"Everyone's ready to go. Tenkuji-kun, is your group complete?"
"All here. We can leave anytime."
"Then please board."
Right on the scheduled departure time, the kendo club members boarded the bus one by one. After they were all on, Yuu climbed aboard with the three girls.
Although they were the cause of this situation, Kanade and Iroha didn't join the trip to Kyoto to watch the matches.
First, because they weren't Service Club members or Yuu's girlfriend, their reasons for requesting leave weren't strong enough.
Second, when it came to studies, Kanade had a serious personality and felt that studying was her responsibility as a student, rather than going to spectate. And while Iroha wasn't as serious, she couldn't argue against Kanade's words: "You need to study well so everyone can trust you when you join the student council."
In the end, she had to give up and stay at school to study.
The seats on the bus were pre-arranged. The kendo club reserved the four front seats for them.
Naturally, the pairing was: Yukino + Yuigahama, Yuu + Masuzu. Those with good relationships sat together.
After all, given the dynamics between Yuigahama and Masuzu, and Yukino and Yuu, no other combination was possible…
"Sorry, I'd like to switch seats."
Without giving anyone time to react, Masuzu politely and flatly pulled Yuigahama to sit in the back row.
"…"
What was she up to now?
Silence fell for a few seconds. The other three exchanged glances, their expressions slightly odd.
"Um… Natsukawa-san."
Yuigahama gave a wry smile and asked, puzzled, "It's fine if you don't want to sit with Yuu-kun, but why drag me along too?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Masuzu propped her head with one hand. Her expression didn't change as she answered, "No matter what, Yuu-kun… Tenkuji-kun is my boyfriend. Even if I don't want to be close to him right now, I can't let you two sit together."
"Yukinoshita-san is fine. She's safer; I trust her completely."
"…Safer?"
Hearing that casual tone, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Yukino's expression turned icy. Her blue eyes, like cold stars, held a spark, but they reflected a chill below zero.
"Natsukawa-san, though saying this makes me nauseous, countless couples have broken up because of my beauty since I was young, you know? I have no reason to be underestimated by you."
"Even if those are just words said in anger, I hope you'll think before speaking. Don't casually reveal the complete lack of logic in them."
In contrast to her sharp, cutting words, Yuigahama, after realizing the situation, wasn't angry at all. She even sneaked a glance at Yuu, giggling happily, then coughed to regain her seriousness under his confused stare.
"That was harsh. Did I touch a sore spot? If so, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it; please forgive me."
Masuzu apologized sincerely, but her eyes remained flat as still water, looking out the window as if it wasn't her concern.
"If you're not convinced, ask him yourself whether he'd like a girl like you."
"…Hmph, getting provoked by words like that shows I'm still not calm enough."
The corners of her lips curved into a cruel, beautiful smile. Yukino casually brushed her long hair with her pale hand. Her voice was cold and clear. "I don't care about that man's tastes. I'm just confident in my own charm."
"So…" Though fire burned in her eyes, she remained proud and narcissistic, staring at Yuu unwaveringly.
"What's your answer? Say it directly."
As if she had no doubt he wouldn't lie—or was certain he'd only tell the truth and it would be the answer she expected—Yukino didn't even realize she'd developed an odd trust in Yuu.
"What does this have to do with me?"
Snapping out of his daze, Yuu faced the stares of the three girls with a confused expression.
Yukino looked at him calmly.
Yuigahama smiled wryly, unable to intervene.
Masuzu peeked with the corner of her eye.
Under their gazes, Yuu sighed resignedly. After thinking for a moment, he said to Yukino:
"Do you want the truth or a lie?"
"Haaah…" As if getting a headache, Yukino pressed her forehead with her thumb, looking helpless. "I've always thought people who answer a question with a question are either jerks or idiots. It seems my guess wasn't wrong."
Yuu spread his hands. "I'm not a dumb jerk. I'm just a little considerate of your feelings."
Yukino shook her head.
"Forget the useless lies. If you want to lie for your girlfriend's sake, I don't care. Either way, I can tell the difference between lies and truth. It's enough for me to feel like I've won."
"Tch." Masuzu clicked her tongue in annoyance. She suddenly felt she'd made the wrong choice.
"Fine, then I'll give my own opinion."
Yuu glanced at Masuzu, who was deliberately ignoring him, and shrugged casually. "Isn't this just a comparison between curvy and slim types?"
"Yukinoshita, though you're indeed smaller in some areas compared to those two, that could be seen as humility—"
A massive, chilling murderous intent arose. The lips behind the mask curved.
Yuu paused, then continued, "But that's also the average level for a high school girl. As for you, from temperament to appearance to body proportions, everything's above the standard of an ordinary pretty girl. That's an undeniable fact."
"Especially your legs—beautifully long, slender, without a hint of fat. They look great with knee-high socks or pantyhose. Your feminine charm shines through…"
Her slender fingers awkwardly brushed her hair. Her sapphire-blue eyes slowly reddened.
"In conclusion, both types are equally matched. I quite like them both."
Like a critic who'd just licked his lips, Yuu delivered his conclusion with a flat expression, utterly unfazed by his listeners' reactions.
After his words faded, silence returned.
A heavy pressure seemed to weigh on their shoulders.
Yuigahama instinctively leaned toward the aisle. She felt the window beside her was practically freezing.
"Honest but disgusting commentary. Impressive that you said it without hesitation… But thanks for the compliment."
After a moment, Yukino was the first to break the silence.