Yui tried not to laugh and spit food all over. "You're kidding."

"Nope. It took about two seconds for everyone else to start laughing. The guy ran out of there like he was on fire."

Smiling, Yui shook her head. "You know what?"

"Hm?"

"You are not a very nice man."

With a wide smile, Gendo answered, "I know."

Leaning against him, Yui kissed his cheek. "What I see in you, I'll never know."

"It's my charm."

Yui shook her head. "It's not that."

"My good looks then."

"Oh no, not that."

Gendo frowned. "Personal hygiene?"

Touching the swollen area around his eye, Yui shook her head. "No, not that either. I really don't know what it is." She leaned forward and kissed him again, letting it linger this time.

Pausing for a breath, Yui said quietly, "It could be something about that."

"You're not too bad yourself. You've got to be better than me at any rate." His hand slid under the table and rested on her knee.

Yui arched an eyebrow. "Funny business?"

Gendo pulled his hand away quickly. "Sorry about that. I didn't mean..."

"Be quiet, Rokubungi," Yui said quietly, putting her hand on his cheek, "and kiss me again."

"What about class?"

Yui gave Gendo a sidelong glance before taking his hand. "I thought I was supposed to trust you. I thought you knew what you were doing."

"I thought school was your top priority."

"It is, but... so are you."

"How do you balance that out? We're fairly exclusive to one another." His hold on her hand tightened.

"I worked out a plan," Yui said, smiling. "You see, when I go to class, I bring you along. When I need to study, I'm going to make you study with me. But every so often, I think it would be okay to take a break from school, and I think you could help me with that."

"Gladly."

"But you have to help with all of it, not just the fun stuff," Yui warned, looking at him sternly.

"Boring stuff too. Got it." He moved closer to her and put his arm around her waist. "But since you reminded me, I did have a little something in mind for us to do this afternoon."

"No funny business!"

"Nothing like that! Why do you keep jumping to that conclusion?" A sly grin appeared on his lips. "Maybe it's because that's what you want me to do."

Unwilling to be defeated in one of his games, Yui answered simply, "Maybe." She took the hand that was around her and yanked on it, pulling him closer. "I hope you're not... intimidated by my bluntness."

"Me? Of course not." The game was afoot. Who would give in first? "Feel free any time you'd like."

Yui was determined. "Ooh, I think I will. I couldn't pass up an offer like that," she purred. Offer? Ha! It was a challenge, pure and simple. He might have been the smartest man she knew, but he wasn't smarter than her. No way.

"That'd be great," he whispered into her ear. "Forget the movie. We can go to a hotel."

That did it. Yui pulled away and hit him on the shoulder. "How dare you!"

"But I thought you would have liked it," Gendo said with all seriousness, looking completely innocent.

"Smug bastard. Fine. You win this round, but don't think it'll be this easy next time," Yui vowed, not going quite so far as to shake her fist at him.

"Next time? I'm looking forward to it." Taking her hand again, Gendo started to pull her along. "Don't want to be late for the movie now."