"The new semester... how do you feel, Yoizumi?"
Walking hand in hand on the stone-paved path, flanked by numerous cherry blossom trees, this year's blossoms were exceptionally splendid. Shinobu's eyes curved into crescents as she happily watched the cherry blossoms scattering in the wind, while glancing at Yoizumi beside her, whose expression was faint.
"Same as always." Hearing Yoizumi's flat response, it occurred to her that Yoizumi had never harbored strong desires since childhood... No matter what he faced, whether he liked it or not... he would only accept it calmly.
Shinobu was genuinely worried this blockhead might get lured away by someone one day.
In Shinobu's perception, it seemed... Yoizumi had never refused any of her requests... This wouldn't do... she had to make Yoizumi learn to refuse.
While Shinobu was still scheming in her heart, Yoizumi was completely unaware of Shinobu's thoughts. Seeing Shinobu lost in thought, he merely showed a hint of confusion in his expression, his peripheral vision catching a stray cherry blossom resting atop her dark purple hair.
Yoizumi stopped. Under Shinobu's surprised gaze, he raised his other hand, leaned in slightly, and carefully plucked the cherry blossom. A touch of warmth flickered in those sapphire-blue eyes.
"Didn't mess up your hairstyle, Shinobu." Meeting Shinobu's gaze, Yoizumi explained.
Opening his palm, the cherry blossom drifted away with the wind, yet seemed to land somewhere.
"...Hmm..."
Shinobu forcibly suppressed her accelerating heartbeat. Her exposed ears, the tips tinged with a lovely red.
Again, such an intimate gesture, completely unaware.
Yoizumi's straightforwardness made her seem... truly inadequate... Although she'd never seen Yoizumi behave this way with anyone else... but one couldn't be sure... Shinobu let out a soft sigh, tightening her grip on her handbag strap.
She really needed to have a proper talk with him.
They walked all the way to the sea of flowers formed by Purple Roses. Standing at the very center of Moon Lake Park, the air was filled with the pleasant fragrance of roses. Bending down to get closer to the roses, she couldn't help but gasp in admiration.
"Yoizumi, so beautiful." Looking up, Shinobu easily met Yoizumi's gaze. Yoizumi was looking at Shinobu seriously, the corners of his lips curving slightly as he nodded.
"Yes, very beautiful."
Seemingly scalded by such a gaze, Shinobu unnaturally smoothed her hair and straightened up. Perhaps feeling her reaction was improper, she cleared her throat and spoke.
"Ahem... We're already second years. Have you made any new friends, Yoizumi?"
New friends?
Did Koma Haku-kun count?
He was probably the person Yoizumi had spoken the most with this semester, aside from Shinobu.
"Koma Haku-kun."
Him... Shinobu nodded. As long as he wasn't a weird person, it was fine.
"Yoizumi could learn a thing or two from him."
"Learn what?" Yoizumi asked, puzzled.
"Learn..." Shinobu's words halted mid-sentence. She couldn't very well say Yoizumi should learn how to be considerate to a girlfriend from him... No... she and Yoizumi weren't in a relationship now... And even if she confessed... Shinobu didn't need to think to know this idiot's reaction.
Shinobu, puppy love violates school rules.
Yoizumi would definitely say that.
Thinking this, Shinobu sighed helplessly.
Hmm?
Shinobu, are you tired?
Yoizumi looked around, found a bench, and led Shinobu over. He placed a tissue on it for Shinobu to sit, then bought a can of juice from a vending machine, opened it, and handed it to Shinobu.
"Let's rest for a while." Sitting beside Shinobu, Yoizumi spoke softly.
Taking a sip of juice, Shinobu's gaze fell on Yoizumi. She suddenly felt curious... curious about the reason Yoizumi had invited her today.
"Yoizumi, today... why did you suddenly invite me..."
The words 'on a date' reached the tip of her tongue, but Shinobu couldn't utter them.
Hearing this, Yoizumi turned his head. His clear, pristine blue eyes held apology, his tone earnest.
