Morning Routine
After waking up Yui Yuigahama and having breakfast together, Su Yu walked to school with her.
Hiratsuka Shizuka had already left earlier.
Once at school, they changed their shoes at the locker area and headed to the classroom.
Su Yu sat down, still contemplating how to handle Hiratsuka-sensei's request.
Pretend to be her boyfriend? Out of the question.
Find her a girlfriend to take home? …Her father would probably explode.
Considering all this, Hiratsuka's travel plan actually seemed like the best option.
He had never seriously thought about finding her a real boyfriend. Not only would Hiratsuka-sensei never agree to it, but he had immediately dismissed that possibility himself.
Although…
Well, she was one of my favorite anime heroines back in the day…
As Su Yu was lost in thought, class began.
Hiratsuka walked in.
"Hm? Kawasaki Saki isn't here?"
She glanced at the empty seat.
"I don't think I saw Kawasaki-san today," a female student answered.
"I see."
Hiratsuka didn't press further.
Kawasaki was known as a problem student. She had been late several times before.
Su Yu, however, had a feeling this wasn't just a normal tardy.
Missing Class
His instincts were right.
By the third period, Kawasaki still hadn't shown up.
At this point, it wasn't just being late—she was absent.
He wondered if her family had called the school.
A Call for Help
During lunch break, just as Su Yu was about to head to the Service Club to eat, his phone lit up.
A call from an unknown number.
He hesitated, then answered.
"Su Yu-kun, can I borrow 1,000,000 yen?"
A familiar voice spoke from the other end.
"Kawasaki-san?"
He instantly recognized her.
"Yeah. I got your number from Totsuka Saika—we went to the same middle school."
Kawasaki's voice sounded exhausted.
"…Are you at a hospital?"
Su Yu heard faint voices in the background—someone was calling for a nurse.
"My mom is sick. She needs to be hospitalized. I only have enough money to cover the admission fees…"
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Clearly, calling Su Yu was her last resort.
"Send me your location. I'll go get a leave of absence."
Su Yu decided immediately.
He didn't bother asking about her father—he already knew that if Kawasaki had a reliable father at home, she wouldn't be calling him for money.
"…Thanks."
Her voice was soft.
Su Yu hung up and glanced in Yui's direction. He walked over to her.
"I need to take care of something, so I won't be joining you and Yukino for lunch. If she asks, just tell her it's nothing serious and that I've got it handled."
"I… I understand."
Yui nodded obediently.
She didn't ask any further questions.
Su Yu patted her head and left the classroom.
Getting Help from Hiratsuka
He made his way to the faculty office, where he found Hiratsuka having lunch.
"Shizuka-sensei, I need your help."
On the Way to the Hospital
Hiratsuka drove while they talked.
"Kawasaki asked you for money? Since when were you two close?"
She glanced at him while waiting at a red light.
"She wants to go to university, so she's been secretly working a lot of jobs. I ran into her at Yukinoshita Haruno's bar."
Su Yu explained simply.
"…Wait, why were you at a bar?"
Hiratsuka frowned.
"Haruno invited me there for a conversation."
Su Yu immediately shifted the blame onto Haruno.
"You do know you're not allowed to drink, right?"
Hiratsuka gave him a sharp look.
"I know. I won't do it again."
Su Yu stared out the window.
Hiratsuka could tell he was lying.
But now wasn't the time to argue about it.
"Kawasaki's work hours must exceed the school's limit… which is why she's always sleeping in class."
"She usually gets home at dawn."
Su Yu confirmed.
"You should have told me sooner. Working this much is bound to cause problems eventually."
Hiratsuka sighed.
"I recommended her a job, but she's wary of me. Probably thinks I'm trying to date her."
Su Yu muttered.
Hiratsuka shot him a sharp glance.
She immediately thought of Yukino and Yui.
And now… Kawasaki?
Was Su Yu really trying to—
"Shizuka-sensei, please don't question my integrity. I don't have any romantic interest in Kawasaki."
Su Yu sensed her thoughts and quickly clarified.
"…Su Yu-kun, don't disappoint me."
Hiratsuka turned her gaze back to the road.
At the Hospital
When they arrived, they found Kawasaki asleep in a chair, covered by a thin jacket.
Hiratsuka sighed and sat beside her.
"I'll check on her mom's condition."
Su Yu glanced into the hospital room.
Inside, a middle-aged woman lay on the bed.
By her side stood Kawasaki's younger sister—a girl who should have been at school by now.
When she noticed Su Yu, her eyes widened in surprise.
"Shh."
Su Yu gestured for silence and pointed to her mother, signaling not to wake her.
The girl nodded.
Her eyes were red—she had clearly been crying.
Su Yu stepped outside, and she followed.
The moment she stepped into the hallway, she spotted Hiratsuka.
She froze.
Clearly, she recognized the teacher.
"Don't worry. Sensei isn't angry—I asked her to come help."
Su Yu reassured her.
"My sister didn't skip school on purpose! Mom collapsed just as she got home from work, and we came here in an ambulance."
The girl explained quickly.
"…Where's your father?"
Hiratsuka asked.
"…Dad… Dad doesn't want us anymore."
Tears welled up in her eyes again.
"…What?"
Hiratsuka frowned.
"I… I don't really understand, but… I overheard my sister's call. I think Dad took our older brother and left. And he sold our house."
The girl's voice trembled.
Tears streamed down her face.
Hiratsuka clenched her fists slightly.
She shot a glance at Su Yu, then took a deep breath.
"I'm making a call. Stay here."
Su Yu nodded.
He knew exactly who she was calling—the Yukinoshita family's butler.
As the girl silently wiped her tears, Su Yu patted her head.
"Don't worry. Your dad didn't abandon you. He just left for a while. Your mom will be fine, and I'll stay here with you."
"…Thank you, big brother."
She sniffled.
"Have you eaten yet?"
Su Yu asked.
"…No."
She lowered her head.
"When Shizuka-sensei gets back, I'll take you to eat lunch. We'll bring some back for your sister and mom too."
"…Big brother, you're such a good person."