A Ride Home with Questions
By the time Su Yu left the bar, the sky had already darkened.
He was driven home by Yukinoshita Haruno's chauffeur.
The entire way back, he stared out the window, deep in thought.
He kept wondering—who exactly was the person Haruno mentioned?
Haruno hadn't revealed much. She only said that someone who could change the Yukinoshita family had taken an interest in one of his works.
She didn't specify which work, nor did she give any clues about who this person was.
Her only instruction was for him to focus on his current projects.
When the time was right, she would personally introduce him to this individual.
Su Yu simply couldn't imagine—
Who had the power to influence the entire Yukinoshita family?
However, he had accepted Haruno's proposal in exchange for her full support.
As long as it was within reason, he could ask for her help anytime.
And in return, all he had to do was keep drawing his manga and making the anime he wanted.
Nothing else mattered.
Looking at it this way—
Haruno had most likely recommended one of his works to this mysterious figure.
And that person was probably a wealthy young lady with a strong interest in manga or anime.
A young lady with enough power to alter the Yukinoshita family's fate?
It still seemed too surreal to believe.
Returning to Sakura Dormitory
When Su Yu stepped out of the car, he decided to stop thinking about Haruno for now.
Walking into the courtyard, he immediately noticed something—
The yard had been cleaned.
Even the empty beer cans from before were gone.
He glanced at the Kawasaki family's door and instantly understood.
Kawasaki Saki must have done it.
He was quite pleased with her efforts.
Just as he was about to head upstairs, a voice called out from behind.
"I made you dinner."
"Thanks. I'm actually hungry."
Turning around, Su Yu saw Kawasaki Saki standing in the doorway.
"Come in," she said, stepping aside.
"Did you all eat already?" Su Yu asked as he walked inside.
"Yeah. We ate with Sensei earlier. Your food just needs reheating."
"I'm not great at cooking, so I can only make simple home-style meals.
"But… if you want me to learn how to cook more advanced dishes, I can—"
"No need," Su Yu interrupted.
"I like the way you cook.
"Your food makes me feel comfortable.
"It shows that you care about me."
Hearing that, Kawasaki Saki froze for a moment.
Then, she frowned.
"Even if you say that, I'm never going to like you."
Su Yu's expression turned strange.
"…I was just complimenting you.
"I wasn't trying to make you fall for me."
Kawasaki Saki didn't respond.
Instead, she brought over a pair of indoor slippers for him.
Su Yu changed into them and headed to the living room.
Kawasaki Saki, meanwhile, went to the kitchen.
A Strange Proposal
In the living room, Kawasaki Keika sat quietly, reading a storybook.
When she noticed Su Yu, she smiled at him before returning to her book.
Su Yu took a seat on the sofa, glancing at Saki in the kitchen, then back at Keika.
For some reason—
He suddenly felt like he had come home.
"It's almost time for bed," Kawasaki Saki called out.
"Okay. Goodnight, Onee-chan! Goodnight, Su Yu Onii-chan!" Keika said cheerfully before heading to her room.
Saki waited until she heard the door close, then sat down across from Su Yu.
"How's your mom doing?" Su Yu asked.
"She's getting better. Thanks."
"That's good. If you ever need money, just let me know.
"As long as you keep working for me, you'll eventually pay off your debt."
Kawasaki Saki lifted her head, staring at him.
"And what if I can't?"
"Then… take your time."
"You and Yukinoshita. And Yuigahama.
"You haven't taken things that far, have you?"
Su Yu was stunned by the sudden question.
He had no idea what she meant.
Before he could ask, Kawasaki Saki pulled out her phone, scrolled to a specific page, and handed it to him.
Su Yu glanced at the screen—
And his expression froze.
It was a classified ad—the kind that could be deleted at any time.
The post listed services with corresponding prices.
For a moment, Su Yu was speechless.
"Back when I worked at a bar, a customer once asked me if I wanted to make more money," Saki explained.
"He showed me this website.
"I reported it to the bar manager, and I never saw that customer again.
"If… if you need me to do anything for you, we can follow the prices on this page.
"I… I've never dated anyone before," she added, her voice growing quieter.
Su Yu stared at her for a moment.
Then, he asked—
"Saki, how the hell did you even come up with this idea?"
"If my aunt or your sister found out about this, what do you think they'd say?"
"I just… don't want them to worry.
"I want to pay you back as soon as possible.
"I don't want to keep relying on you."
"What's wrong with letting people take care of you?" Su Yu frowned.
"If you plan on repaying me this way, then our relationship—"
"You don't have to worry.
"I won't cling to you.
"I don't date until after I graduate from university.
"So you can rest easy."
Su Yu went silent for a moment before responding—
"Saki, even though I have two girlfriends, I take relationships very seriously.
"I can't accept what you're suggesting.
"Unless you truly fall for me…
"Or unless I fall for you."
Kawasaki Saki didn't hesitate.
"I could never like you."
Su Yu nodded.
"Right now, I don't have any feelings for you either."
Saki looked at him curiously.
"Is liking someone really that important to you?"
"Very."
Su Yu's gaze was steady.
"If there's no love, and it's just physical, then why wouldn't I go for someone even prettier?"
Kawasaki Saki stared at him.
Then, after a long pause, she said—
"I don't get how you think…
"But I can try to like you.
"And I'll try to make you like me."
Hearing that, Su Yu let out a quiet breath of relief.
At least this way, he had avoided a disaster.
It was a harmless lie—a way to dissuade her while keeping things civil.
Because if he really accepted her offer—
Hiratsuka Sensei would definitely beat him half to death.
And if Yui accepted it, she'd still be hurt deep down.
As for Yukino…
She would never accept it.
On top of that—
If Saki's family ever found out, their relationship would be ruined forever.
Even if they kept it a secret, there was always a chance it would be exposed in the future.
And if that happened—
The consequences would be severe.
From the kitchen, the sound of dishes clinking echoed.
Kawasaki Saki stood up and walked away.
A few moments later, she returned with a plate of food.
Su Yu sat at the table and quietly ate his meal.
Kawasaki Saki sat beside him, her gaze fixed on him in silence.