Just as Haruno had predicted, the name flashing on Yukino's phone screen was indeed Minamoto Senya.
Since both her mother and sister were nearby, she had hurried out into the garden to take the call. But now, with no one around, she wasn't in such a rush to answer anymore.
Ever since learning from Eriri that Senya had started writing a novel to submit to a contest, Yukino had been wrapped up in subtle, complicated feelings. Because of that, she let the phone buzz several more times before finally picking it up.
"Good morning."
The moment the call connected, Senya greeted her politely.
His voice had changed slightly—deepening as he moved through puberty, sounding less like the boy she remembered and more like a young man. It was richer now, magnetic in a way that caught her off guard.
"…Mm."
Yukino gave only a quiet reply. Bathed in the silk-soft morning sunlight, she strolled slowly down the path of white gravel. Frost still clung to the flowerbeds, dew dripping from folded leaves and tracing silvery lines along the blades of grass.
This winter was milder than the last. There was no heavy chill in the air, no sign of snow.
"…."
Senya fell silent.
That faint coldness in her tone, the vague distance it implied—and the fact she had let the phone ring so long before answering—it all made the atmosphere unmistakably strained.
"…Did you just wake up?" he asked after a moment.
"No." Yukino frowned faintly. She had no idea why he would ask something like that.
Senya cleared his throat. "…Are you feeling sick?"
"…" Yukino's brows furrowed further. "No. What exactly are you trying to say?"
"If it's not that, then why are you mad?"
Having failed twice with soft probes, Senya cut straight to the point.
Yukino froze, caught off guard.
Only when he said it outright did she realize—yes, she was upset with him.
But how could he have noticed, through the phone no less?
Just from her one-word reply?
For some reason, her mood lightened.
She didn't want to lie and deny it. But neither did she want to admit it outright, like some childish girl sulking over nothing.
So after a soft sigh to steady herself, she chose to redirect.
"…You didn't call just to test my mood, did you?"
Her non-denial was as good as a confession.
Senya knew her well enough—just like Eriri, Yukino wasn't hard to read once you learned her patterns.
"No. Same as always. It's Christmas—let's all meet up."
"…Aren't you supposed to be writing your novel?"
"I'm almost finished."
"Which means it isn't finished. You shouldn't waste time on something like this."
"Spending time with friends isn't a waste."
By now, Senya had no doubt—Yukino was sulking. He wasn't entirely sure why, but figuring that out could wait.
Before she could argue further, he spoke quickly:
"Hold on. I'll let Eriri talk to you."
Surely, even if Yukino was annoyed with him, she wouldn't take it out on someone else.
"…Wait—" Yukino began, but it was too late.
Eriri's bright, energetic voice burst through the receiver:
"Yukino! Come hang out with us! I'm heading to the mall to buy clothes for New Year's—let's pick a meeting spot!"
"I've gotta shop for my family too, so let's go together!"
Rokka's cheerful voice chimed in as well, her laughter spilling through the line.
Caught in their infectious excitement—their bubbly chatter, their playful back-and-forth—Yukino couldn't maintain the frosty tone she'd been using with Senya.
Pushed step by step, she eventually gave in, agreeing to meet them. The phone passed back to Senya.
"…Mm?" His tone carried unmistakable amusement. He was definitely smiling.
"You're despicable," Yukino muttered. She had fallen for this kind of trick before.
Senya only chuckled. "See you later."
After he hung up, Yukino felt the sting of defeat. She wanted to plot some kind of payback, but no good idea came to mind.
Still frowning faintly, she returned to the living room. She opened her mouth to tell her mother and sister she was heading out, only to notice the way both of them were staring at her—amused, knowing looks.
"You're smiling so brightly," Haruno teased. "Got a date?"
"If you'll be late tonight, make sure to call. I'll have the driver pick you up," their mother added smoothly.
Without Yukino saying a word, they had already seen straight through her.
Their quiet, unspoken understanding left her cheeks burning. She couldn't think of a retort. She simply nodded once, then hurried upstairs to change clothes.
But inside, she was already plotting.
When she saw Senya later, she would make sure he paid for tricking her again.
Always letting him get the upper hand—how ridiculous was that?
The only problem was… he was clever, athletic, and had no obvious weaknesses.
That made things tricky.
By three o'clock that afternoon, Yukino arrived at the Minamoto house with Rokka and Eriri.
Though it had been months since she last visited, Yukino's expression remained calm when Senya greeted them at the entrance, taking their bags with quiet politeness.
In the living room, she kept her composure as well. Unlike Eriri's first visit, when she had been flustered upon seeing Utaha lounging comfortably in loungewear, Yukino merely exchanged a brief greeting with Kasumigaoka before taking a seat.
"Rokka, did you buy the cards I asked for?"
"Yep! All different styles."
Senya nodded as she laid the cards on the table, followed by strings of tinsel and Christmas ornaments.
"You two go ahead and start decorating. I need to talk with Yukino alone."
Things were different now—the household had more money. Just yesterday, Senya had even ordered a small fir tree to be delivered, to serve as an indoor Christmas tree.
Tohka had scolded him privately for spending recklessly, but Senya had only smiled. If it made everyone happy, it was worth the price.
"Leave it to us," Eriri chirped, seizing the chance. She had no idea what Senya and Yukino needed to discuss, but she was happy to take over. And seeing Utaha's thinly veiled suspicion only made her more smug.
