Author's note: Thanks for reading and following along on Hachiman's and Yukino's story! It's now time for them to confront their future. As always, feedback and comments are appreciated!

"What about after university?"

I froze at Yukino's words. Although I could talk about bland career topics and try to dance around what I was sure she meant, I knew that I didn't want to avoid the question.

I took a second to compose myself as Yukino looked at me intently.

"If I may be so bold - I hope…I hope we'll still be together when that time comes." Yukino stammered.

The wistful yet determined look in her eyes was one that had not surfaced since the day of my confession to her. Even though I knew that Yui had said something similar when she realized that she and I would not be together, the expression felt different coming from Yukino.

I knew that it was genuine in a way that I couldn't describe.

And so, I was able to speak the truth when I responded.

"I am confident we will be."

Yukino shifted in her seat, and I could sense that she was not finished.

"Sorry for asking these questions…it's my first time in a relationship, as you know."

"Mine too." I smiled.

"How far forward do you think we can look?" She was clearly nervous.

"We still have many years ahead that are going to be full of changes. I hope that we can spend them together."

Yukino nodded. "I hope so too. I suppose we can't foretell the future, even if doing so might comfort us."

I touched Yukino's arm and nodded. The person whom I once knew as an ice queen now seemed ill at ease in my presence.

Yukino continued. "Let's focus on the present moment."

Then she planted a kiss softly on my cheek. Even though it wasn't the first time she'd kissed me, it was still a special experience every time it happened. This girl was truly adept at pulling my heartstrings.

I smiled, blushing. "You know just how to make the moment special."

Yukino looked away nervously. "I don't know how good I am at that, but thanks for your kind words."

Living in the moment. It's something that any number of life coaches, professional or self-appointed, might tell us. But with so much at stake in our future, the advice seemed futile.

Even so, when the advice came from my girlfriend, it was worth paying attention to it.

We sidled closer to each other on the couch. Yukino laid her head on my shoulder. Before long, we had both dozed off.

A few hours later, I slowly opened my eyes. It was well past midnight, and I still felt the unexpectedly comforting pressure of Yukino's head on my shoulder.

There was no way I could move now. But I need to reach my phone to update Komachi on the situation.

The phone sat on the coffee table in front of me, so near yet out of reach. Even though I knew Yukino would understand if I let her lay down on the couch, I wanted her to stay this way. It felt like a comfortable situation for the two of us.

Slowly but surely, while keeping my elbow relatively stable, I inched towards the phone. I had nearly reached it while keeping Yukino's head in one spot.

But suddenly, as I had nearly reached it, she began to slide ever so slightly towards my lap. Before I could stop it, she was laying in my lap, still sound asleep.

I looked down as her silky, long hair draped across my legs and her couch, its sweet scent palpable. She seemed so at peace, a smile across her face. As I carefully leaned forwards to reach the phone, I was careful to cradle her head in one hand so that she'd remain comfortable.

I was walking blindly into a new world, so to speak – the rules of love, if there were any, had to be figured out along the way. As long as I followed what I felt was right – as scary a thought that was – then things would surely be ok for us.

I texted Komachi. I'll be staying over at Yukino's. Change of plans.

After some consideration, I followed up with:

Please don't laugh.

Within a couple of minutes, she responded. Have fun, big bro! ;)

Welp, close enough to a laugh I suppose.

It was then that I realized the question of sleeping arrangements would have to come up. Should I do the cheesy old move of carrying her to bed and laying her down gently, tucking her in? Would I then sleep out here on the couch?

What was the alternative – letting her sleep on the couch? The bed seemed like it would be a more comfortable place for her. That's really what she deserved.

I inched to the side, cradling her head in my hands. I began to move one hand down her back and was reaching for her legs when I heard her make a soft noise.

"H-Hachiman…"

Did she just say my name in her sleep? I never thought this day would come.

I blushed as I felt for under her knee. With one hand there and one behind her head, I slowly lifted her up and over my lap. She was a bit lighter than I expected, and soon she lay fast asleep in my arms.

Even if I tried, though, I couldn't stop looking at her face. I was still amazed to see such happiness in her expression. Somehow, it made me wish that we could stay together for a long time – beyond university.

How could one facial expression change one's life outlook? I wondered.

In any case, being draped over my legs and arms was surely not the most comfortable position for her. I slowly lifted my arms up until I fully held my girlfriend in my arms. She continued to breathe softly as I walked slowly over to her bedroom, in what truly felt like a surreal moment.

Seeing the covers fully across the bed, I set Yukino down at the top of the bed and gently lifted her legs up so that I could use my other hand to lower the covers up over her legs.

Tucking her in, she looked content. Knowing her as someone who tended to work herself to exhaustion – who rarely had a moment to enjoy the world around her – seeing her rest peacefully like this made me feel happy.

Now, the matter arose of how I would spend the night. There was no way I could go home in good conscience, and it wasn't like it was the first time that we'd be sleeping together. But I wasn't at all prepared for staying over. I had no idea how I was going to turn down for the evening or dress for sleeping.

If Yukino was wearing her school clothes, so could I…That would also make things less awkward when we woke up.

It was time to get ready for bed. I walked over to her bathroom. Reaching for the door, I felt a bit of trepidation and amazement that I was actually in this position.

What would I find inside? Surely, at my age, I shouldn't be scared of this experience.

The bathroom was spacious and well-appointed. Towels hung nearly folded on a couple of racks, and nothing lay disorganized on the floor. On a shelf stood a small bottle of perfume. To one side was a spacious bathtub. Bottles of hair conditioner and shampoo stood nearby – they looked to be of an expensive brand.

The origin of that incredible scent?

