In the quiet solitude of the nighttime park, I sat on a cold, weathered bench, the soft rustle of leaves and distant chirp of crickets the only sounds breaking the silence. My eyes were fixed on the dark canvas of the sky, scattered with stars that glimmered faintly through the thin veil of clouds.

The shadows of the trees loomed around me, their branches reaching out like silent sentinels. I waited, with a sense of anticipation, for Yukinoshita to arrive.

She called me a few minutes ago and asked me if I was already home. Immediately after I told her that I was still out, she invited me on some sort of date, I guess.

She mentioned that she would come here straight away. This place I'm at right now is a nearby park that's close to the school building.

Before long, I noticed her silhouette emerging from the darkness, gradually becoming clearer as she approached. I rose from the bench, the soft crunch of gravel beneath my feet breaking the stillness, and started walking toward her, the cool night air brushing against my face as we closed the distance between us.

"Yo."

"Good evening, Mr. I can't look at a cute girl for more than three seconds," she teased.

"You're one to talk."

She smiled lovingly, holding back a chuckle.

"No, I can look at a cute boy for long, but it's just different when it comes to you..."

"Are you saying that I am not cute?" I said, imitating a disappointed expression.

"N-No, I didn't mean-" she stuttered, her cheeks flushing slightly as she tried to regain her composure. "You're more than that."

"Why, thanks, I guess." I scratched my hair nervously.

Yukinoshita looked around nervously, her eyes darting back and forth between me and our surroundings.

"Don't worry, we're alone," I reassured.

"It does seem that way..." she mumbled, inching closer until she leaned fully against me. Her head settled on my collarbone, and her arms wrapped around me in a gentle embrace. "You must be cold after being out here for so long."

"A little less now."

"Good..."

I lifted my hand slowly until it rested on the top of her head, then let it glide gently down the length of her hair, savoring the silky texture as it slipped through my fingers. The sensation was captivating, pulling me into the moment as if nothing else existed.

I had once longed for moments like this—being close enough to touch her so intimately. The subtle change in her breathing, a slight hitch, brushed against me, an indication that my touch brought her pleasure.

"Y-You do like my hair," Yukinoshita murmured.

"I like everything about you," I thought out loud.

Her fingers slightly squeezed the fabric of my coat. "...Even my small-"

"I believe in genetics."

"Shall we get going?" She raised her head to look up at me.

"Sure."

We reluctantly pulled apart, leaving behind the soothing tranquility of the park. The once tranquil atmosphere of the park seemed distant now, as we were enveloped by the hustle and bustle of the more crowded surroundings.

"Where did you plan to go?" I asked, looking at her.

"There's a cheap restaurant at around 10 minutes of walk from here. We could have dinner there. How does it sound?"

"Sounds good. Let's go there."

Yukinoshita suddenly looped her arm around mine, holding it tightly as she walked beside me, her frame now pressed much closer to mine.

A subtle flush of warmth surged across my face at the unexpected gesture. She was the one who told me not to make any sudden moves, and now here she was, doing exactly that.

Honestly, what was she thinking?

"It'll get a little more crowded, you're sure about it?"

"Given the current circumstances, whoever is watching us is the least of my troubles." Her grip tightened, her head leaning more onto me and the scent of her hair filling my nostrils.

"I guess we're already both used to be targeted of rumors and stares."

She let out a small giggle and nodded in agreement.

"I wouldn't mind a rumor about me and you, it's still much better than what happened with Hayama-kun, though," she admitted.

Yukinoshita is really the only girl who would say something like that, because rumours that she would rather go out with a guy like me than with Hayama would sound totally absurd to any other girl at school.

We were nearing our destination, Yukinoshita's arm still intertwined with mine. A cozy, tucked-away restaurant illuminated by the soft, golden glow of hanging lanterns. The building had a traditional charm, its dark wood panels and sliding doors reflecting the warm light that spilled out onto the cobblestone path.

