Shizuka was taking this commercial audition very seriously.

After all, she was the only adult in Haru's group.

And the moment that sense of responsibility flared up in her soft and kind heart, it was like a switch flipped:

I must handle everything properly for them!

Without hesitation, she contacted her lawyer friend and turned to the students:

"Negotiating contracts is an adult's job. You kids just relax and wait, alright?"

With that one sentence, she successfully convinced Yukino and the others.

Haru had actually made preparations beforehand and originally planned to call a lawyer himself—but now, seeing how eager Shizuka was, he decided to just go along with her.

"You girls want anything to drink?"

While the girls were chatting nearby, Haru realized he was a bit thirsty.

He figured he might as well play the role of the group's drink-fetching tool.

"Juice."

"Warm water, please."

Different answers came flying his way, which he noted down before heading off to the nearest supermarket.

When he returned, drinks in hand, he spotted Yukino standing alone by the main entrance. Her eyes sparkled as she quietly observed the passersby and their cats.

Although the news about Jelly getting selected hadn't gone public yet, many had already left to wait for updates. A few, however, remained behind, clearly hoping to squeeze in one more chance.

As a result, the resting area had become a kind of cat paradise for Yukino.

Tabby cats, Ragdolls, Siamese…

So many different breeds—it was enough to make her eyes dizzy.

Even though she firmly believed that her orange cat was the best, it didn't stop her from admiring the cuteness of others.

Haru handed her a bottle of water and teased:

"You already have your own cat, but here you are, sneaking around looking at other people's cats. Isn't this kind of… NTR behavior?"

Yukino gave him a flat look.

"Are you sick again?"

She uncapped the bottle and took a sip before continuing:

"The more I observe them, the more I realize how intelligent Jelly is."

Haru immediately jumped in to claim credit.

"Well, who do you think brought him home in the first place?"

"You're just the adopter. The one who's truly clever is Jelly himself."

Yukino had her own logic.

She deliberately tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, letting her delicate face show fully.

"Besides, if you really want to split hairs, I've probably spent more time caring for him than you. So if there's any credit to give, you're behind me."

"I don't like being behind," Haru mumbled quietly—then immediately slipped away.

At first, Yukino didn't quite catch on.

But once Haru walked back inside to deliver drinks to the others, realization dawned.

Her dainty fist clenched in outrage.

That pervert's doing it again!

As for his claim about not liking to be behind, Yukino could say with absolute certainty—it was a lie.

Because every time they played duo games, Haru, obsessed with her waist and legs, always liked to make her lean against the wall…

Sometimes he even muttered stuff like "Your back view is just as seductive."

Yukino furrowed her brows, trying to stay composed.

I'm definitely going to scold him properly later.

But Haru, almost like a prophet, had predicted this would happen.

After giving the drinks to Utaha and the others, he darted away to the other end of the waiting area, pretending to be spacing out.

Yukino didn't chase him.

She had plenty of time to settle the score once they got home.

For now, she had cats to watch!

Good thing I'm quick-witted.

Leaning against the wall, Haru smugly muttered to himself.

Right after throwing out that suggestive line earlier, he'd decided to tactically retreat.

Had Yukino caught him right then, there was no doubt she would've gone off on him.

Just then, a young man carrying a cat walked over and stood nearby. Haru casually glanced over—and recognized the breed.

"That's a Norwegian Forest Cat, huh? Looks just as huge as the ones I've seen online," he remarked offhandedly.

The guy smiled. "Yeah, I was a little worried it'd be too big when I first got it. But turns out, a big cat draws a lot of attention—so it's actually great."

Haru chuckled. "Big cats really are nice. You know those golden-shaded giant cats in nature documentaries? I've always wanted to pet one."

The guy paused for a beat—then chuckled helplessly. "Uh… you mean a tiger?"

"What, don't you think tigers are cute?" Haru replied casually.

"…Sure, you might think they're cute. But I'm pretty sure they think you look delicious."

"Just saying—tiger probably couldn't beat me in a fight."

He said it with a completely serious face.

