By 9 PM, the upscale commercial district—spanning eight bustling blocks—was alive with energy. Bars and nightclubs lit up one after another, their neon signs and fluorescent lights blending into a dazzling kaleidoscope that drenched the city in color.
While most of the shops within the tall buildings were gradually closing for the night, Haru, Yukino, and Haruno walked unhindered, making their way straight to the top floor.
As they stepped onto the rooftop, a crisp evening wind swept over them.
Both Yukino and her sister instinctively tugged their scarves tighter around their necks.
Then, Yukino paused, her brows furrowing slightly as she looked toward Haru and Haruno."I remember this rooftop being off-limits to the public at this hour."
"You're not wrong," Haruno replied with a mischievous smile. "Actually, it's usually off-limits no matter the time of day."
Haru, sensing that Haruno was about to tease her further, stepped in and explained,"We pulled a few strings this afternoon. We've been granted access until 11 PM."
Yukino gave a slight nod. "That explains it."
Since everything had been arranged in advance, and considering both her sister's and Haru's family backgrounds, it wasn't surprising they'd secured permission.
At that moment, Haruno was inwardly brimming with anticipation—though she did her best to suppress it from showing on her face.
After all, even her reserved little sister could hold back her curiosity. As the older sister, how could she be the one to crack first?
What's he going to do next? she thought, eyes sparkling. Though she looked as if she were admiring the city from the rooftop, her full attention was squarely on Haru.
She was very much looking forward to him "taking her to the skies."
While Haruno discreetly watched, Haru casually took a few night-time photos of Yukino, switching poses and angles as if the two were just there to enjoy the scenery.
The way they played around made Haruno feel… increasingly confused.
Wait a second…
A sudden realization struck her.
Could Haru's idea of "taking me to the skies without tools"… just mean bringing me up here to view the city from Ginza's iconic clock tower?
The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed.
After all, the retro grandeur of the building did offer a spectacular view. From this high up, one could loosely say they'd been "to the skies."
And knowing Haru—as the crafty, clever kid who used to love tricking her—this kind of roundabout trap was exactly his style. He'd probably enjoy nothing more than seeing her fall into it, just like old times.
Still watching the two, Haruno finally couldn't take it anymore. She stepped forward and asked casually, "Haru, did you bring Yukino up here just to take photos?"
"Of course not," Haru replied, giving her peace of mind. "But I could tell she wanted some photos, so I helped her out."
Under the night sky, Yukino's cheeks tinted a light pink—he had hit the nail on the head.
If it had just been her alone, she wouldn't have cared to come up, even if she were formally invited.
But being here with the two people closest to her, in such a relaxed and gentle atmosphere… it made her feel something rare and fleeting—something very much like youth.
Just as Haru had once said: "Some beautiful moments and people deserve to be preserved."
And this was a moment she wanted to preserve.
…Though she had no intention of sending these photos to Utaha.
After snapping a few more photos, Haru returned the phone to Yukino. Then, turning to Haruno, he said, "Since you're the one who brought up giving Yukino a surprise—I'm taking her up first."
"Up?" x2
Both sisters blinked in confusion.
Their eyes instinctively scanned the area. The only place one could possibly "go up" to was the iconic clock tower.
But the clock tower's walls were smooth, with no footholds or ledges. To climb it without tools would mean risking damage to the structure by grabbing onto its ornate edges—something Haru would never do.
"Are you saying… you're going to climb that with me?" Yukino asked, pointing to the structure, her eyes wide in disbelief.
Haruno stepped forward to examine the base, running her fingers along the smooth surface. "It doesn't even have any grip points. I'm seriously curious how you're planning to do it."
Haru stepped calmly toward the base, then turned and said, "You're the one who said surprises shouldn't be spoiled, right, Haruno-nee?"
Haruno laughed. "Oh? So now you're throwing my words back at me?"
Smiling without elaborating, Haru waved at Yukino. "Come here."
She approached with full trust, brows slightly raised. "And then?"
Haru gave a quick glance at Haruno. "For the surprise to work, I need you to not peek."
"What?! I can't even watch?" Haruno pouted, rolling her eyes. Still, she obediently turned her back.
Yukino, ever the clever one, asked, "Should I close my eyes too?"
"Yes."
"May I ask why?"
"I'm afraid if you saw how awesome I am, you might get scared."
"…You're doing that again?" she sighed, assuming he was just teasing her.
But Haru wasn't joking.
From the moment they stepped onto the rooftop, he had already activated his [Perception] skill, making sure no one nearby would witness what came next.
Once sure they were safe, he gently wrapped an arm around Yukino's waist.
Surprised but unresisting, she instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
And in just three seconds…
"You can open your eyes now," Haru whispered.
Yukino slowly opened her eyes—and froze.
Beneath her feet was the surface of the ornate, vintage clock tower.
"Looking down from here… it feels completely different, doesn't it?" Haru's voice came from beside her.
She looked down. With such a narrow ledge beneath them, the view was breathtaking—totally unlike anything from the rooftop earlier.
Her heart was pounding.
Her breath came short.
She realized… she was thrilled.
Just like the time he'd taken her to someone's rooftop, this too went against her usual reserved nature. And yet, once she was up here, it gave her a strange and exhilarating sense of fulfillment.
Haru was about to go fetch Haruno when he felt her tug his sleeve.
Turning around, he saw Yukino's flushed cheeks and bright eyes.
"Wait," she said.
Pulling out her phone, she opened the camera and slid in close to Haru.
"Look at the lens."
He turned toward the camera just in time.
Click. With the soft sound of the shutter, their night-lit clock tower selfie was captured.
"You seem really happy," Haru teased, smiling.
Yukino's lips curved upward, her eyes shining with joy. "I'm sending this to senpai."
Haru blinked. "Aren't you worried she'll show up here tonight?"
Sending a sweet, intimate photo like that—without inviting her—was basically a guaranteed critical hit.
Yukino's smile widened. "I like critical hits."
…Not messing with this one. Haru wisely held his tongue.
He climbed back down and found Haruno turning around just in time to catch Yukino already on top of the tower.
Her shock was unfiltered. "Wait—how did you get her up there?!"
"I carried her," Haru said simply, "and jumped."
Haruno gave him a long, unimpressed stare. "How very impressive."
Even a kid wouldn't buy that nonsense. Did he really think she would?
"I'm telling the truth," Haru said, deadpan. "I just didn't want to scare either of you, so I made sure you weren't watching."
"Right, right. I totally believe you," Haruno drawled, clearly not buying a word.
Then she sashayed up to him, eyes bright with mischief. "So, how are you planning to carry me? Bridal style?"
Haru smirked. "I was thinking more of a… cement sack over-the-shoulder kind of carry. Thoughts?"
Haruno blinked, then broke into a sweet, playful smile. "You know, in that position, you'd have full access to my thighs and butt. If you really want to touch, I'll allow one squeeze—just one."
…Yeah. Definitely not messing with this one either. Haru swallowed hard.
~~~~~~~~~~
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