A familiar setting, a familiar space.
Yuu walked into Masuzu's kitchen. His eyes scanned the sink and counter, so clean they looked like they'd just been taken from a showroom.
The cooking utensils, dishes, and ingredients he'd once left here were, of course, gone. Everything was back to being pristine, just like the first time he'd entered.
He opened the fridge. Naturally, there was no meat or vegetables he'd left behind. Only a few cans of drinks and coffee remained. In the corner, two or three boxes of Weider in Jelly were stacked. The top box was open, with four packets of instant jelly still inside.
Unconsciously, Yuu reached for the box. He stopped before touching the jelly, sighed, and pulled his hand back.
"I need to break this habit…"
Ignoring the urge to tidy the jelly, he turned and walked out of the kitchen.
In the living room, Haruno looked up, Yukino held Masuzu's waist, and Yuigahama held her legs. They carefully placed the unconscious Masuzu on the sofa.
Since they couldn't find a blanket and didn't want to enter someone's bedroom without permission, Yukino took off her trench coat and draped it over Masuzu, who was only wearing pajamas and looked frail and thin.
Her black hair clung to her slender, graceful back. Her white winter shirt outlined a simple yet beautiful figure. Yukino bent down, earnestly using the back of her hand to check Masuzu's forehead temperature.
(This person, she's someone who can only show her kindness through actions, huh.)
Yuu's smile flickered briefly before vanishing. He walked closer.
"Don't tell me it's a fever. Her body temperature is so low, I'm wondering if she just came out of a fridge. Are we really not calling an ambulance…" Yukino frowned, pulling her hand back. She happened to glance at him, her eyes suddenly sharpening. "Why are you smiling in a situation like this?"
"It's a forced smile." Yuu spread his hands innocently. "There's no food in her house. I need to go buy some."
Though she knew the first part of his sentence was a lie, this wasn't the time to nitpick. Yukino only snorted coldly, grabbed her bag, and headed for the door.
"Wait, Yukinon, let me go instead!" Yuigahama, unsure what to do after helping move Masuzu, hurriedly stopped her. "Your trench coat is still covering Natsukawa-san. You'll get cold going out in just a shirt."
"I can go upstairs and grab a jacket."
Just as she finished speaking, Yuu patted her shoulder, pointing his thumb toward the kitchen.
"You make the tea. I'll go buy the ingredients."
Her clear blue eyes narrowed slightly. Yukino asked coldly and calmly, "The reason?"
"My cooking's better than yours, and I'm the one making the porridge. Of course, I'll decide what ingredients to buy."
"You could make a list."
"Oh, great idea, but I don't want to."
"…Childish." Like a kid being underestimated, she muttered unhappily. Yukino turned expressionlessly. "Fine. Where's the tea?"
"In the leftmost cabinet above the stove."
"How do you know?"
"I saw it!" Yuu said in a surprised tone, as if he couldn't believe Yukino was that clueless.
Yukino took a deep breath, leaving only her cold back and swaying black hair facing him.
Yuu grinned happily. He turned and saw Haruno staring at him, smiling. Her eyes were full of interest and a hint of danger.
(Good grief, what's this woman planning now?)
The thought crossed his mind. Yuu forced himself to shift his attention. After pulling his wallet from his bag and slipping it into his pocket, he glanced at Masuzu, unconscious on the sofa, her face pale and lips colorless. He walked toward the door as if it wasn't his concern.
"I'm going to buy ingredients. I'll be back soon. I'm leaving Natsukawa-san in your care… Remember to open the door when I ring the bell."
"Oh, I'll come too…" Yuigahama hurriedly put on the jacket she'd just taken off. As she moved to follow, a hand pressed her shoulder from behind.
"Wait, let me go instead."
Haruno said earnestly, "Your friend… Natsukawa-san, right? You should stay here. After all, I'm just a stranger to her. If she wakes up and sees an unfamiliar person in her house, she might faint again from fear. That wouldn't be good."
"Eh…" Yuigahama blinked, feeling surprised and at a loss for words.
Haruno's reason was too contrived. She didn't even try to hide her intention to go with Yuu. Yuigahama didn't know how to react, her feelings a tangled mess.
In the end, she could only look to Yuu for help.
Yuu ignored Haruno's exaggeratedly cute wink. He thought for a moment and said to Yuigahama:
"Haruno-san has a point. We still don't know what's wrong with Natsukawa-san or why she suddenly fainted… If you're by her side, it'll probably be easier to get information from her and calm her down."
"So, you two stay here. I'll go alone."
After speaking, without looking at Yuigahama's cheeks puffing up like balloons, Yuu quickly left the apartment.
The door closed quietly.
The scent of boiling water wafted from the kitchen. In the living room, the two women slowly shifted their gazes from the door and looked at each other across the sofa.
Yuigahama bit her lip slightly. Her hands clenched at her sides. Her puppy-like, moist eyes no longer avoided Haruno's, staring straight at the college student.
Haruno leaned halfway against the sofa, propping her cheek with her hand. Her lazy, calm gaze met the dango girl's stare with composure.
"What's up? Got something to say?"
With no intention of playing a silent drama, Haruno spoke casually, immediately taking control.
"Um, Haruno-san."
To her surprise, Yuigahama spoke with a slightly serious tone. Her eyes were earnest, unaffected by Haruno's aura.
"If I misunderstood, I apologize in advance…"
She took a deep breath and asked, "Haruno-san, your feelings for Yuu-kun—"
"I like him. A lot."
Before she could finish, the blunt, razor-sharp answer left Yuigahama momentarily speechless.
"B-but, you've only met a few times and barely talked…"
"That's just your perspective. Besides, even so, can't I fall for him at first sight?"
Haruno smiled gleefully. As if not taking it seriously, she casually twirled her dyed-red hair and said, "His performance at the autumn showcase was enough to catch anyone's eye. Is it strange that I like him?"
"But Yukinon…"
"Yukino-chan doesn't know, but what does that have to do with her? You can't control liking someone. Even if he's my little sister's classmate, it's all the same."
Faced with that bold statement, Yuigahama was at a loss for words. She lowered her head in silence.
In the end, she just wanted to confirm Haruno's feelings, even if it meant nothing.
Whether that person truly liked Yuu or not, there was nothing she could do or change—
Right. Just like Haruno couldn't change the fact that she liked Yuu and would soon be his girlfriend.
(Even if she really wants to date a younger guy, to me, it just means one more rival… Yuu-kun clearly doesn't want to get too close to her either. I have the advantage. There's nothing to worry about or fear.)
(On the contrary, Haruno-san must feel sad, right?)
(I hope Yuu-kun doesn't use words that are too harsh when he rejects her.)
"…I see."
Letting out a slow breath, as if she'd found her answer, Yuigahama casually raised her gaze and gave Haruno a sincere smile.
"I like Yuu-kun too. I've liked him for almost three years. I'm trying to become his girlfriend as soon as possible. Even if my rival is Yukinon's older sister, I won't give up!"
"…Hm?"
This time, it was Haruno's turn to widen her eyes. She looked in surprise at the girl who had made peace before the fight even began.
(With such a magnanimous mindset, is she that confident, or just desperate?)