Chapter 25
AN: Sorry about taking so long. Had a bit of a loss of inspiration. Thankfully I was able to finish this chapter.
(Inaba. July 5th. early morning)
Yu and Yosuke were now walking to school together. Yu had asked about the incident with Viljam and Chie in more detail.
"Basically, Satonaka wanted to try the fighting game we were playing, after seeing Viljam kick my ass," Yosuke explained. "Unfortunately, Satonaka clearly didn't know what she was doing," the Junes boy continued.
"What do you mean by that," Yu asked curiously.
Yosuke sighed at that. "Just what I said. Satonaka didn't even know the basics of gaming," Yosuke clarified. "Seriously how does someone not know what the control stick is used for," the Junes boy griped, which made Yu chuckle despite himself.
"Didn't you explain the controls," Yu then asked.
"I tried, but she threatened to punt me out of the window," the Junes boy said with a sigh.
Yu sighed at that. As much as he had a hard time believing Chie would act like that, he doubted Yosuke would lie about this. "So... How badly did Viljam beat her," Yu decided to ask.
Yosuke actually chuckled. "What did I just say about Satonaka's gaming skills. Of course she sucked," the Junes boy said. " Anyway she started to get irritated at constant losing, while Viljam and I were getting worried about her sanity," Yosuke added.
"And let me guess, when Viljam decided to let her win, she snapped," Yu deduced the rest.
"Exactly." was the simple confirmation from Yosuke.
"And you didn't try to calm her down," Yu asked.
Yosuke gave Yu a look that said, "Are you crazy!". "And risk getting a beating? No thanks," the Junes boy said.
"I wonder if Viljam comes to school today at all," Yosuke then wondered, " I mean, Satonaka completely terrorized him.".
"Let's hope that it's not that bad," Yu said and the two continued to the school.
(Yasogami High. July 5th. Early morning)
It was once again time for the famous lectures of King Moron, however Chie had something else on her mind. After venting away worst of her anger yesterday, she started feeling bad for getting so angry. It wasn't Viljam's fault that she hasn't played video games before, but the two boys made it look so easy. This thought made Chie sigh a little and subtly glanced behind her. Viljam looked like he was trying to look anywhere, but Chie's direction, which was hard. She couldn't blame him though, after all the boy was on the verge of tears because of her outburst yesterday.
"Why did I have to snap at him like that," Chie thought to herself. Truth is Chie already knew the answer.
Also Chie was surprised that Yukiko hasn't said anything to her, while they were walking to school. In fact, Yukiko doesn't seem to know that Viljam was acting weirdly. Either Yukiko was oblivious to Viljam's slight depression or the Finnish boy kept quiet about the incident. Probably both. Also Viljam himself looked wary of Chie, like she would assault him any second.
"I have to apologize to him," Chie decided, if only because she didn't want Viljam to treat her like a rabid animal.
(Yasogami High. July 5th. Lunch hour)
Unfortunately Chie couldn't even bring herself to approach Viljam, since he still seemed scared of her.
"Chie did something happen yesterday," Yukiko finally asked, which made Chie snap at attention.
Chie opened her mouth to tell some kind of lie, but then thought better of it. This was Yukiko, her best friend. With a sigh, Chie decided to come clean, but first, "Didn't Nousku-kun tell you?".
"No. What was he supposed to tell," Yukiko asked getting a little concerned.
"He...I snapped at him when he beat me in a video game," Chie confessed.
Yukiko didn't look too phased. "What did you say to him then," Yukiko asked more out of curiosity.
Chie was a little surprised at Yukiko's question and the tone she used. "Wasn't he crying," Chie asked, because she imagined that Viljam would've cried himself to sleep.
"Chie. Why would you think that," Yukiko asked, clearly worried now.
"Because when I snapped at him, he...he looked like he was abouttocry," Chie said the last one very fast.
It took Yukiko a few seconds to realize what her best friend tried to say, but when she did realize it, she had look that said: "I don't believe it.". "I find that hard to believe," Yukiko said, before looking thoughtful. "Although, now that you mentioned it, he seemed a little scared of something when you joined us on our walk here," Yukiko said almost absentmindedly.
"Yeah. Can't blame him," Chie sighed. "I want to apologize to him, but I don't know how," Chie then said. Yukiko instantly looked thoughtful, which Chie caught. "No," the green clad girl told her best friend.
