There was no denying it: Yukinoshita Yukino had once longed for the person who had promised to come and save her—even if she herself refused to admit it out loud.
But after reuniting with him in reality, if he no longer remembered those shared moments, would her heart waver?
That was something Yukino had thought long and hard about. At her core, she was someone who couldn't tolerate impurities mixed into her feelings. If the boy she met in reality turned out not to be who she believed him to be, perhaps she would have chosen to retreat, keeping that dream as a private memory known only to herself.
Yet, as the boy gradually stepped into her everyday life, the conclusion she ultimately reached was this:
As the distance between them shortened, the admiration worn down by closeness slowly transformed into another emotion—one warmer, more tangible, and far more intimate.
"I thought you were pretty sharp… turns out you'd still agree to a deal that's completely one-sided."
Exchanging a bag of milk candy for companionship—no matter how you looked at it, it sounded childish.
And yet, it wasn't unpleasant at all.
She continued to tease the boy in her usual calm tone, while he remained just as breezy and unbothered.
"That's because it's you, President. Of course I'd make a losing deal like that."
His utterly unguarded reply made the image of the boy from her dreams feel even more novel in her mind.
This time, she wasn't standing in the role of the one being guided—but walking alongside him as an equal.
Perhaps this was exactly what the relationship between Narumi Tōru and Yukinoshita Haruno had been like in her dreams.
Only this time, she was the one who had reached out and taken his hand before her sister ever could.
She didn't yet know where these feelings would lead, or how they would ultimately be defined.
But what Yukino did know was that she didn't dislike how things felt right now—and she hoped this feeling would continue.
"Um—if you're in a good mood right now, President, I actually have a small favor to ask."
Noticing that Yukino's expression had softened, Narumi let his eyes wander, circling around the topic for a while before finally revealing his real intention.
"Hm? Just say it."
Yukino showed a rare smile—gentle and soft, worlds apart from her usual icy, sharply aggressive demeanor.
"Well, it's like this. I've basically been a loyal member of the 'Go-Home Club' my whole life, and before joining this club I barely participated in any extracurriculars. But even so, I'm actually pretty busy after school. Part-time work at a bookstore, shifts at a live house, that sort of thing."
Narumi explained his after-school schedule in detail, like a fox wagging its tail while carefully leading its listener along. Yukino listened just as attentively, like a house cat being guided step by step without even realizing it.
"So sometimes, our club activities end up conflicting with my other commitments. If you could help coordinate things a bit, I'd seriously be beyond grateful—"
"I understand. That's not something you'd want either."
Once she grasped the full context, Yukinoshita Yukino was, in fact, remarkably reasonable and easy to talk to.
"If it conflicts with your other plans, and there aren't any pressing requests for the club that day, just let me know in advance. Leaving early or being absent temporarily is fine."
Narumi knew that beneath Yukino's exterior, she was gentle and kind—but seeing her be this understanding still made him feel oddly sentimental. It was almost like watching a younger sister he'd carefully protected in the simulation grow more mature and sensible.
If the Yukinoshita Yukino of reality were to open her heart to him the same way she had in the simulation—carefully, yet sincerely—Narumi wasn't sure he wouldn't end up falling for her.
"Besides, Narumi-kun, you don't actually contribute that much to the club anyway. Your usefulness is probably on par with Hikigaya-kun."
…Never mind. He took that back. Yukinoshita's tongue was as merciless as ever.
"Since we're talking about notifying in advance… ahem."
For some reason, she cleared her throat very stiffly, then pulled out her phone from her bag.
"Considering convenience and timeliness, and the possibility of staying in contact going forward—and besides, for a club member and the president to have no means of communication at all is a bit unreasonable…"
Miss Yukinoshita, that explanation smelled suspiciously premeditated.
"So, um… taking everything into account…"
In short, she tried to explain things with exaggerated composure, yet couldn't quite bring herself to state her real intention outright. Honestly, that awkwardness was pretty cute.
Although Narumi greatly enjoyed watching Yukino flustered, he still obligingly pulled out his own phone.
"You're right. Let's exchange LINE IDs."
Talking with Miss Yukinoshita was like teasing a cat—you could mess with it a little, but afterward you had to smooth its fur properly.
Thanks to Narumi taking the initiative, the black-haired girl—who'd been hesitating and stubbornly maintaining her composure—finally let out a small sigh of relief, having found herself a way down from the ledge she'd climbed onto.
"Obtaining the contact info of President Yukinoshita Yukino and surpassing 99% of Sobu High students… what an honor! Shouldn't an achievement pop up in the bottom-right corner of my screen to commemorate this?"
"If you have time to joke around, you should hurry up and do what you're actually supposed to be doing."
Yukino picked up her paperback again. Her tone was casual, yet laced with concern.
"Aren't you going to work today?"
Ah, the classic tsundere concern—sharp words, honest actions. Was this her way of worrying about him?
"Yeah. If I don't go now, I'll be late."
Narumi checked his watch, grabbed his bag, and waved to Yukino before leaving the clubroom.
"See you tomorrow, Yukinoshita."
This time, Yukinoshita Yukino didn't dodge the farewell out of embarrassment or stubborn pride. Bathed in the warm orange glow of the setting sun, she remained seated and smiled quietly as she returned the wave.
"…Mm. See you tomorrow."
Seen this way, Yukino—with her hidden gentleness and well-behaved side—was actually pretty cute.
Narumi only allowed himself that thought for a brief moment.
He left the clubroom with light steps. Inside, the girl didn't return her gaze to the paperback in her hands until long after he'd gone.
There'd been no real reason for her to stay so late—except for the chance to be alone with a certain curly-haired boy.
Now that she was alone, she tried to calm herself and read, only to find she couldn't piece the words on the page into a coherent sentence anymore.
"…I should head home too."
Yukinoshita Yukino let out a quiet sigh in the empty clubroom.
At the gates of Sobu High, Narumi—bag slung over his shoulder—slowed to a stop when he noticed a familiar figure.
"You're late."
There stood the blue-haired girl, already carrying her bass case on her shoulder—and a guitar case in her hand for someone else.
"Koumi, if you keep dragging your feet, I'm taking your guitar and running off with it."