Yuu was now eager to find out: what does it mean when a girl asks a guy to brush her hair?
Even without searching, he might already understand—
Hair could be said to be a girl's soul. Just touching it is significant, let alone brushing it. Such an act, aside from a hairstylist, is typically reserved for a father or husband.
So this girl…
Looking at her soft, shoulder-length hair, Yuu gripped the wooden comb tightly, finally moving closer, gently sliding the comb's teeth through her black strands.
"I thought you'd refuse."
Haruno's voice came from ahead.
Yuu looked down, replying calmly: "There's no reason to refuse. It's not like I've never brushed someone's hair before."
"Your sister?"
"Another girl."
"Really? I could get jealous, you know." She responded with a smile, as if guessing Yuu was lying or sensing something from his awkward movements, showing no trace of jealousy.
The corner of Yuu's mouth twitched. Seeing Haruno with her back to him and no intention of turning around, a bold idea suddenly popped into his mind.
One hand carefully wielded the wooden comb, while the other reached down, stealthily pulling out…
His phone.
With one hand, he quickly searched "how to brush a girlfriend's hair," opening a webpage—videos had too many ads, too troublesome—then activated his Learning skill. His eyes swiftly scanned line after line of the "True Hair-Brushing Guide," a glimmer of enlightenment gradually appearing in them.
Before Haruno could sense anything odd and turn around, Yuu casually slipped his phone back into his pocket, saying calmly:
"I was just a bit awkward earlier. I've got the feel of it now."
"Oh?"
Haruno raised an eyebrow, about to speak, when she felt Yuu's five fingers slide into her hair. The warm, rough touch grazed her scalp, then glided smoothly along her strands.
Like an electric shock, a tingling sensation spread from her scalp to her toes. She couldn't help but tremble lightly, her fair face flushing.
(Wait… This feels a bit intense?!)
(The head isn't even a sensitive spot like the ears—why does it feel so strong?!)
Her eyes stared straight ahead, her fists on her knees unconsciously clenching, her heart racing, her breathing noticeably heavy.
Haruno bit her lower lip, trying hard to hide her odd reaction, not wanting Yuu to notice.
"Hmm, your hair's in great condition, so no worries about split ends. Just keep brushing like this."
Focused on brushing, Yuu didn't notice Haruno's reddened ears. He muttered, the wooden comb moving front to back, gently touching her scalp, gliding smoothly.
"Uh…" A strange sound slipped out unconsciously.
Yuu blinked, snapping out of his focus mode.
"Feels good?"
"Ahem…" Haruno, slightly embarrassed, grateful they weren't face-to-face, said casually, "A bit ticklish, made me want to laugh."
"That was your laugh?" Yuu didn't buy it, not so easily fooled.
Immediately, he raised the comb again, controlling his muscles with the gentlest, steadiest force, letting the comb's teeth glide softly across her scalp.
"Pfft! Pff hahaha hahaha~"
She burst into giggles, Haruno bending forward with her back to him, clutching her stomach and panting softly: "Really, it's so ticklish! Enough, enough, no more brushing—give me back the comb!"
"Oh?"
Stunned for a moment, the corners of his lips slowly curved up.
Yuu held the comb in one hand, placing the other on Haruno's shoulder, his eyes narrowing with a friendly smile: "No way, I'm just getting into it. Haruno, let me brush a few more times—it won't hurt."
"No way~"
With a playful laugh, Haruno turned quickly to snatch the comb, but her unsteady body somehow bumped into his embrace.
She then shifted to lie down, letting him adjust, her head resting on his lap, holding the wooden comb, looking up.
Her eyes and brows were beautiful, like a painting, resembling a small summer lotus in bloom.
"Lying in a guy's lap—this is my first time."
"Not just you, my first time is pretty precious too."
"Fair enough, we're even." Her fingers gently traced the spring painting on the wooden comb. Haruno said casually, "But with lap pillows, isn't it usually the girl being the pillow? We're reversed—do you feel cheated?"
"Rental boyfriends don't talk about loss or gain."
"True, if my head hit something, I'd be the one losing out."
"…Get off."
"Just kidding~ If you could still get aroused in a public place like this, our previous kisses wouldn't have stopped at third base."
Haruno giggled like a Cheshire Cat, her cheeks slightly flushed from the sun: "So, question—is this because of the rental boyfriend thing, or is Yuu-chan just a gentleman?"
"I'm just that kind of guy," Yuu answered quickly, his gentlemanly quality unquestionable.
Haruno nodded thoughtfully.
"So it's unrelated to being a rental boyfriend?"
"Exactly."
"Then what's my relationship with you?"
"…"
Her question was so sudden that Yuu's mouth opened slightly in surprise, unable to answer immediately.
Haruno lay on his lap, her smile faint and calm, quietly observing Yuu's changing expressions.
A brief silence followed. Yuu frowned slightly: "…You want to talk about this here?"
"What's wrong with that? They won't see, and I'm too lazy to move. This feeling is so comfy~"
Haruno lazily narrowed her eyes. When she opened them, her cool, star-like eyes, bright and calm, fixed on him, the corners of her full lips slightly raised.
"How you got here, how you left the terrace—I don't care at all. To me, Tenkuji Yuu is an almighty hero with countless ways to do those things."
As she spoke, Haruno raised her hand, her clean, slender fingers without nail polish poking his cheek, then gently covering it with her palm.
Her voice suddenly softened, like standing on a cold, lonely mountain peak, seeking an echo in an empty valley.
"I just want to know, beyond being a rental boyfriend, what are your true feelings for me—what drove you to come find me, and why do you have to be so good to me?"
"Enough with the lies; let's talk honestly today."
She looked straight at him, her gaze unwavering, only faintly trembling.
"…" Pushing aside the complex thoughts in his heart, Yuu asked, confused, "Why now?"
Haruno pursed her lips.
"We've only known each other a short time. With the rental excuse, we keep each other company. A relationship that's offbeat but doesn't cross the line can continue. One month, two months, even half a year… You shouldn't be short on money. Why ask me this now?"
Wasn't she afraid that after speaking the truth, they couldn't go back to the casual, touching moments like before?
Haruno sighed, "I just suddenly wanted to ask. Can't I?"
"You just said you wanted honesty."
"'I suddenly fell in love with you, want to date you for real, and can't hold back anymore'—is that reason enough?"
"It's not just that, is it?"
"…"
Silence fell again.
Her long eyelashes trembled slightly. Haruno slowly withdrew her hand, wrapping her arms around Yuu's waist, hiding her face in his stomach, hugging him tightly as if wanting to merge with him.
"Sometimes, you're more annoying than me."
A muffled voice came through.
Yuu gave a bitter smile, then sighed.
"If I weren't, how could I be your boyfriend?"
"What's that? You're getting swept up too."
"I'm just acting well."
"I'll take that as an excuse." Her mood seemed to lift. Haruno let go, standing from the bench.
She stretched vigorously, showing off her mature, beautiful curves, then turned under the midday sun. Her radiant smile was like a mirror reflecting prismatic light—slightly illusory, slightly unreal.
Even the spring flower painting on the wooden comb seemed more real than that smile.
"Come on, let's go somewhere better to talk!"