Entering his room alone might cause issues, but if a group entered, of course nothing would happen.
After touring like a museum, the group's interest waned slightly. They did unfinished things in his room—like playing games.
Yuu's room also had a gaming console and a crystal screen, but it was a PS5, not a Nintendo Switch. So, playable group games were fewer.
Yuigahama, Iroha, and Kanade sat on the soft-carpeted floor. Sora lay blatantly on her back on the bed, looking down at them like a queen on her throne. The game controller in her hand was like her royal scepter.
As for Yukino, after curiously examining the bookshelf, she pulled out a book, then sat at his desk casually flipping through it.
Perhaps the desk and study chair never imagined they'd one day be pressed by the butt of a long black-haired JK, their hard bodies wrapping her soft parts.
Leaning against the headboard, Yuu gazed at the beautiful girls in his room. He spaced out briefly, then resignedly looked away, opening his phone to play a game.
Uma Musume, start!
"Tokai Teio, Teio Teio Te Teio... Ore no Aiba ga!"
That afternoon passed in such a harmonious, relaxed atmosphere.
No Shuraba, no extraordinary developments disrupting the peaceful life. Just everyone gathered, doing the same or different things peacefully.
While immersed, Yuu suddenly felt like he'd touched the form of happiness—he liked these unremarkable yet lively, warm times. No need to overthink. When he looked up, everyone was there, their faces showing happy, relaxed smiles.
But he couldn't help recalling the past and those he'd left behind.
(If only they were all here... Haaah, what am I thinking.)
Even without feelings, he'd still miss them. But mere longing was useless. Though one of them, Haruno, had regained her memories, the separated distance couldn't be easily mended.
So, Yuu's curtain of farewell with them would continue.
When would the next farewell curtain arrive?
Yuu glanced at her at the desk. Seemingly focused on the book's world, Yukino with slightly drooping lashes didn't notice his gaze. Her elegant figure with straight back was always so beautiful and captivating, like a snow lotus blooming calmly, gracefully, and purely.
Yuu couldn't help laughing. He looked away. Suddenly, that heavy feeling was gone.
(After all, this girl said she'd save me.)
Though embarrassing to admit, somehow he felt relieved because of her.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Time passed, like sand slipping between fingers.
The afternoon sky gradually darkened. Thick sunset hues burned the clouds, emitting mesmerizing orange light across the vast horizon.
Dusk arrived. Time to see them off.
Some girls tidied their things. They donned jackets and scarves. Their cute, small feet slipped back into shoes. Messy hair from playing was neatly fixed.
Sora stood on the stairs, watching Yuu put on his jacket.
"After seeing them home, don't wander outside. Come back quick."
Yuu flicked her forehead. "What do you mean wander? Am I that kind of person?"
"You dare talk! Who knows, you might date someone on the way back or something..." Sora muttered expressionlessly. She didn't flinch from the flick. "It happened before. Could've come home early but was late, even bringing a living person home..."
(Just say Yuigahama's school number directly.)
Yuu rolled his eyes helplessly. Luckily, Sora spoke softly, so the ready girls didn't hear. He waved reassuringly, turned, and headed to the front door.
Before leaving, their gazes focused on Sora. Farewells sounded in sequence.
"Sora, don't worry about your brother's safety. See you."
"Sora-chan, I'll come play again next time. Bye-bye~"
"Thanks for the hospitality! But Iroha won't lose next time. Mario must win~"
"Thank you. The games were fun. Mapo Tofu was delicious... Can't we not part like this? Then I'll come again next time. Goodbye."
"..."
Seeming unaccustomed to such cheerful group farewells, under those warm gazes, Sora paused. Her wide eyes slowly dropped to the floor. Then she hid her whole face behind the rabbit doll in her hand. A slightly awkward, feigned-strong voice sounded.
"Don't keep saying see you. I don't agree to you coming play all the time... At most occasionally. And remember to wash dishes."
Kind laughter sounded softly. Yuu smiled relieved too.
The gray tabby cat poked its head from behind Sora. Yukino's eyes lit up. She eyed Yuu questioningly.
After he nodded, she squatted, extending a hand to the tabby.
Yukinon the cat meowed. It obediently jumped into her arms. It let itself be lifted and petted.
"Good girl~ Good girl~ Onee-san will come see you again. What snack do you want?"
The overflowing maternal gentleness on her face was truly different from her usual self.
Seeing this, Iroha covered her face as if unable to watch. She wasn't used to Yukino like this, no matter how many times.
Unfortunately, Yukino no longer cared about her crumbling image. She didn't mind odd stares. For her, snuggling a cat was victory.
Yukinon meowed. Yukino took it as agreement. She glanced at Yuu again. Confirming no objection, she nodded satisfied, eyes curving in smile: "Then Onee-san will come again."
Sora muttered beside: "Better not come alone..."
Or after hugging the cat, she might hug someone next.
After fully cat-sucking, just as Yukino was about to set down Yukinon, the doorbell rang.
Yuu frowned. He passed the girls. Without peeking, he opened a door crack.
"You're here! Who at this hour..."
"Hi, it's me~"
"..."
The familiar, light voice unashamedly burst in with the cold outside wind, like a sharp knife.
Seeing Yuu's wide-eyed, frozen shock, Haruno couldn't hold back an evil smile. Her fingers itched. She wanted to pinch his cheeks and poke his chin to tease, like before.
Sadly, now wasn't the time.
Suppressing the urge, she passed Yuu, calling into the entryway blocked by his body:
"I came to pick Yukino up. Yukino-chan's inside~"
"Nee-san?"
Hugging the cat, Yukino poked her head: "Why are you here..."
Before finishing, Haruno, eyes meeting the cat in her arms, shrieked in surprise:
"Yukinon! You still have it, and it's this big! Come, let Mama hug you~"
She outstretched both arms. A rare, genuine smile appeared, with slight longing.
The tabby meowed joyfully at Haruno. It jumped strongly from Yukino's hold, straight into Haruno's chest.
"Ah, wait..."
Yukino raised her hand in loss but couldn't recapture the cat that left her embrace.
The emptiness lasted seconds. Yukino suddenly frowned. Sensing something wrong, she looked back and forth between Yuu and Haruno.
Cold wind swept. Her ink-black hair fluttered. Her cold voice fell softly under the winter sky.
"Nee-san, how do you know its name is Yukinon? And why do you act like you've seen it before?"
"And what do you mean Mama... Yukinon, you two raised it?"
Hearing that, the other girls poked heads from behind the door. They saw the three people and one cat in the frozen atmosphere, with varied expressions.
Whether from cold or shock, at that moment, Yuu's whole body shivered.