A Sudden Request
After school, Monday afternoon.
Su Yu was about to tutor the three girls again when he received a message from Hiratsuka Shizuka.
After reading it, he looked up—
Right at Kawasaki Saki, who happened to be looking at him at the same time.
She was holding her phone, too.
Su Yu sighed.
He had expected this to happen eventually—but he hadn't thought it would happen so soon.
In truth, even if Hiratsuka hadn't suggested it, he would have brought it up himself.
But now, Hiratsuka had made the suggestion first—and even offered a tempting deal.
There was no reason to refuse.
So, Su Yu put away his phone and gave Saki a slight nod.
She immediately understood and quickly packed up her things.
Thus…
There was now one more person heading to the Service Club.
A Deal Worth Accepting
On the way there, Su Yu showed Yuigahama Yui Hiratsuka's message.
After reading it, Yui giggled awkwardly.
The final part of the message was related to her—
If she failed her final exams, Hiratsuka would personally tutor her at Sakura Dorm or another location.
This meant that even if Yui failed, she wouldn't have to come to school every day during summer vacation for remedial lessons.
A deal too good to refuse.
Serious Study Time
Inside the quiet Service Club room, Kawasaki Saki sat slightly apart from the others, working on a set of problems Su Yu had assigned her.
Su Yu said nothing about her distancing herself.
After all—
Unlike Hikigaya Hachiman, she didn't need his help making friends.
Because—
Someone already interested in her was sitting right across from him.
Ebina Hina.
Feeling Su Yu's gaze, Hina looked up and met his eyes.
Then, following his subtle cue, she smirked and adjusted her glasses.
Neither Miura Yumiko nor Yui noticed their silent exchange.
Miura was focused on improving her grades, while Yui was simply trying to avoid failing.
Soon, Saki finished her assigned problems.
Su Yu checked her answers, quickly identifying her weak points.
Most of her mistakes were on memorization-based questions.
Before, Saki simply didn't have the time to properly learn these key points.
Looking up, Su Yu explained the areas she needed to focus on.
Saki listened carefully and wrote them down.
If she memorized them, her grades could reach Miura Yumiko's level.
An Unexpected Invitation
After two hours of studying, everyone packed up.
Then, out of nowhere—
Ebina Hina turned to Saki.
"Saki Saki~, are you free this afternoon? Wanna go shopping with us?"
"I'm busy, I—"
"Help me pick out a maid outfit for Yui."
Su Yu cut her off before she could refuse.
Saki froze for a second.
Then, after a moment of hesitation—
"…Got it."
She nodded and accepted it as part of her job.
Yui's face turned bright red.
"S-Su Yu-kun! I don't want a maid outfit!"
"Pick one for yourself, too," Su Yu added casually.
"You might need it during summer break."
Saki blinked in confusion.
But eventually, she nodded again.
Meanwhile—
Miura Yumiko's expression turned shocked.
What kind of situation would require a maid outfit?!
Hina, on the other hand, smirked knowingly.
She saw right through Su Yu's excuse—
He just wanted to drag Saki along and help her bond with the group.
With that settled, the girls headed off to shop.
Su Yu?
He went to the tennis club to train.
Shopping with the Girls
Hina led them to one of their favorite stores—
A place popular with girls, serving various drinks and desserts.
Each of them ordered something sweet.
Halfway through eating, Yui received a message.
After reading it, she smiled.
Then, she stood up, walked over to the counter, and ordered a takeout dessert.
When she returned, Miura Yumiko raised an eyebrow.
"Is that for Su Yu-kun?"
Yui nodded.
"Mhm. He asked me to buy it for him."
As she spoke, she stole a glance at Saki, who was quietly eating her own dessert.
Miura frowned slightly—then looked closely at the dessert Yui had ordered.
She memorized it.
Hina, seeing this, smirked again.
She already knew what was happening.
And she also knew—
That dessert wasn't for Su Yu himself.
The Maid Outfit Plan
After finishing their desserts, the four girls headed to a maid outfit store.
Originally, only Yui and Saki were supposed to get one.
But when they arrived, Hina changed her mind.
She decided to get one for herself, too.
Then—
Miura Yumiko also picked one out.
When Yui tried hers on, she felt like it fit surprisingly well—but she was still embarrassed.
Saki, however, remained indifferent.
She had once considered working at a maid café before, but the short work hours made it not worth it.
For Hina, it was pure curiosity—and to her own surprise, it actually suited her.
Miura, on the other hand, was initially hesitant about buying one.
Until Hina leaned in and whispered—
"Su Yu-kun seems to really like maid outfits."
That did it.
In the end—
All four girls walked out carrying maid outfits.
The Walk Home with Saki
As Hina and Miura left together, Yui and Saki walked back toward Sakura Dorm.
Along the way, Yui hesitated for a moment—then spoke.
"Sorry about today, Kawasaki-san…
"Hina just wanted to get to know you better. She didn't mean anything bad."
Saki glanced at her.
"It's fine. You don't need to apologize."
Still, Yui felt bad.
"I feel a little guilty… we dragged you around shopping all day."
Saki shook her head.
"I was just following orders.
"It's my job."
Then, Yui asked something unexpected—
"If Su Yu-kun…
Ever asked you to do something unreasonable…
Would you agree to it?"
Saki paused for a moment.
Then, without hesitation—
"Yes.
"I need the money."
Yui opened her mouth, but no words came out.
After a long pause, Saki added—
"I agreed to this because he helped me.
"He saved my family."
Yui fell silent.
Then—
She smiled softly.
"If it were me…
"I think I would've already fallen for Su Yu-kun."
Saki's footsteps suddenly stopped.