Chapter 66: Yukinoshita's Treasure
What the hell? Won't so many people rushing over at once feel intrusive? And what's with the "sweet love life" talk? They haven't even started anything.
What is wrong with this restaurant?
Even while looking at the adorable "Mr. Pan," Yukinoshita Yukino felt like this meal might not be entirely necessary anymore.
"How about we just forget it?"
Yukinoshita Yukino, who had never experienced this kind of feeling since childhood, felt like she might die of embarrassment. It was too humiliating. Was this some kind of penalty game? Yukinoshita Yukino timidly shrank behind Hikigaya Hachiman. She felt completely unable to handle the current situation.
Hikigaya Hachiman shook his head. This kind of situation sometimes happens. He had wondered earlier why the 30,000 yen for a meal for two was so expensive.
Now that he thought about it, the cost was mostly for this human service.
Hikigaya Hachiman handed the complimentary "Mr. Pan" plush toy to Yukinoshita Yukino.
"We've already come all this way.
Besides, they didn't specify how many pictures to take; one is still one."
The sudden influx of people looked alarming, but they were all just holding props. They just piled all the "Mr. Pan" family plushies, along with the heart lights and other decorations, here to create an atmosphere suitable for young couples to take photos and check in. The main server was the photographer; only she would remain to serve them.
"Being surrounded by Mr. Pan. Eating here should be quite interesting."
"Mm."
Feeling the fuzzy touch of Mr. Pan in her arms and Hikigaya-kun's comforting words, which were very reassuring, Yukinoshita Yukino's initial panic gradually subsided. Yukinoshita Yukino looked down at the plush toy, too shy to look at Hikigaya Hachiman.
"Okay."
Of course, Hikigaya Hachiman didn't forget to tell the server, "Excuse me, since both she and I are quite shy, could you allow us to take the pictures ourselves?"
"Yes, certainly, dear customer."
The server also expressed understanding, as not every customer liked such grand treatment. They just set up the surrounding environment to be suitable for photos. How the customers chose to take them was the customers' own business.
"In that case, I will take one picture of the two of you first, and then our restaurant will print it out. That way, customers can take it with them as a souvenir after their meal.
Is that alright?"
"Mm." Hikigaya Hachiman nodded.
The clerk took out two plush toys from the side that looked indistinguishable to Hikigaya Hachiman, yet she claimed they were the "Mr. Pan" couple—the official pair. They were basically Mr. Pan in a dress and a change of clothes. They were also a limited edition, not for sale by the restaurant, with a very small circulation.
Well, if she said so, then so be it. After all, Yukinoshita Yukino seemed to be enjoying it very much. Although Yukinoshita didn't say anything, her expression and careful movements showed that these collaboration limited editions were indeed quite precious. Yukinoshita Yukino's look of pure happiness was truly adorable.
Only when faced with things she loved could Yukinoshita Yukino truly show her honest self.
"Get a little closer, you two."
Focused on playing with the limited edition plush toy in her hands, Yukinoshita Yukino only then realized it was time for the photo. She glanced at Hikigaya Hachiman, and her face flushed even more, but her movements drew her closer.
Since he was already very familiar with Yukinoshita Yukino, Hikigaya Hachiman's face didn't show much change. Even so, this was the first time he was this close to Yukinoshita Yukino.
"Mr., smile a little more! Your girlfriend is so cute; shouldn't that be something to envy?"
"Indeed. I am being a little ungrateful."
Upon receiving the "complaint" from the server, Hikigaya Hachiman offered a small self-deprecating comment.
"No... I should be the one saying that."
Yukinoshita Yukino heard Hikigaya-kun's humble words and immediately corrected him. Because when facing Hikigaya-kun, even the absolutely correct Yukinoshita Yukino would feel a small sense of inferiority.
"Hikigaya-kun is so... excellent..."
Yukinoshita Yukino suddenly realized what she was saying, and her voice became softer and softer until she finally lowered her head and didn't dare to speak again.
Yukinoshita Yukino's words, however, made the server's smile even brighter. Hikigaya Hachiman didn't dislike this small clumsiness.
"I'm going to take the picture now, 3, 2, 1.
