The Final Performance
Sakura Yuki's voice acting came to an end.
Su Yu was impressed with her skills—her performance reminded him of Isshiki Iroha.
Sakura Yuki smiled softly before stepping back to the sofa.
Now, it was Shimizu Saori's turn.
She walked to the microphone.
Her character? A mature senpai (upperclassman)—but with freeform dialogue.
Su Yu noticed that Saori wasn't speaking first.
She was waiting for him.
So, he started—
"Sorry, Senpai. I'm late."
"It's fine. Can we start now?"
"Start…? Start what?"
"Treatment."
"Treatment?"
"I hate men getting close to me."
"Then, what about me?"
"You're… different. I want you to be different."
Su Yu glanced at Saori.
Her voice was cold—but there was a hint of hesitation in it.
"Then… please hold out your hand. We'll—"
"Kiss me."
"…Senpai? What did you just say?"
"Kiss me."
"That… That's impossible!"
"I locked the door.
If you don't kiss me, we'll be stuck here until morning."
At that moment, Su Yu felt as if he had been transported into the Service Club room.
Shimizu Saori standing before him.
The door locked behind her.
For a split second, he imagined her in a sailor uniform, like a scene from a romance novel.
"I'd rather stay here with Senpai until morning."
"Why? Am I not pretty?"
"You're beautiful, but I already like someone."
"Have you kissed her?"
"N-No… I haven't."
"Then why reject me?"
Saori's voice sharpened.
She was looking at Su Yu intently.
Su Yu paused for a few seconds before responding—
"If I kissed Senpai, it would mean I've betrayed the girl I love.
And then, I'd have to take responsibility for Senpai."
"I don't need you to take responsibility."
"Then, Senpai… would you allow me to have two girlfriends?"
"I don't care. It doesn't matter to me."
Su Yu smiled slightly.
"I just found a reason not to like you."
Saori narrowed her eyes.
"What reason?"
This time, Su Yu waited a few seconds before answering.
"Senpai doesn't actually like me."
"I like you."
"No. If Senpai truly liked someone, she wouldn't say those words.
If I liked Senpai, I wouldn't want other men around her."
Saori fell silent.
She hesitated, her usually calm demeanor breaking.
Su Yu saw her struggle to respond and nodded in satisfaction.
"Shimizu-san, your lines were fascinating. It felt like a real scene—like a senpai who doesn't understand love but has feelings for the protagonist."
"…Thank you."
Saori lowered her head, her face returning to its usual emotionless expression.
"Su Yu-nii, voice acting is amazing! Where should I start learning?"
Komachi stood up excitedly, looking at Su Yu.
Su Yu turned to the three voice actresses.
"Komachi has no experience. Who would be willing to teach her?"
Akizuki Rina and Sakura Yuki exchanged glances—then both turned to Shimizu Saori.
Saori met Komachi's gaze.
"I can teach you."
"Really? You'd teach me?"
Komachi's eyes lit up.
She could tell that Saori was the strongest among them.
"One month."
"Huh?"
"If she works hard, she can become an official voice actress in one month."
Saori turned to Su Yu.
Su Yu nodded without hesitation.
"Then I'll count on you. I'll have Sata Kana arrange main character audition opportunities for you."
"I'll earn my own roles. I'll take Komachi with me to auditions. Just give me the chance."
Saori shook her head.
"Alright. I understand."
After leaving Hoshiyuu Talent Agency, Su Yu rode his motorcycle alone.
Komachi stayed with Saori.
Sata Kana returned to Flash Animation.
Half an hour later, Su Yu arrived back at Sakurasou.
In the courtyard, he saw Kawasaki Saki and Kawasaki Keika.
Hiratsuka Shizuka was nowhere to be seen.
"Where's Shizuka-sensei?"
"She left in the morning and hasn't come back."
Saki answered.
Su Yu glanced at the empty parking space.
She took her car, so she'll probably return later.
Since Saki had work this afternoon, she wouldn't leave Keika alone at home unless she was sure Su Yu was around.
Su Yu looked at Keika, then at the time.
It wasn't lunchtime yet.
"Want to go to the zoo?"
Su Yu sat next to Keika.
The little girl looked at her sister.
Saki hesitated.
Su Yu continued.
"After the zoo, we can have lunch together. Then, we'll visit your mother. How about it?"
Keika grabbed her sister's sleeve.
She was worried about her mother.
She hadn't visited the hospital since moving to Sakurasou.
Su Yu turned to Saki.
"Kawasaki-san, I'd like to meet your mother too."
Saki hesitated—then stood up.
"I'll go change."
"Me too!" Keika chirped.
Saki looked at Su Yu once more before heading inside with Keika.
"Please wait a moment."
After taking a train and walking, they arrived at the zoo.
Keika was thrilled.
She rarely got to go out with her sister, so she was eager to take photos with the animals.
She even drew some of them in her sketchbook.
"Sorry for the trouble."
Saki murmured to Su Yu.
"This was my idea. Consider it part of my job."
Su Yu watched Keika from behind.
"Are you really going to visit the hospital?"
Saki's expression grew complicated.
"Will your mother misunderstand?"
Su Yu asked.
Saki nodded.
"She'll definitely think we're in a relationship."
"Then let her misunderstand."
Su Yu smiled.
"That way, at least she'll feel reassured that I can take care of you both."
Saki bit her lip.
"I… I don't want to trouble you."
Su Yu turned to her, eyes serious.
"Are you planning to leave my side?"
"N-No! That's not what I meant—"
"You're my future assistant. I won't let you leave."
Su Yu interrupted her.
Saki stared at him, heart pounding.
"I… I won't leave."
She took a deep breath, then met his eyes with determination.
"To me, you're one of the most important people in my life.
Whether it's for work—or for other reasons—I won't let you go so easily.
That's my honest feeling."
Saki clenched her fists.
"I won't leave you."
Notes-You can read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X