Chapter 53: Turmoil

Chiyoda Ward, the Shiina Family Residence.

The bedroom was softly lit, with a faint, cool fragrance lingering in the air.

At this moment, Shiina Chisa was lying on her side atop her spacious bed. Lying beside her was a life-sized doll, its appearance nearly identical to Suzuki Yuu.

She stared listlessly at her phone, which, aside from a few routine family business reports and some trivial social messages, was practically empty.

Although she had already resigned a contract with Suzuki Yuu, their relationship was not the same as before.

Now, there were other women by his side, and he could no longer be with her at all times like before.

As a result, Shiina Chisa’s life had slipped into monotony.

This was what she found hardest to accept.

Before she met Suzuki Yuu, she could fill her days in countless ways—reading, studying, managing family affairs, and practicing archery. The endless repetition of these routines made her feel fulfilled.

But ever since encountering Suzuki Yuu, that order had unraveled. She found it hard to focus on anything; whatever she did became half-hearted and distracted.

The boy’s face always barged into her thoughts at the most inopportune times, taking over her mind and refusing to leave.

Just then, an unremarkable video thumbnail caught her eye.

It was because Suzuki Yuu’s face appeared on it.

She tapped it open and discovered it was a video introducing food preparation methods, with Suzuki Yuu detailing every step from ingredients to process.

He was wearing a spotless coffee-colored employee apron, his face always lit with a smile, looking exceptionally professional.

Without realizing it, Shiina Chisa became somewhat entranced as she watched the video. Glancing at the uploader’s account, she found the name: “White Birch Café.”

Come to think of it, Suzuki Yuu had mentioned to her before that he worked at a café.

She had never really paid attention to it, and couldn’t quite understand Suzuki Yuu’s actions—did he really need to worry about money when he was with her?

But this was Suzuki Yuu’s choice, so she couldn’t criticize.

She deliberately searched for the address of White Birch Café and made a quiet decision.

“I’ll find time to go check it out.”

Aoyama Saint Academy, First Year Class B. Once again, Suzuki Yuu was surrounded.

The thing he had worried about most had happened after all. The video posted online by Manager Shiraishi had not only drawn attention—it had gone viral.

Word had even spread at Aoyama Saint Academy.

Soon, some girls came to ask Suzuki Yuu about the café’s prices.

Under normal circumstances, Suzuki Yuu would have welcomed such questions, but unfortunately, the girls had asked him right in the classroom, subjecting him to a barrage of odd looks.

Those looks were coming from his pack of mischievous friends, who were currently playing his video on their phones.

“Puhahahaha!”

As expected, the first to burst out laughing was Tanaka Ibuki, his snicker completely unrestrained.

“Suzuki, the you in this video is really nothing like your usual self—I’m getting goosebumps all over.”

On screen, the “gentle handsome guy” in a spotless coffee-colored apron, smiling warmly, spoke in an intentionally slow and magnetic voice:

“Following these steps, a perfect caramel pudding is ready just like that. Isn’t it interesting? If anyone’s interested, you’re welcome to come taste it at the White Birch Café anytime.”

Tanaka made an exaggerated gagging face and vigorously rubbed his arms.

“It’s a shame I know the real you—otherwise, this would make for great advertising.”

“Hey, what’s so different from how I usually am?”

“Different as night and day. The real you is anything but gentle.”

As Tanaka spoke, Sato chimed in from the side:

“Come on, which beautiful girl are you after this time? You harem king, you.”

“What kind of weird rumor is that?”

“You haven’t seen the news club’s post? Right now, you’re our school’s ‘Love Master.’”

“Could you stop giving me all these weird titles…?”

Listening to his friends, Suzuki Yuu immediately felt he’d been set up by the news club again.

He’d given them a heads-up already.

This was more than just rebellion—he needed to strike back hard!

“I’ve said it a million times, I’m just friends with them. There’s nothing like what you’re imagining.”

Suzuki Yuu let out a long sigh, explaining to his troublemaking friends.

Of course, knowing their personalities, evidence or not, they would force all those titles on him just to stir up trouble.

Thinking this, Suzuki Yuu couldn’t help but shake his head. Their antics were practically damaging his reputation.

But when he remembered the contracts he had signed with the two young ladies, he realized these rumors weren’t entirely baseless.

After all, their behavior during the school trip could easily be misunderstood.

With that in mind, Suzuki Yuu gave up struggling, just offering a few token denials and letting them say whatever they wanted.

After making a ruckus for quite a while, his friends finally calmed down.

“Well, with a face like yours, pulling this off isn’t really an exaggeration.”

“Could you not make it sound like all I have is my face…?”

Suzuki Yuu protested fiercely, but unfortunately, his complaints only made them tease him louder.

Before long, though, the topic shifted elsewhere.

“So, Suzuki, for this year’s sports festival, is Myojin Girls’ Academy participating too? I heard the girls there are all super cute!”

Myojin Girls’ Academy was the school that Shiraishi Ayaha attended, and was known for its strong reputation and high university acceptance rate.

“Yeah, they’re joining this time,” Suzuki Yuu confirmed. “This year’s festival should be pretty grand.”

“Whoa, I’m really looking forward to it!”

“Same here!”

His group of friends all chimed in, their faces full of anticipation for a possible fateful encounter.

Watching their excitement, Suzuki Yuu mercilessly poured cold water over them:

“With your looks, I bet all your efforts will just be a waste in the end…”

As soon as he said this, he was met with a round of threatening stares.

Yet Tanaka Ibuki didn’t get angry. Instead, he flashed a mischievous grin and threw his arm around Suzuki Yuu’s shoulder:

“That’s why we’re counting on you, Suzuki.”

“Huh?” Suzuki Yuu felt a bad premonition.

“Think about it.” Tanaka lowered his voice like he was passing on a secret.

“All you need to do is make first contact with the girls—they’d never turn you down, right? Then we’ll follow up and chat with them as your ‘good friends.’ Isn’t that plan perfect?”

“You guys really wear ‘scumbag’ on your faces, you know that?”

“Cut the crap. Are you in or out?”

“I refuse. Sorry, but I’m a man of principle.”

“If you agree, I’ll give you my prized DVD and photo collection—already out of print, and now super expensive on the secondhand market.”

“But on the other hand…”