Game Production and Afternoon Outings
Riku Aki was interested in game production.
However, he didn't yet have a complete idea of his own.
After the meeting, Yuuya introduced Riku to the head of the game development team.
"This is my friend," Yuuya said. "He's an otaku, but very action-oriented. Also, he's a popular content creator. I plan to make him a game producer and invest in his projects. He's still young, though, so he needs to gain experience here first."
Hearing this, Riku felt grateful toward Yuuya.
He wasn't nervous, just sincerely introduced himself.
The team lead smiled and nodded.
"No problem. Let him join the team."
When the recommendation came directly from the boss and concerned a future project producer, giving face was inevitable.
Riku smoothly joined the development team. He planned to come every weekday afternoon and treat weekends like normal workdays.
He didn't have any mandatory tasks—mainly, he was there to accumulate experience.
Compared to Riku, Hayama Hayato knew little about games.
His gaze, instead, stayed fixed on Yukino Yukinoshita.
Yuuya came up beside him and patted him on the shoulder.
"Stop staring. It's too obvious."
"Yuuya-kun, are you done with your work?"
"Almost. I've got the original illustrations; there's nothing else I can do."
"You're a game producer and managed to get a top-tier artist. You've basically paved the game's path to success already."
"Hayama, I also have to thank you," Yuuya said.
"Thank me?"
"For Yumeko, on Thursday afternoon, the day we both took off."
"You two… are together already?" Hayama suddenly remembered.
Yuuya nodded.
"I owe it all to what you said that day."
"I just spoke the truth. I didn't realize Yumeko already knew everything. I still feel a little guilty toward her," Hayama said.
"If I were playing both sides, Hayama… would you save Yumeko?"
"Yuuya-kun, you…" Hayama froze.
Yuuya then turned toward Yukino Yukinoshita.
"Why do you think I chose to collaborate with her?"
"You… you also have feelings for Miss Yukinoshita?"
"Exactly. And I'm more likely to succeed. Watch closely."
Hayama fell silent.
He watched Yuuya approach Yukino, whose face was bright with a smile as she chatted with him.
A few minutes later, Yuuya returned.
"Hayama, you've got two choices. You save Yumeko, and I start pursuing her immediately. Or you give up on Yumeko, and I'll pursue her after graduation."
Lunch and Aquarium Visit
Before lunch, Yuuya went to the cram school building.
After a few minutes, Kawasaki Saki appeared.
They found a Japanese restaurant and had lunch together.
Afterward, they went to the Kawasaki residence.
Kyoha Kawasaki saw Yuuya and happily shouted, "Big brother!"
He patted her little head and gave her the snacks he had bought on the way.
They hailed a taxi.
The three of them headed straight to the aquarium.
Because it was Saturday, the place was crowded.
Saki bought the tickets, and they entered.
Kyoha's eyes lit up at the sight of the fish.
She carried her sketchbook and started drawing.
Yuuya held Saki's hand and, with the fish behind them, took a photo together.
"Affection from Kawasaki Saki +50"
Shopping Trip
After leaving the aquarium, Yuuya took them to a shopping center.
On the first floor, he played the claw machine and won a stuffed toy for Kyoha.
"Affection from Kawasaki Saki +50"
On the third floor, he bought Kyoha a new outfit from the children's clothing store.
"Affection from Kawasaki Saki +50"
At five in the afternoon, they had dinner at a Chinese restaurant.
The chef was from China, and the flavors were authentic.
Afterward, since Kawasaki's home was nearby, they walked there.
Kyoha entered first, holding the stuffed toy and new clothes.
Saki looked at Yuuya.
"Do you want to come inside for a bit?"
"No, I have things to do later."
"See you tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow night, you can stay at my place."
"Okay."
"Come closer, let me kiss you," Yuuya said bluntly.
Saki blushed and leaned in.
Evening Training
From six to eight in the evening, Yuuya trained.
In the bathroom, he glanced at the virtual screen.
Beginner Warrior: 10% – representing he had gained one-tenth of beginner warrior strength.
One hour of training increased progress by about 2%.
If this rate continued, by next week, he would have half the power of a beginner warrior.
After leaving the bath, Yuuya video-called Yukino Yukinoshita.
This time, the wait was longer.
She answered in cat-paw-patterned pajamas.
"Anything wrong?"
"Tomorrow, I plan to go on a date with you."
"You haven't given me the shares yet."
"You'll pick me up in the morning, and we'll go to the company together. Your sister will find out too. Your 30% share belongs to you personally, not the Yukinoshita family."
"After I beat you, 30% in your hands equals in mine—and I still have 60%. If you lose, you only keep 40%."
"That's impossible," she said, skeptical.
Yuuya was confident.
"You don't understand yet," he said with a smile.
"Also, unless something unexpected happens, I'll challenge you next week," he reminded her.
"Next week? Have you booked the hospital room?" she asked coldly.
"No hospital, just a hotel room," he replied.
"Disgust from Yukino Yukinoshita +50"
"I'll help you book a room then," she said flatly.
Yuuya smiled and continued,
"Yukino, my challenge isn't just martial arts. I know your tennis skills are also strong. If I lose in combat, I'll challenge you with tennis next."
"So if you lose in fighting, then it's tennis?"
"No, I'm giving you another chance—but if you lose, the conditions get harsher."
"I'll also give you a chance. If you can beat me in ten minutes, I'll give up that 20% share."
She stared at him.
Yuuya stood and walked toward the bedroom.
"Yukino, let's play a game."
"What game?"
"Picking clothes for each other."
"You pick for me, I pick for you?"
"Yes. It's our first date—I want us to wear clothes we're both satisfied with."
"I'll go first," she decided.
Yuuya opened the wardrobe and let her choose.
She picked one item at a time; he held it up for her to see.
Soon, a complete outfit was chosen.
Yuuya then looked at her wardrobe.
"That white dress, with the little white hat," he said without hesitation.