Soubu High's rooftop.
It was a great place to eat lunch.
But most people didn't bother coming here.
Why? Simple—it was too far.
By the time Yuigahama Yui reached the rooftop door, she was already a little tired.
Su Yu followed behind her, stepping onto the open rooftop.
Yui walked over to the edge, where she could see the soccer field in the distance.
A protective fence surrounded the rooftop.
Su Yu glanced in the direction of the sea, recalling what the anime had mentioned—
Since this school was near the ocean, a sea breeze would occasionally sweep through.
As he thought about it, he instinctively turned to look at Yui.
A gentle wind blew past.
Her skirt fluttered.
"Su Yu-kun!"
Yui turned around and caught his gaze.
Her face turned red as she called out to him.
"Reality is never as beautiful as in anime…" Su Yu sighed and walked toward the bench.
"I didn't expect you to be that kind of person, Su Yu-kun," Yui pouted, her cheeks still flushed.
"I'm a guy. Having thoughts like that is perfectly normal. But if there's anyone to blame, it's you," Su Yu said as he opened his bento box.
"Are you saying… it's my fault?" Yui puffed up her cheeks.
"I mean, you're too cute." Su Yu didn't even look up as he spoke.
"Even if you say that… I-I won't forgive you that easily," Yui muttered, her face growing redder.
"Want to try some of my bento?" Su Yu offered, holding out his lunch.
Yui peeked at Su Yu's bento—it looked way more impressive than hers.
She glanced at her own bento, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious.
"If you don't try it, I'll just assume you've forgiven me," Su Yu teased.
"I'll try it first, then decide." Yui grabbed her chopsticks and picked up a piece of tamagoyaki.
After tasting it, her eyes lit up.
She quickly picked up a fried pork cutlet next.
After finishing the pork cutlet, Yui smiled and put down her chopsticks.
"Fine. I forgive you this time."
"Thanks, Yuigahama-san. Even though I didn't actually see anything."
"Y-You… do you want to see?" Yui asked, her voice small.
"I both do and don't," Su Yu admitted.
"Why not? Aren't all guys…" Yui's voice trailed off as her blush deepened.
"If I saw it by accident, I'd call that lucky. But if I started having inappropriate thoughts about you because of it… I'd feel like I let you down."
"Inappropriate thoughts…?" Yui turned her head away, her cheeks burning.
Su Yu didn't say anything more and simply continued eating his lunch.
After a moment, Yui stole a glance at him, then quietly opened her bento box.
The two of them ate in comfortable silence.
The weather was nice, and the gentle sea breeze made the atmosphere even more relaxing.
When they finished eating—
Su Yu let out a yawn.
Seeing this, Yui patted her lap lightly.
"Su Yu-kun… y-you can use my lap as a pillow," she offered hesitantly.
"Thanks, but I'm suddenly not sleepy anymore."
Su Yu looked at Yui and politely declined.
"…Really?" Yui stared at him.
"Really." Su Yu avoided her gaze.
"Then why won't you look at me?"
"I'm afraid… I'll have inappropriate thoughts again."
"Y-You… can't you be a little braver?"
"I… I've never been in a relationship. I don't know how to interact with girls properly."
Hearing that, Yui hesitated for a few seconds—then inched closer to him.
Su Yu noticed and slowly reached out his hand.
When his fingers brushed against Yui's, he gently held her hand.
Yui didn't resist—she simply lowered her head, her face completely flushed.
"Do you… have time this afternoon?" Su Yu asked.
"Mm." Yui nodded softly.
"Do you… want to go watch a movie?"
"…O-Okay." Her voice was barely audible.
"Then… since we have plans this afternoon… c-can I borrow your lap for a bit?"
Yui whispered a soft "mm".
Only then did Su Yu pull back slightly and carefully rest his head on her lap.
He closed his eyes.
His drowsiness finally caught up with him.
Afternoon Classes
Thanks to his nap, Su Yu no longer felt sleepy during the afternoon classes.
His sleep schedule only required five hours, so catching up on an extra hour was just right.
Throughout class, Yuigahama Yui kept sneaking glances at him.
Noticing this, Su Yu recalled something important—
Yui wasn't good at studying.
Neither was Miura Yumiko or Ebina Hina.
Which meant…
"Does love start with raising test scores?"
To increase Miura Yumiko's favorability, Yui's favorability, and become proper friends with Ebina Hina…
There was only one logical solution.
A study session.
And if he wanted to tutor them, then first—he had to improve his own grades.
A single name popped into his mind.
Yukinoshita Yukino.
Her grades were flawless.
Su Yu had yet to take any major exams, so he wasn't sure where he stood.
But given his current knowledge level, he definitely wasn't among the top students.
His memory enhancement skill could help him improve quickly…
But he needed a good starting point.
After School
After sending Yui a message, Su Yu immediately ran out of the classroom.
He arrived at Yukino's class just as she was packing up.
Yukino finished gathering her things and headed for the Service Club.
When she saw Su Yu, she paused briefly.
Then, without saying a word, she turned and continued walking.
Su Yu followed her.
Once they reached an empty hallway, Yukino stopped.
"Do you need something?" she asked.
"I want to borrow your notes. All of them."
Su Yu looked at her seriously.
"Reason?"
"For romance."
Yukino turned to face him.
"…You want to improve your grades so you can tutor someone else?" she guessed.
"Exactly."
"How much do you think just notes will help?"
"If my grades don't improve, I'll read my light novel out loud in front of you."
Yukino blinked in surprise.
Then—
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"Top ten. If you can't do that, then I expect a full reading session," she said.
"Yukinoshita-san… you really are this kind of person."
"Su Yu-kun, it seems like you understand me a little?"
"I was just guessing."
"You guessed correctly."
Yukino tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her smile growing slightly.
"The other side of the untouchable flower… huh?"
Su Yu stepped closer.
Yukino reached into her bag, pulled out her notebooks, and handed them over.
Su Yu accepted them and looked at her.
"This is one of the perks of being a Service Club member."
"Captain Yukinoshita, I think joining the Service Club… might be the best decision I've ever made."