"What," asked confused Yukiko.
"You're not locking us in a closet again," Chie said sternly, which made Yukiko look more confused.
"But Narukami-kun and I locked you on the roof," Yukiko corrected, which made Chie go a little red. "Do you want us to-"
"NO!" Chie cried in outrage, with a red face. "Look just forget that," Chie said, hoping Yukiko wouldn't pursue this issue any further.
Thankfully, she didn't. "Why not just apologize and then hug him," Yukiko then suggested.
"Yukiko! I'm serious," Chie said, not wanting to take any more teasing.
"So am I," Yukiko said simply, which made Chie stare at her best friend like she was crazy. "Nousku-kun himself said, 'Hugs always help'," Yukiko said with a smile. "And I've come to believe him," the red clad girl added, which made Chie a little more confused.
"How," Chie asked getting a little suspicious.
"Well, when I felt frustrated after a particularly hard day of helping at the Inn, Nousku-kun hugged me, and I just felt better for it. Then when I... tried cooking and failed, he hugged me and told me it was okay. When I helped him study he always hugged me while thanking me for bothering," Yukiko listed three major times, when Viljam's hugs made her feel happy.
Chie wasn't sure if she should feel grateful or jealous. Grateful, because Viljam has obviously been supporting, Yukiko. Jealous, because Chie was supposed to be doing that. Chie pushed those thoughts at the back of her head and focused on the matter at hand. "Those may have worked, but I can't do that," Chie said.
"Why not," Yukiko asked with a straight face.
Again Chie looked at Yukiko like she was crazy. "He's a guy," Chie said like that would explain it all. Judging by Yukiko's blank stare it didn't. "A girl can't just hug a guy for no reason," Chie explained slowly.
"But Nousku-kun hugs his sisters all the time," Yukiko said.
"I'm not one of his sisters," Chie said getting annoyed.
Yukiko giggled at Chie's retort. "True, but you're doing this to make him feel better, so that's a good reason," the red clad girl said again.
"No, it isn't," Chie said.
"Yes, it is," Yukiko said
"No, it isn't."
"Yes, it is."
"No!"
"Yes!"
(With Viljam and the other guys. Roughly the same time)
"You do realize you were about to get beaten into a hospital, right," Yosuke said in disbelief.
After Yosuke and Yu managed to get Viljam to talk about the incident yesterday, turns out Viljam seriously believes that all the blame lied with him.
"Well, yeah but-" "But nothing," Yu interrupted sternly. "Satonaka-san was out of line, you shouldn't take a blame for something that wasn't your fault," the silverhaired boy said.
"But it's my fault she got angry in the first place," Viljam said.
"It's not your fault that Satonaka doesn't know how to play a game," Yosuke said. "You shouldn't let her walk all over you," Yosuke then said.
"Well...I...," Viljam tried to say, before a look of realization dawned on his face. "Hetkonen! Chie doesn't walk all over me," Viljam retorted as he realized what Yosuke meant.
"No honorific," Yosuke asked teasingly.
"Well sorry for slipping," Viljam said in an annoyed tone, not realizing what Yosuke implied.
"Anyway," Yu butted in. "The point we're trying to make is: While you should watch out for angering Satonaka-san, that doesn't mean you should be a pushover," Yu said.
"I'M NOT A PUSHOVER!" That outburst caused the other two guys to flinch. "Sorry, that still stings me," Viljam said, clearly ashamed of his outburst.
"Because of your shadow," Yu guessed.
"Yeah. My sisters have a bad habit of pushing me around," Viljam sighed. "It's not like they do it all the time, but I feel like they take me for granted," the Finnish boy continued. "Speaking of my sisters, Chie-san's outburst reminded me of how I lose my temper when I lose against them," Viljam then said surprising the other two.
"Lose in what," Yosuke asked out of curiosity.
"Games," Viljam replied shortly. "There aren't many games where they beat me, but in those few, I just can't beat them," The Finnish boy added with a sigh.
"If it's only few games, why do you get angry," Yu asked.
"Because, I have to be better than them at something," Viljam said, like he was ashamed of it. "Because of my learning disorder and asthma, I feel like I'm inferior to them in... everything," Viljam said while looking a little sad. "That's why I must be better at least in the thing I like, games. I know that it's stupid, but I can't help it.".
