At the Station
Standing outside the station, Su Yu watched Ebina Hina and Miura Yumiko disappear into the crowd.
Then, he took out his phone and called Yukinoshita Yukino.
A few rings later, she picked up.
"I heard from Yui. So… are you accepting her? Rejecting her? Or do you just not know how to reject her?"
Su Yu chuckled awkwardly as he started walking back toward Sakura Hall.
"Yukino, you really understand me too well."
"…So, you don't know how to reject her?" Yukinoshita sighed.
"She's already experienced despair once. I didn't want to hurt her again… so I gave her a chance," Su Yu admitted.
"What kind of chance?"
"A chance to become an idol. In the future, I plan to acquire an idol agency, but for now, she can start with Flash Animation. With her singing ability, she can perform anime OPs or EDs. If she's interested in voice acting, I can enroll her in a professional training program," Su Yu explained.
Miura Yumiko had the potential for both idol work and voice acting.
The difference was that idols had to be in the spotlight, whereas voice actors could keep a lower profile.
"I understand. I'll handle the arrangements," Yukinoshita said after a brief silence.
"Just give her the opportunity—she wants to prove herself through her own abilities," Su Yu reminded her.
"…If she really has the talent, then I'll forgive you for being so terrible," Yukinoshita muttered.
"Thank you, my adorable fiancée."
"…Idiot," Yukinoshita's voice held a hint of embarrassment.
"Yes, yes, I'm the worst."
Returning to Sakura Hall
When Su Yu arrived back, Hiratsuka Shizuka was nowhere to be seen.
Instead, he found Kawasaki Saki staring off into space.
"Are you getting used to them? The high heels," Su Yu asked.
"Mm… Thank you," Kawasaki Saki snapped out of her thoughts and responded.
"Besides that… is there anything else you want to say?" Su Yu studied her.
"…The cake… Thanks." Kawasaki Saki's voice was quiet.
Su Yu smiled, stepping closer.
Seeing him approach, Kawasaki Saki suddenly seemed flustered and turned her head away.
"Whether you become my assistant or secretary, I don't mind. It depends on how much effort you put in. But don't overwork yourself—don't go back to being as exhausted as you were before, okay?" Su Yu said softly.
"I… I know. My current job is easy. I won't push myself like before."
Her cheeks turned slightly red as she spoke.
"My little maid, keep up the good work."
Su Yu patted her head lightly before heading upstairs.
Kawasaki Saki watched his retreating figure, listening to his footsteps ascending the stairs.
"…Good night."
Her voice was barely a whisper.
Inside Su Yu's Room
After changing shoes at the entrance, Su Yu walked into the living room but didn't see Yuigahama Yui.
He glanced toward his bedroom and pushed open the door.
There, wearing his oversized shirt, sitting in front of the computer, was Yuigahama Yui.
"Su Yu-kun, how did it go?" She turned her head at the sound of the door.
"My little fool is getting smarter," Su Yu said as he walked inside.
"I… I didn't want to keep it from Yukino," Yui lowered her head.
"I wasn't blaming you. I was genuinely impressed by how smart you've become."
Su Yu reached out and rested his hand on her head.
"I… I've always been smart! It's just that Su Yu-kun never noticed," Yui stood up quickly.
"…Are you trying to apologize?"
It was only now that Su Yu realized—she was wearing his shirt.
Though it was oversized, it still looked a little small when she stood up.
Yuigahama Yui's face flushed red, and she didn't respond.
"My first instinct is to take a picture of you right now and send it to Yukino," Su Yu mused as he sat down in a chair.
"Su Yu-kun…!" Yui's blush deepened.
"…But Yukino is the jealous type, so I'll pass."
Instead, Su Yu pulled her into his arms.
"…If you're mad, you can hit me," Yui whispered.
"You know I'd never hit you."
Su Yu gazed at her, his hand slowly wandering where it shouldn't.
"Su Yu-kun…"
Yui looked up at him, eyes filled with a certain expectation.
Seeing her like this, Su Yu no longer held back.
He leaned down.
Yuigahama Yui closed her eyes and kissed him back.
The kiss lasted for several minutes.
When Su Yu finally pulled away, Yui's face was completely red.
Then, without hesitation, he scooped her up into his arms.
One Hour Later
Yuigahama Yui was still blushing as she sat on the bed.
"…You really turned into a fool just now," Su Yu murmured behind her, wrapping his arms around her again.
"Su Yu-kun, you're such a jerk," Yui pouted and turned away from him, glaring.
"Don't tell Yukino about this," Su Yu whispered into her ear.
"When the time is right, I'll make sure she becomes a fool just like you."
"Wha—? There's no way I'd tell Yukino about this!" Yui was utterly mortified.
"…I can't wait to see Yukino acting like a fool."
"I'll warn her about you, Su Yu-kun!"
"Yui, you still don't understand Yukino. She has her bold moments too."
"…Really? What kind of things has she done?"
Su Yu smirked and whispered something in Yui's ear.
The moment she heard it, her face turned beet red.
Yukino actually did that kind of thing?!
Then… shouldn't she… do the same?
But… but that kind of thing…!
Su Yu watched as Yui's expression shifted from embarrassment to deep thought.
Of course, the truth was—
Yukino had never actually done anything like that.
But it didn't matter.
If Yui believed it, then she would naturally start thinking about it.
Just like how he had once told a similar lie to Yukino.
Because of that, Yukino believed that Yui could do things she herself should also be capable of.
Even if the two girls were close, there were some topics they would never discuss outright.
That meant—the lie would never be exposed.
By the time they figured it out, their children would probably already be in school.
(t/n: all according to keikaku..)
A New Topic
"Su Yu-kun, how do you plan to handle Yumiko… and Hina?" Yui suddenly asked.
"I want Yumiko to become an idol. As for Ebina… there's nothing between us," Su Yu clarified.
Yui hesitated briefly before voicing her own suspicions.
"…I think Hina likes you too."
"I know."
Su Yu's casual response surprised Yui.
"But Hina is different from Yumiko. She's smart. She won't stay by my side just because she likes me."