….
[-Continuation-]
.
[-Third Person View-]
Yukino, meanwhile, sighed. "Let's go. The longer we stand here, the later we will be."
Reluctantly, Yui followed, still grumbling under her breath as Komachi took the lead.
Their conversation carried on in lively tones as they navigated through the crowd, heading toward their seats.
….
The trio stepped into the main hall, where the energy seemed to double.
Rows of seats stretched out before them, filled with clusters of people chatting animatedly. Bright lights illuminated the stage at the far end, where a large screen displayed the event's logo.
Komachi, with her boundless energy, took charge, weaving confidently through the rows of seats.
"This way! The front is where all the action happens!" Komachi declared, her voice brimming with excitement as she weaved through the rows.
"Komachi, slow down." Yukino muttered, her calm tone tinged with mild exasperation.
"Yeah, Komachi, I feel like we are storming a castle or something!" Yui added, laughing nervously.
As they neared the front section, they noticed a small checkpoint where attendants were verifying special tickets.
There were no barricades or overt security measures, just a few staff members checking passes politely but firmly.
One of the attendants approached them, his demeanor professional yet courteous.
"Excuse me, may I see your passes for a moment?" He asked with a polite smile.
Komachi, undeterred, puffed out her chest dramatically, clearly prepared for this exact moment. She placed her hands on her hips, a mischievous glint in her eyes, and took a deep breath.
"Do you know whose little sister I a–!"
"Let them in." - A calm, authoritative voice interrupted from behind the attendant.
Komachi froze mid-sentence, her would-be grand proclamation effectively cut off. The attendant straightened immediately and stepped aside.
All three girls turned to see the source of the interruption.
It was Jim, one of the event coordinators, his simple badge and composed demeanor exuding quiet authority. His expression was friendly but businesslike as he gestured for them to proceed.
Komachi remembered him clearly. Her big brother, Hachiman, had introduced him to her, saying that if she ever had any problems and couldn't find him, she should go and get him.
Her shoulders slumped in defeat, her practiced moment of triumph thoroughly ruined.
"Seriously?! Mr. Jim, you couldn't let me finish?" She whined, pouting in exaggerated frustration.
Jim blinked, momentarily confused, before realizing what he had interrupted.
A small twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed a hint of amusement. Now he had to look out for his sister too? Well, the little girl was kind of cute, she reminded him of his nieces. Otherwise, he might've been stomping his feet in frustration.
"Ah… my apologies, Komachi. I didn't mean to ruin anything." He said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly.
Yukino let out a small sigh, the faintest trace of amusement crossing her features. "It seems your moment of glory will have to wait, Komachi."
Komachi crossed her arms, puffing out her cheeks. "Hmph! I practiced that line forever!... ugh!"
Jim offered an apologetic smile. "Your brother asked me to make sure everything went smoothly. Think of this as me following through on that request."
Komachi exhaled dramatically, waving him off with mock frustration. "Fine, fine. But next time, let me have my moment, okay? Pretty please...?"
Jim just chuckled, stepping aside to let them through.
As they moved past the checkpoint and into the exclusive seating area, Yui leaned over to Komachi with a grin.
Yui stifled a giggle behind her hand, her voice light with amusement. "You were really going for it, huh, Komachi? I kinda wanted to hear the rest…"
Komachi puffed out her cheeks in mock annoyance, but her eyes sparkled with a mischievous gleam as she turned away, clearly not pleased.
Yukino shook her head lightly, a small sigh escaping her lips as they followed Komachi to their seats.
…
As they settled into their seats, Yukino found her thoughts momentarily drifting, the vibrant energy of the venue mingling with Komachi's ever-enthusiastic presence.
"So, this is how you look?" A curious voice interrupted her thoughts.
Before Yukino could fully process the words, a woman had already stepped in front of her, leaning in a bit too close for comfort.