Thanks to his [Steel Body] skill, Haru was confident that even if a tiger—or an elephant—charged at him, one punch would send them into baby-mode sleep.

Naturally, the young man just took it as a joke.

As they chatted, the guy seemed to open up. He suddenly let out a sigh.

"Hey, did you see that girl over there? She's seriously the most beautiful girl I've ever laid eyes on."

Haru reflexively turned to look.

…And spotted Yukino.

His expression instantly turned… complicated.

The guy hadn't noticed and continued with a regretful sigh:

"Too bad she's got a boyfriend."

Haru's expression became even more complicated.

He knew Yukino's looks were top-tier. She was easily the kind of beauty who only appeared once in dozens of schools—a flawless face paired with that cool, quiet aura… like a whirlpool in the middle of the ocean, pulling you in with no chance of escape.

And right now, she was still sitting in that same spot, admiring cats.

Soft light from overhead poured over her white skin, making her shine with a gentle radiance.

She sat with perfect posture, her long lashes fluttering like butterfly wings. Every blink drew attention.

Her skin, high nose bridge, soft lips slightly parted in a small smile—clearly pleased by the cats she was watching.

Haru sighed in his heart.

I must've saved the world in my past life to get a girl like her to fall for me.

He patted the young man on the shoulder.

"Give it up. You don't stand a chance against me."

"…What?" The guy looked utterly confused.

Haru pointed at himself.

"Unlucky for you—I am her boyfriend."

"…Huh?!"

The guy froze in shock.

Then he stared, clearly doubtful.

Haru didn't bother saying more. He walked straight over to Yukino.

Yukino narrowed her eyes the moment she saw him and gave a cold snort:

"So, you're here to apologize… Wait—what are you doing?!"

Before she could finish, Haru took her soft little hand in his.

Yukino didn't exactly mind being held in public—it was just so sudden, and she'd been ready to scold him for dirty joke earlier.

Haru leaned in and whispered with a grin:

"I noticed a bunch of guys were eyeing you. I figured I'd crush any thoughts of flirting before they even started."

Yukino froze slightly, flustered.

"…You really are an idiot."

"Just go with it, Miss Meow."

"…You better find a new nickname."

"Fine then… The Cutest Yukinoshita Second Miss in the World."

"…Thanks. I know I'm cute."

She repeated the line again.

But this time, a faint blush crept up her cheeks.

After all, they were in public.

Haru thought she was too cute to handle.

Perhaps thanks to his smooth words, Yukino didn't bite back this time. Instead, she quietly slipped her arm around his.

This affectionate display instantly crushed the hearts of every guy present.

As Haru led Yukino back inside, he whispered:

"I feel like the male lead on the Titanic right now."

Yukino was quick to match his pace and sarcasm.

"If you shout, 'I'm the King of the World' right now, I'll honestly be impressed."

"Too embarrassing. I'll shout it at home."

"Idiot! Are you trying to say something perverted again?!"

Thanks to Haru's interruption, Yukino lost interest in the other cats and headed back inside with him.

Shizuka had been super efficient that night.

Once the contract was signed, the group exited the studio together.

But just as they reached the entrance, a woman wearing a khaki knit hat and black mask walked past them.

Haru and Yukino stopped in their tracks simultaneously.

They both recognized her.

And so did she—because she paused, turned around, and said cheerfully:

"Amamiya, Yukinoshita… Oh? Kasumigaoka's here too?"

Yukino was just about to greet her when Haru gently squeezed her hand.

"Not the best place to chat," he murmured.

Yukino caught on immediately and lowered her voice.

"Ninagawa-san, what brings you here?"

The woman smiled and spoke just as softly:

"A good friend of mine is shooting a pet commercial—he's the director here."

Haru nodded.

"We met him earlier. He's got a real… artistic presence."

It was meant as a polite and safe compliment.

But Ninagawa didn't follow the script.

She chuckled.

"You mean he has that 'artsy bottom' vibe, right? You're not wrong—he is indeed a snobbish person."

Haru fell completely silent.

The girls, meanwhile, looked stunned.

~~~~~~~~~~

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