At the same time, the Harmony Life Club rehearsed tirelessly for their stage performance. Haruka Minami coaxed Yu to sing more, reassuring him whenever his nerves flared. Isuke Sasaki watched from across the room, that flawless smile never cracking as he was swarmed by classmates asking for advice, though his gaze always drifted back to Yu.
But Yu didn't notice. His focus was split between hitting notes right and sneaking glances at Taichi when he came to walk him home.
Between their busy schedules, Yu and Taichi carved out pockets of time together.
"Morning shift or afternoon?"
Taichi asked one evening, the two of them sitting cross-legged on Yu's floor, surrounded by notebooks and flyers.
Yu tilted his head, long white hair slipping over his shoulder.
"For the café? I think… morning. If I do it early, then I can rest before singing."
"Good. Then I'll take afternoon for the stall."
Taichi smirked.
"That way I can come watch you serve tea in your outfit."
"Taichi!"
Yu squeaked, face flaming. He shoved lightly at Taichi's shoulder, though his hands lingered.
"You're not allowed to say things like that!"
"I'll say what I want."
Taichi teased, leaning close enough that Yu could feel his breath. Then, softer.
"But really… I just want to see you smile. Even if you're nervous, I'll be there."
Yu went quiet, eyes wide, heart fluttering. He nodded quickly, then scooted closer, leaning against Taichi's side.
---
By the time the last banner was hung and the final costume hemmed, the whole school thrummed with anticipation.
And in the middle of it all, Yu clung closer than ever—slipping his hand into Taichi's when they left practice, leaning into his chest when they collapsed onto the couch at night, sometimes nodding off before he even realized it.
Taichi savored the gestures. He carried the weight of Yu's need like it was something precious.
---
On the eve of the day of the festival, Yu sat curled up with Taichi on the couch, both of them staring at the neat stack of festival schedules pinned to the wall. Yu's voice was soft, trembling with both nerves and excitement.
"Tomorrow… it really starts."
Taichi wrapped an arm around him, pulling him close.
"Yeah. And you'll shine, Yu. I'll make sure of it."
Yu pressed his forehead against Taichi's chest, heart racing.
"…Then, I'll be okay."
And with that fragile warmth cocooning them, the festival awaited.
…However, that night, Yu couldn't sleep.
The anticipation for the cultural festival churned in his chest, nerves making his pale hands twist in the sheets. When Taichi came in, hair damp from his shower, he found Yu sitting upright in their bed, eyes wide and restless.
"You're still awake?"
Taichi asked softly, crossing the room.
Yu nodded.
"It's tomorrow. The café… the performance. Everyone's going to be staring at me."
Taichi slid onto the bed, tugging Yu gently into his arms.
"Then let them stare. You'll be the cutest one there."
Yu flushed scarlet, curling into his chest. His heartbeat thundered.
"…You always say things like that."
Taichi chuckled, leaning down.
"Because they're true."
He pressed a kiss to Yu's forehead, meaning to soothe him. But Yu tilted up—seeking more. Their lips brushed once, twice, then lingered. The kisses grew deeper, warmer, until Yu found himself flat on his back with Taichi above him, strong shoulders blocking out the room.
Yu's hands clung to him instinctively, resting on those broad shoulders for balance as Taichi kissed him harder. The weight, the heat, the closeness—it made Yu dizzy. Then, without thinking, Taichi's hips shifted down, pressing against him.
Yu gasped, a small moan escaping before he could stop it. A spark of something sharp and sweet shot through him.
Taichi froze. He pulled back at once, eyes wide, breathing hard.
"S-sorry. I—"
His voice cracked. He rolled off Yu, sitting at the edge of the bed with his face buried in his hands.
"…I went too far."
Before Yu could say anything, Taichi rose and escaped to the bathroom.
Yu lay there, chest heaving, lips still tingling. Then a familiar chime echoed in his mind.
[+5 JP]
Yu blinked, realization dawning.
'Taichi… in the bathroom…'
His face went crimson.
