In front of the bathroom mirror—
Kawasaki Saki stared at the pajamas she was wearing.
Her cheeks flushed faintly red.
She had wanted to come up with some excuse, to give herself more time to mentally prepare.
But she hadn't expected Takumi Yuuya to be this thorough.
She had already called her family, telling them she'd be staying over at a friend's place. Of course, she didn't say it was Yuuya's house.
Her parents hadn't worried.
After all, she'd always been the most responsible sister.
When she opened the bathroom door and stepped into the living room, she immediately noticed Yuuya wearing the exact same style of pajamas.
Flustered, she turned her head away.
On the sofa, Yuuya glanced at her.
"Will you watch some anime with me tonight?"
"…Sure."
Saki gave a tiny nod, then walked over to the fridge to fetch some drinks and snacks.
She sat down beside him.
Yuuya took out a key.
"This is the key to that room."
"N–no… you don't have to give that to me."
"So what you're saying is—you're ready?"
"I… I trust you."
"I don't even trust myself. You'd better keep it. When you really feel ready, just put the key back on my desk."
"…Mm."
Blushing hard, Saki accepted the key.
[Affection from Kawasaki Saki +50]
The virtual notification flickered across Yuuya's vision. He wasn't surprised.
Even though Saki had agreed to stay the night, deep down she wasn't prepared at all. She had zero sense of security.
By handing her the key, he gave her exactly that sense of safety—regardless of whether he had a spare copy.
And it was precisely because of that reassurance…
…that her affection points soared.
Morning.
Yuuya still went for his usual early run.
By the time he returned, Saki had already prepared breakfast.
They ate together.
As Yuuya quietly watched her, Saki lifted her head after finishing her meal, only to find him staring. Her face stiffened with embarrassment.
"W-what… is there something on my face?"
"Nothing. I just feel like I've stepped into married life all of a sudden."
Yuuya chuckled.
Her face instantly burned crimson.
[Affection from Kawasaki Saki +50]
Yuuya stood up.
"Saki."
"…Yeah?"
She lifted her gaze.
He leaned down and kissed her lightly on the forehead.
"I'll come find you on the rooftop during lunch break."
"That's… it's fine, I've always eaten alone."
"You don't seriously think I'm on good terms with Yukinoshita Yukino, do you?"
"…Eh?"
"She spends all her time looking for an excuse to beat me up. She can't stand me. Sharing a clubroom with her is a punishment. Having lunch with you sounds way better."
"Th-then… I'll wait for you."
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
[Affection from Kawasaki Saki +50]
After parking his bike in the rack, Yuuya stopped in front of the school building.
Saki knew he was waiting for Yukinoshita Yukino. She didn't linger.
A minute later, Yukino appeared.
When she noticed Yuuya waiting, her steps slowed.
But before she could react, Yuuya called out loudly:
"Good morning, Yukinoshita-san."
The students nearby all froze mid-step.
[Disgust from Yukinoshita Yukino +30]
The system message popped up, and Yuuya smirked faintly.
If he had called her "Yukinon," he probably would've scored +50 disgust points instead.
But doing so would've practically confirmed a level of closeness she'd never admit to—and might've earned him an actual beating.
"Good morning, Yuuya-kun," Yukino replied icily.
Everyone exchanged baffled looks.
No one knew what their relationship was, but it was obvious Yukino was not in a good mood.
Yuuya just blinked innocently, then walked away.
Behind him, Yukino's cold gaze lingered. She was already plotting—when his challenge finally came, she'd make sure to teach him a proper lesson.
Inside the classroom—
Yuuya cast a glance at Hayama Hayato before looking further back, toward Miura Yumiko.
"Good morning, Yumiko."
The entire room went silent.
Among the boys, only Hayama and his close friends ever dared call her by her first name.
Why was Yuuya doing it?
Everyone turned to see Yumiko's reaction.
Feeling the weight of their stares, she stood up, facing Yuuya.
"Good morning, Yuuya-kun."
The answer was polite, almost formal.
Hayama's three friends froze, then immediately looked to him.
Seeing no reaction from Hayama, they didn't dare move either.
They didn't know exactly what had happened…
…but that reply strongly suggested a breakup.
As Yuuya passed by Hayama's desk, he paused.
"Are you free this weekend?"
"…Yeah."
Hayama's reply was curt.
Yuuya nodded, then continued on to his seat.
Once he sat down, he tapped Aki Tomoya's shoulder.
Tomoya turned around, puzzled.
"You free this weekend? I'll take you on a tour of my game company."
"W–wait, seriously?!" Tomoya's eyes widened.
"Of course. Let's exchange contacts—I'll send you the address later."
Yuuya pulled out his phone, letting Tomoya catch a glimpse of his wallpaper.
Tomoya's eyes went wide again.
Noticing his reaction, Yuuya raised an eyebrow.
"What, you know Eriri?"
"N-no, I don't."
"I thought you might. Eriri and I just started dating, so I don't know her that well yet."
"I-I've only heard of her…"
"Honestly, I prefer Yumiko's type."
"…Then why are you dating Sawamura-san?"
"No helping it. Eriri was just easier to fool. I tossed out a few sweet words, and she agreed to go out with me."
"…"
Tomoya's jaw went slack.
That… couldn't be real, could it?
Lunchtime.
Yuuya sent a voice recording to Sawamura Eriri with a single line attached:
"The plan starts now."
By the time he reached the Service Club room, Eriri had replied:
"You play the villain a little too well."
Yuuya tucked his phone away, opened the clubroom door—
And found Yukino quietly eating her bento.
She glanced at him once, then deliberately ignored him.
Walking up to the table, Yuuya picked up the other bento box.
"I'll leave you alone today. I already promised another girl I'd have lunch with her. She might not be as stunning as you, but still…"
[Disgust from Yukinoshita Yukino +50]
Her gaze turned ice-cold.
Yuuya smiled faintly, turned, and shut the door behind him.
He made his way up to the rooftop.
No one else was there.
Circling around to the small storage shed, he spotted an old iron ladder.
Climbing up, he found Kawasaki Saki waiting.
When she noticed the bento in his hands, curiosity flickered across her face—but she didn't ask.
He sat down beside her and opened the box.
Braised pork with rice. Still faintly warm.
Saki's eyes widened in surprise.
Yuuya picked up a piece with his chopsticks.
"Here—try it. Tell me what you think."
"T-this is… someone else's effort. I…"
"This bento? Yukinoshita made it. But there's no 'effort' in it—I paid her for it."
"…Huh?"
Saki froze.