After getting off the train, the two walked side by side on the sidewalk, like a couple drunk on love.
It must be said, Yuigahama unilaterally refused to let go, acting as if Yuu were a hand warmer—though her body was just as warm, unconsciously craving to be hugged and rubbed for more warmth.
The path to school in winter was quite deserted.
Whether it was too cold or too early, it wasn't until they entered the school gates that it became clear people were watching them.
Even so, Yuigahama had no intention of parting. She kept sharing his coat pocket as if unaware of anything. The smile on her face was relaxed and carefree.
Yuu couldn't help but be amazed at her boldness. After all, unlike other places, most people at school recognized her.
Since the PV was posted on the forum, Yuigahama had also gained a lot of attention. The two of them together were basically a magnet for stares. From changing shoes to climbing the stairs, there were whispers and plenty of shocked expressions.
This kind of attention should have made the girl beside him, who considered herself ordinary, feel uncomfortable.
But now, she didn't care at all. She held her head high, basking in the gazes.
"If I don't have this kind of courage, what right do I have to tell others I'm Yuu-kun's girlfriend?"
Yuigahama said casually, "I've decided. What I want, I'll say out loud. What I don't want to give to others, I'll prove with actions."
"Like now, I want to tell everyone—Tenkuji Yuu is my boyfriend. You're not allowed to bother him!"
In short, it was a declaration of ownership, letting the consensus in Class F quickly spread throughout the school.
After saying that confidently, she shrank back a bit. Her big eyes blinked twice. Yuigahama looked at him with slight worry. "Yuu-kun, you're not mad at me for doing this, are you?"
"I already told Yukinon before. She said she'd never do something embarrassing like this in front of everyone, so it's up to me…"
After a moment of surprise, Yuu smiled and patted her head. He didn't mind.
"Why would I be mad? Don't worry about what Yukinoshita thinks. The more embarrassing actions like this, the better. I'm fine with it."
"Really? Hehehe, that's a relief~"
Rubbing against his shoulder like a puppy, Yuigahama smiled brightly with satisfaction. Her steps became lighter.
Their unhidden intimacy inevitably drew the attention of the students around them. But whatever they thought, Yuu had no intention of caring anymore.
As long as it didn't violate morals or good customs, just live out love. Let others talk.
Yuigahama probably thought the same.
Compared to her shy demeanor in the past, she could now be described as an incarnation of boldness—not just in the possessiveness she openly declared to others on the way to school or taking the initiative to hold his hand when she wanted.
There was a more aggressive side.
Before they entered the classroom, Yuigahama suddenly pulled him to a secluded spot with no one around. Under Yuu's shocked gaze, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.
Perhaps nervous, she squeezed her eyes shut tightly. Her lips were also pressed firmly together. It was more like a collision than a kiss. After two or three seconds of contact, she pulled back, panting.
Calming her racing heart, her face flushed red. She asked softly, "When you want to kiss, you can kiss."
"You can, that's true…"
Saying that, Yuu's expression was a bit strange.
This was the first time he'd been forcibly kissed at school—the last person who tried was Masuzu. But Yuu stopped her in time since he wasn't in love with her then, so she didn't succeed.
Though it felt a bit odd to do something akin to cheating at school, if the person was his own girlfriend, let her kiss him. Yuu wouldn't lose anything.
"Next time, find a more hidden spot to kiss. That way, we can enjoy the fun of kissing slowly."
He scratched his hair helplessly. Not knowing what to say, Yuu could only suggest that.
"Makes sense!"
Yuigahama nodded seriously, seemingly considering the advice. Then she seemed to think of something else. She frowned slightly, observing his expression with confusion.
"The way you talk, why does it sound like Yuu-kun is so experienced…"
"Just common sense. I don't have experience being forcibly kissed at school—weren't you super nervous kissing because you were afraid someone might pass by?"
Yuu rolled his eyes and said calmly, "Or do you want to try again? This time, we'll kiss slowly. If someone sees, don't let go. Let them watch."
"Hahaha, forget it then…"
Yuigahama, whose boldness wasn't that strong, felt her whole body heat up just imagining the scene. She could only scratch her face and laugh awkwardly a few times, dropping the question.
"Let's go. Back to class."
Yuu turned. As he prepared to leave the small dark corner, he felt his sleeve being tugged and footsteps following.
He didn't look back. He kept walking toward the classroom with Yuigahama. At the same time, he heard her speak in a mosquito-like voice from behind:
"Well, we're a couple. Even though Yuu-kun hasn't officially confessed…"
Yuu didn't hesitate. "That's right. What's up?"
"Well then…"
Yuigahama's voice grew softer, but there wasn't a trace of doubt or tremor. It even held a hint of hope.
