7:00 A.M.
Yukinoshita Haruno arrived at Yuuya's house.
She stopped short when she saw the neatly stacked half-ton of gold.
Her eyes widened in surprise.
Even as the heiress of the Yukinoshita family, she had never seen anything like this before.
Yuuya, calmly eating his breakfast, watched the appraisers at work.
They checked each gold bar one by one.
After finishing, the appraisers nodded in approval. Everything was legitimate.
Only then did Haruno pay.
5.7 billion yen was transferred into Yuuya's overseas account.
The bodyguards opened suitcases and started loading the gold.
Once all of it had been taken away, Haruno turned to Yuuya.
"Yuuya-kun, I won't keep you any longer."
"Take care."
Yuuya didn't bother to stand or see her off.
Haruno left Yuuya's house and immediately called her mother.
"Mother, I've secured the half-ton of gold."
"I've already coordinated with the bank. Just go there directly."
"Yes."
"Make sure you maintain contact with Yuuya-kun in the future. Many can produce half a ton of gold, but transporting it from overseas to his house without a hitch… that's the real challenge."
"I understand."
"Good. Off you go."
Haruno put away her phone and glanced back at Yuuya's gate.
Indeed, silently delivering half a ton of gold here was far more impressive than merely owning it.
As for where the gold came from… the Yukinoshita family didn't need to know.
Inside the house,
Kawasaki Saki returned to the dining table.
When she first arrived and saw the gold, she had been genuinely shocked.
"Half a ton of gold sold for 5.7 billion yen? That means I get 700 million yen as my cut. We should celebrate tonight," Yuuya said to Saki.
"Is the payout really that much?" Saki asked, astonished.
"I provided the technical know-how," Yuuya explained.
"Was it safe?"
"Of course. The Yukinoshita family probably checked international news last night. If half a ton of gold had gone missing, it would already be headline news."
"And your master's apprentice went to…"
Yuuya just smiled and didn't answer.
The Yukinoshita family would probably just assume the same thing.
After breakfast, the two of them left for school together.
Lunchtime.
Yukinoshita Yukino showed up again to deliver a lunchbox.
This time, she came earlier.
Most of the students were already in the classroom.
Hayama Hayato was a bit surprised to see her.
Yukino placed the lunchbox in front of Yuuya and immediately turned to leave.
Yuuya watched her walk away with a grin.
Yukino had come to subtly showcase their relationship—but with so many people around, she dared not speak.
He picked up his phone and sent a message.
"I really want to just pull you into my arms and let the whole school know the Snow Queen is my girlfriend."
Half a minute later, Yukino replied:
"Do you dare?"
"Of course I do. Come here."
"Aren't you worried the other girls will be mad?"
"Not at all."
"Why?"
"We're not married yet. They haven't officially lost."
Yuuya finished the conversation and put his phone away.
Kousaka Kyousuke approached him.
"Yuuya-kun…"
"Let's go to the tennis courts," Yuuya said, standing.
On a bench by the tennis courts,
Kyousuke explained his decision.
Yuuya listened and nodded.
"Good. This will naturally create distance without raising Kirino's suspicions."
"Yuuya-kun, why would Kirino…"
"Liking someone doesn't need a reason."
"So, what's your plan now?"
"Kirino and I are both otaku. I plan to befriend some other otaku girls to indirectly improve my standing with her."
"Thanks for this, Yuuya-kun," Kyousuke said gratefully.
Yuuya glanced at the tennis club members playing nearby.
"No need to thank me."
Indeed, no thanks were necessary.
It was only because Kyousuke had stepped aside that Yuuya had this chance.
To raise Kirino Kousaka's favor level, Kyousuke couldn't be ignored.
Ding-ding-ding.
Yuuya's phone rang.
He checked the caller ID—it was Kirino Kousaka.
Without hesitation, he answered.
"Yuuya-senpai, could you please take me to the hospital?" Kirino's voice sounded weak.
"What's wrong?" Yuuya asked, slightly stunned.
"I have a headache… and a fever."
"Where are you?"
"The school nurse's office."
"I'll be right there."
He hung up and turned to Kyousuke.
"Kirino is sick. I'll go pick her up and take her to the hospital. Can you help me call in a leave?"
"Is it serious? Should I tell my parents?"
"She called me herself. She doesn't want your parents to worry."
"I… I understand."
"Don't worry too much. She's generally healthy—probably just didn't rest well last night."
"Message me if anything happens. I'll inform my parents."
Kyousuke's expression was serious.
Yuuya contacted Nishimiya Yaeko.
In less than ten minutes, she arrived at Soubu High's gate.
Kirino's school wasn't far.
Yuuya called her to wait at the school gate.
Soon, they reached Kirino's school.
Yuuya saw Kirino with her friend, Aragaki Ayase.
Smooth black hair, fair complexion. Delicate features, a nice figure.
If anything, Ayase looked more like Kyousuke's sister.
The car stopped, and Yuuya got out.
"Kirino, how are you feeling?"
"Better… thank you, Yuuya-senpai."
"Kirino Kousaka favor +50"
Yuuya opened the car door.
"You're welcome. Get in."
"This is my friend, Aragaki Ayase. She's worried about me, so she got a leave too."
"She must really care about you if she can take a leave to look after you."
"Yes," Kirino nodded.
Ayase gave Yuuya a polite bow.
"Senpai, thank you for going through this trouble."
"No problem. Let's go."
The two girls got in.
Yuuya took the passenger seat.
Fifteen minutes later, at the hospital,
The female doctor examined Kirino.
"It's just a regular fever and headache from lack of rest," she explained.
Ayase exhaled in relief.
Yuuya sent a message to Kyousuke.
The doctor prescribed medicine.
The three of them left the hospital and headed straight to Yuuya's house.
Ayase had wanted to take Kirino home, but Kirino didn't want her parents to worry.
So Yuuya's house was the only option.
After eating a bit and taking her medicine, Kirino rested in Yuuya's room.
Yuuya covered her with a blanket and looked at Ayase.
Ayase understood and stepped out with him into the living room.
"Senpai… what is your relationship with Kirino?" Ayase asked, finally voicing her curiosity.
"I'm Kirino's boyfriend," Yuuya answered.
"When did you start dating?"
"Last week."
"How long have you known each other?"
"Since last week."
"Eh? That fast?"
"When you like someone, sometimes it only takes an instant."