….
[-Continuation-]
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[-Third Person View-]
Hachiman let out a quiet sigh, unsure whether to feel flustered or triumphant.
"This day just keeps getting better…" He muttered sarcastically, though his lips twitched into a faint smirk.
….
Yukino finished arranging the plates and stepped back slightly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
She surveyed the kitchen, ensuring everything was in place. "Is everything in order now?"
Hachiman, busy drying his hands on a towel, gave a slight nod. "More or less." He replied, the subtle indifference in his voice making it sound like he was grading a mediocre essay.
From the hall, Komachi clapped her hands together, satisfied with her work. "Almost done here, too!"
"Yah, me too. But I think we need to move this doll somewhere to clean the surface beneath it." Yui chimed in.
Hachiman stepped into the hall, his gaze landing on the large purple cat doll perched prominently on the chair. "You all act like it's some giant eyesore. I am starting to think I should have bought a second one."
"That would have been…. excessive." Yukino remarked from the kitchen, shaking her head while wiping the counter.
"One is already too much." Komachi quipped, holding her broom like a microphone. "Two, and you are trying way too hard."
"Or maybe I am just naturally generous." Hachiman shot back, his sarcasm as sharp as ever.
From the kitchen, Yukino let out a soft, almost imperceptible sigh, though her faint smirk didn't escape his notice.
But the banter didn't last long.
Komachi, mid-sweep, froze and turned her gaze toward Hachiman with a curious squint. "Wait a minute... What are you chewing?"
"Candy." Hachiman replied casually, not even bothering to look her way.
Komachi tilted her head. "What flavor?"
"Strawberry." He said simply, pausing for a moment before adding. "Though it's... weirdly sweet compared to usual."
Komachi froze for a moment before raising an eyebrow. "Hold up. There was only one strawberry candy left, and Yui gave it to Yukino earlier. So how do you have one?"
Yuigahama perked up at the question, her confusion as evident as her eagerness to be part of the conversation. "Yeah! How did you–?"
Hachiman shrugged, feigning ignorance as though the answer didn't matter. "You must have missed it."
Komachi's gaze darted between Yukino, who appeared completely focused on tidying, and Hachiman, who was far too calm for her liking.
Her expression screamed suspicion, but before she could press further, Hachiman took a step toward her and lightly flicked her forehead.
"Stop playing detective." He muttered, his voice tinged with irritation. "Get back to sweeping."
"Owww!" Komachi yelped, clutching her forehead as though he had committed some grievous crime. "That's abuse! Domestic abuse!"
"Yeah, sure." Hachiman replied dryly, waving her off. "You will survive. Now quit whining and focus on the mess you left behind."
Komachi grumbled something under her breath but returned to her broom.
Meanwhile, Yui, who had been watching the entire exchange, blinked, then quickly shook her head and returned to cleaning, mumbling something unintelligible under her breath. "...what just happened?"
Hachiman smirked to himself, his expression betraying no hint of what had just happened.
It wasn't a big deal to him.
After all, what's wrong with his girlfriend kissing him and sharing a little candy in the process?
But explaining that to these two?
Yeah, that wasn't happening.
Just as he thought the moment had passed, the doorbell rang, cutting through the chatter.
"I will get it." Hachiman said, moving toward the door with a slight shrug.
Yukino, finished with her tidying, stepped into the hall, her curiosity piqued. She noticed Yui had paused mid-cleaning, standing by the couch with a puzzled expression.
"Who could it be at this hour?" Yui murmured, echoing Yukino's own thoughts.
Yukino glanced at the clock. 10:46 PM. Late, even by the loose standards of a gathering like this.
She didn't voice her agreement, but the thought lingered - Who indeed?
It wasn't unusual for their small group to linger late into the evening, especially tonight. Yui, Komachi, and Hachiman had planned to stay over for her birthday.
If not for that arrangement, they likely would've departed by now, the lateness dictating a polite retreat.
Reaching the door, Hachiman peered through the peephole, his expression tightening just enough to suggest confusion.
"Well?" Yukino asked, her arms crossing lightly.
"Delivery." He replied, his tone laced with skepticism.
"Delivery?" Yukino repeated, her eyes narrowing slightly as she exchanged a glance with him.
The possibility seemed unlikely. At this hour? It didn't make sense.
Hachiman shifted his weight, still uncertain, before finally unlatching the door.
What followed was pure chaos.
"Tadaa! Happy birthday, little sis!"
The shout came first, followed by a bang that echoed unnervingly in the quiet hallway.
Before anyone could react, a bang echoed through the space, followed by an explosion of colorful paper streamers raining down.
For a few seconds, no one moved.
The spectacle stunned everyone into silence.
Hachiman blinked, clearly trying to process the unfolding scene.
At the center of it all stood an unfamiliar delivery man, struggling to hold onto a massive box that was far too large for any normal delivery.
Behind him, armed with a party popper and wearing a grin too wide for the late hour, was Haruno Yukinoshita.
Haruno stepped in confidently.
"What's with the stunned faces? Did I miss the cake?" She teased, surveying her handiwork like an artist admiring a newly completed masterpiece.
Hachiman groaned audibly, his hand already rubbing at his temple as if bracing for a headache. "Haruno... It's late. What are you even doing here?"
