After the movie ended, the two walked out of the cinema together.
"You seem a little absent-minded. Are you thinking about something?" Yukinoshita Yukino turned her head and looked at Akira Fujimiya.
"I'm thinking about animated movies (/films)," Akira replied casually.
"Animated movies (/films) are different from ordinary animations," Yukino said softly. "Although they may look similar, there are huge differences between them—whether it's the artistic style, the overall effect, or the narrative structure."
Akira didn't interrupt her — He simply took Yukino's hand and led her toward a nearby coffee shop.
Inside the Coffee shop—
After ordering, Yukino continued to explain her thoughts in detail.
When she had almost finished, Akira smiled and said, "As expected of Yukino-chan. You really know a lot."
"You should understand these things too. Besides, you have such a good memory—you must know even more than me," Yukino said, rolling her eyes lightly at him.
"Knowing and understanding are two different things. For someone like you, who knows so much about animated movies (/film), you must have read a lot of books or interviews, right?" Akira asked with a grin.
"I've just read some interviews with animation film directors. Their definitions of animated films differ slightly from what Director Tamura taught me," Yukino explained with a nod.
"...The animated film I want to produce will need a first-class team," Akira said thoughtfully. "It has to be visually exquisite, and the plot must be truly satisfying."
"Then you should consult Director Niino," Yukino suggested. "He's handled many animated theatrical productions."
Akira nodded but didn't make the call immediately. This was still just an idea—there was no rush.
Even if an animated film didn't perform well at the box office, it could still be streamed online — That would, at least, would help recover some of the cost.
.....
As the sun began to set, Akira and Yukino walked home together, carrying bags of ingredients and baking supplies they bought in the way.
Miss Yukinoshita had decided to bake her own cake tonight — Her cooking skills were, after all, quite impressive.
Back at Yukino's apartment,
Akira originally had planned to help with dinner, but Yukino quickly pushed him out of the kitchen.
So he had no choice but to relax on the sofa and read manga while waiting for dinner to be served.
About an hour later, Yukino finished preparing the food.
Just as they were about to sit down, the doorbell rang.
Ding-Ding-
Akira got up to answer it.
When he opened the door, he froze for a second—standing there was Yukinoshita Haruno.
"Yukino asked me to come over," Haruno said with a calm smile, as she look behind Akira.
Akira turned around to find Yukino standing behind him.
She blushed slightly and lowered her head, feelings his gaze.
Akira immediately understood and gave a wry smile.
"Yukino, this seems to be the first time you've invited me to dinner," Haruno said as she changed her shoes.
"You always come uninvited, so I never get the chance to invite you," Yukino replied, trying to sound composed.
"Really? I suppose I was too idle before," Haruno said lightly. "Now that I've taken over Yukinoshita Construction, I hardly have time to disturb you and Akira-kun anymore."
She walked past Akira with graceful steps.
"... If you have time, you can still come often," Yukino said after a short pause.
"Wouldn't that disturb you and Akira-kun?" Haruno asked meaningfully as she approached the dining table.
"N-no…" Yukino stammered, her face turning red as she glanced at Akira.
.....
The three of them sat down to eat.
Dinner was quiet and a bit awkward.
Haruno ate elegantly, Yukino kept her head down, and Akira stayed silent, trying to avoid Haruno's subtle teasing glances.
When the meal was over, Yukino stood up to clear the table and went into the kitchen, leaving the two of them alone.
Akira glanced at Haruno, while she smiled knowingly.
"Yukino's reason for inviting me tonight is..." she began softly. "probably because she's scared."
Hearing this, Akira recalled what had happened the previous night.
He rubbed his temple with slight embarrassment.
"..I'm not scared though. Although Akira-kun is sometimes… difficult, I'm an adult, I can handle it." Haruno said teasingly.
"Alright, no need to continue," Akira interrupted quickly.
Haruno covered her mouth and laughed before standing up. "I'll go take a shower now, Akira-kun."
"Don't remind me," Akira replied helplessly.
Still smiling, Haruno walked toward the bathroom, leaving Akira to sigh.
A few moments later, he stood and walked toward the kitchen.