"Things couples can do, we can do too."
"…"
Too shocked, Yuu fell silent for a moment. His brain froze briefly from the surprise.
When he came to, he wanted to turn and look at Yuigahama. But she stopped him with her hand first, covering his eyes tightly.
Flustered and embarrassed, Yuigahama snapped, "Wait, don't look at me now! Yuu-kun, you idiot, do you know how much courage it takes for a girl to say something like that?!"
"No way I'd let a guy take the lead and say it. I don't want to be judged for no reason…"
Yuu sighed. Then, the corners of his lips curved involuntarily. He said with a hint of admiration, "I thought at most it'd be holding hands or kissing on your own initiative. I didn't expect Yui to be this bold… You really said something even I wouldn't dare say."
"Ngh…"
If the timing weren't off, Yuu actually wanted to tease her a bit more—like deliberately asking what she meant by things couples could do.
Was it going to karaoke or feeding each other crepes?
Or was it, at night alone, following the mood, going to a hotel, and playing…
A game or something, letting her say the most embarrassing answer herself.
But considering the girl behind him had used all her strength to say that sentence, Yuu gave up on teasing and chose to respond seriously.
He gently grasped the soft, slightly trembling hand beside him. Before she could speak, he opened his mouth, smiling softly:
"Of course. I won't let a duck right at my mouth fly away. Sooner or later, I'll make you mine."
"You're the duck…" Yuigahama grumbled, dissatisfied, but there was a hint of relief.
Yuu continued, "But you don't need to rush. High school boys are more aggressive than you think. It's just that the opportunity hasn't come. When the time's right, I won't hold back, you know~"
He smiled, lowered his head, and whispered into her clean, flushed ear. His warm breath grazed her sensitive skin.
The girl's breathing hitched for a moment. The shy trembling in her fingertips slowly faded. Instead, she gripped his hand tightly.
Then, all Yuu heard in his ear was a shy but firm response.
"Mm!"
Yuu raised his face. His tone was light, almost cheerful. "By the way, seeing you so proactive, how about I send you some of my precious film collection? Consider it early study material."
Yuigahama blinked, asking with slight curiosity, "Films? For learning what?"
Yuu didn't answer directly. He held his chin, musing at her face.
"Mm, let me think… How about we watch them together when we get the chance? As long as Sora doesn't find out, we can study while practicing… Wait, saying this to my girlfriend, that wouldn't count as sexual harassment, right?"
Saying this, he looked at Yuigahama with a bit of worry.
"…"
Yuigahama fell silent for a moment. Only then did she realize what he was actually saying.
Her head steamed from overheating. Her shy little hands kept hitting his arm. While hitting, she shouted:
"Yuu-kun, you pervert! You say I'm proactive, but you're the most proactive, you know?! And, and what's this about watching films and studying together? You're worse than my mom!"
"Hmm? Your mom said something similar? No wonder, she's a married woman—she really gets it!"
"Yuu-kun!"
"Hahaha, kidding, don't get mad… Ow! Don't bite me in front of our classmates!"
"Hey, you over there! What's with the lovey-dovey act so early in the morning? Let go of Yui!"
"You should tell Yui to let go of me! Double-Helix Gold Drill Idiot!"
"What…! You dare say that, you jerk! Yui, bite him harder!"
The lively noise spread like a boiling pot.
Before morning classes, Class F of the second year was already as bustling as a festival.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
During the break.
In the private message interface, messages with white boxes and black text kept popping up against a grassy green background.
Yuu: {Yukinoshita, I have a question.}
Yukino: {Can't ask in the Service Club group chat?}
Yuu: {Better not let Yui know for now.}
Yukino: {If you did something to hurt her, I suggest you confess to her directly. Don't come to me for advice.}
Yuu: {Hahaha, not only did I not hurt her, I even kissed her in the hallway today.}
Yukino: {…Shameless. Only you.}
Yuu: {Heh, double standards. Forget that. Let's talk about something important.}
Yuu: {What's up with your sister yesterday? Did she get some kind of shock or something?}
Yukino: {She bothered you with a message?}
Yuu: {Pretty much.}
Yukino: {Hah… I roughly know. Let's talk at lunch. No need to avoid Yuigahama-san. She has the right to know anything related to us.}
Yuu: {Fair point… But why do I feel like you prefer Yui over me, the handsome guy?}
Yukino: {Don't worry. It's not about either of you. I just prefer normal humans.}
Yuu: {Using your phone during class? Is this the study attitude of the second daughter of the Yukinoshita family?! I'm reporting you!}
Yukino: {I'm blocking you. See you at lunch break.}
And so, after the lunch break.
The three gathered in the Service Club again.