Weekend Morning
On a weekend morning, Takumi Yuuya woke up early and ran for two hours.
After having breakfast prepared by the Kawasaki household, he changed into the outfit Yukino Yukinoshita had picked out for him.
Just as he stepped out of the bedroom, the doorbell rang.
Yuuya opened the door.
There stood Yukino Yukinoshita.
She wore a white dress with a small white hat and a light blue jacket.
Yuuya looked her over, completely satisfied.
"Not bad… Little Yukino looks even cuter today."
"Thanks for the compliment. Let's go," she said.
Yukino didn't show any particular pleasure at his words. She got into the car and sat in the back.
Yuuya sat directly beside her.
She didn't speak.
He glanced at the female driver.
"This seat works," he said.
The driver glanced at her phone and drove off.
Once the car was moving, Yuuya took Yukino's hand.
She looked out the window and didn't pull away.
At Niyuu Company
Half an hour later, they arrived at Niyuu Company.
Yukino Yukinoshita's older sister, Yui, looked surprised to see her.
"Yuuya-kun… your friend is Little Yukino?"
"Little Yukino is willing to invest 30 million yen for 30% of the shares. I had no reason to refuse."
"I can provide that much money as well," Yui said.
"There's also an additional condition… that's a secret between Little Yukino and me," Yuuya explained.
He then glanced at Little Yukino, who remained calm and composed.
Yui looked at her sister suspiciously.
"You're not giving up the 30% just for this, are you?"
"This has nothing to do with you," Little Yukino said firmly.
"I'll tell mother the truth," Yui insisted.
"Go ahead," Little Yukino replied evenly.
Yui looked at Yuuya, waiting for his reaction.
He simply smiled, saying nothing.
"Disgust from Yui Yukinoshita +30"
Yuuya's eyes lit up when the virtual screen notification appeared. Yui had finally registered some disgust—she probably thought she was manipulating Little Yukino.
Yuuya wasn't worried about Yui abandoning her shares. After all, with Little Yukino already invested, if Yui gave up and Yuuya failed to find a replacement collaborator, Little Yukino would be the one facing the loss. She wouldn't back out; if anything, she'd take a keener interest in Niyuu's projects.
By this logic, Yuuya was indeed leveraging Little Yukino—but it was for the project's success, not malice.
The Contract
In the meeting room, Little Yukino signed the contract and stamped it.
30 million yen was immediately transferred to Yuuya.
The shares of Niyuu Company were now as follows:
Yuuya: 60%
Little Yukino: 30%
Yui Yukinoshita: 10%
Neither Yuuya nor Little Yukino would participate in management.
However, any future game development would require Yuuya's approval to proceed, ensuring the production stayed on track.
With the plan complete and the original illustrations ready, the team's timeline was straightforward:
One month to complete development
Game testing afterward
Launch during summer break
It was late May, and summer vacation at Sobu High began in late July.
Little Yukino examined the illustrations and the project plan. She didn't understand games, but she knew what otaku liked.
The quality of the original artwork was high and sure to capture the attention of fans.
Yuuya approached her.
"Little Yukino, can we start our date now?"
"Where are we going?"
"A hotel."
Her face showed no hesitation as she started walking outside toward the company's vicinity.
Yuuya smiled and followed.
Yui watched the two leave. She didn't mind Yuuya pursuing her sister; she only feared he might be taking advantage of her.
Amusement Park
Yuuya held Little Yukino's hand and bought two tickets.
"Which ride first?" he asked.
"Anything," she replied, glancing around.
"Little Yukino seems a bit indifferent… let's start with the haunted house, then."
"You think I'll be scared?"
"No?"
"Let's go."
She tugged Yuuya toward the haunted house.
Inside, screams echoed through the corridors.
Hearing them, she instinctively squeezed Yuuya's hand.
He smiled.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here."
"I… I'm not scared, just a bit nervous."
"I get it. Nervous doesn't mean scared."
"Let's see who's afraid first," she said, stepping forward.
Yuuya followed with a smile.
The hallway's lights flickered.
When they encountered a skeleton prop, she paused.
"What's wrong? Scared to move?" he teased.
"Disgust from Little Yukino +30"
She shot him a glare and walked on.
Suddenly, a skeleton fell from the ceiling.
Little Yukino stepped back, pressing into Yuuya's chest.
He whispered in her ear,
"We're not a couple yet, so don't rush things."
"Disgust from Little Yukino +30"
Flustered and embarrassed, she moved forward.
The rest of the scares no longer affected her. She practically ran through the exit.
Yuuya caught up, and once outside, she gave him a cold huff.
He bought drinks from a vending machine and handed one to her.
"I was wrong. I apologize."
"I'm not scared at all."
"I know, Little Yukino is fearless."
"Now it's my turn to choose the rides."
She took the drink and continued choosing safe attractions.
During photo ops, she didn't smile, but she turned toward the camera.
The final ride was naturally the Ferris wheel.
Yuuya and Little Yukino sat face-to-face at the top.
Looking out the window, he said,
"This spot on the Ferris wheel is perfect for confessions. Do you know why?"
"Why?"
"Because if it works, kissing here until the ground feels really romantic."
"Have you confessed to anyone here before?"
"No. Want to hear mine?"
"No."
"You don't want to hear it? Too bad—I'm saying it anyway."
"Go ahead."
She covered her ears.
Yuuya laughed at her stubbornness.
By the time the Ferris wheel reached the ground, her hands finally dropped.
Gifts and Lunch
At the gift shop, Yuuya waited a few minutes.
Little Yukino appeared and handed him a gift, which he reciprocated.
Neither knew what the other had picked—this was Yuuya's idea. Gifts would be opened only after the date ended, at home.
Checking the time, Yuuya said,
"Time for lunch."
"I'll pay."
"Then I'll buy the movie tickets this afternoon."
"After the movie, I'll treat you to dinner."
"No need. My little maid will prepare dinner for me."
"Disgust from Little Yukino +50"