"Wow." Yosuke said. "Sounds like you have an inferiority complex," Yosuke said without thinking, earning a glare from the Finnish boy
"I hate you," Viljam said seriously.
Yu quickly got into the conversation before this could escalate. "Okay, okay, I think that's enough of Viljam's sisters," Yu said, in an attempt to pacify Viljam. Thankfully it worked.
"Just out of curiosity," Yosuke then spoke up. "Do your sisters do anything to you, just to screw with you," Yosuke asked out of curiosity.
Viljam looked thoughtful for a moment. "Well... Look here," Viljam said and lifted his chin up for them to see under it. After checking for a few moments, they noticed a single scar right under the Finnish boy's chin.
"Where did that come from," Yu asked, not liking where this was going.
"My sisters did this to me," Viljam said casually. Too casually if you asked Yu or Yosuke. "Or the time Maria locked me outside our house and after enjoying me crying to be let in, she dropped an icewater balloon on me," the Finnish boy said, again, casually.
Not wanting to hear anymore of Viljam's (violent) sisters, Yu and Yosuke directed the conversation elsewhere.
(Yasogami High. July 5th. After School)
Viljam had just finished packing his bag and was ready to leave, until someone grabbed his wrist.
"We need to talk," Chie said, before dragging him away without even letting him answer.
This drew the attention of Yu and Yosuke. "What's she planning," Yosuke wondered a little worried.
"Chie's going to apologize," Yukiko answered with a smile, earning the two guys' attention.
Yu had a raised eyebrow at this revelation. "What makes you so sure," the silver haired boy asked in turn.
"Because we talked about it," Yukiko answered.
"What did you tell her," Yosuke asked a little interested.
Yukiko smiled mysteriously at that. "I just told her how to handle Nousku-kun.".
"And that means what exactly," Yu asked, getting curious too.
"You just wait and see," Yukiko said and refused to speak more of the issue.
(With Chie and Viljam)
After Chie dragged Viljam to the roof and made sure no one else was within earshot, she took in a few calming breaths.
"About yesterday...," Chie started. "I'm sorry I snapped at you like that," the girl apologized.
Viljam was a little surprised that Chie wanted to apologize, but he just sighed in relief. "Well... It's fine I guess," Viljam said, though he didn't sound so sure.
Chie caught onto this. "Is there... Anything you wanted as an apology," Chie asked, but part of her was a little worried about what the unpredictable maelstrom that was Viljam's head could think of.
Viljam had question marks at Chie's statement. "Uhhh... Chie-san, I already said it was fine," Viljam said. Then a certain thought came to him. "Actually... Can you tell me, why you got so angry," Viljam decided to ask, because up to now, he wasn't sure what set her off.
"Do I have to," Chie asked nervously.
"Yes," Viljam said simply. Truthfully, he would've said no, but then he remembered being called pushover.
Chie hesitated to tell the truth, but considering the damage she had done," I... You forfeiting felt like you were mocking me.". Chie felt very nervous now, she herself knew that the reason was very childish and expected Viljam to laugh.
Except Viljam just sighed a little. "I didn't mean to insult you. I was just afraid that you would snap after one more loss," Viljam then said. "I guess... I should've seen it coming," the Finnish boy added while looking down a little embarrassed for some reason.
"Well... I just don't like losing and... never mind," Chie said bashfully.
Now Viljam smiled. "..That's so like you," The Finnish boy said almost shyly.
"Is that a bad thing," Chie asked, not sure how to take that comment.
"No," Was the simple answer.
After that Chie steeled herself for something she wasn't sure if she would regret, but if she did, she would blame Yukiko. Chie moved closer to Viljam and pulled him into a hug, causing the Finnish boy to freeze. After few seconds of Chie's mind running thousands of scenarios of what would come of this, Viljam slowly wrapped his arms around Chie as much as he could, considering that Chie had locked his arms with her own.
After about five seconds more seconds, Chie pushed away. She could hear her own heartbeat in her ears and her face was as red as a tomato. "S-sorry," Chie stuttered.
"Älä ole," Viljam said in a small voice. Then he realized his mistake, "I mean, don't be.". After that, a moment of awkward silence ensued. " So... Was there... a particular reason or...," Viljam asked, not sure how to finish the sentence.
