"Hikigaya...
He must be the boy who got hit that day."
As Yukino looked at Hachiman, who was not far ahead, she felt a mixture of emotions.
Despite her determination to make amends as much as possible, when the person actually stood before her, she was at a loss for what to do.
"Good afternoon, Miss Yukinoshita," Hachiman greeted with a smile, even though she had disrupted the pleasant moment.
"Hikki, isn't she the one who..."
At that moment, Yui also recognized Yukinoshita Haruno as the person who had knocked Hachiman down that day.
However, before she could say anything, Hachiman shook his head at her.
Observing his reaction, Yui couldn't help but refrain from saying what she had intended.
"Good afternoon, Hikigaya-kun. And this is my younger sister," Haruno said.
As a social expert, Haruno naturally understood what Hachiman meant, and neither of them mentioned the car accident.
"Miss Yukinoshita, who is this?" Hachiman asked, looking at Yukino behind Haruno, pretending not to recognize her.
However, at this time, he and Yukino truly didn't know each other.
"Ah, I forgot to introduce you. This is my younger sister, Yukinoshita Yukino. Like Hikigaya-kun, she's also a first-year student at Sobu High."
"What do you think, Hikigaya-kun? My little Yukino is quite adorable."
Haruno introduced her younger sister with a smile on her face, and at the end, a hint of pride appeared.
"Nee-san, please refrain from saying such things in public. Although I do acknowledge my own cuteness, hearing it from my sister's mouth would be too embarrassing."
"Hello, I am Yukinoshita Yukino. Please offer me your guidance."
Yukino wasn't sure how to approach Hachiman, so she assumed her usual composed demeanor and nodded expressionlessly at him.
Observing Yukino's demeanor, Hachiman didn't take offense. He understood that her character was indeed like this.
"Hello, Yukinoshita-san. I'm Hikigaya Hachiman. Please take care of me. And this is my friend, Yuigahama Yui, who is also a first-year student at Sobu High," Hachiman said with a self-assured smile before turning to Yui. "Go ahead and introduce yourself, Yui."
With a slight hesitation, Yui stepped forward, her voice soft as she spoke.
"Hello, Yukinoshita-san. I'm Yuigahama Yui. Please take care of me." She glanced at Yukino, who maintained her distant demeanor, and then stood slightly behind Hachiman, whispering her introduction.
"Hello, Yuigahama-san," Yukino nodded once more.
"Ara, are Hikigaya-kun and Yuigahama-kun on a date?" Haruno chimed in at that moment.
Well, this...
Though he did have thoughts about Yui, admitting to a date in front of Yukino seemed a bit inappropriate.
But considering Yui's courage to ask him out, as a man, he should be willing to acknowledge it.
"Ye..."
"We're definitely not on a date..."
But just as Hachiman was about to admit it, Yui, the pure-hearted girl, shyly protested.
To this, Hachiman just shrugged, paying little attention to her objection.
In his view, Yui was simply being shy, nothing more than a silly girl.
There was no way she could escape his grasp.
"Oh, so it's not a date after all? Then, Hikigaya-kun, how about having my adorable little Yukino as your girlfriend?" Haruno asked with a hint of a smile at the corner of her mouth.
As Hachiman observed the sly smile on Haruno's lips, he couldn't help but sense the danger.
If he agreed to her suggestion, things might take a turn for the worse.
However, before he could respond, Yukino spoke up.
"Really,Nee-san, you're so boring. I'm heading home," she remarked before turning and walking towards their apartment.
"Hey, hey, don't go, Yukino-chan," Haruno quickly chased after her, realizing her sister was upset.
"Goodbye, Hikigaya-kun!" she called out as she left.
Watching the two of them suddenly depart, Hachiman felt somewhat helpless.
He had initially planned to make a better impression in front of Yukino, but Haruno had disrupted that plan.
"Phew..."
However, at this moment, Yui, who had been hiding behind him, let out a sigh of relief.
"Yukinoshita-san seems a bit intimidating," she remarked.
Evidently, Yukino's cool demeanor had made her somewhat nervous.
"Is that so? But I think you two might become good friends in the future."
"No, no, I can't do that," Yui quickly shook her head, even her hair bun swaying from side to side.
"Well, well, let's stop talking about it, Yui. What should we do next?" Seeing her like this, Hachiman couldn't help but want to smile.
"Next... let me think," Yui said, lightly tapping her lips as she tilted her head in thought.
"How about we go check out that store over there?" Yui pointed to a nearby shop, her face lighting up with a happy smile.
"Sure thing, Yui. I'll accompany you wherever you want to go."
"Oh, Hikki, you're so sweet, saying things like that," blushing, Yui's ears turned pink at his somewhat cheesy words.
"Come on, let's go, let's go shopping." Yui grabbed Hachiman's arm, and the two of them walked towards the store.
It happened to be the same store where Yukino had bought the Mr. Pann and cat plushies.
This shop not only had plushies but also a variety of small accessories.
It was evident that Yui had a penchant for these colorful and flashy items, as she began trying on one after another.
"Hikki, what do you think of this one?"
"It suits you really well, Yui."
"And this one?"
"That one looks great too..."
"What about this?"
"That one's nice as well..."
"Hmm, it feels like you're just humoring me, Hikki.
""..."''
Yui tried on many small accessories, and Hachiman approved of each one, but in the end, Yui couldn't help but give him a teasing glare.
Just as Yui was still choosing accessories, Hachiman picked up a hairband with heart-shaped decorations and said, "I think this one suits you really well, Yui."
"Really?" Yui's eyes lit up as she looked at the hairband in his hand, clearly quite fond of it.
"Of course. Here, let me help you put it on."
"Alright..." Yui replied somewhat shyly, lowering her head slightly as she leaned towards Hachiman.
After a bit of maneuvering, Hachiman tied the heart-shaped hairband onto her bun.
"So, Hikki, does it look good?" Straightening up, Yui asked with a hint of anticipation.
"Yeah, it really suits you, Yui," Hachiman nodded in satisfaction, looking at the perfectly placed decoration on her head.
"Really? Then I'll buy this one!" Yui said happily, her eyes squinting with excitement.
"No, this is actually a gift for you, Yui," Hachiman said with a smile, shaking his head.
"Huh?! A gift for me?"
Yui was surprised by Hachiman's unexpected statement.
"Yes, it's a gift for you," Hachiman confirmed with a nod.
"Why are you giving me a gift?" Yui asked with a puzzled expression.
"Well, when it comes to why, it's because I think this hairband goes perfectly with you, Yui. So, I wanted to give it to you!" Hachiman took Yui's hand and continued, "Consider this your token of appreciation for accompanying me today."
Oh, come on, it's actually you who's been accompanying me.
Sneaky Hikki, always saying such blush-inducing things.
Seeing her own hand held by him, a blush crept onto Yui's face.
Seeing her blush, Hachiman smiled, taking it as her acceptance.
"Let's go, we should go pay," he said, leading Yui towards the cashier.