Kiyono greeted politely, while across from him Yanami was expressionless, her pearly teeth already biting tiny cracks into the plastic spoon.
"Kiyono is even more handsome than in his photos! I've always been your fan. The stories you write combine the beauty of traditional literature with the wonderful aspirations that only we young people understand…"
The girl with the round face, cheeks flushed, handed over a notebook.
"Could I trouble you for an autograph? Please write, 'To Little Kaoru, who will always love you!'"
"And, and me! If you don't mind, could I get your contact information? I'd like to discuss Schopenhauer, Freud, Sartre, and the evolution of literature with you…"
Yanami's toes tapped incessantly on the ground.
Kiyono glanced at the blue-haired girl and simply signed the autograph. Curious about the commotion, many students gathered around, and upon hearing his name, they instantly became equally enthusiastic—most of them girls, pushing the blue-haired girl out of the way.
This whole incident finally ended with Yanami dragging him away.
After that, Yanami let go of his hand and walked ahead without a word.
"You're the only one allowed," her voice was muffled. "Kiyono actually enjoys being admired, doesn't he?"
"It's not exactly like that…"
Kiyono coughed. Seeing this, Yanami gritted her teeth and quickened her pace, deciding that for the rest of today… no, for the next ten minutes, she wouldn't speak to him!
This idiot!
Then, her hand was suddenly gently held.
Feeling that warm touch, the blue-haired girl's heart trembled, and a blush appeared on her pretty face, but she didn't turn back, only saying in a cold voice:
"What do you want?"
"Well…" Kiyono said, "actually, I didn't sign any exclusive titles, nor did I give out my contact information."
Yanami's breath hitched.
"In situations like that just now, I'm just an emotionless printer. And those special writing permissions…" Kiyono smiled again and said, "have already been monopolized by a certain editor, Miss."
Yanami's earlobes and eyelids were burning hot.
After saying this, Kiyono tried to release her hand, but the girl held it back, refusing to let go.
---
Kiyono went home.
Literally, he returned to the Yukinoshita family.
But this trip was not to elevate his status above the family's ceiling, but for another major life event—
University.
After entering their second year of high school, with only a year left until the college entrance exam, those with ambition and family wealth had already begun private tutoring, drilling problem sets, creating mock exams, and collecting and analyzing current score lines, all focused on getting a head start.
And Yukinoshita's mother, as a member of high society, also felt a faint sense of crisis amidst the military-like preparations of others—Kiyono, as a character with maxed-out initial stats, must not betray the family's glory.
Getting into Tokyo University and bringing honor to the family—the time is now.
In the tea room, the bamboo water spout clacked up and down, and Kiyono's heart also thumped up and down. At this moment, he looked at the pile of study guides and exam papers, taller than the table, his mouth slightly agape.
"Th-that, Auntie…" He struggled stubbornly, "actually, I could start tutoring in my third year of high school. You should have faith in my talent!"
His admired senior had achieved the feat of getting into Tokyo University in three months! Although he might not be able to accomplish such a thing, half a year would be completely sufficient! Doing practice problems from now until the end of next year…
Kiyono's scalp tingled, and he instinctively wanted to flee.
However, his request was denied.
The elegant kimono-clad beauty sat in front of the low table, sipping tea. Her face, showing no signs of age, had soft contours. Hearing his words, she gave the young man a chiding look.
"This child, why does he always think of overworking himself? Accumulating knowledge and then unleashing it is the true path. That is the top-tier university, and you will face the most outstanding students. No amount of preparation is too much."
Yukinoshita Haruno, sitting beside him, watched this scene, her eyes curving like two exquisite crescent moons—she and Yukino had also been called back by their mother.
She nudged Kiyono with her elbow, her face full of an instigating, expectant expression, and whispered:
"This is a good opportunity. Quickly rebel against Mother's tyranny. I'll cheer you on from the side."
"Do what you want to do yourself, don't make me do it," Kiyono whispered back.
Mainly, he felt it wasn't necessary. As long as he demonstrated unparalleled problem-solving ability, he believed the person in charge would surely return his freedom!
"Coward, idiot, wimp! Are you still a man? How will you manage the family later like this!" Haruno reached out and pinched his waist, exasperated.
Meanwhile, Yukino, on the other side, watched their interaction and sighed helplessly. In fact, she shared her mother's view.
