[Chapter 28: Projects, Playtime, and a Barking Escape]
Despite being on winter break, the school had a surprise gift waiting for the students—group winter projects. And as fate would have it, Takumi, Yuri, Haturo, Kana, Minato, and Aoi ended up in the same group.
[Haturo's House: Mission "Finish-the-Project"]
"Okay, so we just need to finish this dumb presentation on traditional winter festivals," Haturo groaned, slumping on the couch.
Aoi adjusted her glasses. "We could've finished half by now if you'd stop whining."
"I excel at whining," Haturo grinned proudly.
"Don't worry," Yuri said softly, flipping through notes. "We'll finish quickly if we all pitch in."
Takumi, typing on his laptop, nodded. "I've already divided the sections. You just need to stop bickering."
"I swear, when he switches to 'leader mode,' he's a whole different person," Minato whispered to Kana.
"It's kinda hot," Kana whispered back with a teasing grin, which earned her a playful nudge from Yuri.
After two hours of teamwork—surprisingly efficient thanks to Takumi and Yuri's quiet coordination—the project was done.
"Alright!" Haturo stretched. "Let's reward ourselves!"
"With what?" Aoi raised an eyebrow.
"Mall trip, game parlor, dinner—let's go all out!" Haturo declared.
"Sounds fun!" Yuri said, her eyes lighting up.
Takumi gave a lazy smile. "Fine. I could use a break after carrying the team."
"Excuse me?!" everyone else shouted.
[Mall & Game Parlor Madness]
The mall was alive with post-holiday energy. The group first stopped at the game parlor, where chaos reigned supreme.
Minato and Haturo got too competitive at the dance machine, leaving Takumi speechless as they attempted flashy moves and nearly wiped out.
Kana beat everyone in a claw machine challenge, winning a stuffed bear and proudly gifting it to Aoi, who blushed ever so slightly.
Takumi and Yuri teamed up in a shooting game and absolutely dominated.
"You two are scarily in sync," Aoi noted.
"True couple goals," Kana added with a wink.
Yuri blushed. Takumi just smirked.
[Dinner and... A Surprise Attack]
Dinner was at a small ramen shop. Laughter echoed around their table as they shared food, swapped jokes, and poked fun at Haturo's terrible fortune cookie message.
"'Your future is... under construction'?!" he read aloud, earning howls of laughter.
After they left the shop, full and happy, they took a quiet shortcut through a neighborhood park.
And that's when it happened.
Woof.
WOOf.
"Wait… is that—" Takumi started.
A large dog sprinted toward them, barking loudly, tongue hanging out.
"ABORT! ABORT!!" Haturo yelled, immediately running like his life depended on it.
The group scattered in panic, screaming and laughing as they ran down the street.
"WHY ME? I'M ALL BONES!" Minato cried as the dog chased after him first.
"I DIDN'T EVEN DO ANYTHING!" Aoi shouted.
"YURI, SAVE YOUR MAN!" Takumi joked while dragging her behind him.
They finally hid behind a vending machine corner, catching their breath. The dog eventually wandered off—probably just excited and confused.
Everyone slumped down on the curb, wheezing with laughter.
"Minato's scream could've shattered glass," Kana said between gasps.
"Did you see Haturo leap over that bush? Like some anime protagonist!" Aoi laughed.
"I think I pulled something," Haturo said, groaning dramatically.
Takumi and Yuri exchanged a look and burst out laughing again.
[Parting Ways]
After calming down, the group slowly walked to the station, still giggling and teasing each other.
"I haven't laughed this much in ages," Yuri said, smiling up at Takumi.
"Me neither," he admitted.
At the station, they all waved goodbye, promising to meet again soon.
Takumi and Yuri lingered a bit.
"Hey," she said softly. "Thanks for today."
"You too. That scream when the dog showed up was… majestic."
"I will hit you," she warned playfully.
They laughed again. And just before she turned to leave, she tugged his sleeve.
"I'll message you tonight."
"You better."