"No. I just... felt like it," Chie said, but then regretted giving such a pathetic excuse.
"Se on ihan hyvä syy," Viljam said, earning a confused look from Chie. "The closest translation I can think of is: That's good enough reason," Viljam said with a slightly embarrassed look.
Chie wasn't sure what to think of that response, but she decided not to question it, instead, "So? Do you still want to go see that movie," Chie asked.
"If you want," Viljam said hopefully.
With those words, the stone of guilt fell from her heart. "Wanna grab something at Aiya's. My treat," Chie asked, since she felt a little hungry.
"Okay," Viljam said happily, but then his face fell. "Oh, sorry. Yukiko's mom asked me to buy some tofu," the Finnish boy remembered.
"Can't you do that afterwards? The tofu shop is practically next to Aiya's," Chie asked skeptically.
"That's not all. Yukiko and I we're forbidden from eating outside today, because her mom wanted us to eat at the same table," Viljam said. "Apparently the dish consists of a lot of tofu, given the shopping list," Viljam said and fished out the list in question from his pocket. Chie quickly checked the list to confirm that it was indeed just a list of tofu's."Besides, I can ask how Rise-san is doing while I'm at it," the Finnish boy then said.
If this was Yosuke, Chie would've instantly got on his case. But this is Viljam, so instead, "Are you sure Rise's grandma would just tell any stranger how her idol of a granddaughter is doing," Chie asked with suspicion.
Viljam stared at Chie like he was offended. "First, you make it sound like I'm doing something suspicious. Second, I'm sure she wouldn't mind telling something as simple as that," Viljam replied with a dead pan tone.
"Sure," Chie said, while rolling her eyes. "Guess I won't hold you any longer then," the green clad girl said. With that, the two exchanged farewells. Unbeknownst to Viljam, Chie remembered that if she wanted to see the movie, then she couldn't afford treating Viljam. Lucky her, that Viljam was busy after all.
(Tatsuhime shrine. July 5th. Shortly after)
"So everyone at the Inn thinks I'm your boyfriend," Yu asked with a raised eyebrow. "Does that include Viljam," the silverhaired boy added with mild curiosity. As much as the two felt like eavesdropping on Viljam and Chie, Yukiko decided to just hang out with Yu. To which the silverhaired boy accepted.
Yukiko had a slight blush, regretting revealing that everyone at the Inn wants her to "bring the boyfriend home". "I don't know. He doesn't seem interested," Yukiko replied, but truthfully, Viljam had occasionally teased her about it. Nothing too bad just a few relatively tame implications of Yukiko trying to seduce Yu. Like with her cooking, of which the Finnish boy finally grew a spine to speak his mind.
Yu thought for a moment before speaking again. "Aside from Viljam, I'm not sure if I should feel flattered or laugh at them for jumping to conclusions," the silverhaired boy said.
"Yeah, it can be a hassle," Yukiko said with an unnoticeable hint of disappointment.
The two's conversation was interrupted by the appearance of a middle-aged man in a suit. "Ah Yuki-chan," the man greeted.
"Oh. Deputy mayor," Yukiko greeted back recognizing the man.
"The people at the Inn seemed very busy. Is something going on," the deputy mayor asked.
Yukiko looked confused for a moment, but then remembered, "Oh no! Today was the interview for the travel show!".
Deputy mayor's eyes sparkled at that. "On tv? That's great! Please try to make Inaba sound inviting. Speaking of which, how has the exchange student been," the deputy mayor then asked.
"Nousku-kun has been very helpful and he seems to enjoy his stay," Yukiko replied.
"That's good. He might invite some tourists here too," the deputy mayor said, before he walked away.
Yukiko quickly returned her attention back to Yu. "I'm sorry, I have to go," Yukiko said in a hurry.
"What's this about an interview," Yu asked decided to ask, getting a little curious.
"Today is supposed to be an interview for a travel show," Yukiko explained. "It seems like a serious show, and we agreed to it, because mother and I won't be filmed," the red clad girl continued.
"Then why do you need to go," Yu asked slightly confused.
"Because they still need my help to clean the place," Yukiko replied, while looking apologetic.
"Guess it can't be helped," Yu said with an understanding look.
Yukiko still had an apologetic look, as she spoke, "Goodb-".
"There you are Yuki-chan," a woman's voice interrupted Yukiko. Both teens turned to the source to see Kasai speedwalking towards them.
