[Next time we meet, I absolutely won't embarrass myself like that again!]
That sentence from Mafuyu Shijo was meant to emphasize the first half. But the ever-perceptive Yukinoshita latched onto the second half instead.
She absolutely won't embarrass herself again?
What does that mean?
Does it mean that next time, Mafuyu Shijo is determined to make her, Yukinoshita, the one to be embarrassed instead?
With their long-standing rivalry still fresh in her mind, Yukinoshita also recalled those mysterious petty tricks she used to encounter back when Haruno was overseeing the Yukinoshita family's branch company.
Hmmm...
And now, Mafuyu Shijo just happened to be near the musical fountain mentioned in the system's notification.
Could it be… she's the boss character?
[System, my deduction is flawless, isn't it?]
The system didn't respond in the slightest.
Her phone rang.
"Yukinoshita, where are you? I'm right here at the far-right bench in Fountain Plaza!"
Yukinoshita turned around and scanned the area. It didn't take her long to spot the person. "Turn around."
Kasukigaoka, wearing her signature cat-shaped backpack, turned in place. Her eyes wandered through the crowd before locking onto Yukinoshita. She ran over at a light trot.
"Yukinoshita."
"Slow down, slow down," Yukinoshita said quickly.
What if she bumped into the cat?
Kasukigaoka chuckled softly, then took off the backpack and held it out in front of Yukinoshita. "The bag is really soft inside. It won't hurt her."
Faced with a literal star just inches away, Yukinoshita instinctively stepped back.
She had never been popular with feline creatures. In fact, she often suspected that if she were ever stranded on the African savanna with others and encountered a pride of lions, she'd be the first one taken down.
So rather than bring unnecessary trouble on herself, and to avoid upsetting the kitten, she had always kept her distance. Even as a child, when she saw cats, she'd quietly hide behind Haruno and just steal a few glances.
She forced her gaze away from the kitten and kept her voice soft and calm.
"We should head to the hospital first. Too many people around might make the little one anxious."
"Yeah."
The two walked side by side.
Yukinoshita held a map in her hand, but she barely looked at it. She'd memorized the general layout of the area just in case, even though she'd never been to this particular pet hospital before.
As always, Yukinoshita looked stunning today.
But Kasukigaoka her look today was a blend of youthful sweetness and subtle sophistication. Unlike most slim, wiry high schoolers, her figure was… unique.
Not fat repeat that a hundred times!
Her curves were graceful, her upper body full, her waist impossibly slender. Her gorgeous face radiated a fresh youthful glow. Purity and allure coexisted in her so naturally it was hard to tell where one ended and the other began.
She was the kind of breathtaking beauty that could capture a man's attention in an instant.
Together, the two of them walking side by side created an almost explosive kind of charm. Here, in this couple-filled date hotspot of a plaza, just about every passerby couldn't help but sneak another look.
Kasukigaoka could even hear the whispers trailing behind them.
"Are they... together?"
"They're so beautiful. I've never seen such a gorgeous lesbian couple in real life..."
"They're both unbelievably pretty."
"Maybe they're just friends?"
But Yukinoshita didn't hear a thing. She was focused, scanning each storefront they passed, determined not to miss the pet hospital.
"It should be just over 700 meters from the plaza, right, Kasukigaoka?"
"Right…"
Kasukigaoka was feeling a little down.
For most girls, going out was a whole production, like preparing to move into a freshly renovated home. And Kasukigaoka? She'd spent nearly a week preparing for today.
She bought fashion magazines, consulted major online fashion forums, and compiled a top-ten list of the most popular outfits and makeup trends for teenage girls.
After eliminating the lowest-rated ones, she was left with five looks. Then, in the most sacred of rituals, she chose today's outfit using a dartboard.
The stares and whispers from passersby were clear evidence that her efforts had paid off.
But Yukinoshita hadn't given her so much as a second glance!!!
Kasukigaoka was very, very disappointed.
Ahem, please don't get the wrong idea. Even girls notice other girls' outfits when they're out.
That coat is stunning I'm taking notes.
Her eyeshadow is so clean and sharp. How did she do that?!
That skirt is divine! I'm buying one the moment I get home!
After all, fashion and math have one thing in common observation is key.
And becoming friends meant mutual learning, which is what fosters strong relationships.
Kasukigaoka hadn't made many friends in the past, but she'd read extensively on the subject. All the guides said the same thing.
Curiosity, willingness to learn, a proactive spirit Yukinoshita had shown none of these when it came to her.
Ugh.
Did Yukinoshita really see her as a completely unremarkable, utterly charisma-less girl?
"We're here," Kasukigaoka said.
Yukinoshita's previously calm gaze suddenly sparkled. The way she looked at the pet hospital it was as if she'd just laid eyes on a genuine beauty.
Kasukigaoka was extremely discouraged.
"We should get the deworming done first, right?" Yukinoshita asked, leaning closer.
Her voice was barely audible, tinged with guilt and uncertainty. She clearly wasn't confident when it came to topics outside her wheelhouse.
Kasukigaoka shook her head. "She's still too little for that. She can only get dewormed after about a month. Right now, we should start her on her vaccinations. One shot every 21 days, three in total."
Yukinoshita's eyes immediately lit up. "Kasukigaoka, you're amazing..."
Kasukigaoka: "…"
She'd spent over a month tutoring Yukinoshita at home and hadn't received a single word of praise. Now, just one sentence about kitten vaccines and suddenly she was amazing?
Her feelings were... complicated.
As soon as they entered the hospital, a receptionist came over to assist them. Not long after, the doctor they'd booked in advance appeared.
She was clearly a seasoned professional when it came to handling animals. The little kitten, who had been wary of strangers earlier, quickly curled up obediently in the vet's arms.
The vet gently stroked her soft little head and smiled. "What a beautiful and well-behaved kitten..."
Standing behind Kasukigaoka, Yukinoshita also murmured softly, "Yeah, she's beautiful."
Kasukigaoka turned around and gave her a look. "Are you a tape recorder or something?"
Yukinoshita blinked. "No..."
"I meant what I just realized is that today, you look beautiful, Kasukigaoka."
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