.
[-Continuation-]
.
[Third Person View]
As Hachiman asked, Yui took Yukino, left the Royal Okura, and went to Yukino's place.
…
Yui entered Yukino's flat, and her eyes broadened in surprise at the sight.
"So this is where you live, Yukinon?" She asked, taking in the minimalist yet exquisite interior.
She was pleasantly startled by the neatly ordered shelves of books and the slight scent of jasmine that floated through the air.
"Yeah… *yawn.." Yukino replied, stifling a yawn.
"Your place feels like a cozy library, Yukinon!" Yui exclaimed, her excitement evident as she casually dropped her bag onto the floor.
Yukino appreciated the praise as her lips curled into a barely noticeable grin. "Thank you."
And she added. "Make yourself at home, Yui."
"...*nod."
Nevertheless, Yukinon's concerned expression could be seen on her face as she inquired. "Are you certain, Yui? Won't your parents be worried?"
"Oh, it's not my first time crashing at a friend's place. I did it a lot during the first year with the girls." Yui reassured her, her tone lighthearted. "And I have already informed my parents, so no need to worry."
"If you say so." Yukino accepted, noting her confidence level.
"By the way, Yukinon, is this your first time having a sleepover with a friend?" Yui inquired, observing Yukinoshita's momentary surprise.
"..!..?" That startled Yukino.
.
The abrupt question from Yuigahama had startled Yukino back to a distant recollection.
She blinked, temporarily taken aback, as if the innocent inquiry had opened a door to a chapter of her past she rarely revisited.
Her mind raced back to a time in middle school, during her third year, when she was studying abroad.
According to the recollection, the incident occurred in a cramped room filled with gossiping girls during a field trip. Two girls, one with black hip-length hair and the other with brown ear-length hair, found themselves surrounded by a sea of girls, roughly 10 to 15 of them, all approximately 14 years old.
The atmosphere was packed with an undertone of rumor, whispers that merged into a discordant chorus.
"She acts like she's better than everyone."
"Right, I think so too, always looking down on others."
"All she did was be born into a better family."
"Yeah, she's so lucky..."
The words floated around the room like venomous clouds, casting a shadow of negativity that seemed to hang heavy in the air.
The two girls at the center of attention, Yukino among them, stood like islands in a storm. Her expression remained blank, and her eyes carried a cold demeanor, but beneath that façade lay expressions of confusion and hurt.
.
"..." As Yukino's mind returned to the present, her eyes flickered, the memory slowly fading away. With effort, she refocused on Yui's question.
The weight of the past remained for a time before she responded. "Well, yes..." She admitted hesitantly.
Though it may look like Yukino is lying, she never once considered 'that day' as a regular sleepover with a friend.
Yui, sensing the shift in atmosphere, smiled gently. "You know what, Yukinon? I feel really lucky all of a sudden."
Yukin, slightly puzzled, inquired. "How so?" Her voice still held a tiny touch of vulnerability.
"Because I am the first friend ever to visit your house, and that makes me really happy." Yui explained, attempting to ease Yukino's unease.
"That's weird." Yukino mused, genuinely failing to grasp Yui's sentiment but acknowledging her attempt at comfort.
"Anyway, you know what? Maybe we should do this more often." Yui suggested, grinning.
"...maybe." Yukino did not respond clearly, but offered. "I will get some spare bedding for you."
"Let me help too!" Yui offered eagerly.
"No need. I will be back shortly." Of course, Yukino rejected it ruthlessly.
She proposed before excusing herself briefly. "In the meantime, why don't you change into something more casual? I have a few extra pairs in my cabinet."
"I will change later, so fir–...ahh!!" With a burst of enthusiasm, Yui stepped forward.
–slip
However, her sentence remained unfinished as her lack of familiarity with the dress she wore for the meeting at the Hotel Royal Okura hindered her movements.
–catch!