"Kasai-san? What's-" "The Tv crew came, but don't go to the Inn," Kasai interrupted Yukiko.
"What's going on," Yukiko asked, getting worried.
"It was a trick," the kimono clad woman said earning exclamation marks from the two. "It's those people from "news of the weird" show," Kasai explained frantically.
"Them again," Yu exclaimed with a frown. Yu had met that crew once, while hanging out with Yukiko some time ago. The three men, especially their boss, seemed shady at best.
"Yes, and I think they're looking for Yuki-chan, so please stay put," Kasai practically pleaded.
"There you are," A man's voice said, causing all three to turn towards the source. Sure enough it was the very group that Kasai came to warn them about. "No use in hiding, future manager of the cursed inn," said the shady looking reporter.
"C-cursed inn," Yukiko said in disbelief.
"We know that Mayumi Yamano stayed at your inn, before she was murdered. And you guys've been hurting by the drop of the visitors, right," the shady reporter said smugly. "So I came up with a great idea, 'The High-School Manager's embarrassing struggle: Renovating the Cursed Inn'," the reporter said, like he just came up with something revolutionary.
Yukiko looked bewildered,"I don't understand what you...".
But the shady man interrupted her," I want you to be the star. When we introduce the hot springs, let's film a little bathing scene, eh," the man said suggestively.
"Now just a minute," Kasai butted in, but she was ignored.
" 'The Modest Manager's Steamy Service!' Our ratings will go through the roof," the shady reporter said with too much enthusiasm for Yu's or Kasai's liking.
"Now listen here you-" "Please leave. We are not interested in your coverage," Yukiko told the crew, interrupting Kasai.
The reporter sighed at Yukiko's response. " Look kid, you don't know the power of television, do you," The reporter said, which made Yu roll his eyes a little. " I can't blame you since you live in the countryside, but we're trying to help here. If you're gonna be the next manager, then you should make the right decision," the reporter tried to reason.
"I... won't be the next manager," Yukiko said while looking down.
Yu was surprised that Yukiko would say that now, when Kasai was here too. Though strangely the kimono clad young waitress didn't even react. Then Yu noticed a certain someone behind the tv-crew who didn't look any more pleased than Kasai.
"Oh is that so," the reporter said, oblivious to the person behind him. "Well, you just say the word and I can hook you up with a better gig than running this dump of an inn," the reporter then offered.
"The Inn is not a dump," said the person behind the tv crew, causing them to turn around. "You just don't know how to appreciate it," said the person, who turned out to be Viljam. Yukiko and Kasai looked surprised to see him here.
"Nousku-kun, why are you here," Yukiko asked in surprise.
"I bought the tofu, your mother requested and then I see Kasai-san practically running here, with suspicious men not far behind. I got a little worried," Viljam explained while waving the shopping bag he was holding for emphasis.
The reporter looked unamused, "Who're you calling suspicious, boy," the reporter asked with slight anger.
"You," Viljam said like it was a fact.
This threw the reporter off guard, as he expected a different kind of answer. Then he took a closer look at the Finnish boy. "Aren't you the exchange student that disappeared alongside that girl," the reporter asked while gaining a shit eating grin.
"That doesn't matter here," Viljam responded.
"Oh, I think it does, because they say that you two ran away together," said one of the reporter's assistants, which made Viljam tremble with anger.
Yu had a feeling where this was going now, and he has had enough of it. "Leave him out of this," Yu said sternly, earning the crew's attention.
"Oh now the boy-toy talks," said the other assistant. Yu resisted a cringe, even when he saw these guys the first time, they called him that.
"Well, he's right though. We have no business, with this guy," the reporter said and turned his attention back to Yukiko. "As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted, you could call yourself, 'The Former High-School Manager'," the reporter said.
Kasai was having none of this, "How dare you!".
"It's okay," Yukiko said, surprising Yu, Kasai and Viljam. "Once he has said all he has to say, he will just go home," the red clad girl sighed.
"Yukiko," Viljam muttered, unable to believe that she would just take these insults.
"What the-," the reporter said, getting frustrated at Yukiko's lack of interest. "Listen here, I know that Inn has been going on for generations, but that just means it's old," the reporter started earning a glare from Viljam and Kasai. "I've seen the food you serve. Small portions, decent service nothing that stands out," the reporter ranted, giving Viljam the temptation to smack them with his shopping bag. Or something harder. "If you want to succeed, you can't just do the same old, same old. Is that so hard to understand," the shady man continued.
