My 2D anime story

On the way to the supermarket—

"Last night, after Yui and I finished watching a movie, we ran into your sister and Hayama Hayato while chatting at a café…"

"From Hayama's actions and expression, I came to a conclusion—he likes your sister."

"So, I gave him a little hint. I told him that you're the moon, while your sister is the sun. If he gets too close to the sun, he'll get burned."

"Your sister understood what I meant and even warned Hayama herself. Maybe that's why he decided to be honest with Miura Yumiko."

"Of course, this is just my personal speculation."

Su Yu recounted last night's events and his deductions to Yukino Yukinoshita.

Yukino quietly listened until he finished speaking.

Then, she asked a question.

"Why did you say that I'm the moon?"

"…That's what caught your attention?"

Su Yu looked at her, speechless.

"I already knew that Hayama likes my sister. That's nothing surprising. My sister has always been outstanding. The number of people who like her far exceeds the number of people who like me." Yukino diverted the topic.

"I don't like your sister—at least, not her fake smile." Su Yu murmured.

"Did she say anything else?" Yukino wasn't surprised by Su Yu's opinion.

"She suspects that I like you. Also, probably because she was drunk last night and I helped them to their rooms, she thinks I'm a good person?" Su Yu speculated.

Hearing that, Yukino stopped walking and stared intently at him.

"Su Yu-kun… You didn't do anything to them, did you?"

"Yukinoshita-san, do you think I dare to?" Su Yu met her gaze directly.

Yukino stared at him for a few seconds, about to look away—when she suddenly recalled their lunchtime interaction.

She couldn't let herself be defeated by Su Yu's gaze again!

With that thought, she stubbornly locked eyes with him.

"…Um, Yukinoshita-san, we still need to buy ingredients," Yui Yuigahama's voice broke the tension.

Yukino immediately remembered that Yui was still there.

Her face turned slightly red as she quickly walked ahead.

Yui watched her retreat before turning to Su Yu.

Su Yu smiled and reached out his hand.

Yui hesitated for a moment, then placed her small hand in his.

Su Yu gently held her hand and continued walking forward.

Slowly, Yui leaned against him, hugging his arm.

Feeling the soft pressure on his arm, Su Yu glanced at her.

Yui turned her head away, her cheeks flushed red.

At the Supermarket

The supermarket was not far from Sakurasou.

Su Yu and Yui walked together, while Yukino maintained some distance from them.

By the time they arrived, Yui had already let go of Su Yu's arm.

Holding onto him in public like that was too embarrassing, and it would only get in the way while he picked out ingredients.

Su Yu carefully selected fresh vegetables and meat.

Yui proactively took the bag of vegetables from him and carried it herself.

Watching her, Su Yu suddenly thought—

This feels like a glimpse into our married life.

If they really ended up together…

Yui would learn how to cook, he would become a light novel author, and whenever they had time, they would go shopping for groceries together.

While he worked, Yui would relax in the living room, watching TV or playing on her phone.

When he finished working, Yui would let him rest on her lap.

That kind of life… seemed really nice.

"Su Yu-kun? What's wrong?" Yui waved a hand in front of his face.

"…I was just thinking that we look like a young couple who just started their married life." Su Yu said softly.

"E-eh?!"

Yui hadn't expected him to say something like that. Her face turned completely red.

"I even thought of what we should name our kids while I was zoning out." Su Yu continued.

Hearing that, Yui was so flustered that she turned her head away, unable to meet his gaze.

"I invited Yukinoshita-san because she lent me her notes. I want to improve my grades so I can help you as well," Su Yu explained.

"Help me?" Yui was momentarily confused.

"You don't want to go to university with me?" Su Yu reminded her.

"I… I do!" Yui finally realized what he meant, and her heart warmed.

"While I'm studying Yukinoshita-san's notes, you can try to become friends with her. Once I finish studying, I can tutor you properly—and that'll also give me an excuse to visit your house." Su Yu's voice was gentle.

"I… I'm really bad at studying, so you have to tutor me properly, okay?" Yui said shyly.

Su Yu nodded and reached out his hand again.

Without hesitation, Yui wrapped her arms around his arm and smiled at him.

On the Way Home

The three of them walked back together.

Yukino had bought some beer and a box of snacks—clearly for Hiratsuka.

Yui carried the vegetables while trying to strike up a conversation with Yukino.

However, Yukino didn't seem too interested in the topics Yui brought up.

Seeing that, Yui looked toward Su Yu.

"Yukinoshita-san, what's your impression of Hayama Hayato?" Su Yu asked.

"His exterior and his heart are quite similar," Yukino replied.

"Hayama-kun's exterior is really handsome, but… is his heart handsome too?" Yui was confused by Yukino's wording.

"Su Yu-kun, you answer that for me," Yukino glanced at Su Yu.

"I can't guess what you mean," Su Yu admitted.

"…Fine. What I mean is that Hayama has a bright and sunny exterior, and deep down, he is a good person. But when faced with difficult situations, all he does is shine—he doesn't actually change anything. He's like one of those 'yasashii' light novel protagonists—always kind, but without the ability or courage to truly help others." Yukino explained.

Hearing this evaluation, Yui had a feeling that something must have happened between Hayama and Yukino in the past.

Su Yu, however, wasn't surprised.

Yukino and Hayama had been classmates for a long time. When she was isolated, Hayama didn't do anything to stop it.

Perhaps he had tried, but he had failed.

That was why they had almost no interaction now.

Hayama belonged to the popular crowd, while Yukino remained alone.

"Su Yu-kun, what do you think about Hayama?" Yukino redirected the question to him.

"I don't know him well enough, but I think he's a good person. At the very least, he didn't continue deceiving Miura-san." Su Yu answered.

Yukino seemed to be deep in thought after hearing his response.

She glanced at Su Yu.

"Yukinoshita-san, do you have any more questions?"

Su Yu noticed her gaze and asked.

"…No," Yukino shook her head.

In truth, she had wanted to know what Su Yu thought about her.

Earlier, when she had him answer Yui's question, it had been a test—she suspected that Su Yu understood her too well, as if someone had told him about her past.

And that someone…