"Thankfully we came right when the park opened. Otherwise, with other tourists added in, we'd definitely have to wait in a long line."
The monorail moved slowly. Yuigahama gazed at the scenery passing by outside the window. At the station, a crowd had already gathered, waiting for the next train.
"After riding the Ferris wheel, should we go straight down the mountainside, or climb to the summit first to see the view?"
Yuu pulled out the map, holding his chin in thought.
Across from Yuigahama, Yumiko glanced at him and said with a pout: "Of course we go down. Hiking up a mountain with two or three people is so boring. Unless we call another group to join us, I don't want to."
"Good." Yuu nodded, putting his map away.
"Then we'll hike the mountain. The weather's cool today—it's a perfect day for hiking."
He didn't say that just to oppose Yumiko.
Based on the weather forecast status clue, rain would start falling around two or three in the afternoon. If they didn't take this chance to hike up and down quickly, later they'd have to return through muddy mountain paths.
Yuu had his own reasoning, but since he didn't plan to explain it, of course it caused a misunderstanding.
"You—do you even listen to what others say... No, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?!"
Her eyes flared up again, her beautiful face twitching slightly. Her fingers gripping her golden hair clenched tightly. Her drill twin-tails almost turned into spiral blades.
Yuigahama timely blocked her sharp glare, showing a comforting smile: "Come on~ Yumiko has great physical fitness, right? Back in the tennis club, hiking a mountain was nothing to you."
"It is nothing—I'm just annoyed by his attitude!"
"Then later, when we hike, let's just leave him behind. How about we make him unable to keep up with us?"
"...Oh? Yui, that's a good idea."
Yumiko raised an eyebrow, interested. A cruel smile slowly appeared at the corner of her lips. Her queenly aura returned as she spoke confidently and proudly: "Honestly, during the tennis club's camping trips, I could always easily reach the front. Even the guys could only eat dust behind me..."
As she proudly boasted about her past glory, Yuu whispered to Yuigahama: "Were those guys deliberately following her just to sneak a peek at her butt?"
"Y-you pervert!" Yumiko's face turned red. Yuigahama lightly slapped Yuu's arm. Her cheeks puffed up in annoyance. "Are you planning to do that when we hike later?"
"Calm down. If she wants a race, it'll be you two peeking at my butt."
"Who'd want to peek at your butt!"
"Not interested? I think my butt shape is quite perfect for an average guy."
"...E-even so, we're not as perverted as you! I misjudged you!"
Yuigahama said it without any conviction.
Yuu smiled, no longer teasing the girl who looked innocent and silly but actually had a complex mind.
He shifted his gaze. Since there was still some distance to the mountainside Ferris wheel, he began observing the people inside the monorail, using his sharp vision and hearing to analyze the information around him.
Including them, there were thirteen Sobu High students, nine students from other schools, and eight regular tourists.
Perhaps the picnic feeling was stronger than gossip. Classmates who clearly knew them didn't talk much—only giving them strange looks before excitedly chatting about their own walking plans.
The downside of being famous wasn't small, but it wasn't to the point where everyone could be so bored—proof being, after the gossip died down, rumors about Yuu and Masuzu were no longer popular, or could even be called old news.
As long as they didn't do something shocking in public, the audience that lost interest in them would eventually shift their attention elsewhere... Likewise, Masuzu's father's situation should be the same.
The best way not to provoke others was to stay low-key. It would be their victory if he forgot about this issue.
That's why Masuzu suggested acting cautiously, so her father wouldn't catch and take her back.
Yuu touched his chin, his eyes showing a thoughtful expression.
"Actually, there's the simplest solution..."
"If I just go meet her parents and make them approve our relationship by any means, I could focus on building a relationship with her without any obstacles until the mission ends, right?"
After all, parents would sooner or later forget that he'd taken their daughter.
With the system, even if he accidentally had a child with someone, he could reset everything back to a world where nothing happened... Of course, logically, that wouldn't happen, and Yuu didn't want to see such a plot emerge either.
But if he said it, he wouldn't feel much mental pressure. With the bullet-word ability, he could easily do many things and save himself a lot of trouble.
