Cool, but not critical

On the night of the cruise ship ball, Haru put on a suit for the first time in a while, while Yukino wore a striking black gown with a cinched waist, perfectly accentuating her slender figure without an ounce of excess.

She always had an impeccable sense of fashion. Though she rarely wore black dresses around him, tonight's outfit made her fair skin stand out even more against the dark fabric.

She didn't even need to board the ship—under the glow of the dock lights, she was already the most beautiful person there.

Without a doubt.

"What are you looking at?"

Yukino glanced at Haru, who was holding their invitation while staring at the ship's bow. Her voice carried a hint of curiosity.

Haru grinned and lowered his voice. "I was just wondering… if we recreated that famous scene from Titanic, would people curse us out?"

Yukino immediately understood what he meant. "You want to hold me at the bow of the ship and let the cold wind blast us in the face?"

"Correction—it's called recreating an iconic romantic moment."

Seeing him chuckle as he explained, Yukino let out a soft sigh. She took his arm and started walking forward, her tone filled with disdain. "I don't know if people would curse us, but they'd definitely think we're idiots."

"Why?"

"Because the scene you're talking about is a bad omen."

Before stepping onto the ship, Haru activated his [Auto-Aim Lv4] skill and scanned the crowd. Within moments, he spotted his target.

Officer Yuki was sitting in a car nearby with a few colleagues.

Their eyes met briefly, but neither spoke. A simple nod was enough to communicate their understanding.

"Senpai, are we really going to get anything out of waiting here?"

One of the officers in the car sounded doubtful.

Officer Yuki watched Haru and Yukino disappear into the ship and murmured, "I don't know… but I've seen miracles happen once before."

His colleagues didn't quite understand what he meant.

But Officer Yuki didn't explain.

He still remembered it clearly—back when Haru had merely talked to Koga once, and the guy had confessed everything.

After that conversation, Koga became eerily cooperative. No matter what the police asked, he answered truthfully, revealing every crime he had committed. He even provided evidence to back up his statements.

For days, he continued to confess without resistance—until his trial date approached.

Then, out of nowhere, Koga exploded with rage, shouting that he had been forced into a false confession. That he never committed any crimes. That the police had coerced him.

But by then, it was far too late.

Officer Yuki thought back to that moment and couldn't help but feel relieved.

At least he had chosen the right side back then.

Otherwise, If I Had a "Therapy Session" With That Kid, Wouldn't All My Secrets Be Exposed?

"Good thing we're friends. If Amamiya-kun and I were enemies, I'd probably have been kicked out of the police force by now."

Once again, Officer Yuki found himself grateful for his luck.

Meanwhile…

Haru and Yukino stepped into the grand, resplendent hall of the cruise ship. The luxurious décor made the entire vessel feel like a floating palace. Above them, intricate glass skylights offered a clear view of the endless night sky. Countless crystal chandeliers flickered to life, creating a miniature galaxy right inside the ballroom.

The two moved through the elegant strains of music and found a relatively quiet corner to sit.

"Let's eat something first."

Both of them had skipped dinner to make it on board in time.

Yukino nodded and gracefully picked up a pastry, glancing at him curiously. "You were so eager to come here, but do you actually have a plan?"

Haru gestured toward the lively crowd chatting animatedly. "There's going to be a dance later."

Yukino's lips curled slightly—she already knew what he was going to say.

Sure enough, he put on a solemn expression and asked, "May I have the honor of dancing with the beautiful second daughter of the Yukinoshita family?"

"You may."

Surprisingly, Yukino played along, smiling brilliantly.

Just as they were about to continue their conversation, Yukino's handbag vibrated. She pulled out her phone, and a look of surprise flickered across her flawless face.

"What's wrong?" Haru noticed her reaction.

"My mother and sister are attending the ball too."

"Do you want to go say hello?"

"No need. If they haven't come looking for me, it means it's not our business—at least for now."

Haru nodded, casually scanning the crowd. His gaze swiftly flitted over various figures.

Officer Yuki had sent him some photos earlier.

His target: Jun Gen Hisada, the well-known CEO of a major digital appliance company.