"P-pervert…"
He muttered, hugging his pillow. But a smile tugged faintly at the corner of his lips. Somehow, he saw it as proof—Taichi really did want him.
By the time Taichi returned, hair damp once again and face still flushed, Yu had rolled to his side, pretending to be asleep. He heard the soft rustle of clothes, the quiet sigh as Taichi slipped back under the blanket.
Then warmth:
An arm wrapped gently around his waist.
Yu hesitated… then slowly turned, nestling against Taichi's chest. His heart thumped at the rhythm beneath his ear—fast, uneven, but real. He closed his eyes, comforted, and drifted off at last.
---
The next morning—
The school festival burst alive with color and chatter. Students bustled through the halls in costumes, stalls lined the courtyards, music carried from the main stage.
Yu tugged nervously at the frills of his maid outfit as his classmates giggled around him. The uniform wasn't revealing—but still, it clung in ways that made his pale cheeks burn.
He clutched the advertising sign, standing by the classroom door. The moment people spotted him, whispers flared.
"She's so pretty—"
"Is that Princess Yu?!"
"No way, she looks like a real maid…"
Yu ducked his head, ruby eyes shimmering, but followed instructions faithfully—smiling shyly, pointing people inside. And soon enough, the classroom café became packed quickly.
"Tch. Figures."
Taichi muttered as he approached their classroom, having just returned from helping the basketball club set up their stall, his arms crossed as he watched. His chest swelled with pride that Yu wasn't asked to run orders or carry trays. The sign was enough.
But then—his gaze caught Yu adjusting the skirt, brushing stray strands of white hair back, cheeks flushed under the attention.
And just like that, Taichi remembered. The sound of Yu's gasp last night. The sight of lace hugging his frame from a dream months ago. Once nearly forgotten, now coming back in full vivid force. His throat tightened.
"Shit."
He excused himself abruptly, heading for the bathroom.
Moments later—
[+5 JP]
The Love-o-meter ticked up:
50 - 52
Yu's eyes went wide. His whole face turned red.
'Again?! And here?! Taichi, you pervert! Dummy!'
He scolded silently, hugging the signboard like a shield.
In his head, DK01's voice chimed.
[Progress confirmed. The Tragic Target grows more fond of you, Host. Your seduction is proceeding at an exceptional pace. Keep it up and keep earning those JPs.]
Yu groaned inwardly, flustered beyond belief.
'Shut up…!'
Still, despite his embarrassment, a tiny glow of warmth stirred in his chest. Maybe, just maybe, he was doing something right.
---
The café was alive with energy. The air smelled faintly of pancakes and coffee, voices overlapping as classmates bustled about. But no matter how busy it became, there was one clear star.
Yu, standing by the door with his sign, drew in lines of customers like bees to a flower.
"Welcome in…!"
He said softly, bowing with shy grace. The words barely carried, but the effect was powerful. Students—mostly the boys—whispered, swooned, and laughed nervously, flushing as they filed inside.
Sakura Sato and Fumiko Fujimori, dolled up in their flashy gyaru-style maid uniforms, flanked Yu like devoted bodyguards. They sparkled confidence, chattering with customers when Yu faltered, and sending sharp looks at anyone who lingered too long on his pale stocking covered legs and ruby eyes.
"Eyes up here, losers. She's, like, totally taken."
Sakura said bluntly to one group of boys, snapping her gum.
"Yeah, don't even think about it."
Fumiko added sweetly, looping an arm around Yu's shoulders before he could protest.
Yu, red-faced, stammered.
"S-Sakura, Fumiko—!"
But deep down, he was grateful.
Meanwhile, just beyond the classroom entrance, Taichi—returning once more—hovered like a silent wall. Tall, broad-shouldered, and scowling faintly at every passing gaze, he stood with Yamato Yamada and Souma Satou, who'd come to show support before their own club shifts.
"Damn."
Souma muttered, watching Yu hand out pamphlets.
"Your girl's really popular, Taichi. The café's a gold mine."