We stepped inside; the warm scent of freshly baked bread and simmering broth welcomed us, mingling with the faint hint of jasmine from a small flower arrangement near the window.

"Let's seat over there." Yukinoshita pointed at a rather secluded spot within the restaurant, still visible for the waiters, though.

We took our seat across from each other.

"I never knew such a place existed here."

"It's a very recent restaurant, known for its cozy atmosphere and low food prices. A-And since it was Valentine's Day recently, they made special discounts for couples..." Her tone and face turned more flustered as she continued to reveal what she knew of this restaurant.

Thanks, Yukipedia.

Wait, did she talk about reductions for couples?

"Are we getting discounts tonight..?"

"M-Most likely."

...I see. I've got my answers.

"..."

"..."

A silence settled between us, our gazes wandering everywhere except toward each other. I found myself fixated on the menu lying on the table, using it as a convenient distraction to avoid the tension crackling in the air.

The silence hung until a waiter came to us to take our orders.

"Good evening, have you decided what to order?"

"I'll take noodles." I looked at Yukinoshita, who still seemed to think of what to eat.

"I'll have the grilled salmon with a side of steamed vegetables and a green salad."

"Okay. Our reductions for young couples are still available. Will you take them?" the order asked.

I and Yukinoshita's gaze met before she responded. "Yes."

The waiter quickly took note of our orders and walked away, letting the silence settle upon us once again.

During that silence, a thought crossed my mind—something I should have done earlier but had completely forgotten. Well, at least now I had a way to break the silence.

"I should give you back the clothes you lent me the other day," I spoke up.

"It's fine, you can keep them."

"I'll still return them to you."

"But I don't think I'll need those clothes in the future, so, I insist."

"I insist too."

Yukinoshita closed the menu in front of her and sighed.

"Alright..."

Minutes drifted by, the ambiance calm and unhurried, as we waited for our orders. Soft conversations and the gentle clinking of dishes filled the background, adding to the restaurant's serene ambiance.

Finally, the waiter returned, balancing two plates expertly in his hands. He placed the steaming bowl of noodles in front of me, the savory aroma wafting up to fill my senses, while Yukinoshita's grilled salmon, accompanied by steamed vegetables and a crisp green salad, was set before her.

The rich scent of broth and spices embraced me as I picked up my utensils, my mouth already watering in anticipation.

"Itadakimasu," I said, blowing on my noodles.

"Itadakimasu," Yukinoshita followed suit.

We then began to eat silently.

Yukinoshita struggled to eat properly as a few stray strands of hair kept falling into her face. With a small sigh, she reached into her school bag and pulled out a familiar scrunchie.

With practiced ease, she gathered her hair and tied it into a neat, cute ponytail.

"You don't often wear that hairstyle."

"Normally, I prefer to let my hair flow freely, but I do like to tie it up from time to time. Does it still look good on me...?"

Please don't look at me like that. Your ponytail alone looks good enough, adding this slight flustered and shy expression only increases your cuteness points.

"H-Hum, your normal look gives me a sense of safety, but I must admit this new look works pretty well."

"Glad to hear that you like it."

buzz!

My phone vibrated inside my pocket, disturbing the sweet moment I was having with Yukinoshita.

I suddenly remembered that I'd forgotten to let Komachi know I'd be home late. Ever since the last incident, Mom had asked her to check in with me whenever I went out, making sure she got updates. It wore on me sometimes, knowing my little sister had to keep tabs on me because my parents no longer trusted me to look after myself.

Not that I'd exactly given them any reason to trust me, though.

"Who is it?" Yukinoshita asked.

I grabbed my phone and picked up the call. "It's Komachi, probably to ask me if I'm still alive."

"Onii-chan, it's getting late. Where are you?"

"I'm with Yukinoshita. We're having dinner in that new restaurant near the school."

"So you're with Yukino-san, huh? You've spent a lot of time with her recently. Big bro's finally becoming a man!"

"Anyway, is that all you wanted to ask?"