Haru had memorized his face and even consulted his lawyer. Allegedly, Hisada had been involved in deadly corporate competition, but had managed to pin the crimes on a scapegoat.

The fact that the police had specifically contacted him meant that the Metropolitan Police Department was still watching Hisada—just without solid evidence.

Thanks to [Auto-Aim Lv4], Haru quickly spotted Hisada Jun gen, who was accompanied by a female companion.

He also noticed Yukino's mother and Haruno in the crowd.

His emotions remained steady. Making Hisada Jun gen confess would be simple. Even if the man had brought bodyguards, they wouldn't pose any threat.

After all, now that his skills had leveled up, he had more leverage than ever.

"Why Are You Two Just Sitting Here Eating?"

Not long after, Haruno, now dressed in full evening attire, approached them.

Her gown was also a cinched-waist design, perfectly complementing her fresh, chic short hair. Already a beauty, she now exuded an even more captivating charm.

And, of course, the tight waistline only emphasized her ample chest.

"Because we skipped dinner."

Haru provided a reasonable explanation.

Haruno let out a knowing oh, then sat down beside Yukino with a playful smile. "Are you two planning to dance later? Does Haru even know how to dance?"

"I taught him before." Yukino responded confidently.

Haruno's eyes lit up. "Then I can dance with him too!"

Yukino frowned slightly and turned to her sister. "Are you trying to cause trouble?"

"Of course not." Haruno feigned innocence. "Think about it—someone as beautiful as me is bound to receive countless invitations later. But I don't want to dance with any of those guys…"

Haru immediately caught on. "I see. You need a shield."

Haruno grinned. "No, you're more like a tool."

"Wait, that's even worse than a shield! No way, I'm not doing it!"

"I'll treat you to dinner."

Haru still shook his head.

Forget the fact that he had no romantic interest in Haruno—dancing with this cunning and unpredictable woman could easily turn into a trap. Who knew what she might pull during the ball?

Just then, Yukino suddenly spoke up. "If people really bother my sister, Haru, you can be her temporary dance partner."

Both Haru and Haruno froze.

"What's wrong? Did I say something strange?" Yukino remained as composed as ever.

Haruno blinked, then eyed her sister from head to toe. "I was just joking, you know? I love teasing you two, but I'd never actually interfere in your relationship."

Haru said nothing, but he gave Yukino a skeptical look.

That feeling of not being able to see through her was back.

Just like that time when they returned from the Kasumigaoka house.

"If you don't want to, then forget it." Yukino said indifferently.

Haruno flashed a charming smile. "Oh, I don't mind at all. Little Haru may be dumb sometimes, but he definitely fits my taste when it comes to looks."

Then, she subtly shot him a glance—

"What's going on with her?"

Haru shook his head. He had no idea either.

Haruno casually picked up her glass of juice, taking a small sip as if savoring the taste. But in reality, she was deep in thought. After a moment, she suddenly said, "By the way, Mother wanted to talk to you earlier, Haru. But since you two had just boarded, I told her to let you enjoy yourselves first."

Haru instantly understood her hint and stood up. "Then I'll go say hello to Auntie."

Haruno smiled and nodded in approval.

As soon as he left, she turned to Yukino and, in an almost offhand manner, asked, "Did you and Haru have a fight?"

"No. Our relationship is just fine," Yukino replied without hesitation.

Haruno narrowed her eyes. "Then why did you—"

"You should know by now, sister." Yukino's tone was calm, almost indifferent. "When I don't want to answer, you won't get an answer."

Her response was effortless, as if she had anticipated this exchange and was already mentally prepared for it.

Haruno sighed, muttering something about how her little sister was getting less and less adorable.

Yukino continued eating, her gaze slightly lowered.

As his girlfriend, if she couldn't satisfy him properly… wasn't that a failure?

That thought surfaced again, just as it had many times before.

She had been thinking about this a lot lately.

Every time, she had to push herself to exhaustion just to barely meet his expectations.

It left her feeling frustrated and dejected.

It wasn't like she disliked their intimacy—far from it. She genuinely enjoyed being with him, felt pleasure in it.

And yet… she couldn't make him completely satisfied.

