Dinner time.
Sakura Dorm was more lively than ever.
Tsurumi Saori met everyone living in the dorm.
When she saw Hiratsuka Shizuka, any remaining worries in her heart completely vanished. Tsurumi Rumi, upon realizing that aside from Su Yu, everyone living at Sakura Dorm was a girl, had a curious look on her face, but she didn't ask anything.
Kawasaki Keika sat beside her and was very friendly to her new "big sister."
Tsurumi Rumi liked Keika too—she was well-behaved and adorable.
After dinner—
Rumi and Keika played with building blocks, while Saori and Kawasaki Saki washed the dishes.
Once the kitchen was clean—
Saori and Saki chatted for a while.
Only then did Saori find out that Saki actually worked at Future Manga Publishing and was Su Yu's real assistant.
Later, in the car—
Su Yu informed Saori that he had just transferred another one million yen into the card. She could take two months' salary in advance to buy furniture.
Saori was deeply grateful.
Rumi, however, looked at Su Yu with a puzzled gaze.
Why was this big brother being so nice to them?
She glanced at her mother, a thought forming in her mind.
A few minutes later—
As the car drove away from Sakura Dorm—
Rumi spoke up.
"Why is that big brother being so nice to us?"
"Hmm?" Saori was taken aback by her daughter's question.
"We have nothing, and yet he's so kind to us. Maybe it's because…" Rumi trailed off, her eyes on Saori.
"Rumi, you're overthinking it. Su Yu-sama is surrounded by beautiful girls. There's no way…" Saori understood what her daughter was implying.
"If he does have that kind of idea… Mom, would you quit this job?" Rumi asked quietly.
"Rumi, don't worry about things like that. That's not something a child needs to think about," Saori said, gently patting her daughter's head.
Rumi didn't press further.
But after pulling her hand away, Saori looked ahead, silent.
She was thinking the same question.
If Su Yu did have that kind of intention—would she leave? Or… stay?
…
At Su Yu's home—
Miura Yumiko once again showcased her idol-level singing talent.
Yuigahama Yui looked on with admiration.
Ebina Hina watched Yumiko quietly, seemingly lost in thought.
"If you want to become an idol, I can give you the chance," Su Yu said to Ebina.
"I know I'm not cut out for that," she replied with a shake of her head.
"What about as a virtual idol? Anyone can do that," Su Yu suggested.
"Virtual idol?" Ebina blinked in confusion.
Su Yu explained what a virtual idol was.
Ebina finally understood—true, in that case, anyone could become one.
"Su Yu-kun, can I do it too?" Yui looked hopeful.
"Sorry, Yui. I forgot to mention—everyone but you can," Su Yu said, taking her hand gently.
"Why not me?" Yui pouted, eyes filled with grievance.
"Because if you became a virtual idol, I'd end up teasing you during your livestreams. That would definitely cause an incident," Su Yu replied with a smile.
"Su Yu-kun, you're the worst!" Yui blushed furiously.
"Silly girls need to stay in their lane—don't even think about other jobs," Su Yu said, kissing the back of her hand.
Yui puffed her cheeks, clenching her tiny fists. She wanted to say she wasn't a silly girl.
Ebina glanced at Yui, then looked away and focused on Yumiko.
Noticing this, Yui leaned over and whispered to Su Yu.
"What? Yui, you're telling me to go after Ebina-san?" Su Yu asked in mock shock.
At that moment—
Yumiko stopped singing and turned to look at Su Yu.
Ebina's expression turned odd as she looked at Yui.
"…" Yui.
What she meant was—ever since Su Yu started dating them, Ebina seemed different. A little lonely, even.
"Ebina-san, what do you think?" Su Yu asked seriously.
"I don't mind. Su Yu-kun is handsome and rich. Honestly, I'm tempted. If you'd just be a little proactive and take responsibility, I might end up falling for your charms," Ebina replied with a soft smile.
"Hina… are you serious?" Yui's eyes lit up at her friend's words.
"Hina, if you're okay with it, Yui and I would accept it. As for Yukinoshita, I can help you win her approval," Yumiko said eagerly.
"Yui, Yumiko, thanks for the kind offer. But Su Yu-kun and I were just joking around," Ebina shook her head, unfazed and without a trace of embarrassment.
"Eh?" Yui and Yumiko both turned to Su Yu.
"You two really want me to have another girlfriend that badly?" Su Yu smiled at them.
Their faces turned slightly red.
…
Night fell.
Su Yu walked the girls to the station.
As they passed by a convenience store—
Miura Yumiko let go of Su Yu's hand, saying she wanted to buy something.
"This scene feels awfully familiar…" Su Yu said, glancing at Ebina beside him.
"Yumiko and Yui's secret whispering was probably about this," Ebina sighed.
"Wanna follow Yumiko's lead?" Su Yu teased.
"I don't want to copy her. But… I do like you. If I'm still single at twenty, I'll say yes—whether that means being your girlfriend or something else…" Ebina's gaze lingered on the convenience store.
"Ebina-san, that sounds an awful lot like a 'yes,'" Su Yu looked her over.
"These next three years, I want to chase my dream—to become an excellent screenwriter. Ideally, the star writer for Shining Animation. I want you to look at me with new eyes, to make that studio depend on me… to become someone of real value," Ebina said, eyes locked on his.
Su Yu immediately understood.
She liked him—but she didn't want to be just a pretty accessory.
She was fundamentally different from Yumiko and Yui.
With that thought, Su Yu opened his arms.
"Then let's start as friends. If you're ever tired, you can lean on me."
"Su Yu-kun, you really are getting worse," Ebina said, caught off guard before covering her mouth with a smile.
"Yeah, I'm getting worse and worse," Su Yu said, walking up and hugging her.
"Is it because of Yumiko?" Ebina didn't pull away, but instead leaned against his chest.
Notes-You can read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X, i have finished translating the whole story