"Playing Yukinoshita's boyfriend?"
"I mean, up until recently, Yukino and I were just… friends. But after I helped her out with a few things, she kind of started liking me."
"Th-Then what about me?" Eriri asked reflexively, her voice carrying both panic and curiosity.
Takumi Yuuya smiled faintly, taking her hand across the table. "I'm sitting here, eating lunch with you right now. You really have to ask what that means?"
Eriri's face flushed bright red.
[Affection Points +50 — Sawamura Eriri]
"But Eriri," Takumi continued, "you still haven't fully accepted me. I've got to work harder."
"I-I accept you!" Eriri blurted out instantly.
"Accept me… how?"
"I… I think I like you."
"Think?"
"I… I like you," she said again, cheeks burning, forcing the words out clearly this time.
Takumi looked at her steadily, then leaned forward slowly. Eriri, realizing what he was about to do, squeezed her eyes shut.
But the kiss she imagined never came. Instead, she felt the faint brush of lips against her forehead.
Her eyes fluttered open. Takumi was smiling warmly at her as he pulled her into his arms.
"Thank you… for liking me."
"You… you can kiss me properly, you know…"
"In this situation? It wouldn't be romantic enough."
"Th-Then… when?"
"On a date. This weekend, let's pick a time and go out properly."
"…I'll wait," Eriri whispered, resting her head against his chest.
[Affection Points +50 — Sawamura Eriri]
By the time lunch break was nearly over, Takumi made it back to his classroom. Almost immediately, Yui Yuigahama walked over.
"Takumi-kun, you didn't go to the Service Club today. Yukinoshita looked super mad."
"I did go. And yeah, little Yukino gets mad at me too."
"Eh? Why? Why would you make Yukinoshita mad on purpose? Don't you two get along?"
"We get along great… Anyway, do you have time this afternoon?"
"I-I'm not sure…"
"I'll take you to Yukino's house."
"Huh? M-Me? To Yukinoshita's place?!"
"Of course. I'll bring you with me. Yukino won't refuse."
He grinned like it was the simplest thing in the world. Yui hesitated, then nodded slowly.
"Okay… then I'll tell Yumiko."
"I'll let Yukino know too." Takumi pulled out his phone and glanced at the flood of messages from her—dozens of angry-face emojis, one after another.
"Yukino, I'm planning to bring Yuigahama-san with me to your place later," he typed.
A reply came within thirty seconds. Just a single question mark: "?"
Takumi smirked and answered quickly.
"About what you said earlier—Eriri got upset. If you don't let me bring Yuigahama along, I'll feel pretty bad… and I might have to start teaching you some of those 'essential lessons' instead."
Yukino's response was immediate.
"Fine. Bring Yuigahama-san."
Clearly, she still had no desire to touch those "essential lessons" he kept dangling over her.
After school, Takumi made his way to the bike racks. A few minutes later, Kawasaki Saki arrived.
"Saki, I'm not going home tonight. After cram school, buy some snacks for your little sister and head straight home. Tomorrow, just go to school from there."
"…Got it." She nodded quietly.
"You're not even going to ask where I'll be?"
"If you don't want to say, I won't ask."
"I'll be staying over at Yukinoshita's house."
"…You and Yukinoshita already…" Her eyes flickered with surprise.
"Staying over doesn't mean anything yet. At least for now, I can't touch her."
"You… You could touch me anytime," she whispered, glancing around to make sure no one was listening. Her cheeks flamed red.
Takumi chuckled, eyes narrowing as he looked her over. "Before summer vacation, I'll get past this stage. And when I do… I won't hold back."
"I-I have to get to cram school…" Saki stammered, face scarlet as she hurried off.
He watched her go, then hopped on his bike and returned home to grab his pajamas. After waiting at the gate for a few minutes, Yukinoshita's car pulled up—with Yuigahama seated beside her.
Yukino opened the door, and Takumi slid into the seat on her other side.
In the car, Yukino's gaze dropped to the bag in his hands.
"I already prepared pajamas for you. You didn't need to bring your own."
"What if they didn't fit? I'd rather wear something I know is comfortable. These were picked out by my family's maid."
[Disgust Level +10 — Yukinoshita Yukino]
"…Then should we stop at the mall? I could help you pick out something more suitable," Yukino said sweetly, though her eyes glittered dangerously.
"That's fine. Actually, Yuigahama-san probably needs some too, right?" Takumi turned toward Yui.
"E-Eh?! N-No, I don't need any!" Yui waved her hands frantically.
"Wait—don't tell me you sleep…" He widened his eyes in mock shock. "Without anything?"
"N-No! That's not what I meant!" she sputtered, face crimson.
"Then you don't want to stay over at Yukino's place? But didn't you say you wanted to be her friend?"
Yui opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her thoughts were a mess.
"I'll help you pick something out," Takumi said with a gentle smile.
"O-Okay…" she agreed softly, though her chest felt tight with confusion. If Takumi-kun was staying at Yukino's house… then why was she here too? Wasn't she just getting in the way?
At the mall, Takumi quickly chose matching sleepwear for all three of them. When he handed them the bags, neither girl realized at first. Only after trying them on did they notice—they were identical. And they fit perfectly.
At the checkout counter, the store clerk gave them a strange look. Takumi paid casually, carrying all three bags as they returned to the car.
Yukino's eyes lingered on the third bag. A faint alarm bell rang in her head.
"…Your pajamas…"
"Pretty much the same as yours," Takumi replied smoothly, his smile meaningful.
[Disgust Level +30 — Yukinoshita Yukino]
Leaning close, he took her hand and whispered at her ear.
"Thanks, Yukino. Without you, I'd never have gotten the chance to wear matching pajamas with Yuigahama-san."
[Disgust Level +50 — Yukinoshita Yukino]
"What's wrong? Already upset? Didn't you say you wanted to chase away the other girls? You can send Yuigahama home if you want… but then you'll be the one in danger," he teased.
[Disgust Level +50 — Yukinoshita Yukino]
"I'll keep chasing other girls right in front of you. You're the one who gave me such a tough condition, and you still expect me to drive everyone else away?"
Yukino turned her head sharply, glaring at him.
"…I can lower the difficulty for you."
"No need. I'll clear it as-is. And once I do, you'll listen to me, won't you?"
"…Yes."
"Good. Don't go back on your word then." Takumi grinned, his tone calm and assured.
..
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