Before the preparatory bell for the first afternoon class rang.
Yukino returned to her classroom. The lingering warmth on her face had faded, and she resumed her usual icy beauty demeanor.
As always, the moment she stepped into the class, she drew many gazes. But soon, those gazes withdrew as if bored.
Compared to yesterday, there were fewer whispers around her. The uncomfortable malice also dissipated in disappointment, like sharks losing their bait.
Now, only one person in the class still held a strong interest in her.
"Yukinoshita-san, what were you all talking about in the Service Club just now?"
Masuzu calmly stepped into her cold, repelling aura, flicking her long, flowing silver hair. She asked with a face full of curiosity.
Yukino glanced at her. Her face showed no expression, her eyes clear like a cold pond.
Masuzu had a bad track record here—no need to mention the previous forced-kiss incident. She willingly became her older sister's pawn, then used her sister in return, indirectly causing Yukino to declare war on her sister. Yukino remembered all this in her heart.
She wasn't a vengeful person, but she wasn't so magnanimous as to overlook everything.
With this indelible bad impression, seeing Masuzu's friendly smile now, Yukino instinctively became wary. She silently wondered if the other was plotting something bad.
Of course, she wouldn't take the initiative to ask—she had no interest in petty conspiracies.
When facing someone she truly disliked, Yukino was too lazy even to speak harshly. She would only respond coldly.
"Some things that have nothing to do with you."
"Don't say that~ Aren't we good friends on the same team now?"
Masuzu said with a smile, not at all intimidated by the cold attitude.
Rather than calling her shameless, it was more accurate to say she was solely focused on her own goals, completely unbothered by how others viewed her.
(She's a weirdo of the same type as Nee-san.)
Yukino concluded as much in her mind. She had no intention of talking further with her, responding directly with an official statement:
"Our relationship hasn't reached the level of friendship. If it's not related to filming, I have no obligation to tell you."
After saying that coldly, she immediately took out the textbook for the upcoming lesson, opened it to her last marked page, and began studying quietly.
"Alright, so cold~"
As if expecting this outcome, Masuzu shrugged indifferently, turned, and walked back to her seat.
But her eyes narrowed slightly, as if considering something. A cold, emotionless glint flashed in them.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After school.
Some people successfully completed today's filming. Both actors and cameramen were improving, with the likelihood of NGs significantly reduced. It was estimated they'd finish filming soon.
The Cultural Festival's opening was still a week away. For them now, that was more than enough time.
After all, it was just a short film. Costs and special effects were nearly zero. Aside from Yuu, no one had professional skills. Everyone did it casually, just needing to have fun while maintaining quality.
This time, they weren't busy until the school gates closed.
Around 5:30 PM, under the slightly dark winter sky, everyone walked toward the station, chatting casually.
"Damn, if only Masuzu and Yukinon didn't live in the same apartment, I could try the feeling of walking home together now…"
Nibbling her fingernail beside Yuu, Yuigahama muttered reluctantly:
"Going to school together in the morning might get spotted by Masuzu… Most importantly, we can't let classmates see Yuu-kun and Yukinon being intimate… Ugh, why does it feel harder than cheating!"
Yuu looked at her, speechless. "Don't put it so badly. And if this were really cheating, would the victim help the cheater figure out how to cheat here…"
"Yuu-kun, shut up! This is important to me too!" Yuigahama scratched her hair, not looking at him, still immersed in strategizing. "Besides eating in the clubroom during lunch break, you don't have time to interact with Yukinon… So, let you two slowly get used to each other in the clubroom, like today? But if I watch from the side, Yukinon will get shy, so I can't join… But if I don't join, I can't monitor your progress…"
Listening to her muttering, Yuu sighed as if giving up.
(This girl, whether it's the double responsibility as a best friend and girlfriend awakening, she's more proactive than anyone about the two of them falling in love. She's become a brave supporter. Since lunch break, she's been thinking of ways to speed up their relationship.)
(Is she really that eager to see her boyfriend date her best friend?)
