….
[-Continuation-]
[-Two Days Later-]
.
[-Yukino Yukinoshita's POV-]
Planning the prom.
That's what this was supposed to be about - helping Isshiki Iroha.
She was so determined to make it happen, even if it meant doing everything on her own.
I admire that about her, the way she refused to give up.
But if I am being truthful, that's not why I agreed.
Not entirely, anyway.
The real reason?
It's a selfish one… Just like hers.
Even thinking about it made my cheeks burn.
I wanted to dance with him.
Is that really so wrong?
After all, I am his girlfriend…
I tried to redirect my focus, but my thoughts kept wandering.
A dance with Hachiman.
The two of us, moving together under soft lights, music filling the room.
What would it be like?
Would his hand feel steady in mine?
The thought made my lips curve into a small, involuntary smile.
Still, a part of me hoped he would surprise me.
That, just once, he would drop the sarcasm and offer something real - a smile, a glance, anything meant just for me, just like the day he did on fireworks day.
I pressed my hands to my chest, trying to cool the warmth spreading across my face.
What's wrong with you, Yukino? You are acting ridiculous.
But the thought wouldn't go away.
Was it wrong to want this?
It wasn't as if I was forcing anyone to do something they wouldn't already be doing.
Isshiki was determined to pull this off with or without me.
I was simply lending a hand.
That's all.
Or so I tried to convince myself.
Before I knew it, my mind wandered again.
What kind of dress would I wear?
I didn't want something too bold, but it should still feel special.
Something simple, yet elegant - something I would feel comfortable in.
Would he notice?
Would he tell me I looked nice?
I sighed quietly, a little embarrassed by how much I wanted him to.
Then a new thought hit me, and I froze.
Does he even know how to dance?
The mental image was instant - Hachiman standing stiffly on the dance floor, muttering something cynical under his breath while avoiding eye contact.
His hands would hover awkwardly near my waist, and he would probably look more like someone preparing for battle than enjoying a dance.
I couldn't help but let out a small laugh, covering my mouth as if someone might hear me.
Would I have to guide him through it?
Would we both end up stepping on each other's feet?
And yet, even with that image in my head, I couldn't help but feel… excited.
I let that thought linger just a little longer.
A single dance with him before graduation - just one moment to keep with me when everything else changed.
Maybe it was selfish.
But this time, I didn't care.
So no matter what happened, the Prom was happening.
It didn't matter if I had to face anyone or anything.
…Or so I thought.
But even I didn't expect things to escalate to this level.
My eyes locked onto the person sitting at the kamiza, my mother, Yukinoshita Sakura, and beside her, my older sister, Yukinoshita Haruno.
Standing beside me was Hachiman, his expression far calmer than I had anticipated.
And behind me… was Yui.
Is this anything related to something Hachiman warned me about the other day?
My mother and sister stared calmly at me, who embraced the gaze heavily with her entire body.
I noticed the shift in the temperature of my mother's gaze. It was subtle, but it was there.
Isshiki, standing off to the side, immediately noticed it too and promptly bowed.
"Isshiki Iroha, the student council president…" She stammered.
"Oh dear, no need to be so nervous." My mother's voice was smooth, almost teasing.
….just how did things even come to this point?
Only a few minutes ago, I had been sitting in the clubroom, perfectly at peace.
Until Isshiki barged in without any announcement, like always.
….
[-Few minute before-]
–bang!
The door to the clubroom shook violently, then slammed open with a loud crash.
?!!The sound was enough to jolt my senses, and I instinctively tensed up.
There stood - Isshiki Iroha.
Her chest heaved as if she had just sprinted the length of the school. Her eyes darted around the room, her urgency as palpable as the crisp winter air.
"Thank goodness you are all here, Seniors." She managed, her voice strained and hurried.
"What's going on?" I asked, narrowing my gaze. The sudden intrusion, coupled with her demeanor, felt ominous.
"Come with me. Now."
She didn't wait for an answer. Before I could even process her words, she spun on her heel and bolted out of the room.
Yuigahama, Hachiman, and I exchanged bewildered glances. None of us spoke, but the unspoken question hung heavily in the air - What could possibly warrant this level of urgency?
But we didn't have time to linger. With a silent agreement, we followed Isshiki.
As we neared the door, Hachiman suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Without explanation, he veered toward my school bag, casually rummaging through it.
What was he doing?
I shot him a quick look, but he didn't seem to care.
He ignored me, pulling out a thick stack of papers and thrusting them into my hands. "Take these. They might come in handy."
I didn't argue. His tone, low and deliberate, left no room for questions. I took the papers and adjusted my grip as we resumed walking.