Is there something wrong with my body?

For the first time, Yukino felt that she wasn't as perfect as she had always believed.

She would never voice these thoughts to Haru, though. She knew him too well.

If she even hinted at this, even in the most roundabout way, he would definitely get upset.

Honestly, just having these thoughts made her feel like she was catching his occasional idiocy.

They were utterly ridiculous.

Yukino took a sip of juice, exhaling quietly.

She knew it was silly. She knew he wouldn't care.

But she also knew—no matter how irrational—it wasn't something she could just ignore.

Outside, under the night sky, Haru stood next to Mrs. Yukinoshita. The cool sea breeze rustled his hair as he glanced at the elegant woman beside him, her gown making her look even more striking than usual.

"What did you want to talk about?" he asked.

Mrs. Yukinoshita gave a gentle smile. "I was just thinking… after all these years, you and Yukino have finally ended up together."

Haru smirked. "Good thing you didn't say I 'stole' your daughter, or I might've run for it."

"In my impression, you're not the type to run away."

"That's because I pretend to be brave. In reality, I have a 'coward' trait built in."

Mrs. Yukinoshita chuckled at his playful remark but soon turned thoughtful. "Your parents don't like places like this, so I assumed you and Yukino wouldn't either. That's why I didn't invite you."

"But you didn't expect us to come anyway?" Haru caught on immediately.

She nodded. "So? How do you find it?"

"Glittering jewels on the women, well-dressed dogs among the men."

Mrs. Yukinoshita fell silent for a few seconds before laughing. "You really haven't changed."

Then, her gaze softened as she looked at him. "But you are very capable when it comes to serious matters. Others might not know, but I do—your family's business only took off because of your efforts behind the scenes."

"That's not true. I'm just a second-gen rich kid who freeloads off his parents' hard work," Haru said, feigning humility.

Mrs. Yukinoshita reached out and lightly tapped his forehead with a finger. "You—"

She didn't finish the sentence. Perhaps she found the topic too childish, or perhaps she simply thought it wasn't worth saying. Instead, she suddenly changed the subject.

"To be honest, at first, I had hoped you and Haruno would end up together."

Haru inhaled sharply, genuinely startled this time.

Mrs. Yukinoshita chuckled. "Your reaction is amusing."

"I can only say—thankfully, you didn't make that decision. Haruno and I are completely incompatible. And in a fight, I wouldn't stand a chance against her. If she bullied me, I'd be running to you for help every day."

"...I suddenly don't feel like talking to you anymore."

At that moment, Mrs. Yukinoshita bore an uncanny resemblance to Yukino when she looked at him with that "concerned-for-the-idiot" expression.

Truly, like mother, like daughter.

Just then, a voice interrupted them from behind.

"I've been looking for you, Mrs. Yukinoshita. Didn't expect to find you getting some fresh air. Are you feeling tired?"

Both Haru and Mrs. Yukinoshita turned around.

A young man with a neatly tied ponytail approached them, smiling in a friendly manner.

Beside him stood a tall, well-built man in a sharp suit—clearly a bodyguard. At a glance, he was at least 190cm tall.

Mrs. Yukinoshita maintained a polite, distant smile. "What can I do for you, Young Master Asai?"

Haru immediately recognized this particular expression of hers.

He had seen it plenty of times before—whenever his parents dragged him to social gatherings, this was how Mrs. Yukinoshita dealt with acquaintances.

Polite, professional, but never truly warm.

Asai chuckled, his gaze briefly lingering on Haru before shifting away.

"Have you been rejecting my pursuit of your daughter because of this man?"

Mrs. Yukinoshita's smile didn't falter. "No. I simply think your personality doesn't suit my daughter, which is why I declined."

A suitor?

Haru studied the young man.

 Does he mean he wants to steal my girl?

How interesting.

"That whole 'incompatible personalities' excuse sounds like something straight out of a TV drama."

The young man murmured to himself, but he didn't seem particularly upset.

Just then, Haru stepped forward.

The young man blinked in surprise, and the bodyguard beside him instinctively took a step forward as well.

Mrs. Yukinoshita frowned and was about to speak, but Haru beat her to it.

