A Conversation in the Park
In the early morning, at a quiet park—
"Sensei, if you were in my position, could you make a girl sad twice?" Su Yu looked at Hiratsuka Shizuka.
"…That's just an excuse," Hiratsuka huffed and turned away.
She had to admit—if she were in Su Yu's shoes, she would've made the same choice.
But as an observer, Su Yu's actions were undeniably terrible.
No matter how many justifications he had, it didn't change the fact that he was terrible.
Su Yu didn't deny it. Instead, he just sighed.
"I hope you'll understand me someday."
"I will never understand you."
"For a student as awful as you, what I want most is to punch you in the face," Hiratsuka grumbled, clenching her small fist.
A Normal Morning at Sakura Hall
After their morning run, Su Yu woke Yuigahama Yui, helped her change into her school uniform, and the two of them headed downstairs.
Kawasaki Saki had already prepared breakfast and packed lunches for everyone.
Sitting around the table in the courtyard, they enjoyed breakfast together—a routine that had become daily life at Sakura Hall.
After breakfast, Hiratsuka Shizuka drove Kawasaki Keika to school.
Su Yu, Yui, and Kawasaki Saki left together for Soubu High.
Kawasaki Saki walked a few steps behind, quietly following them.
Su Yu held Yui's small hand, completely unconcerned about how Kawasaki Saki might feel.
Yui, on the other hand, kept stealing glances back at her.
The three of them walked toward school in a delicate atmosphere.
An Unexpected Greeting at the School Gate
Unlike usual, today—
Miura Yumiko and Ebina Hina were waiting at the front gate.
When Yumiko saw Su Yu, her face flushed red.
When she saw Yuigahama Yui, her expression became complicated.
Meanwhile, Yui acted like nothing was unusual at all.
"Yumiko! Hina! Good morning!"
With a bright smile, Yui let go of Su Yu's hand and ran up to her two best friends.
"Good morning, Yui," Ebina Hina said with a grin.
"…Good morning, Yui," Miura Yumiko murmured.
Su Yu walked over, speaking in a low voice, "Did you prepare a bento for me?"
Yumiko hesitated, then nodded.
"…Yeah."
She stole a glance at Yui, then looked down, unsure of herself.
"You don't have to. Kawasaki already makes my bento," Su Yu gently reminded her.
"…S-sorry… I just…" Yumiko's voice trailed off, her expression falling.
"Normally, I wouldn't be able to finish two bentos on my own… but luckily, I ate less for breakfast. Give it to me at lunch," Su Yu added calmly.
Miura Yumiko's eyes lit up with joy.
Yuigahama Yui blinked in realization—so that's why Su Yu ate less this morning.
He had already anticipated this.
Ebina Hina smiled knowingly.
First, he made Yumiko feel disappointed. Then, he gave her hope.
This kind of approach—rather than mere compliments—ensured that her happiness would last all day.
A Talk with Hayama Hayato
During PE class, Su Yu and Hayama Hayato played a close match before taking a break.
Meanwhile, Totsuka Saika and Hikigaya Hachiman started their own match.
Su Yu sat on a bench, watching them.
Hayama, seated beside him, was deep in thought.
Recalling his father's words, he looked at Su Yu with a newfound respect.
"Su Yu-kun… I heard you acquired a famous publishing house."
"Your father told you?"
Su Yu wasn't surprised.
"My father handled the paperwork. He said you're amazing and that I should learn from you."
Hayama's voice was serious.
"You don't need to learn from me."
"Just focus on being yourself. Right now, I'm walking on a tightrope—I could fall at any moment."
"…Is there anything I can do to help?" Hayama asked curiously.
"…What do you think of them?" Su Yu hesitated before asking.
Hayama followed his gaze toward Totsuka Saika and Hikigaya Hachiman.
He knew a little about Saika, but not much about Hikigaya.
"To be honest, I think Hikigaya is better than you," Su Yu said calmly.
"He's incredibly smart, has a sharp mind, and—most importantly—he's willing to take the fall for others when it matters."
Hayama looked genuinely shocked.
"Hikigaya… is that impressive?"
"Your social circle is too small."
"One of the reasons Yukinoshita Haruno doesn't like you is because you don't know how to choose your friends," Su Yu remarked meaningfully.
"…My father said something similar," Hayama admitted with a bitter smile.
"But that's exactly why I think you're a good person—someone I can trust."
Su Yu patted Hayama on the shoulder and stood up.
Hayama stared at him, deep in thought.
"…You really don't seem like a high schooler, Su Yu-kun."
Su Yu remained silent, lost in contemplation.
After a long pause, he turned to Hayama again.
"…I have a mission for you."
Hayama's eyes lit up.
He understood—this wasn't just any mission.
If he succeeded, it meant Su Yu truly recognized him.
"What do you need me to do?"
"Become his friend."
Su Yu gestured toward Hikigaya Hachiman.
"This summer, I'll arrange for both of you to visit Future Manga Publishing House."
"…Then I'll see his talents for myself?"
"Exactly."
"But… didn't he say he doesn't want a job?"
"He doesn't."
"But he needs money."
"…Needs money?"
Lunch Break – A Meeting at the Tennis Court
During lunch, Su Yu carried two bentos to the tennis court.
Coincidentally, Totsuka Saika and Hikigaya Hachiman were already there, eating convenience store bread and drinks.
Su Yu sat beside them, opened Kawasaki's bento, and started eating.
"Su Yu-kun, you're eating two bentos?!" Saika looked at him in shock.
"These are gifts from two girls. I can't waste them." Su Yu said casually.
"…Hah."
Hikigaya Hachiman glanced at him.
So he really is dating multiple girls at once.
"…A girl's feelings shouldn't be wasted," Saika smiled slightly.
"That goes for a boy's feelings too," Su Yu added with a smirk.
"If you gave Hikigaya a bento, he'd eat it all too."
"Cough, cough!" Hikigaya nearly choked on his drink.
"I'm not very good at cooking, but I've made miso soup a few times," Saika admitted, blushing.
"…Hikigaya, isn't one of your life goals to drink miso soup made by Saika every morning?" Su Yu asked with a completely serious expression.
"Wha—!?" Hikigaya's eye twitched.
"D-don't say stuff like that! I never—"
…But he had thought about it before.
How the hell does Su Yu know that?!
Could he… read minds?!
Damn it.
First he's a normie… now he's a psychic too?!
Su Yu smirked and looked at him.
"…Yes, Hikigaya. I can read minds."
"…"
Hikigaya Hachiman, internally screaming.
Notes-You can read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X