After lunch, Kawazaki Saki leaned against Takumi Yuuya's chest.
"My dad might need a little more time before leaving the hospital, but he's already had mom gather housing info and is choosing a place."
"He plans to open a Chinese restaurant and hire a chef from there."
"Once the place is ready and opens, we can go try the chef's cooking together."
Yuuya nodded."If it's a Chinese restaurant, I'll probably eat there a lot."
"If you like, I can help out during summer break, and you can come every day."
"This summer, I'm planning to stay at the Chiba countryside estate. You can bring your sister, and we can play on the beach, fish in the lake, or pick wild vegetables in the mountains."
"Hmm, she'll definitely like it."
Saki's face glowed with a gentle, warm smile.
[Affection +50 from Kawazaki Saki]
After school, Yuuya checked the message from Yukinoshita Yukino.
Mrs. Yukinoshita already knew what happened last night, including what Yukino had said.
She wanted to see Yuuya.
Pocketing his phone, he grabbed his commute bag and left the classroom.
After changing shoes at the locker area, he headed out of Soubu High and saw Yukinoshita Hina waiting by the car.
She opened the door for him. Without hesitation, Yuuya slid into the back seat.
"Yuuya-kun, don't say anything frivolous when you meet Mother," Hina warned.
"Miss Hina, I'm polite and certainly not frivolous," he replied sincerely.
"If you say the wrong thing and Mother feels uncomfortable, I can't help you."
"Doesn't matter. Even if I offend the Yukinoshita family, I can still take care of Yukino."
"You mean… even if your relationship with the family deteriorates, Yukino won't give up on you?"
"Yes."
"That's impossible… Yukino…"
"She told me to take responsibility," Yuuya cut her off.
Hina froze, then regarded him seriously."Since you've reached this stage, Yuuya-kun, please keep your distance from other girls."
"Yukino won't mind. As long as I marry her after college, it should be fine."
"You mean… you'll be juggling multiple girls during this time?"
"Maybe more than a few."
[Disgust +50 from Yukinoshita Hina]
She put away her smile, watching him intently.
Yuuya met her gaze without fear.
After a long pause, Hina smiled."Yuuya-kun, are you deliberately trying to make me angry?"
"You truly are the heir your mother trained—very perceptive."
"Let me guess your purpose—you want to know how much I care about Yukino, right?"
"Yes."
"As her sister, of course I care. After all, this involves the reputation of the Yukinoshita family."
"Miss Hina, you can lie to me, but don't lie to yourself," Yuuya said meaningfully.
Hina looked at him."You mean… I care about Yukino?"
"Not just care. Extremely care."
"How do you know?"
"I just do."
Yuuya couldn't reveal that he knew from the internet in his previous world.
Hina went silent, trying to interpret his confidence.
Did he really understand her?
"Who are you talking to?" a familiar voice sounded.
Hina turned to see her sister.
Yuuya opened the door."We were talking about you. Miss Hina said you've always worried about your figure."
"My sister wouldn't say something like that."
Yukino slid into the seat beside Yuuya.
"How do you know she wouldn't?" Yuuya looped his arm around her slim waist.
"She's not that petty," Yukino replied, staring out the window.
"Alright. We were discussing whether you'd give up on me if I offended the Yukinoshita family."
"I wouldn't."
"Really?"
"Don't repeat a question."
He leaned in and kissed her.
Yukino turned to glare at him.
Hina, buckled in the front seat, watched them in the rearview mirror.
She couldn't understand why her sister liked this kind of man.
Half an hour later, the car climbed a mountain.
After several turns, Yuuya saw a large gate.
It opened, and the car drove inside.
The property was not a traditional Japanese garden but a sprawling villa.
A lush garden lay in front. The mansion looked expensive and imposing.
Next to the parking area, a helipad held a helicopter.
The car stopped.
Yuuya got out.
A maid approached and bowed to Hina."Madam is in the study, awaiting Master Yuuya."
Hina's face showed a hint of concern.
Yuuya glanced at the maid.[Disgust +10 from Yukinoshita Yukino]
He gave Yukino a reassuring smile.
"Please, follow me, Master Yuuya," the maid said.
He followed her to the second-floor study.
The maid knocked."Come in," a calm female voice replied.
She pushed the door open, revealing Yuuya.
He walked in confidently.
Inside, a woman was writing.
Her hair was up—a sign of marriage.
She wore a pure white kimono, radiating elegance and nobility.
Her skin was pale, features delicate—she looked no older than thirty.
The calligraphy on the page read: "Heaven rewards diligence."
"Yuuya-kun, how's my writing?" Mrs. Yukinoshita asked, smiling.
"Beautiful. If displayed, I'd think it belonged to a master calligrapher," he said.
"Yuuya-kun is such a flatterer—no wonder Yukino likes you."
"I didn't earn Yukino's affection by talking; I earned it by defeating her," he said calmly.
"Defeated her? Did you learn martial arts?" she asked.
"Yes. Someone taught me some techniques."
"Then that explains it. Yukino-chan is trained in Aikido and other martial arts—among her peers, few could stand against her, except professionals."
"Yukino is remarkable," Yuuya said softly.
Mrs. Yukinoshita smiled."Please, sit."
"Thank you."
He settled on the sofa.
She poured him a cup of tea."Like Yukino, I'm quite fond of tea."
"I don't know much about tea, but I enjoy this flavor," he said, sipping lightly.
Mrs. Yukinoshita chuckled and sat opposite him.
"I already know some basics about you through Hina. As a friend of the Yukinoshita family, that suffices.
"If you wish to become Yukino's husband, it is possible."
"However… you'd need to be adopted into the Yukinoshita family."