A Quiet Lounge
Su Yu held his glass, gazing at the city lights beyond the window.
Behind him, Haruno Yukinoshita lay sprawled across the sofa, seemingly asleep.
Taking out his phone, he checked the time.
Then, he dialed a number.
After a few rings—
"Where are you?"
Yukino Yukinoshita's voice came through the line.
"I'm at a bar. Your sister is drunk. She's with me," Su Yu replied, glancing back at Haruno.
A brief silence.
"…I'll come pick you up. Send me the location," Yukino said hesitantly.
"I was thinking of experiencing what it's like to stay in a luxury apartment. Would that be alright?"
"You… Don't push your luck."
Yukino's voice was noticeably flustered.
"Fine then. Your sister mentioned the hotel downstairs—"
"If you dare do anything weird to me, I won't forgive you," Yukino cut in, lowering her voice.
"Bring my commuter bag. I'll send you the address."
With that, Su Yu ended the call.
He sent his location to Yukino, then downed the rest of his drink before setting the empty glass on the table.
Without a second glance at Haruno, he left the lounge.
As he stepped out, his eyes met Kawasaki Saki's.
She looked at him coldly.
Just as he was about to leave—
"Sir, you haven't paid yet."
Kawasaki's voice was icy.
Su Yu stopped, pulled out his wallet, and paid for his drink.
Once the transaction was done, Kawasaki didn't try to stop him.
She simply watched as he walked out of the bar.
Behind the Scenes
At that moment, in the private lounge—
The door opened.
Haruno's female driver stepped inside.
"Miss, he's gone."
"I know."
Haruno, who had supposedly been asleep, slowly sat up.
"Bring me the recording. And remove the cameras."
Meeting Yukino
By the time Su Yu reached the street, it was already past 9 PM.
He spotted a café across the road and walked in, choosing a window seat.
About half an hour later, a sleek black car pulled up outside.
After settling the bill, Su Yu stepped outside and approached the vehicle.
The driver got out and opened the rear door for him.
Inside, Yukino sat stiffly, looking away.
Su Yu smiled at her.
Yukino's face turned red, and she deliberately avoided his gaze.
Without hesitation, Su Yu slid into the seat beside her and—
Casually took her hand.
"No need to drop me home tonight. Let's go straight to your apartment."
The driver, who had just gotten back in the car, froze.
She turned to look at Yukino.
Yukino didn't say a word.
But her face was now completely flushed.
And in that moment, the driver understood exactly what the second young lady meant.
Yukino's Apartment
By the time they arrived, it was already past 10 PM.
Stepping out of the car, Su Yu followed Yukino into the building.
As they rode the elevator up, Su Yu kept his eyes on her.
Yukino felt his gaze but chose not to react.
The elevator doors opened.
She walked out, unlocked the apartment, and turned to him.
"I swear, I can't win against you," Su Yu said, taking a step back dramatically.
Yukino rolled her eyes and entered.
She set out a pair of slippers for him, then went into the kitchen.
Su Yu didn't follow her.
Instead, he sat on the sofa, waiting.
A few minutes later, Yukino returned with tea, placing a cup in front of him before retrieving her laptop.
Su Yu remained seated on the opposite couch as she set up beside him.
"You plan to drink tea with me until morning?" he asked.
"Tell me the full script of Puella Magi Madoka Magica—every detail. I know you've memorized it."
Yukino opened her laptop.
Su Yu glanced at her legs.
"…Will there be a lap pillow afterward?"
"If you finish everything, I'll allow it. One hour max."
Yukino sighed.
Su Yu smirked.
He took a sip of tea—then began.
As he narrated, Yukino typed, keeping up with his pace effortlessly.
At some point, Su Yu leaned back against the couch, continuing his dictation while half-reclining.
Yukino cast him a glance but said nothing, focused on typing.
Three Hours Later
Su Yu had fallen asleep.
Yukino typed the final word, saved the document, and closed her laptop.
Then, she looked at him.
She was now certain—Su Yu's exceptional memory came at the cost of immense mental strain.
"You idiot."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Blushing slightly, she moved to the couch and lifted Su Yu's head, gently placing it on her lap.
He slept peacefully.
Yukino hesitated, then reached out—her fingers brushing through his hair.
From this close, she could see it clearly—
Su Yu's face was rather… attractive.
Her heart fluttered as her thoughts drifted back.
The three-person arrangement…
The fake boyfriend proposal…
All of it made her embarrassed.
And when she thought back even further—
The day he joined the Service Club.
At first, she had no opinion of him.
He was just another person.
Nothing special.
She had already rejected countless confessions.
She received love letters often—but never once bothered reading them.
Su Yu was merely another name among them.
But then—
He changed.
Became interesting.
Became someone she wanted to understand.
Their true connection began with his invitation.
And the three stories that followed.
That was when Su Yu revealed his talents.
That was when he started to enter her heart.
The Princess and the Traveler
She had been like a princess, locked away in her castle.
And Su Yu—
He was a traveler who happened to pass by.
He stood outside her walls, telling her stories.
Intrigued, the princess stepped closer to the barrier, listening.
Through the stories, they became friends—separated only by that wall.
Then, after the third story, the princess opened the door.
She invited the traveler in.
She wanted to hear more.
Wanted to understand him.
But—
The traveler had another girl waiting for him.
The princess wanted to let him go.
Yet—
The traveler refused to leave.
He wanted to take the princess from her castle.
And the girl who had been waiting?
She wanted the traveler and the princess to be together—to be happy.
The traveler realized her feelings.
Somehow, he convinced her not to leave.
In fact, she even wanted to befriend the princess.
Wanted to bring her out of the castle.
Wanted the three of them to live together.
If this were a fairy tale—
The princess would surely be moved.
She would leave her castle.
But—
This wasn't a fairy tale.
Yukino knew that.
Even if she wanted to leave—
Her mother would never allow it.