"Obviously delivering something important." She gestured toward the oversized box the delivery man awkwardly held, her smirk deepening.
Yukino stood a few steps away, arms still crossed, her tone carrying a sharp edge.
"And was it necessary to cause a scene in the hallway? What is that?" Her gaze flicked to the box, suspicion evident.
"Oh, come on, Yukino. Lighten up! It's your birthday. I thought I'd bring a little… flair." Haruno waved off the complaint with a flourish before turning her attention back to the mysterious box. "And this? Let's just say it's a special gift from Father."
At that, Yui and Komachi poked their heads out from the living room, drawn by the commotion.
Their curiosity mirrored the growing unease in the air.
"Should we even ask what's inside?" Yuigahama ventured cautiously, her voice caught between curiosity and concern.
"Of course!" Haruno replied, feigning offense. She placed a hand dramatically on her chest. "What do you take me for?"
Hachiman sighed, his exasperation now palpable. "Fine. Just… bring it in already." He stepped aside, waving the delivery man through.
As the massive box was carried into the living room, everyone's attention turned toward it.
The box was carefully maneuvered into the living room, its sheer size dwarfing everything else in the space. It loomed in the center like an uninvited guest that refused to be ignored.
Yukino let out a slow breath, her hand pinching the bridge of her nose as if she could physically block out whatever nonsense was about to unfold.
"Go on, Yukino! Open it!" Haruno urged, her excitement far surpassing anyone else's.
Reluctantly, Yukino approached the box, her movements cautious like she was disarming a trap.
She opened it slowly, her expression shifting from wary to resigned in an instant.
Inside, surrounded by excessive layers of padding, was a doll, a cat, much like the one Hachiman had gifted her earlier.
But this one was a different color, with a bright lavender hue that seemed almost garish compared to the subtle purple of the first. Its style was also slightly different, with exaggeratedly large eyes and a fluffier body.
And then there was the most obvious detail - it was much bigger than the one Hachiman had bought.
Yukino froze, staring at the oversized feline. Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she said nothing. The room remained quiet except for the faint sound of Haruno suppressing her laughter.
Hachiman's reaction, on the other hand, was immediate. He stood in the doorway, his shoulders slumping as his expression darkened.
"...That old man." He muttered, the words dripping with irritation.
Haruno, still grinning, stepped closer. "Isn't it adorable, Yukino? Father thought you deserved something… memorable. He wanted it to really stand out."
"Oh, it stands out all right." Hachiman grumbled, his tone thick with irritation.
His eyes twitched in annoyance.
His eyes flickered toward the oversized doll.
There was no mistaking it - this was a deliberate provocation.
If Yukino's father wanted a fight, then fine.
He would give him one.
But before he could stew any further in his growing disdain for Yukino's father, a sound interrupted him - a soft chuckle, barely audible but unmistakable.
"Haa…"
The source? Yukino herself.
She was laughing. Her hand came up, covering her mouth in a futile attempt to muffle the rare, genuine sound. It wasn't forced or polite - it was real.
Hachiman and Haruno both froze, their surprise evident. They turned toward her, their confusion mirrored in their silence.
Hachiman had already told how he accidentally ran into her father in Chiba, and how, through an awkward sequence of events.
…and of course, he had also mentioned how this ridiculous lavender monstrosity had ended up as her birthday gift.
Now, seeing Yukino laugh like this, he began to wonder if she had pieced it together entirely.
It was hilariously absurd. She thought.
Her typically serious and stoic father could act so whimsically at times - so much so that she couldn't stop the corners of her lips from curving upward again.
Haruno tilted her head, watching Yukino's uncharacteristic amusement with interest. "Did you like it that much?"
Yukino's response came as smoothly as ever, though it surprised everyone. "...Yes, I do."
The room stilled. Even Hachiman glanced at her, not expecting the admission.
But Yukino's voice softened a moment later as she added. "But I already have one."
She gestured toward the smaller, more subtle cat doll Hachiman had given her earlier.
"This is enough for me." Yukino said firmly, her words polite but leaving no room for debate. Her gaze shifted to Haruno. "Besides, it's far too big for my room."
For a fleeting second, Haruno looked genuinely caught off guard.
But her composure returned just as quickly, and a sly grin spread across her face. "I wonder what Father will think of that."
Hachiman couldn't suppress his smirk. Haruno's theatrics aside, Yukino's measured dismissal had landed perfectly. No need for a fight, old man. I have already won.
Haruno gave an exaggerated shrug of mock defeat, and the delivery man - still awkwardly hovering in the doorway - was instructed to take the oversized doll back.
The door clicked shut behind him, leaving a rare moment of peace in its wake.
Hachiman leaned casually against the wall, crossing his arms in triumph. "Well, that settles that."
Yukino gave him a sideways glance, her faint smile lingering. "You shouldn't be so smug about something so trivial."
"Trivial?" Hachiman scoffed lightly. "This is a decisive victory."
Yukino's expression softened, her amusement evident despite her effort to hide it. "If you say so."
Hachiman leaned back into the sofa, his arms crossed, a rare sense of satisfaction settling in.
He muttered to himself, almost under his breath. "This day couldn't get any better…"
His words hung in the air, leaving Yukino to quietly shake her head, though the faint trace of a smile on her face suggested she might agree - even if she would never admit it aloud.
.
….
[To be continued…]
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