By the time the clock struck eight, the streets outside were coming alive with the pulse of nightlife. Haru and Yukino sat side by side in the car, weaving through the vibrant downtown. Neon lights, shop signs, and city glows painted streaks across the windows, like a kaleidoscope declaring the night was just beginning.
Yukino, never a fan of crowded places, turned her eyes away from the window and asked calmly,"Did my sister say where we're meeting?"
"Ginza," Haru replied. "But she knows crowds aren't your thing, so she suggested we stop at a nearby café to relax first."
"Sounds good."
Yukino was pleased. A quiet café was always her preferred kind of sanctuary compared to the bustle of the streets.
While on the way, Yukino received a message from Utaha. The moment she opened her social app and read the message, she nearly lost her composure.
From the contact marked "Utaha-Senpai" came a single request:"If you two end up having fun tonight, could you take a few photos and send them to me?"
Yukino's lips lifted slightly into a quiet smile. She could already imagine Utaha painstakingly hovering between the send and delete buttons before finally deciding to message her.
The subtext was clear:"I'm dying to know what surprise Haruno and Haru prepared for you. Please take lots of pictures."
Senpai probably let out a deep sigh of relief after pressing send…If I don't reply, she'll be fidgeting all evening and may even end up calling me directly.
Yukino knew her well enough to predict her reactions in vivid detail.
"How amusing," she muttered like a scheming villain in a drama, the corners of her smile deepening.
Haru had noticed Yukino checking her phone. He'd assumed she was just killing time—until he saw that subtle smile. That wasn't idle scrolling. That was the look of someone who was absolutely thriving.
"Was that from your sister?" he asked casually, not bothering to peek.
Still smiling, Yukino replied, "No."
"Then… Senpai?"
"Mm." Yukino nodded, fingers dancing over her phone screen. "It's obvious. Senpai really wanted to come with us."
"I don't know…" Haru looked skeptical. "I think she's just dying of curiosity. If we actually brought her along and had her face off with Haruno, she'd probably be begging to go home within five minutes."
Yukino chuckled. "Next time, try phrasing things more elegantly."
"I just wanted to be clear. Like this quote I read once: 'Simplicity is the art of expressing deep thoughts in plain language.' Sometimes, simplicity leaves the deepest impression."
Yukino finished her message and looked up. "So… am I supposed to agree with that?"
Haru looked at her with playful surprise. "I thought you'd argue. Why the sudden change of pace?"
Yukino's brows arched slightly, her expression gentle and amused.
"Most people don't want honest advice. They want warmth. Since you were so clearly hoping for some agreement today… I'll indulge you this once."
"…Murakami?" Haru tried to guess.
"Mm. So? Do you feel warm now?"
"I'm practically glowing. That alone could keep me fired up all day."
He was joking, but deep down, he could guess the reason behind her good mood. Yukino must be looking forward to the surprise tonight—she was too cheerful not to be.
Now's the time. Go for it.
Glancing at the driver up front, Haru picked up his phone and sent her a private message.
Yukino's screen lit up with his name. She glanced at him curiously.
"Something you can't say in front of the driver?"
She opened the message:
"I miss Catgirl Yukino. Would the merciful Second Young Miss be willing to warm me with one more tender agreement?"
"…???"
Yukino flushed pink and narrowed her eyes. "What is wrong with you?"
"I just want one more warm moment."
Her chest rose and fell quickly. She bit her lower lip, hesitating. Since the driver was still present, she gave him a sharp glare before rapidly typing back.
Haru saw the message:
"Are you some monkey that goes into heat whenever it wants? We were just talking about Murakami, and now you're thinking of catgirls?!"
That's the Yukino I know.
He was unfazed. Calmly, he typed back: "Autumn winds understand me—gently lifting a maiden's emerald skirt."
Yukino: "Even poetic lines can't cover for what you just said."
Haru: "It's just… I haven't seen you wear that outfit in a long time."
She stared at the screen for a long second, then slowly turned her phone off.
She's thinking about it.
Haru immediately understood and said no more. He leaned on the car window, feigning interest in the passing cityscape.
"Some beautiful things and beautiful people," he murmured, "ought to be preserved."
Yukino glanced at him sideways, and an unsettling thought crept into her mind:He doesn't just want to see me wear it again… he probably wants to take pictures too!
Still… when it came to that particular costume, Yukino had to admit—it fit her perfectly.
…
Later that evening, they met Haruno at a café. She was still wearing the same stylish outfit from earlier that day.
"You don't look the least bit curious," Haruno noted, tilting her head.
After Yukino calmly answered, Haruno sighed dramatically, "I guess that's to be expected. You've always been good at keeping your cool. Still, I was really hoping to see that adorable expression of surprise on your face."
Yukino, as always, ignored those kinds of comments.
But Haru chimed in, "Well, to be fair, she really is cute when she gets like that."
"Right? I've always thought so too," Haruno grinned, delighted to have an ally.
She leaned toward Yukino, eyes gleaming. "So? Even your precious Haru agrees with me. Shouldn't you cooperate with us just a little?"
Yukino gave her sister a sly smile. "You forget—his favorite trick is to agree with you first, then let you walk straight into a trap."
Haruno blinked, caught off guard. She turned to Haru.
Sure enough, he was smiling as he raised his phone. "Exactly. I'm far more interested in seeing your reaction, Haruno-nee."
He held up his screen. The camera was already on.
Watching her sister's stunned expression, Yukino finally broke into a real laugh.
"That's one of his go-to tactics. I call it…"
"Flying Thunder God, Second Step," Haru finished smoothly.
Yukino was speechless for a moment.
He continued, "You know, Yukino, let me teach you something. The most dangerous attack types in the world are: zero-frame openers and super long wind-ups. If you combine the two, it becomes an unavoidable strike."
Yukino rested her chin on her hand, sighing. "I take back what I said earlier. Maybe I should team up with my sister."
Haruno smiled and extended her hand. "Then it's settled—partners?"
Yukino shook her hand.
And then, a third hand appeared and joined theirs.
Both sisters turned simultaneously.
Haru looked at them with a serious face. "Let's work together."
Yukino smacked his hand away.
He simply offered his left hand this time, gently placing it over hers again.
Yukino sighed deeply. "Can you please stop with these childish games?"
"Don't get the wrong idea—I'm not here to ruin your alliance. I just want to be included."
Yukino brushed his hand off again. "Before you even try to join us, I've already pledged allegiance to my sister's team. We don't need a third member."
Haru blinked. Wow. Did she just use the Green's Theorem on me?
Haruno, meanwhile, watched the two of them playfully bicker, her eyes softer than usual, filled with rare warmth.
~~~~~~~~~~
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