I Really Don't Want a Girlfriend Anymore

Chapter 627: Using the Last Four Minutes and Thirty Seconds to Say Goodbye to These Hundreds of Years

Taking the electric train indeed wasn't as fast as Yuu running directly.

Including traffic light obstacles, the distance that usually took about an hour, he successfully shortened to under ten minutes at full speed—even cars could only see his back on the smooth roads.

As if nitrogen gas was exploding under his feet, he rushed straight like a mirage, leaving trails of dust and shocked gazes, heading directly to Sobu High's gate.

Not giving himself time to breathe, Yuu pursed his lips slightly. His footsteps didn't stop, he continued accelerating as if wanting to crash.

Fifty meters, twenty meters, ten meters...

He didn't know why he was hurrying.

Perhaps because of his sister's order, or perhaps because he didn't want his former girlfriend to wait too long.

Perhaps also because influenced by an unclear premonition, making him anxious and afraid of missing her if he was one step late.

Even though he wasn't even sure whether Kanade really went to school.

Even though he hadn't yet thought about what he should say when meeting that girl.

However, even so.

"...I feel you're also waiting for me to come."

His lips unconsciously curved into a faint smile.

Five meters in front of the school gate, Yuu suddenly stomped his foot on the ground. Gravel scattered as his body shot high, like an eagle spreading its wings, toward the blue sky.

He leaped over the three-meter-high school gate with a straight back. Physics maintained its last dignity, quickly pulling him back to earth. However, when the tips of his feet touched the ground, he again exerted force unscientifically.

*BOOM!*

In a brief and muffled sound, the teenager ignored the braking movement he should have made. He continued running without stopping, his body like an arrow shooting past the fountain in the plaza, rushing quickly toward the school building, only leaving a pair of similar small holes in the cement floor five meters in front of and behind the school gate.

In the early dawn, even the sun hadn't fully risen yet. At this time, even security guards hadn't started work, let alone sports club students. Coincidentally, there were also no pedestrians near the school gate.

Only surveillance cameras faithfully recorded this scene like special effects. Perhaps after security guards worked and checked the footage, the school would call him for interrogation.

Yuu right now was too lazy to care about such small matters.

He had already ignored the scenery passing by around him. Only after he followed his instinct and rushed into the school building did he slowly stop in front of the wooden corridor. While regulating his breathing, he looked left and right at the row of shoe lockers, his gaze sweeping over the nameplates above them, as if searching for something.

"Kanade... Kanade..."

Most schools in Japan have rules that shoes must be changed inside the school building.

And with Kanade's honest nature, even if there was an urgent reason she had to hurry to school, she would definitely change her shoes at the shoe locker—very different from Yuu who almost stepped inside the building with shoes full of mud and dust. As long as her shoes were there, it meant that girl was definitely inside.

Before long, Yuu found the Tachibana Kanade nameplate at the second-year shoe locker.

Opened it, and as expected, a pair of small white shoes were neatly stored inside. His fingers touched the inner layer, and he could still feel the remaining warmth within.

"Just arrived? Meaning at most she won't reach the third floor..."

Yuu murmured unconsciously. At the same time, he recalled some people with fetishes who seemed aroused when seeing shoes once worn by beautiful girls. Even if there was foot odor, they could go crazy like cats sniffing catnip...

Anyway, he couldn't understand. Underwear might still be understandable. Why would someone like socks and shoes full of germs and smell? Even if they belonged to an incomparably beautiful girl.

Perhaps the smell wasn't pungent enough yet?

For instance, Kanade. Even though she was very popular at school, if her foot odor was like Hiroshi's, then perhaps no one would dare touch her shoe locker, let alone be stepped on by her small feet wearing white socks.

A person's perverted personality had limits, unless they stopped being human.

"Ugh, fortunately I don't have such a fetish."

Yuu pursed his lips in disgust. He closed the shoe locker door, wiped his fingers that had just touched shoes twice on his pants, and changed into indoor shoes, then stepped into the corridor.

The morning air was cool and clean. Dust floated sparkling under golden light. All around was silent and still, and his heartbeat was clearer than bird chirping in the distance.

Everything was clear and transparent like water surface. Even the slightest movement would create strange ripples.

Facing the classrooms with all their lights off, Yuu slowly closed his eyes and stopped breathing for a moment.

He prepared to activate Heart Mirror as Calm as Water to greatly enhance his five senses, and include the entire school building in his sensory range as far as possible.

He didn't need to search here and there like a headless fly. With just the existing physical condition and abilities, in such a quiet environment, even if Kanade wanted to run to the rooftop, the sound of her footsteps when climbing stairs would immediately be caught by him.

Just like predators in water, with just subtle changes in water flow, they could precisely prey on prey fleeing in panic.

Yuu smiled confidently.

Unless the other party used miraculous power to cover their movements, otherwise...

As soon as this thought arose in his mind, the sound of a piano came from the music room at the end of the corridor. The crisp piano notes broke the silence inside the school building.

