Kawasaki Saki watched as Hiratsuka Shizuka and Su Yu argued but didn't interfere.
She understood—Shizuka was angry because she cared about her.
Even when Su Yu justified it as work, Shizuka's anger didn't lessen.
Instead—
She wanted to beat him up.
Su Yu realized this too.
But he didn't run away.
"Su Yu-kun, you haven't fully mastered the combat techniques I taught you, have you?"
Shizuka's voice was calm—but it held an undeniable challenge.
"More or less."
Su Yu replied casually.
"Want to test my progress, Shizuka-sensei?"
"Of course."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Let's find a quiet place."
"How about the park? After this, Saki can head to Future Manga Publishing."
"Fine."
Shizuka turned and walked out the door.
"Please, after you."
Su Yu gestured politely.
Shizuka snorted and left.
Saki watched them go, then bit her lip.
"Su Yu-kun…"
She looked worried.
"Go change your clothes."
Su Yu gave her a reassuring look.
"By the time I'm back, you'll be heading to Future Manga Publishing."
Then, he left.
Su Yu walked behind Shizuka.
Then—
"You already have them. Why keep adding more?
Do you not realize the consequences?"
Shizuka's tone was heavy.
Su Yu looked ahead.
"Shizuka-sensei, Yukino already discussed this with Saki.
She's aware that Saki might become my assistant or secretary.
What do you think that means?"
Shizuka paused for a moment, then sighed.
"Yukinoshita tolerates you because she likes you.
But that doesn't excuse you from being an idiot."
Then, she turned her sharp gaze on Su Yu.
"So? What kind of life do you want for Saki?
One where she works herself to exhaustion every day just to support her sister?"
Su Yu met her gaze directly.
"What kind of future do you want for her, Shizuka-sensei?
One where she's independent, safe, and happy?
Or one where she has no time for herself and barely sees her little sister?"
Shizuka's expression darkened.
"I want her to be happy.
I don't want her to be just another one of your girlfriends."
"Then you should talk to her."
Su Yu's response was calm.
Shizuka gritted her teeth.
"I will."
"So? Are you trying to convince me first?"
"Isn't it your fault?"
"Shizuka-sensei…"
Su Yu suddenly smiled slightly.
Then—
"You don't understand feelings."
Shizuka stopped walking immediately.
Then, she slowly turned—
Her eyes were ice-cold.
"Say that again."
"You don't understand feelings."
Su Yu repeated without hesitation.
Then, she took a fighting stance.
"If you can beat me,
I'll listen to whatever nonsense you have to say."
Su Yu smirked slightly.
"Fine. But if I win—
Then, Shizuka-sensei, you have to listen to me."
Even though they hadn't reached the park yet, this area was quiet enough.
Shizuka attacked first—
A shoulder throw aimed at slamming Su Yu to the ground.
But—
Su Yu sidestepped effortlessly.
Then, in an instant—
He grabbed her wrist and countered with his full strength.
BAM!
Shizuka hit the ground—her eyes filled with disbelief.
Then—she got angry.
"You—!"
She got back up and attacked again.
But—
Su Yu was ready.
He had memorized her combat techniques.
Even the moves she used on him before—he had already broken them down.
So, Shizuka switched styles.
She used a new set of techniques Su Yu hadn't seen before.
But—
Su Yu's dodging ability was maxed out.
She couldn't land a hit.
While he avoided her attacks, Su Yu carefully analyzed her movements.
His enhanced memory allowed him to study her patterns in real-time.
Su Yu wasn't planning to counterattack.
Instead—he was stalling for time.
Shizuka's stamina wasn't infinite.
Unlike Su Yu, whose physical enhancement gave him greater endurance,
Shizuka was already beginning to tire.
She wasn't in her prime anymore.
She used to drink often.
And no matter how much she trained, age was catching up.
Less than half an hour later—
Her attacks had become noticeably slower.
Su Yu's dodging got easier.
And then—
Shizuka launched one more strike.
Su Yu raised his hand—
And blocked it effortlessly.
"You lost, Shizuka-sensei."
Shizuka gritted her teeth.
"I haven't lost yet."
"I don't want to knock you down,
not as a student,
and not for any other reason."
Su Yu's voice was calm—but firm.
Shizuka grabbed his collar—but she didn't have the strength to throw him anymore.
She held her grip for a few moments—then finally let go.
"Can we talk now?"
Su Yu asked.
"I'm tired."
Shizuka looked away.
Su Yu turned around—then crouched down slightly.
"Come on."
Shizuka blinked.
"You're… offering me a piggyback ride?"
Her cheeks turned slightly pink.
"Yes. Can I have the honor, Shizuka-sensei?
I don't have any weird intentions.
I just think… having a caring older sister would be nice."
"If I had a younger brother like you,
I'd beat you up every single day."
She muttered, but slowly climbed onto his back.
Su Yu lifted her up and started walking.
Then—
"Shizuka-sensei…"
"Hm?"
"You're a little heavy—"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?"
"I mean, you're really light."
"Hmph. Walk faster. I'm thirsty."
Shizuka's cheeks flushed slightly.
Su Yu set her down and bought two drinks from a vending machine.
He handed one to her.
Shizuka didn't thank him—she just drank silently.
Then—she looked at the kids playing in the park.
Su Yu knew—
She was waiting for him to talk.
So—he finally spoke.
"Shizuka-sensei,
I saved the Kawasaki family because of Saki.
Saki accepted my help because it was me."
Shizuka stayed silent.
"At the time, she didn't even understand her own feelings.
Now—she does."
Shizuka frowned.
"So, is this my fault?
Should I have stopped you from helping her?"
"If I didn't help her,
she might have accepted your help instead.
Then, she would have worked herself to exhaustion
until she ended up in a hospital."
Shizuka fell silent.
And Su Yu smiled slightly.
Because—
She was starting to understand.
Notes-You can read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X