"Auntie, let me handle this. After all, I'm the one who's dating your daughter."

Huh?

For a moment, Mrs. Yukinoshita looked genuinely taken aback.

Wasn't this boy always calm and composed?

Then, as she processed his words, she understood. He was her daughter's boyfriend—now that a suitor had shown up right in front of him, it was only natural that he'd step in.

Ah, this is just the kind of sharpness you'd expect from a young man.

Mrs. Yukinoshita mused to herself.

"So, you two are already together?"

The young man finally looked Haru in the eye, then chuckled. "I can tell you've got some fight in you, but I wouldn't recommend getting reckless."

As he spoke, he subtly signaled to his bodyguard with a glance. "If you get too carried away, you might end up embarrassing yourself in front of Mrs. Yukinoshita."

Haru took a look at the towering, stone-faced man standing beside him. "Cool guy, but no crits."

The young man hesitated. "What?"

"I mean, you might make for a decent experience drop."

Haru's sharp remark made the young man's expression darken. Even though he didn't fully understand the meaning, he could sense the hostility.

He turned to Mrs. Yukinoshita and asked directly, "So, if he makes a fool of himself here, you won't hold it against me?"

"Blind confidence is never a good thing," Mrs. Yukinoshita replied with a polite smile.

It was an elegant yet unmistakable way of saying: You're no match for him.

Mrs. Yukinoshita had always paid attention to Haru. She was well aware of the rumors—how he once took on ten opponents at once in the karate club.

So, she wasn't the least bit worried.

Of course, the young man had no idea. Seeing the composed look on Mrs. Yukinoshita's face, he realized he was being underestimated.

He took a step back, his smile turning sharper. "Well, since you were the one who provoked me first, I suppose I don't need to hold back."

Haru tilted his head in confusion. "You're not fighting me yourself?"

The young man scoffed. "You look younger than me. I don't like picking on kids."

Haru's eyes flicked toward his pants. "You're lying. You're obviously pretty small yourself."

"…"

The young man's expression instantly turned pitch black.

He had caught the glance Haru just threw at him—there was no mistaking the implication.

This wasn't just an insult; it was a direct hit to his pride as a man.

At that exact moment, his bodyguard stepped forward.

And at that exact moment, Haru moved as well.

A real fight was never like those Hollywood movies, where opponents circled each other, trading punches in turn.

The bodyguard wasted no time, closing the distance with a series of short, powerful strides. His fist shot out in a brutal straight punch aimed directly at Haru's chest.

It was fast. Sharp. Lethal.

But just before the blow connected, Haru suddenly dropped his stance, smoothly dodging the attack. In the same motion, his right fist lashed out in a textbook-perfect strike—faster than lightning—landing squarely in the bodyguard's gut.

The man's face twisted in pain. His stomach churned, threatening to empty whatever little was inside, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to endure it.

He powered through the agony, raising his arm for another punch—

But Haru had already read his movements. He adjusted his footing, meeting the attack head-on.

Fist collided with fist.

A sharp crack rang out through the air.

The bodyguard staggered backward, his right arm hanging limply at his side.

His expression shifted from icy indifference to sheer horror.

His right hand—was broken.

Behind him, the young man stood frozen, mouth slightly open in shock.

Mrs. Yukinoshita, too, was visibly surprised. The exchange had been so fast—so precise—that from the moment Haru made his move to the bodyguard's arm snapping, only a few seconds had passed.

"Have I not been paying enough attention to him? This is far beyond what I'd heard."

The elegant woman's thoughts spun as she gazed at the boy.

Meanwhile, Haru simply dusted himself off and flashed a polite smile at the now-pale bodyguard.

"First-year student, Amamiya Haru, Karate Club, Sobu Highschool. A pleasure to spar with you."

[You are currently in combat. (Steel Body) EXP +478][You are currently in combat. (Martial Arts) EXP +463]

…This guy is a first-year?!

The bodyguard could hardly stand, let alone respond. His stomach ached, his arm throbbed, and his mind was clouded with disbelief.

Haru looked him over and chuckled.

"Cool guy. Still no crits, though."

And with that, he made his move again.