"Last time he tricked Teacher Sawako, he had that same expression."
"I feel like whenever Luo Yu makes that face, he's never up to anything good."
Although Luo Yu heard the girls whispering, he paid them no mind and continued speaking to Hayato Hayama. "I saw it. After you left, the three of them didn't say a single word to each other. They looked like strangers who'd just met."
Commission Complete
"To them, only Hayato was a friend. The others were merely their friend's friends." Luo Yu took a sip of tea and continued, "So, in order to avoid being kicked out of the Workplace Visit group, getting rid of a stranger they weren't even close to was perfectly natural, wasn't it?"
"Even so, you haven't explained why Ooka is the culprit." Yukino Yukinoshita seized on the key point.
"Of course, because the rumors about him caused the least damage. Compared to the other two—one fighting people from another school, the other juggling three girls—he merely took out another school's trump card. The people in his club might even admire him for it. Strictly speaking, that rumor didn't cause him any losses. The other two were different." Luo Yu drained his teacup. "Still, this is only my guess. As for whether it was really him, you'll have to confirm that yourselves. Tsumu-tsumu, could you refill my cup?"
"Okay~"
Tsumugi Kotobuki came over and poured Luo Yu a fresh cup of tea.
"What you said does make some sense." Yukino Yukinoshita pondered for a moment, then said to Hachiman Hikigaya and Yui Yuigahama, "You're in the same class as him. Can you find an opportunity to confirm it?"
"Although it's admirable that you want to find the culprit, Yukino," Luo Yu interrupted Yukino Yukinoshita and addressed Hayato Hayama, "Hayato, you originally only wanted to settle this matter. You didn't want to find the culprit, did you?"
"Uh, yes." Hayato Hayama froze for a moment before replying.
"What else do you want to say, Luo Yu?" Yukino Yukinoshita asked as well.
"I'm just saying I thought of a method that perfectly meets Hayato's requirements." Luo Yu answered with a smile.
Hearing that, Hayato Hayama asked eagerly, "What is it?"
"Just as we discussed, if we want to resolve this, we have to start at the source. Before, we always thought the source was the culprit."
Yukino Yukinoshita said, "Isn't it?"
Although Yukino Yukinoshita had interrupted his flow, Luo Yu continued, "Yukino, you're not wrong to think that way. But the true source is Hayato."
"Me?" Hayato Hayama looked utterly confused.
"Yes, you, Hayato. This happened because they all wanted to be in the same Workplace Visit group as you. So long as you refuse to form a group with all three of them, they'll naturally have no reason to target anyone else. What do you say, Hayato? Will you consider it?"
"I'll think it over carefully when I get back. Thank you all for today, especially you, Luo Yu."
After thanking everyone, Hayato Hayama left the clubroom.
"Do you think he'll use your method?"
After Hayato Hayama left, Hachiman Hikigaya asked Luo Yu.
"He will." Luo Yu answered with certainty. "After all, he's Hayato—the guy everyone likes."
"Hayato, the guy everyone likes?" Yukino Yukinoshita interjected. "That's actually a very accurate description."
"Do you hate him, describing Hayato like that?" Hachiman Hikigaya asked.
"I wouldn't say I dislike Hayato's personality." But I definitely wouldn't say I liked him, either. It had nothing to do with me anyway. He was just a stranger.
That evening.
At Luo Yu's villa.
Luo Yu and Mashiro were each busy with their own work.
"Sunny, cheerful young man, sunny, cheerful young man."
A ringtone shattered the tranquil atmosphere.
Luo Yu picked up his phone and looked at the caller ID. Why was he calling again? He answered the call. "Hello, Dad. What do you need me to do this time?"
Luo Xingchen said, "May Day Golden Week is almost here. Do you have any plans?"
It's almost May Day already? Time really flies. But I don't seem to have any plans for May Day.
Luo Yu thought carefully and confirmed that he had no other arrangements for May Day.
He replied, "Nothing planned yet. What is it? Is something wrong?"
Luo Xingchen said, "Since you have no plans, come back and spend this May Day with us. Your mother misses you. Oh, and bring Mashiro too."
Luo Yu said, "If you wanted me to come home, you could've just said so. It's not like I wouldn't go back. So I'm going home for May Day, right? And I'm bringing Mashiro? Is there anything else?"
Luo Xingchen said, "The way you're talking makes it sound like you don't really welcome me. Forget it. That's all I called about. I'm hanging up. Get back to work."
Hearing the busy tone on the other end, Luo Yu put down his phone as well.
I have a feeling Dad's reason for asking me to go back isn't that simple. But whatever. At most, he'll just mess with me. I'd like to see how he plans to do it. Of course, it'd be best if there's no trap. But knowing Dad, the chances of that are way too low.
After sorting out his thoughts, Luo Yu said to Mashiro, "Mashiro, do you want to come home with me this May Day?"
"Home?" Mashiro asked in confusion.
"Yeah, my home. My dad and mom want to meet you."
"Dad and Mom!" Mashiro's eyes seemed to light up.
"You should call them Uncle and Auntie." Luo Yu shook his head helplessly. "So, do you want to come with me?"
"I do!"
Mashiro answered without hesitation.
And just like that, Luo Yu settled the plan to go home for May Day.
In the clubroom.
Luo Yu was chatting with Hachiman Hikigaya.
Luo Yu said, "How did that commission from last time go?"
Hachiman Hikigaya said, "What commission?"
Luo Yu said, "Hayato Hayama's commission. So? Did he use that method?"