In the corridor, Yuu stood stiffly in place, like an idiot, with a frozen smile.

"..."

Okay, Kanade had no intention at all of playing hide and seek with him.

Slightly speechless, he patted his forehead. Since no one knew, Yuu quickly dismissed his embarrassment and stepped forward toward the music room with a normal expression.

The piano sound that had been just testing gradually connected, like raindrops turning into heavy rain.

The closer, the clearer, and the more the touched emotion could be felt.

"This... a song I've never heard."

Although possessing perfect level piano playing skills, Yuu had never heard the melody resonating in his ears.

Simple and gentle, as if it could directly reach the heart, speaking with the listener with the purest emotion.

He was very familiar with this feeling—the condition of Emotion Transmission combined with music playing skills could achieve such a heart-touching effect.

(I remember, in the earliest world line, it seems I was the one who taught Kanade the perfect level piano playing standard...)

The piano notes trickled like drizzle wetting leaves. He could smell the warmth and freshness of spring. Cherry blossom petals spun, leaving ripples in small puddles.

Yuu unconsciously slowed his steps. He felt as if he would remember something. His eyes became confused. He gradually sank into that melody. Warmth spread in his chest.

When he came to his senses, he was already standing in front of the music room door.

He hesitated for a moment. After taking a deep breath to calm himself from the melody that seemed able to control human hearts, he extended his hand and opened the music room door.

The music stopped at the same moment.

Waist-length silver hair appeared transparent, with a texture like golden thread illuminated by morning light from the window.

Thin mist enveloped, making the aura of the girl before the piano seem even more otherworldly. Like a shadow reflected under spring water, just a slight touch could make it unclear.

Her face was pure white like snow flying to the window on winter nights. Her pair of pale golden eyes turned, warm and bright like candlelight.

"You came."

Perhaps because her petite and slender figure was too beautiful, or perhaps because the vague images appearing in his mind affected his soul.

After that gentle and melodious voice sounded, Yuu came to his senses from his daze. He opened his mouth, saying something disconnected for some reason:

"I remember, the music room can't be used without teacher permission."

Kanade blinked. She didn't show a strange expression, but answered obediently, "The music teacher once told me, I can use the music room anytime. He also gave me a spare key."

Seeing the change in Yuu's eyes standing at the door, the girl thought for a moment, then added, "Although that was a long time ago, I also opened the door with Light Orb power."

Of course Yuu didn't intend to argue with her about such trivial matters.

After calming his feelings, he entered the music room and closed the door behind him.

"Iroha just looked for you at your house."

Kanade watched him approach, didn't say anything. She just patted the long piano bench with her small hand, asking him to sit beside her.

Yuu sat at the edge of the bench, looking at that silver-haired girl with a calm expression, and continued the casual conversation, "She heard from your parents that you left home in your school uniform like possessed. She hurriedly wanted to look for you, worried about your safety... Now she's waiting for me at home. I've already entrusted the rest of breakfast to her. You can look forward to her cooking skills."

"Please convey my apologies to everyone." After listening calmly, Kanade bowed her head slightly. Her tone apologetic, "There are things difficult to explain to parents. If I met Iroha, I wouldn't be able to be alone with you like this... Plus the pressing time, I could only use this method."

Pressing time?

Suddenly realizing something, Yuu asked calmly while sighing, "So, you really did this deliberately to find me?"

Kanade nodded.

Yuu asked again, "Wouldn't sending a message be faster?"

"Mm, but I can't."

In the midst of Yuu's confused gaze, Kanade took out her phone from her skirt pocket, pressed the power button, swiped her finger on the screen, but still couldn't unlock it.

"My existence is almost disappearing. Now I can't use technology products. Perhaps soon, I won't even be able to touch piano keys."

Kanade said lightly. Her fingers caressed the piano keys, looking somewhat regretful and reluctant.

Seeing her long and slightly drooping eyelashes, Yuu was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Kanade, try saying Hey, Siri, call me?"

Kanade tilted her head in confusion, but still did it.

"Hey, Siri, call me."

*DING-DONG*

The phone rang. A gentle and polite woman's voice immediately sounded.

"Okay, who would you like to call?"

"..."

"..."

The two gazed at each other in silence. Their expressions looked calm, as if not feeling the awkwardness in that atmosphere.

But, still someone silently blushed, until even the base of her ears were touched by pink color. Her eyes moved restlessly from guilt.

Yuu didn't say who, just casually averted his gaze while signaling her to put away her phone, "Well, it's natural not to think too much in an urgent situation... Back to the main topic, you surely know what I want to ask you."

"...Mm."

Released from embarrassment, Kanade sighed softly. Her pale face still had a bit of red glow, but her expression had already returned to calm as before. She began narrating in a gentle tone:

"At the end of the previous cycle, I thought I would disappear completely... But before my consciousness vanished, a sheet of musical score suddenly appeared in my hand. It temporarily maintained my existence and power. When I woke up, I realized I returned with you."