"Are you in a good mood now, Shinobu?"
Not understanding why he asked, but Shinobu still nodded.
"Yesterday, sister told me you were unhappy. Were you unhappy because of me?"
Sister... So it was sister's doing... Shinobu pressed her slightly aching head. Faced with this eccentric and mischievous sister, she was utterly helpless.
"It has nothing to do with you, Yoizumi."
"Then what made you unhappy? I'll help you. I want Shinobu to be happy." Yoizumi's usually expressionless face showed a serious look.
Shinobu blinked rapidly, averted her gaze, and tapped her finger on the drink can, asking as if casually.
"Why?"
Yoizumi pondered, but his heart always held one answer.
There was no particular why.
He simply... "wanted Shinobu to be happy."
Repeating it once more, the boy's voice wasn't loud, like the most ordinary everyday remark, yet it was filled with sincerity.
"You..." The barely restrained heartbeat quickened once again. Her throat tightened. At this moment, Shinobu's ears heard nothing but that intense heartbeat.
"Then, would Yoizumi be willing to do anything?"
"Yes."
Her response was Yoizumi's almost immediate answer, without any hesitation.
Idiot... Shinobu reached out, her fingers gradually clutching the sleeve of Yoizumi's white shirt. Not looking at Yoizumi, she gave him only her back, her voice light yet clear.
"You can't just agree to everything..."
"Refuse what you don't like."
Feeling her hand fall into a warm palm, Yoizumi's voice also reached her ears.
"There's nothing I don't like."
"And I won't refuse Shinobu."
"..." The emotions clogging her heart for so long now seemed somewhat uncontrollable because of these words... The hand resting in Yoizumi's palm tightened, even more forcefully making their fingers interlock.
"Then... would Yoizumi be willing to become lovers with me?"
Sensing Yoizumi's hand stiffen, a flash of 'as expected' passed through Shinobu's eyes. See... still... Before her inner thoughts fully surfaced, a shadow suddenly fell before her. She stared blankly at Yoizumi, watching as he half-knelt before her, holding her hand gently and preciously.
Those unique, beautiful sapphire-like eyes tenderly reflected her image. His clear, mellow voice spoke word by word.
"If Shinobu thinks I'm suitable."
Lovers were a relationship where they would be together forever, never parting. That was Yoizumi's understanding.
A beautiful Purple Rose appeared in her vision, along with the gentle smile on Yoizumi's face.
His neat, golden hair fluttered with the wind, resembling the golden scales scattered by the sun on the lake surface, dazzling and radiant.
But Shinobu thought the one before her was better.
"I think it resembles Shinobu. For you."
Accepting the beautiful Purple Rose, Shinobu smiled, a bright smile.
"Yoizumi, is that a yes?"
The answer remained the same.
"Yes, I won't refuse Shinobu."
"...Yoizumi-nii, are you going to pick up Miss Shinobu to go to school together?"
Tanjirou, eating breakfast, watched his brother putting on shoes at the entrance and asked.
"Yes, I'm heading out." Yoizumi grasped the doorknob and nodded to his family having breakfast.
"Yoizumi-nii, be careful on your way." Nezuko, biting her bread, said to her brother unclearly.
Standing at the door of the house bearing the surname [Kochou], Yoizumi quietly waited for his lover. As the door opened, the sight that met his eyes was a sleepy-eyed Shinobu being pushed out by her sister.
Kanae, seeing Yoizumi, immediately smiled and pushed her sister in front of him. Clasping her hands together in front of her chest, her pleasant voice was full of gentleness.
"I leave little Shinobu to you, Mr. Yangquan."
Carrying Shinobu's backpack on his back, holding Shinobu's hand with one hand, Yoizumi smiled, looking at Shinobu's still somewhat dazed state, and softly responded.
"Please rest assured."
Watching the two figures leaving side by side, a spring breeze-like smile appeared in Kanae's eyes.
"So nice~"
(School Arc End)
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