When leaving school, Yuu was still wondering why they didn't just meet at the school gate—it was closer.
Only after seeing Yukino waiting alone at the station did he realize: if Yuigahama wasn't there, the two of them walking side-by-side out the school gate would definitely spark a lot of talk.
Though meeting at the station was also risky, there was the principle of small hiding in the woods, big hiding in the city. As long as they blended into the crowd, the chance of drawing attention dropped drastically. They wouldn't have to worry about being surrounded and gossiped about, making interaction here far more relaxed than inside school.
...Actually, as long as they didn't do anything too intimate and kept distance, meeting at the school gate wouldn't be a problem either.
After all, the film had been made, explanations given. Everyone who cared knew he and Yukino had a very good relationship, and he was the boyfriend of her best friend. Those still gossiping now were just busybodies who didn't care about rumors—and the comments they stirred weren't even rumors, just idle gossip, not worth minding.
But since Yukino proactively considered everything, Yuu naturally had no reason to complain—and even felt a bit indebted... He only regretted that he and Yukino were too eye-catching. They were almost like the so-called school stars, unlike some ordinary manga protagonists who dated multiple girls, hugged everywhere, yet no one cared.
The most important point: Sobu High students were too relaxed. Every day someone turned the school forum into a social media spam spot, enthusiastically discussing.
Sighing soundlessly, Yuu smiled and walked toward the black-haired girl under the bus stop sign.
"Yo—waited long?"
Yukino stood straight there. Her petite face covered by a scarf looked elegant and sweet. Her azure eyes seemed cold but were full of care and hope scanning the crowd. Her smooth black hair clung to her slim back. Her entire self was as beautiful as the most precious crystal statue in the Louvre.
Hearing the voice, the girl's searching eyes finally caught his figure.
Thus the cold ice slowly melted into warm water. Her thin soft lips naturally curved, like a cat slowly relaxing its arched back, tail unconsciously touching the ground.
"Not long—I just arrived too."
She said smiling. Her voice wasn't as cold and sharp as usual—just warm soft gentleness.
"Is the script standard?" Yuu narrowed his eyes comfortably. He held back the urge to pat her head, asking with a smile.
"Standard?" Yukino slightly tilted her head, not quite understanding.
Yuu walked past her. She turned too—without any signal. They both walked side-by-side toward the station.
"I mean—when couples date, isn't it the guy who says this line to the late girl?"
"Ngh—maybe..." Yukino pinched her chin as if pondering, but suddenly lifted a teasing smile, staring at him with sparkling eyes.
"But the one saying the female lead's line is Yuu-kun, right? Though I can't say you're late—I sincerely suggest you say that line again, and make it more complete."
"Hah? You think I'll listen to your advice and say—" Yuu paused, then squirmed and pretended to be spoiled in Yukino's voice, "Sorry, Darling—made you wait~ I didn't mean to be a bit late~—words like that?"
Yuu sneered, changing back from that very similar female voice: "Don't be naive—I'm a real man—I'd never do something that damages dignity!"
"Your dignity isn't worth anything—like konpeito dropped on the ground..."
Her face paled as if wanting to vomit. Yukino frowned and covered her mouth with her hand, glancing at him with cold eyes: "Also—never speak in my voice again... Seriously—this has gone beyond disgusting to terrifying."
"If you don't like it—I won't do it again." Yuu promised smiling, seeming to find her expression very funny.
"Really..." Sighing wordlessly—but understanding Yuu wasn't messing around—Yukino didn't mind much more, her expression softening.
They both stood on the platform, looking at the still-empty train tracks.
"Where's Yui? Isn't she coming?"
"Hmm—we'll shop at the supermarket near the apartment. We shouldn't meet same-school students there... Unless bad luck—and we happen to run into Natsukawa-san."
"If we do meet—I think it's no longer a matter of luck..."
The train arrived, lifting the girl's silk-like hair. Fresh scent mixed with faint rich aroma. Natural purity mixed with temptation like a newly bloomed rose.
