While Su Yu and Shi Miyazumi discussed anime production in the office, Yukino Yukinoshita kept sneaking glances at the door.
Ever since Su Yu's earlier words, she found it impossible to concentrate on her work.
Suddenly, the office door opened.
Yukino quickly averted her gaze, pretending to focus on her screen.
Footsteps approached her.
Su Yu sat down beside her, studying her profile.
He didn't speak.
He simply watched her.
"…Did your manga pass?" Yukino finally asked, unable to endure the silence.
"I sign the contract tomorrow," Su Yu replied.
"…Congratulations." Yukino's voice was soft.
"Thanks."
After that, Su Yu took out his phone.
The atmosphere between them grew eerily quiet.
Yukino stared at her screen, unable to focus.
So much so that she didn't even realize she had drawn the wrong background.
Then—
"Don't move."
Su Yu's hand landed on hers.
Yukino's entire face turned red.
She didn't protest.
She simply let him guide her hand, watching as he fixed her mistake.
Then, he let go.
"T-Thank you…" Yukino murmured.
"You're too distracted to work properly. You should take a break," Su Yu said.
"I-I'm not…"
"If you're thinking about what I said earlier, just ask me directly."
Yukino turned to look at him.
Her lips parted slightly—she did want to ask.
But she didn't know how.
Just then, Su Yu's phone buzzed.
He glanced at the screen, then held it out for Yukino to see.
She read the message.
Then, she stared at Su Yu.
"…I arranged to meet your sister. Do you want to talk before then?"
Su Yu's voice was calm.
"I… I…"
Yukino wanted to tell him not to meet Haruno.
But she couldn't say it.
"Come with me."
Su Yu stood and walked toward Shi Miyazumi's office.
Yukino hesitated—then followed him.
Inside Shi Miyazumi's Office
Su Yu pushed open the door without knocking.
Inside, Shi Miyazumi frantically hid something, her face flushed red.
"…Can we borrow your office for a bit?" Su Yu asked, pretending not to notice.
Shi Miyazumi narrowed her eyes at him, then glanced at Yukino.
"…It's not what you're thinking. We just need to talk."
"I see."
Shi Miyazumi quickly shoved whatever she had into a drawer and stood up.
"I'll go grab some coffee. Take your time."
As she left, Su Yu and Yukino stepped aside to let her pass.
Once she was gone, they entered the office.
Su Yu sat down on the sofa and looked at Yukino.
She sat across from him, head lowered.
"You must be thinking that I have some kind of special relationship with your sister, right?" Su Yu said slowly.
Yukino looked up.
"I arranged to meet her because I want to discuss how I can convincingly become your fake boyfriend," Su Yu continued. "And for that… I might even make a few sacrifices."
Yukino's face grew warm.
"I deliberately made that comment earlier—to see if you cared. And clearly, you do. You were so distracted you couldn't even focus on work."
Su Yu smirked slightly.
Yukino turned away, face burning.
Her fingers curled into small fists.
This guy…
He used something like this just to test me?!
Unforgivable!
"…Of course, if I gave up on you and pursued your sister instead, that's an option too," Su Yu mused. "But seeing how cute you were just now… I don't think I can."
He suddenly moved closer and sat beside her.
"You… You're too much!" Yukino shifted slightly away, her tone flustered.
"Relax. I won't do anything. At most, I'll just hold your hand. Or maybe… hug you."
Su Yu reached out his hand.
"There's no one watching, and there's no—"
Before she could finish her sentence, Su Yu took her hand.
Yukino's face turned even redder.
"I like you, Yukino."
"The moment I opened the Service Club's door and saw you, I liked you."
"The reason I didn't talk to you much at first was because I wasn't sure how to face the future. I didn't have the courage to speak to you."
"…Until that day. When you spoke to me first."
Su Yu's voice was calm yet sincere.
Yukino turned to look at him.
Her expression was complicated.
That day—she had only spoken to him out of curiosity.
It was Su Yu's invitation… his stories… that had shifted their relationship.
"…If not for Yui, we wouldn't have reached this point so quickly," Su Yu added softly.
"…What did you say to her? Why did she say those things to me?" Yukino finally voiced her biggest question.
"Yui was afraid of losing me. She wanted to stay by my side. And I didn't want to let go of her hand either."
Su Yu leaned closer.
"So now… you're holding my hand, while I'm trying to be your fake boyfriend?" Yukino glared at him.
"I admit I'm in the wrong. I am a terrible person. But I truly hope you and Yui can remain friends. I truly want to spend a great summer with you. I want to give you happy memories."
Su Yu looked straight into her eyes.
"…I can't accept this." Yukino's voice was quiet but firm. "You can only choose one—me or Yui. If you choose her, then we can still be friends. We can still make anime together."
Her head lowered slightly.
Su Yu watched her for a moment—then gently pulled her into a hug.
Yukino didn't resist.
She let him hold her.
"…This is the most you can do," she whispered.
"Mm. Just a hug between friends."
Despite his words, Su Yu tightened his embrace.
Yukino said nothing.
Her face was already flushed, and her heartbeat had quickened.
She knew she was fooling herself.
But Su Yu's embrace was warm.
She told herself—this was the limit.
She wouldn't let Su Yu cross this line.
Never.
"…Yukino, you're just like Yui. A sweet little idiot."
Su Yu smiled at her.
"…Shut up."
Yukino stomped on his foot.
"…Was that a reward?"
"You—You're hopeless."
Notes-Read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X