After a pause, Yukino's gaze moved to her mother's face. She hesitated for a moment, took a breath, and quietly encouraged herself in her heart, trying to keep her tone steady:
"Mother… I also want to go to Tokyo University."
This was an idea she'd had for a long time. After all, she had several years more than others, so getting into the top university wouldn't be difficult.
If she could get into Tokyo University, then she should have some advantages in various aspects, and it would also count as truly winning against her sister once…
And, she could continue to be at the same school as Kiyono.
As her words fell, Yukinoshita Yukino secretly peeked at the expressions of the three. Her mother seemed to be pondering, her sister's expression was strange, and Kiyono… that guy wasn't important. The silence in the air made her anxious.
"Is that so, Yukino wants to go to that school…"
Haruno murmured softly, as if savoring the meaning behind the words, her dark blue eyes also looking at her mother.
The kimono-clad beauty tapped her palm with a folding fan and asked with a smile, "Yukino, are you serious about pursuing a career in politics and business? Or do you just want to get into a good school? Or…"
"A little bit of everything, I guess…" Yukino lowered her head and whispered.
"What kind of answer is that? When discussing aspirations, at least on the surface, you should give some more dignified reasons," Yukinoshita's mother's smile remained gentle. "If you can't even convince yourself, how can you convince others?"
"This is my goal."
Outside the paper door, the clear clack of the bamboo pipe hitting stone echoed, making Yukino's body tingle and her feel even less confident. She instinctively looked at Kiyono with her shimmering eyes; when facing her mother and sister, he was the only one she could rely on…
"Then you can try it with Kiyono. Getting a higher score is always a good thing," Yukinoshita's mother decided to observe for a while.
Haruno suddenly felt a bit agitated. She once again saw Yukino standing against her. She had reminded her sister many times that ahead was a bottomless pit that could kill a person, yet this girl still secretly ran to the edge of the pit, trying to jump down.
She even wanted to say, Then let's switch—but she was also unwilling and couldn't bear it. In fact, she had recently found her life a little more interesting because she thought of Kiyono. This boy, whom she had watched grow up, would surely protect her well in the future, she thought, and with that, a glimmer of anticipation arose within her.
—Of course, even if they switched, the prize (Kiyono) would still be hers!
Kiyono frowned. Weren't they discussing his Tokyo University journey? How did the topic suddenly shift to a sisterly rivalry! If it were before, he would definitely be a staunch vassal of the Yukino faction, but hearts are made of flesh, and whether it's medium-sized Yukino or small-sized Yukino, he wants to support them both equally!
He bravely stepped forward.
"I'm going to apply to the Tokyo University Department of Arts!"
The moment this explosive declaration resounded in the tea room, three pairs of eyes, carved from ice and snow, simultaneously burst forth with sharp, cold light. Yukinoshita Haruno gasped in amazement, Yukinoshita Yukino's teacup hovered at her cherry lips, and Yukinoshita's mother, at the head of the table, even put down the teacup she had already raised to her mouth.
The scene turned into a mix of persuasion, criticism, and teasing directed at him, with the three Yukinoshita women's voices intertwining like a triple concerto. This self-destructive method of diverting firepower, though shameless, was remarkably effective on the perfectionists of the Yukinoshita family.
After a flurry of commotion, Yukinoshita's mother elegantly tapped the saucer of her teacup. With a crisp porcelain chime, the paper door opened. In the afterglow of the setting sun, two dark figures emerged like summoned beasts from the demon world.
"These are the special lecturers I've hired for you."
Kiyono's mouth twitched.
The woman on the left wore gold-rimmed glasses, the reflection in the lenses showing the coldness of knowledge. The man on the right, an uncle, held a volume of Shōwa-era literature, and in the reflection of his bald head, the lingering images of Natsume Sōseki and Mori Ōgai engaging in academic debate were faintly visible. Behind them, a dark miasma rose—the wings of Satan and the pointed horns of Mephistopheles!
"Yukino, Yukino, save me!"
Kiyono was personally escorted to the study by an Aikidō master, beginning his journey as a study fanatic.
Reading, studying, reading, studying…
Some knowledge only needed to be memorized and saved in his historical records, while other knowledge truly required serious thought and study, and then…
The weekend was about to end.
