6:00 PM
Not far from Yui Yuigahama's house, the car came to a stop.
Yui looked at Takumi Yuuya.
He held her small hand, showing no intention of letting go.
"Yuuya-kun, I'm home," she said softly.
"I know," he replied.
"Then…"
"Just give me a kiss, and I'll let you go," he said with a sly smile.
Yui's face flushed red. She glanced at Yaeko Nishinomiya in the driver's seat.
Yaeko looked calmly out the window, seemingly unfazed.
Yui slowly leaned toward him.
Before she could press her lips to Yuuya's cheek, he kissed her.
Yui froze for a moment. She tried to push him away, but she couldn't budge him—so she just accepted it.
"Yui Yuigahama favor +30""Yui Yuigahama favor +30""Yui Yuigahama favor +30"
A few minutes later, Yuuya pulled back.
"All done. You can go now."
"See… see you tomorrow," Yui mumbled, carrying her snacks as she got out of the car, waving a small hand at him.
Yuuya looked ahead.
"Let's go find Shoko."
"Yes," Yaeko started the car.
At the Nishinomiya residence
After getting out, Yaeko handed Yuuya a key.
He accepted it without hesitation, carrying his snacks and the small cake inside.
As Yaeko opened the door, she glanced back at him.
"Tomorrow is Shoko's birthday. If you're busy, I can help you pick a gift for her."
"I'm not busy. I'll pick her up after school, and we probably won't be back until late."
"I… I understand."
"Don't misunderstand. I won't hurt her until I've healed her."
"You really are a good person," Yaeko said.
"I'm not good," Yuuya said seriously. "Shoko is just… too well-behaved. Like a little animal. That's why I don't want to hurt her. Once she's better, I won't hold back."
Yaeko nodded. If Yuuya could truly help Shoko, there would be no problem with them being together.
She handed him a pair of slippers.
Yuuya changed and stepped into the room.
Shoko Nishinomiya was sitting on the sofa, quietly reading.
Yuuya sat down beside her.
She looked up, surprised to see him.
"Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50"
Yuuya patted the spot next to him.
Shoko's cheeks flushed red, but she came over and sat down.
He gestured toward the small cake.
She understood immediately, opened the box, and cut off a small piece—not for herself, but offering it to Yuuya's mouth.
Yuuya took it without hesitation.
She cut another piece.
Yuuya shook his head.
Seeing this, Shoko finally took a bite herself. But she didn't finish it; after half, she went to fetch something from Yaeko.
When she returned, she carried a plate of watermelon slices, giving the first one to Yuuya.
Dinner
Shoko had prepared the meal.
Yuuya was surprised to see dumplings.
She signed quietly, and Yaeko translated.
"Shoko said you might like noodles and dumplings. She learned how to make dumplings, but the noodles take more time."
"I'm not picky, but it feels nice to eat something familiar," Yuuya said, looking at Shoko.
Yaeko translated again.
"Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50"
A small smile appeared on Shoko's face.
After dinner
Yuuya went to Shoko's room.
It was neat and tidy, everything in its place.
He lay down on the bed.
Shoko followed suit.
Yuuya turned to her.
She blushed, lowering her head.
He leaned in slowly.
She closed her eyes.
Their lips met.
"Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50""Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50""Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50"
A long moment passed.
Yuuya lifted his head, looking at her flushed face.
She seemed unsure, avoiding his gaze.
Yuuya took out a notebook.
"If I kiss you a few more times, would you hate me?"
Shoko read it, shyly shaking her head.
Then she wrote a reply:
"You're my boyfriend. You can kiss me as many times as you want."
Yuuya smiled, leaned in, and kissed her again.
"Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50""Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50""Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50"
8:00 PM
Yuuya returned home, carrying pajamas, and went to the bathroom.
He initiated a video call with Yukino Yukinoshita.
Seconds later, she answered.
Seeing Yuuya in the bathtub, her face turned bright red, and she set down the phone.
"Can't you wait until after you leave the bath to video call me?"
"Little Yukino, can I come see you now? I suddenly feel like teasing you."
"You… you horrible person. I'm hanging up."
"Don't hang up—talk to me, or I'll come find you right now."
"You… you want to talk about what?"
"Have you ever dreamed about me? I don't mean an ordinary dream."
"N-no…"
"That's strange. My master said this spell can enter your dreams."
"You really entered my dream?"
"Yes. Otherwise, how could dream-me act exactly like real me?"
"You… can't you let me rest properly?"
Yukino was flustered and angry.
"Yukino Yukinoshita disgust +10"
Yuuya smirked.
"So you did dream about me… and about me teasing you?"
"You… you tricked me?"
"If I could really cast magic, I'd already be there with you."
"You're hopeless!"
Yukino clenched her fists.
"Yukino Yukinoshita disgust +10"
Yuuya smiled.
"Dreams reflect your subconscious. If you dreamed of me teasing you… it means you secretly wanted it. I didn't expect the top flower of Soubu High to have this side. So cute."
"I… I don't want to be teased by you!"
"Come to my house tomorrow morning, or I'll come during lunch."
"I know, you horrible person."
"Yukino Yukinoshita favor +10"
Friday morning, 7:00 AM
Yukino arrived at Yuuya's home.
Yuuya opened the door, smiling.
She entered quietly, avoiding eye contact.
He closed the door and lifted her in his arms.
"Y-you can't go too far," she whispered.
"I won't. I just want to teach you something important," he said meaningfully.
"I don't want to learn."
"Little Yukino, if you don't, your exam scores won't pass."
"Exam?"
"My little maid got a perfect score, you know."
As he said this, Yuuya carried her into the bedroom.
"Yukino Yukinoshita favor +10""Yukino Yukinoshita favor +30""Yukino Yukinoshita favor +50"