Yuigahama's foot tangled in the long fabric, causing her to stumble as she teetered dangerously, nearly falling, but Yukino reacted swiftly, catching her just in time.
"Are you okay, Yui?" Yukino asked, her concerns evident in her voice.
"Heehee, thanks for the save, Yukinon~" Yui expressed her gratitude with a sheepish smile, acknowledging her clumsy misstep.
"That could have turned out to be really dangerous, Yui." She warned her, observing how easy-going Yui is currently.
At the same time, Yukino let her hand go after making sure Yui had a stable footing on the floor.
"Sorry about that…" Yui said with a slightly apologetic smile.
"You know what? Yui, let's first change into something more suitable for the night." Yukino suggested it with a hint of seriousness.
"Okay." Yui agreed, recognizing Yukinoshita's advice.
…
.
With that settled, they both opted for more comfortable attire.
After changing, they set up the spare bed together, and then Yukino excused herself to the kitchen to make some drinks.
By the way, she was again offered a hand by Yui, but this time Yukino didn't choose words to explain. Instead, she gave her a look that instantly shut her up.
–b..urr..rr!(:mobile notification)
Yuig, left alone for a moment, felt her phone vibrate.
She picked it up eagerly, and she became even more excited to see that it was a message from Hachiman.
=====
Sender : Hikki
--> Stay the night at Yukinoshita's place.
--> Come to McDonald's with Yukinoshita at five in the morning.
-->Reminder : Contact and inform your parents.
=====
Her heart skipped a beat as she read the text, but her excitement quickly deflated as she realized it was a straightforward work-related message.
For a split second, she had hoped for something more personal, perhaps a small note of 'good night' or 'see you' or any other that is beyond business.
"...*sigh." Sighing softly, Yui put her phone down, her disappointment evident.
Yukino returned with a tray, pouring them both some tea, and noticed the change in her friend's demeanor.
"Yui, everything alright?" Yukino questioned as she placed the tray on the small rectangular glass table.
"...yeah." Yui replied, trying to mask her disappointment. "Just a message from Hikki about the morning meeting. It's nothing, really."
Yukino observed her quietly, sensing there was more beneath the surface.
"I hope it is all, and Hikigaya didn't do anything stupid again, did he?" She inquired, recalling their conversation when he sought help regarding Yui.
"No, Yukinon." Yui said with a faint smile, appreciating the sentiment. "It's really nothing, just me being silly."
Though doubtful, Yukino did not push the matter further and moved to the table to start pouring tea for both of them.
Observing this, Yui also shifted to her cheerful side, trailing just behind Yukino.
"Something smells nice." Yui asked curiously as she looked at the tray on the table with two cups and a few snacks.
"I hope it is to your liking, and I also bought some extra sugar cubes, so add them to your liking." Yukino explained.
Yui took a sip without fully considering Yukino's words, or perhaps not hearing them at all.
After a moment, she gave an immediate response. "...Sweet~"
The way she framed it might have seemed like a complaint, but her facial expression told a different story.
Offering her review, which looked genuine on the outside, the bias or lack thereof was known only to Yui herself.
"Hum…" Yukino didn't reply to her compliment, but she just nodded her head in acceptance.
"And by the way, Yukinon, your place is so calm and neat. It's hard to believe you live all alone." She remarked, admiring the gentle glow of the moon through the window. She couldn't help but marvel at the peaceful ambiance.
"...*nod." Yukino nodded, a hint of contentment in her eyes. In her own home, she appeared more relaxed than her usual composed self.
Yukino could still sometimes feel a subtle shift in Yui's mood, but lacking the proper skill to inquire without sounding intrusive, she chose to stay put.
As they prepared to take a rest for a couple hours so that they could leave for the café the next morning, Yui glanced at her phone, half-expecting another message from Hikigaya. Yet there was none.
A tinge of disappointment lingered, but she pushed it aside, determined to focus on the task ahead.
.
[To be continued….]
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