That looks great!"
This resulted in a photo where the girl shyly lowered her head, almost burying her face into the plush toy, while the boy looked at her with a doting expression.
"That's really wonderful!"
The server hadn't seen such a shy and cute couple in a long time. Both the boy and the girl seemed not very straightforward, but that's what made it good! Super ship-worthy!
For some reason, Hikigaya Hachiman felt that this server was more excited than they were.
"Strike a cuter pose; let's take another one." The server thought for a moment and suggested.
"Right, right! Dear beautiful lady, how about linking arms with your boyfriend? That would look a little more intimate."
Hikigaya Hachiman felt a little helpless when he heard this. Sure enough, this server seemed to be getting overly enthusiastic.
'Let's just forget it; it's too forced.'
Besides, the picture they took just now should be enough to satisfy the requirement.
Just as he was about to speak, Hikigaya Hachiman suddenly felt a hand tugging at the corner of his clothing. It was the still-very-shy Yukinoshita Yukino, her gaze wandering. She whispered a very quiet sentence:
"We've already come all this way."
'Did she learn that so quickly and put it into practice?'
Hearing Yukinoshita Yukino's words, Hikigaya Hachiman slightly relaxed his hand, then extended his arm. Soon, his arm was linked by Yukinoshita Yukino. The girl's wrist was very slender, so much so that Hikigaya Hachiman didn't dare to use force.
'So firm.' This was Yukinoshita Yukino's first feeling when grasping Hikigaya-kun's arm. Although separated by clothes, she could feel the power underneath.
'And so warm.
Yukinoshita Yukino truly felt secure holding Hikigaya-kun's arm. More importantly, this feeling of dependency, which made one involuntarily want to immerse themselves in it, was so intoxicating. A ridiculous thought even flashed through Yukinoshita Yukino's mind: If only I could link my arm with his and lean on his shoulder.
It was true. Hikigaya Hachiman's calm demeanor was an irresistible temptation for girls who particularly lacked a sense of security. Not to mention Yukinoshita Yukino, who was linked arm-in-arm so intimately—her heart rate accelerated even more.
"Smile, lovely lady." The server suggested.
'Although I know you are very excited to link arms with your boyfriend, if you feel excited, then smile more! If holding hands makes you that excited, you'd probably faint if he kissed you.'
"Not bad. It's perfect.
Customers, do you want to print both pictures, or just one of them?"
The server showed Hikigaya Hachiman and Yukinoshita Yukino the photos she had just taken. Both Yukinoshita Yukino and Hikigaya Hachiman were quite photogenic. Hikigaya Hachiman thought for a moment and decided to print both.
"Let's print both."
Without the photographer server present, the atmosphere between the two was slightly cooler.
"Sorry."
Yukinoshita Yukino immediately realized she was still holding his arm. But when she let go of Hikigaya-kun's arm, she inexplicably felt an emptiness in her heart.
The strange feeling Yukinoshita Yukino had just experienced was an unprecedented sensation. It was like something she had never encountered before, and the sense of happiness and excitement it brought was irreplaceable.
Yukinoshita Yukino even thought of herself as a bad girl, using the photo as an excuse to vent her inner emotions.
"It's nothing."
Just during the time they spent taking pictures, the dishes they had ordered were served, easing the awkwardness.
"I apologize for the intrusion just now." Yukinoshita Yukino said awkwardly.
"After all, it was to take some excellent photos."
Hikigaya Hachiman shook his head. He didn't delve further into the topic. It was still too early; saying more now would only increase the awkwardness. Once he and Yukinoshita had experienced more things together, this wouldn't be a problem.
Hikigaya Hachiman looked around at the "Mr. Pans" and asked, "Should we eat first, or should I help you take pictures with these Mr. Pans?"
Although Hikigaya Hachiman couldn't distinguish the specific differences between these plush toys, Yukinoshita should understand. After all, it was a rare opportunity, and being surrounded by so many different styles of Mr. Pan should be a rare event for Yukinoshita.
Yukinoshita Yukino was slightly relieved that he completely avoided the topic of what just happened. After all, her action just now was merely a burst of sudden courage in her heart. If she had to do it again, she certainly couldn't replicate it now.
