Outside the Kawasaki Household
A moving truck was parked in front of the Kawasaki family's home.
Most of their personal belongings—clothes, books, and essentials—had already been packed into the trunk of Hiratsuka Shizuka's car.
The moving company's job was simply to transport the larger furniture to Sakurasou.
Kawasaki Saki and her younger sister stood at the entrance, watching as their home was emptied out, piece by piece.
Neither of them spoke, but their expressions showed their pain.
Su Yu stood quietly beside them, saying nothing.
Saki wouldn't let herself cry in front of him, and he saw no reason to offer unnecessary comforting words.
For Keika, it was different—he could give her reassurances.
But for Saki? She wasn't a child. She was strong—both in appearance and in spirit.
Leaving the Kawasaki Household
An hour later, most of their belongings had been moved.
Saki and Keika got into the car.
Before leaving, Su Yu walked up to the house number plate, removed it, and handed it to Saki in the backseat.
"…Thank you."
Saki accepted it quietly.
Su Yu simply nodded, then sat in the passenger seat.
He checked his phone—it was already after the first period of afternoon classes.
Hiratsuka remained patient as she drove.
She had already done far more than most teachers would, even covering the moving expenses herself.
Arriving at Sakurasou
Less than thirty minutes later, the moving truck pulled up in front of Sakurasou.
Su Yu had arranged for Saki's family to rent the spare first-floor room—though for now, the rent was a non-issue.
After a quick cleanup, the moving company began unloading and arranging the furniture.
Hiratsuka and Su Yu helped carry the remaining personal items from the car into the room.
Compared to their previous home, this space was much smaller—but it was still enough.
Keika stood in the courtyard, gazing at the cherry blossom tree.
Her eyes were still a little red.
As Su Yu passed by, he reached out and gently patted her head.
"Next year, you'll see the cherry blossoms bloom."
"…Yeah."
Keika nodded.
It was mid-May—the cherry blossoms were already falling.
By next April, they would be in full bloom again.
In some places, cherry blossoms bloomed as early as March, but the one at Sakurasou was a bit different—
Not because it was special, but simply because it had been growing for a long time.
Settling In
The moving process wrapped up quickly.
Hiratsuka paid the movers, and after bowing respectfully, they drove away.
Su Yu came down from the second floor, holding a white envelope—inside was 500,000 yen.
He walked into Saki's new home.
She stared at the envelope in his hand, at a loss for words.
She owed him too much already—
The 500,000 yen for her mother's hospitalization.
The rent for moving here.
And now, she needed living expenses too.
Clearly, 1,000,000 yen wouldn't be enough.
Su Yu turned to Keika.
"Keika, could you help me clean up the cherry blossom petals in the courtyard?"
"…Okay."
Keika understood—he wanted to speak to Saki privately.
Like the mature, considerate child she was, she quietly left—closing the door behind her.
Su Yu handed the envelope to Saki.
"…Thank you."
Saki lowered her head as she accepted it.
"Besides the 1,000,000 yen I lent you, your rent is 80,000 yen per year."
"I'll pay you100,000 yen per month, meaning every month you work, you repay100,000 yen of your debt."
"In addition, I'm giving you an extra 1,000,000 yen for grocery shopping—which includes preparing my meals and bento. Yui will often be here too, so her bento is also your responsibility."
"Occasionally, I'll need you to pick up supplies—I'll pay separately for that."
"And for the summer vacation trip, you'll need to come with me—I'll pay you double salary for that."
Su Yu stated it all matter-of-factly.
Saki listened in silence, quickly realizing that Su Yu was giving her extra money—
By his calculations, she'd actually be earning 200,000 yen per month.
"…Thank you for your generosity, but—"
"I know you have pride."
"You don't want to accept charity, but the reality is that you need this money."
"So for now—just swallow your pride."
Su Yu cut her off before she could refuse.
Saki opened her mouth but stopped.
She knew he was right.
But… in her heart…
"I'll treat you as my maid."
"I might even take advantage of you sometimes."
"You can just assume I have ulterior motives."
"This way, you won't feel indebted to me—and you won't have to be grateful—because, at some point, I really have had those thoughts."
Su Yu said bluntly.
"…If you really had those thoughts…"
Saki took a deep breath.
"…I wouldn't reject you."
"I need your money. That's the truth."
"Rather than owing you favors, I'd rather we be even—even if I have to pay a price."
"As long as my mother and sister can have a better life, I don't care."
Saki's voice was calm, but her fingers slightly clenched the envelope.
"…If I said I planned to keep paying you just to maintain our relationship, would you still accept?"
Su Yu's expression darkened slightly as he looked at her.
"I would."
Saki answered without hesitation.
"…If someone else said that to you, would you still accept?"
Su Yu pressed further.
"…I'd rather die than become that kind of woman."
"The only reason I agreed is because I know you're at least a responsible man."
"Yuigahama Yui has been with you for a while now, but you haven't laid a hand on her yet, have you?"
Saki stared at Su Yu.
Su Yu remained silent.
Saki already knew about Yui's situation—it wasn't surprising.
Maybe she overheard it in the girls' restroom at school.
When girls gossip, they sometimes discuss shocking topics.
And Yui was an honest little fool—if Ebina or Yumiko had asked, she probably told them everything.
"…Su Yu-kun, you're a good person."
"I misunderstood you before. I'm sorry."
"I'll work hard to repay you for everything."
Saki bowed deeply.
"…Got it. Keep unpacking."
"Take tomorrow off to adjust. You'll start working on the weekends."
Su Yu turned and left.
Saki watched his retreating figure, then looked down at the envelope in her hands.
Her worries had vanished.
After all—she owed Su Yu too much.
Even if he took advantage of her, she would have no choice but to endure it.
But from what she had observed—she now understood what kind of person Su Yu was.
On the Way Back to School
"What's your real reason for helping the Kawasaki family?"
Hiratsuka asked.
"…Because I can help. Also, Sakurasou needed someone to cook and clean."
Su Yu gazed out the window.
"…Do you like Kawasaki Saki?"
"I have had inappropriate thoughts, but I also know that if I act on them, I need to take responsibility."
"…As long as you understand."
"I'm still young—I might make mistakes."
"…Su Yu-kun, if I ever want to punch you, I won't hold back."
"Just don't hit my face."
Notes-Read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X