"No, no, let me say hello to Yukino-san too."

I glanced at Yukinoshita and sighed.

"She wants to talk to you." I handed her my phone.

She took it, our fingers brushing for a millisecond, and placed it against her ear.

"Good evening, Komachi-san."

"..."

"Yes, I'm fine."

"..."

"It's okay, he did nothing wrong yet." She let out a small chuckle.

What did my sister ask her?

A small part of my mind can't help but imagine that she asked for something suspicious about me.

"Is that so? I'll keep that in mind then." A mischievous smile curled on Yukinoshita's lips, her eyes glued to mine.

No, really, what are they talking about?

If I learn that Komachi revealed embarrassing stuff about me, I'll make her pay.

"See you, Komachi-san."

After the call had finally ended, Yukinoshita handed the phone back to me.

"What were you two talking about?"

"About sweet things concerning you," Yukinoshita talked with a teasing tone.

Now I'm even more curious.

After that strange call with my little sister, we continued to eat our meal peacefully. No matter how many times I tried to ask Yukinoshita about what Komachi might have said, she would just keep acting mysterious.

A while later, we both finished and began to prepare to leave. The last thing we had to do was pay the bills. And the matter of who was gonna pay the bills almost led to an argument.

"Are you finished?" Yukinoshita asked.

"Ah, yeah. I gotta see if I've got enough yen in cash on me right now." I began to search through my school bag.

"Don't mind that. I will pay for you," she interrupted me.

"It's cheap, as you said, so it shouldn't be much of a bother to me to pay my part."

I don't accept charity that easily.

"I insist, your parents must have already spent a lot of money on your medical care. So, I don't want you to spend your money on things like cheap food."

Her logic doesn't make sense. I'm not wasting my money here, I simply pay for the food that I ordered and ate.

"It isn't a big deal, really. I can pay it fine, it won't cost me a member."

"Hikigaya-kun, don't restart to be stubborn and let me pay your part. If you can pay it fine, then I can pay it even more fine than you."

"Sounds more like you're the one being stubborn."

Her gaze suddenly coldened at my remark.

"May I remind you that I invited you? So, it's only normal that I am the one who pays. Am I wrong?"

She's got a point here...

"Alright, do as you wish." I gave up.

I don't feel like arguing any longer tonight anyway.

We went to pay the bills and left the cozy atmosphere of the restaurant. Now walking down the darkened streets, a cool breeze swept past, brushing against our cheeks.

The quiet hum of the city surrounded us, punctuated by the rush of cars passing by, their headlights cutting through the shadows and casting fleeting patterns across the pavement.

We strolled side by side, the space between us almost nonexistent as the cool night air wrapped around us. The rhythmic sound of our footsteps blended with the background hum of the city. Yukinoshita's arm occasionally brushed against mine, a gentle reminder of her presence that felt almost intentional.

The streetlights cast a soft, golden glow, highlighting the curve of her profile and the subtle movement of her ponytail as it swayed with each step.

A soft sigh escaped her lips, carried away by the breeze, and she glanced at me with eyes that sparkled under the lamplight. It was a rare, delicate moment—one that needed no words, only the shared warmth of two people walking together under the star-speckled sky.

Her fingers moved with a tentative grace, brushing against my sleeve before curling around it, giving a gentle tug. The subtle gesture carried a quiet message, as if she were silently asking me to pull my hand from my pocket.

I glanced down at her, catching the faint blush that colored her cheeks under the soft streetlights.

Slowly, I obliged, sliding my hand out of my pocket, the cool night air nipping at my skin. Without a word, I let my fingers brush against hers. She didn't pull away; instead, she intertwined her fingers with mine, their warmth contrasting with the chill of the breeze.

"Hey, Hikigaya-kun..."

"Yes..?"

"There was something I wanted to tell you for a while."

I could see in the spark in her eyes how much her next words were meaning to her. My heart accelerated slightly as I prepared myself for the next.

