Following Eriri's gaze, Kyousuke looked over at Yukinoshita Yukino.
The girl was quietly enduring the overwhelming enthusiasm of her mother—an affection that could never be refused.
Normally, the one in that spot would've been Shouko.
But to Eriri's surprise, the strange detachment she had once sensed from Yukino had seemingly vanished without a trace.
"She wasn't like this before…" Eriri mumbled.
Even now, she couldn't shake the image of Yukino's somber face right after Haruno introduced herself.
That proud girl—prideful enough to rival even Kasumigaoka—had become dull and lifeless, as if all her colors had been stripped away like a faded sketch.
The way her brows drooped and those pale, lifeless blue eyes looked… it tugged painfully at Eriri's chest.
"Ah, I see," Hojou Kyousuke nodded, clearly understanding.
Of course Eriri wasn't the only one who noticed Yukino's odd behavior.
But among everyone here, the only ones who truly felt sympathy might've been Sakura, Eriri… and—
That very same older Yukinoshita, resting her chin on her interlocked hands, smiling brightly at the two of them with sparkling eyes.
"Relax, relax~"
She giggled shamelessly, making no attempt to hide the fact that she was eavesdropping—yet her openness made it impossible to hate her.
"Yukino-chan's just not used to these kinds of events. After all, growing up, I was always the one representing the Yukinoshita family at parties.
For her, having a meal with this many people probably only happened during elementary school lunch—or maybe after she met you, Hojou."
Eriri stared blankly at the big sister across the table, feeling as if she'd just been caught talking behind someone's back.
Even though her concern for Yukino had been pure and sincere, Haruno's personality had a way of twisting good deeds into something mischievous.
Kyousuke chuckled softly and shook his head.
That was just Eriri for you.
Sakura sympathized with Yukino because they were friends—she cared deeply about people around her.
Eriri, though… Eriri just had a soft heart.
Her empathy was strong enough that merely seeing Yukino alone like that probably reminded her of old wounds that had long since healed.
Honestly, the fact she hadn't burst into tears already was a huge step forward—and as someone whose clothes were often used to mop up said tears, Kyousuke considered himself something of an authority.
Before Eriri could respond, Haruno suddenly turned to her little sister and called out:
"Hey, hey, Yukino~ isn't that right?"
The move made the little blonde freeze in place. It was one thing to be overheard saying "bad things," but now the subject herself had been told!
What is wrong with this big sister?!
Why would she say that out loud?!
Isn't she even a little embarrassed?!
"Being the family representative… never inviting Yukino to these parties… how can you just say that in front of everyone?!"
Eriri's face went stiff, and like a malfunctioning robot, she slowly turned her head away to avoid even seeing Yukino in her peripheral vision.
Out of sight, out of mind—she was well-versed in this kind of self-deception.
Sitting beside her, both Kasumigaoka and Hojou Kyousuke chuckled softly.
Across the table, Haruno watched on, amused—and perhaps, just a little envious.
Unlike Eriri, Kyousuke wasn't the least bit surprised by Haruno's behavior.
Yukinoshita Haruno—true to her name—was like the sun.
Her light could illuminate the darkest corners of a person's heart… but it also exposed everything to the open.
This was who she was—Haruno.
Even while playing dirty, she kept her own heart hidden.
After all, to uncover someone's secrets, you have to cast your gaze upon them.
But who can truly stare straight into the sun?
Only… another sun.
Kyousuke reached out and gently squeezed Eriri's small hand, hoping to calm her nerves.
Without the refined mask of her "ojou-sama" persona, the girl fit nearly every stereotype of an awkward otaku.
Meanwhile, Yukinoshita Yukino swallowed a bite of grilled chicken skewer—her first time tasting something like this, especially with green onions.
After taking a wet towel from Kyousuke's aunt and dabbing at her mouth, she offered a polite smile of thanks.
But the moment she turned her head, that smile vanished.
"Just as my dear sister said, I've had almost no experience attending social gatherings."
Her voice wasn't somber, and she still used polite honorifics when referring to her sister.
Haruno turned back to Eriri with a grin, as if to say "See? Told you so." Everything she did screamed "queen of the party."
Eriri didn't even have time to wonder why she'd never been called "dear sister" by Kasyouko.
Overwhelmed by Haruno's presence, she simply nodded… and immediately regretted it.
Now it felt like she'd sided with the enemy—helping Haruno gang up on poor Yukino.
Kasumigaoka gave a faint, mocking smile, as if amused at her past self for ever considering Yukino a worthy rival.
But the one really helping the chaos along—gleefully stirring the pot—was none other than Yamauchi Sakura, who happily scooted closer to Yukino and chimed in:
"Oh right, oh right! Yukino, you should totally come to the Mystery Writers' Awards ceremony at the end of April!"
