Outside the restaurant.
"Hayama, I owe you an apology," Takumi Yuuya said.
"Huh?"
Hayama Hayato looked momentarily stunned.
"Before, I always thought you were just a useless do-gooder," Yuuya continued.
"…"
"Now, I finally understand your role. You're actually… very useful."
"Master Yuuya… am I only useful?" Hayama asked.
Yuuya shook his head and looked him squarely in the eye.
"You're good-looking and articulate. Most girls naturally have a positive impression of you."
"You should be grateful that you have value to her. Without even that, you wouldn't get a single chance to talk to her."
"Too bad you're not ruthless enough. That alone guarantees you'll never end up together."
Hayama opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Yuuya turned to Saya Yoshida.
"Hayama, if you want to earn Yukino Hiyori's favor, start here. Miss Yoshida likes you—she's someone you can leverage. Build a good relationship with her, and she becomes your network."
"Master Yuuya, I can't do something like that," Hayama said earnestly.
Yuuya fell silent for a few seconds.
"Do you want to be a pawn in her game?"
"I'm willing to be used by her," Hayama admitted.
"Then just stand aside and watch."
"Master Yuuya… you want to become her rival?"
"I'm not trying to be her rival. I want her to become my pawn."
"…"
Hayama's face was frozen in shock.
By the time he processed it, Yuuya had already walked into the restaurant.
They had lunch together.
Yuuya paid the bill.
Hayama and Saya left.
As they walked away, Hayama glanced back at Yuuya, still mulling over what he had said.
"Make Yukino Hiyori a pawn?" he thought.
Impossible.
The Yukinoshitas were a prestigious family in Chiba. Hiyori's grandfather had once served as a minister, which helped her father become a local assemblyman.
Maybe with effort, he could advance his position…
But would Hiyori really consent to become Yuuya's pawn?
Unless…
Yuuya watched Hayama's retreating figure.
To put it nicely, he was passionate.
To put it less nicely… if he were more ruthless, his value would instantly skyrocket—from a pawn to a rook.
Too bad this do-gooder wasn't ruthless enough.
But that didn't matter.
Once Hiyori became a pawn, Yuuya could hold her hand and maneuver Hayama, the pawn, exactly where he wanted.
How to make Hiyori a pawn?
That was obvious.
Yuuya glanced at the virtual interface:
Current points: 5730
The golden treasure chest was within reach.
One chest wasn't enough—two would guarantee the abilities or items he wanted.
Until he had near-100% certainty, he wouldn't make his move toward Hiyori.
Even if she overheard him, she probably wouldn't take it seriously.
And Hayama wasn't necessarily going to tell her.
"Takumi?"
Yukino's voice drew his attention.
"Nothing. Let's go see a movie. You pick today."
Yuuya smiled.
Yukino had generated a lot of favor points today, making him slightly hesitant.
Pleasure points were capped at 1,000 per person per week.
Favor points, however, had no known limit.
From a points-maximization perspective, delaying Yukino's "exam" would be optimal.
But he also wanted to follow his heart. After setting up all these foundations, braking now would be pointless.
The movie Yukino chose was decent.
Yuuya watched seriously.
Afterward, they discussed the plot at a café.
"Yukino Yukinoshita favor +50""Yukino Yukinoshita favor +50""Yukino Yukinoshita favor +50""Yukino Yukinoshita favor +50"
During the hour-long discussion, Yukino contributed even more favor points.
Yuuya smiled on the surface, but inside, he was conflicted.
Around five in the afternoon, Yuuya and Yukino went to a shopping center.
Yuuya bought a formal dress for Yukino.
Yukino purchased a suit for him.
They stood in front of the mirror.
Yuuya wrapped his arm around her slim waist.
"How do I look?"
"Very handsome," she replied.
"Thanks, little Yukino. You look beautiful too."
"Just beautiful?"
"Alright, 'beautiful' doesn't describe you. You define beauty. Next time I compliment other girls, I'll say they're 'like little Yukino.'"
"Terrible," Yukino muttered, rolling her eyes but smiling.
In front of the Chiba Central Hotel.
The car stopped.
Yuuya and Yukino stepped out.
Yuuya wore a crisp white suit, looking effortlessly sharp.
Yukino wore a white evening gown, accentuating her elegant presence.
"Little Yukino, don't you think we look a bit like a wedding couple?" Yuuya asked, smiling.
"Yukino Yukinoshita favor +50"
"I did pick it based on wedding attire," Yukino whispered.
Yuuya pulled her into his arms.
"Me too. I want to marry you, Little Yukino."
"Yukino Yukinoshita favor +50"
"What about… them?" she asked quietly.
Yuuya looked down at her.
"I have a less-than-ideal solution."
"Oh? Do tell," she said, curious.
Yuuya whispered in her ear.
She paused, thought carefully, and finally nodded.
"This… could work, I suppose."
"So it's decided?"
"It's the only way."
"Thank you, Little Yukino."
Yuuya knew that by saying this, Yukino had effectively agreed not to interfere with "them."
"Takumi, Little Yukino, are you planning to go straight to marriage?"
A voice interrupted.
They turned to see Hiyori Yukinoshita, dressed professionally and looking serious.
"Thank you for your hard work, Miss Yukinoshita," Yuuya said politely.
"No trouble at all. Mother said she'd pay me for managing the hotel," Hiyori replied with a smile.
"Ah, that explains why you're dressed so formally," Yuuya said.
"If you don't mind, can I join you for dinner?"
Yuuya glanced at Yukino.
She hesitated, then nodded.
"Since we've met, let's eat together," she said.
"Little Yukino, you're wonderful. Looks like I can't be as harsh on you anymore," Hiyori said, touched.
Yukino knew her sister was faking it and linked arms with Yuuya as they moved forward.
The hotel interior glittered with gold accents and reproduced classic paintings on the walls.
The three rode the elevator directly to the restaurant.
Hiyori led them to a window-side table.
Yuuya sat, casting a glance toward Chiba Port.
The sun was setting. The docks buzzed with activity.
On the left, a park; on the right, offices and factories.
The evening view promised to be spectacular.