Something definitely not good news for her about to happen soon.
Yuigahama felt premonition since yesterday separation. After one day reflection, felt increasingly real.
Initially not overthought, but after home alone think, realized anxiety ballooned swelling.
Couldn't control wandering mind. Scenes Yuu with other women, slowly distancing her kept flashing.
...Precisely because once had him, loss feeling now deeper than failed confession day.
But fundamentally, despite many efforts, Yuigahama never truly had him.
"Because Yuu-kun never truly admitted love to me, hasn't said date me..."
Slightly sad mutter echoed room.
Yuigahama knew Yuu disliked insincere words, disliked deceiving others—even if not Yukino, wouldn't fabricate comfort lies, much less fake feelings.
So, until Yuu personally said like and date, her position in heart always friend scope. Though very important friend, not girlfriend.
Affair more warning. Warning not keep liking, else disappointment only bigger.
Anyway, if dating fact absent, how call cheating?
"Annoying... Why negative thoughts always appear?"
Alone room, Yuigahama wiped nose. Tried smile self, though bitter.
Though said—"As long as you like me too, sure overcome any future problems!"—but now so pressured mere premonition.
Embarrassing. No progress. Words said shattered like paper one poke.
Precisely didn't want others see embarrassing appearance, Yuigahama chose skip today. Used study forget all, empty unnecessary brain thoughts.
Effect good, but after study done, thoughts reemerged like post-rain mushrooms. Plus mom's words...
"Ung, ung, ung, ung, aaaaah—!"
Suddenly scratched head hard. Didn't care painstaking bun now messy tangled hair. After frustrated yells, Yuigahama pulled chair, sat back undefeated spirit.
Problem? Do problems! No worry match super hard math headache!
Held pen, opened black notebook desk. As prepared empty mind, immerse knowledge world, cover page sentence suddenly caught eye.
"Some bear burden thirty years, some caged; some walk alone darkness, very long. Luckily always star opens way, so though thorny, journey not vain."
Wrote encourage self keep striving.
Thus, tried be beside. Finally felt one step away, but that step uncrossable.
Why so?
"Did I really mistake somewhere..."
Seeing sentence, Yuigahama sank reflection.
Unsure how long passed, sudden door knock awakened.
"Yui, friend visit~"
"Friend?" Yuigahama blinked. Eyed desk mirror. Reflex tidied messy face, asked: "Who?"
Mom voice faintly smiling.
"Of course, Yuu always think~"
"..."
Yuigahama froze stone-like. Mirror self still odd pose.
Outside door Mama Yuigahama very considerate, no urge, just quietly waited digest news.
"Eh—!!!"
Shocked three seconds, Yuigahama panicked yelled. Suddenly stood, unconsciously paced room.
"W-why Yuu-kun... Why come unannounced! Too sudden!"
"Maybe surprise~" Mama Yuigahama lightly, as watching show, unconcerned issue.
"Just shocked, no happy. Don't know face..." Mid-anxiety, Yuigahama suddenly recalled. Hurried asked: "Anyway Mom, anyone else with?"
"Hm... Seems not." Mama Yuigahama thought, answered: "Just him front door, unless hiding, no others."
"Yukinon not come? Relief..." Slightly relieved, Yuigahama deep breathed ease tension.
Mama Yuigahama as saw through door. Casually asked: "So Yui, choice? Meet talk, or not even let in?"
"I..."
Joyful laugh again.
"Anyway, if let in but not talk, Mama won't hesitate~ Oh, long want tea chat handsome youth. Luckily sofa big~"
"?! Mom can't! Yuu-kun classmate!"
"Could be future son-in-law, why not chat? Yui, worry what? Thinking weird scenario? Tell Mom~"
"Ung aaaaah—!"
Daughter love-troubled, still tease like this. Why such annoying mom!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Rewind time bit, Yuu Yukino arrived Yuigahama family nameplate front.
House very ordinary, perfectly blended housing background. Millions such houses families Japan-wide possible.
"Yui seems not really sick when leave."
Yuu signaled release sleeve cuff end. No more grip tight.
Faint regret eyes. Yukino released hand as nothing. Soft sighed: "Me too vaguely guessed... Doesn't want meet us, right?"
"Hm, guess suspected something from our post-noon yesterday behavior." Yuu tone heavy. Looked up, eyes fixed second-floor window: "Don't see usual fool, some things nose sharp as dog... No offense."
"Know, but hope better words." Withdrew finger about annoyed poke side belly. Yukino expression like Yuu, heavy as facing big enemy: "If come together, maybe avoid?"
Though so, still hoped someone face together. If not say now, when else?
Precisely ready frank, both came side-by-side here, so issue not delay harder-to-solve future.
"Sorry, hide beside bit." After thought, Yuu to Yukino: "Met her mom before. Even if Yui not want see, at least enter tea, check condition, easier act later."
"Understood."
(You met parents?)
Such thought flashed mind. Yukino not overthought. Firm graceful nod, walked side garden.
"If possible, bring Yuigahama-san here. If mom hears... very awkward."
Yuu deep breathed: "Okay, try."
Yukino turned back, long hair swayed, brows slightly raised: "Why not confident?"
"Not confident? Where, mis-saw." Yuu shrugged, casual confident: "Ever disappointed you?"
Yukino stared. As recalled something. Eyes slowly narrowed crescent moons. Bright beautiful smile lip corner.
"True."
Turned, waved. Slender firm figure vanished garden bend.
"Trust you. Wait bring Yuigahama-san here"—back said.
Yuu withdrew gaze. Eyed side doorbell Yuigahama nameplate. Slight unclear nervousness vanished.
No hesitate long. Directly pressed bell. Stood straight twilight light, eyes straight front door.
"Coming..."
Soon after bell, young woman apron opened door. Startled moment, quickly soft friendly smile. Meaningfully:
"Tenkuji-kun, come visit Yui?"