She said it loud enough for the entire room to hear, and at the far end of the booth, a few reporters instantly locked onto the quote.
"Close female friend of Kyousuke claims Mystery Writers' Award is already in the bag!"
Oh yeah—this party was definitely worth attending.
Now if only they could get a shot of Hojou-sensei drinking, that would be perfect!
Sure, everyone had come here hoping to get closer and dig up some juicy info.
But no one would complain about a scoop like this.
Youthful arrogance was practically expected of geniuses.
If Kyousuke could be caught drinking underage—while still being polite and composed—it'd be headline gold.
Readers would love that contradiction.
But just as they were getting excited, a few of Kyousuke's intimidating black-suited friends showed up again, each holding mugs the size of basins.
"Eh? Sakura, don't push her too hard now," Haruno said sweetly. "Do you really think Yukino-chan could handle an event like that?
Even today, she only came because I insisted."
Her violet-tinged eyes gleamed as she turned to Sakura, but her teasing gaze was fixed on her sister.
Yukino lowered her head slightly, avoiding Haruno's eyes.
Noticing her own reaction, Yukino immediately lifted her head again, as if angry at herself for hesitating.
Her lips parted like she was about to say something… but then she lowered her head once more, her face half-covered in shadow.
—Ahh…
Kyousuke sighed internally.
Only children had their own problems—but sisters? Sisters were a whole different level of complicated.
In his unique perception of the world, the once aloof, noble white lotus that was Yukinoshita Yukino seemed to be drooping.
Her elegant, serene aura was fading, her petals wilting one by one.
Through her trembling lips, her raised then lowered head, he could see clearly the tangled, thorn-covered heart of a girl trapped by expectations and internal conflict.
'President… why is it that you're always helping others, but never help yourself?'
'If nothing else, why not treat your own issues like a client's request and just… ask for help?'
Just like how his mother—currently invisible as if possessed by Megumi—tended to stay out of things that didn't concern her, Kyousuke had always believed in one rule:
Don't meddle in what's not your business.
Kind of like those old guys you see in Japanese izakayas—griping about their wives, bosses, or gas prices, but never, ever touching politics.
"Ah, that stuff's just a game for politicians. Has nothing to do with us."
Even if they spent all day watching the news or ranting online, none of it actually changed anything.
It just made them look pathetic.
Honestly, it'd be more productive to grab a sign and protest gas prices in front of the company.
That's the kind of thinking he understood.
And so, even Sakura—who'd been chatting happily with Haruno a moment ago—didn't try to stop her from speaking up.
Instead, she invited Yukino to the next awards ceremony, hoping to throw her a lifeline.
But unfortunately… it didn't work.
Kyousuke had no idea what kind of household the Yukinoshita family was.
He didn't understand why someone like Yukino—someone so proud and cold, like a glacial mountain.
Someone so deeply committed to justice that even if she were the last person left in the country.
She'd still draft a full legal system to keep herself in check—would become so meek and restrained whenever Haruno was around.
It was like Haruno was pressure incarnate.
And because he didn't understand, he had no right to speak on Yukino's behalf.
So instead, he smiled and asked casually, "Yukinoshita-san, when was the first time you attended a party with your parents?"
His voice drew the attention of everyone in the room, including Yukino, who had been staring down at the table.
She slowly lifted her head to look at her sister, a faint glimmer of curiosity in her eyes.
"Hmm… let me think," Haruno pressed a slender, pale fingertip to her lips, looking mildly troubled. "I think… I can't really remember~"
Yukino's hopeful spark dimmed again.
"Ahaha~ Just kidding! It was second grade. The company's New Year's party."
Haruno laughed.
She really was either the source of chaos or the center of it—and she didn't even mind turning herself into the joke if it added to the fun.
"Second grade?!" Eriri's eyes went wide.
Even she hadn't started attending social events until fifth grade, and only then if it was a full-family obligation.
Otherwise, it was Dad who went solo while she and Mom stayed home playing games and watching anime.
"Yup~ Second grade.
There were over 300 guests at that event—super lively. I was so terrified standing on stage, looking down at that sea of pitch-black heads, I couldn't move.
I couldn't even speak for two days. Even going to the doctor didn't help. It was so boring! Thank goodness Yukino-chan kept me company with a no-talking game~"
She spoke with such a light, easy tone that it felt like she was recounting someone else's story.
Even her softly glowing eyes remained completely calm.
"That time…?!"
Yukino suddenly looked up, staring at her sister in disbelief.
"Hmm? You actually remember that? Good girl, good girl~ I knew my little sister had the best memory."
Haruno beamed, her eyes forming cheerful crescents. If she'd been sitting closer, Eriri wouldn't have doubted for a second that she'd ruffle Yukino's hair just like she did with Momotarou.
