The bell signaling the end of class rang through the room.
Yukinoshita Yukino rose from her seat, her gaze briefly flicking toward Yami Tsukishiro before she quietly walked out.
She had invited him earlier, but apparently had no intention of waiting for him.
Typical Yukinoshita, polite on the surface, yet distant in execution.
Yami noticed, understood, and didn't call her out on it. He simply stood, stretching lazily.
"Yui, let's go play tennis together."
A refined-looking blonde approached, accompanied by a bespectacled girl.
Miura Yumiko one of the class's reigning beauties stood before Yuigahama, her hair catching the light as she gave a practiced flick.
"Ah? Yumiko…"
Yuigahama's first instinct was to follow Yami.
The thought of him spending time alone with Yukinoshita bothered her more than she cared to admit.
But Yumiko was a close friend, and turning her down wasn't easy.
She hesitated.
"What's wrong?" Yumiko asked, tilting her head.
"That… I…"
Yuigahama's eyes darted toward Yami. She drew a small breath, then smiled apologetically.
"Sorry, Yumiko. I've got something to take care of. Let's play next time, okay?"
Before Yumiko could respond, Yui looped her arm through Yami's and tugged him toward the door.
"…"
Yumiko stood frozen for a beat.
Ebina Hina leaned closer and said in a teasing tone, "Yumiko, don't tell me Yui's dating that Yami Tsukishiro guy."
"How would I know! Ugh, forget it. Let's just go."
Still, an image lingered in Yumiko's mind, one that she couldn't quite shake and her tone came out sharper than usual.
Ebina, thinking she'd annoyed her, dropped the subject.
A knock at the door.
"Please, come in."
Sunlight poured through the open window, wrapping Yukinoshita in a soft, golden glow.
The breeze stirred her long black hair as she read quietly by the window, a scene that could've been lifted straight from a painting.
"Hello, Yukinoshita-san!" Yuigahama greeted cheerfully.
"Please close the door," Yukinoshita replied, her tone cool as always.
"O-Oh, right!" Yui quickly complied.
"What did you want to talk about?" Yami asked, skipping any pretense.
With a soft snap, Yukinoshita closed her book and met his eyes.
"Yami Tsukishiro… are you familiar with the Yukinoshita family?"
"Yukinoshita family? What's this about?" Yami tilted his head, brows raised.
"Sorry, I should have phrased it better." She stood, her posture as composed as her voice.
"The people behind you, they've given you certain… tasks, haven't they?"
"…No idea what you're talking about. I don't have anyone 'behind' me."
"No family?"
For a moment, Yukinoshita's usually calm expression faltered.
Her mother and sister had been adamant that a person like him had to come from influence perhaps a distinguished household or a powerful group.
Yet here he was, denying it completely.
"I'm telling you the truth," Yami said easily.
"My parents passed away years ago. No big extended family, no hidden backing."
The casual way he said it made the words land even heavier.
Yuigahama's grip on his sleeve tightened, her face soft with worry.
Yukinoshita, realizing her mistake, lowered her eyes. "…I'm sorry. I didn't know."
"Don't worry about it," Yami replied with a faint shrug. "Though I do wonder… why ask me about my background in the first place?"
"…"
She hesitated, caught between not wanting to seem presumptuous and knowing she'd already pulled the topic this far.
Finally, she exhaled. "The Yukinoshita family isn't large. Today, my sister called me and… suggested I spend more time with you."
"Oh, so you thought I was some heir to a big-name family, and your family was hinting at a future arrangement?"
Her silence spoke volumes.
Yami's mouth quirked in a knowing half-smile.
"Figures. Guess I've stood out a bit too much lately. Between the officials and certain… other circles, I'm sure more than a few people are curious."
--------------------------------------
Support me at patreon.com/Arthorain and read upto 50 Advanced Chapters and Exclusive R-18 Content!
--------------------------------------
Update schedule: 7 chapters/week
Every 100 power stones = 1 Extra Chapter
By voting with [power stones], you can easily get double the number of chapters.