A.N. Howdy all! It's been a while. I had taken a small break from Nisekoi over the past five or so weeks, and finally decided to sit down and read all the chapters I had missed...only to find out that the author had also taken a break from the manga. So instead of five chapters to read, I only had three. Still, they were good and made me return to this Yui chapter that had been halfway complete for a couple of months.

More stuff in the closing notes. As for now, we have:

Raku and Yui, in the classroom, with the math book.


"You have to do this and then substitute…"

Math has never been my strong suit. Even so, with her explaining it as she is, it makes perfect sense. She's really a good teacher.

"You know," she stops mid example, "a private lesson in a classroom with no one else around…doesn't it make your heart race a bit?"

What the heck kind of question is that? "What are you talking about?" Talk about out of the blue! "No, it doesn't." How such a situation could make anyone's heart race is beyond me.

Her eyes close and she smiles that sly smile of hers. "Is that so?" That smile really irks me sometimes!

"Yes, that's so!" If she's taken aback by my sudden outburst, she doesn't show it. Things have started to cross my mind—strange happenings that have been going on since she'd begun staying at my place—and what better time to address those than now? After all, a certain outcome she just mentioned is relevant to all of them. "But other things you've done do."

The inquiring hum she gives only serves to irk me even more. "Like what?"

I suddenly feel like an ace attorney as I dramatically point an accusing finger at her. "Like last night." Regardless of the power in my action, I can feel the deadpan on my face.

That sly smile of hers broadens, and I'm pretty sure that's the tip of a fang I see pressing against her lower lip. I may have been irked before, but as she breathes out a hot "Oh," I can't help feeling anything but unnerved. But I will not relent!

"That's right! And crawling into my bed at night!" It's embarrassing, but it needs to be said, so with my arms folded at my chest and head turned away, I say, "We're not kids anymore…" That…did not sound as convincing as I hoped.

Her fang his hidden as her sly smile returns in all its innocence. "Those were private lessons as well. That's why your heart was racing."

What? "Those, private lessons?!" She nods far too adamantly for my comfort. I gulp. "Lessons in what…?"

Her fang is visible again. "You said it yourself." She's in front of me now, and I feel her hair tickling my nose when she leans in. Hot breath brushes my ear with each whisper. "We're. Not. Kids. Anymore."

Oh.

That's right, and is exactly why—

Oh

The rapid thumping in my chest is probably audible, but for sure makes "a bit" the biggest understatement ever made. I gulp again. "C-Come-on, Yui." And again she hums in inquiry, tilting her head ever slightly while staring at me with half-lidded eyes. "Stop." That…sounded even less convincing than before.

She leans in and naturally I retract myself as much as possible. "Stop what," she hums again, "Raku?"

Am I having a heart attack? I might be, because it surely feels like my heart is attacking my chest in a desperate attempt to break free. She's just too close! And the subject from before! There's a pleasant scent of lavender coming from her skin! She's tugging at the collar of her shirt!

Suddenly she pulls away and the sigh of relief I give is monumental. Honestly, she's always teasing me…!

"I'm sorry, Raku."

Like I've not heard that before. I really didn't think I had another sigh in me, but that's exactly what came out before I gave her a soft smile that flinches upon seeing her flushed face. Is she okay? Before I can ask, she puts a hand to her forehead and returns the smile.

"I'm feeling a bit tired, so I'm sorry Raku, but we'll have to continue this tonight."

I nod. "Sure. Will you be okay by yourself?"

She hums her answer and takes her leave with her feet practically dragging. I honestly have the urge to go with her, but…

The math problem stares back at me and I ruffle my hair in frustration. "I can't believe I ever agreed to any of—"

The clacking of my pencil falling to the desk sounds distant as my eyes widen and jaw slacks. All of the subject matter and events had fallen into place, and suddenly a single thought had me truly wanting to revoke my earlier statement about not being kids anymore:

Continue what tonight?!


A.N. I've always felt that Raku has a tough time around Yui. First, it's only with her that he realizes such things as teasing. Second, she's far more mature than any of the other girls, and is almost always depicted as a woman rather than a girl. Third, she's as bold as Marika and as clever as Ruri, yet has complete control over her emotions. Her character is steadily growing on me, and I do hope we get to see more chapters based on her in the near future.

On another note, it appears that Yui knows a lot more about the pendant and promise than anyone else. Could Yui's question to Raku about being able to fall in love with the girl once he finds out actually be a way to ease her own pensive emotions? Because if she is the one, and Raku sees her only as a sister figure, then how would it ever work out? Or could it be...

...that she's actually referring to a girl we've seen only a handful of times? One who is around to give her friend the extra push she needs to pursue her romantic goals. Her name, you ask? It's Fuu. I read a rather convincing theory on that idea a while back, and if I ever get the chance to do a Fuu chapter in this collection, there will be more on that explained there.