After heading out in the morning, everyone first went to the go-kart track for a proper racing experience.
They were all used to driving sedans, but this was everyone's first time in a go-kart—even Ichin had only ever tried bumper cars before.
Though small, the karts packed surprising speed, and the tracks were complex enough to feel almost like real professional racing.
Ichin, Utaha, and the others all had a blast.
Even Yukino, usually the one with the fewest expressions, was shining with excitement.
After they'd had their fill of karting, they found a seafood restaurant for a feast. In the afternoon, Umiko led them to a shooting range, where they spent hours practicing.
That part mainly appealed to Ichin and Umiko. The others weren't as interested, though Yukino tried the archery section.
Since she had once practiced kyudo, she picked it up surprisingly quickly.
Utaha and Sakura Nene weren't bored either—they spent the whole time taking photos and videos on their phones, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
By evening, after a quiet, high-end dinner, Umiko and Nene went home, while Ichin drove Utaha and Yukino back.
On the way, Utaha stretched with a tired sigh.
"Today was non-stop fun… I don't want to move tomorrow. Ichin, let's stay home and rest, and go out again the day after? Yukino, what do you think?"
Yukino nodded.
"It was fun, but exhausting. I'd like to rest too."
Her stamina was never great, and a whole day of excitement had nearly drained her. Once she bathed and lay down, she'd probably be asleep instantly.
Hands on the wheel, Ichin chuckled.
"Then you two stay home and rest tomorrow. It's Monday, so I'll stop by the studio here. This boss hasn't shown his face in ages—it's about time."
"I see. Alright then."
Utaha didn't insist he stay, nor did she suggest tagging along.
Clinging to Yukino's arm, she smiled.
"Yukino, let's binge a drama at home tomorrow?"
Yukino nodded. That sounded nice. If she got bored, she could always play games—she still hadn't unlocked some Fall Guys skins she wanted. And with August around the corner, new maps and skins were coming. She'd need to set aside time to grind, or the backlog would just keep piling up.
Who would have thought—the once aloof, bookish, cold beauty had, bit by bit, become something of a gamer girl?
Soon, the car pulled into the neighborhood.
Instead of heading to her own place, Yukino followed Ichin and Utaha upstairs.
When they opened the door, the lights were already on—his parents and Haruno were there.
Changing his shoes, Ichin asked,
"Mom, when did you get back?"
"Haruno and I came home after dinner. Your father got back maybe ten minutes before you."
As she spoke, Haruno was slumped on the sofa, motionless, looking utterly defeated with life.
Ichin walked over, smiling as he sat down.
"What's wrong, Haruno?"
She shook her head.
"Looks like the single life continues."
"Huh?"
Ichin glanced at his mom in surprise.
"Today's blind date didn't go well?"
His mother spread her hands helplessly.
"More or less. The boy was nice, but after talking it through, both he and Haruno agreed—they're just not compatible."
Yukino sat beside her sister, curious.
"Not compatible? In what way? Though honestly, with my sister's personality, that's not surprising."
Haruno rolled her eyes.
"Yukino, you're getting less and less cute, saying that about your sister. It's just that our ways of handling things don't match. He's a good person—as a friend or business partner, fine. But as a partner? We'd break up in less than half a month. No point continuing. Today was less a blind date, more like a business discussion. In that sense, it went well."
Her mom sighed.
"I thought you two would be a good match. Guess I was wrong. At least it didn't end badly."
"I see."
Rubbing his chin, Ichin guessed with a grin.
"Let me guess—the guy was too domineering, no flexibility?"
"Pretty much."
Haruno nodded in agreement.
"He looked fine, capable, ran a solid company. But like I said—fine as a colleague, not as a partner. How to put it… a vibranium straight man. Too stiff to be called just straight. He has no idea how to talk to women, can't even manage a joke. That's not the kind of relationship I want."
True enough—with Haruno's personality, her partner needed not just ability but also fun.
Boring people weren't even worth a second glance.
Her mom shook her head.
"With you like this, I don't even know if I should keep arranging dates for you."
Haruno just hugged her arm with a laugh.
"No need, Godmother. I'm still young, there's no rush! Instead of worrying about me, why not look forward to Ichin and Utaha's kids in a couple of years?"
"That's a sure thing. Nothing to look forward to. You just don't want to go on blind dates, admit it."
Her mom's words made Haruno stick out her tongue awkwardly.
Luckily, her phone rang, saving her from the moment.
She picked it up—it was a voice message from Hiratsuka Shizuka.
"Good evening, Shizuka. What's up? Feeling lonely tonight? Huh?"
Haruno froze, glanced at Ichin and Utaha, and said in surprise:
"Shizuka's… in Shanghai."
What? Hiratsuka Shizuka?
How had she suddenly turned up—without the slightest warning?
---
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