I Really Don’t Want a Girlfriend Anymore

The filming was over, but the atmosphere on set was strangely quiet.

Yuu endured the odd stares from the entire crew, as if they'd just seen someone shout "Henshin!" on the street and actually transform into a Kamen Rider. He walked toward the camera assistant.

"Thanks for your hard work."

Casually taking back his grilled skewers and belongings from the assistant, Yuu turned and bowed to the crew, flashing a bright, warm smile.

"Thanks for everyone's hard work~"

"T-Thanks for your hard work…"

As if suddenly pulled back into the finished shoot, everyone responded in a daze, then reflexively began packing up the equipment.

Only Chizuru snapped out of it, her eyes widening. She instinctively stepped toward Yuu, opening her mouth to say something.

Yuu was faster.

"Nice meeting you all, see you next time!"

With that, he turned and bolted, without a hint of hesitation.

Kouhei snapped to attention, hurriedly dropping the items in his hands, chasing after Yuu's retreating figure with middle-aged strides, waving vigorously:

"Tenkuji-san, wait a sec—"

Yuu acted as if he didn't hear. By the dim riverbank, he ran with light steps, like a young employee longing for his wife's embrace.

"You haven't taken your filming fee!"

"…"

Yuu stopped, as if about to turn back.

But after hesitating for a few seconds, he slowly raised his thumb.

Then, he lowered his head and quickened his pace.

His shadow stretched behind him until it vanished.

"Tenkuji-san…"

Kouhei slowly stopped, gazing far at Yuu, gradually swallowed by the night's darkness, his face showing regret for missing a treasure.

And, whether it was just his imagination or not…

He felt that the back of the young man rejecting the payment was filled with sorrow, doubt, and grief, each step a question and torment to his own soul.

Kouhei shook his head, chuckling to himself.

No way.

A young man with such perfect acting, even if unseen in the entertainment world, could surely shine elsewhere with his talent, unbothered by money troubles.

A strong person who sees money as dirt acts on interest, avoiding trouble, and leaves as soon as the job is done, telling everyone with their back—'Don't look for me, I'm just a passing XXXX.'

Kouhei turned back to the crew. While privately instructing his assistant to check if Yuu was a new talent from a national theater group, he spoke to Chizuru, who had just received a small payment from the finance team:

"Ichinose-san, great job, your acting was excellent!"

"Thank you for the praise. I just did my best…" Chizuru quickly bowed in thanks, then paused, giving a slightly bitter smile.

"But no matter how good, it can't compare to that guy, right? From start to finish, I felt like I was being pulled along by him."

"That's how acting works. The strong are like a tidal wave; the weak can only be swept away or tossed onto the shore."

Kouhei smiled, waving his hand, and after a few words of comfort, continued:

"Though I deeply regret it, considering the overall effect, this segment might not make it into the show. I'll try my best in the meeting, but please prepare yourself mentally."

"I understand." Hiding the disappointment in her eyes, Chizuru nodded.

She wanted to ask Kouhei if this segment could be shown to other producers to boost her chances in the acting world, but remembering that person's overwhelming performance, knowing even her highlights would be overshadowed, she sighed in resignation, letting go of hope.

After gathering her emotions and bidding farewell to the crew, Chizuru began her solitary journey home.

But as she gazed at the stars emerging in the twilight sky, her mind churned, replaying scenes from the drama, recalling the gentle smile that man showed her.

If that wasn't acting…

Her heart suddenly beat faster.

Chizuru crossed her arms, her face slightly pale, shivering.

"Th-Thank goodness it was just acting, or it'd be terrifying…"

She'd never seen a stalker that intense.

Not in daily life, let alone in her experience as a rent-a-girlfriend!

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

The Tenkuji household.

"So smelly! Weren't you filming? Why do you smell like this?! Go shower!"

"Come on, didn't you used to love your brother's hugs? Come here, one hug~"

"Don't-come-near-me!"

Under his sister's total rejection, Yuu smirked mischievously, heading upstairs to grab clothes before entering the bathroom to shower.

He glanced at Sora in the living room, eating grilled vegetables, opening a bag of potato chips, and tossing the doll from the leftover event tickets onto the sofa. He calmly closed the bathroom door, ensuring it was locked.

—There's a traitor in the house; vigilance is key.

In less than ten minutes, after quickly washing off the various smells, Yuu emerged while drying his hair, gave it a quick dry, then headed straight to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

He glanced at the Cooking (Expert Level) skill on the system panel, the corners of his lips slowly forming a Nike swoosh.

Ingredients were neatly arranged on the counter, the stove's flame ignited—a cooking performance was about to begin.

"Yuu, where's the helmet you promised?"

Sora shouted from outside. Yuu answered while whisking eggs:

"It'll be delivered in two or three days. It comes with a game, but it's not publicly released yet!"

"Okay—"

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

About forty minutes later.

"Yuu—still not done? I'm starving…"

In the living room, Sora called out weakly.

Checking the time, Yuu opened the oven, a rich aroma instantly spreading, quickly filling the kitchen and wafting into the living room.

"It's ready. Come grab a bowl and chopsticks."

Hearing his call, Sora leapt from her chair, leaving a black bunny sitting obediently on it, then walked with her small, fair feet to the kitchen.

The closer she got, the more her little nose eagerly sniffed, and she couldn't help but swallow.

"Yuu, what's for dinner? Why's it smell so good?"

"I met a master while working, so I asked him to teach me a few dishes."

Ruthlessly sidelining the 'system master,' Yuu smiled at Sora:

"Your brother's cooking skills are skyrocketing. You're in for a treat."

Sora seemed unimpressed, her soft silver hair swaying as she passed him to grab a bowl and chopsticks. "As long as it's edible, I don't care much."

"So harsh? I made this with all my heart, you know."

Sora lifted her small, delicate chin, saying flatly without emotion, "Yeah, yeah, Yuu's the best~"

"And 'Onii-chan'?"

"'Onii-chan' is starving!"

With a loud huff, clutching her bowl and chopsticks tightly, Sora pushed his back with her head, grumpily shooing him out of the kitchen.

"Enough nonsense, get out and eat!"

"Hahahahaha—"

For some reason, Yuu burst into laughter like Kim Kwan-jang, making Sora mutter behind him, "Yuu's finally broken, huh…"

Yuu himself couldn't quite explain his feelings at that moment.

He just felt that, even with only two people, even if they were just chatting about trivial things…

The feeling of coming home was truly wonderful.