Haruno would "kindly" tell Yukino that Hoshimi had been adopted by one of the Four Noble Families, the Arisugawa family, and "accidentally" express concern about Hoshimi's situation.
"Oh my, poor Hoshimi-kun. The people who adopted him probably want him to marry into their family and take over the resources his father accumulated."
"But it's okay. I heard the Arisugawa family has a daughter the same age as Hoshimi-kun, so he probably won't be treated unfairly."
"Maybe he will end up like our father, becoming a son-in-law. But Hoshimi-kun is no ordinary son-in-law; his status is very high."
"Furthermore, given Hoshimi-kun's abilities, he might even become the head of the Arisugawa family someday."
"Yukino, why don't you take this opportunity to build a good relationship with him? It might be useful in the future."
These were the words Haruno planned to use to enlighten Yukino. But given Yukino's intelligence, she might only need to mention that "the Arisugawa family has a daughter the same age as Hoshimi-kun."
Yukino would understand the whole situation from that.
Not far away.
Seeing Yukino completely at a disadvantage, Hoshimi had a subtle expression.
Was this the power of a voluptuous figure suppressing a flat-chested one? Yukino had no chance to fight back.
However...
Hoshimi narrowed his eyes, watching Haruno.
Was Yukino's sister targeting him? Even though she hid it well, he still sensed the malice.
She was targeting him but using words to manipulate Yukino. Was she cautious about his identity and didn't dare to act directly?
Verbal manipulation, probably trying to sow discord.
Interesting.
"Tenpou-san, over here."
Hiding among the crowd, Hoshimi suddenly saw Tenpou Ayami, a classmate and member of the support team.
She was holding several bottles of water, looking around, seemingly here to bring water for him and Yukino.
"Eh? Hoshimi-kun, why are you here?"
Hearing his voice, Tenpou Ayami noticed Hoshimi among the crowd she had just passed.
Hoshimi took two bottles of water from her arms and said, "Tenpou-san, you came to bring water, right? I'll help you."
"N-no... it's fine..." Tenpou Ayami blushed, stammering her refusal.
"It's okay." Hoshimi smiled brightly.
Tenpou Ayami stepped back, avoiding his gaze. "Hoshimi-kun, you're a participant; you need to conserve your energy for the match. I can handle bringing the water."
"Alright, then I'll just take the water for Yukino and me." Hoshimi cheerfully shook the water bottles.
"Mm..." Tenpou Ayami blushed, looking down.
"Hoshimi-kun, wait!"
Just as Hoshimi took a couple of steps, Tenpou Ayami gathered her courage and called out to him.
"What's up? Do you want me to help bring the water?" Hoshimi joked.
"No..." Tenpou Ayami, her face red, ran up to him, holding the water close to her chest. "Hoshimi-kun, this is a bottle of coconut water for you."
Hoshimi raised an eyebrow, taking the warm, slightly scented bottle of coconut water from her arms.
"Thank you~" He smiled, patting her head like a large hamster.
"You're welcome..." Tenpou Ayami, eyes moist with joy, enjoyed his touch.
As Hoshimi withdrew his hand, Tenpou Ayami blushed even more and quickly ran off, forgetting to say goodbye.
Watching her leave, Hoshimi looked at the coconut water in his hand with a subtle expression.
It really was for him... She was so cute...
He'd have to tease her more in the future, perhaps as a thank you for the coconut water?
Shaking his head with a smile, Hoshimi turned and headed back to Yukino.
By then, Haruno had disappeared, leaving Yukino sitting on the bench, lost in thought.
He sat down beside her and handed her a bottle of water. "Here's the water you wanted."
"..." Yukino looked at him blankly.
"What? What did your sister say? Tell me."
"..." Yukino remained silent.
"You know, you have so much spirit when arguing with me, but when you see your sister, you're like a rabbit facing a wolf. Come on, snap out of it."
"Smack!"
Hoshimi unceremoniously slapped Yukino's thigh.
Today, Yukino was wearing a tennis outfit with a white skirt, so the slap landed solidly with no barrier.
"Hoshimi!"
The slap seemed to wake Yukino up. She glared at Hoshimi, transforming from a frightened rabbit into an angry tigress.
"See, now you're awake."
Ignoring her anger, Hoshimi opened the warm coconut water, ready to savor it.
"You bastard..." Yukino cursed, looking at the handprint on her white thigh.
After a moment, her anger flared up again. She snatched the coconut water from Hoshimi's hand.
"Hey, hey, you can't have that coconut water." Hoshimi winced, trying to take back the bottle filled with a girl's courage.
"Get lost! This is mine! Take your water!" Yukino protectively held the coconut water, shoving the regular water into Hoshimi's hand.
"Sigh~" Hoshimi sighed, saying softly, "Yukino, why do you only show your strength here? Have the guts to fight your sister!"
"Humph! Mind your own business!" Annoyed, Yukino took a big gulp of the coconut water.
Hoshimi sipped his mineral water elegantly and asked, "Where's your sister? Did she leave already?"
"No, she's still around, watching the matches."
Ah, she was still around, probably watching from some hidden corner.
Hoshimi glanced around but couldn't spot Haruno.
He thought for a moment, then took Yukino's hand and leaned close to her, as if about to kiss her cheek.
"What are you doing now?" Yukino asked angrily as he got closer.
"Trying to lure your sister out. At least find out where she is..." Hoshimi whispered.
"Do you think I'm an idiot?"
There's no way this would lure her sister out! Hoshimi was just trying to take advantage of her, wasn't he?
"I think you really are an idiot."
Hoshimi looked at her seriously.
"You bastard..."
"?!"
Before Yukino could finish cursing, Hoshimi quickly kissed her cheek.
Her mind went blank.
Who am I? Where am I? What just happened?
Did someone just kiss me?
No, it was harassment!
Realizing what happened, Yukino's eyes burned with unprecedented anger. She tensed up, ready to teach Hoshimi a lesson.
"Rustle---"
"Hello there, Yukino's sister."
But Hoshimi's greeting made her freeze.
Following his gaze, she saw her sister standing in the bushes outside the wire fence, looking at Hoshimi with a mix of shock and anger.
So he really did lure her out...
===
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