"…Hah." Yuu couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.
Even without using any status, the disgust he felt vanished instantly, as if he'd just been refreshed.
The next second, mimicking Asuna's resolute tone with mock seriousness, he said, "Exactly. Her present and future will be fully protected by me—if Sugou-san can't find a better girl, it's no problem to try looking for a guy."
"…"
Asuna tried to keep a stern face, glaring at Sugou seriously, but upon hearing that line, her cheeks twitched, and she finally lowered her head, giggling. She shook Yuu's arm with a mix of annoyance and amusement.
"A guy, really? You… I don't even know what to say about you!"
Yuu blinked innocently. "Did I say something wrong? Sometimes it's not about the wrong perspective but the wrong gender. Don't deny human possibilities."
"Who's talking about orientation possibilities here?!"
Seeing them ignore him and flirt so openly, Sugou's expression twisted, his fake smile nearly collapsing.
"I—"
"Sorry, I have important business to get home to, so I can't linger here."
Without the slightest intention of listening to him, Yuu raised his hand to tidy Asuna's bangs, mussed from their earlier kiss. Then he turned, sneering at Sugou, whose expression was darkening.
"Sugou-san, if you can't lie well, don't bother lying. Even being a true villain looks better than a hypocrite with such terrible acting. You've been in society long enough; you should understand this principle, right?"
"…Rude brat, did your parents teach you to talk like that?"
Sugou took a deep breath, pushing up his thin glasses.
"Oh, I forgot."
He tilted his head slightly, looking down at Yuu with a calm sneer. "Your parents died in an accident, didn't they? No wonder you lack manners."
"…"
The atmosphere fell silent for a moment.
Before Yuu could react, Asuna's eyes widened slowly, and an overwhelming rage appeared on her face, boundless anger blazing in her brown eyes.
"Sugou! What did you just say?!"
"I only stated the facts, didn't I? Just sounded a bit harsh."
As if giving up on hiding, Sugou dropped his facade, staring at Yuu. Cold malice seeped from his narrow, venomous eyes as he said with a smile, "Tenkuji just said, 'If you can't lie, don't lie.' If my honest words hurt his feelings, I'm willing to apologize."
"You…"
Asuna's fists clenched tightly, delicate veins rising on the back of her hands.
Just as she couldn't hold back her anger and was about to charge at Sugou, a warm hand firmly held her shoulder, halting her burning emotions at their peak.
"…Yuu-kun?"
To her surprise, Yuu's face showed only icy calm.
"There's a surveillance camera in front of your house. Anything you do will be evidence for him."
"This…" Asuna froze for a moment, then looked around.
Indeed, in their upscale residential area, not just in front of their house, almost every corner was covered by surveillance cameras—if she recklessly acted aggressively toward Sugou, that scoundrel would surely use it to complain to her mother, affecting her and Yuu's image, or even doing something more outrageous.
Was it because Sugou knew Asuna would never marry him that he started revealing his vile intentions?
What a cowardly man!
Understanding the crux of the matter, Asuna calmed down but could only grit her teeth reluctantly, glaring with deep hatred at Sugou, whose mask was slowly peeling off, revealing a smug smile.
"I didn't expect him to be this despicable… But we can't just let him get away with it!"
If this were an imaginary world… A disgusting person like this, a hundred times worse than a minotaur, boar, or horse, deserved to be stabbed full of holes by a sword!
Unlike Asuna, who felt personally insulted, Yuu wasn't just calm—he showed no trace of anger. He simply patted her head, the corners of his lips slightly upturned, and said casually, "Of course, I don't have a habit of holding back my anger."
Sugou pushed up his glasses, feigning surprise. "What? Are you going to attack me? Tenkuji, do you know how much this suit I'm wearing costs? Do you know the maximum medical claim I could file? You want to hit me?"
Yuu glanced at him scornfully. "No idea. I only know you can shut up now… A childish adult arguing with a minor."
"You…"
His face darkened instantly, Sugou visibly furious but only able to glare silently. Because, fundamentally, the scene was exactly as described…
"Asuna, you head inside first." His tone softened as Yuu nudged her shoulder, urging her to go into the house. "I have some business to discuss privately with this slightly brain-damaged adult."
Turning half-back, Asuna looked at him anxiously, her fingers gently gripping his sleeve. "I trust you can embarrass him, but…"
(Whatever happens, I want to face it with you.)
Before she could voice that thought, Yuu's confident smile cut her off.
"Relax, I'll teach him a lesson, make him like a spineless dog that doesn't dare bark in front of you or your family—and I guarantee there won't be any 'side effects.'"
"Yuu-kun…"
Stunned for a moment, Asuna gazed at him deeply. After a few seconds, a relieved smile slowly bloomed on her lips.
Before heading inside, she lightly kissed his lips, resting her forehead against his, and whispered softly, "Whatever the outcome, call me when you're done."
"You worry too much," Yuu said, a bit helplessly.
Asuna gave a small smile. "Because I love you, that's why I worry about you."
After saying that, she glanced indifferently at Sugou, who stood motionless, bid Yuu farewell, and closed her house's door.
Outside, under the blood-red twilight sky, only the young man and the brat remained.
The sound of the wind ceased at that moment, the heavy silence palpable, pressing on the heart.
Sugou casually crossed his arms, looking at him with interest. "What? You're going to attack me?"
"Tenkuji, I have no grudge against you—just a rival in love, you could say. But you want to hit and humiliate me over a moment's emotion?"
He raised an eyebrow, his smile dripping with mockery. "If you're brave enough, step forward, you naive brat."