[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host, you've earned the reward: Burden (Expert Level).]
Peace and safety are merely illusions—because someone is carrying a heavy burden for you.
Amid the system notification, Yuu couldn't help but sigh.
Hiking was already very easy for him. With this skill, even carrying Masuzu up and down the mountain would now be effortless.
Maybe he could try carrying two people at once?
If he activated his full strength—one on his neck, one on his waist, and two on his biceps—yes, it would be the Tenkuji Yuu brand rickshaw!
"Enough."
Putting aside those strange thoughts, Yuu glanced sideways and noticed someone staring at him.
Not just Yuigahama—Yukino was also giving him a strange look, as if... they were watching a male dog mating right in front of them?
This kind of disgusted expression was honestly a bit hurtful.
Of course, compared to that, his fake girlfriend's feelings were more important, so Yuu decided to pretend he didn't see it and kept walking upward.
Yumiko, waiting up ahead, immediately ignored him. She impatiently called to Yuigahama still below: "Yui, hurry up! After reaching the summit, I still want to go down to check things out."
"Ah, I'm coming now!" As if waking from a dream, Yuigahama pulled her gaze from Yuu's back. She held Yukino's arm, looking at her with concern. "Yukinon, are you okay? If you need to rest, I'll stay with you here."
"No need. Keep walking." Yukino gently shook her head. She released her grip, pulled out a hair tie, and tied her long, straight black hair into a ponytail. After doing a few small jumps in place and taking a deep breath, she began hiking again.
Yuigahama and Ordinary Girl followed.
Yuu, walking ahead, turned to look back. He wanted to compliment Yukino on her beautiful ponytail—she could easily appear on a fashion magazine.
But considering that if he said it, someone on his back might strangle him with enough force to crush a neck, he turned back expressionlessly and continued walking steadily toward the summit.
"Who is she? Yui, do you know her?" Yumiko, now approaching Yukino, asked casually.
"Yeah, she's my club friend, Yukinon!" Yuigahama smiled. She glanced at Yukino's cold, disapproving expression and smiled even more happily. "Yukinon, she's my classmate, Miura Yumiko... By the way, Yumiko, you know Natsukawa-san but not Yukinon?"
"I don't know many people. No loss if I don't know her." Rolling her eyes, she gave Yukino a disrespectful look. Yumiko suddenly pulled a blue-and-white sports drink from her bag and handed it over as if it couldn't be refused.
"Here. Drink this before hiking. Don't drink straight from the bottle."
"..."
Yukino stared at her in surprise. After hesitating briefly, she pursed her lips and shook her head.
"Hah? What's that supposed to mean? If it weren't for Yui..."
Yumiko raised an eyebrow. Mid-sentence, she saw Yukino's pale, unwell face—but the serious light in her eyes never wavered. Slowly, she calmed down. She put the drink back in her bag, displeased.
"Fine, suit yourself! Just don't faint while hiking."
"...Thank you." Yukino said quietly. She turned her gaze toward the summit, stepping forward firmly, straightening her back as if to prove something.
"Tch, she feels like such a pain." Twirling the end of her hair at her chest, Yumiko sighed, looking at Yuigahama. "Tenkuji, Yukinon too... Yui, why are all your friends so weird?"
"Yukinon's full name is Yukinoshita Yukino..." Yuigahama smiled bitterly. "And if that's the case, Yumiko, aren't you the weird one?"
"Ugh." Yumiko choked. Clearly, she hadn't considered that. "I-I meant your friends besides me! Isn't Hina weird too? She likes men..."
Yuigahama grabbed her hand, not letting her continue. "Alright, alright~ We'll fall behind. Let's hurry and catch up."
"What's with that tone, like you're comforting a child?! Don't get too cocky!" Yumiko said angrily, eyes wide.
In short, the group of three expanded to six. Five women and one man proudly marched toward the summit.
Ordinary Girl: "Am I a bit excessive here?"
From the summit, the city streets and scenic areas looked like miniatures. Tiny black dots—like ants—moved across the ground. The noise of crowds faded away, leaving only the rustling between trees.
