New Year, January 3rd.
"It's this store again. You two really are sisters..."
Hikigaya stared at the western-style restaurant in front of him. This was where he and Haruno had met alone for the first time last year, and he felt a bit speechless. Could it be that he and Yukino were about to repeat exactly what he and Haruno had experienced the previous year?
"What's wrong, Hikigaya-san?" Yukino asked, noticing the complicated expression on his face. This was a restaurant she had carefully selected—high-end and quiet—and she thought Hikigaya would like it, but he seemed displeased.
"Oh, nothing, just some memories coming back to me. Let's go in, Yukinoshita-san," he replied.
They walked into the restaurant. Hikigaya had a habit of always sitting in the same spot when he dined out, no matter how many times he visited. Ignoring the waiter's instructions, he made his way directly to the seat he and Haruno had often occupied last year. Before the waiter could hand him the menu, he stated his orders.
"Hikigaya-san, do you come to this store often?" Yukino asked, somewhat surprised. Although this restaurant was quite far from both of their homes, Hikigaya's familiarity with it was evident.
"Well, I do come here often, Yukinoshita-san. But I can't come to such a distant place by myself. It would be impolite to elaborate further. Just understand," Hikigaya explained. Yukino immediately grasped his meaning and tightened her grip around the cup in her hands.
" I'm going to make a wild guess , Hikigaya-san. You probably went out riding a lot last year, right? Was there someone riding with you all the time? "
Yukino asked without any emotion, which sent a chill down Hikigaya's spine.
"Uh, how did you figure that out, Yukinoshita-san?"
"Of course, it was the method that someone taught me accidentally when we first met during that lesson on the balcony at the banquet."
Yukino raised her slender right hand, revealing marks left by horseback riding. At that moment, Hikigaya noticed similar marks on his right hand, though less noticeable.
"Well, I do go horseback riding often, and that person always accompanies me. I really enjoy horseback riding; it gives me a sense of freedom. I'm sure you can understand, Yukinoshita-san."
Hikigaya found it strange that, despite being invited by Yukinoshita to celebrate her birthday, the day had turned into an interrogation for him.
"So, while I was riding alone in America, you were thousands of kilometers away, enjoying the pleasure of riding side by side with her in the sun?" Yukino said, self-deprecatingly.
"Um, I need to correct you, Yukinoshita-san. There's a ten-hour time difference between Japan and the United States. So technically, you were probably asleep while we were riding. I won't say anything more."
Realizing that the cold air around Yukino was about to materialize and turn into ice cones aimed at him, Hikigaya quickly closed his mouth and lowered his head, staring at the table.
"Yukinoshita-san, you haven't ordered yet."
Hikigaya noticed she hadn't opened her menu and couldn't help but remind her.
"Oh, so we are here to have dinner today. I forgot."
Yukino picked up the menu and flipped through it mechanically.
Hikigaya felt that although the two sisters sometimes thought alike, their personalities were quite different. But this was a good thing, as it gave him two completely different experiences.
"Don't forget that today is your treat…"
When the two of them dined together, the atmosphere was generally harmonious, and delicious food often brought about a happy mood.
"What are your plans for the afternoon, Yukinoshita-san? I don't think horseback riding is possible now, as most riding clubs are closed at this time."
Hikigaya asked after finishing his meal. In fact, he already had a plan.
"Actually, I'm not very good at traveling. When I was in the United States, I spent my weekends riding horses and reading books. The books I read the most were yours, Hachiman-san."
Yukino emphasized this sentence deliberately, and the ice and snow around her had largely melted away.
"Well, let's go to my house together this afternoon. It's my new house, Yukinoshita-san," Hikigaya added, realizing Yukino had misunderstood the first half of his sentence.
" Yeah, sure. I'd like to try out that big sofa in your apartment. It must be very comfortable to lie on. "
Yukino said expectantly, then left the table to pay the bill.
————
"Excuse me..."
Even though there was no one in the apartment, Yukino still spoke politely as she entered.
"Here are the slippers, Yukinoshita-san."
Hikigaya took out a newly unpacked pair of slippers from the shoe cabinet and placed them next to Yukino. She silently memorized their appearance, planning to wear them often in the future.
"No matter how many times I see it, I am always struck by how gorgeous this apartment is, Hikigaya-san."
After hanging her coat alongside Hikigaya's, Yukinoshita took her time to carefully observe every corner of the apartment, unable to hide her amazement. The spacious sofa she had been thinking about actually turned out to be part of the home theater that Hikigaya had built.
Yukino sat down, pulled her black silk-clad feet out of her slippers, curled up on the sofa, wrapped her arms around her slender legs, leaned against the backrest, and silently watched Hikigaya as he prepared tea.
"I'm sorry, Yukinoshita-san, but there's only tea in the house right now. I'll buy some other drinks and put them in the refrigerator when we actually move in," Hikigaya said, placing the cup on the coffee table. He felt Yukinoshita's gaze upon him and couldn't help but think that her posture was so cute it was almost against the rules, making him a little hesitant to look her in the eye.
"Yukinoshita, would you like to try out this home theater? We can spend the afternoon watching a movie together," Hikigaya invited.
"Um," Yukino agreed softly, burying her head between her knees and leaving only her expectant eyes visible as she silently stared at Hikigaya Hachiman.
"Yukinoshita-san, I feel a little uncomfortable with you looking at me like this..." Hikigaya said helplessly while rummaging through the TV cabinet for the Blu-ray discs he had purchased in bulk.
"Just watch this one, 'Tokyo Godfathers.' It's a classic animation," Hikigaya decided. He drew all the curtains around them, creating a cinema-like atmosphere in the room. Then he returned to the sofa and sat cross-legged next to Yukino.
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