As the reporter kept giving complaints and suggesting some outrageous things, Viljam grabbed Yu's attention by doing a throwing motion at the guy. As much as Yu would like to see that, he instead shook his head, earning a questioning look from the Finnish boy. Still, Viljam backed off, knowing that it wouldn't do any good.
"... up," Yukiko muttered.
"What was that," the reporter asked, pausing with his rant.
"SHUT THE HELL UP," Yukiko shouted, surprising everyone present. "Don't say another word about our inn! Who would take your stupid ideas seriously," Yukiko said with controlled anger. "From now on, we refuse ANY coverage from your station," Yukiko said with finality, impressing both Yu and Viljam.
The reporter's face contorted with anger. "You bitch! We'll plaster those words all over the prime time! See how that feels," the reporter threatened.
Yukiko was unphased. "By all means, do it. Then we will respond with an official complaint to your sponsors," Yukiko shot back.
One of the reporter's assistants went pale at that. "Uhh, boss. If she does that, we'll be shut down," the assistant said. In response, the reporter just tsk'd and walked away with his crew.
As soon as the crew was out of earshot, Yukiko let out a breath she had been holding. "I said some incredible things...," Yukiko sighed. Kasai giggled at that. Yukiko giggled as well. Then both of them started laughing, which was soon joined by Viljam.
Yu didn't laugh, but he did look highly amused.
"I should contact the Inn now. I'll see you later," Kasai said, still giggling a little, before leaving.
Viljam glanced at Yukiko. "I should go too. Your mother is probably expecting me already," the Finnish boy said and turned to leave. "You two lovebirds have fun," Viljam said, causing Yukiko to blush, while Yu's eyes widened in surprise.
"NOUSKU-KUN!" Yukiko cried. Viljam just kept walking away, cackling like a lunatic.
" Doesn't seem interested, huh," Yu asked sarcastically from Yukiko, who was looking at the ground in shame.
"I'm sorry for lying. Nousku-kun... teases me occasionally, just to get a reaction out of me," Yukiko confessed.
"Wow," was all Yu could say. He didn't even know the Finnish boy was capable of that kind of teasing. Then again, he does seem to have most fun at someone else's expense at times. " Still, I'm more surprised at what you said to that reporter," Yu then said, deciding that this was more important right now.
Yukiko looked embarrased. "I don't know what came over me. I just... lost it, when he started to insult everyone," Yukiko said like she was ashamed of her outburst. "W-was I scary," Yukiko then asked.
Yu chuckled at the question. "No, you were pretty cool. Actually, you could've said more," Yu said, chuckling at the last sentence.
Yukiko looked relieved to hear it. "Do you remember, when I told you that I wished the Inn would close," Yukiko then asked.
"Yes, why," Yu asked wondering where that came from.
"Well I thought that would be the best thing to happen, but it's like my home..," Yukiko said wistfully. "It's where everyone in my world is," Yukiko then said, before gaining a look of determination. "I can't let it close," Yukiko said firmly.
Yu smiled at Yukiko's words. Yukiko had told him her plan to leave Inaba, at first Yu thought it was okay if Yukiko wanted that. Then he realized that she would leave without telling anyone, including Chie. He wasn't sure how to make Yukiko change her mind, or if he even had a right to. But now, it feels like he doesn't have to. He even discovered something new about Viljam. There is a mischievous pain in the ass lurking beneath his timid nature. Yu couldn't help but chuckle at that thought.
"What? Did I say something funny," Yukiko asked, thinking Yu was laughing at her.
"No not you. I just thought that there's a mischievous pain in the ass hiding behind Viljam's timid nature," Yu said truthfully. Yukiko couldn't help but laugh at how funny that sounded.
(Amagi Inn. July 5th. Evening)
Viljam was enjoying the meal with the Amagi family. It was funny, the few times he had caught Yukiko practicing, he was convinced that it was an Amagi thing. That is, until he found out that Yukiko's mother knew how to cook. He didn't like the dish though, but that was just his opinion. It was still edible to him.
