"Umiko Miura favor +50""Umiko Miura favor +50""Umiko Miura favor +50"
The kiss ended. Takumi Yuuya released Umiko.
"Yui and Hina probably went to the service club. You should go find them too. I need a moment to calm down—if you stay here, I might not be able to control myself."
"Okay."
Blushing, Umiko left the rooftop, her footsteps fading as she went.
Yuuya watched as Shiho Kasumigaoka stepped out.
"So, Shiho-senpai, what's your impression of me?"
"You're impressive."
"If love had ranks, I think I'm close to Diamond level."
"She and Yui are friends?"
"Yeah, good friends."
"Then why…"
Shiho hesitated, unable to figure it out.
Yuuya patted the spot next to him.
"Sit."
Without hesitation, Shiho sat beside him. Yuuya took her small hand in his. She stiffened slightly, but didn't pull away.
He observed her carefully.
"Shiho Kasumigaoka disgust +30"
He noticed the virtual display, then shifted his gaze to her legs.
"Shiho Kasumigaoka disgust +50"
Yuuya reached out…
Shiho couldn't hold back any longer.
"Yuuya-kun…"
"What is it?"
He lifted his drink, smiling at her.
"Shiho Kasumigaoka disgust +50"
"Nothing."
Shiho turned her head away. Yuuya finished his drink and placed the empty bottle in front of him.
"Right now, you really dislike me, don't you?"
"I just want you to be serious, Yuuya-kun."
"I am being serious. Ever since you sat down, I've been demonstrating something for you."
"Demonstrating what?"
"The first step: whether it's a good impression or a bad one, I've left a strong impression on you."
"And then?"
"Your curiosity—that's the key to moving forward."
"I am curious," Shiho admitted.
Yuuya released her hand and stood, leaning slightly toward her.
"Status difference is the most important factor. If I were just an ordinary person, you wouldn't have been patient enough to listen to me."
"And you wouldn't have let me hold your hand."
"When I can hold your hand at will, hugging you at will isn't far behind."
"When I can hug you freely without being rejected…"
"…the distance to conquering you is only two steps away."
Shiho looked up at him.
"What are those two steps?"
"Assistance, and opportunity."
"What do you mean?"
"Helping you write your next book, creating an opportunity to reverse your impression of me—turning dislike into affection."
Yuuya explained slowly. Shiho considered his words carefully.
A few minutes later, she spoke.
"If you've already told me your plan, how am I supposed to turn my bad impression into a good one? Now that I know, I'll always remind myself of it."
"They also know I'm juggling a few girls but still choose to stay with me. Why do you think that is?"
Yuuya answered her question with another question.
"I don't know."
"Human relationships are strange. Falling for someone can happen in an instant. Even if you know I'm juggling, if you still feel something, you'll fall into the trap I've woven for you."
"I'm not that stupid."
"Shiho-senpai, don't speak in absolutes. Think back—how long has it been since we met? From the moment you disliked me to listening to me talk—how much time has passed?"
Shiho fell silent.
Yuuya sat beside her again, holding her hand, and lightly kissed the back of it.
"I've said so much—kissing your hand shouldn't be too much, right?"
"You already did. What else can I say?"
"Shiho-senpai, if I gave you 100 million yen, asking only for a kiss every day, would you accept?"
"I'm not that desperate for money."
"Conquering you is going to be difficult, then."
"Go ahead and try. If I fall for you, then I've lost."
Shiho was confident. She didn't believe she could fall for Yuuya, even knowing everything about him.
After school.
Yuuya checked the message from Yukino Yukinoshita. She wanted to go karaoke with everyone instead of going home to rest.
He put his phone away and looked at the girls.
Umiko smiled softly. Yui pouted. Hina adjusted her glasses.
Yuuya grabbed his commuting bag and approached Umiko.
"Same store as before. You guys go ahead; Yukino and I will catch up soon."
"Okay."
Umiko nodded and led Yui and Hina away.
Yuuya reached Yukino's classroom. She was packing her bag. Upon seeing him, she smiled.
Soon, she was ready and walked up to him.
"Shall we go?"
"You're not tired?"
"No."
"Then stay over at my place tonight," Yuuya suggested.
Yukino blushed, thought for a moment, and softly nodded.
Outside Soubu High, Yuuya held Yukino's hand.
"Did you want to sing with them to build connections, make friends who can be your allies?"
"I… just want a few friends."
"I thought you were trying to build a team for yourself."
"I don't need a team."
Yukino shyly turned her head. Yuuya lightly kissed the back of her hand.
"Actually, the potion you took is only one percent the strength of the original formula, which is why you're so weak."
"You used the original potion?"
"Yes. It's difficult to make—takes rare ingredients and lots of time."
"Is it really strong?"
"What do you think?"
"How would I…"
Yukino suddenly realized something mid-sentence and blushed. Yuuya kissed her gently on the cheek.
At the karaoke place, Umiko handled the song selection. Yuuya didn't pick any songs.
Yukino chose a popular song. The four girls began singing, and Yuuya gave careful praise for each performance.
During a break, Yukino asked how to operate the machine. Umiko patiently explained while Yui hovered nearby. Hina sat next to Yuuya.
"Yuuya-kun, you're amazing. You've made Yukino and them get along so well."
"They want to be friends with Yukino, and she wants a few friends too."
"I see."
"You could join them too."
"I'll pass. I don't have Umiko's looks or Yui's figure—just average at best."
"You're smart. That alone is enough."
Yuuya held her small hand.
"Hina Ebina favor +30"