If not for Utaha's sudden appearance, Yuu might have long forgotten the little interlude during summer vacation, and how he first met her.
On July 24, after reaching a rental boyfriend agreement with Haruno, to test the new skill he obtained—Perfect Lullaby (One-Time Use)—he played piano on the street near Shibuya Station, attracting nearly the entire crowd there.
After finishing, Yuu was sure he'd slipped away unnoticed before everyone snapped out of the music. But on the way home, he realized a big-breasted beautiful girl was secretly following him, and he had no idea what she planned.
To avoid trouble, Yuu quickly dodged into an alley and even left a note warning her not to bother him again.
After that, he never saw the quiet, long-legged, black-stockinged big-breasted beauty again. The strange incident ended perfectly there—or so he thought before school started.
Who could've guessed the stalker was Sobu High's popular goddess, the third-year beauty prima donna nicknamed the Literary Witch, Kasumigaoka Utaha—a title that sounded overly pretentious, far less fitting than her other two: Ice Queen and Silver-Haired Angel.
Thankfully, she seemed to have no intent to continue the harassment, and Yuu had no plans to ask why she stalked him.
Though they met by chance in the school environment after term began and recognized each other almost instantly, they didn't introduce themselves—just passed like strangers, as if nothing happened.
So Yuu closed the case then and nearly forgot it completely, until now when it suddenly came back.
After all, no matter how beautiful, if someone wasn't important to him, he usually wouldn't waste brain cells remembering them.
Thus, what puzzled Yuu wasn't that the black-haired girl showed she knew him.
But why a girl he thought he'd have no further connection with looked shocked upon seeing him, her face stiff, and awkwardly avoided him—like seeing an ex-boyfriend dumped for cheating.
Thinking this, Yuu couldn't help stopping and looking up toward the third floor with some annoyance.
(Honestly, I clearly did nothing to you, and I don't want more trouble with beautiful girls—what's with that expression full of backstory?!)
If Yukino and Yui saw this, they'd immediately open a Service Club trial…
"Forget it, as long as she doesn't approach me again."
Hesitating two or three seconds, Yuu gave up going upstairs to ask and continued toward Class F ahead.
Though trouble would come find him someday, he didn't want to seek it first—or rather, Yuu currently had no spare time to think about other women.
He had two girlfriends and wanted to be fair to both, but there seemed no chance… After all, he wasn't in Yukino's class, and there was distance between F and J.
Shaking his head, his thoughts briefly flew to something else he suddenly recalled.
"Compared to that, not just me—the system has changed a lot too…"
He narrowed his eyes slightly, thoughtfully rubbing his chin: "The old system felt full of bugs, and its mechanics seemed very crude… Hmm, all thanks to energy from completed tasks? Absorbing my essence, slowly growing, then turning to torment me…"
Meaning the system was actually his unfilial child?
Born to trap its father?
…Jokes aside, the system's growth was actually very evident.
It had nothing to do with voice activation or voice actor changes, but in overall function evolution, the system had walked alongside him and now become far more mature.
For example, the current system wouldn't kindly give perfect-level rewards on first meeting.
For example, one-time skills and statuses. Since the third task until now—he didn't know how long—he hadn't gotten any. Besides basic cash rewards, he received low-level permanent physical enhancements or skills, or physical items like JOJO comics. No more worrying about wisely using expiring skills.
For example, reward criteria. Before, as long as he pleased a girl's heart, he'd get skills and statuses—generous like a nouveau riche. The current system was stingy. Unless he truly touched the target's heart, it only gave insignificant cash.
Changes had good and bad, but it showed this bastard system wasn't a fixed program.
It evolved with time and completed tasks—becoming smarter, more reasonable—and more inhumane.
Additionally, Yuu recalled one thing.
"The one-time Perfect Lullaby's effect isn't stronger than my current Proficient Piano Skill combined with Emotional Transfer status…"
Similarly, though both perfect-level, his current acting far surpassed the past.
Meaning skill and status combinations could elevate power to another level. Even perfect-level could be strengthened in its own way.
Though he'd discovered similar before, bringing it up now made him wonder if he had other combinable skills and statuses—creating combos stronger than Word Bullets, or making proficient skills surpass perfect.
Until the class bell rang, Yuigahama rushed back just before Hiratsuka pushed open the door.
"Phew… Almost…" Passing Yuu's desk, Hiratsuka sighed softly, still looking startled.
