returning a steady, unshaken smile. “Then, let’s go.”

Grabbing his bag, he gestured for the girl to lead the way.

Yuu had accepted so quickly it seemed to surprise Masuzu, but she quickly masked her shock, replying in her soft, elegant voice:

“Great! I’d like to talk somewhere quiet. I hope you don’t mind.”

“As long as it’s still on school grounds, it’s fine. I have club activities later.”

As he said this, Yuu glanced back.

The girl standing frozen in place, staring at them with disbelief—once their eyes met, she panicked and quickly looked away, pretending nothing had happened while fiddling with her hair bun.

Her act was way too obvious. Her performance was even worse than Masuzu’s in front of him... Just like her.

Yuu sighed inwardly. He told Masuzu to wait a moment, pulled out his phone, and sent a message. After finishing, he followed the girl out of the classroom.

After the two left, the students who had been holding back immediately burst into chatter.

Though most had already gone home, the entire classroom was now as noisy as a marketplace.

“No way, right? Natsukawa Masuzu actually wants Tenkuji...?”

“Could it really be something else she wants to talk about?”

“Come on, where’s your emotional intelligence? From her expression alone, it’s obvious she’s going to confess! Damn it, if only I’d performed at the fair yesterday, maybe Natsukawa-san would’ve...”

“Whoa, did you just steal all of Japan’s luck?”

“How many hearts are breaking right now... At least I’m one of them.”

“Stay strong, bro. Goddesses are like that—we ordinary guys can’t reach them...”

“Still, I truly hope Yuu-yuu remains untouched by anyone!”

“???”

“Is there a gay next to me? All you Yuu-yuu fans are so weird!”

“But thinking about it, didn’t Tenkuji just get gossiped about with Yukinoshita this morning? And now Natsukawa-san dares to confess? This is too much...”

“Wow, I can already smell the romantic drama.”

Many stayed seated to gossip, while others immediately rushed out, eager to witness the unfolding drama.

Only Yuigahama pulled out her phone, blinking her slightly dry eyes from staring so hard earlier, and looked at the screen.

Yuu: {Wait for me at the club room, I’ll be there soon.}

Despite its brevity and lack of ambiguous hints, it was just a plain, ordinary notification.

Yuigahama felt as if she’d just swallowed a sedative. She pressed the phone screen to her chest and exhaled in relief.

“It seems Yuu-kun really isn’t interested in her...”

After confirming this, Yuigahama couldn’t help but giggle. Her mood instantly brightened as she grabbed her bag and headed toward the club building from the back door.

If asked how she could tell from that message that Yuu wasn’t interested in Masuzu...

It was an understanding born from the past—no logic, no reason. When you just know, you just know!

“But Yuu-kun’s kind of pitiful too. He only became famous yesterday, and today he’s already tangled up with both Yukino-chan and Natsukawa-san...”

Walking down the corridor, Yuigahama suddenly sighed, her soft cheeks puffing slightly.

“But I was the one who knew him first… Why am I the only one not getting gossiped about?”

Her voice of reluctant complaint went unheard by anyone but herself.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Like walking a Parisian fashion runway.

Yuu passed through the crowded hallway, enduring shocked and gaping stares.

The commotion he caused was even greater than this morning’s.

The reason? None other than the mixed-heritage girl beside him, seemingly born under the spotlight, radiating such charm.

Her soft, shimmering silver hair, flawless pale skin, and elf-like beauty and figure—when it came to drawing attention, she even surpassed Yukino, with her ordinary black hair and flat chest.

Especially now, as she walked side by side with Yuu, her cheeks faintly blushing with shyness, clearly displaying the appearance of a girl falling in love.

Along the way, countless hearts beat wildly—then shattered.

“...Can’t we take a quieter route?”

Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, Yuu couldn’t help but ask in a low voice.

Masuzu apologized. “Sorry, I just transferred here recently. This is the only way I know.”

“Are you sure it’s not on purpose?”

“Of course not. Why would I do that on purpose?” Masuzu blinked her ocean-blue eyes innocently, lowered her head, and sighed sadly. “Tenkuji-kun, I don’t know what misunderstanding you have about me... But I don’t like being stared at like a circus monkey either.”

“Yeah, that part is true.”

“...” Her delicate brows furrowed briefly, then Masuzu smiled again as if nothing had happened. “Don’t worry. We’re almost there.”