If it weren't for Yumiko, Yuigahama wouldn't have known what happened while she was searching for someone and failing during lunch break.
"Yuu-kun saved Yukinon at the school gate, and everyone's saying they're secretly dating?"
During the afternoon class break, she stared at her friend with a confused expression, her mind struggling to process the logic.
"That's what my friend said, anyway. She's also on the festival committee."
Twirling her drill-shaped blonde hair, Yumiko smirked:
"Not to mention Tenkuji's stunt of smashing a three-meter wooden pillar with one punch and saving the beautiful girl. Just seeing how they looked at each other, no one would believe they're not dating… There's also a kid from Class J who said Yukinoshita smiled more today than he's seen in two years. He was muttering something like, 'So the Snow Queen can smile too,' or whatever."
At this point, Yumiko eyed Yuigahama suspiciously: "Hey, Yui, are you really dating that Tenkuji guy?"
"Y-Yeah, that's right…"
Yuigahama hesitated for a moment, unable to stop herself from glancing at Yuu in the distance.
Yumiko pressed on: "Then what's his deal with Yukinoshita? Is it just a rumor, or is there really something going on? Isn't Yukinoshita your friend? Is he hitting on her?"
"It's a rumor! Of course it's a rumor! Yukinon and Yuu-kun are just really good friends!"
Snapping out of her confusion, Yuigahama hurriedly waved both hands and explained: "Sure, Yukinon doesn't smile often, but she smiles at me too. That doesn't prove anything! Besides, Yuu-kun's not the type to two-time!"
"…Hmph, who knows. Anyway, I suggest you keep an eye on him. You can't be careless with scummy guys."
The confrontational aura she'd built up slowly dissipated. Yumiko leaned back in her chair, lazily inspecting her nails: "So, Yui, when are you free to ditch that guy and hang out with us?"
"Hahaha~ Next time, for sure!"
After calming her friend who was standing up for her, Yuigahama held herself together until after school, until the prop group work was done, and until Yuu invited her to walk home together.
"Ugh, Yuu-kun, is there something you want to talk to me about?"
After leaving the classroom and walking down the corridor toward the stairs, Yuigahama puffed out her round cheeks, staring at his profile with a look full of complaints.
Yuu thought for a moment and quickly understood what she meant.
After all, the things related to him that happened today, which she'd care so much about, could only be a few.
"Though I don't know what you're getting at." Yuu said, completely unfazed, speaking casually, "didn't I go to the cafeteria with Totsuka for lunch? After eating, I walked alone to the sports field and happened to run into Yukinoshita at the school gate…"
After briefly recounting what happened at noon, Yuigahama nodded as if she finally understood. She didn't even care about their relationship, immediately asking with concern: "Yukinon's definitely not hurt, right? And you, Yuu-kun…"
She forcefully grabbed his arm, rolling up his sleeve. Her soft, marshmallow-like fingers gently wrapped around it, carefully inspecting from his knuckles to his arm. Only after confirming there were no injuries did she sigh in relief.
Once she finished checking, Yuu smiled, pulled her hand, and patted her head.
"Ordinary wood can't hurt me. Relax."
Yuigahama didn't look away. She stared at him seriously, like a strict female teacher catching a student cheating, giving him no chance to dodge:
"Even so, next time there's an accident like this, avoid it if you can. Don't do cool-looking things that might hurt you!"
Sensing the worry in her words, Yuu nodded honestly.
"I know. Won't happen again."
"Sora-chan would worry."
"Mhm."
"I'd worry too."
"Mhm."
"Anything besides 'mhm'?"
"The people who like me even more would worry too."
Yuigahama blinked, tilting her head in confusion: "People who like you even more?"
"I mean, for the sake of those who care about me, I shouldn't do dangerous things like that."
Yuu rubbed her face, a bit helplessly: "Alright, enough. I've reflected. Don't lecture me like I'm a kid."
"Who told you to do stuff like that when I wasn't around… Besides me, no one else would lecture you."
Yuigahama muttered, swinging his arm like she was sulking. She suddenly giggled shyly: "Ehehe~ Do I seem like a controlling wife?"
Yuu smirked: "You mean a nagging wife. Nagging wife Yui."
"…"
Expressionless, Yuigahama let go of his hand and stomped hard on the back of his foot.
Damn it. If he kept saying things like that to her, no amount of love would survive!
As she thought angrily, a familiar figure suddenly walked ahead of her.
Her black hair fluttered like tassels. Her beautiful, elegant side profile was framed by the bright, comforting lines of the sunset. Her smooth, fair face glowed softly like porcelain.
Yuigahama immediately left him behind, raising her hand and calling out cheerfully:
"Yukinon? Yahallo~"
Yukino, who was looking at some documents, looked up. She froze for a moment upon seeing them approaching, instinctively glancing at Yuu first before shifting her gaze to Yuigahama.
"You're heading home already?"
Yuigahama quickened her pace, affectionately hugging her arm. Her smile bloomed: "Yeah~ Yukinon's still busy with committee stuff? Want us to wait for you?"
"…Better not." After thinking for a moment, Yukino shook her head gently. "I'll probably be busy until the school gate closes. No need to make you wait that long."
"I see. Let's go home together next time then." Yuigahama looked at her face, her smile unconsciously fading. She asked worriedly, "But Yukinon, is the committee work really busy? You look so tired…"
"It's not that I'm not tired, but it's still within what I can handle." Yukino rubbed her forehead, which had been furrowed since who-knows-when, and sighed softly. "Too many people are dragging things down, but what can I do? The capable ones work harder."
Yuu suddenly spoke up, his tone carrying unabashed criticism: "The capable ones working harder is the most shameful value. It only makes more people content with being mediocre."
Yukino paused slightly. Then she looked up, pursing her soft lips, staring at him with an indifferent gaze.
"Oh no…"
Sensing the storm-like atmosphere brewing, Yuigahama instantly went on high alert. She held her breath, preparing to defuse the spreading cold war.
The next second, amid their locked gazes, Yukino spoke first:
"You think I don't know that? The reality is, there's no one reliable. Capable or not, I have to take on more work."
Yuu shot back immediately, leaving her no room to hide:
"The reality is, the festival committee's workload is getting heavier. The other members are all useless. To avoid overworking yourself, you need more 'capable' help—right."
Yukino turned her face away: "No need."
"I'm your friend."
Yukino puffed out her cheeks slightly: "…For now, no need."
"Still holding up?"
Yukino snorted coldly: "Don't underestimate me."
"If you can't handle it, say so. Helping each other as friends is normal."
Her expression calmed: "You don't need to say so much. I know my limits."
"Then come to my place this weekend. We'll cook with the others. You have free time."
"…Hah. The address?"
"I'll send it to you later."
Amid Yuu's triumphant smile, Yukino let out a long, helpless sigh. But the stiffness at the corners of her lips softened slightly. Her entire demeanor seemed more spirited.
"I'll head off then. See you tomorrow."
After saying that to Yuigahama, she passed by them both. Her posture was still fresh and supple like a willow branch, stepping toward the staff room.
"Such a stubborn person."
Yuu shook his head, then patted the shocked and confused Yuigahama's shoulder, saying with amusement: "Snap out of it, Yui. Why're you spacing out?"
"…"
Staring blankly at his relaxed, bright smile and Yukino's retreating figure, Yuigahama thought:
(You still dare ask why I'm spacing out?!)
She suddenly felt that what she missed wasn't just lunch break but an entire volume of a novel!