Yukinoshita Yukino was briefly stunned, then she turned her calm gaze toward Akira Fujimiya.
"As long as my sister believes she can profit from something, she will invest," she said in a quiet but firm tone.
"I see," Akira nodded, his expression composed. "I'll simply have to show her the benefits then. If she sees the value, she'll involve herself naturally."
He didn't necessarily want to entangle himself too deeply with the Yukinoshita family, but he wasn't foolish enough to ignore the benefits either. Connections carried weight, and in certain matters, they could reduce unnecessary obstacles.
Yukinoshita Yukino opened her mouth slightly, as if there was something she wanted to say.
Yet in the end, her lips pressed together, and the words never came out.
Deep down, she didn't want to cooperate with her sister. Their relationship had always been strained, and every encounter carried subtle tension. Still, it was understandable that Akira—an outsider—wanted to rely on the Yukinoshita family's resources.
For her to openly oppose it would seem too narrow-minded.
Yuigahama Yui, sitting quietly beside them, looked back and forth between the two. When they discussed such serious topics, she never interrupted, as though she is afraid that the wrong word might disturb their conversation.
.....
After a short walk, they boarded a train that carried them toward the apartment complex where Yukinoshita Yukino lived. The ride didn't take long; the station was near a shopping district and within walking distance of her building.
When they reached the entrance, Yukinoshita Yukino wordlessly led the way, her calm demeanor unchanged. The three stepped into the elevator, and as the doors slid shut, silence lingered between them.
Once they reached her floor and stepped out, Yuigahama Yui let out a small exclamation.
"This apartment is so quiet," she remarked, her voice carrying innocent wonder.
"Because I'm the only one living here," Yukinoshita Yukino replied evenly.
"Huh?!" Yuigahama Yui's eyes widened in surprise.
Akira, standing behind them, allowed a faint smirk to curl his lips. "Yukinoshita-san, do I still have a chance to pursue you now? If not, I might give up trying altogether," he joked casually.
"There's no chance. Please work hard," Yukinoshita Yukino answered bluntly without even a pause.
With that, she unlocked the door and stepped inside.
Yuigahama Yui and Akira followed her in.
After slipping on the provided slippers, they entered the living room. Yui immediately noticed how spacious it was, yet the emptiness gave it a somewhat lonely air.
"Please, sit wherever you like. I'll go prepare the ingredients for dinner," Yukinoshita Yukino said, disappearing into the kitchen area with her usual quiet grace.
Akira walked over to the large glass window and gazed out. From here, the city stretched endlessly below, bathed in the evening glow.
"It feels like Yukinoshita-san is a princess living in a castle," Yuigahama Yui murmured softly as she stepped beside him, her gaze fixed on the skyline.
"Her living here fits her title of the 'Ice Princess,'" Akira replied.
"A lonely Princess?" Yui tilted her head.
"Exactly" Akira said with a faint smile.
Yui's expression softened. "I… I want to be friends with Yukinoshita-san. Real friends. Not just classmates."
"I support you," Akira glanced at her. Inwardly, he added to himself, me too.
Then Yui's voice lowered, tinged with a mix of shyness and curiosity. "Akira-kun… if Yumiko hadn't helped me get your contact information… would you have ended up with Yukinoshita-san instead?"
"That's impossible," Akira answered without hesitation.
"Why?"
"It was only because I was with you that I had the chance to really talk to Yukinoshita-san. If not for our relationship, I was already planning to leave the Service Club," Akira said, his tone steady as he reached out and gently held Yui's small hand.
"Really?" Yui blinked, clearly surprised.
"Of course it's true. Do you think I'd lie to you?" Akira looked at her seriously.
Yui's lips curved into a soft smile. "I believe you, Akira-kun."
She leaned her head against his shoulder, her warmth pressing lightly against him.
Akira naturally wrapped his arm around her slender waist.
Yui's face flushed crimson, and she buried her head against his chest, flustered yet unwilling to move away.
Looking down at her, Akira tightened his embrace. Their eyes met briefly, and Yui's eyes fluttered before she closed it, shyly.
"This is Yukinoshita's home. If she saw us like this, you'd be embarrassed, wouldn't you?" Akira whispered playfully.
Yui's eyes flew open, and her blush deepened even further. She quickly turned her head away.
"Come over to my place tomorrow. I'll help you with your homework," Akira teased.
"I… I don't believe you…" Yui muttered, her voice faint.
"Then it's settled. Tomorrow at my house. Don't regret it when I bully you, little fool," Akira whispered in her ear, holding her tighter.
Yui trembled at his words, her entire face burning red as she lowered her gaze.
Seeing her adorable reaction, Akira's hand slid lower, almost instinctively.
"A-Akira-kun…" Yui caught his hand with both of hers, her voice a soft plea.