The table converstaion was of course about the tv crew, but after hearing how Yukiko drove them away, Mrs. Amagi actually laughed. But then the conversation turned to Yukiko's "mysterious boyfriend". Yukiko started stammering about them just being friends until Viljam came to the rescue.
"As far as I know, Yu-san and Yukiko are just friends," Viljam simply said, which made Yukiko look at him in surprise.
Yukiko's mother had a skeptical look. "Is that right," Mrs. Amagi asked her daughter.
"Yes, mother," Yukiko said much calmer than few seconds ago.
Mrs. Amagi had a knowing look, but she didn't pursue the issue. "By the way, Nousku-chan. How has your stay been so far," Mrs. Amagi asked their guest.
"It's been great," Viljam said happily.
"Any particular reason, why," the Amagi matriarch asked slyly.
"No, why," Viljam replied, missing the tone that the woman used.
"No reason," Mrs. Amagi sighed, and the dinner resumed.
(Yukiko's room. after dinner)
"Why did you cover for me," Yukiko asked Viljam, who had a confused look.
"What do you mean," Viljam asked not quite understanding what his host-sister meant.
"When mother asked me about Narukami-kun, you said we were just friends," Yukiko clarified.
Now Viljam raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that the truth," Viljam asked before his eyes widened. "Wait! You actually are a couple," Viljam exclaimed
"NO!" Yukiko cried with a heavy blush. "I just... thought you thought we were...," Yukiko said.
Now Viljam laughed at that. "Don't be so serious. I was just teasing you," Viljam said with a laugh.
"Why," Yukiko asked with a light glare.
"Because you're cute when you're flustered," Viljam said with an evil smile.
If anyone else had said that, Yukiko might've become redder, but this is Viljam, so, "You're evil, did you know that," Yukiko said seriously.
"I know. I'm so evil that everyone thinks I'm innocent," Viljam replied with a laugh. "Is this why you dragged me here," Viljam then asked. Indeed, after dinner Yukiko practically dragged Viljam to her room.
However, while that was something Yukiko wondered for a moment, the main thing was,"Well yes, but the real reason was to ask how you and Chie are now.".
Viljam smiled. "She apologized about the incident and I've forgiven her," Viljam replied.
"I see," Yukiko was almost disappointed that it was that easy after all. "You still planning that movie with her," Yukiko then decided to ask.
"Of course," Viljam said happily.
"I see," Yukiko said. Then she thought for a moment. Viljam had been teasing her about trying to "seduce" (Yukiko shivered at the word) Yu, so she figured it was time to get a little payback. "What's your intention with Chie," Yukiko started innocently.
"What," Viljam asked, utterly confused.
"You seem to get along with her," Yukiko replied. "I mean, you've had dinner at Aiya's with her frequently, trained with her and now you're going to a movie date," Yukiko said with a smile, which made Viljam uncomfortable.
"It's not a date," Viljam said firmly, though there was just a hint of a blush on his face.
"Aren't the things I listed what couples do, when they're dating," Yukiko said with a pointed look.
"Th-that's not dating yet. And the training was so I wouldn't be deadweight," Viljam managed to say.
"Yet?" Yukiko had an evil smile as she caught on that particular word. "So you wish to date her," Yukiko accused jokingly.
The Finnish boy paled as he realized his mistake. "ENPÄS! En, I mean- Th- It's... not," Viljam was now reduced to a sputtering blushing mess.
Yukiko wanted to tease more, but she couldn't hold her laughter in anymore. "*ahhahaha* Now *ahhah* you know *ahaha* how it feels," Yukiko managed to say between laughs.
"I hate you so much right now," Viljam muttered dejectedly. Unfortunately, Yukiko didn't make any sign of acknowledgment, so Viljam just left the girl's room.
As he left, Viljam remembered that he had to inform the others about Rise's condition. "No jaa, tekstaan sen," Viljam said to no one in particular and went to his room to do just that. According to Rise's grandmother, the teen idol was already well enough to walk around the house. The only reason she wasn't helping in the shop yet was because, her grandmother insisted.
AN: There. I figured I should have Viljam influence at least some of the social link rank ups. That's happened twice now and both with Yukiko. For the other links... I think I'll write one or two, if at all.
Anyway, for some reason, I'm not looking forward to writing the next few chapters. Why? Well, I think most of you probably know the answer. If not, I won't say anything in case of spoilers.