Morning Reflections
Yuuya stepped out of the bathroom.
The room was dark.
Kawasaki Saki stood by the window, gazing out over the city.
Yuuya approached her.
"What are you looking at?" he asked.
"When I used to take breaks from work, I'd stand here and watch the night view. Somehow, being higher up makes the scenery feel completely different."
"I get that feeling," Yuuya said.
"Thanks for bringing me here," Saki said, turning to him.
"Affection from Kawasaki Saki +50"
Yuuya reached out, taking her small hand in his.
"If you like, someday I'll buy a whole building, and we'll live on the top floor."
"That's way too extravagant. A normal apartment is fine," Saki said, shaking her head.
She knew that whatever Yuuya said might actually happen.
He pulled her into his embrace, looking out the window.
"I'll have an office on the top floor of my company. You'll be my secretary—how about it?"
"Okay," she replied.
"Do you know what a secretary does?"
"I can learn," she said.
"No, not in work terms," Yuuya murmured, leaning close.
Saki blushed and lowered her gaze.
Early Morning
By seven in the morning, breakfast was finished.
Yuuya and Saki went downstairs. Outside, they saw…
"Shizuka-sensei, sorry to keep you waiting," Yuuya said, unsurprised.
"I thought you might be late," Shizuka said, eyeing them.
"I was just showing her the night view. Nothing else—don't read too much into it," Yuuya explained.
"Get in the car. I'll drive you home, and I can see your house at the same time," Shizuka said, opening the door.
Yuuya didn't hesitate, holding Saki's hand as they got in the back seat.
After a few minutes, they arrived at Yuuya's home. He opened the door and took out slippers.
"Shizuka-sensei, here you go," he said.
"Looks nice," she remarked, entering.
She glanced at the living room—neat and clean—and nodded.
The kitchen was organized; she could tell Saki had tidied it.
"Do you want to see the bedroom?" Yuuya asked.
"No need," Shizuka said, staying in the living room.
She looked at Yuuya. He smiled, walking into the bedroom.
Saki understood—he wanted to talk privately.
Shizuka hesitated, then asked:"What kind of person do you think he is?"
"He's a good man, very responsible," Saki replied.
"Do you like him?"
"Yes."
"Be careful until graduation."
"I… I will," Saki said, blushing slightly.
At the School Gate
Yukinoshita Yukino spotted Yuuya and hesitated.
He smiled and greeted her.
"Good morning, Yukinoshita-san."
"Good morning," she replied politely.
Yuuya approached.
"Last night I observed the stars, and my cultivation method leveled up. From now on, my training speed will increase, and my challenge against you will come sooner."
He said this in standard Japanese.
"You should be past your chuunibyou phase. Are you in your second-year delusions now?" Yukino asked, frowning.
"Whether it's second-year delusions, you'll find out soon enough."
"Fine. Show me your strength then."
"Not yet. I'm still training."
"If you bow and apologize, I might forgive your rudeness," she said.
"Yukino, wait. I will become your boyfriend," Yuuya said firmly.
Yukino walked into the school building. Yuuya, watching her, already had a training plan in mind.
He didn't need to reach full "Basic Warrior" level—just a fifth of it should be enough to defeat her.
Lunchtime: Bento Plans
"Good morning, Yuuya-kun," came a voice.
"Good morning, Eriri," he replied.
"Can we still eat bento together today? I might have brought a bit too much," she said.
"Sorry, I already ate. I'll be checking out the tennis club at noon," he said.
"Is there a tennis club event?"
"I'm thinking of joining the tennis club."
"What about Yukinoshita-san's club?"
"The Service Club doesn't have specific activities, and I'm not filing a tennis club application either."
"How will you become a tennis club member then?"
"Simple…"
Lunchtime: Service Club
Yukino noticed Yuuya sitting down.
"No girls invited you for lunch today?"
"I declined. I'm going to the tennis club later. Tennis counts as training."
"Playing tennis… training?"
"You wouldn't understand."
"I really don't get second-year delusions."
"Yukino, you're smiling now, but when you lose to me, I hope you'll still be this happy," Yuuya said.
Yukino's smile deepened.
"Yuuya-kun, if you're angry, you can challenge me now," she said.
"The more you smile now, the less you'll be able to when I win," he replied.
"That'll never happen," she said confidently.
"Do you think it's a coincidence that I know your secret?" Yuuya said, meaningfully.
Yukino stiffened, then glanced at her bento.
"Knowing my secret and defeating me are two completely different things," she said.
"And since we never agreed on forbidden moves, does that mean I can use some techniques to scare you?" he added.
"Disgust Level from Yukinoshita Yukino +30"
"If you dare use weird moves, I'll call Shizuka-sensei to witness it. You'll learn the consequences," Yukino said coldly.
"If I win, Yukino… you won't regret it, right?" Yuuya smiled.
"I won't," she said.
"What if your family disagrees?"
"Even if they do, I won't go back on it."
"Yukino, I like you more and more."
Tennis Club
Outside the tennis courts, Yuuya observed the members' training.
Totsuka Ayaka, taking a water break, saw him and walked over.
"Yuuya-kun, what brings you here?"
"I'll be using the tennis courts for training, and I might learn some tennis skills too," he said.
"Joining the tennis club?"
"No. I'll be sponsoring instead," Yuuya said, pulling out 10,000 yen.
"10,000 yen a week to provide water for everyone. In return, let me be a member of the tennis club."
"This…" Ayaka was stunned.
"You can ask your club captain," Yuuya reminded her.
A few minutes later, she returned.
"The captain said to let everyone vote."
"Then have them come here," he said. Yuuya knew the captain didn't dare make the decision herself.
Ayaka called the members over.
When they heard about the weekly 10,000 yen, they all raised their hands.