Pov — Akira Fujimiya,
We stayed at Yuigahama's house for a while before the three of us set off again.
Yuigahama Yui's outfit was simple—a white T-shirt with a cute animal print across the front and a pair of shorts that made her look casual and lively.
By contrast, Yukinoshita Yukino wore a light black dress that exuded elegance, giving her an almost refined aura.
The difference between them was unmistakable—
Yui's charm came from her cheerful cuteness, her soft figure, and her expressive smile. While, Yukino's strength lay in her beauty and sophistication, the kind of presence that naturally drew attention without effort.
Whereas, I walked beside Yuigahama Yui while on her other side was Yukinoshita Yukino.
Yui, full of energy, tried her best to keep the atmosphere lively, while Yukino, though reserved, cooperated smoothly, answering and even adding to the conversation.
I didn't interrupt them. Instead, I walked quietly, listening, letting my gaze occasionally drift toward Yukino.
Sometimes, while speaking, she would glance at me, and every time our eyes met, she quickly looked away, her composure faltering for a brief moment.
It was during one of those moments that I felt a soft hand brush against mine. I looked down to find Yui's small hand timidly reaching for me to hold my hand.
Without hesitation, I took her hand in mine.
Yui continued talking with Yukino as if nothing had happened, but the corners of her lips curved into the happiest smile I had seen on her all day.
When we arrived at the mall, Yui reluctantly let go of my hand. She explained she wanted to buy an apron since she planned to learn cooking from her mother, Yuigahama Asuna.
At that, Yukino gave me a sidelong glance,
She, of course, remembered Yui's disastrous attempts at cooking during the barbecue party. If Yui was now determined to learn, the biggest reason was obvious—even Yukino didn't need me to spell it out.
"Akira-kun, which apron do you think would suit me?" Yui asked brightly, holding up two choices with a wide grin.
I look at them carefully, thinking which one should have the honor of being used by yui and pointed toward the pink one on display nearby.
"This one looks very cute. I think it suits you perfectly."
Yui's eyes sparkled as she picked up the apron and slipped it on, twirling in front of the mirror like a child showing off new clothes. Then she turned to Yukino.
"Yukinoshita-san, what do you think?"
"It's very cute and suits Yuigahama-san well," Yukino replied smoothly.
Of course, what she didn't say—was that Yui in that apron looked more like a cheerful little housewife. With her bright smile, the effect was even stronger.
"Akira-kun, can you help Yukinoshita choose an apron too?" Yui suggested playfully.
Yukino's eyes flicked toward me, a trace of suspicion in her gaze.
I didn't disappoint. I reached for a purple apron hanging nearby, decorated with a subtle cat pattern, and handed it to her.
"I think you'll like this one."
At first, Yukino opened her mouth to argue, but when her eyes fell on the cat design, she stopped. Yukino loved cats—whether big or small, real or illustrated. That alone silenced her usual rebuttal.
"Was my guess wrong?" I asked, smiling softly when she didn't answer immediately.
"Your guess… is correct." Yukino sighed and accepted the apron, though she tried to hide her satisfaction.
"Let me help you put it on!" Yui chimed in, stepping behind Yukino and fastening the strings of the apron with a bright grin.
Yukino stood before the mirror, glancing at her reflection. It really did suit her, and even she seemed to think so, though she kept her composure. Then her eyes slid toward me, almost shyly.
"Akira-kun, what do you think of Yukinoshita wearing this apron?" Yui asked, clearly wanting my answer.
I didn't hesitate.
"If Yukinoshita told me she would make miso soup for me every morning for the rest of my life, I probably wouldn't refuse."
Yukino's brows twitched, and she quickly retorted,
"Fujimiya-kun, it's broad daylight stop dreaming."
"I like to dream in the daytime," I countered lightly.
Her eyes rolled at me in irritation, while Yui puffed her cheeks in protest, clearly unhappy with my answer.
I chuckled and patted her gently on the head. Her cheeks flushed, and she lowered her gaze, embarrassed but pleased.
Yukino observed quietly. She understood, perhaps more clearly than Yui herself, how lopsided Yui's feelings were. Affection should be built on respect and balance, and Yui's willingness to tolerate and yield so easily was not a good sign. Such an uneven relationship could easily give one side too much power.
Yukino, of all people, could not ignore that.
After purchasing the aprons, Yui led us toward the game arcade on the first floor.
"We each get three tries. Whoever loses has to treat the others to lunch. How about it?" she declared enthusiastically.
She exchanged some coins and handed them out evenly—three for me, three for Yukino, three for herself.
"Let me show you how it's done first!" Yui said with confidence as she stood in front of a claw machine and inserted her coin.
Three minutes later, she turned with an awkward laugh.
"Actually, this game is really hard…"
"It's my turn next," Yukino stepped in smoothly.
I leaned down to whisper to Yui, "If you lose, I'll treat you."
Her eyes widened slightly,
"Thank you, Akira-kun… but it's okay. My mom gave me enough pocket money. Let me treat you and Yukinoshita-san today."
I smiled faintly. "Then next time, when it's just the two of us on a date, I'll treat you."
Her cheeks tinted pink. "Yeah…" she murmured.
While, we were talking, Yukino was already focused. She tossed in her first coin, maneuvering with calculated precision.
Yui leaned closer to me, whispering in awe, "She's really serious about this."
"She wants to win at everything," I explained simply.
Yui's eyes lit up with realization. "So that's how to get closer to Yukinoshita-san… I understand now."
Unfortunately, Yukino's first and second attempt both failed. She drew a deep breath, unwilling to give up. With her last coin, she maneuvered carefully and hooked a panda Plushie. Her face brightened as the claw lifted it—only for it to slip just shy of the exit.
Disappointed ( and a little sad), she slowly withdraw, now it was my turn.
Yui was looking at me with expectations, whereas yukino's eyes were still on the panda pulshie.
"This game requires technique," I said lightly, sliding a coin into the machine. With a practiced move, I knocked the panda doll into the exit slot.
Yukino blinked, surprised, but didn't reach for the doll. She probably expected me to hand it to Yui.
Instead, I used my second coin to grab another panda, which also landed cleanly. Then I inserted my last coin and stepped aside, gesturing to Yui.
"Your turn. One more chance."
Her eyes widened. "Eh? Really?"
Yui glanced at Yukino, who gave a small nod. Gathering her courage, she stepped up to the machine.
"This time… I won't lose!" she declared.
Of course, fate was not on her side. The result didn't change.
She still lose....
I handed one panda to Yui and held the other out to Yukino. "Can this count as a story?"
Her eyes widened slightly as she stared at the plushie. For a moment, she seemed uncertain, then quietly accepted it.
"Now, you owe me a story," she said softly, her voice steadier than her expression.
"Then get ready. I'll let you see my third story very soon," I smiled at her.
.....
We stayed in the arcade another ten minutes. Yui hugged her panda plushie so tightly (that for a second it even made me jealous), while Yukino held hers and glanced at it every few seconds, her lips curving faintly. For once, she looked less like the cold beauty admired from afar and more like an ordinary girl enjoying something small and precious. That Yukino—the one who smiled softly at a simple toy—was the one I wanted to see more often.
Eventually, we moved on, heading upstairs to a clothing store.
Yui, ever energetic, pulled clothes from the racks and held them up against herself. "Akira-kun, what kind of clothes do you think suit me best?"
This time, I didn't answer immediately. I let my gaze wander across the displays until something caught my attention.
"What are you looking for, Akira-kun?" Yui asked curiously, tilting her head.
"A swimsuit," I replied calmly.
...
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