Taichi grunted.
"Don't care. Just don't let anyone touch Yu."
Yamato laughed under his breath.
"Man, you're like her watchdog."
"Guard dog more like it."
Souma corrected.
Taichi didn't deny it. His sharp eyes flicked back to Yu every second, as if daring anyone to cross the invisible line.
---
By midday, their class's café was so full people had to wait in line. And when Yu's shift ended, he was quickly whisked away by Taichi before more admirers could swarm him.
The basketball club's food stall smelled of grilled yakisoba and fried chicken, with smoke curling into the chilly air. Students called out orders, and Taichi moved effortlessly among his teammates passing out food and taking orders.
Yu sat nearby at one of the tables, a tray of food is placed before him. His eyes widened at the sheer amount of food—fried skewers, noodles, even taiyaki for dessert.
"Taichi…"
Yu murmured as he picked timidly at the yakisoba.
"This is… too much."
"Eat."
Taichi ordered, dropping off another plate before jogging back to the grill.
Yu blinked at the fresh pile.
"…But I haven't finished the first one."
Sakura and Fumiko, still in their gyaru maid uniforms, flopped down on either side of him with matching smirks.
"Don't worry, Yu-chan. We'll help you!"
Sakura declared, stealing a skewer.
"Yeah, you'll get sick if you try to eat it all yourself. Too bad Haruka couldn't join in the feast. Her class's haunted house is, like, totally a hit."
Fumiko added, already nibbling on the taiyaki.
Yu sighed in relief, cheeks pink. The three of them shared the tray like a little picnic while Taichi hovered from the stall, glancing over every time he refilled a plate.
"Your husband's seriously spoiling you."
Sakura teased, licking sauce from her thumb.
Yu squeaked.
"H-he's not—!"
But his denial wilted fast when Taichi came by again, dropping off a fresh plate of karaage right in front of him.
"Eat slowly. Don't choke."
His tone was gruff, but his eyes softened as they lingered on Yu's flushed face.
Fumiko giggled behind her hand.
"Mhm. Totally not a husband."
Yu groaned, burying his face in his hands as the two girls cackled. But his heart, secretly, was warm and full.
The basketball stall was one of the busiest spots at the festival, and yet Taichi somehow made it feel like Yu was the only person there.
Between grilling skewers and stirring yakisoba, he kept glancing back at Yu like a husband sneaking looks at his wife at the dinner table. Each time he came over, he dropped something new onto Yu's tray: a fresh skewer, an extra taiyaki, a cold drink with the condensation dripping down the side.
"Drink before it gets warm."
He said firmly, setting a juice box into Yu's hand.
Yu blinked up at him, cheeks pink.
"But… you already gave me one—"
"Then this is a backup."
Taichi replied without missing a beat.
Sakura Sato nearly squealed out loud, clutching her chest.
"Oh my god. He's literally acting like your husband, Yu-chan!"
Yu sputtered.
"S-Sakura! Don't say things like that—!"
Fumiko Fujimori, who had been happily munching on fried chicken beside them, gave a long sigh.
"Honestly… I thought I was Yu's main caretaker. But seeing Taichi like this… it feels like I'm being replaced."
She pouted dramatically, but her eyes softened as she watched Taichi kneel beside Yu and gently wipe a smudge of sauce from the corner of his lips with a napkin.
"Hold still."
Taichi murmured, his voice low and warm.
Yu froze, face burning bright as Taichi leaned in close, his dark eyes soft in a way they never were with anyone else. The moment stretched — too tender, too intimate — until Sakura squealed again.
"Kyaaa! Did you see that!? He even wiped your mouth for you!"
She practically shook Yu's shoulders.
"You two are literally a married couple already!"
Yu covered his face with both hands.
"Please stop—!!"
But deep inside, where his embarrassment couldn't quite reach, his chest was glowing with something fierce and warm.
Fumiko leaned back, watching quietly as Taichi returned to the grill. Her lips curved into a smile.
'If Yu's happy like this… then I'm happy too.'