Friday morning.
Ebina Hina, waking up early, found Su Yu already in the living room.
Next to him was a neatly folded futon.
"Su Yu-kun… you slept in the living room last night?" she asked in surprise.
"Yui and Yumiko were sleeping in my room. If I got close to either of them, the other would've felt left out," Su Yu replied without even looking up.
"I thought maybe you would've just… gone for both of them," Hina said, smiling faintly mid-sentence.
"I could have, but I don't want that. I like them—not because of that kind of thing," Su Yu paused his movements.
"Your way of thinking is… strange, but I get it," Hina said, sitting beside him.
"I've already drafted a rough script," Su Yu glanced at her.
Ebina looked over the script he had written.
It was similar to her original game storyline—only Su Yu had weaved it all together and incorporated Kawasaki Saki's puzzle elements.
"I was planning on acquiring a game studio anyway. Now, I'm thinking of having the Yukinoshita family co-invest with me and assign managers to run the company," Su Yu said, standing.
"I saw the news. Yukinoshita-san's sister has taken over the Yukinoshita Architecture firm. So… Su Yu-kun, you and that ojou-sama also have a relationship?" Ebina looked up at him.
"Mm. A very important one," Su Yu said without hiding it.
"Su Yu-kun, you're the worst," Hina said flatly—but her tone was light. "But to have so many girls fall for you… you really are something."
"Thanks for the compliment."
"No need to thank me. That just proves I have good taste."
…
After breakfast.
On the way to Sobu High—
Yuigahama Yui and Miura Yumiko seemed closer than before.
Su Yu knew this was the result of Ebina Hina playing the role of the observer.
When the two girls woke up, there was probably a trace of disappointment.
Before that could grow, Hina had already gone into Su Yu's room.
And he didn't stop her—because he knew she would help explain.
And just as he expected—
With Hina's quiet guidance, Yui and Yumiko let go of their insecurities, and grew a little closer.
They'd stayed up talking late into the night—
About things only girls in their position could talk about.
Ebina Hina probably had a good idea what they talked about, but didn't pry or ask.
As a friend, she knew it wasn't her place.
Unless… she gave up being an observer and made her relationship with Su Yu official.
But that was something she had no intention of doing—for now.
Hina was clear-headed. She knew that if she wanted to be someone special, she had to pay a price.
In that sense, she was a lot like Kawasaki Saki.
That's probably why the two of them always got along so well.
…
After arriving at school—
The group didn't go straight to class.
There was still student council work to do.
Yesterday afternoon, they had prepared a new set of survey forms.
The questions were based on yesterday's open-ended responses.
Yesterday's survey asked students to freely list their favorite dishes.
Today's form was to finalize the cafeteria menu.
Gather student preferences → Let the students vote on options → Formulate the menu.
The student council only handled the labor.
Once the cafeteria menu was finalized—
It might not please everyone, but it would certainly please most.
After printing the forms, the student council got to work distributing them before class started.
By the end of the first period—
The whole school was buzzing about the menu.
Everyone was looking forward to the cafeteria—
Especially since rumors said the food would be very cheap.
That alone was reason enough for students to care.
If there were tasty, affordable meals, no one would bother buying boring bread from the school store anymore.
…
At lunch—
Under Yukinoshita Yukino's leadership, the student council collected and sorted all the forms.
After about half an hour, they had a finished cafeteria menu.
Members of the Cooking Club would now begin training in these dishes.
Once the cafeteria officially opened, the club members would also get to work a day as cafeteria staff.
The menu was posted on the school bulletin board, drawing a crowd.
Some students were especially excited for miso soup made by Cooking Club girls.
When Su Yu heard that, he considered raising the miso soup's price.
And when Totsuka Saika heard it too, he instantly blushed—
Because he understood exactly what kind of "miso soup" they meant.
He looked toward Hikigaya Hachiman.
Hikigaya looked back.
Their eyes met.
Both of them blushed.
…
After school—
Su Yu left the tennis courts and didn't return to the student council office.
Instead, he went back to Sakura Dorm.
There, he changed clothes, hopped on his motorcycle, and headed out.
Half an hour later—
He stood in front of the Yukinoshita Architecture building.
Staring at the tall office tower, he stepped inside.
He hadn't made an appointment.
He simply asked the front desk to call Yukinoshita Haruno.
The moment she heard Su Yu was there, Haruno sounded delighted.
She told the receptionist that he could visit anytime, and to never block him.
The young woman at the front desk looked at Su Yu with a slightly strange expression.
Su Yu entered the elevator.
The doors closed, and the lift carried him upward to Haruno's floor.
Ding.
The elevator doors opened.
"Master Su Yu, this way please."
A woman in professional attire stood waiting. She bowed when she saw him.
Su Yu gave a small nod and followed her to an office.
"The lady instructed that Master Su Yu may enter directly. No need to knock," the secretary said quietly at the door.
Su Yu gave her a glance, then pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The woman stayed by the door, glanced down the hallway, and stationed herself there.
It was clear from the lady's instructions that Master Su Yu was no ordinary visitor—he was her boyfriend.
And as her secretary, this level of trust from Haruno said it all.
If Haruno's many suitors ever learned about this…
"If Master Su Yu really is…"
She recalled the glance he had given her earlier, and her cheeks flushed.
Her imagination started running wild—
thinking of scenes straight out of a romance novel.
…
Inside the office—
The moment Su Yu stepped in, Haruno kissed him.
He embraced her, returning the kiss.
After a long moment, Haruno finally looked up.
"Su Yu-kun, you finally came to see me."
"I won't be a burden by coming here?" Su Yu asked, holding her.
"Of course not. You may not officially be Yukino's fiancé yet, but both Father and Mother already accept you. So you visiting me here? Completely fine." Haruno smiled.
"..."
Su Yu fell silent.
Notes-You can read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X, i have finished translating the whole story