"I struggled to say it before, because... I was hesitating. You know, when you came back, we weren't really in good terms. In fact, I felt so angry against you. I was mad during the time you were absent."

I listened to her, acutely aware of the way her hand tightened around mine, her thumb moving in slow, gentle circles against my skin.

"All this time I repeated to myself how much you hurt me, but yet, there was still a part of me that..."

She paused, taking a few seconds to gather her thoughts and choose her words properly. I let her do things at her own pace.

"There was that day, called 'Valentine's day'. I saw the girls at school offering homemade chocolates to boys, and I only had one thought in that moment..."

It stayed in her mind that much?

"I had mine in my bag—I put it there without even realizing it. When I was home, I spent part of my time making the best chocolates I could. I'm not entirely sure what drove me to do it, but I did it anyway."

My eyes widened slightly, my mouth parting as I watched her struggle to put into words what had clearly been weighing on her mind for weeks.

"It's like a part of me acted on its own. At school, I knew well the reason that made me do this wouldn't show up that day. I knew it very well. But there I was, with those homemade chocolates in my bag." She reached for her school bag with her other free hand and picked a small bag filled with chocolates.

"Those are..." I murmured, my voice laced with surprise.

"Yes." She nodded, a loving smile lighting up her face. "I made them myself. I wanted to give them to you much earlier, but I couldn't find the courage. Now, when I'm walking with you like this, I feel like... I can do it."

Her gaze shifted from the small bag of chocolates to me, her eyes meeting mine with a mixture of vulnerability and determination.

"I know it's a bit late for that, but please accept them. It's not only to celebrate your awakening, it's also... to... express my feelings."

With gentle hands, she placed the bag in mine. The chocolates inside felt firm and fresh, as if she had gone to great lengths to preserve them perfectly.

"I'm sure I'll love them. Thank you very much, Yukinoshita."

She made chocolates for Valentine's Day on her own; I wasn't present that day due to my obligation to stay at home and rest. Now I realize that she'd wanted to give them to me for so long.

But being filled with a conflict of so many twisted feelings had made her hesitate. If I hadn't tried to rebuild my relationship with her, she might not have given them to me. And those chocolates would have ended up in the bin.

"Since you just ate, I suggest you eat them once you're home. You'll appreciate them more if your stomach is a little emptier."

"You're right," I agreed, putting the bag of chocolates in my own school bag.

Creak

A squeaking noise suddenly emerged from behind us, as if a car door swung open, the hinges making a low, metallic screeching sound. The noise was strangely close, enough to make us both turn towards its source.

It was effectively a car's door being open.

However...

"What a coincidence to see you hanging out here and so close to him."

The voice that reached our ears was unmistakable, its familiar tone sharp and commanding, sending a shiver down our spines. The moment we registered who it was, Yukinoshita quickly withdrew her fingers from mine, folding her hands together and hiding them under the palm of her other hand.

"I-It's not..." Yukinoshita tried to hide the obvious, but she herself knew that there was no use in denying it. I'm pretty sure she saw us and maybe observed us while we didn't even notice that a limousine had just stopped behind our back.

"Good evening, Hikigaya. I'm glad to see you awake and in a better form."

As usual, the formalities and her polite manners weren't missing.

"Yukino, haven't I said before that it wasn't a good thing to stay out so late at night?"

Yes, it was Yukinoshita's mother.

Her mere presence caused an immediate shift in the atmosphere. The warmth and intimacy that had enveloped us moments before evaporated, replaced by a cold, tense silence that weighed heavily between us. The soft sounds of the night seemed to fade into the background, leaving only the echo of her arrival.

"I was going home right now."

The woman approached us, her eyes wandering over us as if anylizing us from top to bottom.

"So, how are you doing, Hikigaya? I've heard that the last incident left some aftereffects on you."

"Oh, hum, I'm fine. Just my body condition that has a little deteriorated."

The mother's gaze seemed only directed towards me. From what Haruno said, Yukinoshita had an argument with her mother the last time they'd seen each other.

