When the two girls returned to Sakurasou, they found that Su Yu had already come back and was reading a book.
Seated across from him were Hiratsuka Shizuka and Kawasaki Keika.
"Su Yu-kun, here are the sweets you wanted."
Yuigahama Yui walked into the courtyard, smiling as she placed a box of sweets in front of Su Yu.
Su Yu nodded and pushed the box toward Kawasaki Keika.
Kawasaki Keika was momentarily stunned, looking at Su Yu in surprise.
"This is a reward for good kids. Your sister has helped me a lot, so this is for you." Su Yu said softly.
Hearing this, Kawasaki Saki glanced at Yuigahama Yui.
She had assumed the sweets were meant for Su Yu.
"Su Yu-oniisan, I… I can't accept this…" Kawasaki Keika's voice was barely audible.
"Do you think you've caused me trouble?" Su Yu immediately saw through her thoughts.
Kawasaki Keika looked at him in astonishment.
Su Yu gave her a gentle smile and then turned his gaze toward the cherry blossom tree.
"This year, I sat here alone, watching the cherry blossoms, realizing that there was no one around me. Before heading to school, I put up an ad for a rental apartment, which brought in Shizuka-sensei."
"Shizuka-sensei likes to drink. Next year, when we watch the cherry blossoms here again, I'll prepare some snacks that go well with alcohol. I enjoy both Western and Japanese cuisine. Your sister can cook a lot of Japanese dishes, and I can make the Western ones myself."
"By then, you should be sitting next to your sister. And beside me will be your Yui-neesan, along with her friends."
Kawasaki Keika listened, her eyes showing a trace of confusion.
But the other three had already understood.
With Hiratsuka Shizuka and the Kawasaki family moving in, this apartment would become livelier next year—something they had all brought into Su Yu's life.
"You'll understand what I mean in time. Or you can ask your sister if you should accept my gift." Su Yu smiled at the puzzled Kawasaki Keika.
Keika turned to her sister.
Kawasaki Saki gave a slight nod.
Su Yu opened the box and handed Keika a fork.
She accepted it, muttered a quiet "thank you," then looked at the dessert in front of her.
A few seconds later, she suddenly turned to Hiratsuka Shizuka.
Then, carefully cutting a small piece of the dessert, she cupped it in her little hands and offered it to her.
"Shizuka-sensei…"
"I don't really like sweets, but since you're offering, I won't refuse." Hiratsuka Shizuka said, taking the small bite.
A smile appeared on Kawasaki Keika's face as she then turned to Yuigahama Yui.
"I already had some earlier." Yui chuckled.
"So did I," Kawasaki Saki added, watching her sister.
"Don't look at me—I'm not interested in sweets. Besides, if you try feeding me, I might get punched by your Shizuka-sensei." Su Yu quickly responded when he noticed Keika's gaze shifting toward him.
"Su Yu-kun, you're really sensible." Hiratsuka Shizuka's smile was exactly like Yukinoshita Yukino's once was.
After dinner, Su Yu and Yuigahama Yui headed upstairs.
Kawasaki Keika watched them go, a puzzled look in her eyes.
Who exactly is Su Yu-oniisan's girlfriend?
It seemed like her sister wouldn't tell her, and she didn't dare ask.
Inside Su Yu's room, he had Yuigahama Yui answer a few test questions. She got them all right, proving she hadn't been slacking off over the weekend.
But when Su Yu asked about her cooking progress, she averted her gaze, unable to meet his eyes.
"Well… it's still not that great for now…"
Su Yu immediately understood from her expression that her cooking was still far from decent.
He shook his head but didn't scold her.
Even if she couldn't learn it now, he could continue teaching her during the summer break.
"Su Yu-kun, do you… want to see?"
"See what—" Before Su Yu could finish his sentence, he saw her take out a maid outfit.
"I… I already tried it on. It fits perfectly," Yui said softly, her face burning red.
"A maid outfit needs the right accessories to really catch my attention, or…" Su Yu eyed her up and down.
"O-Or what?" Yui's face grew even redder.
"I'm going to the bathroom. Once you're dressed, come find me there." Su Yu stood up.
Yui's face instantly turned crimson.
She knew she was about to learn something new—something probably a little embarrassing.
An hour later, in Su Yu's room.
Yuigahama Yui leaned against Su Yu's chest, asking about Yukinoshita Yukino.
Su Yu didn't hide anything. He told her about their date and what happened that night.
"When I told her my relationship with you had grown closer, she started feeling anxious."
"In a way, I should be thanking you."
"Thank you, little dummy."
Su Yu gazed at the girl in his arms.
"I… Am I your first?" Yui looked up at him.
"Mm. Whether it's holding hands, hugging, or kissing—you were my first for all of them." Su Yu nodded.
"Then… can I also be your first for… that?" Yui's face was flushed as she spoke.
Su Yu was momentarily stunned. "That… I need to think about seriously."
"Su Yu-kun, I… I'm ready anytime," Yui mustered up the courage to say.
"You little dummy, you're already the number one in my heart." Su Yu pulled her into a tight embrace.
Hearing those words, Yui hugged him back just as tightly.
The next morning, at the park.
"Shizuka-sensei, I have a question I don't quite understand."
"You actually have something you don't understand?"
"Why do couples always have to take the final step to confirm their relationship?"
"I don't really get it either. Want to ask my fists if they understand?"
"Please teach me. I want to learn your martial arts, Shizuka-sensei."
"No problem. I've been wanting to train you for a while."
As soon as their conversation ended, they stood up.
Su Yu mimicked a stance from the movies.
Hiratsuka Shizuka smiled.
In the next instant, she lunged forward, grabbed Su Yu's arm, and—before he could react—flipped him onto the ground.
The force of the throw made one thing clear to Su Yu: Shizuka-sensei was a true martial artist, possessing both strength and skill.
"Still want to learn?" Shizuka smiled down at him.
"Please teach me more." Su Yu got back on his feet, unfazed by the loss.
Shizuka-sensei nodded in satisfaction. Getting to beat up Su Yu first thing in the morning made her feel like the rest of the day would be fantastic.
And so, over the next ten minutes, Su Yu was thrown at least ten times.
On the bright side, he had at least learned how to dodge.
"Alright, that's enough for today. Your fundamentals are awful. Starting tomorrow, I'll teach you some basic combat techniques," Shizuka said, watching him get up again.
"Thank you, Shizuka-sensei." Su Yu wasn't in much pain—it was clear she had been holding back.
Notes-You can read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X