——Mori Shinra's Home——
While looking around Mori Shinra's living room, Haruno asked, "How did my cooking compare to Yukino's?"
"Each has its own merits."
Mori Shinra answered impartially, preparing tea for her at the same time.
A guest has come to my home, so I must be a good host.
Not to mention, Haruno is my request issuer, the kind that glows gold.
Since she followed me home, she must have something to say.
That something is most likely related to the upcoming purple wish power request.
"I actually think Yukino's cooking is a bit better than mine," Haruno said.
Admittedly, her own might be superior in terms of flavor, but when it came to actually eating it, Haruno preferred Yukino's food.
Perhaps for psychological reasons, Haruno always felt Yukino's cooking had more soul than hers.
"Coincidentally, Yukino thinks your cooking is better than hers," Mori Shinra said with a shrug.
"Is that so? I'll have to ask her that to her face next time."
"She definitely wouldn't say that to your face."
"That's true. After all, Yukino-chan has never been a very honest child. But from this perspective, it seems she trusts you more than me, her older sister," Haruno said, a little sourly.
"That's because the impression Haruno-san gives Yukino has never been very reliable," Mori Shinra retorted.
"Eh? I thought in your minds, I always had the image of a mature big sister."
"More like an evil big sister, right?"
"How mean..."
Mori Shinra knew very well that the woman in front of him was deliberately playing pitiful.
But even knowing she was faking it, he had to admit that her current appearance could really inspire a man's protective instincts.
She had a truly pitiable charm.
Thinking this, Mori Shinra brought the handmade pastries stored in the refrigerator and placed them in front of Haruno.
"Did you make these?" Haruno asked curiously, picking up a cookie.
Mori Shinra smiled and replied, "Your sister made them."
Yukinoshita Haruno: ...
Although I knew their relationship wasn't ordinary, I never thought my sister would actually make pastries for Mori Shinra.
Making pastries for Mori Shinra and inviting Mori Shinra to her home for dinner have completely different meanings.
At this rate, is the next step making him bento?
What a virtuous little girlfriend.
How long has it been? Is my sister this easy to get?
Haruno huffily tossed the cookie into her mouth.
After savoring it carefully, she realized it really was made by Yukino!
"You two really have a good relationship!" Haruno said, her tone laden with meaning.
"It's alright. Haruno-san must also receive pastries from Yukino often, right? You are sisters, after all," Mori Shinra said with a smile.
Yukinoshita Haruno replied with a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "Yes, I receive them often."
This was a lie.
Under normal circumstances, she could only taste her sister's pastries if she happened to run into Yukino while she was baking and then shamelessly asked for some.
As for Yukino making them specifically for her... that would probably only happen on her birthday or special holidays like New Year's.
In contrast, Mori Shinra not only got to eat them often, but there were even leftovers stored in the refrigerator, ready to be served to guests.
Damn it. Is this the legendary 'the person in the best position gets the prize'?
It must be because they are neighbors, living upstairs and downstairs.
Every time Yukino bakes, she just makes a little extra for Mori Shinra. It's definitely not that she made them specifically for him.
Yes! That must be it!
After a round of self-consolation, Haruno became even more certain of Mori Shinra's necessity.
Her estimation of his importance rose another level.
"Speaking of which, I haven't properly apologized for that car accident before," Haruno suddenly brought up the accident.
"Oh, that. Yukino already apologized to me. Besides, it wasn't your fault. Moreover, didn't the Yukinoshita family provide compensation and even fire the driver?" Mori Shinra waved his hand.
"That may be true, but before we were strangers. Now that we're familiar, I definitely have to show my gratitude in another way." As Haruno spoke, she lowered her head and rummaged through the bag she was carrying, pulling out two tickets and handing them to Mori Shinra.
"These are tickets for the Chiba Zoo's anniversary celebration. Things have been a bit busy at home lately, so I probably won't be able to accompany Yukino. I'll have to entrust her to you." Haruno was quite the professional when it came to playing support.
Mori Shinra took the tickets, asking with some confusion, "Why didn't you just give them to her earlier?"
"As you saw, if I had said it directly, Yukino-chan would probably think I was 'showing off' to her. You know what I mean, right?" Haruno winked at Mori Shinra.
After all, from Yukino's perspective, the more responsibilities Haruno is entrusted with, the more it symbolizes their mother's approval of her.
In contrast, Yukino, who moved out, seems all the more dispensable.
With Yukino's delicate nature, although she wouldn't say anything on the surface, she definitely wouldn't be feeling too good inside.
It was precisely for this reason that Haruno wanted Mori Shinra to accompany Yukino to the zoo.
And after their conversation at dinner, Haruno believed that with Mori Shinra's intelligence, he would definitely understand this point.
It had to be said, this guy Mori Shinra was the only one among her peers that Yukinoshita Haruno couldn't quite see through.
His sharpness, intelligence, and excellence were unlike anything Haruno had ever seen.
This was especially true of Yukino's descriptions of him, which were so exaggerated they bordered on distortion. If she didn't know Yukino was always truthful and wouldn't over-exaggerate, she would have thought Yukino was deliberately embellishing the facts just to show off her new boyfriend to her.
"Yukino might not necessarily want to go with me," Mori Shinra added as a disclaimer.
"I, on the other hand, think that if it's you, she will definitely agree."
"In that case, I'll accept this benefit. So, is it time to issue the request now?"
"You saying that makes it sound like I have ulterior motives."
"So there are none?"
Haruno was silent for a moment, then finally spoke, "Was I that obvious?"
Mori Shinra looked at the purple exclamation mark above Haruno's head.
It was indeed a bit obvious.
"It's not that bad. It's mainly because the Haruno-san I know wouldn't casually give away her time with her sister to someone else."
"Shinra-kun, you aren't just 'someone else,' you know."
"A friend, right?" Mori Shinra answered quickly.
If they hadn't had that previous conversation, Haruno might have thought Mori Shinra meant 'friend' in the normal sense.
But after that conversation, the meaning of 'friend' here was quite intriguing.
Haruno wasn't sure if Mori Shinra truly understood something, or if she herself was avoiding something.
In any case, that wasn't what she needed to consider right now.
She had only one request.
"You did a great job before, so please continue to ramp up your efforts."
As her voice fell, Mori Shinra seemed to hear a 'Ding~' in his ear.
You have a new request, please check~