"Naturally, I think it's believable."
Hayasaka gave Yusei a look of disbelief, but she couldn't really interfere in these matters.
"Let's go. Your girlfriend is waiting for you."
On the way back, Hayasaka relayed what Kaguya had told her, including the 'part of you' and 'chainsaw' comments.
Yusei felt a chill run down his spine, thoroughly frightened.
"You... you said Asuna was smiling when she said that?"
Hayasaka nodded, "Yes. She said, smiling, that she and Yui would live forever with a part of you."
Now Yusei was certain... Asuna had been completely serious when she said that.
If she wasn't serious, she would have just thrown a small tantrum or complained a bit. She definitely wouldn't have been smiling while saying something so terrifying.
This meant that, if given the chance, he really could be cut into 'pieces'.
With this in mind, Yusei stopped walking.
"What's wrong?"
"I think maybe we should lay low for a while..."
Hayasaka sighed, "And where exactly would you hide?"
"...You're right."
Yusei sighed, 'Indeed, there was nowhere to run.'
"Let's go then."
Entering the classroom, Yusei felt the atmosphere was strange. Kaguya had been trying to chat with Asuna, but Asuna seemed distracted.
Seeing Yusei return, Kaguya finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Yusei went to Asuna's side. Only then did Asuna snap out of her thoughts and look at him.
"Asuna, I... I'm back."
Looking at the carved chocolate on the desk, Yusei could now fully appreciate the depth of Asuna's feelings for him.
Thinking about it now, any normal girl would be furious upon learning her boyfriend was cheating, right?
Even someone as gentle as Asuna would definitely want to reach for a chainsaw.
The only thing to do now was explain properly.
"Asuna, I..."
But before he could finish, Asuna interrupted with a smile.
"Yusei-kun, don't speak. Although I don't know what you were doing just now, you look very pale. You must have used a lot of energy, right?"
She took out the lunchbox that was originally meant for lunch.
"Yusei-kun, can eating something help you recover?"
"It's alright. This is a consumption of my Ocular Power. Food won't help much, I just need rest."
Asuna looked at Yusei, puzzled.
"Ocular Power?" She then seemed to understand something, "Is it like... the power of your eyes? That's why you feel tired?"
Yusei tried to explain in simple terms, and Asuna seemed to grasp it.
She nodded and didn't press further, but she also didn't mention the earlier incident, which Yusei found strange.
'I thought... she was going to chainsaw me?'
Kaguya was also very curious. Now that Yusei was here, Asuna didn't seem to have any reaction.
Hesitating for a moment, Yusei decided to explain anyway.
"Asuna, the girl I carried earlier... actually, she doesn't have that kind of relationship with me. Well, that's not entirely accurate either. I do have a connection with her, but it's definitely not the same as my relationship with you."
"Ah, it's fine. I don't really mind."
Asuna smiled, then took Yui's hand and said softly to Yusei, "I know you have incredible powers, Yusei-kun. Kanna-chan is proof of that too... So I don't want Yui and me to become chains that bind you. It's just... we mother and daughter only hope to hold a place in your heart. Even if it's just a part."
Yui also nodded happily and threw herself into Yusei's arms.
"Papa! You'll keep Yui in your heart, right? Even if it's just a part?"
Yusei was stunned. Then, understanding dawned on him. He smiled and patted Yui's head.
"Not just a part. The whole thing."
Kaguya watched this affectionate family of three, utterly dumbfounded, ''A part' meant this? Not a literal piece?'
'So that means Asuna is allowing this guy to mess around? How could that be...?'
Unable to comprehend it, she subconsciously tried to put herself in Asuna's position.
Without a doubt, what she would want to do is eliminate all rivals.
Asuna's understanding made Yusei less hesitant. Although there were still afternoon classes, he couldn't leave Hina in the school infirmary all day.
So, at noon, Yusei asked for leave and took Hina back.
Regarding this, Yusei told Asuna everything, including how he saved Hina and how he hired her as his secretary.
Asuna was very understanding and trusted Yusei completely. She didn't say much, just asked Yusei to take good care of his secretary.
After a morning of rest, Hina's fever had subsided. However, she was still very weak and couldn't walk.
Yusei found a taxi and took Hina back to the apartment.
Watching Yusei busily taking care of her, Hina said in a weak voice, "I'm... I'm sorry, Yusei-sama..."
Yusei shook his head, "Call me 'Boss' from now on. And there's nothing to be sorry about. You got sick because of me. This counts as a work-related injury."
After settling Hina into bed and tucking her in, Yusei, who couldn't cook, could only order takeout.
When the food arrived, Hina was too weak, so Yusei had to feed her himself.
Yusei possessed the Sharingan's power, allowing him to copy all sorts of abilities, but he couldn't heal others' injuries or illnesses.
He had actually thought about copying a 'healing'-type ability before, but he hadn't found a suitable one yet.
After finishing the porridge, Hina's condition improved quite a bit. Her fever was gone. But she still felt very embarrassed.
Partly because this was the first time a boy had been so intimate with her, and partly because she felt she was wasting Yusei's time.
"Yu... Boss, did you send out the contract?"
"No, that stuff isn't as important as your health." Yusei shook his head.
But Hina became anxious. She struggled to sit up.
"Boss, please go send the contract quickly! If it's late, you might lose the recommendation!"
"It's just two recommendations, it's fine. If I go send the contract, what about you?"
"I'll be fine. Please go send the contract."
A slightly rosy hue appeared on Hina's face as she smiled apologetically, "I've already caused you so much trouble, Boss. I just want to be of some help now. If I can't even secure a recommendation spot for your manga, then I'll feel completely unworthy of all the help you've given me."
"So, I'm feeling much better now. Boss, please go send the contract."