I'll simply try to keep my cool and not let myself be affected by the change in the atmosphere. I don't want this night to end in a fight.

"I see. Try to be more careful, okay? I know that you're hanging out quite a lot with my daughter, and from what I saw earlier, you two have a certain kind of relationship. But be aware that Yukino can be careless sometimes. Actually, she isn't really as mature as she looks."

...I couldn't let that slide.

"Don't worry about that, your daughter is doing her best."

"Doing your best doesn't always mean doing well," she stated, her tone still as sharp as her gaze.

I can't deny her point here.

Yukinoshita seemed to be struggling to hold her mother's gaze, but she would confront her sooner or later.

Though, is she actually going to stay silent now?

"Mother, I'm feeling quite tired right now. I would rather hurry so that I can get some rest. Let's go, Hikigaya-kun." Yukinoshita abruptly grabbed my sleeve, walking forward and pulling me along.

Unexpectedly, she chose to run away from a potential confrontation with her mother.

Haruno didn't tell me how their argument ended that night, but if Yukinoshita really doesn't want to confront her mother, I'll follow her decision. So, I simply followed her as she walked forward.

That was until her mother's next words cut her off track.

"I wanted to make you know, by the way, we're expecting you to come to the house within the next few days. Your father wants to talk to you about the incident."

"Father..." Yukinoshita muttered.

Her father wants to talk to her about the incident?

There's something abnormal in this story. The incident happened two weeks ago already. Is she saying that Yukinoshita hadn't seen her father for that long? Maybe even more...

When I looked at her, she seemed lost in thought, as if thoroughly considering what her mother had said.

I don't know anything about Yukinoshita and her father's relationship. So I can't tell how she's feeling about this.

"Fine. I'll come by the end of the week," Yukinoshita made her choice.

"I will convey the information to him."

"Now, let's get going, Hikigaya-kun."

This time it really seemed like the end of this conversation. Honestly, I've expected worse but now I'm glad it didn't go further than that.

"I'll be looking forward to meeting you again, Hikigaya." When those words reached my ears, I felt like I wouldn't escape from her grip even if I walked away.

I was completely sure that tonight's encounter with her would be far from being the last one.

As Yukinoshita's mother was now far enough behind us, a quiet, relieved sigh slipped from Yukinoshita's lips. Though the tension had lifted, her gaze remained distant, lost in thought. As the silence stretched on, threatening to become oppressive, I decided to break it.

"That was unexpected."

As soon as my voice reached her ears, it effectively broke her out of her reverie, her eyes flickering in my direction.

"I expected a harsher reprimand than that. Maybe my father's request to convey his wish to speak with me had something to do with it. Or perhaps it's because of..."

"Are things alright between you and him?" I interrupted, the question that had been lingering in my mind finally finding its way out.

"That's..."

The only thing I hope is that it isn't as complicated as it already is with her mother.

"I think it's fine. He rarely gets angry with me." A faint smile appeared on her lips as she spoke.

"Seems like he's different from your mother."

"Ah, well, yes. He's entirely different—not cold or controlling like she is. Whenever I asked, he always gave me the freedom I needed."

"It's quite hard to imagine someone being your father who is at the same time someone rather cool and nice."

Yukinoshita looked at me, holding my gaze quite intently as if something came to her mind.

"Actually... he's kind of like you, I'd say," she shyly said.

Like me? What does that even mean?

"I really can't visualize it."

If I were to raise a daughter, I doubt she would turn out like Yukinoshita. But, judging by her mother's presence, it's easy to see that Yukinoshita inherited much of her mother's influence. The way she carries herself, the way she carefully measures her words, even her quiet restraint all seem to be reflections of her mother's influence.

Then, where can I find the father's influence on her?

"That's difficult to explain, but I think that you two give off the same feeling. I'm pretty sure Nee-san thinks likewise."

I guess I won't fully understand what she means until I meet him.

