Yuu slowed his steps, his brow slightly furrowed.
How did it come to this?
The sight of two ex-girlfriends and his current girlfriend gathered together made Yuu instinctively want to flee. This time, he didn't dare face reality.
It was like a meeting of debt collectors… What, was there such a thing as Tenkuji Yuu's Love Debt Shareholders' Meeting?
But after calming down and thinking carefully, no, he had no reason to run.
As long as they didn't remember the past, Yuu had no need to feel guilty—he was still himself, the innocent, loyal guy who'd never had a girlfriend. There was no way a harem-like situation would befall him.
The crease on his forehead smoothed out. Yuu strode confidently, meeting the eyes of those waiting for him under the lamppost.
Now there was just one issue: Why was Asuna, whose match wasn't until the afternoon, hanging out with them?
Thankfully, from Masuzu's current expression, it wasn't the worst-case scenario he'd imagined.
With a calm heart, Yuu greeted them as if nothing was wrong.
"Haruno-san's here too… Are you all going to walk around together?"
"If you don't mind Onee-san tagging along." Haruno replied with a smile, winking at him. "You were so cool in the match earlier. I almost fell for you."
"Don't say stuff like that in front of my girlfriend. I don't want to go home and kneel on a washboard." Yuu rolled his eyes. After naturally taking Masuzu's hand, he turned to Yukino.
"So? A group stroll around Kyoto University?"
Yukino crossed her arms and nodded calmly. "We're not interested in the kendo matches. It'd be a shame to waste an hour in the stands. We can't exactly go somewhere farther either… After all, we came to support you. Until this morning's matches are over, our schedule will revolve around yours."
Even if they didn't, no one would really blame them. The difference was just when they'd have fun.
But with Yukino's personality, she'd never overlook something important. She wouldn't choose to go sightseeing just because she wasn't interested in the matches.
They were in Kyoto instead of at school because they came to support Yuu and his kendo club teammates. They were supposed to wear cool cheerleader uniforms and shout encouraging slogans like other schools' support groups.
But thanks to Yuu, that part was skipped… Though if it had actually happened, Yukino wouldn't have joined, even if it was a club activity.
"Alright. You went to the Kyoto University Museum yesterday. I'll follow your lead then. Just make sure to keep track of time."
After saying that casually, Yuu finally noticed the brown-haired girl standing a clear distance from the others. He tilted his head slightly, asking in confusion:
"Who's this…"
Her glossy brown hair still hung loosely behind her. Her demeanor was graceful and elegant, like a princess from a refined family. Yet, in her posture and eyes, there was the confident air of a cool swordswoman. And that familiar direct gaze.
Asuna gave him a small smile, her tone soft and polite.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Yuuki Asuna, a second-year student from Kurayuri Girls' Academy."
"…Nice to meet you."
Yuu paused for a moment, then returned a smile. "I'm Tenkuji Yuu from Sobu High. You're Kou-nii's little sister. I've heard a lot about you from him."
"Eh? You know my brother?" Asuna blinked in surprise, then grew nervous. "I didn't know… He didn't say anything weird, did he?"
"You'll have to ask him yourself." Yuu grinned innocently. "I suggest giving him a good beating before asking. It can't hurt."
"Haha…" Asuna laughed awkwardly.
Was this really her brother's friend and not his enemy?
Through quick conversation, Yuu learned what he cared about.
First, Asuna had initially seen a photo secretly taken by her juniors. From them, she learned Yuu might be one of the competing students, and she didn't recall seeing him on the fencing participant list. She came to the kendo match this morning on a whim and apologized to them.
Then, she was lucky enough to see him on the field. When Asuna planned to apologize after the match, she overheard Masuzu and the others talking about it. She couldn't resist chiming in, and they ended up getting acquainted.
Finally, at Haruno's suggestion—someone she'd only met once and could barely call an acquaintance—Asuna would join them until the afternoon matches, as a friend.
Yuu understood completely.
In other words, if Haruno hadn't meddled, Asuna would've left after apologizing and wouldn't have interacted with him much.
(…Maybe it's just a coincidence? Maybe it was just Haruno-san's spur-of-the-moment idea.)
(This isn't some law of attraction between people who are somehow alike.)
Yuu sighed quietly. He didn't want to overthink it.
(Thankfully, the system said Asuna rejected the materialized wedding ring. I don't need to worry about seeing something and thinking of someone.)
Because of that, Asuna's danger level was far lower than Haruno's.
Even if they reconnected, there shouldn't be anything to worry about.
…Right.
Even if Asuna had once said, "Even if I forget you, no matter how many times, I'll remember you."
In the end, what Yuu heard was still—
"Nice to meet you."
To him, nothing was more relieving than that.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
There were plenty of attractions near Kyoto University.
Outside the campus, there were Kyoto Gyoen and Heian Shrine.
On campus, there were the Kyoto University Clock Tower Centennial Hall and the Kyoto University Museum.
Five girls and one guy, six people, wandered the vast campus. Chatting, they strolled around the rarely-seen Kyoto University grounds.
From start to finish, Yuu held Masuzu's hand, keeping his distance from Haruno and Asuna. This made his jealous girlfriend unusually well-behaved the whole way. Masuzu only held onto the match recording, gushing about how cool he was swinging his sword, trying to make him blush.
Unfortunately, with Yuu's thick skin, he naturally accepted the praise without a care. This made Yukino sneer repeatedly from the side—so much that Yuu worried she'd get sinusitis.
An hour passed quickly. After touring Kyoto University, they returned to the gymnasium. Those competing prepared for their matches, while the others headed to the stands.
But after parting from them, Yuu hadn't reached Sobu High's rest area when a voice called out from behind.
"Tenkuji-kun, please wait a moment!"
Yuu turned around, looking in surprise at the brown-haired girl jogging toward him.
"Yuuki-san? They…"
"Everyone's already gone to the stands. I suddenly remembered something I wanted to ask you, so I made an excuse to come down…"
Her participant card hung on her chest. Asuna tidied her slightly messy hair. Her beautiful, fair face was flushed. Her clear brown eyes held a hint of hesitation as she looked at him.
"Tenkuji-kun, um… I hope you don't misunderstand. I know you have a girlfriend, and I have no intention of hitting on you."
"Yeah? And?"
Her preamble and introduction made Yuu a bit wary.
Her fingers lightly clenched at her side. Asuna took a slow breath, her sparkling eyes looking at him seriously as she asked:
"Have we ever met somewhere else?"
"And… have you ever played a virtual reality game called Sword Art Online?"
"…"
Yuu blinked, then said oddly, "No. Didn't we already say 'nice to meet you'? As for that virtual game, Kou-nii did give me a headset, but I gave it to my little sister. Now it's just gathering dust at home."
"…I see."
Sighing for no reason, Asuna lowered her head and bowed. "Sorry for asking something so sudden."
"Don't worry about it. Maybe we passed each other at a supermarket and didn't notice."
Waving his hand casually, Yuu smiled at her. "Go back up and watch the match. Masuzu has a bit of an odd personality and doesn't have many friends. I hope you can get along with her, Yuuki-san."
"Of course! Natsukawa-san is a very interesting person. I hope we can be good friends too."
Asuna returned a smile, clenching her small fist. "Good luck in the match!"
"Thanks for the support."
The friendly, pleasant atmosphere ended with those words.
They turned in opposite directions. In the shadows where they couldn't see each other, the smiles on their faces slowly faded. Serious, confused expressions emerged. They both pressed their lips together, unable to let go of something.
A moment later.
The rest area door closed. Footsteps climbed the stairs to the second floor.
The final kendo match of the morning was about to begin.