My 2D anime story

On the way to Yui Yuigahama's house—

"We were talking about how Yukinoshita-san told Miura Yumiko the truth and wanted to ask me whether what she did was right or wrong. Also, she suspects that I approached her with a hidden motive…"

As soon as they left the station, Su Yu took the drink from Yui and began explaining.

"Su Yu-kun, you don't have to explain. I know you and Yukinoshita-san aren't like that," Yui murmured.

"Hearing you say that… makes it sound like you think I'm unworthy of Yukinoshita Yukino," Su Yu glanced at her.

"I-I didn't mean that!" Yui stammered, avoiding his gaze.

"I may not be a match for her now, but in the future, I will surpass her," Su Yu said, sipping his drink.

"Do you… like her?" Yui blurted out.

Su Yu paused, then wordlessly reached out his hand toward her.

Yui smiled awkwardly, realizing how weird her question was.

She placed her small hand in his.

"Yukinoshita Yukino is beautiful. Liking her is completely normal. In fact, if you spend enough time with her, you might end up liking her too—if you can truly become her friend," Su Yu said gently, holding Yui's hand.

"Su Yu-kun, do you know Yukinoshita-san that well?" Yui asked, puzzled.

"Her sister and Hayama Hayato both want me to break down Yukinoshita Yukino's emotional walls—to become her first real friend," Su Yu answered.

"Did you agree to it?" Yui asked quickly.

"Yui, why do you think I wanted you to join the Service Club?" Su Yu countered.

Yui froze.

Then, she suddenly realized.

"…You wanted me to become Yukinoshita-san's friend?!"

"I needed time to study Yukinoshita's notes, so I came up with a way to get you into the Service Club. I made up a small lie so that Yukinoshita would keep you occupied during lunch breaks. That way, you two would have more time to interact," Su Yu explained.

"So that's why Yukinoshita-san took the initiative to invite me to the club," Yui finally connected the dots.

"You hesitated back then. Were you wondering whether I'd develop feelings for Yukinoshita if you didn't join?" Su Yu asked, finishing his drink and looking at her.

"I-I wasn't thinking that at all!" Yui's face turned bright red.

Seeing her reaction, Su Yu knew he had guessed correctly.

He tossed the empty can into a trash bin and glanced at Yui's side profile.

Her cheeks were still tinged with pink.

After dropping Yui off at her house and returning to Sakurasou, the sky had already turned dark.

Su Yu was about to go through Yukino's notes when he received a message from Hina Ebina.

Hina Ebina:

"Su Yu-kun, I hope I'm not interrupting your time with Yui~? About Yumiko—did Hayama talk to you? What do you plan to do? Also, what exactly did Yukinoshita-san say to Yumiko? She seemed even more down after we left, and she barely spoke to me on the way home."

Su Yu read the message, thought for a moment, and then replied:

Su Yu:

"Hayama did talk to me, but not about Miura-san. Yukinoshita-san told Miura the truth—she straight-up told her that Hayama likes someone else. Hayama probably didn't tell Miura exactly who he likes, so she assumed it was Yukinoshita-san. This doesn't really have much to do with me, and I don't know what to do about it either."

After sending the message, Su Yu set his phone aside and continued reading the notes.

A few minutes later, his phone rang.

He glanced at it and paused.

He had expected Hina's name to appear, but instead, it was an unknown number.

Su Yu hesitated for a few seconds before a certain name popped into his mind.

He answered the call.

"Su Yu-kun, it's me—Haruno Yukinoshita."

Her familiar voice came through the phone.

"What do you want?" Su Yu wasn't surprised that she had his contact information.

"I'd like to invite you for coffee," Haruno said directly.

"It's already late. I don't feel like going out. Besides, drinking coffee with you would make it taste bitter," Su Yu said as he looked out the window.

"I figured you'd say that, which is why my car is already parked in front of Sakurasou. Even if you don't want coffee, surely you wouldn't mind chatting with me for a bit, right?" Haruno's voice carried an amused lilt.

"…Wait there."

After a brief moment of silence, Su Yu hung up.

Stepping outside, he immediately spotted the sleek black car parked at the entrance.

With a sigh, he made his way downstairs.

A few minutes later—

As he opened the door, Haruno's driver respectfully opened the rear passenger door for him.

Inside, Haruno sat with her signature playful smile.

Su Yu got into the car, shutting the door behind him.

The driver remained outside, watching the surroundings without any intention of interrupting their conversation.

"小雪乃 actually accepted someone's invitation for the first time. So, naturally, I had to come ask you—Su Yu-kun, what exactly did you do to make my sister agree to go to your barbecue?" Haruno studied Su Yu with interest.

"That's all you came for?" Su Yu looked at her.

"That's just the first thing I'm curious about," Haruno smiled.

"…Will you pay me for my answer?" Su Yu turned his gaze out the window.

Haruno was momentarily stunned.

Then, with a chuckle, she reached down and picked up a briefcase from the floor. Opening it, she revealed stacks of cash inside.

"If your answer is worth it, then I'll pay."

Su Yu calmly took a glance, then said, "I pretended to invite her at first but stopped halfway, making her curious. Then, I used her family background to provoke her…"

He practically repeated Yukino's own suspicions.

Haruno listened, then casually took a stack of cash and handed it to Su Yu.

Without hesitation, Su Yu accepted it.

"Su Yu-kun, if you can guess the two main reasons I came to find you, I'll double the amount," Haruno said with a smirk.

"…You want me to break down Yukinoshita Yukino's emotional walls. And you want Hayama Hayato to stop liking you." Su Yu answered.

Haruno smiled wider and gave him twice the amount.

Su Yu accepted the money without even checking the total.

"Well then, you should already know what I'm going to say next," Haruno's tone suddenly grew more serious.

"…Sorry, I can't do it," Su Yu shook his head.

"One million yen." Haruno immediately named a price.

"I can only do the first one—helping Yukinoshita find a friend…"

"Two million yen," Haruno interrupted.

"There's a simple way—hire a woman to act as if she's dating Hayama. You 'accidentally' catch them together." Su Yu paused before suggesting.

Haruno's expression momentarily froze.

Then, she shook her head.

"I don't want to hurt him. He's been with me since childhood. To me, Hayama-kun is like a younger brother…"

"The fact that you just said that… is the best solution."

Su Yu cut her off.

Haruno looked at him, confused.

After a few seconds—

Her eyes widened slightly as realization dawned on her.