In Yukinoshita Yukino's apartment,
Su Yu sat on the sofa.
Yukino sat across from him, quietly sipping black tea—yet her eyes kept glancing at him.
"Yukino," Su Yu broke the silence.
She looked at him, her cheeks slightly pink.
"Besides marrying you, you can ask for some other conditions too," Su Yu said thoughtfully.
"I… I don't know what to ask for. Aren't you the clever one? Figure it out yourself," Yukino muttered, taking a light sip of her warm tea.
Su Yu wasn't surprised.
He stared at her thoughtfully for a while.
Under his gaze, Yukino's blush deepened.
"I've got it," Su Yu said after a few minutes.
"Got what?" Her voice was barely audible.
"You'll see when the time comes," Su Yu chuckled sheepishly.
"If it doesn't satisfy me, be prepared for your punishment," Yukino said, a bit of tsundere pride in her voice.
"Punishment?" Su Yu raised an eyebrow in amusement.
"You… you jerk!" she turned red again.
Su Yu got up and sat beside her, gently embracing her.
She turned her head away, refusing to look at him.
Su Yu took her hand, brought the tea cup to his lips, and took a sip.
"So sweet."
He set the cup down and looked at the shy girl in his arms.
Yukino lowered her head. Her bashfulness was the very definition of adorable.
Su Yu leaned down slowly.
Yukino closed her eyes—ready.
Their lips met.
She responded to his kiss.
A few minutes later—
Su Yu pulled away and looked at her. She nestled into his chest.
"Shy little Yukino is just too cute."
"Awful… meanie…"
"Let's talk business."
"…Yui's birthday?"
"Yeah. I've got a plan."
At the Yuigahama residence
Yuigahama Yui was in the kitchen, trying to bake cookies.
"Your birthday's tomorrow. Has Su Yu-kun asked you what kind of gift you want?" her mother, Yuigahama Asuna, asked softly.
"He doesn't seem to know about it…" Yui paused.
"That's impossible. He probably wants to surprise you," Asuna smiled.
"Really?" Yui's eyes sparkled.
"You can stay out tomorrow night, by the way," Asuna said teasingly.
"M-Mom…" Yui blushed furiously.
Asuna looked at her daughter with a thoughtful expression. Then she whispered something in her ear.
Yui instantly turned beet red and didn't know how to respond.
Asuna looked surprised.
"Don't tell me… Su Yu-kun hasn't…"
"Su Yu-kun is very nice. He would never do anything to take advantage of me," Yui said, turning away, still red.
"You little dummy. Even if Su Yu-kun doesn't make a move, you should take the initiative," Asuna said, suddenly serious as she thought of Yukinoshita Yukino.
"It's fine… I can wait. He said he'll marry me. I… I believe him," Yui said, though her voice wavered slightly.
Because yes, Su Yu did say that—
But only after marrying Yukino.
She hadn't figured out how to tell her mother that part yet.
She knew her mom would definitely be furious.
"I believe him too. But Su Yu-kun has a lot of girls around him. If you don't step up, someone else will," Asuna warned.
"I-It's fine. I have Yukino… Yukino will help me." Yui lowered her head.
"That Yukinoshita girl is the one you need to be most careful about," Asuna said, dead serious.
"She's fine! She's my best friend!" Yui quickly defended.
"I used to think the same way. But in the end, my best friend and I became strangers…"
"Wait… Dad had someone else after you?"
"Yui, that's not what I meant—"
"Sorry, I didn't mean it that way."
"Your father was handsome like Su Yu-kun in his youth. Lots of girls liked him—"
"Mom, your guilty lie face is showing. You're not looking at me," Yui pouted.
Asuna averted her gaze.
"Fine, fine. I was wrong. But what I said still stands—if you and Yukinoshita both like him, one of you will get hurt."
"No we won't. I believe we both can be happy," Yui said with a smile.
"…What did you just say?" Asuna froze.
"I-I mean, Yukino already has someone she likes. Her family arranged a fiancé, so she wouldn't fall for anyone else," Yui said quickly, eyes darting.
"…Is that so?" Asuna's eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"Yes! I'll invite her over sometime and she can tell you herself," Yui said, thinking fast.
Ring ring.
Yui's phone lit up.
She glanced at the caller ID—and froze.
"It's Yukino! Just perfect. I'll talk to her myself," Asuna said.
"Uh…" Yui hesitated.
"What's wrong? Were you lying earlier? Does Yukinoshita really like Su Yu-kun?" Asuna pressed.
"O-Of course not."
Yui answered the call nervously.
She prayed nothing would go wrong.
"Yuigahama-san, would you like to come over to my apartment tomorrow?" Yukino's voice came through the speaker.
"Your apartment?" Yui looked at her mother.
Asuna nodded—indicating it was fine.
She supported their friendship and had always admired Yukino's elegance.
"Of course I'll come," Yui said with a smile.
"Also…" Yukino began.
"Oh right, Yukino! That fiancé you mentioned before, the one who's as handsome as Su Yu-kun—is that really true?" Yui suddenly interjected.
"Y-Yes… it's true," Yukino replied after a slight pause.
Yui turned to her mom and winked: See? I wasn't lying.
Asuna finally exhaled a breath of relief.
But deep down…
She knew—
If Yui and Yukino ever became rivals,
Yui wouldn't stand a chance.