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[-Continuation-]
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[Third Person View]
Suddenly, Yui jumped in with another question. "Yukinon. Hikki said people don't change easily. Does that… you know… like… apply to him too?"
She continued. "I mean, he is different from how he was in his first year… Do you think it was because of something too…?"
"...I don't know." Yukino replied softly.
"...you don't. Of course you wouldn't!" Yui nervously corrected herself.
Yui, who was unaware of the actual fact of Yukino's 'involvement' in the accident, unintentionally brought up her memory of the day she deemed as dark into her consciousness once more.
…
Yukino, and Yui had left the clubroom, following Hachiman's suit, and were on their way home.
"Yukinon, will you be at school tomorrow?"
Yui questioned, attempting to defuse the tension that had been building up earlier due to the serious issue while also aiming to keep the conversation moving in the right direction.
It was pretty clear what she was trying to do…
However, Yui, in her eagerness to spark conversation, overlooked the fact that Yukino had never quite been part of those inner circles.
Yukino, not really accustomed to these kinds of chats, responded with genuine curiosity. "Uh, anything special happening tomorrow? Why would I skip school?"
"Oh, no, nothing specific. I was just asking." Yui shrugged, trying to keep it light.
As they continued their small talk, Yui's earlier question about Hachiman's transformation lingered in Yukino's mind.
–b..urr..rr!(:mobile notification)
Suddenly, her thoughts were interrupted by a phone buzz, intruding on her contemplation and irritating her further.
Huh? Who might it be?
She thought and scanned the message, which only fueled her sour mood.
"Yui, I will see you tomorrow then." As they parted ways, Yukino spoke.
"Yeah, see you." Yui replied, though she did sense the abruptness but agreed nonetheless, as they were approaching the spot where they usually split off toward their respective residences.
After bidding each other goodbye, Yukino continued along her usual path for a while...
Then, out of nowhere, she deviated from her usual course, opting for the left track.
After going at a leisurely pace for a minute, she noticed a sleek black car parked nearby and proceeded to walk quickly in the direction of it.
As soon as she arrived at the vehicle, she did not make any other announcements and immediately opened the rear door and slipped inside.
When Yukino had finally settled down, she tilted her head to peer over the driver's seat and recognized Emiko, a young woman who was the person she had received the message from.
"How was your day, Ms. Yukino? I hope everything went well." Emiko greeted Yukino, making sure she was settled before speaking.
"It was fine." Yukino replied before digging into her own investigations. "And what's the reason for this sudden, unplanned visit?"
She added further. "Didn't I already make it clear that I will be going to my flat by myself."
"I apologize for that, Ms. Yukino. I am simply doing as said." Emiko replied, sensing Yukino's annoyance.
"Perhaps I didn't make it clear. I am questioning who this 'said individual' is?" Yukino continued probing.
"Ms. Haruno is the one who informed me to pick you up, but I believe she was instructed by your mother." Emiko clarified.
"So, I assume we are not heading to my flat." Yukino sought confirmation of her suspicions.
"It is as you said, Ms. Yukino. I was directed to drop you off at the main house." Emiko confirmed with a calm tone.
"Then let's not delay. I have school tomorrow." Yukino's unhappiness was clear in her voice.
But, despite Yukino's clear dissatisfaction, she acknowledged their compromise of waiting nearby instead of heading straight to the school.
…
As the car sped along, Yukino broke the silence. "How is Mr. Sana doing, Ms. Emiko?"
"..." Emiko didn't reply immediately.
Yukinoshita also didn't press any further.
Mr. Sana, a 50-year-old man and Emiko's father, had been their employee for as long as Yukinoshita could remember.
And he also happens to be the same person who drove the car 'that' day. Months had passed since the incident.
"As you already know, Ms. Yukino, 'Mr. Sana' was 'fired' after that incident as a disciplinary measure..." Emiko began to explain, emphasizing her words.
It was obvious from this little talk that both the father and daughter are not on good terms, or at least that's what appears to be the case.
Understanding that, Yukino interjected firmly. "Uncle Sana wasn't at fault that day, Emiko." She said it with a rusty voice.
"I am sorry, Ms. Yukino. It was my mistake. I won't repeat it." Emiko immediately apologized, sensing her seriousness.