Serves her right. Only Yukino can handle this woman.
Yukino said nothing, simply following Senya upstairs.
On the landing, they bumped into Tohka.
"It's been a while, Yukino-chan," she said warmly. "Looks like life abroad has treated you well. You've grown even lovelier."
Yukino's usual cool expression softened at once. "T-Tohka-san… it's been a long time. I'm sorry for disturbing you."
Her cheeks colored faintly at the compliment.
After a brief chat, Tohka headed downstairs, and Senya led Yukino into his room.
Left alone, Senya muttered half to himself, "…Would be nice if you treated me with that kind of respect too."
Yukino's gaze flicked downward, her voice cool. "Respect must be earned."
He smirked, but he hadn't brought her here to bicker—though that was always entertaining.
From his desk, he picked up a blue file folder and held it out to her.
Yukino eyed it without taking it. "What's this?"
"My novel. A full-length mystery. Eriri drew the illustrations."
"…Didn't you say on the phone it wasn't finished?"
"The manuscript's complete. I just need to do a final check before submitting. The deadline's only a few days away."
"And you've had a professional novelist helping you, haven't you? She seems very… comfortable here. Still in her pajamas when I saw her earlier. She must be used to living in your house by now."
Yukino wrinkled her nose. She could almost smell the insinuation in the air.
Senya's voice remained even. "She helps where she can. But I wanted you to read it. To hear your thoughts."
Yukino stared at the folder, making no move to take it.
With a faint sigh, Senya stepped forward, caught her wrist gently, and pressed the folder into her hand. His gaze met hers, steady.
"…Honestly, I hadn't planned on telling you about this at all."
Yukino's grip tightened. She almost wanted to smack him with the file right then.
He turned slightly away, sunlight spilling through the window and casting a warm halo around his figure.
"…Because I'm not certain I can win. If I told you proudly, then failed, it would feel humiliating."
Yukino stared at him, speechless.
The way he fumbled through his explanation, scratching his cheek, trying so hard to appear casual—he was terrible at hiding his real feelings.
Her heart leapt unexpectedly.
Before she realized it, the corners of her lips had lifted into the faintest smile.
So that's it. He wanted to impress me. He didn't want me to see him fail.
How childish. How unnecessary.
Even without winning, to me you're already…
She drew a deep breath, clutching the folder to her chest. "…I understand. May I read it now?"
Her voice was soft again, the edge of coldness gone, replaced by something gentler.
Senya nodded, pulling out a chair for her. "It might not be very good. Don't laugh."
"I would never be so rude," she said calmly. But then she hesitated. "Though… I promised Eriri and Rokka I'd help decorate the tree."
"I can take care of that. You read."
Yukino shook her head firmly. "No. I already gave them my word."
"How long is it, anyway?"
"About 180,000 words."
"Mm. Then I'll take it home. I'll read it tonight and give you my thoughts tomorrow."
"No need to stay up—"
"I'll manage."
When they came back downstairs, Senya eyed her lighter expression and teased, "Not mad anymore, huh?"
Yukino glanced at him sidelong. "I was never mad."
Maybe she had been, just a little. But now that she knew the truth—that she mattered to him enough for him to hide his insecurities—those feelings had melted away.
"Must've been my mistake, then."
"…Perhaps."
Senya chuckled to himself. He knew he had won her over.
That evening, after dinner at the Minamoto house, Yukino excused herself early. She was too eager to dive into Senya's manuscript.
By eight o'clock she was home again.
After thanking the driver, she slipped inside, the folder clutched tightly to her chest.
In the living room, Haruno was watching TV. Their father sat at the dining table with a late meal while their mother poured him sake.
"Papa, Mama, Haruno—I'm back."
She gave her usual polite greeting, then turned to head straight upstairs.
But Haruno's sharp eyes caught the folder in her arms.
"Yukino~ what's that you're holding?"
"…Senya's novel."
"Oh? He finished it already? Let me read it!"
"No." Yukino hugged the folder tighter, like a cat protecting its meal.
She must have realized how sharp her refusal sounded, because after a beat she added: "It hasn't been published yet. Since he's submitting it to a contest, it wouldn't be right to risk leaking it."
Without waiting for a reaction, she turned and hurried upstairs.
Haruno watched her retreat, then burst out laughing. "Mama, did you hear that? Yukino just said Senya's book will be published—she's already assuming it. And she called me an 'outsider.' Which means, clearly, she considers him family now!"
"Don't talk nonsense," their mother chided. But the faint smile on her lips betrayed her agreement.
As for their father, he said nothing—just drained his sake in one gulp, looking very much like a man resigned to his fate.
Meanwhile, Yukino shut herself in her room. She sat down at her desk, carefully opened the folder, and read the title page.
Astrology Murder Magic
Her eyes widened.
Flipping to the first chapter—Azoth.
Mercury, she noted absently. Why that title?
She didn't dwell on it, diving instead into the text.
"…This is my will. Or perhaps, more accurately, both a will and a novel. Whoever reads these words, I hope you will sense the intent woven into this story and decide freely how to handle my inheritance."
After the short monologue, the narrative began in earnest.
As Yukino read, the puzzles of the mystery pulled her in deeper and deeper. Her eyes shone with growing brightness, her heart racing as the story unfolded.
And before long, she was completely immersed.