But the chances that I do are low.

"I'll walk home alone from here."

"You're sure?"

She nodded.

"Okay then, see you tomorrow?"

"Yes. See you tomorrow, Hikigaya-kun." She smiled and gave me a quick, reassuring hug before heading off on her own path.

...She isn't going to stop her surprise attacks, is she?

It's getting very late, I should head home too before I get scolded.

Tonight's encounter with Yukinoshita's mother was quite unexpected. I don't know how long it has been since she last time came back to her family house, but I hope everything will be fine for her next meeting with her father.

Though if he's really like she said, then I don't think I have to worry about her.

The manga store has some interesting promotions going on. It's not just any small shop like the ones I usually visit when I have time to kill; it's one of the most popular stores in Chiba.

I'm talking about Animate.

Now I'm pretty eager to go there once I'm free—maybe the weekend?

Sounds perfect. I'll have all the time I need, though it might be a bit more crowded. The thing is, it's harder for me to drop by during school, and I tend to lose track of time in there, often ending up home later than I should.

Anyway, several days passed since that night with Yukinoshita, and something happened.

Zaimokuza came to me to talk about the recent rumors he'd heard.

In the start, he was like he didn't believe it at all. It was all a big joke or a misunderstanding to him. But when I confirmed their veracity, his expression completely changed. This was the first time I saw him show such a serious and out of character expression.

It made me feel something to see him like that.

After that, Zaimokuza and I never spoke again.

Now I wonder if I should check on him. I will probably have to soon.

I'm currently strolling through the corridor of the school building, heading towards the clubroom. Yuigahama seemed busy with her friends, so I directly left the classroom after class.

I don't know why, but being alone doesn't feel as peaceful as before. I was always fine with it in the past, but nowadays... It just feels different, as if I constantly needed someone else's presence near me.

Not anyone's, though.

When I think about it, there's only one person's image that comes to mind. So, as soon as the bell rang, I knew that I could choose to go and see her right away or give myself some time alone.

I reached the door and pushed it open. Finally, my eyes landed upon her graceful silhouette, her deep blue eyes focused on the book she was holding, until the sound of my entrance caught her attention.

"Good afternoon, Hikigaya-kun." She put the book on the table and smiled warmly.

"Hello."

Closing the door behind me, I took a seat on my usual chair.

"W-Wouldn't it be more convenient if you sat a little closer?" Yukinoshita askled, a subtle crimson of redness creeping on her cheeks.

Today, Yukinoshita was sitting on the same side of the table as Yuigahama usually is. If I came closer, I might-

No, she simply said a little closer, right?

"I-I guess so."

I took my chair and pulled it at the same side of the table as Yukinoshita, still a meter away from her.

"Closer, please," she said.

"Huh?"

"You're still too far to me. Come closer." Her hand moved in a quick motion, indicating me to come closer.

I closed the gap and am now sitting in the middle.

"Better?"

She suddenly pulled her chair closer, sliding it right up next to mine and closing the last sliver of space between us.

"Yes, much better."

We were now so close that even the slightest shift would cause our arms to brush against each other. She was fully aware of the closeness—and didn't seem to mind one bit.

And neither did I.

She resumed her reading, setting the book open on the table between us, almost as if inviting me to read along. With nothing better to occupy myself with at the moment, I decided to join her, letting my eyes follow the lines of text alongside hers.

This shared reading felt oddly intimate, and while it was a quiet way to pass the time, it also brought us into an easy rhythm together.

But this moment didn't last long. Someone abruptly opened the door.

"Yahallo!" Yuigahama entered.

"Hello, Yuigahama-san."

"Yo."

Then someone else came in.

"Hi hi, Senpai! Been a while-" She paused, staring down at me and Yukinoshita before a small grin appeared on her face. "Eh..."

"What?" A warm sensation travelled my face for some reason.

"Nothing."

"Good afternoon, Isshiki-san. How is your grandfather doing currently?" Yukinoshita stepped in.

