Inside the café.
Shiho Shizuka sat across from Takumi Yuuya.
Yuuya stared out the window.
"Honestly… I haven't read any of your work."
"You asked for enough material for two volumes just to keep rejecting me, didn't you?"
"That's not it. As long as your work is marketable, I don't mind investing money."
"During lunch break… that was my fault. I shouldn't have treated you like that."
Shiho said this seriously.
Yuuya smiled at her.
"No wonder, Senpai. Girls my age couldn't handle that."
"When an opportunity arises, you should seize it. That's what my father taught me."
"Your father?"
"To you, my father is ordinary."
"And your future plans?"
"I was aiming to be a light novel author, but… I'm a little lost now."
Shiho chose honesty.
Yuuya stirred his coffee, thinking for a moment.
"I'm investing in you, Shiho Shizuka, not your current story. If this one's stuck, why not start a new one?"
"A new story?"
"One with me as the protagonist."
"Y-you?"
"I have plenty of girls around me—each unique—who could be templates for heroines. And I'm completely unlike a typical light novel protagonist."
"I don't know much about you yet…"
Shiho pondered.
Yuuya took out his phone.
"Then let's exchange contacts first."
Contact information secured.
Yuuya rode his bike to Soubu High.
From upstairs, Shoko Nishinomiya saw him and rushed down as fast as she could.
She reached Yuuya and smiled.
"Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50"
Yuuya patted the rear seat of his bike.
She climbed on, hugging him.
The bicycle rolled forward.
Shoko's small head rested against his back.
A few minutes later, they arrived at Soubu High.
Yuuya parked the bike and held Shoko's hand.
She looked around curiously.
They walked to the soccer field.
Yuuya took out his notebook and wrote a line:
"This is Soubu High. One of the best environments among nearby schools, and with the most students."
Shoko wrote back:
"Which club are you in?"
Tennis Club and Service Club.
"Service Club?"
"Yukino's club. She wants to help others. There's no active request right now, so it's our special place together."
Shoko's face flushed reading the last part.
Hayama Hayato saw Yuuya and approached.
"Yuuya-kun, wanna give it a try?"
"No, if I step on the field, I'll dominate too much."
"Yuuya-kun is really that strong?"
"I don't know the rules; I'm just afraid of injuring someone."
Yuuya shook his head.
If he played seriously, it would be martial-arts-level soccer.
Hayama blinked.
You could actually get hurt playing soccer?
At the tennis court.
Yuuya arrived to see Ayaka Totsuka and Hachiman Hikigaya training, exchanging volleys back and forth.
He led Shoko to a bench and then walked over to them.
Ayaka stopped when she saw him.
"Yuuya-kun, you finally came."
"Grab a racket and stand over there. I'm taking both of you on—time for some pressure," Yuuya said.
Ayaka blinked.
"Okay."
She handed him a racket.
Hachiman looked puzzled at Ayaka.
"What's going on?"
"Yuuya-kun wants to play against both of us."
"His skill level seems…"
"That girl he brought is probably someone he wants to impress," Ayaka whispered, glancing at Shoko.
Hachiman understood.
Better hold back. After all, Yuuya funded the tennis club—10,000 yen weekly, regardless of attendance.
A benefactor deserves respect.
However…
After Yuuya served, Hachiman's assumptions shattered.
How long had it been? How was he suddenly so strong?
He was evenly matched against two opponents.
Club members watched in disbelief.
Ayaka, vice-captain by merit, was astonished.
Shoko saw Yuuya, and even without knowing tennis rules, his relaxed expression showed he had the upper hand.
Half an hour later, both Ayaka and Hachiman were exhausted.
Yuuya was still fresh.
He handed Ayaka the racket.
"Keep practicing."
"How can I get as strong as you, Yuuya-kun?"
Ayaka asked sincerely.
Yuuya wanted to say, "Just cheat," but that wouldn't do.
"100% effort," he said instead.
Back home.
They parked the bike and took a taxi to a yakiniku restaurant.
Shoko grilled, Yuuya ate.
He finished first; she started afterward.
Yuuya watched her drink and eat like a little animal—slowly, occasionally glancing at him.
By the time they left, it was 6:30 PM.
Yuuya brought Shoko to the cinema.
She couldn't hear the sound, but watched attentively.
Yuuya didn't disturb her.
After the movie, he kissed her cheek.
"Shoko Nishinomiya favor +50"
She blushed, lowering her head.
Yuuya gestured outside.
Shoko understood, leaving with him.
It was already dark.
They hailed a taxi and first went to a cake shop.
Shoko picked a small cake.
While the staff prepared it, she watched curiously.
Back at Yuuya's home, nine o'clock at night.
They entered the room.
Yuuya placed the cake on the table, lit the candles, and turned off the lights.
Shoko closed her eyes and made a wish.
Then she blew out the candle.
Yuuya switched the lights back on.
She sliced the cake and offered it to him.
They ate together. Most of the cake ended up in Yuuya's stomach; Shoko ate only one piece.
Yuuya checked the time and brought out matching pajamas.
Shoko blushed but accepted them and headed to the bathroom.
If it were Yukino, Yuuya would have followed.
Shoko, however… the little animal was obedient enough; he wouldn't push it.
Yuuya changed into his pajamas and left the bathroom.
He poured a glass of water and went to the bedroom.
Shoko sat on the edge of the bed, her cheeks tinted pink.
Yuuya sat beside her, handing her the water.
As she was about to drink, he stopped her.
He dropped a frozen vial into the water and gestured for her to drink.
Without hesitation, Shoko drank it all in one go.
..
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