On the way to school
Takumi Yuuya rode his bicycle, with Yukino Yukinoshita seated behind him.
A faint blush colored her cheeks.
Yuuya's behavior was getting more and more audacious.
And yet… she felt weak in the knees.
She could have stayed away, but she hadn't. She had come to find him.
She knew she would be teased, yet she still went to Yuuya's house.
She knew perfectly well that he was… troublesome, but…
Why, when he teased her, did she feel no resentment at all?
Could it be… because she liked him?
But this guy was outrageous—he had even gone on a date with Yui Yuigahama yesterday.
If she let him tease her like this, he would only think she was easy to handle.
And then, driving away other girls would be that much harder.
Thinking this, Yukino stared at Yuuya's back.
She couldn't keep letting him get away with this. The easier a woman is to obtain, the less a man cherishes her.
She had to learn to refuse.
As the second daughter of the Yukinoshita family, she had to uphold her pride.
Clenching her small fists, she silently told herself:
"Yukino Yukinoshita, you can't let this continue."
The bicycle passed the school gates.
Surrounding students hardly reacted; the sight of the two of them was no longer shocking. After all, news had spread all day yesterday.
They arrived at the bike shed.
Yuuya came to a stop.
"My princess, please dismount," he said.
Hearing the title, Yukino felt a little shy.
"Yukino Yukinoshita favor +30"
She stepped down from the back seat.
Yuuya put the bicycle away and pointed at his own face.
Yukino turned her small head, pretending not to notice.
Yuuya's tone turned cold.
"I give you a ride to school, and now you're not happy? Next time, you can walk yourself."
He said this and walked ahead.
Yukino opened her mouth.
Seeing him walk away, she hurried after him.
"I'm not mad!"
"Then why are you turning your head?"
"I…"
"Do you think I like you, so you can throw a tantrum whenever you want?"
"..."
"Yukino, you're the loser here. I may have liked you first, but remember your place."
With that, Yuuya bypassed her.
Yukino watched his back, feeling a twinge of grievance.
She hadn't wanted him to think she was easy to handle.
He'd been so outrageous just now, and she hadn't even gotten angry.
She had merely turned her head, hoping he might kiss her, but…
At the shoe locker
Yuuya changed into his indoor shoes and headed upstairs.
Of course, he knew Yukino wasn't actually angry.
But coaxing her was less effective than pretending to be displeased.
He took control of the situation.
If she came to apologize on her own… that would mean their "progress bar" had climbed high enough.
Then it would be time to enter the next phase.
Waiting for the goal to appear naturally would be too foolish.
Other girls could be handled slowly.
Given Yukino's status and their current relationship… he couldn't let her accept the presence of other girls before graduation, or it would be dangerous after that.
Besides… what he said to Eriri Sawamura wasn't a joke.
Conquering Yukino's favor would be very helpful for him.
He needed someone to manage his "enterprise."
Yukino's standing made her perfect for that role.
After first-period class
Yuuya received a message from Yui Yuigahama.
"Yuuya-kun, did you and Yukino have a fight?"
He didn't reply.
After third-period class
Yui messaged again.
"Yuuya-kun, did you break up?"
Lunchtime
Yui appeared in front of Yuuya.
"Was it because of me?"
"Yes."
Yuuya paused for a moment.
Yui's expression became complicated. She thought for a while, then looked at him.
"I can explain. I can tell Yukino that we just watched a movie."
"Little Yukino wouldn't believe that."
"Then… what should I do?"
"Simple. Just become my girlfriend."
"Huh?"
"Because of you, I lost my girlfriend. You become my girlfriend, and the problem is solved."
Yuuya said this seriously.
Rumiya Aiki, sitting in front of him, heard it and internally groaned.
What kind of logic is this?
Who would ever believe that?
"And Yukino?"
"You remain friends with her. I won't interfere."
"Something feels off."
"Off? You cause me to lose a girlfriend, and you don't plan to make it up by becoming my girlfriend?"
"But…"
"From now on, you're my girlfriend."
Yuuya said firmly, holding her small hand.
Yui didn't reply, seeming to accept it.
Rumiya Aiki in the front row widened his eyes.
Only one thought ran through his head:
"Eh?"
Then he noticed a girl approaching.
Yukino Yukinoshita.
Based on what he had heard, Yukino was Yuuya's girlfriend. Since Yuuya had invited Yui to the movies, Yukino must be here to break up?
Not just Rumiya. Most of the class thought the same.
The rumor was that Yuuya and Yukino hadn't left the bike shed together, and they'd apparently fought.
The breakup hadn't been confirmed yet.
But now, seeing Yukino approach, with a complicated expression… naturally, people assumed a breakup.
Some thought Yuuya deserved it. Some just wanted to watch the drama unfold. Some worried for him.
Yui was in the worrying camp.
She saw Yukino stop and turn toward Yuuya.
Then she froze.
Why was Yuuya's face so stern?
Before she could think, Yukino bent slightly.
"I'm sorry."
The air seemed to still.
Everyone stared, shocked.
Yukino said… what?
"Sorry?"
Why was she apologizing?
Shouldn't Yuuya, the one stepping on multiple boats, be the one apologizing?
Yui stared blankly at the two of them.
Yuuya then spoke:
"I forgive you. Next time, don't get upset over other girls."
"I… I understand."
Yukino glanced at Yui.
Other students in the classroom gaped, watching her leave.
Yuuya picked up his lunch and looked at Yui.
"Go get your lunch. We'll eat together."
On the rooftop
Yui still couldn't understand.
Why did Yukino apologize?
Yuuya was terrible. They fought, yet Yukino was the one apologizing?
"Stop thinking, or your head will explode," Yuuya's voice said.
"Yuuya-kun… why?" Yui asked, puzzled.
"Little Yukino really likes me. Case closed."
"She likes you, so she apologized first?"
"Yes."
"Then what did you fight about?"
"I gave her a ride to school, and she wouldn't kiss me. So I got angry."
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