Su Yu watched Ebina Hina's expression closely.
He was curious about her connection to the middle-aged man.
Just then—
A heavily made-up woman stepped out of the man's car.
She took one look at Ebina, sneered, and ignored the man completely as she walked straight into the Japanese restaurant.
The middle-aged man, now visibly hesitant, finally approached Ebina Hina.
"Hina… have you been doing well?"
"My affairs have nothing to do with you."
Ebina's voice was icy.
She didn't even pause, simply walking around him and heading straight for Flash Animation.
"Hina…!"
Miura Yumiko quickly chased after her.
Su Yu turned to Yukino beside him.
"Go check on her."
"Alright."
Yukino nodded and shot a brief glance at the middle-aged man before following Miura.
Only when they were out of earshot did Su Yu finally speak.
"You're Ebina's father, aren't you?"
The man nodded, studying Su Yu carefully—
As if trying to figure out his relationship with Hina.
"I'm her friend."
"And we have a very… close relationship."
Su Yu added.
"Close? B-But… isn't your girlfriend the girl who just left?"
The man looked genuinely surprised.
"Ebina needs money."
Su Yu started—then paused deliberately.
The man hung his head.
"I'd like to know more about her situation… and also—"
"Why are you with another woman?"
"That woman… she isn't Ebina's mother, is she?"
Su Yu asked calmly.
"I… I racked up a lot of debt."
"So, I left my family and… remarried her."
The man hesitated before speaking.
"Ebina knows about this?"
Su Yu asked, frowning slightly.
"I lost everything in the stock market."
"I invested all our family savings, and I failed."
The man admitted bitterly.
"I see… No wonder she resents you."
Su Yu sighed.
"My name is Satou Arikawa."
"Hina… ever since I left, she changed her last name and refuses to let me anywhere near her home."
Satou looked guilty.
Su Yu now understood—
The real reason why Ebina avoided relationships was likely due to her family trauma.
"I still send money to the house every month, but…"
"I doubt she ever touches a single yen of it."
Satou sighed.
"If you can help her… please take care of her."
He bowed deeply.
Su Yu hesitated for a second—then returned the bow.
"I understand."
"And… I apologize for what I said earlier."
"Hina and I are just friends."
"But I offered her a good job, so she'll build her own future."
Satou froze for a few seconds.
Then, he smiled softly, looking relieved.
"Thank you."
"I'll leave Hina in your hands."
—
When Su Yu arrived back at Flash Animation,
He found Miura Yumiko and Yukino sitting together—
But Ebina Hina was nowhere in sight.
"Where's Ebina?"
"In the break room," Yukino replied.
"Her family situation is something she never talks about."
"For her, it's a painful topic."
Miura sighed.
"I never thought her father would just show up out of nowhere."
"He's… not a bad person, but…"
She trailed off, unsure of how to continue.
"I'll go talk to her."
Su Yu said simply and walked toward the break room.
—
Break Room, Flash Animation
It was more like a tea lounge than a proper break room.
There was a coffee machine, a selection of teas, and tables for eating lunch.
Most employees only used it for short breaks.
When Su Yu entered, he found Ebina Hina sitting alone, staring into space.
He didn't say anything at first.
Instead, he poured two cups of tea and sat across from her.
Ebina didn't react—
She simply kept looking down.
"I'm not here to comfort you."
"Because I agree with your choice."
Su Yu finally spoke, sliding a cup of red tea toward her.
Ebina looked up at him.
"What did you say to him?"
"I told him—"
"That I'm your friend, and we have a very close relationship."
"And that you owe me money."
Su Yu paused for effect.
"That got him to spill everything."
"Then I told him that you'd rely on yourself from now on."
Ebina stared at him for a few seconds—then lowered her gaze again.
"I always believed that people become what they're born into."
"I envied Yumiko and Yui."
"But I knew… envy wouldn't change anything."
"So, I decided—"
"Once I got into college, I'd cut ties with them and start over."
She admitted softly.
"Focus only on work."
"Take care of your mother."
Su Yu stated.
"Yes."
"If you hadn't appeared, that's the life I would've chosen."
"But because you gave me an opportunity—"
"My life changed."
Ebina said seriously.
"So…"
"I saved you, huh?"
Su Yu teased.
"In a way."
"You showed me another version of myself—"
"A me with dreams."
"Is your dream to become an anime scriptwriter?"
"Or just to tell your own stories?"
"Neither."
"My dream is simple—"
"To do what I enjoy, and make money from it."
Ebina smiled slightly.
"Same as me."
Su Yu chuckled.
"Su Yu-kun—"
"Thank you."
Ebina lifted her teacup, taking a small sip.
Su Yu mirrored her.
Then, he set his cup down and grinned at her.
"That's it? Just a simple 'thank you'?"
Ebina blinked—then blushed slightly.
"I'm not looking for a relationship."
She said firmly.
"I never asked you to be in one."
Su Yu smirked.
Ebina hesitated, then narrowed her eyes.
"…What are you suggesting, then?"
She stared at him suspiciously.
Su Yu just waited, letting her overthink it.
A few minutes passed.
Finally, Ebina sighed.
"Sorry."
"But I still don't want any special relationship with you."
Su Yu laughed.
"Ebina—"
"You completely misunderstood me, but I like your answer."
Ebina froze.
Then—
Her face turned a little redder.
"Next time, don't say things that might lead me on."
She muttered.
"Can't promise that."
Su Yu smirked playfully.
Ebina glared at him, flustered.
Su Yu watched her expression—
This was the real Ebina Hina.
"Ebina, if you ever need help, just ask me."
"…Anything?"
Ebina's gaze softened slightly, as if she was hesitant but hopeful.
Notes-You can read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X, i have finished translating the whole story