If their relationship were still just ordinary friends, would Yukino let him intervene?
If he didn't help, would she be overwhelmed by work, exhausted to take sick leave at home, while he visited with Yuigahama?
Yuu didn't know answers to these questions, nor need to.
Because now, they weren't mere ordinary friends. Before she buckled, he got permission to intervene.
Besides slight discomfort claiming boyfriend before committee, all headed well.
After self-intro and greeting maybe four-tenths attendees, Yuu took unhandled task list from Yukino. Brows furrowed slightly.
"Indeed, quite a load..."
Clicking tongue, Yuu pondered. Ignored Yukino's wanting-to-say gaze, called departing student.
"Toujou-san, can print these posters in print room too?"
"Eh? But deliver docs to teacher... Print room queuing now."
"I know. Find Hiratsuka-sensei Japanese dept, say borrow teacher exclusive copier. No queue. No wait. Ask bring after print. Go straight. Won't waste time."
"So, fine... But teacher errands, improper?"
"Don't fear. Say Tenkuji-kun forced. Blame not you... Please!"
"Alright, since Chair's boyfriend said..."
"..."
Feeling odd, Yuu silent. Lowered head, flipped docs.
Next!
"Accounting audit... Koizumi-san, you handle finances?"
"Y-yes... But docs to handle now."
"Let see... Not your task, right?"
"Uh, other team absent yesterday, Chair reassigned..."
"Ignore fools. Everyone own tasks efficient. This, only you can."
"Tenkuji-kun, glad say, but Chair hears... Glaring behind. Very angry..."
"Focused work. Report for you, give docs, tell progress."
"Okay, from here..."
Listening seriously, brain full speed. Soon, Yuu took Koizumi's stack, scanned superhuman vision.
"This with that, this together..."
Quickly categorized, color-coded sticky notes. Hour-task for Koizumi perfect in one minute.
Ignoring monster-saw shock, Yuu turned to head chair. Placed docs before Yukino.
"Check, sign."
"..."
Pen hovered long unmoving. Yukino stared. Face showed much to say, gaze complex.
Anger question fool remark. Surprise neat speed finish. Plus unnamed: admiration, relief, pride etc.
Work-mode Yuu no intent wait calm. Placed docs, headed door.
"Where going!"
Reflex, Yukino stood. Realizing next-second loss control, feigned calm turned away, twirled ear hair. Added:
"Just... asking."
Explanation near none. Rare shy look photo-worthy.
"Coordinate personnel from clubs. Know most list."
Half-turned, Yuu snapped paper, casual smile: "Wait here. Back soon."
Pale pink flush spread flawless white face, cinnabar in water.
Unable face too-bright smile, Yukino sat. Holding pen, casually:
"Know. Go."
"Then, off?"
"Careful road—" Stopped, Yukino death-glared, but felt winter pass warm breeze face.
Yuu burst laughing. Long strides, winner-like.
Only after Yuu closed door, Yukino withdrew warning cold gaze. Annoyed narrowed eyes, heavy sighed desk docs.
"Really, why can't keep reliable facade end..."
(Even baited wife-send-husband line. This man same start to now. Never changed reckless nature...)
Though complained, lip corner unconsciously lifted.
Like rootless water hyacinth found riverbank. Heart calm, somehow happy.
Refocused work. Doc speed unchanged, error-free. But couldn't help distracted, think him.
If real girlfriend, curb loose mouth near women. To Koizumi earlier, what soft tone? Who allowed...
*THUD!*
Not loud, but quiet work, head-desk sound attention-grabbing.
"N-no, fine. Ignore. Continue."
Holding slight-pain forehead, Yukino ordered shame-restrained. Face buried docs, dared not lift.
Luckily, authority, none dared laugh openly tease. Minor slip passed ordinarily.
Secretly confirmed, Yukino tugged collar. Heat neck to ears. Bit lip, secretly regretted.
"Dating not love. Why care tone to anyone... Stupid."
"Anyway, Tenkuji-kun said likes Yuigahama-san, not me!"
"Only forced ask date..."
Thought emerged, like cold water head-poured.
Yukino gradually calmed. Face flush back snow white. No more improper thoughts. Focused front docs.
Even Yuu return, wouldn't let find wrong.
Current Yukino loved no one.