The woman's hands reached out gently, her fingers brushing Yukino's cheeks as though inspecting them. Her expression was one of warm curiosity, like someone admiring a rare find. It felt almost like dealing with a doll - delicate, scrutinized.
"You are certainly as beautiful as described." The woman mused with a delighted smile.
Yukino blinked, caught entirely off guard. She froze, unsure of how to respond to the unexpected scrutiny.
A voice from behind them broke the moment. "I already told you, didn't I?"
Yukino turned toward the voice and immediately recognized him - Hachiman's father.
Which could only mean…
The woman in front of her was Hachiman's mother.
"It's about time I got to meet you." Hachiman's mother said, her tone full of cheerful warmth. "I felt so bad that I was the only one who hadn't met you yet. It's wonderful to finally put a face to the name."
Yukino straightened quickly, shaking off her initial surprise. She composed herself, bowing politely.
"I am Yukino Yukinoshita. It's a pleasure to meet you." She said, her voice steady despite the lingering awkwardness.
Komachi, ever the self-appointed guide, stepped in with her trademark grin. "And this is Yui! She is a brother 's classmate and Yukino's best friend."
Yui, who had felt slightly awkward in the spotlight, gave a polite bow. "Yui Yuigahama, it's nice to meet you."
Hachiman's mother raised an eyebrow, her gaze focused on Yui.
"Oh… I remember this pretty girl." She remarked, a twinkle in her eye.
Before Yui could respond, Hachiman's mother quickly shifted her attention. "The event is about to start soon. Let's save the introductions for later and take our seats."
With that, they all settled into their places. Komachi wedged herself between her parents, clearly content in the center of it all.
Yukino and Yui, sensing the need to give everyone a little space, choose seats a few rows away from them.
It was an unspoken agreement to avoid unnecessary awkwardness.
As the minutes passed, the air filled with quiet chatter.
Yukino could hear the muffled voices of the audience, the distant hum of excitement. Just ten minutes to go.
Suddenly, a voice from a few rows behind them caught both Yukino and Yui's attention.
Yukino and Yui exchanged amused glances as the familiar voice echoed from behind them, followed by the all-too-familiar interruption.
"Do you know who my boyfriend i–!"
"Let her in…" - came the voice they had just heard moments before.
The two girls couldn't help it. They burst into quiet laughter at the absurdity of the situation. The scene was oddly repetitive, yet still somehow amusing.
Yui, her curiosity piqued, whispered under her breath, "...but since when does Ms. Hiratsuka have a boyfriend?"
The question hung in the air for a moment, and Yukino, who had been keeping her composure, allowed a small, knowing smile to tug at the corners of her lips.
There seemed to be so much Yui wasn't aware of yet. She hadn't meant to keep her in the dark, but certain things had just unfolded that way.
Well, I suppose she will learn sooner or later. Yukino thought, her gaze shifting slightly toward Yui, a quiet understanding between them.
Before Yui could think too much about it, a figure appeared beside them. It was none other than Shizuka Hiratsuka, strolling up to them with her usual easy confidence.
Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and she had that familiar playful grin plastered on her face as she slid into the empty seat next to Yukino.
"Looks like I made it just in time." She said with a grin.
Yukino glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "You seem unusually... cheerful today, Ms. Hiratsuka."
Shizuka only smiled wider, leaning back in her seat. "Not as much as you…"
Yui, still processing everything, couldn't help but feel like there were pieces to this puzzle she was missing.
With a slight shake of her head, she let out a breath and muttered. "I don't know what's going on, but this is definitely more interesting than I expected."
Yukino, trying not to let her amusement show too much, simply nodded.
The conversation faded as the event began, but the subtle undercurrent of mystery and surprise lingered in the air.
The front rows filled quickly as the event inched closer to starting, but for now, the three ladies sat comfortably, awaiting what promised to be an unforgettable show.
.
….
[To be continued…]
★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★
[Author Reminder : 2+chapters advance in Patreon]