The Truth and the Trap
Hayama Hayato glanced back at Miura Yumiko after hearing Takumi Yuuya's words.
"…Then I'll leave her in your care."
Yuuya watched Hayama walk away.
"Want to know who it is? The girl Hayama really likes?"
"…You—you know?" Yumiko's lips parted slightly, eyes searching his face.
Yuuya nodded."The eldest daughter of the Yukinoshita family."
"Yukinoshita… You mean Yukinoshita Yukino's sister?"
"Her name's Yukinoshita Haruno. Hayato's liked her since he was a kid. But it's a love doomed from the start."
"…Because of status?"
"Exactly. Hayato's father is only the legal advisor for the Yukinoshita family's construction company. There's no way the Yukinoshita matriarch would allow a relationship like that."
"Even so… Hayato probably won't like any other girl, will he?" Yumiko's eyes lingered on Hayato's fading silhouette.
Yuuya pushed his bicycle forward, keeping pace beside her."Truth is, Hayato invited you here tonight because I wanted to meet you."
"…You?"
"I'm collaborating with Haruno. Hayato wants to be my friend, so he introduced us. And the reason he confessed just now? Because I pressured him to. If he hadn't said it, I would've told Haruno myself. He was scared of falling in her estimation."
[System Message: +10 Disgust from Miura Yumiko]
The glowing text flashed before Yuuya's eyes.
He stopped walking."If you don't want to get to know me, then I can't be friends with Hayato either. And if that happens… well, maybe Haruno will find out about all this anyway."
"…I'll get to know you." Yumiko clenched her small fists.
Yuuya pulled out his phone."Then let's exchange contacts."
She stepped closer, tapped her number into his phone, and took his in return.
[System Message: +30 Disgust from Miura Yumiko]
Yuuya tucked the phone away, his gaze sweeping over her before turning back ahead."Even if Hayato doesn't like you… you'd still keep giving everything for him?"
"…I like him. So yes, I'd give whatever I can."
"Then would you give something up to maintain my friendship with Hayato?"
"I already gave you my contact."
"That's nowhere near enough."
"…What more do you want?"
"Holding hands. Going on dates."
"That's impossible," Yumiko answered without a shred of hesitation.
Yuuya looked at her carefully."Hayato wants you to move on and find someone better. But if I treat you badly while keeping up appearances with you, what do you think he'd do?"
"…You mean…"
"If I get close to you while also openly spending time with other girls, what reaction will Hayato have?"
"…Hayato…"
"Exactly. His reaction matters. You already made him feel guilty today. If, after his introduction, I 'tricked' you, he'd only feel even more guilt toward you."
"…But… that's still deceit."
"You've been deceiving yourself this whole time, haven't you? Pretending that staying silent keeps you by his side."
"… …"
Yumiko fell silent.
Yuuya held out his hand."I'll give you one chance."
"5."
"4."
"3—"
Before he could finish, Yumiko grabbed his hand.
He smiled faintly, wrapping his fingers around her smaller ones.
The Park
They sat together on a bench under the quiet glow of the park lamps.
Yuuya held a small paper bag from the convenience store, pulling out skewers of fried chicken. He speared one piece and held it to Yumiko's lips.
She wanted to refuse, but seeing his casual smile, she bit into it.
"On the outside, you're always so forceful. But in front of Hayato, you play the gentle, girlish role. That gap… I find it cute. That's why I asked Hayato to introduce us," Yuuya said lightly.
"You knew I liked Hayato… and you made him introduce me on purpose?" Yumiko's voice trembled.
"Of course."
"…Why?"
"Because it's interesting."
[System Message: +50 Disgust from Miura Yumiko]
Her fists clenched in her lap.
Yuuya tilted his head slightly."I may have set things in motion… but with or without me, this was where you two were heading anyway."
"… …"
Her fists loosened slowly. She knew it was true. This was just… faster.
"Living forever in a lie you spun yourself—doesn't that sound like fake happiness, Miura-san?"
"…I'll accept it," Yumiko muttered, looking away.
"Good. Then feed me one."
"…Don't you have your own hands?"
"Feed me, and then I'll walk you to the station."
"…Hmph."
Grumbling, Yumiko took the bag and awkwardly lifted a skewer to his mouth.
Yuuya ate at a leisurely pace, unbothered by her glare.
Minutes later, the food was gone. Yumiko rose, tossed the bag into a nearby trash can, then turned back toward him.
Yuuya stood and extended his hand again.
She hesitated—but eventually placed hers in his.
"Miura-san."
"…What?"
"I might end up dreaming about you tonight."
[System Message: +50 Disgust from Miura Yumiko]
Home Again
After escorting Yumiko to the station, Yuuya swung by the shopping mall before finally returning home.
The delivery truck had already arrived. His new bed and wardrobe had been moved into his room.
He set up the bed, neatly stored away the maid outfit in the wardrobe, then lounged in the living room waiting.
Ten minutes later, the door opened.
Kawasaki Saki stepped inside.
Yuuya got up to meet her at the entryway."How was cram school?"
"…The atmosphere's different. Everyone's serious, working hard. Way above our school's usual level."
Yuuya nodded. Of course—most of them were aiming for prestigious universities.
"You must be hungry. I'll go start—"
"Before cooking, come check your room first."
He took her hand and led her upstairs.
The room was pure white, with a blue bed and wardrobe.
"Well?"
"…It's really nice. I like it."
"Good. Stay over whenever you want. This room is just for you."
"I—I'll think about it." Her head dipped, cheeks flushed red.
[System Message: +10 Affection from Kawasaki Saki]
The Decision
After dinner, Saki washed the dishes alone, mind racing: Should I stay tonight… or not?
When the last plate was stacked, she walked back out, fidgeting."I… I didn't bring sleepwear, so…"
"I figured you'd say that. That's why I dropped by the mall earlier."
"…You…"
"If you're worried I'll bother you, I can even give you the room key."
"…I'll go check the pajamas then."
"Let's check together."
He led her into his room.
Laid out neatly on the bed were several sets of pajamas—matching couple designs.
Saki's eyes darted to Yuuya, who stood expressionless.
"The clerk recommended them," he said, perfectly straight-faced.