Yuu had never before experienced the sensation of going to school with someone tightly clinging to his arm.
Was this what people called being "social"?
No—probably even the most social people wouldn't act this arrogantly, being this affectionate in public in the morning...
"This is exactly what sets us apart from ordinary couples."
"As long as we don't feel guilty, doing things like this in public won't make us feel ashamed—let alone embarrassed."
With an oddly proud tone, Masuzu leaned her head against his shoulder. As she glanced at the onlookers, the soft corners of her lips suddenly lifted, and a perfect smile bloomed.
Yuu looked at her from the side and couldn't help but think:
(How many men has a smile this captivating already sent straight to hell?)
At the very least, plenty had already bumped into others, trees, or even power poles, completely entranced.
The sight of a fairy-like beauty leaning against a man had already shattered the hearts of many innocent young boys, leaving only sorrowful sighs echoing along the path.
Unfortunately, they didn't know that aside from her chest still feeling slightly warm, this kind of leaning wasn't warm or romantic at all—it was simply two foreign bodies pressed together.
Neither of them felt their heart racing because of it.
As expected, all the way to the school gates, they remained the center of attention, like monkeys paraded down the street.
Yet both of them were already used to it. They walked calmly under the stares of others, their expressions unchanged, and with intimate gestures, they passed through the school gates—only to be stopped by the disciplinary committee.
"BEEP—Although there's no official ban on dating at school, please refrain from such physical contact in public to maintain a proper school atmosphere!"
"Oh, I see? I'm a transfer student from overseas—I don't fully understand Japanese school rules."
Masuzu said apologetically. She released Yuu's arm and smoothed out the wrinkles in her uniform.
"May I ask—why doesn't this school ban dating? It's supposed to be a high-achieving institution."
The disciplinary committee member crossed her arms and replied seriously: "Of course, because for students capable of entering this high school, dating usually helps improve their studies!"
"Hah, nonsense."
"...What?" Masuzu's words, spoken so quickly they sounded like a single syllable, seemed like a spell cast too fast, leaving the committee member blinking in confusion.
Masuzu smiled sweetly. "It's nothing~ Thank you for the answer. I'll head to class now."
"See you at lunch, Yuu."
After bidding Yuu farewell, Masuzu walked away lightly toward Class J.
Though her face was full of smiles, Yuu could see the cold, disgusted look in her eyes.
...This girl was definitely already thinking about transferring schools.
After leaving the still-confused disciplinary committee behind, Yuu returned to his classroom.
As expected, people immediately turned to look at him, then began whispering among themselves about yesterday's events.
Would these whispers and discussions turn into something else once news of them walking to school together spread through the class?
High schoolers really did have a lot of free time.
"Yuu, want to play table tennis with me this afternoon?"
Totsuka, who had returned home early yesterday, immediately ran over as soon as Yuu sat down at his desk, asking enthusiastically.
"Maybe for half an hour, then we can eat at the cafeteria. There's a new pudding I want to try..."
Before he could finish, Yuu replied resignedly: "Sorry, Totsuka. I have lunch plans with someone today. If everything goes smoothly, let's talk about it tomorrow."
"If everything goes smoothly?" Totsuka tilted his head slightly, seemingly not understanding why the other party would say that. "Can I ask? Are you having lunch with Yuigahama-san, or… Yukinoshita-san?"
As if embarrassed for gossiping, his fair, cute face turned red, and he awkwardly scratched his cheek.
"There's no need to hide anything." Yuu shrugged, far more straightforward than he'd been when talking to Iroha yesterday. "Today, I'll be having lunch with Masuzu, the transfer student from Class J."
"Eh? You mean, Natsukawa-san!?" Totsuka's lake-blue eyes widened. He immediately covered his mouth, afraid his loud voice would attract attention.
Then he stared at Yuu in shock and asked carefully:
"...Yuu, so you actually know Natsukawa-san?"
Yuu replied flatly: "Not just know her. She's my girlfriend now."
"..."
The impact of that sentence was too great, leaving Totsuka momentarily speechless.
(Not Yuigahama-san, whom he's known since middle school, or Yukinoshita-san from the same club—but Natsukawa-san, who transferred from overseas just a month ago and whom he's barely interacted with?)
(I'm completely shocked...)
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After the rumors of Yuu dating Yukino, and the speculation about Masuzu boldly chasing after him to Class F, possibly to confess her feelings—
By lunchtime, it was all confirmed: Masuzu had successfully confessed, and the two had walked to school arm-in-arm, flaunting their affection, becoming a fresh topic of conversation among students during lunch. Some even imagined elaborate, tangled love stories.
Yuu's staunch supporters offered their congratulations.
Those who secretly liked Yukino felt relieved.
Yuu-Yukino shippers asked each other, "Is the wind blowing from the cold rooftop? Should we jump?"
Masuzu's admirers stomped their feet in frustration but dared not comment, afraid of being beaten with bamboo swords until severely injured.
As for supporters of the Yuu-Masuzu pairing… this was too shocking—there weren't any yet.
Sobu High didn't ban student relationships, as long as rules weren't broken. So students were more interested in romance than at other schools, and even members of the press club tried to interview them.
"Of course we have to refuse. Maintaining a mysterious image is more convincing. Our goal is the same as celebrities—to perform."
Masuzu said logically, leading Yuu through the crowded cafeteria until they finally sat down in a stone pavilion nestled among the trees.
The surrounding atmosphere was peaceful and quiet, with only the soft rustling of leaves accompanying them.
"If we do this again after school, it should be enough, right?"
Masuzu sighed wearily, pressing her shoulder with her hand. She twisted her slender, pale neck, her tone growing increasingly sour.
"Ah~ah~ Dealing with lovey-dovey people is truly exhausting. Can't they just mind their own business? Their eyes only see gossip. How pitiful—people living such empty lives."
After venting her frustration, Masuzu rolled her eyes, then smiled sweetly at Yuu, speaking in a cutesy, girlfriend-like tone:
"Yuu, can you massage my shoulders?"
Sitting on the cold stone bench, Yuu initially wanted to refuse—but suddenly, he remembered something, and his gaze turned strange.
Then, he smiled back at her.
"It's no problem for me… as long as you don't mind."