Yuu's exasperated muttering faintly echoed through the rain. Before the girl could hear it clearly, a jacket and umbrella had already covered her head.
Instantly, the thick gray sky became her world, and amid the noisy rain, only she remained—his presence and voice became everything.
"You're not Shawshank, stop striking that weird pose. Hurry and come back with me." (Though he was actually Andy.)
"..."
Masuzu lifted her head, pushing aside the jacket covering her eyes, unconsciously biting her lip.
"Why did you come?"
"I used telepathy to find you—thank Joseph. The old man's ability is pretty useful."
The girl didn't respond normally, instead continuing to ask as if she hadn't heard. "But didn't you say there's no such service? Why did you have to come?"
Yuu clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"I came to find Natsukawa Masuzu. What does that have to do with a fake boyfriend?"
Masuzu's lips whitened from biting.
"But besides being a fake boyfriend..."
"Didn't you say you need me? Then stop talking so much."
The words cut through the rain curtain plainly.
Yuu wiped the raindrops from the girl's face with his half-soaked sleeve. Bending down, he looked seriously into her sapphire-blue eyes.
"Let me be clear—I'm not a good person, and I don't want to get involved with someone troublesome like you."
"So Masuzu, if you need me by your side, offer me anything you can as payment. That way, I won't leave you without reason or warning, like you just did."
"..."
The world beneath the umbrella fell silent for a moment.
Then, her long lashes fluttered. Her soft lips released warm breath, and Masuzu spoke slowly, as if confirming. "Not a mission, but a transaction?"
"Exactly. Now you can relax, right? Don't doubt my professionalism."
Yuu smiled, hiding the fatigue between his brows from the girl's view. Casually, he straightened up again. "Unconditional love can't be trusted. Then, trust paid companionship—though it won't last forever either, at least it's more reliable than love that can change at any moment. In this world, nothing lasts forever, so we can only seek alternatives."
Masuzu wasn't easily swayed. Her eyes sparkled with an ambiguous light, and she asked as if demanding. "Wouldn't it be easier for you to leave me and find a normal girlfriend when you meet your soulmate?"
"First a mission, now a transaction. Why do you care so much about me? What do you really want from me?!"
Her voice unconsciously grew louder, eventually drowning out the sound of her heartbeat and the rain, echoing in her ears.
A moment later, Yuu said casually,
"Your body."
"Hah?!" Masuzu froze in shock, then wrinkled her nose and denied it. "Liar, Dango-chan's chest is clearly bigger than mine. You could grope hers anytime but don't! Could it be you have a special interest in mixed-race girls? A silver-haired lover?"
"Whatever you say." Yuu shrugged, the girl's gaze unable to pierce his thick face. "As long as you become mine, I'll become yours. We can discuss other things later. This is a bond beyond love!"
"You think I'll believe that? How ridiculous..."
Before she finished speaking, Yuu extended his hand, covering the girl's face along with the jacket.
"Give each other shackles—the transaction is that simple. If you disagree, we'll go back to our old ways, and I promise I won't desire your body."
"...Shackles."
Masuzu's muttering stopped.
Her expression hidden in shadow, her body—soaked and trembling moments ago—slowly relaxed, as if warmed by a fireplace.
"So you're saying I don't need to pretend to be a lover, don't need to build a relationship, and can gain appropriate rights and benefits just through a transaction?"
"Roughly speaking, yes."
"Heh, just like my father." Masuzu suddenly sneered and mocked. "He married Mana's mother out of mutual need. I'm also sick of people who prioritize profit and measure feelings with money. I didn't expect you to be on the same side as him."
"Is that so?" Yuu was slightly surprised but had no intention of taking back his words. "Then, you're refusing?"
"Yes—but I'm rejecting your rejection!"
As if to prove her resolve, Masuzu suddenly pulled the jacket covering her head, then stood on tiptoe and placed it on Yuu's head.
Under the umbrella, two people were wrapped in a jacket.
Under the jacket, they gazed at each other at extremely close range.
"Can I cling however I want?"
"Even right now."
"Is it okay if I'm possessive?"
"I'm very possessive too."
"You won't leave me because you fell in love with someone else, right?"
"As long as this transaction continues, now or in the future, I'll be by your side."
"Good."
Masuzu smiled contentedly, then lifted her chin and pressed her soft, cold lips to Yuu's cheek.
Then, she whispered in his ear. "After all, it was the taste of a lie."
"Where's the lie?" Yuu looked innocent.
"Because I know—I'll never fall for someone like this... Even now, you're still hiding something from me. You're not doing this for yourself at all." Masuzu rested her chin on Yuu's shoulder, her wet, warm body pressed against his chest, her voice lazy like a cat. "By the way, the love I mean here is in the general sense, not between man and woman."
"That's really a broad confession..." Yuu smiled bitterly, supporting the umbrella with one hand while the other wrapped around her waist, letting her snuggle closer.
"So, what's your answer?"
"Fine. You may do whatever you want to me, provided you take responsibility and cherish me with deep feelings—like Jonathan's affection for Dio."
"Your example is a bit off."
"Sorry, got a little influenced... Well, anyway, I have nothing. No family by my side, no friends, no lover—even my only partner in crime just disappeared a moment ago." Masuzu's voice sounded whiny, slightly spoiled, yet relieved, as if a burden had been lifted.
"So, take whatever you want—just don't take yourself away."
"Got it. Then, is the contract sealed?"
Hiding her face against his chest, Masuzu hugged Yuu's back. She nodded slowly, as if rubbing, her ear tips reddening beneath her silver hair.
"How dare you transact with someone as troublesome as me. I hope you're mentally prepared."