"Human beings are like trash." 2x
At the highest point of Mosum Peak, two beautiful girls gazed down at the world below. They said it simultaneously. Their faces showed arrogance and unhidden sneers.
Hearing each other's voices, they looked at each other and smiled—as if admiring one another.
"I don't think you're qualified to say that, Natsukawa-san, when you casually reached the summit by riding on someone."
"Yukinoshita-san, you could barely stand. How about you lie on the ground and rest first, then talk about dignity when your legs aren't shaking?"
They admired each other in sarcasm.
Yuu couldn't help but look at Ordinary Girl with more sympathy—if they kept fighting like this all the way, the mental pressure on the ignored person must be immense.
Ordinary Girl smiled bitterly and said nothing. She seemed used to it and capable of handling both of them.
Though the summit was quiet, many students on picnic, tourists, and hikers walked around.
Before she became the center of attention, Masuzu stepped down from Yuu's back. After stretching her arms and legs, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the cool mountain wind blowing past.
Her silver hair fluttered like stardust, transforming her into bright, translucent light under the sunlight.
"Hmm~ So comfortable. I can go down now."
"Too fast." Not even a minute after reaching the summit, this self-centered woman already wanted to leave. "Rest for ten minutes. Besides you and me, everyone else is tired."
Masuzu looked at Yuu. "You're not tired? You're not even sweating... Could you be a physical-type Stand user?"
"Actually, it was my Stand that carried you. I didn't move at all."
Masuzu narrowed her eyes, smiling. "So my butt was groped by the Stand too?"
Several glances turned their way, seemingly making the air colder.
"No, neither I nor my Stand groped your butt." Yuu calmly defended himself. He walked to the nearby gazebo and sat. Taking a water bottle from his bag, he took a small sip.
"Will you join us again? We can take the amusement park monorail down. After that, it'll be easy to go to the shopping street or scenic area."
"We've decided our next destination." Sitting far from him, Yukino answered flatly while drinking water. "If you want to join, it's fine to act together."
"Your attitude is so condescending..." Yuu turned to Masuzu leaning on his shoulder. "Where are you going?"
"To the cat café. Yukinoshita-san's favorite place." Masuzu answered casually. Her long lashes slightly trembled, her soft lips curving slightly—she looked extremely comfortable.
Yukino's eyebrow twitched slightly. She didn't defend herself, only silently drinking water.
Yuu understood. "Like attracts like... I can see it."
"What do you mean?" No longer indifferent, Yukino glared at him. Her pale face had a different blush—not from exercise—but she didn't seem to hold much hostility.
It was very cute.
Yuu smiled. Just as he was about to start his usual conversation, several people who had gone to take photos at the railing returned to the gazebo. Yuigahama in front raised her phone high, shouting joyfully.
"Everyone, let's take a group photo~"
Behind her were Yumiko and Ordinary Girl. They seemed already close, chatting in a peaceful atmosphere.
"I'm not joining." As soon as Yukino finished speaking, Yuigahama pulled her arm and made her stand, almost making her drop the water bottle in her hand. "It's a rare chance for a picnic—how can you say you won't join? Right now, and also during the field trip later, we must make beautiful memories!"
Yukino looked annoyed, but gave in as if used to it. "I said, don't cling like that..."
Masuzu glanced at them. She snorted, speaking in a low voice. "I don't want to do meaningless things like that. What's the point of making memories? In the end, we'll part ways anyway."
Gray clouds drifted from afar. They slowly covered part of the blue sky. Clear weather turned cloudy.
Only Yuu could hear her voice, so only he reacted.
"Yeah, in the end, we'll part ways. No matter how deep the memories we make." Yuu rose from the stone bench. Stretching his body, he spoke casually. "But because of that, we should enjoy it before we part."
Turning and extending his hand toward her, he pointed to the people already searching for a photo spot. "As long as we don't forget, the experiences we've had will never be meaningless. You must have some too—memories that make you smile when you think of them."
Masuzu stared blankly, then unconsciously turned her face away, as if her eyes were stung by sunlight behind the clouds.
"...Well, maybe. Though I live poorly now, I was very happy as a child."
