Half an Hour Later
The three of them walked upstairs together.
Yukinoshita Yukino had spoken a lot with Su Yu, and in the end, she simply said, "We'll talk about it later," leaving Yui completely clueless about their conversation.
On the way up—
The two girls followed behind Su Yu.
Yukino didn't explain anything about what they had just discussed, and Yui didn't ask.
Only when they reached their bedroom doors did they realize a problem.
—
How should they sleep tonight?
Unlike Miura Yumiko, who had a harder time accepting things, Yukino and Yui could both accept each other—and Su Yu.
But if all three of them were to sleep in the same room…
That was too much for them.
They were simply too embarrassed.
If Su Yu snuck in later, after they were asleep—
They'd probably just pretend to be asleep.
—
Su Yu opened the door, changed into indoor slippers, and turned back—
Only to see two hesitant girls still standing outside.
One glance at their expressions—
And he immediately understood what they were thinking.
"If you two don't come in soon, I'm closing the door."
Both girls snapped back to reality, exchanged a quick glance, and saw the same embarrassment reflected in each other's eyes.
Without another word, they stepped inside together.
Su Yu glanced at them, his lips curving into a knowing smile, as if plotting something mischievous.
—
"Yui, let's go rest," Yukino quickly suggested, noticing Su Yu's smirk.
"Mm."
Yui, blushing, instantly understood what she meant.
—
Just as Yukino was about to leave—
"Yukino, in half an hour, come to my room and bring me my pajamas."
Su Yu's calm voice reached her ears.
"I…"
Yukino's face flushed red.
Before she could respond—
Su Yu walked into the bathroom.
The sound of the door closing echoed through the room.
The two girls exchanged looks again.
Yukino's face was burning.
Yui, after a brief pause, suddenly smiled at her.
—
"Yukino, the small bedroom is a bit cramped for two people.
You should sleep in Su Yu's room tonight.
I'm sure he'll welcome you."
—
"…Yui."
Yukino lowered her head, blushing furiously.
—
"Good luck!"
Yui gave her a playful wink, then quickly walked into the small bedroom, shutting the door behind her.
—
Yukino stood in the hallway, looking at the closed door—
Then at the bathroom.
After a long internal struggle, she silently made her way into Su Yu's room.
—
One Hour Later – Su Yu's Bedroom
Yukino sat with her back to Su Yu, her face still flushed.
Su Yu, now in his pajamas, gently wrapped his arms around her waist.
Earlier—
Yukino had spent a long time debating in her head before finally deciding to bring him his pajamas.
Now—
She was wearing Su Yu's oversized T-shirt.
—
"Yukino, you were so cute just now."
Su Yu's voice was soft, laced with amusement.
"…Don't say that."
Yukino clenched her fists, turning her head to glare at him.
—
"Can't I compliment how cute you are?"
Su Yu chuckled, his hand beginning to wander again.
"You… stay still!"
Yukino grabbed his mischievous hand, stopping him.
—
"…It's your fault for being too cute."
Su Yu leaned closer.
—
"…I'm going to sleep.
If you're still energetic, go find Yui."
Yukino gently pushed him away.
Su Yu didn't resist, merely putting some distance between them.
Seeing this, Yukino relaxed—
Only for Su Yu to suddenly close the gap and steal a kiss.
—
By the time Yukino processed what had happened, Su Yu's hand had already returned to its previous position.
She wanted to push him away, but lacked the strength.
Realizing this—
Su Yu became even more shameless.
—
A long while later—
He finally let her go.
As soon as he did—
Yukino lightly punched his chest.
—
"Goodnight."
Su Yu, unfazed by the weak punch, simply kissed her forehead before pulling away.
—
"…You're the worst."
Yukino muttered, turning her back to him.
Su Yu smiled and left the bed.
As the door closed behind him—
Yukino felt embarrassed yet happy.
Despite Su Yu's increasing shamelessness, she didn't dislike it.
After all—
Being able to get closer to the person she liked…
That was something to be happy about.
"Once I get my mother's approval, once Su Yu meets her… we…"
A soft light flickered in Yukino's eyes—
Filled with expectation.
—
Outside the Small Bedroom
Su Yu pushed open the door quietly.
Yui, who hadn't fallen asleep yet, immediately closed her eyes—
And pretended to be asleep.
—
Su Yu stepped toward the bed, watching the pretend-sleeping Yui with amusement.
After a brief pause—
He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
—
"…Looks like Yui is already asleep.
Guess I'll go back to my room."
Su Yu said deliberately.
"…I'm not asleep."
Yui's eyes fluttered open.
—
Their eyes met.
She saw his playful smile—
And immediately realized—
She had been tricked.
"Su Yu-kun! You're such a meanie!"
Yui pouted, clenching her tiny fists in frustration.
—
"Yui— my little dummy."
Su Yu lifted the blanket, slid under it, and pulled her into his arms.
The bed wasn't small, and there was just enough room for both of them.
—
Yui, flustered, turned her back to him.
Su Yu, unbothered, wrapped his arms around her waist.
As Yui closed her eyes—
She suddenly felt something, making her even more embarrassed.
Su Yu whispered something in her ear.
—
Meanwhile – Hiratsuka Shizuka's Room
Haruno stood by the window, deep in thought.
She replayed the conversation at the beach, as well as Yukino's surprising reaction tonight.
Her once aloof, untouchable sister—
Had become… softer.
More like… Su Yu's fiancée.
Before, she would have slapped him…
But now, she simply held him and covered up the scent of my perfume.
—
"Haruno, what do you think of Su Yu?"
Shizuka's voice broke the silence.
—
"Su Yu-kun is incredible—strategic, charismatic.
If he were part of the Yukinoshita family, even I wouldn't be able to match him."
Haruno paused.
"…But he has one flaw."
She stopped herself mid-sentence.
—
"What flaw?" Shizuka asked.
—
"…Su Yu-kun is too responsible.
Or rather—
He has his own principles.
And he's not obsessed with wealth.
That's… a rare quality."
Haruno spoke carefully.
—
"…And?"
Shizuka prompted.
—
Haruno hesitated.
Then, in a soft voice, she finally admitted—
"Su Yu-kun is the first person to ever make my heart flutter."