Three pairs of footsteps echoed through the streets of Chiba. From bustling roads filled with the hum of cars to simple homes glowing with bright lights and the faint sound of laughter from TVs, they gradually entered the quiet, luxurious residential area of the wealthy.
Though it was just past five, nearing six, the sky was already dark. Dim stars twinkled at the edge of the horizon, like constellations arriving for winter without saying goodbye to summer.
Yuigahama looked up. Her slender, graceful neck stretched almost straight. But what she saw wasn't the calm, indifferent night sky—it was the tall, majestic apartment building before her.
Her eyes widened, and she exclaimed sincerely, "It looks so expensive! Does Yukinon live in a place like this alone…?"
"Yes, I moved here not long after school started." Yukino said, pulling out her keycard. She swiped it over the black box by the door, and the glass door slid open automatically. "The price for a unit is indeed a bit high, but my mother bought several when she invested early. Compared to now, it was practically a steal."
"That's not important. Yui was just speaking offhandedly." Yuu said, following behind. He casually stepped into the apartment lobby, a place he'd visited almost daily for a while.
The floor was so clean it seemed you could see the underside of a girl's skirt in its reflection—unfortunately, even sharp eyes couldn't catch that dark, mysterious view.
Yukino was wearing a trench coat, tightly wrapping her slender, delicate frame. Yuu could only see the elegant curves of her calves.
Though Yuigahama's skirt was shortened, perhaps due to a girl's instinct, she always managed to avoid any posture that would expose her. Her absolute territory turned into a wailing wall, blocking lustful gazes behind the swaying fabric, making the faint glimpse of her inner thighs all the more tantalizing.
…That said, Yuu wasn't staring to peek under their skirts. He wasn't that shameless.
He just glanced.
Honestly, their legs were really nice.
"Instead of talking about housing prices, why don't you tell us about the challenges you face living alone?"
Hearing Yuu say that, Yuigahama immediately hugged Yukino's arm. Her eyes sparkled as she said, "Right, Yukinon! Do you usually cook for yourself? Or order takeout? Don't you feel lonely coming home with no one to greet you?"
"Are you underestimating me, Yuigahama-san?"
Yukino snorted coldly, not turning her head. Her back stood upright with pride, as strong and graceful as a cedar tree.
"Just living alone, what's the problem? As for loneliness, that depends on the person."
From the side of her face, the corners of her lips curved slightly. Her tone grew lighter with her changing expression. "At least I feel more relaxed and comfortable here than at home. So, of course, I don't feel lonely."
(Oh, because she's far from supermodel Haruno, huh…)
Yuu raised an eyebrow but didn't say it out loud. He just watched her press the elevator button. The floor display above slowly descended to the first floor.
As the elevator doors opened, Yukino turned and asked, "My place is on the eleventh floor. Natsukawa-san's is on the tenth… Do you want to stop by my place first, drop off your bags, and have some tea, or go straight to the tenth floor?"
"You'd invite us to your place for tea?" Yuu was surprised. "I thought you'd kick us out once the task was done."
Yukino glanced at him, saying flatly, "You don't have to come. Or rather, don't come. I don't want to use my guest-hosting etiquette on you."
Yuu shook his head. "We're friends. Don't be so formal."
Her black hair spun in a half-circle. Her clear eyes, like well water, fixed on him seriously.
"So, in your mind, I'm some rude person who brings friends to the door and then kicks them out?"
"…"
Yuu fell silent for a moment. Then he scratched the back of his neck in frustration and looked away.
"Alright, I misjudged you."
"Good that you know your mistake. I forgive you." Yukino nodded, her expression returning to calm and composed.
But Yuigahama, standing beside her, clearly saw Yukino's right hand, hidden behind her back, clench into a small victory gesture.
She's cute, but why does it feel so familiar to be left out like this?!
(Even though my relationship with Yuu-kun is closer now, why can't I join their conversation…)
"No, I can't think like that!"
