It was mid-December, and Yukino's junior high school career in the United States had come to an end. It was time for her to pack her bags and return to her hometown in Japan.
However, she couldn't relax. After returning to Japan, she would need to prepare for the unified public high school entrance examination, which would take place in early March. Her goal was to enter the International Education Class at Chiba City Sobu High School. This class primarily consists of children of returnees, and the admission deviation value is slightly lower than that of ordinary classes.
For Yukino, the specific admission deviation didn't matter; she knew she wouldn't have to just scrape by to get into Sobu High School. Her primary objective was to be first in her grade, and for that, she was determined not to fall behind in her studies.
This time, Yukino was less resentful about going home than she had been in previous years. One reason for this was the improvement in her relationship with her mother, which eased her feelings of resentment towards her family.
Another reason was her intention to ask her family—mainly her mother—to move out of the house during high school. Although this might upset her mother, Yukino believed that with her father's persuasion, the request could be granted smoothly.
The most significant reason for her excitement was the hope of meeting the boy she had encountered at the party the previous year. Yukino felt it was rude to leave Japan without expressing her gratitude to him for the memorable evening. She suspected he might have forgotten about it, but she still wanted to see him again, even if it was just to say thank you.
Additionally, there was another, less important factor that made Yukino happy: after returning to Japan, she finally wouldn't have to delay reading Hachiman's book. In the past, when Hachiman had published new books, she had always read them several days after her sister Haruno, enduring endless threats of spoilers in the meantime. This had been pure torture for her.
Yukino noticed that her sister seemed particularly fond of teasing her with spoilers since the end of May. Although she understood that Haruno was just a mischievous person who liked to provoke her, she didn't want to take any chances. What if Haruno got upset one day and spoiled the story for her at home? The cost of that disappointment would be too high.
Regardless, Yukino was filled with anticipation for her journey home. Her changed mood brought about a transformation in her spirit.
So, when the Yukinoshita family arrived at Narita Airport after a year apart, they saw Yukino striding confidently with determined eyes, and even a hint of fierceness. This transformation truly astonished her family.
Mrs. Yukinoshita felt a mix of emotions. She was happy to see her daughter's growth, but also worried that Yukino's transformation might simply be a way to oppose her more effectively.
As for Haruno, in previous years at this time, she would have jumped on Yukino and started rubbing against her. However, this year, she simply stood there in a daze. It was hard to tell whether she felt guilty or not, but her sister's aggressive demeanor sparked an unexpected sense of crisis in her heart.
Yukino, on the other hand, didn't notice—or rather, didn't care—about her family's reaction. She walked straight in front of the three family members, getting so close that a stranger might have considered it provocative.
"Mother, Father, Sister, I'm back! My three years of study in the United States have been successfully completed, all thanks to the unwavering support of my family. Thank you very much."
Yukino bowed deeply and continued to gaze at her three confused family members.
"Welcome back, Yukino. Studying abroad can broaden your horizons and provide an education that differs from that in Japan. Of course, your family will support you. You must also work hard for the exam next March," Mr. Yukinoshita responded, breaking the silence.
When Yukino proposed studying abroad, it was primarily because Mr. Yukinoshita had agreed and persuaded his wife that it was a viable option. Yukino felt immense gratitude toward her father; she recognized that he often had to go along with her mother's wishes, yet he had defended Yukino's decision to her mother on numerous occasions.
"Yukino, I believe you have changed a lot this past year. I just hope these changes help you better understand the family's values so that your time abroad won't be in vain," Mrs. Yukinoshita said, looking at her second daughter, who seemed somewhat different to her. Her words were both an affirmation and a warning.
"I will, Mother," Yukino replied, meeting her mother's gaze without wavering.
At that moment, Haruno felt an urge to speak. Her sister had changed so much that she felt a bit unfamiliar and couldn't express the typical words she had used in past reunions.
"Sister, I'm back. You're not as enthusiastic this time as you were in previous years. I wanted to hug you first, but unfortunately, my hands are full with luggage."
Noticing her sister's reluctance to speak, Yukino took the initiative. Her expression softened into a nostalgic smile, a stark contrast to her earlier demeanor.
"What... what am I thinking? This is still my cutest little Yukino."
Haruno embraced her sister, holding her tighter than in previous years. She felt a familiar embarrassment about the inexplicable sense of crisis she'd just experienced and gently rubbed Yukino's delicate cheek.
Once the family was in the car, the previous silence remained, but the low-pressure atmosphere had lifted. Yukino retracted the aggressiveness she had shown earlier; it was merely an act, and maintaining it would be tiring. What occupied her thoughts now was how to ask her mother about moving out after returning home. Could she really endure her mother's pressure?
At that moment, Haruno couldn't use Mr. Hachiman's novel to start a conversation like she had done last year, since her parents were already aware of her good relationship with him. If they mentioned it to Yukino, she'd have no way to defend herself.
Haruno planned to confess everything about Hikigaya after Yukino returned. Of course, she intended to speak to her sister one-on-one, so she could control the situation. If Yukino learned about this from any other source, she would likely find it difficult to rub her sister's soft cheek again—a scenario Haruno absolutely could not accept.
Each sister had her own thoughts, and during the ride home, neither spoke first.
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