Returning to Sakura Dormitory.
When Su Yu arrived at the Kawasaki household, he was momentarily stunned.
There were three extra pairs of shoes at the entrance.
With his sharp eyesight, he recognized them immediately—they belonged to Yui Yuigahama, Hina Ebina, and Yumiko Miura.
"Su Yu-kun, Saki." Yui Yuigahama ran out from the living room to greet them.
"Yuigahama-san." Kawasaki Saki was slightly surprised.
"Yumiko and Ebina-san, are you two not going home tonight?" Su Yu looked at Yui.
"Um…" Yui averted her gaze.
"It's fine if you're staying over. Get some rest early—you have school tomorrow." Su Yu patted her head gently.
"Mhm, mhm." Yui nodded with a smile.
The three entered the living room.
Yumiko Miura and Hina Ebina were sitting with Kawasaki Keika, watching TV together.
Kawasaki Saki glanced at them without saying much and went into the kitchen.
Hina Ebina smiled at Su Yu, while Yumiko Miura seemed a bit nervous.
Su Yu sat down next to Yumiko and directly took her small hand.
Yumiko immediately looked up at him.
"I… I…"
"Sakura Dorm welcomes you."
Su Yu cut her off before she could finish.
A hint of joy appeared on Yumiko's face, and she tightened her grip around Su Yu's hand.
Yui, who was sitting on Su Yu's other side, watched their closeness and instinctively wrapped herself around his other arm, pressing against him as if claiming her place.
Su Yu glanced at her, then leaned in to whisper by her ear.
"Come to my room tonight."
"Su Yu-kun…"
Yui blushed instantly.
Su Yu didn't give her a chance to refuse and simply turned his attention back to the TV.
A Few Minutes Later
Dinner was ready after being reheated.
Su Yu and Kawasaki Saki ate together.
After cleaning up the dishes, Saki glanced at Hina Ebina and Yumiko Miura before shifting her gaze back to Su Yu.
"Rest early. Good night." Su Yu knew what she was thinking but didn't want to trouble her.
"Good night." Kawasaki Saki replied softly.
—
Leaving the Kawasaki house, they headed upstairs.
Su Yu went straight to his room to continue drawing Yuru Camp.
In the small guest room next door, the three girls had laid out two futons on the floor.
The bed was too small to fit all three of them.
"Yui, Yumiko, don't mind me. If you want to go next door, just decide between yourselves," Hina Ebina said, lying down with a grin.
"Hina…" The two girls blushed.
They exchanged glances and saw the same thought in each other's eyes.
"Yui, you… You don't have to worry about me," Yumiko forced a smile.
"Yumiko, you… You can help Su Yu-kun with his manga backgrounds. I'd just get in the way if I went," Yui reasoned after thinking for a moment.
"I…" Yumiko knew Yui was deliberately giving her this opportunity. She felt touched but wasn't sure if she should accept.
"I spend a lot of time here every week. This is your first time staying over, and if you can help Su Yu-kun, maybe next time he'll invite you to stay again." Yui smiled.
"Yui… Thank you." Yumiko's heart wavered.
"Go on, Yumiko. Good luck!" Yui clenched her small fists encouragingly.
"I… I won't be long," Yumiko said as she stood up.
"Yumiko, don't forget to bring your stuff." Hina Ebina's voice rang out.
Hearing this, Yumiko's face turned bright red as she reached into her bag and took something out.
Yui blinked, tempted to say something, but didn't know how to bring it up.
Yumiko left and quietly closed the door behind her.
"Yui, aren't you jealous?" Hina Ebina asked.
"Of course, I'm jealous. But I can tell Yumiko really likes Su Yu-kun, just like I do. She doesn't want to be apart from him." Yui looked at Hina Ebina seriously.
"To be honest, I do worry about relationships like yours. But I believe Su Yu-kun will handle things well and make sure you're all happy," Hina Ebina said, sitting up.
"What about you, Hina?" Yui hesitated before asking what was on her mind.
"Me? I don't like Su Yu-kun as much as you guys do. Sure, I find him attractive, but I won't date anyone in high school," Hina replied with a grin.
"I think you're lying," Yui stared at her.
Hina was slightly startled.
Then, she chuckled and looked back at Yui.
"Yui, sometimes you're surprisingly sharp."
"Hina, if something's troubling you, you can talk to me," Yui said sincerely.
"Not yet. When I feel like talking about it, I will," Hina shook her head.
"Mhm, I'll wait." Yui nodded.
Hina's troubles were probably related to her family.
Yui had never been to Hina's house, and even Yumiko had only visited a few times.
—
At Su Yu's Room
Yumiko Miura knocked on the door.
A few seconds later, the door opened.
Seeing Yumiko outside, Su Yu wasn't surprised.
"I… I want to help you, Su Yu-kun," Yumiko lowered her head as she spoke.
"Help me with what?" Su Yu examined her.
"Helping you… with manga backgrounds," she murmured shyly.
"Just backgrounds?" Su Yu raised an eyebrow.
"I'll… do whatever Su Yu-kun wants me to do," Yumiko said hastily.
"I want to see the old you," Su Yu said with a teasing smile.
Yumiko froze.
Did Su Yu-kun like the way she used to be?
Just as she was lost in thought, Su Yu pulled her into his arms and shut the door.
As soon as the door closed, Su Yu's lips met hers.
Yumiko instinctively responded.
Then, she felt Su Yu's hands wandering boldly.
His touch felt almost magical.
Her face heated up instantly.
A Few Minutes Later
Su Yu lifted his head, looking at the expectant Yumiko in his arms.
"Things that come too easily aren't usually cherished, Yumiko."
"I… I like Su Yu-kun, so…"
Yumiko tried to explain.
Su Yu took something out—it was the item she had in her pocket earlier.
Yumiko's face turned completely red, and she was at a loss for words.
"Actually, I haven't taken that step with Yui or Yukino yet, so there's no rush," Su Yu said while putting the item back.
"I… I thought Su Yu-kun already…" Yumiko's voice was barely above a whisper.
"I'm not exactly a 'good guy.' I haven't done anything to Yui or Yukino, but I've taught them a lot of… unusual things." Su Yu smirked.
"Su Yu-kun, I want to learn too!" Yumiko declared without hesitation.