Curious, I stepped closer and leaned over to take a whiff of the shampoo. Unable to smell anything from this distance, I delicately picked it up and carefully opened the cap. Suddenly, I was overcome with emotion at the scent that I had adored even before I realized my feelings for Yukino.

Before I knew it, the plastic bottle had slipped out of my hands, landing with a clatter on the tile floor.

Oh no! If she woke up now, I would surely die of embarrassment…

I waited five seconds. Then five more, just to be sure. No sound came from outside the room and I breathed a sigh of relief as I picked up the bottle and replaced it. It was time to return to my original mission.

Turning my attention to the counter, I saw her toothbrush sitting in a cup.

At what point in a relationship is it permissible to share a toothbrush?

I decided I should ask her permission first. Given that she was asleep, that wasn't about to happen soon.

Pray she doesn't smell my breath…

What else could I do to get ready for bed, then?

Without using her toiletries, it seemed, not much. Perhaps I could just wash my face. I allowed myself to open the cabinet under the sink, where I found a few face towels. Gently running the tap over it, the towel felt impossibly soft. As I lifted it to my face, I was greeted with a slight yet exhilarating scent – one quite unlike her hair, and yet still incredibly pleasant.

Turning around, I made my way back towards the living room. Eyeing the couch, I wondered whether I should just sleep on there and avoid all embarrassment. At the same time, though, we had been dating for a few months already and I felt that my partner wouldn't mind. For now, we were to draw the line at the toothbrush, not the bed.

After all, perhaps it would be nice to surprise her.

I returned to Yukino's bedroom. The covers moved softly in sync with her breath. I stood for a moment again, looking. Her hair stretched across the bed towards the near side; I didn't want to disturb it, but I also didn't want to sleep on it.

Nearly tiptoeing towards the bed, I began to pull back the covers. Behind Yukino's head, a couple of stuffed animals sat idly.

Further evidence of her cute side.

I smiled to myself as I shifted onto the soft covers, the scent of Yukino's hair still evident and enveloping even now.

Even though we were dating, I wasn't comfortable with snuggling up to her in bed just yet, and I wasn't sure that she would be either. So, I made sure to give her some space, even if it meant sticking towards the edge of the bed.

So comfortable.

I began to close my eyes.

"Mmm…"

The sound coming from Yukino's lips nearly jolted me.

Why am I treating her like a sleeping giant? I'm sure she wouldn't get annoyed if she found out…

I could feel her shifting over towards me. It was hard to believe this was happening, and yet here I was. Mercifully, she stopped just short of me.

I started up at the ceiling, into space. With little awareness of the time, an eternity seemed to pass before my eyes began to close. With the scent of Yukino's hair enveloping me along with the warmth emanating from her body, I nearly felt as though I was floating.

After an unexpectedly restful sleep, I was greeted by sunlight streaming into the room. As I opened my eyes, I was once again struck by the experience of being in Yukino's apartment.

I suppose it's time to go to the bathroom and wash up…

It was then that I glanced to the side and noticed Yukino looking at me, eyes wide and a smile on her face.

"Good morning, Hachiman." She spoke as though it were the most ordinary thing in the world for me to wake up next to her.

"Why, good morning, Yukino." The momentary surprise on my face was soon replaced with a broad grin.

She sat up and stretched her arms wide, a grin on her face.

"Shall we have breakfast? My treat, of course." Yukino smiled.

"What's on the menu?"

It felt like I was living a cheesy movie, but saying those lines just felt inexplicably natural to me.

Yukino looked up pensively, raising a finger to her chin.

"Let's see, I have some rice, ham, eggs…"

A more Western-style breakfast sounded appetizing in any case – coming from Yukino, though, it was bound to be delectable.

Soon, the two of us had put together some pleasant dishes for the second time in short succession. In spite of not knowing where my motivation to do so quite came from, it still felt right.

As we dug into the fruits of our labour, Yukino uncharacteristically grinned in seeming exhilaration at the taste.

"So filling…I see your skills continue to reveal themselves. How unexpected." She gave me a most disarming look.

"Oh, it's nothing. I've picked up some stuff over the years of cooking together with Komachi."

Yukino nodded.

"How is she doing?"

"Ah, you know, same old same old. She can definitely be tricky at times but, after all, she is my little sister."

"She'll always be special to you." Yukino's words came out matter-of-factly but were accompanied by a gleam of understanding in her eyes.

"Yeah…no matter what she does."

Yukino nodded in understanding. I wondered whether Haruno-san felt the same way about her younger sister.

I could scarcely hide my grin the whole train ride home. No doubt I would be questioned by Komachi but, at this point, I didn't think very much of it.

Sure enough, as soon as I stepped through the door, I was greeted by running footsteps.

"My onii-chan is at it again! Welcome home."

"Ah…don't put too much of a point on it, please…" I blushed.

"Well, I'm proud of you for taking things a step further."

"I'm just doing what seems natural, I guess."

"It's coming to you so easily now."

I sighed. "It hasn't all been easy. Especially what with the situation with Yui…"

A momentary glance of concern flashed across my sister's face.

"What's up?" I asked.

"Ahem…nothing, really."

This was more than a little disconcerting.

"Is there something you'd like to tell me?"

"Well, ah…"

"Have you been talking to Yuigahama recently?"

"No…"

I sighed.

"…Isshiki, then? What does she want?"

As I said these words, my thoughts came back to the way Isshiki looked at Yukino and I with something approaching a mischievous grin, every now and then in the club room.

In response, Komachi sighed.

"I think she wants to drive…to drive you and Yukino apart. For Yui's sake."

I sighed.

After all this time, some things didn't change. What more could I even do?

Author's note:

Thanks again for reading! And don't worry, Yukino and Hachiman's relationship is strong.