Both in open-window corridors, bare tree branch ends, and school gate paths, all filled with raging winter cold winds.
Thus, before leaving school, Yuu and Yukino visited first-floor back stairs vending machine.
Yuu himself not cold-fearful, but Yukino half-face scarf-covered, might need hot drink warm hands body.
"Already this cold end November. Should be White Christmas year."
Yuu inserted coins, randomly picked hot coffee can. Clunk as fell.
Took coffee, stepped back, let Yukino forward.
"Possibly. Such holidays unrelated to me," Yukino coldly replied.
"Who said? We imitate SOS Brigade, Christmas party club room... Ah, know buy drink? Teach?"
Yuu feigned kindness.
Yukino inserted coins mimicking, selected hot tea can, coldly glanced opposite him.
"Don't treat me ignorant Young Miss."
Not threat, cold warning, made Yuu halt joking expression.
"Understood, sorry... Mood bad?"
Seemed since leaving meeting room, Yukino mood not high. As chest burden, lazy bear.
"Nothing." Yukino took tea, left immediately.
Yuu followed: "Still lie to me? But high EQ, won't ask more... Anyway, gloves Christmas gift?"
Yukino warming fingers on aluminum surface, paused steps briefly, continued without turning.
"Whatever give. But already have gloves, no need wear yours."
"Have, why not wear? Like train finger freeze endurance?"
"Just left home."
"Good. Later give gloves, carry myself so can't take, block your house daily, force on hands. See still forget."
Yukino walked as unheard. Pink slender fingertips protruded sleeve. Pulled tea tab slight force, rested can edge soft lips, left shallow trace.
As cooling tea or sigh, after moments soft voice:
"...Flirt."
[Ding!]
[Congrats, Host reward: Cat Petting (Proficient Level).]
Yuu voiced dissatisfaction: "What's flirt? Just normal care, okay?"
Yukino unshaken, flat tone: "Seeing that normal care proof you're flirt."
"Think prejudiced against me."
"Right."
"Coincidentally, me too."
"...Say."
"Thought... Ah, forget."
"Childish."
Yukino gently kicked. Though expression cold, Yuu laughed happily.
Dare argue means mood far better. If truly mad/dislike, completely ignore, treat invisible.
Both side-by-side left school. Walked quiet streets. Can drinks diminished.
Secretly avoided detailed Yuigahama talk issues. Random chatted committee class activities small things. Interaction mode like club room, but subtle unstated change.
Not closer, but mutual teasing arguing frequency unconsciously reduced.
Friends? Couple? Seemingly relationship type unimportant.
Just spent time most natural, comfortable way.
...But some things must ask.
Unsure how far Yuigahama house. Yukino followed down long slope. After hesitation, frankly asked:
"Tenkuji-kun, surely know... Nee-san interested in you."
Yuu startled briefly. Expression little changed. Nodded: "Know. No hide attempt."
Saying, suddenly recalled, couldn't help frown.
"Not just last question, perhaps used you spy, gather my info through?"
"...Sorry." Yukino slightly bowed head, admitted.
"This person tireless..." Yuu heavy sighed. Scratched short hair: "No need apologize. Anyway, meet time little, knowable limited. No harm."
"Rest assured, rejected her yesterday. Won't do again future." After firm oath-like tone, Yukino voice unconsciously smaller: "Anyway, promised you to..."
Date him, complete Ideal Boyfriend task.
"Dating" word, Yukino still couldn't say calmly—at least not now.
"Hm, don't pressure self." Yuu deliberately old tone. Seriously patted shoulder, voice hoarse faked: "Company trusts you. Our generation best employee. Fight, Da Yo!"
"What nonsense..." Yukino half-laugh half-cry, but wanted say not this, didn't let topic drag.
Pursed lips. Expression slightly dark, spoke again:
"Yesterday home, advised Nee-san give up on you soon. One-sided love continuous yields nothing."
"..."
Yuu breath hitched. Held eye surprise. Stared oddly.
"Then, scolded by her..." Loss bitterness unconsciously face. Yukino soft sighed. Fingers rubbed tea can edge: "First time spoke emotionless tone. Clearly, really angry."
"Natural..." Yuu pressed temples. Felt slight headache.
To memory-recovered Haruno, "One-sided love yields nothing. Give up," like to long-distance couple: "She forgot you, found other woman. Break up."
Stepping minefield, 360 Thomas spin inside. With sensitive nature, odd not explode.
If not sister saying, Haruno might slap too...
As for Yuu, initially fine, but likely someday drugged unaware, basement locked. Turned butter puppy only yell: "Onee-san, want more various ways, right?"
Terrifying. Thank System.
Yuu secretly patted chest, grateful. Yukino not as optimistic.
"Feelings for you deeper expected... Even madness level."
Inhaled cold air, Yukino halted. Looked up, stared Yuu eyes, seeking brightest morning star twilight sky.
"If knows our relationship, jealousy likely impulsive acts disrupt destroy. Even involving me, won't abandon goal."
"Since child, Yukinoshita Haruno does whatever wants, mostly succeeds... Also figure always chased, shamed me."
Unconsciously gripped empty aluminum can, suppressed heart contradictory feelings. Yukino stood straight, calmly stared. Voice thin clear ice surface:
"Dating you targets me, but don't know handle. No solutions—So, only beg you."
"Tenkuji-kun, can I trust you?"