Though it was hard to understand Yuigahama's thoughts, at least Yuu could make Yukino's elementary-school-level dating pace a bit faster.
Recalling what happened at noon, Yuu couldn't help but smile.
"Senpai, what are you guys talking about?" Iroha tilted her head curiously. The two girls had lowered their voices, not letting others hear the content.
Even Masuzu, quietly walking behind them but actually eavesdropping and observing, didn't know what Yuu and Yuigahama were saying.
Yuu smiled, saying with mock mystery, "A secret. If you want to know, you'd have to trade with a secret of your own."
"A secret?" Iroha paused, then put her hands behind her back. Her lively eyes darted around. She pursed her lips and said, "I don't have any secrets~ How about Senpai tells one first? Then I'll think if I have a similar secret to trade."
"Like, how old were you when you stopped wetting the bed?"
Iroha immediately shouted angrily, "Who'd want to know a secret like that!"
Interestingly, Yukino showed a slightly odd and awkward expression. It wasn't clear what she associated it with, but it wasn't noticeable.
Under Yuu's occasional jokes, the topic naturally veered everywhere. No one noticed Yuigahama's troubled expression the whole way. They parted at the station.
After Yuu got home, he didn't receive a message from Yuigahama. Instead, he got a private message from Masuzu, who had added him as a friend through the LINE group.
Masuzu: {Any filming this weekend?}
Yuu: {No.}
Masuzu: {Why not? Isn't it better to shoot on holidays when fewer people will disturb us?}
Yuu: {Well, for Cultural Festival prep, there'll be plenty of people at school on weekends…}
Masuzu: {True. I didn't notice. So you all have plans this weekend?}
Yuu: {What's up?}
Masuzu: {If you're free, we could hang out together. Interact a bit.}
Yuu: {Sorry, I'm busy. No need.}
Masuzu: {…}
Yuu put down his phone, handling Masuzu in what he thought was the most perfect way.
But he didn't expect that the silver-haired girl on the other end looked at the chat history on her screen. Her gaze was calm and serene, her face flushed as if drunk. The corners of her lips slowly curved into a pure, innocent smile.
"Then, most likely, he'll go out with them this weekend… I need to prepare to follow them in advance."
She muttered softly to herself, opening Haruno's chat. After thinking for a moment, she decided not to tell her about this.
With Yukino's personality of hating evil and pursuing efficiency, if she got this information, she'd likely confront Haruno directly for a sisterly talk.
Considering both sisters were equally clever, the younger one wouldn't need to hide her identity.
That meant Masuzu's role as a double agent leaking information might already be known to that terrifying and pitiful college student.
She wasn't sure if Haruno would be angry about this. But for now, Masuzu felt it was better to avoid trouble. She wouldn't take the initiative to provoke her wrath.
When Haruno called, she'd respond to the situation and wait patiently. She didn't want to be swept up by the tail of the typhoon that was her terrifying ex-girlfriend, causing the plan to proceed earlier.
"Mm, that's that."
Tossing her phone aside, Masuzu stretched her body. As if she hadn't been seriously plotting just now, she casually opened an instructional video and began doing yoga earnestly.
It's said that girls who learn yoga are more easily liked by men.
Body flexibility, muscle control—not only could they perform moves ordinary people couldn't, but a single high leg lift could catch a man's attention. With the most direct charm, it could make him interested.
No matter how strong Yuu was, he likely had the desires of a normal man. He'd like beautiful girls.
To stand out among so many girls and seize the chance someday to let him fully appreciate her beauty.
Masuzu didn't plan to just play small tricks behind the scenes.
She wanted to be mature, sweat with effort, and improve her bargaining chips to steal the world. Until she returned fully prepared, she wouldn't be careless…
"So, let you two compete slowly~"
She couldn't help but curl her lips, muttering to herself with joy but also cynicism, like watching fish in a pond fight over food:
"Love isn't worth trusting. To get something, holding it tightly in your hand is the right answer~"
"Hee hee hee~"
Outside the pitch-black window, an evil laugh echoed from the girl's room.
