Yuu turned around. Two unfamiliar girls, their faces shy and innocent, perhaps one or two years younger than him, stared at him with sparkling eyes.
"What's up?" he asked politely.
"C-Could you please take our picture?" one of the girls said, holding out a phone with a pink rabbit case. Her fingers trembled slightly, showing both shyness and nervousness.
(Oh, is this their first time trying to approach someone?)
The thought crossed his mind. Yuu found it amusing but had no intention of exposing their motives. He reached out and took the phone.
"Sure. What do you want in the shot?"
"Just the plaque!"
Seeing his friendly smile, the girls' cheeks flushed, and they grew even more excited. They quietly tugged at each other's clothes, as if negotiating silently, their eyes practically devouring him.
Yuu pretended not to notice. He kindly took two photos for them and handed the phone back.
The girls took it, their eyes widening in shock. "Wow, it's so good… My phone can take pictures this nice?"
"Seriously. It's better than my sister's edited photos…"
Of course.
Though it wasn't written, back when they weren't on cold terms, Yuu had gained Expert-Level Photography skills from Masuzu.
As long as the lighting was decent and the equipment wasn't too bad, the photos would always turn out great.
After doing his good deed, Yuu stretched and turned to leave.
"Ah, wait a second!"
The girl who'd been sneaking glances at him quickly called out. Mustering great courage, she said with a flushed face, "Um… there's a tea shop called Saruyu in Shimogamo Shrine. They sell really delicious Aoi cakes. As a thank you, can I treat you?"
Her friend nodded vigorously beside her. Her eyes darted from his slightly swaying bangs to his deep black eyes. She said in a pitiful tone, "We're students from Kuroyuri Academy in Tokyo. We came to Kyoto for the tournament. We don't know anyone here, and it's just the two of us, so honestly, we feel a bit unsafe…"
"Kuroyuri?"
Yuu, about to decline, was taken aback. For the first time, he clearly observed their appearances and figures. He searched his vague memories.
…Didn't he see these two near Yuuki Asuna?
"Exactly! Have you heard of it?" As if seizing an opportunity, the two girls stepped forward. Their eyes sparkled with hope as they looked at him. "Judging by your sports uniform, are you also from Tokyo for the national championship? What school?"
Yuu stepped back, maintaining distance, a polite smile on his face.
"Sorry, I…"
Just as he was about to make an excuse to leave, a hand familiarly touched his shoulder. Something soft and warm pressed against his arm. A cheerful, light voice rang in his ear.
The temperature and closeness felt familiar.
"What's this~ Getting hit on by girls again?"
The woman leaned against him casually, her voice familiar and natural.
Stunned for less than half a second, Yuu seized the moment when the two girls looked away from him, closing his eyes to hide his obvious surprise, then answered resignedly:
"Not getting hit on. Just helping with photos."
"Oh? Your luck with women is always so good. Who knows if that's just an excuse to approach them!"
Yukinoshita Haruno said with a smile. The radiant, sun-like woman ruffled his hair, like an older sister teasing her younger brother.
Though it was just teasing, there was an inexplicable tenderness.
The two girls saw this scene. Still reeling from shock and confusion, as her short hair fluttered, her friendly gaze locked onto them.
"What, not done with photos? Want me to help? My photography skills are pretty good~"
Haruno smiled.
"Eek—"
Though her voice was soft and breezy like a spring wind, the girls felt like they'd fallen into winter. Behind her charming smile, their faces paled, and they began to tremble.
"N-No need! Thank you!"
After deep bows, the girls turned and fled in a panic, leaving a man and a woman standing in front of the giant plaque.
Her hand was still on his shoulder. The unfamiliar yet familiar touch created a brief silence.
"Haaah…"
Sighing suddenly, Yuu shifted his shoulder, freeing himself from her hand.
"I appreciate you helping scare them off, but Haruno-san, did you have to frighten them like that? I could've handled it myself."
"I didn't scare them. I was kind from start to finish. They ran because they were shy."
Haruno blinked innocently. Her lively eyes rippled slightly, looking at him keeping his distance.
For some reason, the corners of her charming lips curved into a smile again.
"Well, coming to Kyoto once in a while, and coincidentally running into you getting hit on. There really are such coincidences in this world~"
"Yeah, sure. Japan's just that small."
Yuu laughed along with her.
Coincidentally coming to Kyoto, coincidentally visiting Shimogamo Shrine, and coincidentally showing up when he was alone…
Even Yuigahama wouldn't believe this was just a coincidence.
After all, Yuu probably knew Haruno's lying habits better than she knew herself—coincidentally meeting you getting hit on wasn't coincidentally meeting you. A hidden plan lay in the difference between those two phrases.
Haruno was always cunning and clever, just like him. She was skilled at fooling others with lies that were 70% true and 30% false, playing with word traps.
That's why Yuu understood that the woman before him had, without a doubt, come here looking for him.
The only coincidence was the two unfortunate girls drawn to his handsomeness and scared off by her aura.
(But why? Her memories shouldn't have returned. Did she recall something from that wooden comb?)
(Damn system, give me another guarantee—is it true that a target who's lost their memories won't recall the past?)
While questioning the system in his mind, Yuu smiled and nodded at Haruno, then turned without hesitation.
"Well then, that's it for now. I'm going to find my girlfriend. Have fun."
The implication was clear: please don't follow me, and don't join my stroll at Shimogamo Shrine.
Yuu had no feelings for Haruno beyond memories. Right now, the one he loved was Masuzu. Naturally, he wouldn't keep engaging with her, even if his attitude was a bit cold.
Without looking at her expression, Yuu walked toward the inner shrine, heading for the Momiji Bridge.