「Explanation: Accept Natsukawa Masuzu's request and proceed to the next mission phase.」
(That's it for the update? Are you deliberately reminding me because you're afraid I'll refuse if I hear it?)
Shifting his attention from the system to the girl at the door, for some reason, Yuu now wished his target had been Yukino instead of Masuzu.
He could already smell trouble—and it reeked. But then again, wasn't it true that any girl chosen by the system as a target must have some major personal issue to resolve?
Yukinoshita Haruno had deep-seated personality issues and a forced engagement.
Yuuki Asuna struggled with fear-based trauma and a complicated relationship with her mother.
Not to mention their appearances—on that front, they both had uniquely troublesome problems.
—Which meant that a girl without any uniqueness at all wouldn't even qualify as a system target.
What a terrible system for discriminating against ordinary girls!
"I'm Tenkuji. Is there something I can help you with?"
After mentally cursing the system, Yuu stood up and asked, without waiting for someone else to call his name.
"Ah, I'm so glad you're still here. I was worried you might've already gone home." Masuzu patted her chest in relief, smiling sweetly and gracefully—causing many boys in the classroom to stare in awe.
"There's something I'd like to discuss with you. Could you come with me for a moment?"
"Is this something that can't be talked about here?"
"Yes. If we talked about it here..." She gently touched the silver hair resting on her shoulder, then shyly averted her gaze. "...It'd be a bit embarrassing."
"Wuuuooooo—" An indistinct cheer erupted in the classroom, mostly from the boys—some even dropped to their knees in despair.
With just those words, the after-school atmosphere in Class 2-F instantly heated up from every direction.
Under the curious and shocked stares of his classmates, Yuu fixed his eyes on Masuzu, not missing the brief, fleeting smirk that flickered across her lips.
...Something's definitely up.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, returning a steady, unshaken smile. "Then, let's go."
Grabbing his bag, he gestured for the girl to lead the way.
Yuu had accepted so quickly it seemed to surprise Masuzu, but she quickly masked her shock, replying in her soft, elegant voice:
"Great! I'd like to talk somewhere quiet. I hope you don't mind."
"As long as it's still on school grounds, it's fine. I have club activities later."
As he said this, Yuu glanced back.
The girl standing frozen in place, staring at them with disbelief—once their eyes met, she panicked and quickly looked away, pretending nothing had happened while fiddling with her hair bun.
Her act was way too obvious. Her performance was even worse than Masuzu's in front of him... Just like her.
Yuu sighed inwardly. He told Masuzu to wait a moment, pulled out his phone, and sent a message. After finishing, he followed the girl out of the classroom.
After the two left, the students who had been holding back immediately burst into chatter.
Though most had already gone home, the entire classroom was now as noisy as a marketplace.
"No way, right? Natsukawa Masuzu actually wants Tenkuji...?"
"Could it really be something else she wants to talk about?"
"Come on, where's your emotional intelligence? From her expression alone, it's obvious she's going to confess! Damn it, if only I'd performed at the fair yesterday, maybe Natsukawa-san would've..."
"Whoa, did you just steal all of Japan's luck?"
"How many hearts are breaking right now... At least I'm one of them."
"Stay strong, bro. Goddesses are like that—we ordinary guys can't reach them..."
"Still, I truly hope Yuu-yuu remains untouched by anyone!"
"???"
"Is there a gay next to me? All you Yuu-yuu fans are so weird!"
"But thinking about it, didn't Tenkuji just get gossiped about with Yukinoshita this morning? And now Natsukawa-san dares to confess? This is too much..."
"Wow, I can already smell the romantic drama."
Many stayed seated to gossip, while others immediately rushed out, eager to witness the unfolding drama.
Only Yuigahama pulled out her phone, blinking her slightly dry eyes from staring so hard earlier, and looked at the screen.
Yuu: {Wait for me at the club room, I'll be there soon.}
Despite its brevity and lack of ambiguous hints, it was just a plain, ordinary notification.
Yuigahama felt as if she'd just swallowed a sedative. She pressed the phone screen to her chest and exhaled in relief.
"It seems Yuu-kun really isn't interested in her..."
After confirming this, Yuigahama couldn't help but giggle. Her mood instantly brightened as she grabbed her bag and headed toward the club building from the back door.
If asked how she could tell from that message that Yuu wasn't interested in Masuzu...
It was an understanding born from the past—no logic, no reason. When you just know, you just know!
"But Yuu-kun's kind of pitiful too. He only became famous yesterday, and today he's already tangled up with both Yukino-chan and Natsukawa-san..."
Walking down the corridor, Yuigahama suddenly sighed, her soft cheeks puffing slightly.
"But I was the one who knew him first… Why am I the only one not getting gossiped about?"
Her voice of reluctant complaint went unheard by anyone but herself.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Like walking a Parisian fashion runway.
Yuu passed through the crowded hallway, enduring shocked and gaping stares.
The commotion he caused was even greater than this morning's.
The reason? None other than the mixed-heritage girl beside him, seemingly born under the spotlight, radiating such charm.
Her soft, shimmering silver hair, flawless pale skin, and elf-like beauty and figure—when it came to drawing attention, she even surpassed Yukino, with her ordinary black hair and flat chest.
Especially now, as she walked side by side with Yuu, her cheeks faintly blushing with shyness, clearly displaying the appearance of a girl falling in love.
Along the way, countless hearts beat wildly—then shattered.
"...Can't we take a quieter route?"
Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, Yuu couldn't help but ask in a low voice.
Masuzu apologized. "Sorry, I just transferred here recently. This is the only way I know."
"Are you sure it's not on purpose?"
"Of course not. Why would I do that on purpose?" Masuzu blinked her ocean-blue eyes innocently, lowered her head, and sighed sadly. "Tenkuji-kun, I don't know what misunderstanding you have about me... But I don't like being stared at like a circus monkey either."
"Yeah, that part is true."
"..." Her delicate brows furrowed briefly, then Masuzu smiled again as if nothing had happened. "Don't worry. We're almost there."