"Let's eat first."
Yukinoshita Yukino said to Hikigaya Hachiman. The things Hikigaya-kun mentioned were indeed very tempting to her. However, Yukinoshita Yukino hadn't forgotten that Hikigaya-kun had already gone through so much trouble for her today. It would be too impolite to let him go hungry.
"So, let's eat now."
With what had just occurred, Yukinoshita Yukino felt that she and he seemed to have become much more intimate. The selling point of this set menu was mainly the close contact with the limited edition Mr. Pan plushies. Besides, it was just a double portion, so the quantity wasn't very large. Most of it, however, went into Hikigaya Hachiman's stomach, as Yukinoshita Yukino found greater joy in being with the Mr. Pan plushies.
After Hikigaya Hachiman quickly finished the dishes, he took many cute pictures of Yukinoshita Yukino. One could only say it was a feast for the eyes. The beautiful girl and the fierce-looking plush toys created a strong paradoxical cuteness—it was truly adorable.
After dinner, Yukinoshita Yukino received the photos the restaurant had promised to print out. Each photo was printed twice, one given to Yukinoshita Yukino and the other to Hikigaya Hachiman for safekeeping. The photos were quite nice. Aside from making Yukinoshita Yukino blush every time she looked at them, there were no other issues.
After dinner, Hikigaya Hachiman originally planned to go to the plaza to take pictures, but Yukinoshita Yukino said they still had plenty of time, and they could do it next time. Since she said so, Hikigaya Hachiman drove Yukinoshita straight home.
"Thank you for today, Hikigaya-kun.
I haven't been this happy in a long time."
Yukinoshita Yukino, hugging Mr. Pan, said to Hikigaya Hachiman with a blush.
"I had a good time too.
Good night, Yukinoshita."
After Yukinoshita Yukino returned to her home, she carefully placed Mr. Pan on her bedside and took out the two photos.
Considering that her sister might come over, and her mother, too, Yukinoshita Yukino finally hid both photos in the chest pocket of Mr. Pan. This way, they would not only be safely hidden, but she could also take them out to look at them occasionally before going to sleep or while lying in bed.
Yukinoshita Yukino looked at the picture of herself, blushing but still smiling brightly. Her usually calm heart began to beat violently again.
"Boyfriend, huh."
Although it was only a "trial experience ticket," for Yukinoshita Yukino, it was still an unparalleled and special experience.
The former Yukinoshita Yukino would never have done such a thing. Yukinoshita Yukino even thought self-deprecatingly that if her mother saw it, she would surely scold her for disgracing the family.
"I will keep them safe.
Thank you, Hikigaya-kun."
.
.
.
Hikigaya Hachiman did not go up, as he had to go to the hospital later. As for the Service Club items in the trunk, Hikigaya Hachiman did not take them out, as they were intended to be delivered to the school. So, he decided to just take them directly to school the next morning.
Right after dropping off Yukinoshita Yukino, Hikigaya Hachiman saw Gojo Satoru, wearing black clothes and a bandage over his eyes, at the entrance of the residential area. Although Hikigaya Hachiman saw Gojo Satoru, he didn't slow down, but the car still stopped smoothly in front of Gojo Satoru. Although he really wanted to hit him, due to the existence of the Limitless technique, physical attacks alone couldn't defeat him.
"Damn it, Hachiman."
After Gojo Satoru got into the car, he saw the photo of the two of them placed in the storage compartment. The photo of the handsome young man and the shyly charming girl—the girl's blush was more moving than any declaration of love.
Gojo Satoru immediately felt jealous.
'How could a smug little brat be so popular with girls?'
"Death to normies!"
"You idiot old man, are you hallucinating from being single?"
He didn't know if he was hurt by Suguru Geto and Amanai Riko, but Gojo Satoru was thirty years old and single through and through. Hikigaya Hachiman had already received a short message from Gojo Satoru earlier:
"Stop chasing girls and come do serious work with me!"
The more this inappropriate old man urged him, the less Hikigaya Hachiman wanted to move. Only those with a dirty mind see dirty things; what he and she shared was completely pure.
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