Yuu glanced at her, his gaze quickly sweeping top to bottom, then stopping on her face as if nothing happened.
Very considerately, he asked nothing.
But Yuigahama seemed to read his action's meaning. Her face flushed, and she pouted. Her soft, cold, still-wet fingers teasingly pressed his neck.
"Tenkuji-kun, your stare is very rude."
Completely unfazed by the cold touch, Yuu innocently blinked: "What's wrong with me? I just wanted to admire my cute girlfriend—is that illegal?"
"Hmph, don't think sweet words alone can coax me~" Hiratsuka snorted hard, but the silly grin on her face couldn't be contained.
But before more talk, Hiratsuka at the front tapped the attendance book twice loudly, her tone fierce and scary.
"Anyone not back in seat, still flirting—return immediately! I give three seconds. Anyone still standing after, come front and sing the school song for all!"
Others not seated quickened steps. Yuigahama, after a brief greeting, fled to Yumiko.
Seeing she'd separated several couples—though temporarily—the single aging female teacher finally smiled and nodded satisfied.
"Alright, let's start class meeting. Today we discuss Cultural Festival announcements this week. Class rep, come distribute forms…"
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Time passed quickly.
In a blink, the lunch break bell rang. In the winter campus cold air, bustling spread again.
Since she'd eat lunch with Yumiko and friends, Yuigahama said from first break she wouldn't go to the Service Club today.
Yuu wasn't sure if intentional.
But as he prepared to leave class with his lunch, she suddenly stopped him. As if entrusting a great responsibility, she firmly placed both hands on his shoulders.
"Yuu-kun, the club room is a sacred place."
"…Hmm, so?"
"Even as a couple, there are things you can and cannot do depending on the situation."
"Are you treating me like a three-year-old…"
"So Yuu-kun must restrain himself. Don't, just because your affection is rising, do anything improper to Yukinon who won't fight back!"
"No, I think she definitely would fight back…"
Yuigahama's eyes widened in shock: "You really plan to attack her?!"
"Your reaction is so classic I don't know what to comment…"
Yuu sighed speechlessly. He removed the white soft hands from his shoulders and pinched them twice as reward: "Relax, we're in Platonic love. Neither side will turn beast just from being alone… At least I won't."
Feeling a slight tingle from his pinch, Yuigahama covered her hand with flushed face but still stared dissatisfied.
"Then Yukinon definitely won't either, okay? What girl is more aggressive than the guy?"
(Thanks for asking—I have one right in front of me.)
"Why defend her? I'm your boyfriend… Whatever, I'm just going for lunch." Not voicing his inner words, Yuu held his forehead like dizzy. He waved his lunchbox at her as signal and prepared to turn.
"Right…" Facing his back, Yuigahama twirled her ponytail, looking down and muttering softly, "Everyone says high school boys are like animals, and after getting a girlfriend fully enter mating season… So Yuu-kun, if you really can't hold back, remember to tell me."
"N-no, I'm not the one starting! Look, Yukinon definitely hates that. For me, if it's Yuu-kun it's fine. I said last time, I'm mentally prepared… Actually, I just don't want to be overtaken by Yukinon…"
She seemed confused by the end, unsure what she said. Her voice grew softer, nearly a whisper. Her whole body radiated heat.
Yuu turned. Yuigahama unconsciously looked away, not daring to meet his eyes, only panicking: "I-I said nothing!"
Then she firmly turned and ran back to her group's seats with a beautifully embarrassed red face.
Seconds later, angry voices: "Hey, Tenkiji, what did you do to Yui?!"
"Right! The Yuu x Iroha ship I supported has sunk. Can you restrain yourself a bit!"
"Idiot Hina, you're the one who should restrain!"
Yuu chuckled softly. Ignoring them, he walked out alone.
Heading to the special building, seeing students passing around, his peaceful feeling suddenly rippled thinly, for some reason.
And the more he walked, the deeper the ripples, stirring his heart and creating a strange unease in his chest.
Why?
Isolating his awareness from the crowd, he tried finding the answer himself.
The winter campus as usual—ordinary yet carrying youthful spirit, shaking gloomy dry branches as if about to ignite but not.
The people's bustle as usual—noisy yet harmoniously blending into the background, thinly flowing in solitary ears.
Him walking the small path as usual—just carrying lunch, going to the quiet Service Club to steal a moment, eat while teasing his beautiful sweet female classmate. Truly comfortable and fun.
