"Kou-nii, can you talk on the phone now?"
"Sure, I'm playing a game. What's up?"
The sound of loud keyboard and mouse clicks came from the other end, mixed with Kouichirou's occasional gritted-teeth curses: "Go back to your censor sensor and eat censor! Trash!"
With the phone pressed to his ear, Yuu's cheek twitched twice. Only after Kouichirou's emotions calmed a bit did he continue.
"I need a favor."
"What kind? Just say it!" Kouichirou declared boldly. "You're my brother—unless it's about borrowing too much money, anything you ask is fine!"
Yuu reminded him: "Even if you help me, I can't teach you how to use superpowers or Stand abilities, you know?"
"…That's fine, just tell me. Helping a friend doesn't expect rewards." He said that, but his tone was clearly deflated, sounding disinterested.
Yuu pursed his lips and got straight to the point: "Can you still contact Haruno?"
"Haruno-san?" Kouichirou was surprised. "What's up? Did you two fight?"
"You could say that. I can't reach her."
"Alright, hold on…"
Soon after, Kouichirou said, puzzled: "Weird, did she block me? No way! I barely even chat with her—why would she block me?"
Yuu had expected this.
"It's probably because of me. Besides the contact methods she gave me, you're my only way to reach her… If she really wants to avoid me, she wouldn't let you contact her either."
Kouichirou grumbled irritably: "Then what? By the way, don't drag me into your lovers' quarrel. My mom's finally calmed down, not pushing me to 'strengthen ties' anymore. I don't want her getting her hopes up again."
Since the resort meeting, Yuuki Kyouko—Kouichirou's mother—had noticed the Yukinoshita family's sudden passivity toward the matchmaking. She assumed her son had done something to upset them. After several failed communications, she gave up on forming familial ties and focused on business relations between the families.
Thus, until she found the next matchmaking candidate, Kouichirou was free.
He didn't want to end this rare freedom just for helping out.
Knowing what he was worried about, Yuu smiled and said: "Originally, I wanted you to contact the Yukinoshita family through parental channels, using their pressure to summon Haruno, and I'd take your place… But since you said that, I'll change plans."
"Thank goodness you're changing it…" Kouichirou sighed in relief.
"Just give me the Yukinoshita family's address."
Kouichirou was slightly surprised: "Eh? You don't know where she lives?"
(Every time we meet, it's like a secret agent operation—wouldn't it be weird if I knew?)
Muttering to himself, Yuu chuckled: "Sorry, I don't even know if she lives at her family's house."
"I see…"
In a pitying tone, perhaps misunderstanding something, Kouichirou suddenly got excited: "Then I'll tell you! I heard it from my mom anyway."
"Right now, both Yukinoshita daughters live at home. The younger one wanted to live independently, but it was never approved. The older one sometimes stays at the family's luxury apartment, but most of the time, she's at home—probably too lazy to go back and forth."
Yuu sighed: "Thanks for the extra info. So, the address?"
"Don't rush~ I'll give you both addresses, but I don't know Haruno-san's movements. Based on what my mom found out, if you want to find her, you'd better…"
Yuu: "…"
(This guy—more than being overly enthusiastic, he just loves watching the chaos, doesn't he?)
With a resigned expression, Yuu noted down the two addresses Kouichirou gave him. Once he was no longer useful, Yuu firmly said, "Thanks, I owe you one—I'll treat you to a meal later." and quickly ended the call.
If they kept talking, Kouichirou might start rambling about that poor, obedient little sister again… Both had sisters, and sometimes they'd discuss such topics.
But only Yuu was a siscon. Kouichirou, all day long, only thought about how to get his sister a boyfriend to vent his stress.
If Yuu didn't already have a girlfriend, this guy would definitely try to set them up.
"Hah… Alright, next is buying tickets."
Tossing Kouichirou and the phone aside, Yuu sat at his computer desk, closed his eyes, tilted his head back, and let out a long sigh.
Honestly, he wasn't sure if this would work…
Yuu thought he knew Haruno well enough, but he often couldn't guess her thoughts.
Like today's sudden cutoff, it shook him all morning, leaving him confused, with so many "whys" he wanted to ask her.
But one thing was certain: that cunning, calculating Haruno would never let him go so easily.
So, she must be waiting somewhere for his reaction, to decide how they'd move forward.
This was just the beginning… both for him, looking forward to the future, and for Haruno, ready to embrace the end.
"Hope everything goes smoothly."
Calmly opening his eyes, Yuu turned on the computer, preparing to book two Disneyland tickets online.
The date, of course, was August 24.
Outside the window, thick clouds hung low, the wind howled, but the heavy rain didn't come.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
One day later.
August 21, the Yukinoshita family residence.
Saori entered the living room, carrying a letter, and handed it to Haruno, who was lounging on the sofa, sipping champagne bit by bit.
"There's a letter for you… Haruno, stop drinking. You've been at it since yesterday."
"It's fine, these are all low-alcohol—drinking them's like drinking juice."
Waving her hand, Haruno set down her wine glass and took the letter: "Doesn't look like a bill. Who sent it?"
"No sender written. Open it yourself, and you'll find out." Massaging her forehead, Saori sighed, her gaze slowly turning cold as she looked at her eldest daughter sprawled on the sofa.
"Haruno, I've let you wallow like this for the past two days because you said you're having a relationship crisis with your boyfriend and needed to clear your head…"
"But by tomorrow at the latest, you need to pull yourself together. Whether it's making up with him or focusing on your studies and work and setting aside feelings for now… In short, I don't want to see my daughter drowning in alcohol and wasting time."
Though her tone was gentle and her words refined, her gaze held a resolve like a blade pressed against Haruno's throat, leaving no room for argument.
But as soon as she finished, Haruno suddenly stood up from the sofa.
Two amusement park tickets were clutched in her hand, her fingers still trembling slightly with excitement, as if she'd lift them and cheer any moment.
"No need to wait until tomorrow."
As if the dark clouds that had shrouded her face the past few days were torn apart by bright morning light, Haruno flashed a radiant, charming smile she hadn't shown in a while, full of calm and happiness.
"My love troubles are sorted!"