On the way to Sobu High School.
Kawasaki Saki walked beside Su Yu.
Unlike usual, her mood today was complicated—both shy and a little happy.
With Yuigahama Yui and Yukinoshita Yukino absent, she could walk right next to Su Yu, just a little closer.
As she was thinking this, she suddenly felt her small hand being held.
She snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Su Yu.
"Little Yukino let you stay by my side because you're useful to me and trustworthy."
"I could choose to treat you as just an assistant, using you without any feelings involved, or I could give you a reason—a reason to stay by my side."
"I chose the latter. I want you to stay with me. Work for me. Be mine..."
Su Yu didn't finish his last sentence, but the meaning was obvious.
Kawasaki Saki's face turned red. She understood what he meant.
"Whether it's out of gratitude or because you like me, you can give me your answer when you've figured it out."
Su Yu kissed the back of her hand lightly before letting go.
Up ahead, other Sobu High students had started to appear.
Kawasaki Saki didn't answer him immediately—she hadn't found the answer herself.
Was it more out of gratitude, or was it love?
She felt lost.
If she liked Su Yu because of gratitude, did that count as true love?
Su Yu watched her expression but didn't push her.
To him, no matter the reason, love was still love.
At the entrance of Sobu High.
Su Yu spotted the Yukinoshita family's car from afar.
Kawasaki Saki noticed it too and quickly stepped ahead to put some distance between them.
Su Yu watched her leave before heading toward the car.
At the same time, Yukinoshita Yukino stepped out.
"Good morning, Little Yukino," Su Yu greeted her with a smile.
"Shizuka-sensei told me everything," Yukinoshita Yukino said plainly.
"Miss Yukinoshita, second daughter of the family, good morning." Su Yu bent slightly in a polite bow.
"I didn't tell Yuigahama-san," Yukino continued.
"Do you have any conditions?" Su Yu asked, looking at her.
"I won't use something like this to make you do anything for me," she shook her head.
Su Yu was momentarily stunned.
Then, he understood her intention.
She knew, but she wasn't demanding anything—an incredibly clever move.
This way, guilt would naturally compel Su Yu to make it up to her, one way or another—whether for her or for Yuigahama Yui.
"Little Yukino, who taught you this?" Su Yu asked, suspecting this wasn't just her own wisdom at play.
"Shizuka-sensei," Yukino replied.
"So this is her counterattack?" Su Yu immediately realized.
"What counterattack?" Yukino asked, puzzled.
"Nothing… I underestimated Shizuka-sensei."
He had assumed Hiratsuka-sensei didn't understand relationships, yet now she had taught Yukino this brilliant tactic—what a perfect counterattack against him.
Did she not understand emotions? She understood them too well!
No, to be precise, she understood his weaknesses too well.
If she had directly asked him for something, it would have had a short-term effect at best.
By choosing not to demand anything, she ensured that his guilt would last much longer.
Next time something similar happened, he would remember Yukino's words, and his guilt would only deepen.
Realizing this, Su Yu took a deep breath.
Shizuka-sensei, I really underestimated you.
At the shoe lockers, Su Yu changed into his indoor shoes and headed to the classroom.
Miura Yumiko noticed him and gave him a smile.
Su Yu nodded slightly in acknowledgment before heading to his seat.
Just as he sat down, Yuigahama Yui walked over with a bento box in hand.
This was what he had asked for last night—he wanted to try a bento from the Yuigahama household.
"Good morning, Su Yu-kun!" Yuigahama Yui greeted cheerfully, placing the bento on his desk.
"Good morning, little idiot," Su Yu said as he reached for the bento.
"I made today's bento myself," Yuigahama Yui said, hands behind her back, smiling proudly.
"Yui, is this a punishment?" Su Yu's hand froze mid-air.
"That's mean, Su Yu-kun! Even my mom said it turned out great!" She pouted.
"Really? Then I'm relieved," Su Yu sighed in relief.
Yuigahama Yui's expression turned sulky.
She knew her cooking skills weren't great, but did Su Yu really have to act like she had made something poisonous?
"I studied a lot of cookbooks and even asked Little Yukino for help, but Su Yu-kun still thinks my cooking is bad. So mean," she murmured.
"Sorry, that was my mistake. How about this—tonight, you'll cook dinner. No matter what you make, I'll finish it all," Su Yu said, taking her hand.
"Really?" Her eyes lit up.
"Yeah, I want to see how much you've improved."
"Leave it to me! I'll totally surprise you. I'm not the same clumsy cook I used to be!" she declared confidently.
"I know. Yui is a big idiot now," Su Yu teased.
Her face turned red as she felt his gaze on her. She was happy yet embarrassed at the same time.
Suddenly, she leaned close and whispered something in his ear.
Su Yu's expression turned strange.
Did his little idiot really just ask that?
Yuigahama Yui lowered her head in embarrassment, realizing just how bold her question was.
Su Yu thought for a moment.
"I like both. Each has its own charm."
Hearing his answer, Yuigahama Yui didn't press further. Instead, she changed the topic to last week's exams.
The midterm rankings would be posted at noon in the hallway. Then, they'd see who ranked first.
Su Yu looked a little regretful.
Originally, he could have made Little Yukino agree to a request if he won.
But now, because of the Kawasaki Saki situation, he didn't dare to bring up their bet.
The morning classes flew by.
As soon as lunch break started, Su Yu headed for the hallway bulletin board.
Even before he got close, he could hear the students murmuring.
"Yukinoshita-san isn't first this time?"
"Who is this Su Yu guy?"
"I heard he's a transfer student. Didn't expect him to be this smart."
Su Yu glanced at the ranking.
First place: Su Yu.
Second place: Yukinoshita Yukino.
This result didn't surprise him at all.
With his enhanced memory, if he couldn't surpass Yukinoshita Yukino, that would be absurd.
Su Yu turned to leave, bento in hand.
Before he got far, his phone vibrated.
Notes-You can read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X