She held his hand in her lap. Yuu also pulled her up. Smiling, he said, "Whether it's meaningful or not—that's a decision for our future selves. For now, just do what you want and what you like."
"If you just don't like being in photos, I won't force you—how about being the photographer? You can take a picture of us five."
He tucked her silver hair behind her ear. Masuzu lowered her head and sighed. Her tone showed helplessness. "Only you could come up with such an outrageous idea... As for photos, I don't hate them, but I don't like them either."
"Of course, nude photos are excluded. If you want to see them, feel free to come to my room and check them out yourself."
"Oh oh, next time." Saying it indifferently, Yuu released her hand. He patted her slender, delicate back.
"Let's go. Take a photo you can keep in your breast pocket. One day, when you're on a plane, you can look at it and feel nostalgic."
"That's too disadvantageous. Maybe half the people in the photo will die in battle."
Saying that, Masuzu obediently followed him toward the others who had already left the gazebo. She asked casually, "We'll part ways in the end too."
"Of course. After all, we're fake lovers."
Masuzu said softly, "Then... are you enjoying it now?"
"Hmm..." Yuu thought briefly. Pretending not to see the hidden doubt, he spoke uncertainly. "I guess so? After all, with you, it's quite enjoyable."
"...Exactly. You've unconsciously fallen in love with me." Masuzu shook her head regretfully, but her expression unconsciously relaxed.
"I remind you—I hate love the most. If you seriously try to pursue me, prepare to be kicked by me."
"Again? How many times will you emphasize that?" Yuu said helplessly.
Masuzu showed a cold smile. Her eyes held no emotion. "I'll emphasize it over and over. Continuing this hatred is the meaning of my existence."
"Chuunibyou syndrome?"
"Very rude. I'm serious. Everyone has beliefs they want to uphold."
"I understand." Before stepping out of the gazebo, Yuu stopped. He looked at Masuzu seriously.
"Love for you as a person is different from love for Masuzu—so don't worry. I don't want to date you, and I won't seriously pursue you."
Masuzu nodded, satisfied. "Good. You know your limits well."
"So..."
"Hmm?" Yuu's expression suddenly turned serious. Masuzu froze.
Then, as if he wouldn't let her escape, Yuu locked eyes with her. Each word fell heavily into the air.
"One day, I'll like another girl. I'll seriously pursue her, date her—the kind of love you hate the most."
"If everything goes smoothly, I'll marry and have children. I'll do my best not to leave her. I'll rack my brain to give her happiness—whether it's fighting a bald, bespectacled man or carrying her up a mountain, those are things I'll only do for her."
"At that time, no matter if people still come confessing to you or not, I'll end your mission and chase my own happiness... For our fake lover relationship, that will be the real farewell. The lie will truly end here."
His voice fell with a hint of loneliness, along with blades of grass rolling down the slope, disappearing into the dark, gloomy forest.
"..."
Masuzu didn't speak. She just stood like a stone statue. Her eyes unfocused, staring blankly at him—like she'd lost her mind.
Heavy, sorrowful background music played. Yuu quickly ordered the system to stop. The atmosphere around them returned to silence. The air seemed to stop flowing.
Masuzu was so still, even her breath couldn't be heard.
Her lips trembled slightly. But rather than shock or sadness, she showed confusion and contradiction—like a lost child staring wide-eyed at a strange world, waiting in loneliness for someone to take her home.
Yuu also fell silent for several seconds. Getting no answer, he smiled as if nothing happened. He pinched her cold cheek.
"Well, I thought you were prepared... No, 'prepared' isn't quite right. You shouldn't care too much. After all, you even said you'd help me find a girlfriend after the mission ended. On the contrary, I'm the one overemphasizing this—that's my fault."
After finishing, he took a deep breath. Stepping into the sunlight breaking through the clouds, he left her alone in the gazebo's shadow, letting the mountain wind tousle the girl's silver hair.
"For me, until this mission ends, this time is worth remembering."
"So, let's take a photo. Masuzu."
Shortly after, the camera flash lit up.
Clouds thickened. Moisture filled the air. The rustling in the forest grew louder, as if complaining.
Rain was about to fall.