"It's because you're too cute," Akira whispered, finally relenting and withdrawing his hand.
Yui's heart pounded, her cheeks hot as she bit her lip.
...
An hour later, Yukinoshita Yukino had finished preparing ingredients for dinner. As she stepped out, Yui tilted her head.
"Yukinoshita-san, could you… show us the other rooms? I'm kind of curious," Yui asked.
"Come with me," Yukino replied without hesitation, giving Akira a brief glance before leading the way.
Yui eagerly followed, and Akira trailed behind them.
"This is the study. Over there is the music room. And these are the bedrooms—this one is mine, and the other is where my sister stays when she visits," Yukinoshita Yukino explained calmly, opening each door in turn.
The study room was spacious, lined with tall bookcases filled with countless volumes. A neatly arranged desk and sofa completed the room.
The music room was equally impressive, holding not only a grand piano but also guitars, violins, and other instruments.
Of the two bedrooms, Yukino's was decorated with an array of cat-themed plushies and decorations, a softer side that contrasted her usual image.
Haruno's room, on the other hand, was much simpler—clean, almost cold.
Akira stepped into the music room, his eyes drawn to the polished piano at its center.
"Do you want to play?" Yukinoshita Yukino asked, her curiosity piqued by the way he stared at the instrument.
"I've never touched a piano," Akira shook his head lightly.
"...Would you like me to play for you?" Yukinoshita Yukino offered softly, almost hesitantly.
"Yukinoshita-san, yes! I want to hear you play!" Yui quickly spoke up, excitement sparkling in her eyes.
Akira didn't say anything, but the faint glimmer of anticipation in his expression was obvious.
Yukinoshita Yukino seated herself gracefully at the piano.
After pressing a few keys to test the sound, her fingers moved into position. Then, elegant notes began to flow, filling the room with refined melody.
Her skill was clear. The way she played wasn't something a beginner could replicate. Every note carried a emotion, weaving emotion into the air.
Yui held her breath, afraid that even the slightest sound might disturb the performance.
Akira stood silently at Yukino's side, but his sharp memory allowed him to record every detail—the notes, the rhythm, even the subtle movements of her hands.
When the final note faded, the room fell into silence.
That silence was broken not by applause from Akira or Yui, but from the doorway.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
The three of them turned toward the sound.
A wild Yukinoshita Haruno has appeared.
Yukino's brows furrowed. "Sister…"
"Yukino, you play beautifully. But not quite at my level yet," Haruno teased as she walked in, her tone playful but her eyes sharp.
"I haven't practiced much recently. You, on the other hand, have been practicing it for years," Yukino replied evenly as she rose from her seat.
"It did take me several years to win the championship," Haruno said lightly, sitting down at the piano. She brushed her fingers across the keys, then looked toward Akira.
"Fujimiya-kun, would you like me to teach you? My skills are far beyond little Yukino's."
"I do want to learn," Akira admitted, "but I doubt you'd have enough time to teach me. Still, thank you for the offer."
"Why do you want to learn the piano? For Yukino?" Haruno asked with a sly smile, her hand tracing the piano keys casually.
"You could say that," Akira replied without hesitation.
"Oh? Fujimiya-kun, aren't you worried your girlfriend will get jealous hearing you say that?" Haruno glanced at Yui with a mischievous look.
"I meant… for animation use," Akira clarified.
Haruno chuckled softly, leaving it at that. She positioned her hands and began to play.
Her style was more relaxed, freer, yet undeniably polished.
The difference between the sisters was obvious.
When the final note rang out, Haruno leaned back and looked at Akira and suddenly asked in a mischievous tone.
"Well? Who's better, me or Yukino?"
Akira didn't answer. Instead, he placed his hands on the keys. "May I try?"
"Oh?" Haruno blinked in surprise before smiling. "Of course." She rose and gave him the seat.
Akira pressed a few keys experimentally, testing the sound.
"Akira-kun, you don't even know the basics. Would you like me to give you a slow lesson? I happen to be free this afternoon," Haruno offered, leaning close to whisper.
"No need," Akira said calmly. "I've already learned."
"What?" Haruno blinked.
Then Akira began to play.
First, he perfectly replicated Haruno's earlier piece. Every note, every movement was identical, as if reflected in a mirror.
Both sisters widened their eyes, stunned.
But Akira wasn't finished. Without pause, he shifted seamlessly into the piece Yukino had played earlier.
When he finished, he removed his hands from the keys and stood. "The piano doesn't seem that difficult."
"Funimiya-kun…" Haruno stared at him intently. "Did you memorize every single movement I made earlier?"
"More or less," Akira admitted casually.
Haruno narrowed her eyes, her tone lower. "Such memory… it's a waste to spend it on piano."
"For me, it's useful. I have no intention of remembering useless things," Akira replied calmly, meeting her gaze without flinching.
...
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