If nothing changed, where did this unclear anticipation and joy in his heart come from?
Yuu climbed the stairs; surroundings silent like another world.
Each footstep clear, along with clearly pulsing heartbeat, filling eardrums, accompanying him upward.
The closer to the Service Club, the more he realized something wrong with himself.
Why?
Unable to find the answer all the way, he slowly opened the club door confused.
Very strange—no sliding door sound.
In glass-clear cold air, Yukino sat calmly by the window, like a crystal-carved statue.
Her black hair softly draped her back, glistening in winter sunlight. The red hair tie added a touch of mischief.
And she lifted her head, looking at Yuu at the door.
Without surprise, her beautiful cold face showed only a calm gentle smile, like melting snow. Her voice light yet soft and flat.
"You're here."
Just her presence there dominated all his visual and auditory information.
Slowly snapping from daze, Yuu suddenly understood.
Anticipating meeting his girlfriend… This feeling.
He was her boyfriend.
Yukino was Yuu's girlfriend.
Just this fact bloomed his heart, satisfaction flowing from its depths.
Though the cause was her request, both knew the feelings exchanged on the Ferris wheel held no lies.
Very real feelings born from something fake.
"Pfftt… Cough, hmm, phew…"
His cheeks twitched; Yuu tried closing his mouth corners, but the brilliant smile escaped. Deep breaths couldn't restore calm. He just stared smiling, unsure why himself.
"Tenkiji-kun?"
Yukino saw him standing at the door grinning idiotically. After slight confusion, she quickly showed a reluctant smile. She put down her book and stood.
"I know my beauty drives you crazy, but besides being stunned, can you close the door? Cold wind's coming in."
As if a switch flipped, Yuu stopped smiling and sneered mockingly.
"What stunned—I just suddenly gained enlightenment and realized something very important."
Saying so, he kicked the door shut.
"What? Proof for Goldbach's Conjecture?" Yukino said casually. She walked to the hot water kettle, took a tea tin from the cabinet, and paper cups.
"I could be that grand, but wait a few years. Not yet."
Mimicking her narcissism, Yuu shrugged indifferently. Walking to the long table, he said casually:
"My time loving you might be earlier than that request."
Yukino's movement froze.
About five or six seconds later, she resumed taking the cup and pouring hot water as if nothing happened.
"Really? I didn't feel it at all."
She faced away from Yuu, so he couldn't see her expression, and her voice showed no oddity.
But seemingly burned by rising white steam, the white skin between her hair flushed slightly, and her hair tips swayed restlessly.
Pausing, Yukino suddenly spoke lower: "Uhm, I-I also…"
She stopped midway. Following words wouldn't come. Her hands even trembled nearly dropping the paper cup.
If she turned front, Yuu would surely see her beautiful face full of shy courage?
"No need to force yourself."
Pulling a chair and sitting, Yuu smiled, trying to ease her tension: "You're not like flirty me, all day only sweet-talking to tease girls like this. Right?"
"That has nothing to do with you. Not daring to face one's feelings is a sign of weak character."
Shaking her head stubbornly, Yukino slightly tilted back, as if deep breathing.
"…"
Yuu watched her back, instead slowing his own breath, quietly waiting for her next move.
No one spoke. Silence where a pin drop could be heard spread, as if even heartbeats would be pulled into the air for display.
After placing the prepared tea cup on the cabinet, Yukino suddenly turned. She let her black hair casually fall beside her face, gaze locked firmly on the person behind.
Those dark-blue eyes slightly watery, light floating within, calmly containing the world he was in.
"Tenkiji-kun, I love you."
Her cheeks flushed. Tone light yet sincere and pure.
"Maybe long before you loved me, I already loved you."
She had to confess love again firmly, officially voicing her feelings—at least, Yukino thought so.
And now, she had done it.
After slight surprise, Yuu also showed a calm smile, as if lifting a heavy burden.
"Though known long ago… but only after saying love does it truly feel like lovers."
"This is called programming. No, perhaps more accurately a ritual?"
Yukino sighed softly, muttering while bringing two brewed red tea cups.
Receiving like an imperial decree, Yuu raised hands and bowed respectfully: "Haaah! Thank you for the grace from my beloved Girlfriend!"
"Pretentious!"
Yukino sharply glared, turning her head disgusted, but her mouth corners stayed up, smiling relieved.
"…You're welcome, my Boyfriend."