The car pulled into the underground parking lot.
Takumi Yuuya glanced around the empty rows of spaces.
"Is it just you living here?"
"This high-rise was only completed a year ago," Yukinoshita Yukino replied calmly. "Once I graduate and move out, the units will go on sale."
"…As expected of the Yukinoshita family."
"This building should be less expensive than your apartment complex," she reminded him.
It was true—Tokyo real estate far outstripped Chiba in price.
The car slid into a space.
As Yuuya stepped out, his eyes caught on the row of other cars parked nearby.
"These?"
"My birthday gifts. Once you get your license, you can pick whichever you like."
Yukino's tone was casual, but the words carried weight.
The chauffeur bowed, excused herself, and walked away.
Yukino led them to the elevator, tapped in a code, and glanced back at the two trailing behind.
Yuuya averted his gaze, then followed with Yuigahama Yui at his side.
The elevator rose smoothly.
Yui tugged timidly at Yuuya's sleeve.
He looked down at her.
"What is it, Yuigahama-san?"
Yukino turned her head.
"N-Nothing," Yui whispered, retreating quickly.
She had wanted to ask why he'd dragged her along to Yukino's place, but with Yukino herself right there, she couldn't.
The elevator chimed.
They stepped out into the corridor, arriving at Yukino's door. She unlocked it, slipped inside, and set out slippers for them.
Once they changed, the three moved into the living room.
"Please sit. I'll prepare tea," Yukino said, disappearing into the kitchen.
The door clicked shut.
Yui shuffled closer to Yuuya, who was standing by the window, gazing out at the night-lit cityscape.
"Yuuya-kun… why did you make me stay over? Won't I just… get in the way?"
He turned.
"What do you think my relationship with Yukino is?"
"…Like you're dating, but… it feels weird."
"We had an agreement. If I could defeat her, she'd be my girlfriend."
"So… you beat Yukinoshita, and now she's your girlfriend?"
"That's right. But this girlfriend's unreasonable. She won't let me touch her and wants to drive away every other girl around me."
"Eh?"
"And she set a condition—I have to earn one trillion yen before she'll marry me. Fair?"
"That's… impossible, isn't it?"
"Luckily, the condition expires at graduation. Still, until then, she'll act like a girlfriend and try to chase everyone else off."
Yuuya's gaze sharpened on Yui.
"That's where you come in. Will you help me?"
"M-Me? How?"
"Simple. Yukino only pretends to be my girlfriend because she lost. She can't openly claim me. But if I show I'm pursuing you, she'll get angry—and I'll gain leverage. As long as she drops the act, I'll drop the pursuit."
"That's… really complicated."
"You're the only one who can help, because you're also in the Service Club. I can use that as cover, every day."
"I…"
"If you refuse, tomorrow morning I'll confess to you in front of the entire school. Everyone will know."
"I-I'll help! I'll help!" Yui stammered in panic.
Yuuya smiled faintly, closing his hand over hers.
"Thank you, Yuigahama-san. Don't tell Yukino. This is our secret. If she finds out, or if you back out, I'll pursue you for real."
"…You're terrible, Yuuya-kun."
"Blame yourself for being too kind. If it were anyone else, this threat wouldn't work."
"…"
Yui could only stare at him in exasperation.
After tea, they watched a movie together.
When Yukino began preparing dinner, Yui rose to help.
But Yuuya quickly caught her hand.
"Yuigahama-san, I'd rather not end up hospitalized. Let Yukino cook."
"My cooking's not that bad," Yui pouted.
Yuuya glanced at Yukino.
"In home ec, Yuigahama-san never once finished a dish."
"…You're our guest. Please sit. I'll handle dinner," Yukino said firmly.
"Fine…" Yui sighed, retreating.
Yuuya watched Yukino leave, then looked back at Yui's hand.
"Yuuya-kun…"
"What is it?"
"Your hand…"
"I just want to hold it."
"Eh?"
"You're too kind. You look so easy to take advantage of."
He bent down and kissed the back of her hand lightly.
Yui's cheeks burned as she turned away.
Yuuya studied her closely.
No spike in disgust level. As expected, only affection points could be raised from her.
"Yuigahama-san, what kind of guys do you like? Someone like me?"
"I… I don't know." Her blush deepened.
"Then you've never met someone who makes your heart race."
"Something like that…"
"I think I can be that person."
"H-How would you…?"
"Close your eyes."
She obeyed without thinking.
He lifted her chin gently.
She froze, wanting to open her eyes—then felt his breath.
So close her heart pounded painfully. She dared not look.
"Yuigahama-san, your heart's racing, isn't it?" he whispered by her ear.
Her eyes flew open, face crimson. Their gazes locked.
Yuuya smiled, leaning back.
"I could have kissed you. But I didn't. Know why?"
"I… don't."
"Because I don't want you to hate me."
[Affection +50 — Yuigahama Yui]
"…Th-Thank you."
He released her hand.
"Let's start as friends. How about that?"
"…Yeah."
[Affection +30 — Yuigahama Yui]
Dinner came.
Yui praised Yukino's cooking with genuine delight.
Yuuya, on the other hand—
"It's not bad, but… still not as good as my maid's cooking."
[Disgust +10 — Yukinoshita Yukino]
"My maid not only makes dinner for me, she even feeds me directly," he added with a smirk.
[Disgust +30 — Yukinoshita Yukino]