It wasn't that he'd never thought of using the hypnotic-level bullet-word ability to complete the mission, trying to bypass system rules.
But even though he thought that way, Yuu never did it.
Maybe he just wanted to enjoy the process, not reach the end with petty tricks. Or maybe he thought the system wasn't dumb enough to have a bug like that. He feared bad consequences if he tried it, so he dismissed the idea out of caution.
Though he didn't know what he was preserving, looking back, thanks to it, he could get to know two women with their own unique charms. He fell in love with the bright or gentle scenery that only they possessed.
Natsukawa Masuzu might not be an exception.
"Before Masuzu becomes helpless, I'd better just see how things go."
As Yuu snapped out of his complex thoughts, the monorail had already smoothly arrived at the station. The muffled sound of valves echoed as people exited the car one by one.
Yuigahama walked ahead, and the other two followed her out of the station.
Not far away, a small amusement park—complete with a Ferris wheel, pirate ship, and carousel—appeared before their eyes. Since it had just opened, the atmosphere was still calm and quiet. The large facilities stood still, waiting for tourists to power them up.
With a clear goal, the three of them immediately walked toward the Ferris wheel. They quickly boarded it, enjoyed the view, and prepared to play on other amusement facilities.
Yes, the process was that simple.
Since two girls and one boy rode the Ferris wheel, and the relationship between two of them wasn't very good, of course, no romantic or special moments occurred.
Yuu enjoyed the scenery outside the Ferris wheel the whole time. He listened to the two girls across from him chatting cheerfully. He got back on solid ground without feeling anything. In the middle of it, he also briefly chatted with Hiratsuka, who called to confirm if her group members were all accounted for.
"If Miura were replaced with Totsuka, this school picnic would surely be memorable every moment..." For some reason, this thought appeared in Yuu's mind. He deeply missed his only male friend.
If there was another chance, he'd invite Totsuka to go out.
Amusement parks, aquariums—anything was good... Wait, don't misunderstand. This isn't a date.
How could two adult men walking together be called a date?
"Yuu, we're going to the restroom."
While thinking random thoughts, just before they'd head to the pirate ship, Yuigahama said to him.
There was a long bench nearby. Yuu sat there, lazily leaning back against the seat. "Then I'll wait here. Do you need help guarding your stuff?"
"Yeah, please~"
Yuigahama naturally handed her bag to him. Yumiko frowned, hesitating briefly. After taking out a few small items from her bag, she also handed over her zipped-up bag.
"Don't randomly open it." Still not trusting him, she gave a command.
"Calm down. Not interested." Yuu placed both girls' bags beside him. Looking at Yuigahama, he didn't forget to give advice: "Remember to bring your phone. Check carefully after entering the stall—don't miss any suspicious reflections."
"Ugh—don't say scary things!" Yuigahama couldn't help shrinking her shoulders, slightly frowning, showing a fearful expression. "You idiot Yuu, what if we get scared to use public restrooms?"
Yuu crossed his arms, closing his eyes casually. "I just want you both to stay alert outside. After all, often when people face danger, they can only rely on themselves to protect themselves."
"Ah, that's true..." Yuigahama fell silent for a moment, then her expression turned serious. She nodded firmly. "I understand! I'll be careful!"
Looking into the distance, Yumiko grumbled while twisting her hair. "Like a nagging housewife..."
Yuu smiled, looking at her. "Miura-san, be careful on your way too."
"...No, no need to say that. Yui, let's go."
The girl flicked her golden hair. She walked toward the restroom without showing the slightest respect.
Yuigahama smiled at him, then followed her.
Watching their retreating backs, Yuu sighed, quietly uttering his final words:
"...No matter who you are, that's fine. But remember to protect Yui."
Saying that would only ignite a battle.
Yet, considering Yuigahama had tried her hardest to improve their relationship with various topics, Yuu didn't nag anymore. His attitude could be said to be far better than before.
After all, why did Yumiko call him a bastard?
Despite the Fire Queen's arrogant aura, she, who was always innocent and loyal, wouldn't let anyone tarnish her reputation with such a label.
"But... loyal, huh..."
