"Yukino Yukinoshita disgust +30"
Takumi Yuuya saw the message pop up on the virtual screen but didn't turn around immediately.
He pulled out his phone.
"Can we exchange contact info?" he asked.
"This…"
Megumi Katou had heard the other girls talking during lunch break about Yuuya—about how he openly admitted to dating multiple girls.
Seeing her hesitation, Yuuya leaned close to her ear and whispered:
"If you don't exchange contact info with me, I'll start pursuing you tomorrow. I'm sure you don't want me bothering you every day, right?"
"I… I really don't."
Megumi pulled out her phone and handed it over.
Yuuya exchanged contacts and returned the phone, smiling as he turned around.
Yukino's gaze was icy.
She carried her school bag and walked off without a glance back.
Yuuya followed at a leisurely pace.
By the time they stepped out of the school building, Yukino hadn't stopped waiting for him.
Yuuya didn't rush. He grabbed a bike and easily caught up.
He blocked her path with the bicycle.
"Hop on, little Yukino," he said.
"That girl… what's so special about her?" Yukino asked.
"Her aura. There's something unique about it."
"So you just exchanged contact info with her right in front of me?"
Yukino clenched her fists.
"Yukino Yukinoshita disgust +50"
Yuuya parked the bike and looked at her, grinning.
"So… are you jealous?"
"I'm not jealous," she muttered, turning her head.
Yuuya gently lifted her chin.
"I did it on purpose, just to see if little Yukino actually likes me."
"I don't like you."
"Say that while looking into my eyes, and I'll believe you."
"…"
Yukino looked at him, but no words came out.
Yuuya kissed her without hesitation.
She struggled, trying to push him away, but he simply held her tighter.
Now, Yukino couldn't escape.
"Yukino Yukinoshita disgust +30""Yukino Yukinoshita disgust +10""Yukino Yukinoshita favor +10"
After a while, Yuuya lifted his head, looking at Yukino's flushed face.
"So… do you like me?"
"I… I don't like you," she said softly.
"You're so tsundere… whatever, let's go home. I'll continue teasing you there."
"…"
Yukino watched him.
He patted the back of the bike seat.
After a few seconds of hesitation, she got on.
Back at Yuuya's House
He saw the kimonos Yaeko Nishinomiya had bought.
Looking at Yukino, he said:
"Come on, I'll help you change."
"I don't need your help."
"As your boyfriend, it's my duty."
"…"
Yukino watched him walk to the door.
In the end, she didn't refuse.
They entered her bedroom.
Yukino turned her back to him.
Yuuya didn't take advantage of the moment. Instead, he asked her how to help put on the kimono.
She explained seriously, step by step.
Yuuya patiently followed her instructions.
Once she was properly dressed, he hugged her.
"This is the image of a graceful and elegant young lady."
"I don't want to be a graceful and elegant young lady."
"Then what kind of girl do you want to be? A proud high peak flower?"
"I don't want too much attention. I don't want to rely on the Yukinoshita family's influence. I want to work hard and achieve the life goals I set for myself."
Yukino looked out the window, speaking earnestly.
Yuuya let her go.
"That's admirable… but it's not practical. You don't know how to make friends, which will make you a target in the workplace. And with your looks… if I were your boss, within six months we'd be traveling on business constantly."
Yukino glared at him, embarrassed.
Yuuya held her small hand.
"You created the Servant Club to help others, but I think you're the one who needs help most. You don't know how to make friends or manage relationships. You don't have the fake smiles your sister can give. That means you can't take the normal path. You need to be exceptionally capable, climb to a high corporate position right after graduation, and prove your worth."
Yukino remained silent.
Yuuya's words were true, but she didn't know how to change.
Even with someone gentle and kind like Yui Yuigahama, she couldn't bring herself to say, "I want to be friends."
Seeing her silence, Yuuya gently hugged her.
"Do you like me?"
"Yes."
"Do you trust me?"
"Yes."
"Then let me plan your life. You choose whether to accept my suggestions. I won't give you only one choice—I'll give you many."
"You… can't you just like me alone?"
Her voice was soft.
Yuuya stroked her long hair without replying.
Evening
They watched anime together and prepared dinner.
Yuuya handled the ingredients, Yukino handled the cooking.
Dinner was ready.
They sat at the table.
Yuuya tasted her cooking, praising her skills.
Yukino's expression was complicated.
After dinner, Yuuya helped clear the table.
Later, he brought out a set of matching couple pajamas.
She blushed but didn't refuse.
"Yukino Yukinoshita favor +30""Yukino Yukinoshita favor +50""Yukino Yukinoshita favor +50"
Half an hour later, both had changed into the pajamas.
Yuuya grabbed two drinks from the fridge and sat on the sofa next to her.
"Do you want friends?" he asked.
"Yes."
"What about Yuigahama?"
"She's nice and talks about many things, but I don't know how to respond."
"Do you think you can only be friends with people who share your interests?"
"Isn't that true?" Yukino looked puzzled.
Yuuya shook his head and took out his phone.
He called Yui Yuigahama directly.
A few seconds later, the call connected.
"Yuuya-kun, what's up?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to ask how things are between you and little Yukino."
"Not bad. She talks more when the topic interests her."
"Do you want me to give you some info? It'll help you become friends with little Yukino more easily."
"What info?"
"She actually likes cats. From street kittens to cat plushies, even cat-themed clothes—she'll look at them longer."
Yuuya glanced at Yukino as he spoke.
Her cheeks were slightly pink, embarrassed.
Yuigahama sounded surprised.
"Yukino actually likes cats? I thought she liked more refined things."
"Don't think too much about the second Miss Yukinoshita's status. Treat her like a normal person and invite her out shopping. Yumiko seems to want to be good friends with her too, so you can coordinate."
Yuuya finished speaking and winked at Yukino.