"..." - "..."
The car descended into an eerie silence, broken only by the hum of the engine.
Amidst the quiet, the 'third person' in the car, present from the beginning alongside Emiko and before Yukino's entrance, finally spoke up-
"Exactly Yukino!" She said, clapping her hands together. "You're right. Uncle Sana wasn't at fault that day, and neither was anyone else."
"And when I say 'no one', I hope you include yourself too." She continued as she looked affectionately at Yukino from the seat opposite her.
She was none other than Yukino's Elder Sister - Yukinoshita Haruno.
Yeah, despite being there from the start, neither Yukino acknowledged her sister's presence nor did Haruno intervene.
As for the reasons?
Well, for Yukino, her sister's presence here was nothing short of an eyesore, somewhat justifying her lack of acknowledgment.
She was also angered by the absence of any prior information about her sister tagging along, a detail Emiko skipped included in her message.
And as for Haruno...
Hmm… Is a reason truly required for her? I mean, considering the eccentric person she is…
But if we must name a reason, it's simply her mood.
In that moment of being blatantly ignored by her own little sister, the emotion she experienced wasn't anger or annoyance, but rather amusement.
Yes, she genuinely found amusement in the situation.
Haruno wanted to see how long her little rebellious sister could continue treating her as if she were invisible.
Additionally, her fascination intensified when the reaction she anticipated upon Yukino entering the car didn't materialize.
Although there was a fleeting moment of surprise reflected in Yukino's eyes, there was no immediate eruption or outcry. Ultimately, she clearly wasn't satisfied with the outcome.
So, suppressing her urge to greet(:tease) her sister, she remained attentive, listening keenly to her conversation with Emiko.
"Moreover, didn't I already say not to worry about Uncle Sana? Trust your Big Sis a little more, will you?" Haruno complained like an immature child, even puffing her cheeks a little.
"Yes, Ms. Yukino, please do not worry about that 'old man'. He is already at the age of retirement..." Emiko, the one currently in the driving seat, said to Yukino to lessen her self blaming.
"See." Haruno said cheerfully, while she also gave a thumbs-up sign to Emiko for the backup.
She resumed. "So stop worrying and let Uncle Sana enjoy his retirement days peacefully."
…
Yukino fully understood Emiko's and her sister's words about not blaming herself. Honestly, she never blamed herself for what had happened.
Well, she stopped, at least as time passed...
She is not foolish enough to dwell and break herself over something that is totally out of her control.
It is no lie to say that if it weren't for the new interaction with two individuals recently in her daily life, the whole incident would have slowly slipped her mind.
Nonetheless, she is still not drained of any regret or guilt for them either. What bothered her was her inability to come clean about the incident with those two, as she knew very well that she was starting to get used to their presence and even enjoying it.
…it just feels like she somehow wasn't reciprocating their genuine kindness and friendship, which she had never felt before.
It felt like she may be wronging them by keeping secrets and acting oblivious.
…
.
Observing all this from the sidelines, Haruno could easily decipher Yukino's inner debate.
"Wait. Yukino, don't tell me you actually met him."
"*nod…" Yukino simply nodded in response, seeing no reason to lie. She knew she couldn't hide this from her sister for long anyway.
"You did….!" Haruno exclaimed, her curiosity piqued. "So, what kind of person is he? I mean, the little hero."
Obviously, the word 'little hero' was referring to Hichiman.
Yukino offered few details. "I was surprised he didn't ask for extra compensation for the incident."
According to what Yukino knows, 'he' actually rejected the offered compensation, which she felt odd because, from what she knows of Hachiman, he is the type to make the most of the situation.
Nonetheless, Yukino's brief remark was enough for Haruna to glean a slight understanding of his character.
"He sounds like an interesting guy." She remarked with a wry smile.
However, before Haruna could dig deeper, Yukino redirected the conversation to the current situation. "So big sis, what's happening right now?"
"Oh, right! I almost forgot about that." Haruno said, tapping her forehead in a cute manner and biting her tongue slightly. "Dad returned back from..."
Yukino's eyes flashed bright as soon as she heard the word 'Dad' from her sister Haruno…
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[-Scene END-]
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[To be continued….]
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