The Service Club
After sitting down, Su Yu handed out copies of Future Manga Weekly to everyone.
Both Miura Yumiko and Ebina Hina already knew that Su Yu was a mangaka, and now, their curiosity about his manga was at an all-time high.
Especially Ebina Hina—not only was she curious, but she was also hoping Su Yu would become her fellow fujoshi.
Meanwhile, Yuigahama Yui and Yukinoshita Yukino, despite having already read the original manuscript, still took the time to go through it again, reading it seriously.
For a moment, the Service Club was completely silent.
The only sound in the room was Su Yu eating his lunch.
As Miura Yumiko looked at Yuru Camp's art style, she couldn't help but glance up at Su Yu.
She had some experience in drawing, and her skills were above Yuigahama Yui's, so she could immediately tell just how captivating Su Yu's artwork was.
If Su Yu ever published an instructional book on manga, she would buy it without hesitation.
First impression? The artwork was perfect.Next, the story?
Though she didn't have any personal experience living in the countryside, she had met girls from those kinds of places before.
Their kindness was something she deeply understood.
They had a kind of pure-hearted innocence that was just natural.
And the characters in Su Yu's manga gave her that exact feeling.
Engaging characters? Perfect.Scenic backgrounds? The village and cherry blossoms were beautifully drawn.
Seeing those breathtaking landscapes, Miura Yumiko couldn't help but start looking forward to the summer trip.
Ebina's "Problem"
"Su Yu-kun! Can you teach me?" Ebina Hina suddenly blurted out.
"I want to be a mangaka too!"
Su Yu glanced at her and sighed.
"Ebina, maybe try thinking about something positive for a change. Don't just immerse yourself in your hobby all the time."
"Something positive…?"
Ebina Hina blinked—
Then suddenly covered her nose and ran out of the room.
"…"
Su Yu sighed again.
"I'll go check on her," Miura Yumiko said softly, standing up.
She knew what Ebina Hina was into.
She also knew that when Ebina got too excited, she had a tendency to get nosebleeds.
A Subtle Gift Exchange
With Ebina Hina and Miura Yumiko gone, Su Yu glanced at Yuigahama Yui and then at Yukinoshita Yukino.
He noticed something—
Both of them were wearing the necklaces he had given them.
Luckily, neither of them had deliberately shown them off, or else it could've caused unnecessary trouble.
Yuigahama had definitely guessed that Su Yu had given Yukino the same gift.
As for Yukino…
She had probably heard about it from Yuigahama, along with Su Yu's confession.
Which meant—
When the time came to confess to Yukino, he couldn't use the same method.
"Su Yu-kun? Su Yu-kun?"
Yuigahama waved her small hand in front of his face.
"…What is it?"
"Do you think Yuru Camp will get fan letters?" she asked curiously.
"That… should be possible," Su Yu replied, though he wasn't entirely sure.
Future Manga Weekly did include a section where readers could write letters to their favorite mangaka.
"With its art style, Yuru Camp will probably become a hit in no time," Yukinoshita Yukino said.
"Which means you'll have a lot more work—so you don't have to help with Madoka Magica anymore."
"I was thinking the same thing," Su Yu nodded.
"So I'll leave Madoka to you."
He wasn't worried about Madoka Magica's production at all.
The whole reason he had entrusted the project to Yukino was to help develop her abilities—and also to increase her standing in her family's eyes.
If she only managed to complete it with his help, then no amount of recognition would truly allow her to grow.
Yuigahama Yui watched them talk, thinking about her own little goal.
A soft smile appeared on her face.
"…What are you grinning about?" Su Yu asked.
"N-Nothing!"
Her face turned red.
There was no way she was going to say it out loud—
Not to Su Yu, and not even to Yukino.
After School
As soon as classes ended—
Yukinoshita Yukino left Sōbu High and headed straight for Shining Animation Studio.
Meanwhile, Su Yu was responsible for tutoring.
The next exams were in just two weeks—right before summer vacation.
And if anyone failed that exam…
They'd have to attend remedial classes every day during summer break.
Su Yu wasn't worried about Miura Yumiko or Ebina Hina.
The one he was most concerned about was Yuigahama Yui.
Among the three girls, she had the weakest grades.
The fact that she had even gotten into Sōbu High was probably due to a lucky break during entrance exams.
"Yui," Su Yu said seriously, "if you don't pass this exam… then next month, we're not going on any dates."
"Instead, you'll be moving into Sakura Dormitory, and I'll personally tutor you every day until you rank in the top 100 before summer break."
"…And if I still don't make it?"
"Then you won't have time to enjoy the summer trip."
Yuigahama's eyes widened.
"…I-I'll do my best!"
She clenched her small fists determinedly.
Ebina's Warning
"Speaking of the summer trip…" Ebina Hina adjusted her glasses.
"There's only one guy in the group. Feels kinda dangerous, don't you think?"
"You don't have to worry," Su Yu said calmly, looking at her.
"I have no interest in you."
Ebina Hina smirked.
She believed him.
Even though his words sounded cold, she could tell that he was serious.
Meanwhile, Miura Yumiko was thinking about the summer trip.
Would they go to the beach?
If so, she already knew which swimsuit she was going to bring.
She wanted Su Yu to see her in it.
Ideally, they'd find a quiet beach—
No crowds, no distractions—
Just Su Yu, the only guy among them.
And maybe…
If something unexpected happened, and they ended up stranded on a deserted island together—
Her face turned bright red.
"Yumiko? What's wrong?"
Yuigahama noticed her flushed expression and looked confused.
"N-Nothing! I… I'm going to the restroom!"
Miura Yumiko quickly lowered her head and rushed out of the room.
"I'll go with you," Yuigahama offered, standing up to follow.
As the door closed behind them—
Ebina Hina turned to face Su Yu.
"Su Yu-kun… what are you planning to do about Yumiko?"
"…I'm still thinking about that."
"Yumiko and Yui are pretty similar. The difference is that Yumiko cares more about her friends—and she's more fragile."
"I know."
"If you were even a little worse of a person, Yui and Yumiko would've already—"
"If I were that kind of guy, you wouldn't even be talking to me right now."
Ebina smiled knowingly.
She agreed.
If Su Yu was truly scummy, she wouldn't have even bothered speaking to him.
"Ebina, do you have any ideas?"
After a brief silence, she replied—
"This is a multiple-choice question—but the one answering isn't you."
Su Yu looked out the window.
"…I'm the one writing the question."
"If Yumiko gets hurt again… she might never look forward to romance again."
Ebina's voice carried a deeper meaning.
Su Yu turned to look at her—
And said nothing.