"Oh, he's doing better than he ever has. And that since you guys helped me." Isshiki's tone was filled with genuine happiness.

I'm glad to see that everything went for the best between her and Hanoru.

"So, I wanted to do something about it."

I and Yukinoshita both raised an eyebrow.

"I talked with Yui-senpai about it earlier, but I really wanna go to a karaoke night to celebrate it!"

"Oi oi oi, I protest. I'm a terrible singer."

"Oh, don't worry. Your girlfriend will sing with you so our ears don't suffer too much." Isshiki crossed her arms.

G-Girlfriend..?

I and Yukinoshita looked at each other before quickly averting gazes, our faces both flushed.

Please avoid doing these things; we're not used to it yet, Isshiki.

"I-I am not very comfortable singing in front of people either..." Yukinoshita uttered.

"You literally sang in front of a whole crowd, Yukinon! And you're by far the best singer among us. Nothing can scare you!" Yuigahama tried to arise Yukinoshita's motivation.

"Y-yes, but I will have to sing in front of..." Her eyes slowly shifted to me, the redness on her cheeks deepening before quickly looking away. "N-Nevermind."

"So, everyone is coming?"

"Please, Yukinon. Let's do that for Iroha-chan." Yuigahama stared into Yukinoshita's eyes with puppy eyes.

"H-hum... Fine."

Then everyone looked at me.

"Since the president agreed, I don't really have a choice, do I?"

I didn't have it.

The karaoke room was cozy and vibrant, with cushioned benches arranged around a low table and neon LED lights casting a warm pink and blue glow. A large screen at the front displayed song choices, while a pair of microphones and small speakers promised immersive sound.

I sat on the long couch with the others, each of our drinks placed in front of us on the low table. Only Isshiki was standing in front of us with a microphone in her hand.

"First, I want to sincerely thank you all for everything you've done for my request. I know a lot of things went wrong because of it," Isshiki said, glancing briefly in my direction before continuing, "but in the end, it all worked out."

She gripped the microphone tightly, her knuckles white, and closed her eyes as if to steady herself. When she opened them again, a shimmer of tears was visible, her emotions breaking through despite her best efforts to keep them in check.

"Thank you, Yui-senpai, Yukino-senpai. And, thank you very much, Senpai."

We watched her, caught off guard by the wave of emotions spilling out during her speech. It was clear she meant every word. Well, I suppose I'll make an effort tonight, too.

"You're welcome, Iroha-chan! And if you ever need anything, you know where to find us!" Yuigahama chimed in, her voice just as thick with emotion, a warm smile breaking through as she, too, felt the moment's weight.

"Yuigahama-san is right, you can always count on us."

"Y'welcome."

"Now-"

Buzz!

A vibrating phone interrupted Isshiki. I thought it was mine, but it turned out to be Isshiki's. She grabbed it and tapped the red button.

"Ah, just my mom. I'll call her later, I don't want this moment to be perturbed by anything else," she said, putting back her phone on the table. "There will be two teams. I'll sing with Yui-senpai, and Senpai'll be with Yukino-senpai!"

The worst singer with the best one seems fair to me.

"Get up, Yui-senpai. Let's begin!"

Yuigahama stood beside Isshiki, clutching a second microphone as they selected the first song on the list: Yukitoki. When the countdown hit zero, the music swelled, and the lyrics began to roll across the screen.

"Hi no michiru kono heya..."

They sang with the boundless energy of two teenage girls savoring their youth, voices ringing out as they poured everything they had into each line.

"Azarea wo sakasete..."

The room seemed to pulse with the raw emotion they brought to the song, and even Yukinoshita watched, visibly impressed by their spirited performance.

"Shiawase dake egaita otogibanashi nante nai

Wakatteru wakatteru"

Yuigahama and Isshiki's voices were perfectly synchronized, as if they'd trained in advance to perform the song in front of us.

Is it me, or does this song sound strangely familiar?

Nevermind.

