By the Sea
Su Yu sat on a reef, watching the setting sun.
"I still don't quite understand… what kind of charm do you have that made Haruno fall for you?"
A voice came from behind him.
Su Yu turned his head to see Mrs. Yukinoshita standing there.
"I can't answer that question," Su Yu said calmly. "Maybe it's just because of my attitude toward her—it made her curious. And over time, that curiosity turned into affection."
"If I ask you to marry Haruno and give you Yukinoshita Construction, will you stay away from Yukino?" Mrs. Yukinoshita gazed at him.
"I will only marry Yukino."
"And what about Haruno?"
"I will do my best to make her happy."
"I've investigated your business ventures," Mrs. Yukinoshita said after a moment. "To be honest, you've done well. Hanada Yui rates you highly—she even says you're on my level. If you marry Haruno, I can hand over Yukinoshita Construction without any worries."
"I'm not interested in Yukinoshita's business, and Haruno isn't either," Su Yu shook his head.
"What if… I take Yukino away?" Mrs. Yukinoshita paused, then asked.
Hearing this, Su Yu immediately took out his phone—
And called Yukino.
Mrs. Yukinoshita froze.
Then, Yukino's voice came through the phone.
"Calling me at this hour—what's the matter?"
"Mrs. Yukinoshita wants to take you away. Do you want to go with her?" Su Yu asked directly.
"…What did you say?" Yukino was momentarily stunned.
"Mrs. Yukinoshita, please repeat what you just said to Yukino," Su Yu stepped closer and handed her the phone.
"Mother?" Yukino's voice carried uncertainty.
Mrs. Yukinoshita looked at Su Yu.
From his expression, she already knew the answer.
Su Yu wouldn't have called Yukino if he wasn't sure what she would say.
But she still felt unwilling to give up.
So—
"Yukino," she spoke slowly, "Would you like to attend a school in Tokyo? I've transferred Yukinoshita Construction to Su Yu and your sister. I think they're a good match."
"…I think so too." Yukino paused, then replied softly.
Mrs. Yukinoshita's expression stiffened.
"Mother, no matter what happens, I want to stay with him. That is my choice.
Even if you expel me from the Yukinoshita family, I won't regret it.
I've already made up my mind—I love him."
Yukino's voice was firm.
"..."
Mrs. Yukinoshita fell silent.
"Thanks, Yukino. I'll come to your apartment later," Su Yu ignored Mrs. Yukinoshita's shocked expression and spoke gently to Yukino.
"I'll be waiting," Yukino replied, her voice carrying a hint of shyness.
Su Yu hung up, put away his phone, and looked at Mrs. Yukinoshita.
"Yukino would never…" Mrs. Yukinoshita muttered, as if unable to believe it.
"The Yukino you know and the Yukino now—they're not the same anymore.
She's no longer the untouchable flower of Soubu High.
She has friends now.
She has worked tirelessly toward becoming an anime director.
Do you even know how much effort she has put in?"
Su Yu's voice was sharp.
"Of course I know…!"
"Did you hear it from her driver?" Su Yu interrupted.
"Have you ever actually seen her work?"
Mrs. Yukinoshita opened her mouth—but couldn't say anything.
It had been a long time since she had last visited Yukino.
Most of what she knew came from reports.
"You neglected her.
She became an anime director, not to earn your approval, but because she loves my stories.
She was called the flower of Soubu High, not because she was the second daughter of the Yukinoshita family—
But because she never reached out to others.
She was lonely.
Even Haruno could see it.
But you, as her mother, did you ever notice?"
Su Yu spoke relentlessly.
Mrs. Yukinoshita lowered her head, unable to argue.
"I can take care of them.
You can hold on to Yukinoshita's business all you want.
I don't care.
Yukino doesn't care.
Haruno doesn't care."
After saying this, Su Yu bowed politely—
And walked away from the shore.
Mrs. Yukinoshita watched his retreating figure in silence.
Back at the Inn
By the time Su Yu returned, Haruno was awake.
She saw him enter—
And smiled gently.
"What did you and Mother talk about?"
"I told her—we don't care."
Su Yu summarized in one sentence.
"Actually, Mother already knew the answer," Haruno smiled. "She just wanted to test you one last time.
She has already finalized her trip to Tokyo.
In the next few days, I'll gradually take over Yukinoshita's business."
Haruno's smile was especially sweet.
"I'll drop by Yukinoshita Construction whenever I have time," Su Yu told her.
Hearing this, Haruno walked up to him—
And hugged him.
"For the next while, I'll be very busy—so busy that I might not have time to see you.
So you have to come find me.
Otherwise—
I'll miss you."
"That doesn't sound like something you would say."
Su Yu held her gently.
"In front of you, I'm not Yukinoshita Haruno.
I'm just a girl who likes you."
Haruno tightened her embrace.
"I'll remember that, Haruno."
Hearing him call her by her first name, Haruno tilted her head up, stood on her tiptoes—
And kissed him.
Su Yu didn't hesitate to respond.
After several minutes—
Haruno pulled away.
"What's next?"
"I'm heading to Yukino's apartment."
Su Yu took Haruno's hand and led her outside.
8:00 PM—Outside Flashlight Animation
Yukino stepped out of the building—
And froze when she saw her sister.
"Yukino, I came to pick you up," Haruno said, standing next to the car.
"Where's your driver?" Yukino blinked.
"My driver was assigned by Mother. I let them go.
A new driver will be arranged tomorrow.
Your driver—doesn't need to be replaced," Haruno said as she opened the car door.
"I never wanted to change drivers." Yukino murmured, stepping inside.
"You must be curious why Mother spoke to Su Yu-kun, right?"
Haruno glanced at Yukino in the rearview mirror as she started the car.
"You… took him to see Mother?"
Yukino's eyes carried a hint of confusion.
She had spoken firmly earlier—
But she still felt uncertain about everything.
"Su Yu-kun said a lot for my sake.
I was so moved, I declared I'd abandon my title as Yukinoshita's eldest daughter—
And move into Sakura Dormitory…"
Haruno recounted the story as she drove.
She didn't mention Mrs. Yukinoshita's secrets.
She only spoke about Su Yu's courage—
And the drinking at the inn.
Yukino listened quietly.
When she heard about Mother going to Tokyo—
She suddenly thought of her cousin.