Yuu deliberately lagged two steps. This was the first time he felt breathing was such a beautiful thing.
"What's wrong?"
"I like your scent." Yuu had given up lying to Yukino.
"...Pervert." Yukino uncomfortably tidied her hair a bit, and with her eyes ordered him to take the spot by the train door ahead. She stood opposite—with distance so he couldn't smell her. "You really surprised me, Tenkuji-kun—getting excited in public."
"It has nothing to do with the place—only with the person." After serious correction, Yuu added, "Also—appreciating beauty isn't limited to visual. Real men have the right to smell roses. You're too focused on appearance, Yukinoshita-san."
Afternoon crowds weren't many. After the few boarding passengers, a hissing sound—and the train slowly closed doors.
In the slightly noisy environment, Yukino lifted her lip corners. She smiled at him as if knowing everything. She said proudly and confidently: "You talk a lot—but you're just hiding the fact you're attracted to me. If this weren't the train—you'd desperately want to hug this perfect me right now, right?"
"Don't talk nonsense!"
Yuu immediately widened his eyes. Like a child misunderstood by parents—he hurriedly defended: "I'm not hiding anything—I'm really attracted to you! If you don't believe—listen to my heartbeat. I always dare to admit what I feel—"
"Enough, enough—I know! Can't you give a normal answer?!"
Seeing him about to reach out to hug her, Yukino hurriedly pushed the approaching chest—her expression somehow evasive.
When she backed to the train door side—she glared at him angrily, face looking innocent. Yukino slightly bit her soft lips—her milky white skin emitting red from embarrassment.
"Please distinguish the place. Do you really want all our Cultural Festival efforts to be wasted?"
Yuigahama's shadow flashed in his mind. He tried hard not to mind possible surrounding gazes—and deliberately showed anger, plus an unfamiliar cold attitude.
"Of course not. If I wasn't sure we wouldn't be caught—do you think I'd be this stupid?"
Yuu said seriously. He also signaled with his eyes for her to check the carriage situation.
In the Eavesdroppers' Wall condition that turned out more comfortable and easier to use than expected—no one was looking their way, even the Sobu High uniform-wearing student sitting right across ignored them.
"How could this happen..."
After her quietly raised eyes scanned around, Yukino naturally realized something was wrong. Just as doubt rose in her heart—she quickly reacted.
(All strange events are related to him—and this time is probably no exception.)
(Tenkuji-kun knows that for unusual things—he had to go through very painful trials multiple times before explaining to them—knowing what words could be said and what couldn't.)
So before Yuu tried explaining—Yukino stared straight—then sighed resignedly: "Anyway—don't do such things outside. After returning to the apartment... Hugging is still allowed."
"Understood, Yukino." The tenderness in his eyes didn't last more than three seconds. Yuu immediately smiled mischievously again. "Wait—this isn't fair. Usually you kiss me whenever you want—why can I only hug?"
Yukino gave him a cold glare—then awkwardly cold-huffed. She turned—watching the fast-moving scenery outside the train window.
"Idiot—you don't even understand subtle polite language. I really don't know how you got first rank in your year."
Her mocking tone fell to the ground—but hid a bit of girl's embarrassment she didn't want him to know.
They could always directly understand the meaning behind each other's words—and now was no exception.
"Yukino..."
Yuu stared blankly at the faintly red ears visible between her hair. He unconsciously held his breath. He felt his chest suddenly hit hard.
Then his heart pumped—and blood flowed faster, wildly surging in his body.
(Damn—is this the feeling of a lamb entering the tiger's mouth...)
He silently shook his head. With Mirror-Clear Heart he directly eliminated the strong urge filling his chest. Only then did he not exploit the Eavesdroppers' Wall to directly hug this shy slim sweet girl on the train—venting his affection regardless of her feelings.
He knew he shouldn't have such fantasies about her pure firm self—and he also had to think of Yuigahama, who might arrive just before the evening party started...
