Even though only a short distance remained, Yuu opened his folding umbrella. He invited Yuigahama—whose hair tips were slightly wet—inside.
Without hesitation, Yuigahama hugged his arm. The girl's warmth and softness pressed against his right side. That sense of reliance seeped deep into his skin, like the chill of raindrops.
"Is what they're saying on the forum true?"
Her head naturally leaned on his shoulder. In a casual chatting tone, Yuigahama suddenly asked.
"Which part?"
"You told everyone Yukinon was your girlfriend."
Yuu frowned, thinking: "Hmm… More precisely, what I said to Yukinoshita was 'I'm your boyfriend, right?'—Ssshh, ouch! Sorry, I won't continue."
"Biting through clothes doesn't hurt, liar…" Yuigahama let go with annoyance. She smoothed the bite mark on his sleeve.
After a brief silence, she spoke again softly:
"I'm allowed to be jealous, right?"
"Of course."
"You know? The moment I think about you and Yukinon getting that close without me knowing, I feel lost, sad. My chest hurts and tightens. Almost as painful as when I failed my confession back then."
"…"
Yuu stayed silent. He only switched hands holding the umbrella. He intertwined their nearby fingers.
Outside the umbrella, raindrops scattered. He vaguely sensed someone watching them. Only dry branches and wilted leaves were visible… Still, he pretended not to notice. He focused on Yuigahama's voice.
He had to hear her sadness, her resolve—even if the rain drowned his ears. This was his duty, and he wouldn't give it to anyone else.
(Is this feeling more important and complex than just liking someone?) he thought.
"Because I want to keep being with that person and say things I'd never say to anyone else—how is that a fight?"
"Is that so?" Yuigahama blinked in confusion. Then her silly smile brightened: "Ehehe, I actually thought the same~"
"Don't lie." Yuu rolled his eyes, but couldn't stop laughing.
As if suddenly realizing something, Yuigahama looked him up and down: "I just noticed… From way back, Yuu-kun always knows exactly what to say to coax girls and raise their affection. Do you have some game choice prompt in your head?"
Yuu pursed his lips: "You read too many novels. How great if there was such an easy System."
He'd prefer romance choices in his brain over being toyed with by this heart-manipulating System.
Seeing his expression—neither admitting nor denying—Yuigahama put on a curious look. But her eyes narrowed teasingly.
"So you admit coaxing girls is your basic instinct, right!"
"Wha…!"
His eyes widened. Yuu stepped back two paces in disbelief. He opened his mouth to speak but froze. After a complex series of expressions—like a convict honestly confessing over katsudon—he bowed his head listlessly and hopelessly.
"If the girl in question is you, I admit it… My basic instinct is to coax a dumb, cute girl and make her fall for me without realizing. Forgive me."
Both expression and voice were flawlessly sincere.
This made Yuigahama laugh so hard she nearly dropped her lunchbox: "Hahahaha, Yuu-kun, you—you'd be wasted not being the Cultural Festival lead actor hahahaha~"
Luckily, they'd passed the crowded hallway. On the shaded path to the Special Building, only the two of them were there. She could laugh freely without worry.
Of course, in winter, there's no such thing as shade. Dry branches swayed above. The drizzle, briefly stopped, started again.
"Why did this happen?" The voice murmured like returning from winter. She sighed, slowly tightening her grip.
"Why did Yuu-kun have to take Yukinon? Yukinon was mine alone. Only mine…"
"…So you're that side?"
Yuu had to admit—he was shocked for three seconds before realizing Yuigahama was joking.
Telling a joke with no idea how to respond while pouring out complaints… Honestly, it was kind of scary.
Still, Yuu had done something affecting the girls' friendship. He rightly felt guilty when he should.
"Ahaha, got you~"
Yuigahama proudly lifted her chin.
How quickly she smiled again and warmed her tone made Yuu wonder if his perfect acting skill even lost to hers.
"Yuu-kun, I won't complain anymore. I won't say things blaming fate!"
After laughing, Yuigahama suddenly declared loudly. Her clear, spirited voice seemed to challenge the world's rain.
"Why so sudden?"
Yuu looked down, but only saw the pink dango-topped head swaying against his arm.
Yuigahama said: "Because that'd just make you feel guilty toward me. It won't make you love me."
"…"
Dead on. Yuu fell silent. His usually eloquent mouth turned clumsy again.
Yuigahama didn't wait. She continued like stating a fact: "So~ I can't just talk—I have to act."
"…Advice from your mom?"
"No! Actually… I've wanted to do this for a long time."
Suddenly, their footsteps on the stone path stopped. Ripples spread around their feet.
Slanted wind and drizzle. Lips under the umbrella felt slightly cold.
Tiptoes slowly landed. Yuigahama stared at his lips seriously. Unsatisfied with the angle, she pressed his shoulder and kissed him again. She even playfully bit his nose.
After parting, she showed a faint smile. She suddenly seemed mature. Her soft, charming voice whispered in Yuu's ear.
"Mouths are for kissing the person you like—not just saying loser nonsense… Mom only told me that. The rest is what I've always wanted to do."
"…Including biting my nose?" Yuu pursed his lips. His feelings were so complex he could only complain.
Her brow corners brimmed with victorious smiles. Yuigahama winked mischievously: "Hehe, if you don't like it, you can bite back~"
"Oh? Limited to certain areas?"
Yuu's expression instantly turned serious, with a kind of eager-to-try enthusiasm.
"Area? Don't tell me you mean ears… Ah!!"
The quiet Yuigahama quickly understood. Her small face flushed half-red. She hurriedly let go and dashed into the Special Building.
"Yuu-kun pervert! Siscon! Boob alien! Too fast!"
"Ouch, you get it too." Despite the harsh slander, Yuu walked leisurely through the rain. He smirked wickedly.
"But I didn't say I'd bite your boobs~ I'm not a puppy like you. At most, I'd bite your tongue, hair, or something… Thinking , Yui, you're so weird."
"You're weird! I'll tell Yukinon to see your true face!"
Growling threats from her throat, Yuigahama huffed angrily. She buttoned her chest fully like guarding against a thief. Like an unleashed husky, she ran upstairs with her short skirt fluttering.
Yuu shook rain off his umbrella. He followed unhurriedly. The sadness between his brows had vanished sometime ago—feeling fresh and cool like the building's air.
"White today, huh…"
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Yukino arrived at the clubroom early. She wanted to wait for them before opening her bento. Until then, she'd read to pass time.
But she couldn't read a single word. Restless and uneasy best described her now.
She knew what worried her—though it was a feeling she'd never had before. Like a child who made a mistake, preparing for a family meeting. Waiting felt so long and torturous.
"What should I say when I meet Yuigahama-san…"
She'd thought about it countless times but couldn't find the best answer to convince herself.
Unable to bear the anxiety and discomfort, Yukino closed the light novel she hadn't turned a page of. She stood, took a deep breath, and felt her expanding chest's pulse with her palm—how many times had she calmed herself this way?
Seconds later, she slowly opened her eyes. She looked at the unmoving door, then turned, walked to the window, and looked down.
Below the Service Club was the Special Building's side entrance.
Yukino knew shortcut-loving Yuu usually entered here. Even with Yuigahama, he wouldn't randomly change paths.
Moments later—perhaps coincidence.
Just as she reached the window and looked down, she saw the familiar umbrella-holding figure.