By the Seashore
Su Yu and Yukinoshita Haruno sat on a rock by the ocean.
The sun had set, and the eldest Yukinoshita daughter gazed at the sea, lost in thought.
"It's time to head back," Su Yu reminded her.
"The heiress of my mother's family is the sole successor of that household," Haruno suddenly said.
"You want to introduce us?" Su Yu looked at her.
"She likes you—a lot."
Haruno's voice was soft but clear.
Su Yu fell silent, staring at the sea.
Haruno watched him but said nothing.
The sea breeze blew past them.
After a long moment, Su Yu finally spoke.
"I hope that ten years from now, we can still sit on this shore, watch the stars, and enjoy the view like this."
"I don't want to stand too high—it's too lonely."
"And I won't deceive a girl for the sake of wealth, whether it's for the Yukinoshita family or this heiress you speak of."
His tone was firm.
Haruno stood up and leaned against his shoulder.
"If that's really what you want… then next time, I hope there are three of us."
"Me, you, and Yukino?"
Su Yu wrapped an arm around her waist.
"You know what I mean." Haruno shook her head.
"…That's hard to imagine."
Su Yu glanced at the woman in his arms.
"You can hug me like this, but you can't imagine that? Do you think I'd believe that?"
Haruno smiled playfully and hugged him back.
"I'm an honest person," Su Yu said.
Haruno looked up at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"You are an honest person."
"…This is an unavoidable situation."
Su Yu released her, feeling a bit awkward.
"What would Yukino or your girlfriend do in this situation?" Haruno whispered.
"Yukino hasn't fully accepted me yet—I don't want to hurt her. As for Yui, I'd like to earn her family's approval first."
"…So it's about responsibility again?"
"I think the process of love is more important than the outcome."
"I think the outcome is what matters—the process can be figured out later."
"Which is why we don't have an outcome yet."
"…We will, sooner or later. I'll make sure you end up with me."
"Impossible. I like Yukino more."
—
On the Way Back
Su Yu drove the motorcycle, while Haruno held onto him tightly from behind.
When they arrived at Sakura Dormitory, she let go.
As Su Yu parked the motorcycle, he noticed Hiratsuka Shizuka waiting outside.
"Shizuka, were you waiting for me?" Haruno grinned.
"I thought you weren't coming back tonight."
Shizuka ignored Haruno and looked directly at Su Yu.
"Shizuka-sensei, if I hadn't come back, I'd have been at Yukino's apartment—please don't misunderstand."
Su Yu locked the motorcycle.
"Oh? Was I mistaken?" Shizuka looked between Su Yu and Haruno.
"Shizuka~ I actually wanted to stay at a hotel… but unfortunately, Su Yu-kun refused to stay with me."
Haruno smiled sweetly.
At that moment—
"Good evening, Su Yu-kun."
A voice suddenly rang out.
Su Yu turned his head.
Two girls were walking out of Shizuka's room.
Haruno was momentarily surprised—then looked at Su Yu.
"…Did they go back?"
Su Yu, unfazed, replied, "You sent them to the train station, didn't you?"
Haruno nodded and stepped aside.
Yukino walked up to Su Yu, her expression unreadable.
"…Does my sister's perfume linger on you?"
Su Yu met her gaze directly.
"It's very faint… but I can smell it."
Yukino leaned into his chest and whispered.
"And yet… you're still holding me?"
"I want to cover up her scent."
Yukino hugged him tighter.
Haruno raised an eyebrow.
If this had been the old Yukino, she would have slapped him by now.
What exactly did Su Yu do… to make Yukino tolerate this?
Yui blinked, watching them.
She didn't fully understand, but—
If Yukino is doing this, she must have a reason.
They all failed to notice—
Yukino's foot was pressing down on Su Yu's shoe.
Only Shizuka saw it.
She smirked—after all, she was the one who called Yukino over.
If Su Yu hadn't come back, and instead lied about being at Yukino's place—
Then he would have faced a very different Yukino tonight.
—
"I'm tired. I'm going to bed."
Haruno yawned and went inside.
"Goodnight, Yukino, Yui."
Shizuka ignored Su Yu and left as well.
The door closed.
Yukino let go of Su Yu—
And stared at him coldly.
"Why do you smell like my sister's perfume?"
"This afternoon, she used me to make Hayama give up on her."
Su Yu sighed.
"…Is that so?" Yukino hesitated.
"She even kissed me—right here."
Su Yu tapped his cheek.
"…Sister is too much."
Yukino frowned—
And removed her foot from his shoe.
Su Yu took this chance to explain.
"I took her out for dinner because Future Manga Publishing is setting up an overseas branch, and she's invested in me. We're business partners."
"…And what else?"
Yukino's piercing gaze locked onto him.
"…That…"
Su Yu awkwardly turned away.
Yukino stepped on his shoe again.
Su Yu had no choice but to lean in and whisper in her ear.
Yukino froze.
Then—
Her face turned red, and she glared at him.
"This is all your fault."
"Yes, yes—it's all my fault."
Su Yu took the blame without hesitation.
"…You're not allowed to agree to anything my sister says. Absolutely not."
Yukino clenched her fists.
"I promise," Su Yu said without hesitation.
"…If possible, avoid spending time alone with her. Otherwise, she might…"
"I won't drink alcohol with her. Not even soda. Not even water."
"…If you ever get caught in a situation… call me or Yui."
"No. We aren't married yet, and Yui still needs her mother's approval. I won't take advantage of Yui before that—or discuss us three."
"Then what will you do?"
"If it comes to that… I'll resist with sheer willpower."
Yui watched the two of them, confused.
…What are they talking about?
Notes-You can read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X