I Really Don’t Want a Girlfriend Anymore

Before parting ways, Chizuru hesitated for a moment, then pulled out her personal contact information, wanting to exchange with him.

"This probably isn't allowed… But between colleagues, it should be fine, right?"

Her face flushed slightly, as if deeply embarrassed, her gaze drifting downward.

Yuu understood what she meant and, without beating around the bush, said:

"You're charmed by my acting and physique, aren't you?"

"No physique."

Her shy expression vanished instantly. Chizuru responded with a smile, her tone resolute:

"No physique, and no feelings either—I won't fall for a guy younger than me, so don't worry."

Yuu winked: "Wow, that's the best news I've heard today."

"…"

Gritting her teeth, Chizuru took a deep breath—for the sake of a five-star review, she couldn't get mad!

In just four hours, they'd become this close. Didn't that mean her communication skills were top-notch?

Right, this was a good thing. No getting mad…

Chizuru reassured herself internally, forcing a stiff smile on her face:

"Let's exchange contacts. When I have time, I'd like to ask for your guidance on improving my acting."

"Sure, but I'll charge a fee." Yuu pulled out his phone, joking, "Give and take."

"I'm not expecting you to work for free either." Chizuru sighed in relief, then added:

"If it's too expensive, forget it. I still have acting school to attend and can't afford too much."

"We'll talk later. I'm not sure I can teach others anyway."

They exchanged contacts, then said their goodbyes in front of the station.

On the train home, Yuu held onto the strap, staring blankly at the scenery flashing by outside the window.

The meaning of a rental girlfriend, how to handle a date, how he should adjust his approach with Haruno… All sorts of chaotic thoughts swirled in his mind, like tangled earphone cords in a schoolbag.

Not headache-inducing, but he suddenly felt his limits were just that.

"Do you need a lot of experience to grow?"

Yuu couldn't help but rub his forehead. Only now did he recall that this body was just a 17-year-old high school student, yet he lived like he was 27.

Even so, in some ways, his thinking wasn't always more mature than a 20-year-old girl.

Perhaps that was the beauty of life.

Getting off the train, Yuu stood in front of the barbecue shop for the second time. The owner was too lazy to scold him, only hoping he wouldn't make a habit of loitering there daily.

On the way home, no TV crew stopped him. The fading sunset cast a peaceful glow over the streets, sowing the seeds of night in every brick corner.

Bringing home barbecue, getting kicked to the bathroom by his sister, and preparing a dinner that she devoured—that's how the day passed.

Yuu lay in bed, wondering what to wear tomorrow.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

The next day.

At the same spot where they last parted, Haruno leaned against her car, gazing at the sky filled with gray clouds, lost in thought.

Sensing someone approach, she lowered her head, blinked, and flashed a bright smile like a sunny day.

"Long time no see, boyfriend-kun~"

For some reason, from the bottom of his heart, Yuu smiled back at her.

"Long time no see, Haruno-san."

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

Four wheels rolled along the dark road, the car window half-open, cool breeze lifting soft strands of hair.

"The weather's nice today. It's rare for it not to be too hot."

"I heard a typhoon's coming. Hopefully, it won't rain."

Yuu checked the weather forecast, saw an 85% chance of rain, and quickly closed the page.

"Alright, let's hope it's not too heavy."

"Hmph hmph~ I purposely didn't bring an umbrella today. Know why?"

Yuu didn't answer, just gave her a resigned glance.

Haruno casually announced her answer:

"Because I knew Yuu-chan would definitely bring one."

As she said, Yuu unzipped his bag, revealing the handle of a black folding umbrella inside.

Like guessing a lottery number, Haruno laughed gleefully twice: "See~ So if it rains, we can share the umbrella, creating that must-have romantic scene in a relationship."

Sharing an umbrella, huh?

Yuu sighed: "You really love romance."

Her slender fingers tapped the steering wheel, and Haruno's smile flattened.

"Of course. Reality's already so harsh. Without a bit of romance, fragile girls wouldn't survive."

Her words sounded like a life motto, yet faintly carried a hint of sarcasm.

As usual, the riddle-speaking Haruno. Yuu had no intention of decoding her words, choosing to change the topic.

"Any books you want to buy?"

"Yes! I love reading… Can you tell from my appearance?"

Taking advantage of no cars ahead, Haruno tilted her head toward him, her eyes full of expectation.

After receiving Yuu's helpless "What do you think?" look, Haruno seemed to take it as praise, speaking lightly:

"I just found a really interesting book! I think it's called Love Metronome… I saw it before but didn't buy it. This time, I plan to put it on my shelf. When I'm in a bad mood, I'll read it."

Yuu gave her a strange look: "An interesting book? A light novel?"

"Sort of? It's a romance." As if recalling something funny, Haruno laughed happily.

"Hahaha, you wouldn't know unless you saw it, but while the writing style's decent, the romantic scenes between the guy and girl are so childish~"

"So childish it makes you laugh, yet the story's told seriously, like a minor earnestly describing how cruel the adult world is and how we need to grow up fast."

"Ah, so cute~ Perfect for relaxing mind and body after work!"

Haruno patted her knees, almost neglecting the steering wheel.

"Haaa, I see…" Yuu couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

(This person can say such harsh things with a full smile on her face.)

"Good thing the author didn't hear, or they'd fight you."

Haruno immediately looked displeased.

"Eh~ Do I seem tactless? Even if the writing's bad, it's normal to say nice things in front of the author."

"Alright, fair enough…" Pausing, Yuu asked curiously, "What if the writer was your sister?"

"…"

The moment the words left his mouth, Haruno's smile vanished, and she slightly tilted her gaze.

For a moment, it was as if she were scanned by a cold machine, analyzing her expression, gaze, and tone, guessing intentions, and choosing how to respond.

But soon, she seemed to realize there was no point in doing that with him and shifted her gaze back.

Leaning her head against the headrest, she nodded lazily twice, sighing weakly.

"Haaa, let me think… If it was Yukino-chan, she wouldn't write romantic novels like this, but she often writes meaningless, empty essays."

"How I teased her back then…"

As she pondered, the traffic light ahead turned red.

Haruno stopped the car, rubbed her chin, and let out an annoyed "Hmm~~" while trying hard to recall the past.

At that moment, a clear voice came from the roadside:

"Big sister?"

Yuu turned. A beautiful girl with long black hair stood on the sidewalk, staring at him and Haruno in the driver's seat, shocked.

Her hand unconsciously dropped from her chin. Haruno and the girl outside locked eyes, her mouth slightly open, as if stunned speechless.

But moments later, she flashed a bright smile, resting her cheek on the steering wheel, calmly waving her fingers at the girl with a familiar tone:

"Well, speak of Yukino, and she appears~ Got time now? Eaten yet? There's AC in the car. Want big sis to take you for a ride?"

Yukino: "…"

Yuu: "…"

Hey, what kind of weird seductive pose is this?!