There was one thing that always bothered Yukino.
—What should an ideal boyfriend look like in her heart?
Humble and polite? Gentle and loyal?
If so, that was the end of it.
After all, Yuu didn't fit any of those qualities. Changing his personality now was unrealistic. If he didn't meet her standards, the task was essentially doomed to fail.
For the umpteenth time, Yukino sighed inwardly.
(…The words she said to him in the kitchen back then were far too hasty.)
Dating without the intention of marriage was frivolous. For Yukino, a boyfriend was essentially a future husband. She'd only know if the other person was good after meeting them and spending a long time together. Only after confirming their personalities could blend seamlessly would she fully entrust her life to them.
No matter what others thought, Yukino had high, uncompromising standards for love.
…Precisely because there was no compromise, she distinguished things clearly.
Yuu wasn't a real boyfriend. Their relationship stemmed only from a request.
This was the part that truly troubled Yukino.
"Even if I don't think about the ideal boyfriend standards for now… How do I fall in love with a boyfriend who won't become a husband in the future?"
This unclear problem, with no one to provide an answer, now lay bare before her, a heavy burden on her heart.
After meeting him, her mind was entirely occupied with what to do next. She was a bit anxious, a bit flustered—much like an innocent girl on her first date.
Regarding this, Yukino felt deeply unwilling—yesterday, they both laughed at her for being like this.
As for the plan for how they'd navigate the amusement park?
That sort of thing was sorted out within five minutes of boarding the train. No need to worry at all.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The train carriage swayed slightly. Passengers either closed their eyes to rest or scrolled through their phones, trying their best not to make noise and disturb the strangers around them.
Though not overly crowded, finding a seat on a weekend train was clearly a foolish dream.
The two stood side by side. The slight swaying didn't make their shoulders brush faintly. They were separated by an odd distance.
Her slender, pale fingers gripped the strap. Yukino suddenly sighed, snapping out of the myriad thoughts in her mind.
She quietly raised her eyes, glancing at the handsome boy half a head taller than her.
"What's up?"
With just one glance, Yuu lowered his gaze, and their eyes met.
His dark eyes were deep and clear, yet far warmer than the bleak winter scenery outside the window.
Yukino shook her head slowly, shifting her gaze to the passing scenery she'd just seen.
(I don't know if this guy's sensitive to stares or if he's always watching my movements… His reaction's too quick.)
"Just thinking, if we're going on a date to an amusement park… Should we do something special?"
There was no shame in admitting an unknown problem and seeking answers from others.
Asking someone less capable than her about things she didn't know was Yukino's cleverness.
The slight embarrassment didn't stop her from making the right choice.
"Something special… Oh, I get it."
Yuu thought for a moment, then, as if realizing something, grabbed her small hand hanging by her side.
Cool, soft. Like a chilled marshmallow. When gently squeezed, it clung to his hand, making him reluctant to let go.
Such a perfect touch.
"Going to an amusement park like a couple. You're thinking if this can speed up the task's progress, right?" Yuu asked as if confirming, a slight smile in his eyes.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host. You have received a reward: Painting (Proficient Level).]
Whether progress increased or not, someone's heartbeat sped up—wait, this shouldn't count as flirting, right?
Feeling the softness in his hand, Yuu suddenly felt the word "Jerk" flashing above his head.
It must be an illusion.
"…"
The moment his hand grasped hers, her mind went completely blank.
Yukino froze in place. Her hand gripping the strap unconsciously tightened. Beneath her clear, translucent skin, the delicate blue veins, like works of art, were vividly visible.
Instinctively, she wanted to pull her hand away, but after a moment's hesitation, she forcibly suppressed the urge.
It had nothing to do with embarrassment. It was purely because she wasn't mentally prepared, startled by the sudden move.
Yukino mentally rebuilt herself at top speed, calming down. Don't get nervous like when they linked fingers yesterday.
It's just holding hands. No big deal!
Outwardly, she looked as calm as ever. In reality, half her body didn't dare move freely, as if she'd surrendered that arm.
She took a deep breath, ignoring her warming face, and spoke in a cold voice:
"That was my intention. But before doing it, I think you should ask my opinion first."
"I thought that'd make you more embarrassed."
"How would you know?"
"Try it, and you'll see."
Suppressing the hard-to-control curve of his lips, Yuu suddenly let go of her hand, turning to face her. With a serious expression, he asked:
"Yukinoshita, may I hold your hand?"
"…"
The effect was remarkable.
Or rather, the impact of saying such words with a serious face and affectionate tone reached a point where it completely calmed her.
"I don't mind. It's just a request. Do what you want."
In the end, Yukino spoke coldly with a resigned tone, her entire being as still as an iceberg.
She awkwardly turned her head to the side. Yuu could only see her glossy, soft black hair and the red base of her ear peeking through it.
"Though it feels a bit wrong to say as the main culprit, Yukinoshita, you need to start getting used to… interacting like this."
Yet Yuu didn't show a gleeful, drama-watching smile. Instead, he sighed with a complex expression. "After all, being your ideal boyfriend is, in other words, being someone you like…"
"Are you saying, to complete this request, I have to make myself like you?"
Frowning tightly, Yukino cut him off with a displeased expression, her reaction intense for no clear reason. "I think you're misunderstanding something. Ideal is ideal. That doesn't mean I'll get flustered over it and truly see you as a boyfriend…"
"I think you're misunderstanding something too."
Yuu wasn't in the habit of letting her vent her anger fully. He cut her off directly. "I'm not saying I have to make you like me. But during this process, I'll treat you like a lover as much as possible… I hope you're mentally prepared. Don't resist too much. Just interact with me as usual."
"Heh… Tenkuji-kun, you're really confident in your charm." Like a blooming snow lotus, the pure and adorable young girl gave a cold smile.
