My 2D anime story

The three of them returned to Sakurasou.

Su Yu began preparing for the barbecue.

Yumiko Miura actively helped, and Hina Ebina, who was skilled in cooking, also joined in. Out of everyone present, Yui Yuigahama had the weakest cooking skills.

Meanwhile, Yukino Yukinoshita handed a box of snacks to Shizuka Hiratsuka.

Hiratsuka didn't reject the gesture and casually placed the box aside. Then, she cracked open a beer and watched them with a smile.

Yukino tied her hair up and put on an apron from Hiratsuka's kitchen.

After asking Su Yu for instructions, she started preparing the vegetables.

Since Hiratsuka hadn't prepared any vegetables the night before—only meat—she was curious about how grilled vegetables would turn out.

Once all the preparations were done, it was finally Su Yu's turn.

Having already mastered the grilling technique from the previous night, today, he was even more proficient.

As the rich aroma of grilled meat filled the air, Yui's stomach let out an audible growl.

"Su Yu-kun, Yui's hungry~" Hina Ebina teased with a smile.

"It'll be ready soon."

Su Yu glanced at Yui, whose face had turned bright red.

When the first batch was done, Su Yu placed a plate on the table.

Each of them grabbed a skewer and took a bite.

Hiratsuka, having eaten Su Yu's barbecue the night before, specifically tried the grilled vegetables today.

She had initially thought that grilled vegetables wouldn't pair well with the barbecue, but to her surprise, they tasted amazing.

Yukino, after taking a bite, was also surprised by Su Yu's skills.

If she were to try making barbecue herself, she probably wouldn't do as well as he did.

Yumiko, Hina, and the starving Yui—despite already having experienced Su Yu's cooking before—were still amazed by how delicious it was.

Before long, the first plate was completely devoured.

Su Yu's grilling speed was fast, ensuring they didn't have to wait long. Within minutes, the second plate was served.

The girls dug in without hesitation.

An Hour Later

Su Yu leisurely enjoyed his barbecue while glancing at the dwindling food supply.

The girls were all completely full—perhaps even a little too full.

Hiratsuka, as expected, had gotten drunk again and was carried to her room by Yukino.

When Yukino came back out, she saw Su Yu still tending to the grill and approached him.

"I can take over the grilling. You should rest for a bit."

"Yukinoshita-san, this is my job. If you're feeling idle, you can help wash the dishes."

Su Yu pointed at the pile of used plates on the table.

"No problem."

Yukino nodded and got to work.

She wasn't the kind of rich girl who didn't know how to do housework—on the contrary, she was capable of handling almost anything.

Seeing Yukino washing the dishes, Yumiko was slightly surprised.

After a moment's hesitation, she stepped forward to help.

"…Yukinoshita-san, I'm sorry. I always thought you were just some high-and-mighty rich girl." Yumiko admitted.

"There's no need to apologize, Miura-san. That's how most people see me, and I don't really mind." Yukino replied calmly, glancing at her.

"You and Hayama-kun were classmates, right?" Yumiko asked cautiously.

"We were. His father works as a legal advisor for my family's company, so we've known each other since childhood. But the one Hayama truly likes is my sister."

Yukino paused for a moment before answering.

"…How do you know?" Yumiko asked, startled.

"He probably only told you that he had feelings for someone else, but didn't specify who. Given our past, I understand why you'd suspect it might be me. That's why I'm telling you directly. If you want to hear more, I don't mind sharing." Yukino continued washing the dishes as she spoke.

"Is your sister… really that exceptional?" Yumiko hesitated but eventually asked.

"She is. Even I have to admit she surpasses me. No matter how hard I try, I can't surpass her." Yukino said seriously.

Hearing that, Yumiko's expression darkened.

With this information, she had her answer.

She never stood a chance.

Yukino glanced at her, wanting to say something, but stopped herself.

There was no way Yumiko and Hayama could ever be together—unless she was willing to wait. Wait for Hayama to give up on Haruno Yukinoshita.

But that would be too cruel.

Yukino didn't want to give her false hope, only to lead her into despair.

Most importantly, Hayama's feelings for Haruno wouldn't fade easily.

6 PM

After finishing the remaining food and cleaning up the grill, Su Yu put the cooking equipment back in Hiratsuka's kitchen.

Yumiko, after her conversation with Yukino, was noticeably more downcast.

Yukino prepared to leave, and seeing Yumiko's mood, Hina also lost interest in staying longer.

She had initially planned to suggest karaoke, but considering Yumiko's mood, she instead proposed that they all leave together.

Su Yu escorted the four girls to the station.

Hina and Yumiko boarded their train first.

Yukino remained standing there, looking at Su Yu as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.

"…Yui, could you buy me a drink?" Su Yu suddenly turned to Yui, as if sensing Yukino's state.

"Mm."

Yui glanced at the two of them before nodding and walking away.

Yukino watched Yui disappear into the distance.

"I told Miura-san that Hayama likes my sister… but I didn't tell her that my sister doesn't like Hayama."

"You're wondering if what you did was right or wrong?" Su Yu asked while looking toward where Yui had gone.

Yukino softly murmured in agreement.

She felt that what she did wasn't wrong.

But there was still a lingering uncertainty, stemming from her lack of experience in these matters.

She was afraid she had made a mistake.

So, she turned to Su Yu, hoping to hear a definite answer.

"When you graduate, if your sister takes control of the Yukinoshita family's company, Hayama will stay by her side. Even if it's just as an advisor or assistant, he'd consider himself fortunate. The only way he'd move on is if your sister gets married to someone else."

Su Yu spoke slowly.

"You said before that you didn't know Hayama well, yet now you understand him this deeply… Su Yu-kun, do you also know me this well? Did someone tell you everything about me? Did someone ask you to—"

"Yukinoshita-san, you're overthinking it. Even if Hayama or your sister asked me to do something, I wouldn't accept. Unless… your sister was willing to pay me. Then, I might consider it." Su Yu interrupted her.

"I don't want you approaching me with ulterior motives. I want you to stay the way you were before. If you do, then I'll allow you to remain in the Service Club." Yukino looked at Su Yu, her expression complicated.

After a brief silence, Su Yu spoke.

"The reason I called you the moon is because the moon shines beautifully in the night sky… yet it always feels distant and unreachable."

Leaving those words behind, he turned and walked away.

Yukino opened her mouth slightly, watching his retreating figure.

Notes-Read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X