It was accompanied by groans and moans from the pain of stretching, decorating this quiet, ordinary night.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Yukinoshita Residence.
"Yeah, just install it in front of that house's door… Infrared camera? Forget it, too many would be easily noticed. Just hide it discreetly. I only want to see the comings and goings. The most important thing is not getting caught."
Giving instructions to the staff on the phone, Haruno thought for a moment and added, "Also install a pair outside the gate of XX luxury apartment. Watch the surrounding security. Fix the equipment and leave. Don't linger in the same spot."
"I know, don't worry… The deposit's already transferred to your account. I want results ASAP."
After talking to the mysterious professional, Haruno hung up, placing her phone aside. She leaned back in her chair and sighed.
"I can't wait for opportunities to come. I have to actively seek them or even create them…"
Since sending that threatening message to Yuu, she'd truly entered a state of alert. No longer just talk, she personally spun silk, trying to weave a web Yuu couldn't escape.
Haruno had considered going straight to his house last night, revealing everything, and not giving her foolish younger sister a chance to turn things around.
But after careful thought, she found it would be more disadvantageous. There was even a strange unease in her heart, as if doing so would worsen the current situation. It stopped her from making that decision.
In the end, Haruno chose to trust her instincts, seeking an opportunity to strike.
"This blow must be an absolute victory. Yuu-chan's best at escaping. If I don't seal all his exits first…"
Muttering as such, she closed her eyes, sinking into thought. Her mind spun quickly.
Not sure what she recalled, Haruno suddenly showed a slightly silly, pure, nostalgic, and slightly wistful smile.
"This time, neither you nor I can escape anymore."
The words echoing before her were heavy, carrying the weight of determination.
Haruno slowly opened her eyes, checked the time, and suddenly reached out to move the mouse, waking the sleeping computer.
The screen lit up. She opened a webpage. A video was ready.
She pulled open a drawer. Looking at the small, round device inside, a cold glint flashed in her eyes. The corners of her lips deepened, with a touch of softness.
"This is the weapon I prepared just for you, Yuu-chan…"
If this didn't work either, if Yuu still wouldn't look at her honestly—Haruno was ready to part with her first love.
Her chest ached with uncontrollable pain. But she ignored it, lowering her head and muttering to herself:
"Honestly, only those who obtain love are willing to obey it."
"Sorry, I'm not as strong as you think."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
That night.
Several figures lurked in front of Yuu's house. Ten minutes later, they dispersed simultaneously, leaving only a faint red glow flickering among the bushes.
Even Yuu, handling company matters in his second-floor room, didn't suspect someone would sneak to his doorstep at midnight to install surveillance cameras. They weren't aimed inside but specifically recorded when he left.
He didn't receive a second threatening message. Yukino's side was finally making progress. His girlfriend wasn't just not jealous—she was actively trying to bring them together. Everything went smoothly, like the short film he was shooting.
After summarizing this rather good day, Yuu pulled up his blanket, preparing to sleep with a satisfied smile.
Before closing his eyes, he couldn't help but think he might dream of the cold, long-haired girl's expression suddenly flushing and stiffening when he called her "Yukino!" today.
Too adorable. It made him unconsciously want to tease her more, to see her shyly cover her cheeks…
"Mm, I hope I can have a dream like that."
After all, in reality, Yuu couldn't be that cruel to Yukino, his benefactor of sorts. He'd likely get hit with a woman's self-defense technique before he could try.
He could only think about it in dreams. Everything's possible in dreams. Anything can be done.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The next morning.
Yuu usually had strong willpower and high body control, almost able to regulate his nail growth.
Rarely, he secretly went to the bathroom to wash clothes before his sister woke up, destroying evidence most boys would find hard to mention.
He pounded the sink with a face full of grief and anger:
"Damn it, so rare for this to happen. Let me remember what I did…"
Though his memory was excellent, why was he so bad at dreaming?
Was this a restraint from the vast universe targeting him?!
Yuu gritted his teeth unwillingly, silently swearing.
Next time, he'd definitely have a sweet dream where he stayed fully conscious and remembered it clearly!
Definitely next time!