Yuigahama shook her head. Not wanting the Service Club's atmosphere to change, she chose to overlook this small matter. Her relaxed, cheerful smile returned to her face as she followed her prospective boyfriend and best friend into the elevator.
"Then, let's go to Natsukawa-san's place first to deliver the documents, then rest at my place… It shouldn't be too late. If you want to head home early, that's fine."
The tenth-floor button lit up. Yukino glanced at both of them. After confirming they had no objections, she pressed the close-door button.
"Wait!"
Just before the elevator doors fully closed, a clear, beautiful voice rang out from the lobby, piercing straight into the ears of those inside.
Yukino reflexively pressed the open-door button. After realizing who the voice belonged to, she deeply regretted it, wishing she could cut off the hand that pressed it.
Why did she invite trouble when her kindness backfired!
"Yaa~ Almost missed it. As expected of Yukino-chan. You're trying so hard not to leave your big sister behind~"
The person hurried across the clean, bright floor. Her mature, gentle face was still flushed from rushing. As soon as she entered the elevator, she hugged Yukino's shoulders, affectionately rubbing her cheek against her hair.
Her tone sounded deeply moved, but her smile was rather mischievous.
"Let go…"
Yukino struggled to break free from her grip, reluctantly biting her lower lip. Her nose wrinkled, showing an annoyed expression somewhat similar to Yuu's earlier.
"I swear, next time I take the elevator, I won't wait for anyone… By the way, why are you here again, Nee-san? Don't you have university classes?"
"Look at the time. Classes are over~"
Speaking casually, Haruno glanced up at the elevator's rising floor display. She raised an eyebrow. "Tenth floor? Yukino-chan wouldn't press the wrong button. So, you have business with someone on the tenth floor?"
"None of your business."
Yukino brushed past Haruno. She looked at the back of the elevator, at the two whose shoulders and backs of hands were touching, and said helplessly, "Sorry. Someone annoying showed up… I'll invite you over another time."
"Oh, it's fine! Haruno-san isn't annoying at all!" Yuigahama quickly waved her hands. She cautiously glanced at the smiling college student, unconsciously using polite language. "On the contrary, we're the ones who shouldn't be intruding. Let's visit Yukinon's place again during the holidays when we all have free time."
Yukino's expression softened. She nodded with a smile.
At that moment, Yuu and Haruno locked eyes.
Since this wasn't his first time meeting her after her amnesia, Yuu remained calm. Haruno only showed a surprised expression when she rushed into the elevator.
After that, she stayed composed and relaxed, meeting his sharp gaze without changing her expression.
But whether it was his imagination or not…
Her gaze finally settled on the touching shoulders and hands of Yuu and Yuigahama. Her pupils shrank to pinpricks for a moment, then slowly widened.
Her inscrutable smile gradually spread. Her eyes narrowed into dark crescent moons.
"Arara? Ararara. Ararara~"
Haruno took a long, delighted breath. Tilting her head slightly, she laughed teasingly. "Isn't this Tenkuji-kun and Dango-chan? It's only been a few days, so why do you two look so intimate~"
"Eh? N-no, it's not like that…"
Yuigahama didn't even have time to feel embarrassed. She instinctively pulled her shoulder back, laughing awkwardly. Her fingers gently pinched the hem of Yuu's shirt, seeking comfort. She couldn't understand why her friend's older sister suddenly exuded such intense pressure.
Haruno saw the scene. Her expression vanished for a moment.
Then, she turned her deep, lightless eyes to Yuu. Her smile remained gentle and bright, like an older sister teasing her younger brother.
"Oh no, Dango-chan says it's not like that~"
"Tenkuji-kun, are you sad? Hmm?"
A final sigh-like sound drifted out.
A cold, heavy aura instantly enveloped the entire elevator, as if the cables had frozen from within, making the elevator ascend painfully slowly.
And in the midst of that chilling atmosphere, Yuu, stared at emotionlessly by her, felt his heart pound inexplicably.
"Haruno-san…"