Hachiman Hikigaya said, "Didn't you call him 'senior'? Why are you just calling him by name here?"
Luo Yu said, "He's not here, so why should I call him senior?"
Hachiman Hikigaya gave the man before him—a man who could rival him in certain respects—a deep look, then continued, "He used it. In the end, Hayato was grouped with me, and those three formed a group together. It looks like the three of them even became good friends."
"What cheap friendship." Luo Yu said mockingly. "All right, I've learned everything I wanted to know. I'll head back first."
After patting Hachiman Hikigaya on the shoulder in farewell, Luo Yu returned to the Light Music Club's little group.
The moment he sat down, he heard the girls discussing May Day Golden Week.
"Everyone, do you have plans for Golden Week?" Ritsu Tainaka was the first to bring it up.
"Come to think of it, Golden Week really is almost here." Mio Akiyama added.
"I'll probably just lie around at home the whole time." Yui Hirasawa said as she stuffed cake into her mouth.
They could totally picture that scene!
The girls stared blankly at Yui Hirasawa, who was preparing to become a useless bum.
Hang in there, Ui!
"How about we go on a training camp?" Mio Akiyama suddenly suggested.
"A training camp?"
Chance Encounter
"Yes, a training camp." Seeing everyone's puzzled expressions, Mio Akiyama explained, "Golden Week is long enough, so we can practice together properly."
"Mio, sorry to interrupt." Luo Yu cut off Mio Akiyama, who was gradually getting excited. "A training camp is certainly a good idea, but I already have plans for this Golden Week. I'm going home."
"Eh!" Mio Akiyama looked at Luo Yu in disbelief.
"Actually, I already have plans for Golden Week too." Tsumugi Kotobuki followed up with another blow.
"No way? Even you, Tsumu-tsumu..." Mio Akiyama looked at Tsumugi Kotobuki as if she had been betrayed.
Tsumugi Kotobuki pressed her hands together apologetically. "I'm really sorry. My family wants me to attend a banquet during Golden Week, so I really don't have the time."
And thus, the Light Music Club's first training camp plan died before it could begin.
Weekend.
Luo Yu sat in a café, drinking black tea.
"I didn't expect this café to have black tea. It's not as good as Tsumu-tsumu's, but it'll do." After taking a sip, Luo Yu asked Mashiro beside him, "Mashiro, did your editor say when she'd arrive?"
"Ayano said she'll be here soon." Mashiro said, looking at the message on her phone.
Before long, a short-haired woman in a women's business suit sat across from Luo Yu and Mashiro.
"Sorry, there was traffic on the way here." The newcomer apologized. "My name is Ayano Iida, Mashiro's manga editor."
"It's fine. I'm Luo Yu." Luo Yu introduced himself. "For the time being, I guess I'm Mashiro's guardian?"
"I know. You're Teacher Meng Yu, right?" Ayano Iida said. "Honestly, when Mashiro said she wanted to draw a Flame Chasers manga, I was really shocked. After all, there's never been any news that Teacher Meng Yu planned to adapt Flame Chasers into a manga."
Luo Yu said, "Now you know."
Ayano Iida said, "I never expected Mashiro to know Teacher Meng Yu."
"After all, Mashiro and I have known each other since we were children."
Ayano Iida said, "Then, Teacher Meng Yu, have you really decided to let Mashiro draw the Flame Chasers manga?"
Luo Yu looked at Mashiro.
"I want to draw it!"
Mashiro answered just as firmly.
"See? Isn't the answer already obvious?" Luo Yu said to Ayano Iida with a smile.
"All right, all right. I really can't do anything with you two." Ayano Iida sighed.
Next, Ayano Iida and Luo Yu discussed various matters concerning the Flame Chasers manga adaptation, such as copyright and profit sharing.
"Teacher Meng Yu, you're really impressive." After signing the contract, Ayano Iida remarked, "You don't seem like a high school student at all."
Luo Yu merely took a sip of black tea and smiled without speaking.
"Now that business is done, let's talk about private matters." Ayano Iida suddenly smiled teasingly. "Teacher Meng Yu, what do you think of Mashiro? She's a real beauty. I heard you live with Mashiro. So? Have you made a move yet?"
"Rather than worrying about Mashiro's and my private life, Miss Iida, you should worry more about yourself. You aren't married yet, are you? You don't look that young anymore." Luo Yu's response showed no mercy.
Ayano Iida smiled without warmth. "Teacher Meng Yu, you really aren't cute at all."
Luo Yu set down his teacup. "I don't need to act cute for an old lady who wants to gossip about other people's lives." Then he picked up his teacup, looked out the window, and ignored Ayano Iida.
"Old lady! You really dared to say that!"
Veins bulged on Ayano Iida's forehead. Seeing that Luo Yu was no longer paying attention to her, she could only swallow her anger and turn to talk with Mashiro.
Hm? Is that...?
Luo Yu suddenly spotted familiar people in front of him.
Hachiman and Hirano? Why are they here? And who's that beside them?
So it's Komachi.
Seeing the ahoge on the girl's head that looked exactly like Hachiman Hikigaya's, Luo Yu confirmed her identity.
This combination is going to be entertaining!
Luo Yu immediately stood up and said to Ayano Iida and Mashiro, "Sorry, I have something to do, so I'll be leaving first. Miss Iida, could I trouble you to take Mashiro home later?"
Ayano Iida said, "Oh, I don't mind. What about you, Mashiro?"
Before you continue