Finally, the black car took away the Yukinoshita sisters and Masuzu.
The night sky hung high. Yuu escorted Iroha and Kanade to the station to catch the train. Along the way, he also walked Yuigahama home.
Throughout the journey, to avoid awkwardness, no one mentioned what just happened. They kept chatting and laughing as usual.
However, Yuu could see Yuigahama was clearly uneasy. She tried hard to smile cheerfully. She couldn't hide her confused and uncomfortable expression, but she also wanted to seem calm so as not to appear narrow-minded.
She wasn't good at pretending, to the point Iroha kept signaling midway for Yuu to explain everything soon. Don't let Yuigahama's anxiety drag on past a day, as the longer it went, the harder to explain.
Yuu wanted to, but unfortunately Yuigahama gave no chance at all.
When alone, she dodged and changed topics. Upon reaching home, she went straight in without looking back, leaving one sentence: "My feelings are a bit off. I want to go home and calm down!"
Though it wasn't impossible to hold her back and explain firmly, reassuring her feelings as much as possible.
But first, the Yukino issue was agreed to be told together by both.
Second, the Haruno matter seemed to have convinced her. Though not fully believing, Yuu couldn't explain more.
Third, the one who should explain to her wasn't him, but Masuzu.
He was a victim too! Clearly no contact with Masuzu since visiting, who'd think she'd suddenly kiss?
Haruno probably knew.
Based on all that, Yuu actually had nothing to explain to Yuigahama. So he gave up forced reassurance and let her go home with a troubled heart.
The only good news might be Sora seemed to have let go of some principle. She was cheerier than usual and didn't care how many women outside were involved with him.
"You said you'd date the silly dumpling, but your ties with many other girls are unclear. Yuu, you really disappoint me!"
"...Please step up your efforts."
The above was said by his sister with a sweet smile.
Yuu could guess her thoughts, nothing but—"After you suffer Shuraba, you'll ditch those outside women and return to my embrace!"—and such.
From initially sniffing if he came home late, to now accustomed to 'adventures' outside. Sora sat calmly at home, waiting to reap the results.
This mindset shift truly troubled Sora... And also her brother's moral image, loyal only to his sister.
No matter how much turmoil, night would surely come.
As the city quieted, the hardship named 'today' ended too. Some slept soundly, some tossed restlessly.
How many headaches and stomachaches awaited in the future, Yuu didn't want to think anymore—overthinking breeds hesitation, that's why fools are luckier.
"Then, I leave it to you, future Yuu."
"May you still smile tomorrow."
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The drive from the Tenkuji house to the luxury apartment took about half an hour.
Thanks to Haruno's excellent driving skills. She drove fast yet safe—and in that brief half-hour, the three only talked trivialities. The alien, heavy atmosphere stretched it into an uncomfortable half-day.
They each pondered their own affairs, like Ludo pieces. Three different colors as opponents. No one wanted to talk too much to each other.
In the driver's seat, Haruno hid something from Yukino, but couldn't say it now.
In the passenger seat, Yukino hid something from Haruno, but didn't want to tell her.
In the back seat, Masuzu... closed eyes to rest. She still felt the near-kiss sensation. Fog had lifted from her white, soft face. She smiled relaxedly. She had the freest mind among the three.
The black car slowly stopped before the apartment gate.
Yukino unbuckled and opened the door: "I'm home. See you."
"Mhm, bye-bye~"
Fingers tapping the steering wheel, as if still thinking. Haruno rarely ignored her sister like this.
Holding the car door, Yukino's steps suddenly halted. After Masuzu got out and walked to the apartment, Yukino still standing pursed lips. Gathering courage, she softly asked Haruno:
"Nee-san, do you really... like Tenkuji-kun?"
"Hmm?" Just noticing she hadn't left, Haruno shifted from reverie to her sister. She raised an eyebrow surprised. "Yeah... What's up?"
"Even though he's so popular?"
"I'm very popular too. Proves we're a matching pair."
That confident, elegant answer slightly startled Yukino. She didn't notice the sudden frustration filling her heart. Unconsciously raising voice:
"If he has a girlfriend, would you give up?"
Hearing this, Haruno nearly said: "His girlfriend is me!"
But she held the urge to reveal truth. She looked at her sister's complicated expression, confused. Her gaze gradually changed.
"Girlfriend? He doesn't have one now, right? Or, is he really with..."
"Yuigahama-san!"
Before she finished the name behind, Yukino hurriedly connected. Tone firm, face serious. Seemed very afraid of misunderstanding.
But met with her sister's sneering gaze, her face flushed again. Fingers unconsciously pinched hair by ear. Soon dropped guiltily. Coughed several times to ease embarrassment.
Tone calm again. She spoke frankly: "He told me today he'll date Yuigahama-san."
"I don't care what Natsukawa-san thinks, but Nee-san, Tenkuji-kun clearly doesn't want too much involvement with you. Better give up sooner."
Unclear if personal interest, Yukino just stated facts.
Hard to say about others, but from observation, Yuu clearly avoided her big sister intentionally, not wanting entanglement.
If she kept bothering, it'd only bring harm and trouble to both—as someone involved in their relationship, Yukino felt need to intervene, convince her to let go of feelings for Yuu.
This was for their good too.
As for handling Service Club feelings afterward, unrelated to big sister. She needed to talk with Yuu again...
"..."
After those words, Haruno fell silent.
Streetlights and car lights illuminated the dark road. Yet half inside the car seemed sunk in darkness, dissolving her deep black pupils into night sky, turning them to cold stars without warmth.
"If the one saying this wasn't Yukino-chan... I might be very angry, unprecedented fury."
It was a cold voice Yukino never heard. Made her unconsciously step back. Whole body chilled. Shivers suddenly filled her.
Haruno like a provoked, enraged beast. Though still smiling usual, emitted no familiarity. Just felt she tried hard suppressing anger. One wrong step, she'd pounce.
"Shut up. Don't act righteous here, you know nothing."
"Close the door. I'm going home."