At the kitchen, he saw Yukino washing the dishes.
"I don't need your help. I can do it myself," she said without turning around.
"Yukino, did you invite Haruno-san over because you were scared?" Akira asked directly.
"I-I wasn't scared…" Yukino murmured, blushing as she turned her back to him.
"Alright, I believe you," Akira said softly. He came up behind her and gently wrapped his arms around her waist.
Yukino's cheeks flushed a deep red.
She didn't speak, but her body slightly leaned into his warmth.
Akira watched her silently, choosing not to expose her nervousness.
After a few quiet minutes, he released her.
"I'll wait for you in the room," he said before leaving the kitchen.
...
Half an hour later, Yukino finished cleaning up.
As she walked past the bathroom, she heard her sister humming inside.
After hesitating for a moment, she went back to her room, grabbed her pajamas, and returned to the bathroom door.
Knock, knock.
"Akira-kun? You're so bad—how dare you come here when Yukino's still home?" Haruno's teasing voice called from inside.
"It's me," Yukino replied softly, her face flushing red.
Click!
The door clicked open.
"Of course I know it's you," Haruno said with a smile. "I was just joking. You don't mind, do you?"
"N-no, I don't," Yukino said as she stepped inside.
Haruno glanced at her younger sister with a faintly surprised expression.
"Yukino, you've grown quite a bit, haven't you? The last time we bathed together was in middle school, wasn't it?"
Yukino tilted her head slightly, a nostalgic look in her eyes.
"Yes. Back then, I hid in the bathtub because I wanted to scare you," Haruno recalled with a laugh as she stepped into the tub.
"... My sister always enjoyed teasing me," Yukino said quietly as she sat down.
"Because you're cute," Haruno replied warmly. "Every time you got angry, I thought it was so adorable."
"When you used to tease me, I was angry… but later, when I remembered it, I just found it funny."
"So, I wasn't bullying you—I was trying to make you happy."
"..I know," Yukino said softly. "But I couldn't be happy, I didn't like the atmosphere at home. I didn't like your fake smiles...And I didn't want to face Mother…"
Haruno's expression softened, the usual teasing fading from her face.
"I used to hate you," Yukino continued, her voice trembling slightly. "But now, I'm beginning to understand. Thank you, Sister."
"No need to thank me," Haruno said gently. "You're my only sister, my pride. I always thought that when you grew up, you'd become like me—but you haven't changed. That makes me both happy and worried. Fortunately, Akira-kun is by your side...That give me some relief."
"No, I've changed too—more than I ever thought I could, because of him" Yukino said, holding her sister's hand.
"I used to think I could never fall in love," Haruno murmured. "But Akira-kun is… an exception."
"He promised to marry me," Yukino said firmly, meeting her sister's gaze, her hold tighten.
"I know," Haruno said, smiling faintly. "I don't want to get married myself. I've already decided—whether it's my child or yours, they can inherit the Yukinoshita family."
Yukino lowered her head, hesitation flashing in her eyes.
Haruno noticed it immediately.
"Don't worry about me," she said quietly. "People will talk, of course. They always do...but I'm not afraid of them."
"Even so, you'll still have to face it… I don't want them to talk badly about you," Yukino said, her voice filled with concern.
Haruno gave a light chuckle.
"Yukino, I've been through enough...I'm used to it. Even Mother has people talking behind her back. As for me? Let them talk—they can only whisper behind someone's back."
"...I could never be as strong as you," Yukino said softly.
Haruno reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her sister's face.
"You don't have to be. You've seen and experienced enough. You have Akira-kun beside you now, and that's what matters. If you can be happy, then that's enough for me."
Yukino looked at her sister, her eyes warm and a little wet.
"Then I want to share half of my happiness with you."
"Really?" Haruno asked with a playful smile. "Then I won't be polite about it."
"T-this is my compensation," Yukino said, blushing as her words came out in a whisper.
Haruno laughed softly, her gaze affectionate.
The bathroom filled with a quiet warmth that neither sister had felt in years.
And for that brief moment, the distance that had always separated them—between the proud elder sister and the serious younger one—seemed to disappear entirely.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
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6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,568