But Yuu still couldn't help looking forward to alone time with her in the apartment.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
As if specially serving nearby residents, an unassuming small supermarket sat in the middle of the luxury residential area. Though product variety wasn't much—basically all were good quality and affordable. No nuclear-contaminated ingredients—and one could find some high-end dry goods not in ordinary supermarkets.
Yukino usually bought ingredients here and took them home to cook—so she was very familiar with the place. Since she never met other classmates at this supermarket—she unconsciously let down her guard. The distance she deliberately kept outside gradually melted by unintentional physical touches.
"Since it can be finished today—let's check the near-expiry and discount section first. You should be more professional than me at picking ingredients—so I won't say much... Also—I know you're very rich—but don't waste. Just buy everyday hot pot ingredients."
Pulling the shopping cart and heading straight inside the supermarket without hesitation, Yukino also advised Yuu like a young wife. She seemed very afraid he'd directly grab lobster, crab, and abalone from the freezer and toss them into the cart.
Though he didn't mind—he still couldn't help complaining:
"We're not even married—why are you already managing my household finances?"
"I just hate waste."
Used to his teasing, Yukino answered calmly while selecting ingredients: "With your personality—you'd definitely throw any tasty-looking ingredient into the cart without caring about price or if it can be finished. As a result—after supermarket shopping—you'd only realize at checkout you accidentally bought tens of thousands of Yen worth—so after marriage—I have to manage finances. Relax—I won't be stingy to make you eat instant noodles every day."
As if having a very strong obsession with this—she naturally revealed her marriage expectations—leaving no room for Yuu to retort.
Tucking her hanging black hair behind her ear, Yukino suddenly turned and asked: "Do you like beef or pork?"
"...Eat both."
"Fine—then one portion each."
Taking two meat boxes from the discount counter and putting them in the cart—she continued walking without stopping.
Behind, Yuu watched her beautiful curved hips with a weird expression. Then—slowly—he smiled like someone helpless against her.
Quickening steps—he approached her like a child, tone somehow excited.
"One box each isn't enough. I alone won't be full."
"I know—but at this price—one box is plenty. I also don't like eating too-cheap ingredients."
"Great~ By the way wife—can I buy some expensive items? This is our first Christmas after dating—can't be too ordinary, right?"
Yukino glanced at him flatly. She slightly frowned as if wanting to say something—but only sighed helplessly.
"...Not too much—go ahead."
Yuu immediately bowed and thanked: "Thank you for my wife's generosity!"
Yukino showed disgust with her eyes: "Pretending."
"What's wrong? You didn't reject it either~"
Relying on the fact only they were around here, Yuu raised brows carelessly. Then—with lightning speed—he kissed her soft cheek, and walked toward the seafood counter with a wide grin.
If the situation wasn't right—Yukino would definitely scold him until he knelt voluntarily.
"Idiot—he really loves teasing girls..."
She huffed through her nose, coldly staring at his disappearing back around the corner. She wiped the kissed spot—and pushed the cart with a cold face toward the next meat counter.
But not far after walking, Yukino suddenly took out the scarf she'd stored in her bag after entering. She wrapped it tightly around her face.
Then she bowed her head covering her face—hands strong as if wanting to strangle herself.
"Aaaahhh... It's still so embarrassing—how can he be so thick-skinned!"
Yukino stomped the ground annoyed. The face behind the scarf was fever-hot. Waves of embarrassment continuously attacked her nerves—leaving her at a loss.
So—hiding in a supermarket corner no one could see—she let out a dying weak sound. After a long time—she released the scarf, looked up, and kept taking deep breaths. She also fanned her face with her hand—trying to quickly cool her red hot face.
Even this embarrassed confused feeling—from the heart—emitted unprecedented sweetness.
Her eyes unconsciously softened. The girl smoothed her slightly curved lip corners—and pushed the cart forward.
"By the way, wife..."
Sooner or later—she had to get used to this address.