After reviewing the hotel documents, Yōno Yukinoshita looked up at Takumi Yuuya.
"Yuuya-kun… would you like to take a walk with me?"
"Of course," he replied.
Yuuya stood, pressed a gentle kiss to Yukino Yukinoshita's forehead, and stepped outside.
Yukino watched the two of them go.
In the courtyard, Yōno tilted her head.
"Yuuya-kun… did you plan last night to use the hotel to secure the fiancé title?"
"Fortune doesn't just fall from the sky," Yuuya said casually.
"Do you genuinely like Yukino… or are you just using her?"
"Using her? Tell me, Yōno, what value do you think Yukino has?"
Yōno went silent. Indeed, the current Yukino had no real "value"—just a striking appearance.
Yuuya's eyes drifted to the flowerbeds.
"In Mrs. Yukinoshita's eyes, this is just a transaction—trading an overlooked second daughter for a reliable ally."
"To me, it's a fair deal. The hotel's profit grows slowly, but giving it to Yukino isn't exactly a loss."
"The fiancé title lets me participate in the Yukinoshita household's affairs, which aligns perfectly with my other objective."
Yōno blinked.
"Another objective?"
"You're not ready to know yet," Yuuya said lightly.
Her brows furrowed.
"When will I be ready?"
"When you take your mother's place… or when you want to," he said with a mysterious smile.
"Yuuya-kun… you don't mean—"
"The Yukinoshita family isn't strong enough for that… yet."
"What else could it be?"
"When the time comes, you'll understand."
He chose to remain cryptic. His abilities hadn't fully manifested yet; explaining more now would be pointless. Once his powers were active, he could craft the story around them—far safer.
Yōno's mind raced with possibilities.
Dinner time.
Mrs. Yukinoshita congratulated Yukino and Yuuya on their engagement, then turned to Yōno.
"Yōno, before you graduate university, you must also decide on a partner."
"I understand, Mother," Yōno said with a smile. She wasn't worried; once the time came, her mother would arrange suitable match meetings.
"Yuuya-kun," Mrs. Yukinoshita said, turning her attention to him.
"Yes?" he asked, sitting upright.
"I've heard the rumors about Soubu High."
"They're true—I'm… involved with multiple girls," Yuuya admitted.
"Oh? You dare say that in front of me?"
"There's a reason," he replied.
"A reason? Tell me. If you convince me, I might let it go."
"I've reached a new level in my training—I can lift a thousand-kilogram weight with one hand, and I can race a bicycle on the road," Yuuya said calmly.
Mrs. Yukinoshita froze. Yōno's eyes widened in shock, while Yukino tilted her head in curiosity. She knew Yuuya had trained, but never imagined him reaching this level.
"After dinner, I'll demonstrate," he added.
"Very well," Mrs. Yukinoshita nodded. If he truly had this ability… the Yukinoshita household would have to take him seriously.
"Even if you have that power, what does it matter if you're… involved with multiple girls?" Yōno asked, puzzled.
"Ask Yukino," Yuuya said.
Yōno glanced at Yukino, whose cheeks flushed red.
"She'll understand in time," Yuuya thought, smiling faintly.
After dinner, they moved to the courtyard.
The maids had prepared a barbell, starting at 100 kilograms—not the full 500.
Yuuya lifted it with one hand effortlessly. Mrs. Yukinoshita nodded.
The maids added weight: 300 kilograms. Yuuya still lifted it single-handedly. Shocked, the maids exchanged glances before Mrs. Yukinoshita instructed:
"Increase it to 500 kilograms."
"Yes, Madam."
The maids stepped back. Yuuya lifted the 500-kilogram barbell with both hands, testing the weight before hoisting it. Mrs. Yukinoshita's pupils contracted; Yōno looked horrified.
Lifting and holding are different—this showed his strength had no visible upper limit. Yuuya held the barbell for ten seconds, then gently set it down.
"Yuuya-kun… how long have you trained?" Mrs. Yukinoshita asked.
"Since childhood, continuing to this day," he replied, walking over to her.
"Did your master's other disciples also reach this level?" Yōno asked.
"This technique requires starting young, and the natural constitution determines if it's possible. With the help of a special elixir my master prepared, I gained this power," Yuuya explained.
"Special elixir?" Mrs. Yukinoshita's ears perked up.
"One drop grants a normal person athletic-level physique. The effects depend on the user's training. Yukino knows more," he said.
"I've taken it, and I do feel stronger. But it seems the elixir's full potential hasn't been reached yet," Yukino added.
"Yuuya-kun… how much does one drop cost? Can I buy it?" Mrs. Yukinoshita asked seriously.
"Sorry, it's not for sale."
"That's a shame…"
"However, I can give it to you."
"Really?"
"Yukino, bring a glass of water."
"Yes," Yukino said, turning to fetch it.
Mrs. Yukinoshita hesitated. Yuuya noticed.
"This elixir isn't suitable for research. Once it leaves my control, it melts into a drop of ordinary water. My technique is the only thing preserving it."
"I thought it could be developed as a medicine," Mrs. Yukinoshita murmured, disappointed.
Yuuya glanced at the departing maids.
"Originally, this elixir wasn't meant for trainees. Its effects enhance the body rapidly; real practitioners call it a pill of refinement."
"You… you mean—"
"Yes, exactly. But true practitioners are gone, and my technique is passed down from the righteous tradition."
"I didn't expect that…"
"My master told me that in modern times, practitioners are forgotten. Even those who train a lifetime can't compete with modern weapons. Only a rare few have the natural constitution to master it," Yuuya said calmly.
"No wonder I've never met a practitioner," Mrs. Yukinoshita said, sighing.
Yuuya said nothing. In his heart, a single thought gleamed:
She believes it. She believes it.