If asked what was funny, of course it was that dog-like loyalty and overconfidence.
Masuzu couldn't help but sneer through her nose.
She'd seen it since yesterday—Yuigahama was the kind of girl whose brain had been ruined by love, incapable of thinking normally anymore.
It had nothing to do with Yuu standing beside her. The sight of someone so freely indulging their feelings made her incredibly annoyed just by looking at them.
"If you have an opinion, why didn't you say it yesterday? Don't you feel a bit late speaking up now?"
Like a thorny rose slowly blooming, Masuzu spoke casually as she stepped closer to the two of them.
Unlike her usual gentle, kind demeanor toward others, she immediately dropped her sweet-girl mask in front of Yuigahama and revealed her sharp side.
"Yuigahama-san, Yuu willingly accepted this mission. Even though you're his friend, isn't your concern a bit excessive?"
Yuigahama didn't lower her head. She met that slightly mocking gaze head-on.
"Yes, I admit I'm being a little intrusive."
Her voice didn't waver at all—only her breath came in slightly sharper.
"Not only that, yesterday I clearly agreed to this mission, yet now I'm secretly voicing my opinions to Yuu, acting like a sore loser trying to drag someone else into my mess... Someone like me really is despicable!"
With a firm self-assessment, Yuigahama's gaze only grew more resolute, as if she wouldn't back down even if the whole world pointed fingers at her.
And that kind of expression—Yuu had seen it once before.
In the autumn of their third year of middle school, Yuigahama had sworn in front of him that she would get into the same high school as him—just like now, behind those eyes that were always foolishly smiling, retreating, and soft, there was an unshakable light.
Two years had passed, and Yuigahama was still stubborn and unwavering about strange things—making him feel resigned.
"You..."
That brutally honest response seemed to slightly surprise Masuzu. She opened her mouth, then fell silent for a moment.
But she stopped walking. She passed by Yuigahama, stepped to Yuu's side, and demonstratively wrapped her arm around his.
"Unfortunately, the truth is that your club couldn't come up with a better solution, forcing Yuu to agree to become my fake boyfriend... Well, it's a bit shameless of the one making the request to say this."
"So, I'm truly grateful for his kindness. I almost started liking him because of it."
Saying something hard to tell whether it was true or not, Masuzu watched the subtle shift in Yuigahama's expression and suddenly smiled.
"But don't worry! I've already said I hate love so much I loathe it to the core."
"If one day he has someone he likes, or wants to pursue someone else—say, you, for dating—I'll immediately give up on this mission and do everything in my power to help him chase the girl he likes."
Isn't that enough?
With an expression that seemed to say exactly that, Masuzu shrugged and said, "The situation is already like this. You can't erase everyone's memories and start over from scratch, can you?"
The rumors about them had already spread. If they suddenly broke up now, it would only create an even bigger joke. She couldn't—and wouldn't—allow Yuigahama the chance to convince Yuu.
...Because her only leverage—the threat of exposing the rental boyfriend secret—was no longer valid. In front of Yuu, Masuzu was essentially in a passive, weak position.
Beyond convincing him with logic, morality, or seducing him with her body, she fundamentally couldn't influence Yuu's decisions—and she could be betrayed at any moment.
True, just like the ponytailed girl standing before her.
Unable to take control, forced only to humbly and pitifully beg for his attention. No matter how calm she appeared, it was just a lie to deceive herself.
Thinking this, Masuzu grew deeply annoyed, with strange anxiety and unease bubbling up—her expression darkened slightly.
Even as she held Yuu's arm, she unconsciously tightened her grip, as if trying to perform a Cross Fixation on him.
"???"
Yuu looked extremely confused, unable to understand why Masuzu was suddenly acting so strangely.
"...Um, you're right, Natsukawa-san. But my way of thinking isn't the same as yours."
After a brief silence, Yuigahama gave a bitter smile, as if agreeing—but her clear eyes stared straight at Masuzu.
"Maybe you don't care about the harm caused by a fake relationship... But what about Yuu?"
"..."
Like a stone dropped into a lake, Yuu and Masuzu silently turned to look at her at the same moment.
"Being close to a girl he just met, stared at strangely by everyone, having to walk home with her after school... After taking advantage of his kindness, have you ever considered Yuu's feelings?"
Speaking gently as she explained, Yuigahama shook her head and smiled. "I don't think so! Because just now, you only hugged Yuu's arm to show off to me—that's weird."
Masuzu instinctively let go of Yuu's arm. She realized she'd faltered, and as she tried to grab him again, her fingers hesitated mid-air.
At the same time, Yuigahama stared straight at her as she looked away.
"Two people who don't know each other pretending to be a couple—shouldn't they care more about each other's feelings? Why can't you even do that?"
Her fist slowly clenched. The pink-haired girl's face gradually tensed as she seriously spoke these words:
"Even as just Yuu's good friend, I don't want to see him showing a reluctant, forced expression because of your selfishness!"
Earlier, Yuigahama had clearly seen Yuu's expression when he spoke with Totsuka.
That's why she finally gathered her courage—she wanted to pull him out of this fake boyfriend mission. She didn't want Yuu to keep suffering like this.
Her reasons were shallow and emotional—
But two years ago, Yuigahama had already been this foolish.
"..."
As if struck by reality, Masuzu fell silent for a moment.
Though she was usually quick-witted, she suddenly didn't know how to respond.
It had nothing to do with logic. It was purely because of her opponent's attitude—she wasn't blaming her from a place of love or jealousy, but clearly pointing out that her behavior was flawed and demanding justice for her friend.
Because it was fact, there was no room for debate.
Because her love tolerance was so low, she had no desire to fight. She even unconsciously began reflecting on her own actions.
"...It's not true."
Masuzu shook her head, banishing that weak thought from her mind. Her eyes froze into ice, and she smiled again, full of confidence.
"Saying such lofty things, ponytail girl—did you forget the most important premise?"
"What?" Yuigahama blinked in confusion.
Masuzu said confidently: "Tenkuji Yuu—Yuu. Is he really unwilling? Or is he actually enjoying this mission himself, and you don't need to worry about him at all?"