Su Yu didn't stay too long at Future Manga Publishing House.
After finishing his discussion with Satou Yumiko and introducing Kawasaki Saki to her, he left.
On the way back, he stopped by a well-known dessert shop and bought a cake.
As he walked down the street carrying the cake, he remembered Yuigahama Yui's birthday.
Of course, there was no way he would forget—after all, it was part of the anime's storyline.
Not to mention, Yuigahama Yui's email address clearly included the date.
She must have been secretly anticipating it, but knowing her personality, she would never remind Su Yu.
So…
"I have to give my little fool a birthday she'll never forget."
A small smile appeared on Su Yu's face.
Returning to Sakura Hall
By the time Su Yu stepped into the courtyard, tutoring had just ended.
"Sensei, thank you for your hard work," he greeted Hiratsuka Shizuka.
"What's Kawasaki Saki's new job?" Hiratsuka asked.
"She's the assistant to the president at Future Manga Publishing. I want her to get involved early so she can work for me more effectively in the future," Su Yu replied.
"…Work for you?" Hiratsuka frowned.
"It was Yukino's arrangement, and Kawasaki agreed to it. You don't need to worry," Su Yu reassured her.
"Now that you put it that way, I'm even more worried. But since it was her own decision, I won't say anything more," Hiratsuka sighed and gave Su Yu a long look.
Su Yu understood what she meant and nodded.
Then, he turned to Ebina Hina and Miura Yumiko.
"Miura-san, Ebina-san, after dinner, I'll walk you both to the station."
"Thanks, Su Yu-kun," Ebina Hina said with a playful smile.
"…Thank you," Miura Yumiko murmured, keeping her head down.
"Yui, come with me."
Su Yu said that and walked into Kawasaki's house.
Yuigahama Yui followed him inside.
Kawasaki Keika was diligently working on her homework. She knew that even if her sister wasn't home, Shizuka-sensei and Su Yu-nii would take care of her.
In Kawasaki's kitchen, Su Yu carefully sliced the cake, placing the remaining portion in the fridge.
Yuigahama Yui took the plated slices and left the house to distribute them.
A short while later, she returned with her own slice and approached Su Yu.
"I don't like cake," Su Yu sighed, feeling helpless.
"What if I feed it to you?" Yuigahama Yui teased, smiling sweetly.
Faced with her bright, joyful expression, Su Yu had no choice but to take a bite from her fork.
Yuigahama Yui giggled happily before leaving the kitchen, not wanting to disturb him.
Su Yu then turned his attention to preparing dinner.
Dinner Time
"Shizuka-sensei, since Kawasaki has work in the afternoon, she won't be able to cook dinner anymore. So, I have a proposal—would you be willing to consider it?" Su Yu said casually while eating.
"…What proposal?" Hiratsuka Shizuka had a bad feeling.
"You'll continue tutoring them, and Ebina-san and Miura-san will handle cooking at Sakura Hall. I'd like more time to focus on my manga," Su Yu said with a smile.
Hiratsuka hesitated.
But before she could refuse, Su Yu turned to Ebina Hina and Miura Yumiko.
"Ebina-san, Miura-san, you don't have any objections, right?"
"We don't mind, but… always eating here feels a little awkward," Ebina Hina said, blinking as if she had figured out what Su Yu was up to.
"We can talk more about that on the way to the station," Su Yu said, glancing briefly at Miura Yumiko before looking back at Ebina.
"Got it." Ebina Hina adjusted her glasses.
Seeing how things were progressing, Hiratsuka Shizuka knew she couldn't refuse.
She sighed heavily and shot Su Yu an annoyed glare.
"…Fine. For the sake of your manga, I'll agree."
"Thank you, Sensei! Once the manga's volume releases, I'll sign a copy for you."
Su Yu grinned.
"Let's just hope your signature actually increases its value."
"You should keep it safe—who knows? A few years from now, it might be worth hundreds of times more."
"I'll believe in your skills, just this once."
"Thank you for your faith, Sensei."
After finishing their meal, the three girls cleaned up the dishes.
Su Yu waited for them outside.
A few minutes later, they came out together.
"See you tomorrow, Yui," Ebina Hina said softly.
"Mm, see you tomorrow," Yuigahama Yui replied with a warm smile.
"…See you tomorrow, Yui," Miura Yumiko's voice was small and hesitant.
"Yumiko, you've changed a little," Yuigahama Yui said, looking at her friend.
"I…"
"Yumiko has become kinder," Yuigahama Yui said with a smile.
Miura Yumiko lowered her head.
Ebina Hina's usual playful expression faded as she quietly observed the two girls.
"No matter what happens, Yumiko, you'll always be my best friend," Yuigahama Yui whispered.
"…Yui…" Miura Yumiko's eyes carried a mix of guilt and regret.
Yuigahama Yui, pretending not to notice, turned to Su Yu.
"Su Yu-kun, I'll wait for you at home."
Then, she quickly headed upstairs.
"Change into your maid outfit and wait for me," Su Yu called after her.
Yuigahama Yui's face instantly turned bright red.
She turned back, glaring at him, before hurrying up the stairs even faster.
As Su Yu listened to the sound of a door closing upstairs, he prepared to leave Sakura Hall.
But just as he was about to step out…
A hand rested on his shoulder.
"…Sensei, is there something you need?" Su Yu didn't turn around—he already knew it was Hiratsuka Shizuka.
"Not really. I just… feel like punching you," she said after a brief silence, withdrawing her hand.
"Guess I'll ask you why when I get back," Su Yu said, glancing at her.
"There's no reason," she huffed.
Su Yu chuckled and walked toward the door.
"See you tomorrow, Sensei," Ebina Hina waved playfully.
"…See you tomorrow, Sensei," Miura Yumiko gave a polite bow, still avoiding Hiratsuka's gaze.
Kawasaki Keika sat quietly, sensing the odd atmosphere but not fully understanding it.
"…This guy, seriously…"
Hiratsuka Shizuka sighed.
Is Yuigahama Yui smart?
If you looked at her grades, she definitely wasn't an academic genius.
But as a girl—her emotional intelligence surpassed even Yukinoshita Yukino.
From the way she spoke earlier, it was obvious that she knew Miura Yumiko had feelings for Su Yu.
And yet—she didn't blame Su Yu.
She didn't resent Miura Yumiko.
She knew everything—but chose to act like she didn't.
This afternoon, Hiratsuka had watched their interactions carefully. Yuigahama Yui never showed any signs of discomfort or jealousy.
What did that mean?
It meant that she genuinely thought this way.
She truly wouldn't distance herself from her friend over something like this.
Her kindness wasn't about pretending to be oblivious—it was knowing the truth and choosing not to expose it.
That realization made Hiratsuka Shizuka furious.
She really, really wanted to punch Su Yu.
Why… why would he hurt such a kind girl?
(t/n: simple get rid of the damn Japanese law and marry them_)
Notes-You can read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X