After School
That afternoon, instead of heading straight to Flash Animation Studio, Yukino Yukinoshita stayed at school to tutor Yui Yuigahama and the others for two hours.
Only after that did she and Su Yu leave Sōbu High together by car.
Inside the Car
Yukino glanced at Su Yu beside her.
She wanted to ask about Yui… but didn't know how.
As she was still debating, Su Yu suddenly took her hand again.
Yukino's face flushed.
She tried to pull away, but before she could—
Su Yu boldly pulled her into an embrace.
Yukino froze.
This guy…
Then, Su Yu's voice whispered beside her ear.
"Your driver works for your sister. She reports everything about you—and me—to her."
Hearing this, Yukino's gaze flickered toward the front of the car.
At that exact moment, the female driver glanced at the rearview mirror.
Instantly, Yukino understood.
Su Yu was telling the truth.
"Your sister probably wants to see us together," Su Yu continued. "So, why not feed her some fake intel—make her think we're already dating?"
"…Why should I do that?" Yukino's voice was barely above a whisper.
"If your mother acknowledges your capabilities, and your personal value rises… you could be used as a political bargaining chip in an arranged marriage," Su Yu said calmly.
Yukino stiffened.
Her small hands clenched slightly.
…That was a possibility.
Her sister, Haruno, didn't have a fiancé yet, only because their mother was waiting to find someone exceptional—someone capable of managing the Yukinoshita family's empire.
And that person would inevitably have to take the Yukinoshita surname.
As for Yukino…
She wouldn't be given the same treatment as Haruno.
But her future could still be arranged.
Unless—
She made her own acceptable choice.
Her mother would allow it, so long as it wasn't too unreasonable.
"…I'll be in control of Flash Animation Studio," Su Yu continued, his tone steady. "I'll create even more works in the future. That should be enough for me to play the role of your fake boyfriend. If you tell your mother you want to be with me, she likely won't object."
Yukino looked at him.
"And Yui?" she asked quietly.
"I'd bet that your mother would turn a blind eye to that matter."
Su Yu met her gaze.
Yukino's heart pounded.
She turned away. "I… why should I listen to you?"
"You don't have to," Su Yu replied, his voice teasing. "To me, whether it's the eldest or the second Yukinoshita daughter… it makes no difference."
"…What did you just say?" Yukino's eyes widened in disbelief.
But Su Yu didn't answer.
He let go of her and turned his attention to the passing scenery outside.
Yukino studied his profile.
And an unsettling thought crept into her mind.
Could it be… this guy has a good relationship with my sister too?
Thirty Minutes Later – Flash Animation Studio
Inside the third animation studio's office, Su Yu stood before a black-haired girl.
She wore a dress, her long hair styled into braids, with glasses perched on her nose.
Cute.
She looked just like a high school girl.
"This is the person I wanted to introduce to you," said Shi Miyazumi, Flash Animation's executive. "The scriptwriter for Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Su Yu-kun."
The black-haired girl stood up and bowed politely.
"Hello, I'm a manga editor from Future Comics. You can call me Nanako. My full name is Tamura Nanako. My mother is Tamura Wakako."
Su Yu raised an eyebrow.
"Tamura Wakako's daughter?"
He wasn't too surprised—he had already noticed the resemblance when he walked in.
"My mother told me the creator of Madoka was young, but I never imagined… this young."
Nanako shyly observed Su Yu.
Seeing this, Shi Miyazumi immediately cut in.
"Nanako, Su Yu-kun has a girlfriend."
Nanako, however, simply smiled.
"That's fine. Su Yu-kun is so handsome—it's normal for him to have a girlfriend. I don't mind."
Su Yu's expression twitched slightly.
He glanced at Shi Miyazumi.
"She wants to marry a handsome manga artist," Shi Miyazumi explained bluntly.
"…I see."
Su Yu understood.
"Su Yu-kun, can I have your contact—"
"Read the manga first."
Su Yu cut her off and handed over the first chapter of Leisure Days.
Nanako's playful expression faded.
She took the file and sat down.
As soon as she opened it to the first page, her eyes lit up with delight.
With this level of artwork, so long as the story wasn't awful, it could definitely be published.
And as she continued reading—
—The transfer student from Tokyo…
—The innocent and adorable Renge…
—The sleepy teacher who dozes off during class…
—The tomboyish Natsumi and the quiet but brilliant Komari…
—The silent yet intelligent older brother…
It was fun.
That was Nanako's first impression.
She found herself completely drawn in.
Both the art and the story were incredibly charming.
And when she reached the final page…
She was hit with nostalgia.
Her mind drifted back to her own childhood in the countryside…
To her childhood friends…
To the girl she had spent a certain summer with—whom she hadn't seen in years.
She slowly put the manga down.
Taking off her glasses, she wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
Then, she looked up at Su Yu.
"Su Yu-kun—no, Su Yu-sensei—your manga is fantastic. This will definitely be a hit!"
"Thanks for your praise."
Su Yu wasn't surprised.
If Leisure Days couldn't pass, then he would have questioned Nanako's capabilities.
"You can come to Future Comics tomorrow. I'll try my best to negotiate the best deal for you."
Nanako handed the manuscript back.
"For the anime adaptation, I'll leave it to Flash Animation. We'll discuss the rest tomorrow."
"Understood. I'll let them know."
"…Also, about your contact—"
"Nanako, your business here is done," Shi Miyazumi interrupted. "We need to discuss Madoka's production. You're not part of that."
"Shi-chan, that's so mean."
"Leave."
Nanako sighed and stood up.
Before leaving, she handed Su Yu a business card.
"When you arrive tomorrow, call this number."
"Got it. Thanks."
Su Yu took the card and watched as Nanako left.
Shi Miyazumi then spoke up.
"Nanako is an outstanding editor. Since joining Future Comics, she's discovered many talented mangaka. Just this year, she even won their Best New Editor award."
"She's definitely skilled," Su Yu acknowledged. "The way she absorbed the story—it was like she instantly entered the right mindset."
Shi Miyazumi hesitated.
Then, softly, she said:
"…I'm sorry."
Su Yu turned to her, puzzled.
"For what?"
"For… doubting your manga before."
"…You were just giving me honest advice," Su Yu said with a smile. "That's all that matters."