Yukinoshita's face was cold as she slowly moved her hands from Hoshimi's shoulders to his neck, without making a sound.
"?"
The sudden coolness on both sides of his neck made Hoshimi freeze. He instinctively looked down and, seeing Yukinoshita's slender fingers on his neck, he said calmly, "Yukinoshita, do you want to strangle me? I think you might want to reconsider the consequences of doing so."
"..." Yukinoshita remained silent, her delicate fingers still on both sides of Hoshimi's neck.
Her hands were a bit cold, probably because she had been out in the wind for a while.
Hoshimi's neck, however, was very warm, likely because he had been moving around a lot.
When the cold met the warmth, their temperatures began to slowly converge.
"Hmph!"
Yukinoshita let out a cold snort, lightly squeezed Hoshimi's neck, then silently leaned forward, lying on his back.
"See, isn't this better?"
Feeling the warmth from his back, Hoshimi muttered as he carried Yukinoshita out of the infirmary.
In the hallway, Yukinoshita suddenly spoke, "Hoshimi, did you forget something?"
"Hmm?" Hoshimi stopped and looked at Yukinoshita in confusion.
"Our school uniforms."
"Oh... almost forgot."
With Yukinoshita's reminder, Hoshimi remembered. He turned around, carrying Yukinoshita, and headed to the changing room.
Both of them were wearing sports clothes, and their school uniforms were still in the changing room.
Their apartment access cards and Yukinoshita's apartment keys were also in their school uniforms.
"Hmm?"
As he walked, Hoshimi seemed to have thought of something, pausing briefly with a mysterious look in his eyes.
"What's wrong? Did you forget something else?" Yukinoshita asked.
"No, nothing." Hoshimi continued walking with Yukinoshita on his back, acting as if nothing had happened.
He had just realized that if Yukinoshita couldn't get her school uniform, she wouldn't be able to go home tonight since her apartment key was in the uniform.
Additionally, his home used a fingerprint lock, so he didn't need to worry about a house key.
As for the access card, if necessary, he could wait in the apartment lobby for someone to open the door and follow them in.
This meant that if they couldn't get the uniforms, Yukinoshita might have to stay at his place tonight.
Hoshimi's mind quickly spun with this thought.
After a moment, Hoshimi's mood suddenly calmed down.
He knew Yukinoshita's personality well enough to realize she would rather spend more money on a hotel than stay at his place.
So, instead of overthinking, he should consider how to get back the 26 whip strikes Yukinoshita owed him.
...
Before long, Hoshimi and Yukinoshita arrived at the changing room.
At this time, the hallway outside the changing room was bustling with students from sports clubs who had to change and prepare to go home due to the rain interrupting their activities.
Seeing Hoshimi carrying Yukinoshita, some students were surprised, but most weren't.
What's so surprising? Aren't Hoshimi-kun and Yukinoshita-san a couple?
Since they are a couple, it's normal to be intimate.
But could you guys keep it private? Stop showing off your affection in public, it's hard for single people!
"Yukinoshita, can you walk into the changing room yourself?" Hoshimi asked.
"Yes." Yukinoshita nodded calmly.
They were already at the door, just a few steps away. She could manage with the wall's support.
"Alright, you go ahead... wait." Hoshimi was about to put Yukinoshita down when he saw a familiar figure out of the corner of his eye.
Turning to look, he called out, "Yuigahama-san."
Hearing her name, Yuigahama instinctively looked over.
Seeing Hoshimi carrying Yukinoshita, Yuigahama froze for a moment before reacting.
She walked over a bit awkwardly and asked, "Hoshimi-san, what's up?"
"I need a small favor. Could you..."
"Yoshimi! I can go myself!"
Before Hoshimi could finish asking Yuigahama for help, Yukinoshita whispered emphatically in his ear.
It's just a minor thing. There's no need to trouble Yuigahama. She just sprained her foot, not broke her leg. She could manage on her own.
"..."
Yuigahama, in her sports clothes, looked increasingly uneasy, and her expression turned slightly gloomy.
"Alright, just accept the help." Hoshimi replied softly to Yukinoshita, then turned back to Yuigahama.
"Yuigahama-san, could you get Yukino's uniform from the changing room? She sprained her ankle and can't move well."
"Eh? Yukinon sprained her ankle?" Yuigahama exclaimed, looking at Yukinoshita's ankle. "Yukino, is it serious?"
"...It's okay, not too serious. A few days of rest will fix it." Yukinoshita answered quickly before Hoshimi could.
"That's good..." Yuigahama's worry eased a bit.
Then she said, "Wait here, I'll get your uniform," and turned towards the girls' changing room.
Before long, Yuigahama returned with the uniform, handing it to Hoshimi. "Here, Hoshimi-san."
"Thanks a lot." Hoshimi was about to take the uniform when Yukinoshita grabbed it first.
"Thank you, Yuigahama-san." Yukinoshita said, "Yuigahama-san, what event are you in? Are you also training?"
Yuigahama fidgeted with her fingers and looked down, "I'm in a group event, dodgeball. We were going to practice today, but it started raining..."
"Dodgeball?" Seeing Yuigahama's dejected look, Yukinoshita felt agitated. She wanted to say something but didn't know what, finally squeezing out, "Good luck, Yuigahama-san."
"...I will..." Yuigahama looked surprised, then quickly looked down again.
"..." Yukinoshita felt more agitated, nudging Hoshimi to say something as he was better at socializing.
Hoshimi smiled, squeezing Yukinoshita's leg slightly, and said, "Yuigahama-san, sorry, I need to take Yukino home to treat her ankle. I'll repay you for the help tomorrow."
"...It's fine, really. Just a small favor. Take Yukinon home and treat her." Yuigahama forced a smile and stepped aside.
===
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