If she didn't need to hold the strap, she'd probably have her arms crossed now, scoffing at him with her usual dismissive posture.
In this suddenly sour atmosphere, Yuu observed her expression and suddenly smiled.
"Yeah, I'm very confident."
Yukino raised an eyebrow slightly.
Yuu smiled and said, "I'm very confident in your charm and mine… If one day you like me, I might end up liking you too."
"Don't ask why. I just have that hunch."
"You…?"
Her soft, pink lips parted in surprise. Yukino stared into his eyes, shocked, almost instantly realizing he spoke those words sincerely from his heart.
But Yuu had no intention of explaining. Instead, he shifted his gaze back to the distant scenery whizzing by outside the window as the train moved. He said slowly:
"If you really don't like it, I'll respect your opinion and keep an appropriate distance… Just don't feel too pressured or overthink Yui's words. Interacting naturally as usual is what suits us best."
"What suits… us?"
Lowering her head thoughtfully, Yukino quietly digested his words. Not sure what she was thinking, the forced coldness on her face slowly melted.
"Right!"
His tone was casual, as if greeting a bird flashing by. "If there were no request, if Yui and I weren't a couple, if we didn't bicker over nothing daily in the Service Club… Would you still care about how to interact with me?"
"…"
Her long eyelashes lowered. Listening to his voice, Yukino's expression gradually grew dazed.
Images formed from possibilities took shape in her mind. Each scene unconsciously slowed her breathing. She walked through her imagination with focus and calm, not even noticing a strand of hair clinging to the corner of her lips.
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Sunset. The clubroom with just the two of them.
Noisy crows, slightly chilly air, and spirited shouts from the sports clubs.
Flipping a book's pages, Yukino scrolled through her phone. They casually debated trivial matters.
Occasionally looking up, they caught each other's eyes, sharing competitive yet happy smiles, accustomed to each other's gazes.
When it was time, they packed up simultaneously, closing the door, windows, and lights together. They left the clubroom bickering.
Perhaps caught up in the mood, or maybe by chance, their shoulders brushed. Their hands held unconsciously. At some point, looking at the seemingly endless road, she could tell his expression just from the warmth of his palm.
Thinking of nothing. Worrying about nothing. No need to say anything.
Just comfortable and natural like that. Yukino walked with him from sunset to a twinkling galaxy.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"…Really."
The train still swayed. The station announcement played as the train gradually slowed.
With a barely audible sigh, Yukino lifted her head, tucking the beautiful hair on her cheek behind her ear. She smiled as if exasperated.
"I get it now—what kind of sweet talk you use to charm girls normally."
The corners of her lips curved slightly, her eyes clear and bright.
The wavering gaze had vanished. She looked straight at Yuu's side profile, as if she'd made a certain decision.
"Sweet talk?"
Yuu pouted, sneering. "If telling the truth counts as sweet talk, there wouldn't be so many jerks lying about feelings in this world."
"There are plenty of jerks who don't lie about feelings too." Yukino smiled teasingly, her words loaded with meaning.
Yuu shrugged as if it had nothing to do with him.
"Well, that's not me."
Honestly, no one was more loyal than him. He wouldn't be able to continue the task if he didn't let go of his feelings.
Even now, he was very proud of himself.
Unfortunately, the current situation didn't seem to go his way.
With Yuigahama already there, if he fell for Yukino, the target, his so-called loyalty and resolve would be a mere joke.
On the fourth task, his thoughts and actions were already at odds.
Even so, Yuu didn't want to lie to himself or her.
That he might one day like Yukino—he had to admit it.
Because the system was adept at toying with his feelings, it seemed to only want to see him forced to part with someone he loved.
…It had even recorded it specifically.
This was the part that truly troubled Yuu.
(If I can't complete the system's task without falling in love with Yukinoshita, what should I do?)
(Do I have to not only act but also, in my heart, be unfaithful and love two people at once?)
…Yuu couldn't find an answer to this question for now.
That's why he said to Yukino:
"Just interact with me as usual. Don't worry too much about this date."
Meanwhile, Yuu would actively fall in love with her, as Yuigahama wished. He'd strive hard for his own goal.
Finding the path he should take amidst contradictions—that was the resolve Yuu made today.
The train slowly stopped. The doors slid open amid the announcement.
No crowded shoving, accidental touches, or manga-style car-don scenes. They smoothly disembarked with the crowd, heading toward Disneyland per the map.
Actually, there was no need for a map. Most people getting off at this station flocked toward Disneyland's entrance, which was very close. Right after exiting, they could see the cluster of tall, luxurious buildings. The shadows of a skyscraper, drop tower, and pirate ship loomed in the distance. A roller coaster zoomed through the air, accompanied by screams.
Yuu could sense the girl beside him was excited. Yukino seemed eager to rush in and play to her heart's content.
(Her sparkling eyes are like a seven- or eight-year-old's—the only difference is she's quieter, trying hard to hide her inner excitement through her movements.)
Yuu looked at her with slight amusement, suddenly asking, "By the way, I'll call you by your first name all day. That's okay, right?"
As if she didn't care about the issue, Yukino didn't turn, speeding up her steps and urging, "Don't keep asking about trivial things like this. Hurry up! We'll enter through the annual passholder gate. No need to queue with others."
"Okay, okay, okay~" Yuu shrugged, matching her pace. "So, will you call me by my name, Yukino?"
"Later. I don't think it's necessary."
(She really doesn't care?)
Hearing the indifference in her tone, Yuu was slightly surprised. But seeing the system notification pop up, he couldn't help smiling again.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host. You have received a reward: Disneyland Annual Pass (Permanent).]
Though it was a small thing, being called by her name still made her a bit happy.
Yukino was adorable with her usual innocence.