But every weekend from now on, he would have to undergo spot checks, tests, and assessments from the two masters. Most importantly, he would be living with the Yukinoshita family again, because the older Yukino would personally supervise him—to prevent him from running off to play baseball or games.
After two days of high-intensity input, Kiyono felt a bit dizzy. He found a gap, got up, and went outside to look at the scenery and rest for a while.
The moonlight was bright and dappled, spreading across the courtyard.
Just then, the crisp sound of footsteps in the corridor echoed from far to near. A clear, transparent voice, wrapped in night dew, drifted over. A black-haired woman leaned against a weeping cherry tree, silhouetted against the moonlight.
"Is today's special training over?" Yukinoshita Haruno asked with a smile.
"Still over an hour left," Kiyono sighed melancholically. "Just watch, today I shall single-handedly conquer this endless battlefield of problems!"
Yukinoshita Haruno looked at him like that, blinking her eyes, which sparkled brightly in the moonlight, like a little girl about to do something mischievous. She suddenly said:
"Want to go have dinner together?"
"Now?" Kiyono's heart stirred.
"Now."
"…Let's go."
Their gazes met in a silent agreement, a moment of respite in what seemed like a brief period of freedom.
Yukinoshita Haruno's eyes curved into a smile. She grabbed the young man's wrist and dashed out, her dress and sash brushing against the stone lantern, startling a flurry of fireflies. In a daze, it was as if they had returned to the Heian period, eloping with Hikaru Genji under the moonlight.
Was she simply finding it fun, or was she seeing her past self?
At that moment, Kiyono seemed to stand in the folds of time, lost in thought. Was Haruno also hoping that someone would take her toward the unknown night when her soul was weary?
He didn't know this yet, and what he also didn't know was that after the two had quietly slipped out, the cool, black-haired girl with waist-length hair frowned, searching back and forth for the young man's figure.
—Where did that guy run off to? I even prepared him a nutritious snack today.
However…
"Wait? The main gate is in the opposite direction!"
"Shh—"
Haruno turned around, placing her index finger on his lips, her smile pure and alluring.
"This is the proper opening for an escape drama."
The evening breeze was gentle, and the barbecue brought with it the smell of everyday life.
In front of the barbecue stall, the owner oiled and arranged skewers, slowly grilling them. Yukinoshita Haruno boldly bought two bottles of alcohol and handed Kiyono a bottle of non-alcoholic sweet wine.
Amidst the flickering charcoal fire, warm orange sparks mixed with the scent of cumin danced in the evening breeze. In the distance, the glass curtain walls under the night sky reflected a flowing river of lights, as if someone had crushed a galaxy and mixed it in.
The stylish and beautiful woman propped her chin with one hand, smiling at him:
"Want to have a drink with your big sister? Maybe something unexpected will happen."
"Is the Young Lady feeling pressure from her awakened younger sister, so she wants to win over me, this second son, in advance?" Kiyono deliberately said.
"Hmph, pressure? Are you referring to Yukino?"
Haruno raised her slender eyebrows high, unconsciously crossing her arms across her chest, as if emphasizing something.
"I shouldn't compare the Second Young Lady to you, I apologize," Kiyono said solemnly.
That's more like it, Haruno nodded in satisfaction.
She stretched out her long, slender hands, looking at her fingernails, her voice ethereal, not like a Genji prince riding off into the distance, but rather like a ghostly maiden.
"Kiyono, do you have an ideal?"
Her timeline had officially reconnected with another world, but just now, facing her mother, she suddenly realized that she hadn't made any changes at all. Whether it was her mother's affairs or her sister's affairs, she was still the same as before.
She had no ideals, no goals, couldn't find her true self, only Kiyono. Her life had only Kiyono as its sole variable. She unconsciously kept watching him.
It seems the Young Lady's psychological problems are getting more and more serious, and Haruno is too special and too mature. Even I can't remove her mask.
Kiyono pondered slightly.
"To be precise, there should be different ideals at different stages, right? The ideal when begging is, of course, to be well-fed and clothed. Only after satisfying hunger can one think about life's matters."
"What is your ideal now?" Haruno looked up at him.
"To reach higher clouds, and to bring happiness to everyone around me."
—He answered like that.
If any other man had said that to her, she would 100% think he was being glib and would immediately blacklist him, but if it was Kiyono… she inexplicably believed he was serious.