Friday Afternoon
Department of Pharmacy
"Um... Koma Haku-kun, please don't leave the knitting yarn in the club room."
Shinobu watched the tall, well-built man, who was usually deep in his work, meticulously knitting gloves.
"Sorry, President, I'll clean it up after the activity ends," Hakuji said, his hands not stopping as he continued his work. Although it was September, the weather here would turn cold before November. Hakuji wanted to make a beautiful set of gloves and a scarf for Koyuki before then.
"I only allowed it because there were no club activities at the start of the semester. You can't do this next time," Shinobu said, checking the club room's cleanliness while telling other members to collect the materials applied for this semester.
The cleaning had already been done by Hakuji, and it was exceptionally well done; Shinobu couldn't even see a speck of dust on her fingertips.
She still vividly remembered what this person had written on his club application form.
[I want to be a doctor to cure Koyuki.]
I heard that Koma Haku-kun and Koyuki-chan are childhood sweethearts... and even fiances who have already set their engagement.
How nice... For some reason, Shinobu suddenly thought of someone.
That stinky Yoizumi would never proactively knit her a scarf or gloves.
Her gaze fell outside, and that familiar blonde hair flashed past the corridor window. Shinobu's eyes lit up slightly.
Yoizumi, who had just submitted his documents, had only taken a few steps when he felt his left shoulder being poked. He instinctively looked, but there was no one there. As he turned back, he saw Shinobu's enlarged face right in front of him, along with her attempt to startle him.
"Wah!"
Yoizumi stood still, his sapphire eyes blinking as he silently watched Shinobu, his eyes full of confusion.
"...". Meeting Yoizumi's gaze, Shinobu slowly lowered her raised hands, her face visibly reddening. She turned her head slightly, then punched Yoizumi in the waist.
"Can't you give me some reaction?"
After thinking for a few seconds, Yoizumi spoke.
"I was startled."
"Ugh..." It seemed even more embarrassing. Who says something like that with a poker face!
"Where are you going, Yoizumi?" Adjusting her mood, Shinobu walked beside Yoizumi with her hands behind her back, asking softly.
"To the Student Council."
"I'm going to the Student Council too. Let's go together~"
"What are you going to do, Shinobu?"
"To get materials for the club."
"Mm."
...A club member, who had just returned after collecting materials and passed by the two, heard this and thought, "?"
Didn't she already bring everything back?
..."Ah... it's you."
Hakuji stood at the entrance of the school building, waiting for Koyuki. The cooking club activity had ended a bit late today. While knitting his gloves, he kept an eye out for Koyuki's arrival. But now, Hakuji's sky-blue eyes glanced at Yoizumi beside him.
Classmates.
They were on speaking terms.
Club President Shinobu had also casually asked him about this classmate multiple times.
Most of the questions revolved around Yoizumi's social relationships in class.
Are these two very close?
Hakuji, who didn't care about anyone else except Koyuki, thought so.
"Hello, Koma Haku-kun."
Yoizumi, waiting for Shinobu, nodded and greeted him. Because Shinobu was temporarily called away by a teacher, Yoizumi was waiting here.
"You're waiting for someone too?" Hakuji lowered his gaze, meticulously working on the pink yarn. His slightly raised arm revealed clear muscle definition, yet he was doing delicate work.
Thinking of the smile Koyuki might show, Hakuji couldn't help but curve his lips.
A hint of curiosity flashed in Yoizumi's eyes. He didn't know much about Koma Haku-kun, but he remembered... that person wouldn't usually show such a gentle smile as he was now.
"Mm."
"Is it Club President Kochou?"
Yoizumi nodded in surprise, not expecting him to guess.
"Are you and Club President Kochou very close? I often hear her mention you."
Did Shinobu often mention him?
"Shinobu and I grew up together."
"Eh~ Koyuki and I are too." Hakuji looked at Yoizumi for a moment, then continued knitting his gloves, suddenly saying.
"It seems we are the same..."
Yoizumi, who didn't understand what Hakuji meant by that, was about to ask when he saw the person who had just seemed indifferent suddenly infused with vitality. His eyes brightened, he put away his things, and quickly walked towards someone.
"Koyuki, you worked hard."
Hakuji took Koyuki's things, his gaze sweeping over her, and after seeing that she was perfectly fine everywhere, he took her hand.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Hakuji Nii-san."
"We're leaving," Hakuji told Yoizumi, and he and Koyuki disappeared from Yoizumi's sight.
The same?
Yoizumi, lost in thought about what the other person meant, didn't notice a purple butterfly quietly approaching, gently landing before his eyes.
In his dazed vision, Shinobu's figure suddenly appeared. With her hands behind her back, she bent down and slightly tilted her head, meeting Yoizumi's eyes, her magnificent purple eyes gleaming beautifully.
"What are you thinking about, Yoizumi?"
Smoothly and automatically taking Shinobu's school bag, Yoizumi shook his head, looked at Shinobu, and then showed a slight smile.
"Aren't you going to the new pancake shop at the station, Shinobu?"
"Let's go quickly."
With a composed expression, he naturally and gently took Shinobu's wrist. Whether as children or now... Yoizumi had always done this.
From the past to the present, perhaps only one thing has changed.
That is Shinobu, who, from being composed at first, gradually became someone whose face would redden and heart would pound because of Yoizumi's actions.
----Short Skit----
"Hakuji Nii-san, aren't those Kochou-chan and Yoizumi-kun over there?"
"So that's their relationship."
Seeing the two walking hand-in-hand, Koyuki's cheeks flushed as she softly spoke.
"Mm, Koyuki, here's your strawberry waffle." Hakuji thoughtfully used a tissue to insulate it from heat and handed it to Koyuki.
His eyes, with their long pink lashes, subtly glanced at the people not far away.
That's why he said it earlier.
We are the same... Happy New Year~
Wishing everyone academic success, a thriving career, continuous good luck, and smooth sailing in 2026!
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