"1.5 billion yen?"
Kirisu Mafuyu was stunned. That figure was far beyond what she had expected.
Yukino watched her former teacher's expression with a soft chuckle. She had rarely seen Kirisu-sensei look surprised—during her school days, Mafuyu-sensei had been the epitome of stoic professionalism.
"Is he the heir of some conglomerate?" Yukino asked, curious. "Someone like him… Even the Shinomiya family's successors might pale in comparison."
Kirisu shook her head firmly. "No. He's not part of any family like that. He's completely independent—just an ordinary person who made everything happen by himself."
She didn't go into details about Yukima Azuma's past. That was for him to share, not her. But she wanted Yukino to understand one thing clearly: Azuma had made it all on his own.
"No family. No backing. Nothing but himself," Mafuyu added.
Yukino's eyes widened slightly.
He's really… alone?
"He once mentioned founding a company," Yukino murmured. "But I didn't expect it to be that successful."
"He earned the seed money by making games in middle school," Mafuyu explained. "He's never had anyone to rely on. He's always been on his own."
A wave of shock surged in Yukino's heart.
She had always assumed Azuma came from a distinguished background—someone with extraordinary talent nurtured by wealth and power. It made sense. People like that weren't uncommon in elite circles.
But no.
He did it all himself. From nothing.
He was younger than her, yet had already carved a place for himself in Tokyo.
That meant… he wasn't tied down by anyone either.
For the first time in her life, Yukinoshita Yukino felt something entirely new: admiration. Not the shallow kind offered by classmates or adults who saw her as perfect—but real, overwhelming awe.
And once someone like her—a girl used to being admired—started admiring someone else…
That feeling was dangerously strong.
The conversation ended there, and Yukino quietly returned to her room, her thoughts spinning.
Downstairs, a small gathering had formed.
"Why is Kirisu-sensei living here now?!" Eriri asked, outraged.
"Her rental lease expired," Azuma replied nonchalantly.
"More like she's here to spy on us," Utaha muttered.
"Huh? Why would she—"
"Maybe she's just concerned her students might get into trouble," Azuma shrugged.
"Don't dodge the question! What about Yukinoshita?" Utaha cut in sharply.
"Yukinoshita? Who?" Eriri asked blankly.
"She was apparently a top student at Toyogasaki," Megumi explained.
"Why do you all know this except me?!"
"Because you're the only one who doesn't bother knowing things," Utaha said flatly.
"She also moved here because her lease ran out," Azuma added.
Three pairs of suspicious eyes zeroed in on him.
"Ahem… She's working at my company now. HR department. She's recruiting programmers."
"Wow, wow," Utaha said sarcastically. "Not just school and home life—now you've got office drama too?"
Azuma raised three fingers solemnly. "I swear to heaven, it's all innocent!"
"Hmph. I'll let it go this time," Utaha said. "But no more strangers moving in!"
Eriri nodded vigorously, completely forgetting she had moved in herself just the night before.
"I already asked the agency to delist the property," Azuma said, aligning himself with them like a fellow gatekeeper.
Later, after breakfast, the day passed peacefully.
Kirisu mostly stayed in her room.
Yukino left early each day and came back only in the evening. Her hours seemed longer than standard business time, which confused Azuma—his company was 9 to 5, after all.
Kasumigaoka was swamped too, working on both novel scripts and preparing Volume 5 of The Metronome in Love.
Outside school, Azuma's shogi tournament had ended.
He had gone undefeated and was promoted to 7-dan, making him the youngest player in history to reach that rank.
News of his rise exploded across shogi headlines.
Meanwhile, Kita Ikuyo had settled into her band and grown close to Bocchi. Kessoku Band was preparing for their first live show at STARRY next week.
At school, the monthly exams came and went.
Azuma scored first place again, as expected.
Eriri, however, failed English and math, earning a stern scolding from Kirisu-sensei. Her British heritage cried in shame. She had been too busy with her illustration work to study.
Even Megumi barely passed.
Kirisu Mafuyu confronted Azuma directly, demanding he ensure the girls studied harder.
If they failed the summer exams, they'd be stuck in remedial classes.
Azuma nodded obediently, promising to help them review during breaks.
A few days later…
"My mom got these movie tickets from a friend, but she didn't want to go, so she gave them to me," Eriri said, handing Azuma a ticket.
"If you're free… I'm not saying you have to go! But it'd be a waste not to use them!"
Azuma took the ticket, smirking inwardly.
"Her mom," huh? Most likely, she bought them herself—or maybe Sayuri-obasan pulled some strings to set her up.
Either way, Titanic tickets were nearly impossible to get.
Even as an investor, he'd only received a handful.
He carefully tucked the ticket into his chest pocket and smiled. "Umu, I'm looking forward to it."
Eriri's face turned crimson.
At that moment, Kita Ikuyo happened to walk by. Eriri seized her and fled toward the restroom.
Just then, Kato Megumi returned and nearly bumped into them—then sidestepped at the last moment with elegant precision.
Azuma clapped slowly. "As expected of Megumi-sama. Not only Toyogasaki's top assassin but also its dodge master."
Megumi gave him a flat look and poked his side with her finger.
He instantly straightened up.
"Did something good happen with Sawamura-san?" she asked softly.
"She's not exactly subtle," Azuma said with a vague smile.
To shift the mood, he reached into his bag and took out two more Titanic tickets.
Megumi blinked.
"Watch a movie? Last time I went to the theater, the ticket checker ignored me. I haven't gone back since."
Azuma felt a pang of guilt—but before he could say anything, Megumi snatched one ticket out of his hand.
"Just kidding. Of course I'll get my revenge. I'm looking forward to it!"
Her mischievous smile made his heart skip a beat.
Yeah.
Kato Megumi really was the cutest in the world.
After school, Azuma returned home.
"I'm back."
"Welcome home," Kasumigaoka Utaha said, glancing up from the couch.
Shiratamaru was curled up on her lap, thumping his tail lazily.
Azuma walked over, picked up the smug little fluffball, and tossed him gently onto the sofa.
"Abandoned," Shiratamaru muttered, scratching the couch in protest before hopping off.
"Lonely-kun, back at it again?" Utaha said, folding her arms over her chest—an action that emphasized her considerable assets.
Azuma gave her a playful look. "If that's the case, senpai, what will you do about it?"
Utaha sighed. "Well, resistance would be futile. Physically speaking, I can't overpower you."
She tapped her chin in thought.
"Maybe I'll report you to the police, wait a few years for you to finish reform school, and then come pick you up."
Azuma put on a comically pitiful expression.
She burst out laughing despite herself and pulled him into a tight hug.
They both collapsed onto the sofa, tangled together.
As he felt the softness beneath him, Azuma marveled at how perfectly proportioned Utaha was. Eriri called her chubby—but her waist was slim, and everything else was… just right.
After a long silence, Azuma pulled out a slightly crumpled movie ticket from his pocket.
"Senpai, let's go watch a movie."
Utaha glanced at the ticket.
"So, all this affection was just an invitation?"
Azuma nodded.
In response, Kasumigaoka Utaha kicked him off the sofa.