5:00 PM
The beach volleyball match had ended.
Takumi Yuuya had defeated them all on his own.
Back at the villa, everyone returned to their respective rooms.
Yukinoshita Yukino was about to head back to her room when Takumi scooped her up in his arms.
Her face flushed red as she remembered his words.
Takumi carried her inside and opened her room's door.
"Your clothes are already prepared."
Once inside, he headed to the bathroom.
"Disgust from Yukinoshita Yukino +10""Disgust from Yukinoshita Yukino +10""Affection from Yukinoshita Yukino +10"
5:30 PM
This time, they were riding in a standard business car.
Shōko Nishinomiya sat in the front passenger seat.
Takumi and Yukino sat in the second row.
The remaining three girls occupied the last row.
On the way back, Takumi gazed out at the endless ocean.
Yukino watched the side of his face.
In the back seat:
Yui Yuigahama had fallen asleep.
Hina Ebina was staring out the window at the sea, contemplating Takumi's words.
Becoming Takumi's assistant could grant her more opportunities—a chance at a better life.
But it came with a price.
Miura Yumiko smiled, glancing at Takumi from time to time.
He had already accepted her request, and although Yukino was still by his side, as long as she didn't compete for a girlfriend position, Yukino should allow her to be with Takumi, right?
First, he dropped off Yumiko and Hina at the station, then Yui at her home.
Finally, the car arrived at Yukino's apartment building.
She was about to step out when Takumi grabbed her hand and pulled her into his arms.
He kissed her.
"Disgust from Yukinoshita Yukino +10"
After a while, Takumi looked up at her flushed face.
"See you Monday."
"Do you still want me to prepare your lunchbox?"
"Of course."
"I'll try to prepare some dishes from over there for you."
With that, Yukino got out of the car.
She looked toward Shōko in the front seat and signed something.
Shōko, surprised, quickly responded.
Yukino nodded.
"Goodbye, Nishinomiya-san."
"Goodbye, Yukinoshita-san," Shōko replied before driving off.
"What did she sign?" Takumi asked, curious.
"She meant that Shōko should live well by your side," Shōko explained.
"I talked to Yukino about Shōko—she's kind-hearted and wouldn't push Shōko away."
"Seems like Yukino is really a good person."
The car pulled up in front of Takumi's house.
He got out, went to the front passenger side, and tapped his forehead with his finger.
Shōko blushed and pressed a kiss to his forehead.
Takumi returned the gesture.
He then stepped back a few paces and waved.
Shōko waved back.
Takumi watched the car leave, then entered his home.
He wasn't surprised to see the shoes neatly lined up.
After changing into slippers, he entered the living room.
Kawasaki Saki was sitting on the sofa, with some books on the coffee table.
Takumi sat beside her.
As soon as he did, Saki got up to pour him a drink.
She placed a glass of orange juice in front of him.
Takumi looked at the books.
"Do I have to go through all of these?"
"Some types of questions need to be memorized, and there are geography problems too."
"With your current level, where would you rank?"
"About top ten in class."
"Do you know Tamura Manami?"
"Yes, she's excellent—always in the top three."
"If Tamura Manami tutored you at school, could you reach top five by finals?"
"Probably, yes."
Saki seemed uncertain.
Takumi took out his phone and called Tamura Manami.
A few seconds later, she picked up.
"Hello? What's up?"
"Do you know Kawasaki Saki?"
"Yes."
"Could you tutor her during lunch breaks at school? I'll pay you an hourly rate."
"I don't need payment. Maximum three lunch breaks per week."
"Fine, I'll have her add your contact info."
Takumi hung up and looked at Saki.
"Monday, I'll reserve an activity room so you and Tamura Manami can have a quiet space."
"Don't you need five people to reserve it?"
"Shizuka-sensei, the student council advisor, won't refuse if it's to help improve grades."
"What about you?"
Saki worried about Takumi's grades.
He smiled.
"Don't worry about mine. I might even rank higher than you on the exams."
"Then why did you ask me to tutor you?"
"I said that so you'd go to extra lessons."
"S… Takumi-kun…"
Saki's heart swelled with emotion.
"Affection from Kawasaki Saki +50"
Takumi gently hugged her.
"Tonight, let's go to your place, buy some hotpot ingredients, and eat hotpot together."
"Okay!"
Saki's face lit up.
"Affection from Kawasaki Saki +50"
Night fell.
Takumi arrived at the Kawasaki household.
Her parents were still at the hospital.
Her older brother, Daichi, was at a friend's house.
Kyoha Kawasaki looked pleasantly surprised to see him.
"Big Brother, you came?"
"I wanted hotpot tonight. More people make it lively, so I came here."
"Welcome, Big Brother! I'll show you some anime."
"You like anime, Big Brother?"
"Are you an otaku?"
"You even know what an otaku is?"
As they talked, they went into the living room.
Takumi's eyes flicked to the TV.
Meruru?
Wasn't this the anime Kousaka Kirino liked?
Kyoha sat at the low table, watching Meruru fight monsters.
Simply put, Meruru was a magical girl.
Speaking of magical girls…
Takumi immediately thought of Madoka.
This magical girl series completely changed his perception of the genre.
It was healing in some ways, though the story had a slightly darker edge.
By the time he looked again, Meruru had defeated the monsters.
Kyoha turned to him.
"Big Brother, isn't Meruru cute?"
"Yes, very cute, and the music is excellent. Production quality is high."
"You really understand anime. My brother doesn't watch at all."
"He has to study for a good high school, so no anime for him."
"I see. That's why I've been watching alone here."
"That's impressive. You're a good kid."
Takumi ruffled her hair gently.
After finishing hotpot at the Kawasaki home, Takumi walked out the door.
Saki followed.
He turned and opened his arms.
She leaned into his embrace.
"I hope one day we can have a daughter as cute as your little sister," Takumi whispered.
"Affection from Kawasaki Saki +50"
"We will," she replied softly.