Isshiki's pace hadn't slowed, and by the time we reached the stairs, she was already at the landing, her footsteps echoing against the walls.
Her back was rigid, and her expression, even in profile, was grim.
"We are in a bad situation." She said abruptly, her voice clipped.
That was all she offered. No details. No reassurance. Just those ominous words that only heightened the tension.
When we turned the final corner, the sign on the door came into view - Guest Room.
This wasn't just any meeting space.
It was part of the administrative wing, nestled among the faculty room, the school office, and even the principal's office. A place where only serious matters were discussed.
Isshiki knocked once, but without waiting, pushed the door open.
I didn't hesitate and followed her in with Hachiman and Yui tagging behind.
…and the moment the door swung wide, I saw it.
Ms. Hiratsuka was sitting on the sofa near the entrance.
And then, the ones sitting on the kamiza were the figures of my mother and sister.
That's when things fell into place and the present situation has occurred.
Isshiki wasted no time.
She stepped forward, her voice steady but laced with defiance. "Sorry to keep you waiting. Since we are the ones who organized the prom, we would like to join the discussion on its practicality."
Her eyes locked onto my mother's with a boldness that surprised even me. The hostility in her gaze was barely concealed.
Mother responded with a soft chuckle, but it was clear she wasn't rattled. "'Debate' is a strong word, dear. I am just here to share my thoughts and suggestions with everyone."
Her voice was soothing, but it carried the weight of authority. With a small, deliberate smile, she gestured for us to sit.
Ms. Hiratsuka gave us a quiet nod, a subtle encouragement to comply.
We took our seats, forming an informal line across from my mother and Haruno.
My mother cleared her throat and carefully chose her words. "Well then, let's hear your views again."
Her tone shifted slightly, becoming more serious. "The Prom you have proposed. Some parents have voiced concerns after seeing the photos uploaded online. They are worried the event might not be... suitable for high school students. They feel the images don't portray a wholesome atmosphere, and it has them questioning whether this aligns with what's expected of our youth."
Haruno sighed, her frustration clear. "There are both positive and negative opinions from the alumni. But, it's not like there's been a significant backlash."
My mother shot back without missing a beat, her eyes narrowing. "Just because the negative opinions are from a minority doesn't mean they should be ignored. If people have concerns, we must take them seriously."
The room felt charged as their words lingered, and I couldn't stop myself from stepping in.
My voice was steady, though I could feel the tension behind it. "So, why are you the one here, Mother?"
She met my gaze. "Partly because I am a member of the PTA. Also, your father's companion requested my involvement, and I can't simply disregard that... you understand, don't you?"
I pressed further, my tone questioning. "But the school gave us implicit consent, right? What did they mean by that?"
Ms. Hiratsuka, who had been listening intently, finally spoke, her lips curving into a thoughtful smile. "Personally, I don't think we should rush into canceling the event. The school has a long-standing tradition of respecting students' independence and promoting self-regulation. If the students' plan has been poorly thought out, that's something we can address - but we need open dialogue and cooperation from the parents, which is why your input is so important."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with meaning.
Haruno broke the momentary silence, her sharp tone turning to Hachiman. "And you? Why so quiet? Isn't this where you shine with some clever commentary?"
Hachiman shrugged, his voice as nonchalant as ever. "There is no need for me to talk."
I seized the moment to bring the conversation back to the matter at hand. "Okay, we understand the concerns raised here… In fact, we were already prepared for some sensible objections to this event."
Haruno raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with skepticism. "Countermeasures? Anyone can point out problems. What's your grand solution to these 'reasonable objections'?"
I turned to Yui, who was sitting beside me, and gave her a subtle nod. She handed me the file I had asked her to hold on to.
This. It outlines every precaution, adjustment, and solution we have accounted for to address the concerns. Feel free to review it."
My mother and Haruno began flipping through the papers, skimming over the details.
It felt like a quiet victory, but I couldn't quite shake the nagging feeling that it wasn't enough. But at least we were showing them we had everything in order.
"Yukino, did you really prepare all this by yourself?" Haruno's voice broke through my thoughts, disbelief in her tone.
Before I could answer, Hachiman's voice cut in smoothly, carrying a hint of teasing. "Of course, she did. She is exceptional, isn't she? Always prepared to handle situations like this."
Heat crept into my face, but I refused to let it show. His comment, while meant to defend me, was completely unnecessary in front of my mother.
I turned my focus back to her, keeping my tone even. "Well, Mother? As both a parent and a PTA member, do you find this acceptable?"
The room fell silent again, waiting for her response.
.
….
[To be continued…]
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