Thinking about this, Yuu felt slightly guilty for the first time. He couldn't help pressing his aching forehead.
Not because his past feelings suddenly returned, but because he realized something...
If during the mission, he fell in love with someone who wasn't the mission target, and the system couldn't erase those feelings, wouldn't he face the very situation he'd desperately avoided in the first mission?
Loving someone, yet having to be another person's boyfriend. There was no worse situation than this.
Or the system was broken, returning all memories and feelings it had taken, then plunging him into a battlefield worse than death.
Yuu couldn't help shivering. He shook his head, banishing that hellish scenario from his mind.
"Rarely able to go out, better not think too much."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Inside the park area, women's restroom.
After safely finishing their business, Yuigahama and Yumiko stood in front of the sink, tidying themselves in front of the mirror.
"So Yuu really is a good person! Though he sometimes says sharp things, he's considerate, gentle, and reliable. You won't lose out if you get along well with him..."
Listening to her friend continuously promoting Yuu's virtues like a salesperson, Yumiko couldn't help rolling her eyes. She casually tossed the wet tissue in her hand into the trash bin.
"Enough! Basically, he's a good person—let's all be good friends. Is that what you're trying to say?"
"Ehehe~" Yuigahama scratched her cheek, laughing shyly. "Is it that obvious?"
"What's not obvious..." Yumiko tapped her forehead, the corner of her lips twitching. She looked like she'd already lost. "Can't even the blind and deaf see it? Even a matchmaker isn't as enthusiastic as you!"
"No, no, forget about matchmakers..."
Yuigahama said softly. Then she lifted her gaze, looking at her seriously and honestly.
"Since Yuu and Yumiko are both important to me, I hope you two can get along and not fight."
Speaking directly from the heart was a shallow, childish act—but most people did it.
Because it was exactly that kind of gaze and words that could make others feel sincerity.
"...Important or whatever, who knows such things." After a pause, she answered with an unintentionally bad tone.
As if hiding her embarrassment, Yumiko loudly clicked her tongue. She released her hand from her hair, her tone becoming much softer. "Well, what you said isn't wrong, Yui."
"Besides his low intelligence, inability to speak, and discriminatory attitude, Tenkuji has no flaws worth criticizing. If I didn't have that initial bad impression of him being a bastard, I wouldn't talk like this, right."
"Right! Yuu has many other good qualities!" Seeing the person she liked acknowledged by her friend, Yuigahama was very happy. She unconsciously wanted to continue, so Yumiko would truly change her view of him.
But an idea suddenly popped into her mind. She couldn't help carefully observing her friend's expression. After hesitating for two or three seconds, she spoke apologetically: "Even though he's good, liking him as the opposite gender is really exhausting. So I suggest we'd better just stay friends..."
"Pfft!"
Yumiko couldn't hold back her laughter. Then her expression instantly changed. She flicked her forehead in annoyance.
"What are you saying! I already know you like him. He's been fired from the position of 'opposite gender' in my eyes. I won't like anyone, let alone him! I'd never steal a friend's boyfriend!"
"A-just giving advice~" Yuigahama awkwardly touched her forehead. Her face slightly reddened as she spoke softly. "And he's not my boyfriend. We're just friends—good friends..."
"Maybe on his side, but on yours it's too obvious. Your eyes look like they want to stick to him, and your whole body radiates pink bubbles—since I met you last year until now, I've never seen you like this!"
Yumiko reached out, forcefully pinching her soft cheeks like kneading dough. After satisfying herself, she released her hand.
Yuigahama didn't resist—she just smiled foolishly.
When her friend revealed her feelings, though she'd mentally prepared herself, she still felt embarrassed—while simultaneously feeling slightly embarrassed for worrying needlessly.
"Alright, enough being so relaxed, Yui."
Yumiko's tone suddenly turned serious. Her furrowed brows made her expression look stern.
"What is it?" Yuigahama looked at her confused.
"Isn't that guy dating the transfer student from Class J? Even so, you're still so close to him, and even openly love him from afar... Do you think this is really okay?"
"..."
Facing her friend's blunt question, Yuigahama fell silent for a moment.