By the time Su Yu finished reading the manga, Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuigahama Yui had emerged from their conversation with Hiratsuka Shizuka.
Shizuka, carrying the box of sweets, glanced at Su Yu, who had taken her seat.
She raised an eyebrow.
Su Yu wisely vacated the chair.
Shizuka snorted in satisfaction and reclaimed her spot.
Then, she turned to Kawasaki Keika with a rare smile.
"Your Yui-neechan bought these sweets. Let's try them together."
Keika glanced at her older sister, seeking silent approval.
Kawasaki Saki nodded, though her eyes held a trace of doubt.
Did this mean Hiratsuka-sensei had no issue with what they had discussed?
Receiving her sister's permission, Keika turned to Yui.
"Thank you, Yui-neechan."
"You're welcome."
Yui giggled.
Meanwhile, Su Yu looked at Yukino, curious about their discussion.
Yukino simply gave him a mysterious smile.
That was enough for Su Yu to know—she was keeping some things from him.
But what exactly?
He started running through possible scenarios in his head.
As the sun began to set.
Yukino entered the Kawasaki household's kitchen.
Saki, sensing she had something to say, didn't refuse her help.
Out in the yard, Yui played with Keika, stacking building blocks.
Meanwhile, Su Yu continued his martial arts training under Shizuka's instruction.
The kitchen remained quiet.
Finally, Yukino spoke.
"Once you finish paying off your debt to Su Yu-kun, do you plan to leave Sakurasou… or stay?"
"I want to stay," Saki answered without hesitation.
"Because of Su Yu-kun? Or because you seek stability?"
"I seek stability."
Yukino paused for a moment before asking a heavier question.
"If Su Yu-kun requested that you repay your debt in that way, would you refuse?"
"I wouldn't refuse."
Yukino's hand briefly stilled at Saki's answer.
Saki glanced at her, guessing at the thoughts behind her composed expression.
And so—
"I wouldn't expect him to take responsibility. I wouldn't cling to him. The relationship between us is purely a debt," Saki stated firmly.
"You mean to tell me… that you don't like him?" Yukino asked, her eyes unwavering.
Saki shook her head. "I don't really understand what 'liking' someone feels like."
She was grateful to Su Yu for his help.
But love?
She wasn't sure she felt anything like that.
"Let me put it another way—if Su Yu-kun asked you to be his girlfriend, would you accept?" Yukino pressed further.
"I would. If it's his request, then I would treat it as a job I should fulfill," Saki replied without hesitation.
"Kawasaki-san, you like Su Yu-kun," Yukino said with certainty.
Saki didn't deny it.
"I wouldn't know what liking someone feels like," she admitted.
"I see… Liking someone can be difficult to put into words. But based on your answers, anyone would be able to tell," Yukino remarked, watching her closely.
"Even if I do like him, I won't pursue him. You don't have to worry," Saki added, meeting Yukino's gaze directly.
Yukino didn't respond immediately.
Kawasaki Saki's feelings for Su Yu didn't necessarily mean that Su Yu felt the same way about her.
But their current debtor-creditor relationship could easily evolve into something else.
For a fleeting moment, Yukino considered paying off Saki's debt herself to make her leave.
But then she dismissed the idea.
If the Kawasaki family left Sakurasou, there was no guarantee they would find another kind-hearted person like Su Yu.
After a long silence, Yukino finally made a decision.
"Kawasaki-san… There might be a different way for you to repay your debt to Su Yu-kun."
Dinner at Sakurasou.
The dining table was more lively than usual.
With Yukino and Saki working together, they had prepared an extravagant meal.
Seeing such a feast, Shizuka instinctively reached for a can of beer—
Only to feel the weight of Keika's stare beside her.
Her hand froze.
Su Yu watched this unfold, then silently went to the kitchen, retrieved a small cup, and poured just a little beer for her.
Shizuka accepted it with gratitude, sipping slowly.
Keika turned to Su Yu with a small smile.
Su Yu had once advised her—Whenever Shizuka-sensei reaches for alcohol, just watch her closely. She'll feel guilty and drink less.
Keika didn't fully understand why, but she knew drinking less was better for one's health.
Meanwhile, Su Yu tasted the food prepared by Yukino and Saki.
Yukino's dishes had a distinct flavor—one that suited his taste perfectly.
It was obvious—she had been learning recipes from his homeland.
Saki's dishes, on the other hand, had a lighter taste but were still quite delicious.
If he were to rate them—
Yukino's would be a 9 out of 10.
Saki's, an 8 out of 10.
That extra point?
The taste of home.
Seated beside Su Yu, Yui couldn't stop smiling.
Inside Shizuka's room earlier, the conversation had been mostly between Yukino and Shizuka.
She had only spoken up occasionally.
The topics they discussed were sometimes complicated, but in the end, it all revolved around their happiness.
Since Yukino had agreed to the plan, she would see it through.
And since Yui had already left the final decision to Yukino, she had no more worries.
For example—the Kawasaki Saki issue.
One look at Yukino's expression told Yui that it had already been resolved.
For Yui, that issue had seemed difficult.
But for Yukino?
Of course she could handle it.
Just like how Yui trusted Su Yu completely—she also trusted Yukino unconditionally.
Yukino, meanwhile, carried a faint smile.
By offering Saki a better way to repay Su Yu, she had ensured that Saki would remain close—just not as a romantic threat.
At the same time, Su Yu would gradually get used to Saki's presence.
Essentially, she had redirected Saki's relationship with Su Yu—
But the final choice still belonged to Su Yu himself.
And whatever choice he made—
Yukino was fine with it.
Because by the time that moment arrived—
She and Su Yu would probably already be married.
Sitting beside Yukino, Saki remained silent.
For her, the new arrangement was ideal.
Her goal in going to university was to change her fate, to increase her value, and to secure a stable future income.
And Yukino had just provided her with an irresistible opportunity.
She had always been practical.
Ever since her father left, her primary concern had been supporting her family.
Everything else was secondary.
After dinner.
The three girls cleaned up the dishes together.
Su Yu went upstairs, waiting for them.
Inside the Kawasaki kitchen, Yui didn't ask about their discussion.
Instead, she wondered how she should bring it up with Su Yu.
Yukino, on the other hand, had already planned ahead.
She would tell Su Yu about 70% of what had been discussed.
The remaining 30%?
He would figure it out on his own.
And she was perfectly fine with letting him guess.
A small smile formed on Yukino's lips.