My 2D anime story

A summer vacation trip.

If everything went according to schedule, the anime project would be completed by the end of July—coinciding with the start of Sōbu High's summer break.

There was plenty of time.

The problem was Yui Yuigahama's suggestion that the three of them go together.

That felt… off.

Su Yu watched Yui's retreating figure, trying to decipher her thoughts.

On the surface, it seemed like she just wanted to spend a fun summer with her boyfriend and best friend.

But if that were the case, why didn't she mention Hina Ebina or Yumiko Miura?

It was obvious—this wasn't just about having fun.

As Su Yu mulled over it, a certain anime scenario came to mind:

—Going on a date with your senpai.

—Spending summer vacation together.

—Breaking up afterward.

Could it be… was Yui thinking the same thing?

Lunchtime

Su Yu watched as Hikigaya Hachiman and Saika Totsuka left together.

Good. That meant the request was halfway complete.

Hina Ebina, seeing this, leaned toward Yumiko Miura and whispered something.

Miura frowned, clearly reluctant.

But then, Ebina smirked, adjusted her glasses, and glanced toward Su Yu before continuing to whisper.

Miura froze for a moment, then, after sneaking a glance at Su Yu, sighed and nodded.

The two of them then left the classroom together.

Su Yu watched them go.

He could already guess what Ebina had said.

At that moment, Yui approached, carrying her bento.

"Let's go to the Service Club." Su Yu grabbed his file folder and bento, standing up.

"Mm!" Yui smiled.

The two walked out together.

Su Yu didn't bring up the trip, and Yui kept her head down, saying nothing.

After walking a while, Su Yu reached out his hand.

Yui giggled and placed her small hand in his.

"I wish I could hold your hand forever," Su Yu said, gazing at her.

"That depends on how you behave," Yui teased. "If you make me mad—"

"If you ever leave me," Su Yu interrupted, "no matter how hard it is, I'll find you and hold your hand again."

Yui's steps faltered.

Then, she suddenly clung to his arm.

"I meant… if you make me mad, I just won't let you hold my hand anymore. Unless you make it up to me."

"By lying to you?"

"If Su Yu-kun ever lies to me… I'd probably still believe you. Or at least, I'd want to."

"…Are you an idiot?"

"If you like this idiot… then I don't mind being one forever."

"Idiot… don't cry."

Su Yu pulled Yui into an embrace.

She smiled, but tears silently fell down her cheeks.

She wasn't stupid.

She knew.

She knew that Yukino Yukinoshita liked Su Yu.

And she knew that Su Yu also liked Yukino.

Yesterday, besides tutoring her, Yukino had subtly spoken well of Su Yu—as if trying to make Yui cherish him more.

Yui understood.

She saw through it.

While Yukino spoke, she hid the sadness in her eyes.

And thinking back to when Yukino had encouraged her to take the initiative… the answer was clear.

Yukino was trying to push Su Yu toward her.

She wanted Yui to be happy.

That was why Yui had suggested the three of them go on a trip together—she wanted to do the same thing for Yukino.

But…

She didn't have the resolve.

Especially after what Su Yu just said.

It hit her straight in the heart.

She didn't want to leave him.

Even though they hadn't known each other for long…

Her heart was already full of Su Yu.

Thirty Minutes Later

Yui wiped her tears and stepped back from Su Yu's embrace.

She kept her head down, not daring to look at him.

"For our summer trip… let's invite your other two friends too. Let's all have a fun summer together," Su Yu said.

"…Okay," Yui whispered.

"My relationship with Yukinoshita… for now, we're just friends. It's not as deep as you might think. As the second daughter of the Yukinoshita family, she wouldn't fall for me so easily. So, don't worry too much." Su Yu patted her head.

"I… I get it."

Yui peeked up at him, realizing he was telling the truth.

"And actually…" Su Yu hesitated before continuing, "I'm the one who can't leave you. I just tricked you into thinking the opposite."

"I…" Yui opened her mouth but didn't know what to say.

"…Though, to be honest, I do like Yukinoshita. And I do want to pursue her." Su Yu took a deep breath and admitted it.

"If I were a guy, I might fall for Yukinon too," Yui murmured.

"…Are you trying to make excuses for me?"

"No… I really mean it. Yukinon is so pretty—everyone likes her."

"And as a girl, do you like her?"

"…Maybe… just a little?"

"Yui, I actually love stories about girls' friendships."

"Su Yu-kun, you're so weird."

"It's not weird at all. Yukinoshita is the 'unattainable beauty' of Sōbu High. You're a cute and cheerful girl. If this were an anime, the plot would be simple: You didn't join a club, so the teacher forced you to. You saw the Service Club's recruitment flyer, walked in, and there she was—Yukinoshita Yukino. The moment she turned to look at you, you fell for her."

"Su Yu-kun… is this a new story idea?"

Su Yu blinked.

…Actually, that didn't sound bad.

Then he thought about Hina Ebina's interests.

If she became a scriptwriter and wrote those kinds of stories…

And if he wrote about deep, emotional friendships between girls…

"Yui, thanks for the inspiration. I think I know what kind of story I want to write next." Su Yu grinned.

"…Yukinon is definitely going to hate this." Yui sighed.

"Even if she does, I have to make her the animation director. Watching a character so similar to herself… That should be fun."

"Su Yu-kun, you…"

Yui had no words to describe him.

"Come on. I need to tell Yukinoshita this story—just to see her reaction."

Su Yu held Yui's hand and started toward the Service Club.

"…Yukinon," Yui muttered, hesitating.

She wanted to send a text warning her.

Yukinon, run. Something weird is coming.