"You said it maintained you who was almost disappearing?"

Yuu couldn't help but raise his eyebrows in surprise. A guess immediately flashed in his mind.

"The one who could do something like that..."

"Only Sora, right?" Concluding logically, Kanade sighed softly, "I don't know how to repay her for throwing away her precious power for me..."

Yuu cut her off, "Are you going to say it's not worth it again?"

"...No, I won't say it again."

Pausing, Kanade shook her head firmly. She gazed at him as if wanting to see into his heart, and said seriously, word by word, "No matter how meaningless this life is, as long as you both still support me and encourage me, there is priceless value."

"I won't again deny the past that was always futile... Because I don't want to deny my meeting with Sora and you!"

Kanade suddenly raised the corners of her lips and smiled faintly.

Like summer breeze fluttering lotus petals, and also like the silence and beauty when maple leaves fall in autumn.

"Perhaps that's why Sora gave me a chance to regret, so I'd have time to make the last remedy?"

In their long interaction, just as she understood Yuu, they both also had a very deep understanding of each other.

So, Kanade wasn't surprised at all. Although not present, Sora still knew that she would ultimately be persuaded by Yuu, and sent the remedy opportunity into her hands.

Unfortunately, her somewhat awkward nature wouldn't give her a chance to thank and apologize directly...

Kanade's palm gently pressed her chest. She smiled, silently feeling that warmth understood without words.

"That child, she became the mastermind again..."

And Yuu who understood the plot behind it couldn't help but grumble.

(Saying you don't know who interfered, and must immediately find Kanade... To be your best friend's wingman, you dare deceive your beloved older brother?)

(Sora, you've really changed a lot!)

While grumbling inwardly, more doubts emerged.

If so, were the problems in the cycle and beating up cow monsters also reasons Sora fabricated to coax him to meet Kanade?

Yuu wasn't sure, but he felt something big really happened to Sora until she sent such a message, and even didn't want to come out of her room to meet him.

...Forget it. He'd ask her later if there was a chance. Right now, Kanade was more important.

After all, he hadn't forgotten, Kanade had just mentioned pressing time.

So, his expression became serious. Yuu didn't beat around the bush and asked frankly, "Then, what's your condition now? Will you still disappear?"

"Mm. If in the previous cycle I didn't self-destruct, there might still be a way. It's just..."

Getting here, Kanade couldn't help but bow her head in embarrassment. She bit her soft cherry-colored lips. Her voice unconsciously became very soft, "With the power Sora can use, at most she can only achieve this much... I'm truly sorry. Even though you all worked hard wanting me to stay, I still can't accompany you to witness the final ending..."

"..."

Yuu gazed at her in silence. After his expression changed many times, he just scratched his head as if helpless, as if he'd already accepted this reality.

"So, nothing has changed. Then, what do you call a remedy?"

"...Not everything hasn't changed."

Kanade slowly raised her head. Her gaze was clear and firm, reflecting his confused expression.

She suddenly asked, "Yuu, can you duet one song with me?"

This time it was Yuu's turn to furrow his brows in confusion.

"Duet, one song?"

This was too sudden.

"Mm. The score Sora gave me. Also what I just played."

Kanade reached out to take the yellow paper placed on the score rack and handed it to Yuu, "You probably don't know, right? This is the song we once dueted at the autumn exhibition, and won the best performance award at that time... Oh right, this is also the first song we composed together."

Sweet memories emerged in her heart. Kanade couldn't hold back a nostalgic smile, "It's been hundreds of years since I heard it... I didn't expect Sora could return the score from that time. She must have worked very hard."

"Original song? No wonder I've never heard it..."

Murmuring, Yuu looked at that score. At the same time, he recalled the videos he watched yesterday.

Through his sister's editing, he only knew that in the earliest world line, he and Kanade once performed before the entire school, and of course successfully moved all listeners, even attracting interest from many music universities to offer scholarships.

However, Sora didn't include that song in her editing, only giving the result—that's why the melody Yuu heard just now felt strange, yet also so incomparably beautiful, until he almost sank into it.

Anyway, one of the composers was himself...

Setting aside his narcissistic thoughts, Yuu memorized that not-too-complex melody as quickly as possible. While simulating playing it in his heart, he placed that score back on the rack. He looked at Kanade who had returned to facing the piano with elegant posture.

"Dueting is no problem... Kanade, is your last regret playing this song with me again?"

Then after this wish was fulfilled, would Kanade disappear satisfied?

Yuu felt it was a bit difficult to accept this.

Anyway, this didn't look like a remedy at all. On the contrary, it was like helping an earthbound spirit become a Buddha...

"It is like that, but not entirely like that."

Kanade suddenly spoke vaguely. She didn't answer his question directly, didn't even look at him. After uttering that unclear sentence, she placed both hands gently and steadily on the black and white keys, closing her eyes with a focused expression.

Then, crisp and melodious sound became the main melody in this room.

"I want to use the last four minutes and thirty seconds to say goodbye to these hundreds of years."