Dinner Time.
Inside Yukinoshita Yukino's apartment.
Three people sat at the dining table, eating dinner.
When it came to cooking, Su Yu and Yukinoshita Yukino were on par with each other in terms of skill. However, in terms of the variety of dishes they could prepare, Yukinoshita Yukino was clearly superior.
Although Su Yu was familiar with many different cuisines, he didn't actually know how to cook many dishes himself. Unless he took the time to learn them, he wouldn't be able to surpass Yukinoshita Yukino's culinary skills.
There was another possibility—obtaining the skills of a top-tier chef.
Su Yu felt that this scenario was more likely.
So, he had no intention of spending time learning how to cook.
Yuigahama Yui wanted to learn to cook, and with Yukinoshita Yukino's already impressive skills, Su Yu figured he didn't need to worry about making meals himself. Of course, taking the time to cook for them occasionally was still a necessary gesture.
After dinner.
Su Yu took care of the kitchen while the two girls chatted in the living room.
By the time he finished cleaning up and stepped out, he noticed a new presence in the room—Yukinoshita Haruno.
With her there, both Yuigahama Yui and Yukinoshita Yukino had fallen into silence.
Su Yu glanced at them before shifting his gaze to Yukinoshita Haruno.
"Miss Yukinoshita, I just happen to have something to discuss with you."
"Oh? Su Yu-kun, you need something from me?"
Yukinoshita Haruno smiled, as if she knew nothing, yet also as if she knew everything.
"Yukino, I need to borrow your music room," Su Yu said to Yukinoshita Yukino as he opened the door.
Yukinoshita Yukino looked at Su Yu, her lips parting slightly as if she wanted to say something.
She had already heard from Yuigahama Yui about what Su Yu was planning to do.
Buying out Shining Animation Studio would require ten billion yen, even without purchasing the Yukinoshita family's shares.
That kind of money… Su Yu could only borrow. And it wasn't from her.
She didn't have that much money, and if she asked her family, her mother would undoubtedly question their relationship.
If she turned to her sister, Haruno would inevitably find out about his intentions.
Su Yu was well aware of this.
The only person who could lend him the money was her sister.
Of course, with Sakura Dormitory as collateral, he could also secure a loan, but that would be far more troublesome.
Yukinoshita Haruno followed Su Yu out of the living room.
Inside the quiet music room.
Yukinoshita Haruno sat on a chair, smiling as she looked at Su Yu.
"Miss Yukinoshita…"
"Call me sister."
"Haruno-neesan," Su Yu said helplessly.
"Alright, go ahead. What do you need? I still owe you a favor." Yukinoshita Haruno reminded him.
"I want full control of Shining Animation." Su Yu got straight to the point.
"Actually, the remaining shares were already acquired by the Yukinoshita family a while ago. The reason President Harada is still there is because my family hasn't assigned anyone to manage Shining Animation yet. Mother originally intended to hand it over to Yukino." Haruno smiled as she explained.
Su Yu wasn't surprised by this revelation.
This outcome was within his expectations—he just didn't think the Yukinoshita family would move so quickly.
"Putting Yukino in the role of director is also a kind of trial for her. Both my father and mother are watching this situation closely. Watching you and Yukino."
Haruno's smile faded slightly as she observed Su Yu's expression.
"They're watching me?" Su Yu frowned.
"If I can get information from Yukino's driver, then it's only natural that Mother can get information from my driver as well." Haruno gazed out the window.
"I see. And is Lady Yukinoshita angry? You dining with me, going to a bar together—none of that fits with the image she expects from you, does it?"
Su Yu's sharp gaze met Haruno's.
"That's why I came to find you," Haruno said seriously.
"Do you want me to help Yukino gain approval, or do you want me to explain things for you?" Su Yu asked after a brief silence.
Haruno sighed.
"Su Yu-kun, if only you had come into this world a little earlier."
"Meeting Yukino was the greatest fortune of my life. If I had met you first, I'd rather have just graduated high school."
Su Yu responded without hesitation.
Hearing this, Haruno's eyes darkened slightly with a hint of grievance.
"How cruel, Su Yu-kun. Saying something so heartless to me. I like you so much, yet you can't feel my sincerity at all… sob sob."
"Uh-huh, go on," Su Yu replied absentmindedly.
"I might have bent the truth a little to convince Mother that I have no romantic interest in you. As long as your Madoka Magica receives good reviews, you'll earn the Yukinoshita family's approval." Haruno stood up as she spoke.
"And then?" Su Yu pressed.
"When the time comes, I'll take you to meet Mother. Hope you're not afraid." Haruno faked a sinister smirk.
"Got it. Thanks, Haruno-neesan."
Su Yu wasn't particularly afraid of Lady Yukinoshita.
Based on the anime, she wasn't overly oppressive when dealing with outsiders—having a conversation with her should be manageable.
Of course, he hadn't watched Season 3 or read the novels' depiction of her.
Why?
Answer: As long as I don't watch it, my youth won't end.
And besides, the way Season 2 ended made it feel like their youth would continue indefinitely. He liked that feeling.
"Oh, and I spoke with Yukino. She's reluctantly accepted the idea. You can go after other women behind her back, but you must marry her and give her a happy life. Got it?" Haruno suddenly said.
"…What did you say to her?" Su Yu asked, puzzled.
"That's a secret between us. Just remember, everything I do is to ensure that Yukino has a happy and bright future. If you betray my trust…"
Haruno's expression turned ice-cold in an instant.
"I'll do my best to make her happy."
Su Yu knew she wasn't joking.
Hearing his promise, Haruno nodded in satisfaction.
"When Mother hands over Shining Animation to Yukino, it'll basically be yours. She'll sell the shares to you at a low price. Don't disappoint her."
"As for management personnel, I'll arrange everything for you."
"Thank you." Su Yu bowed deeply.
Haruno glanced at him but said nothing, turning to leave the music room.
Su Yu straightened up, his expression complicated.
Everything was going well.
But accepting Shining Animation meant accepting the Yukinoshita family's arrangement—he had to marry Yukinoshita Yukino.
And for Yuigahama Yui…
Su Yu stood there, lost in thought for a long time, before finally leaving the music room.
When he returned to the living room.
Haruno gave him a meaningful look.
"Su Yu-kun, going on a summer trip with four girls… are you some kind of light novel protagonist?"
"I don't have any weird intentions." Su Yu's expression remained calm.
"Yukino, keep an eye on your boyfriend."
"H-He's not my boyfriend!"