Yukino lowered her head again.
A storm of emotions swirled in her mind, words piling up on her tongue, all tangled and incoherent.
'That time… that time…'
When her parents and Haruno returned home late that night, she'd already been asleep.
But the noise woke her, and realizing she'd been left home alone, she got upset and refused to speak to Haruno.
She just rolled over and went back to sleep.
The next morning, she still hadn't talked to her sister.
But when Haruno didn't show up all morning, she finally asked her father what happened and learned Haruno had gone to the hospital.
"We're playing a game. Whoever speaks first loses. As your big sister, I'll let you join in halfway through," Haruno had said, handing her a note.
That commitment to the game's rules—never speaking even to explain—gave the whole thing a weird sense of ceremony.
And so began the two-day-long silence challenge.
She lost in under half an hour.
But Haruno forgave her and wrote another note, inviting her to try again.
She lost countless times. Haruno forgave her every single time.
She really was a good sister.
On the third day, she finally won.
She stayed silent for an entire morning.
No matter how Haruno tried to break her—jokes, scary stories, silly antics—Yukino never said a word, using only notes to protest.
So that's what it was…
All these years later, the "game" finally made sense.
But Yukino didn't feel mocked or angry.
Instead, her proud little head grew heavier and heavier, until her swan-like neck could barely hold it up anymore.
She had always known, deep down, just how much her sister had to bear.
Chosen by their mother as the heir to the Yukinoshita family, Haruno had endured crushing pressure from a young age.
And Yukino had always respected that.
Even when Haruno did things with her usual twisted sense of humor, she still called her "big sister" with genuine admiration.
It was also why she always felt overshadowed.
Kyousuke was just as stunned by Haruno's words. Unbidden, a memory floated into his mind—Haruno's offhand comment from before:
"I'm not actually immune to alcohol. When I hit my limit, I just make myself throw up. It feels like an icy rush shoots up your spine and blows the top of your skull off."
'You've really been through it, huh… Haruno.'
He couldn't help but look at her again.
That playful, radiant smile on her face held not even a hint of darkness.
Just like Sakura.
But there was one difference—Sakura truly had nothing to be sad about.
Haruno, on the other hand, had hidden everything away.
'Your "youth romantic comedy,"' Kyousuke thought to himself, 'definitely has problems too, doesn't it?'
He clicked his tongue in frustration.
Still, Haruno's words gave him a clearer picture of the Yukinoshita household.
The elder sister had been chosen as the heir and subjected to near-torturous levels of training—forced to become stronger than anyone else.
So strong, in fact, that it was like she'd transformed into a Kamen Rider: always masked, always armored, and always battling the world's cruelty with polished skill.
Even her temporary loss of speech—she'd turned that into a "game" just to coax her little sister into playing along.
That twisted sense of humor… had clearly been there since the very beginning.
After Yukinoshita Haruno unwillingly and passively took on the responsibilities of the Yukinoshita household, her younger sister was raised with a much more hands-off approach.
Yet whether it was out of admiration for her older sister or as a result of life's hardships, she instead came to envy the one who would inherit their father's domain and the family business.
She dreamed of entering politics to change the world—creating a society of absolute fairness.
Ahem.
Just thinking about that dream made Kyousuke suddenly understand why Haruno would go as far as bringing up such a tragic childhood just to strike at Yukino.
To someone like Haruno, Yukinoshita Yukino—with her precision, her stubborn idealism, and her innocent fantasies about life—must have been a truly irritating existence.
Because Haruno had already seen the darkness of the world and chosen her own path through it.
Kyousuke had a vague sense that Haruno's actions were rooted in even more complex reasons.
But as always, he lived by his rule: "If I don't understand it, I don't comment."
"So, how long did it take for you to get used to it? You didn't seriously make Yukinoshita play the silent game with you after every party, did you?"
Rather than beat around the bush, Kyousuke chose to ask directly—or maybe it was more of a probe.
"Ohoho! There it is at last!"
Haruno's voice suddenly took on a dramatic flair.
"Ahem! Tell me, Hojou when you called out Yukinoshita, were you referring to me, the great Yukinoshita, or that little Yukinoshita over there?"
"Pffft—hahahahaha!"
Utaha burst into laughter again, perfectly in sync.
She's hopeless.
'This woman is beyond saving,' Kyousuke thought, turning his back as he laughed quietly.
The difference this time was that Yukino also let out a soft laugh.
Her voice, as always, was pleasant to the ear—like ice clinking in a glass after the liquor had been poured out.
It was as if, in the span of just these ten minutes, all the serious cells in her body had been destroyed and replaced by ones capable of understanding her sister's humor.