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[-Continuation-]
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[Hachiman's POV]
In the end, Yukinoshita picked out a petite, ornamental apron that was light pink all over. "I will go with this."
Yukinoshita folded up the pink apron and made her way to the counter. In her hand, she held the pink apron – and the black one too.
"You know, I didn't know about that stuffed toy from before, but I am glad you are taking this one. Otherwise, it would have been a crime." I teased her as we walked.
"…I will let you know I had no plans to buy an apron." She said almost meekly.
"An impulse purchase, huh? Well, that often happens when you go out shopping." I joked.
"..." Yukinoshita opened her mouth to say something in retort, but halted midway.
She cast a sidelong glance at me before diverting her gaze, heading to the counter solo without looking back.
Upon completing our purchases and exiting the store, we somehow ended up continuing to walk aimlessly without a specific destination in mind.
Well, I suppose our mission is accomplished, and it's only the afternoon.
Nevertheless, as we took a couple of turns, we entered an area that was resonating with the sounds of chatter and music from nearby shops, including a few cafes.
Maybe because of all the walking we did, without the need for any verbal communication, our legs instinctively guided us to a small, vacant outdoor cafe.
Only a handful of tables were occupied, leaving plenty of options for us to find the perfect spot underneath a tree where we could escape from the bustling crowd.
When a server reached out to us, I simply ordered a chocolate and strawberry pastry along with my favourite Max Coffee and Yukinoshita's preferred strawberry juice and looked at her.
As the woman took the orders, she gave a simple nod in confirmation. For some reason, a sense of pride and contentment washed over me at that moment.
Soon, as we sipped on cold drinks and snacked on pastries, my thoughts drifted to what to do next. However, before I could voice them, Yukinoshita beat me to the punch.
"Hikigaya, I have to ask. Are you not buying any presents for Yui?" Yukinoshita questioned.
"..." Her words caught me off guard, prompting a moment of reflection before I responded. "I am not sure if it is for Yuigahama or not, but I am definitely buying a present today."
I replied honestly, recalling my promise to Komichi.
If I go home empty-handed, I don't think I will be even allowed to enter the premises of 'our' house.
Yeah, my family could be ruthless sometimes. Only for me, though.
"What?" Yukinoshita seemed confused by my response.
...of course, she wouldn't get it.
"Nothing…" I shrugged, avoiding further discussion on the topic.
"..." Though she didn't push, I could tell she was unsatisfied with my response.
And I kind of understand why.
I let out a heavy breath, making up my mind. "Off..Hhuu…"
"You say it, Yukinoshita. What do you think I should do? Should I get a present or not?" I redirected the question to her.
You see. I am really in a pinch here.
Initially, I had no plans to buy a present for Yuigahama, for obvious reasons.
But now I think otherwise…
"How would I know? But if you are asking about my opinion, then I say it doesn't hurt to buy one, does it?" She was perplexed, but in the end, she did express her thoughts.
"Yeah, you are right." I agreed.
"So, what are you buying?" She asked curiously
She is moving pretty fast about this present thing… Isn't she?
I mean, I just agreed a moment ago.
"Well, I don't know. But for sure, I am not going to make it complicated like you did." I said with a hint of exhaustion in my voice.
"Seems like you do have something in mind." She raised an eyebrow at me.
"Sort of…." I admitted.
"Like…" She prodded.
Is it only me, or does she seem surprisingly talkative all of a sudden? If she is, I wonder why.
"Well, you remember Yuigahama mentioning she has a dog, right? So anything related to that would be fine, I guess." I explained.
"That's a good idea." Yukinoshita nodded in agreement.
That was unexpected. I had thought she would banter with me about my lack of suggestions for her when she was trying to pick a gift.
It's not that I don't want to give input, but it seemed like she wanted to personally select a gift with her own hands.
I figured that if she needed help, she would ask for it. But she neither sought assistance nor did I provide anything other than giving a few remarks on what's good or bad.
Now it seems like we are on the same page.
"Well, thank you." I accepted her applause.
"You don't know the meaning of modesty, do you?"
And there you have it.
"I actually do. A complem–..?" I was going to give a further explanation, but was interrupted again.
More exactly, a woman's voice is coming from our left.
"Huuuuh? Yukino?" A voice called, most likely the one I was thinking of.
Both Yukinoshita and I turned our heads in the direction of the voice without getting up from our chairs.
There she was - Yukinoshita Haruno - the eldest daughter of the Yukinoshita family and Yukinoshita Yukino's big sister.
So she is here, huh?
…and it also just happened, so our paths crossed.
I am probably quite sure we are not meeting in the same spot we have to in the plot. I mean, if I am not wrong we did finish our task faster than the plot too.
So, for said valid reasons, I assumed I wouldn't see her today, but I guess I was wrong.
Is this what is called Plot Armour? Wait shouldn't it protect me though? So why was I being thrown into the fire pit then?
So if I go by this, I should be seeing Yuigahama too, right?
Anyways, coming to the present, if I had to describe her appearance...
[Haruno Yukinoshita] - A woman, probably in her twenties.
She wore soft clothes, which had fluttering lace attached to the ends, were based around a white theme, her arms and legs emphasised the beauty of her skin, and her entire body gave off a look of refinement.
She really did resemble Yukinoshita. If Yukinoshita was a solid beauty, the woman before me was a liquid one, overflowing with charm.
"Oh, it really is you, Yukino!" She waved energetically as we both turned around.
"Big Sis…" I looked back upon hearing Yukinoshita's voice.
Her defenseless expression from before was gone now, replaced by a look of alarm. She squeezed a bag containing the just-bought apron tightly against her chest, her shoulders stiffening.
"Hey, are you alright there…?" I asked with concern as my eyes flitted between Yukinoshita and the woman to my right.
Yukinoshita Haruno walked towards our table, taking an extra chair left behind and making herself comfortable without any prior announcement.
But no one questioned her, or more accurately, no one could, as her actions looked so elegant that not a single shred of disrespect was shown.
"Yukino! It's been ages. What are you doing here?" The older Yukinoshita exclaimed, her eyes dancing with mischief.
I really wonder if it is real, though. I mean, they are siblings, right? How long could it have been since they met?
"And who's this handsome companion? Oooooh! A date, right?! It has to be a date! Teehee!" She continued, teasing the younger Yukinoshita.
"..." But Yukinoshita kept a stony face and merely seemed irritated.
Yep, I clearly see now. They looked alike, but their personalities seemed worlds apart.
"Hey, hey, Yukino, is that your boyfriend? Are you going out with him?"
"…not. This is Hikigaya Hachiman. We are Clubmates." Yukinoshita introduced me, and I nodded in acknowledgment, sensing a subtle tension in the air.
"Now now! No need to be shy!"
"..." Yukinoshita said nothing but blankly looked at her sister.
Whoa, if looks could kill…
If Zaimokuza or, for that fact, me or anyone else were now on the receiving end of Yukinoshita's glare, they would probably have pissed their pants in fear.
However, her sister, Haruno, grinned and took it in stride.
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[To be continued…]
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