"How am I even supposed to beat that?" I whispered to Yukinoshita.

"You can pretend to sing by moving your lips to the rhythm of the lyrics and... leave the rest to me. That might work."

Ouch, my teammate seems to lack confidence in her partner, which is completely justified.

However, her plan had a flaw.

"They'll notice it too easily. I'm a boy and you're a girl, our voices are totally different, so they'll know if only one of us sings."

"You're right. I suppose you'll have to surpass yourself then." Yukinoshita sent me a bittersweet smile.

"Nando demo nando demo

Hi no michiru kono heya no naka de..."

It seems they've finished.

We broke into applause as the girls, breathless and laughing, caught their breath after pouring so much energy into the song.

"Wow, that was impressive. Yuigahama-san sang even better than she did during the festival."

"I agree. You two made a perfect duo."

Yuigahama and Isshiki high fived before retaking their seats and handing their microphones to us.

"Now, it's your turn to sing," Yuigahama announced.

I gulped and glanced at Yukinoshita, who was already standing up and looking for a song.

"Let's sing this one. The song is divided into different parts sung by a man and a woman. You sing the man's part and I'll sing the woman's part. What do you think?"

The song she picked was named Kimino Subeteni (feat. Juju). If the man is rapping, then maybe I could manage the least.

"Alright, let's do that. But don't expect much from me."

"Don't worry, it's only karaoke. No one's expecting much from you. So, just be at ease and do your best, okay?" Yukinoshita reassured me, her hand resting on mine as she smiled soothingly.

"...I'll try my best."

"Wow..." Isshiki's voice resonated, bringing Yukinoshita back into reality.

It seemed she'd completely forgotten we weren't alone. Realizing she'd placed her hand on mine right in front of Yuigahama and Isshiki, she quickly pulled it back, her face flushing a deep shade of red.

"S-Sorry, I wasn't thinking when I did it. I didn't even realize what I was doing, it was instinctive and I-"

"It's okay, Yukinon. We understand," Yuigahama comforted, a weary smile curving on her lips.

Yukinoshita took a deep breath and regained her composure. Then she pressed the button on the remote, the countdown launching on the screen as the music began to play in the background.

3..

2..

1..

As soon as the lyrics appeared, Yukinoshita started to sing.

"Itsudatte hontou wa zutto, I wanna say I love you..."

Her voice was... magnificent. I had no idea if she knew the song beforehand, but she adapted to the lyrics flawlessly. Her tone, her articulation, her timing—everything was delivered with striking precision and beauty.

And I'm supposed to keep up with that..?

We agreed to sing individual parts. When it'll be my turn, the difference will be obvious. Let's pray for getting to rap.

As she continued singing, I found myself completely captivated, my heartbeat unconsciously syncing with the rhythm of her voice. She held my gaze, singing the lyrics now without even glancing at the screen, as though directing each word to me alone.

I mean, that's how it felt.

Yuigahama and Isshiki were just staring, their eyes wide open as they just sat there, admiring.

Ah, this is it. Now, it's my turn.

"...Spend my life with you

'Cause nothing ever matters

But your love

But your love, But your love..."

Yukinoshita ended, her voice fading as perfectly as the background music.

A torrant of applause filled the room, Yuigahama and Isshiki were absolutely impressed by Yukinoshita's performance.

"Wow wow wow! That was so incredible, Yukino-senpai!"

"I swear you could become an idol!"

"No, really, where do you pull that from? You really are good at everything, huh... I loved it." I beamed at her, applauding.

She returned the smile, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Thank you so much, but I wasn't alone, though."

My performance was sure not as good...

"We must admit that we underestimated Senpai. I didn't know he was good at rapping, actually."

"Oh, yes! You're, like, totally right. The rapping parts of Hikki were quite good."

Not only Yukinoshita was applauded, it seems.

"Good job, Hikigaya-kun."

"Well, everyone did their best tonight. Now, we have to choose the winners!"

Buzz!

Everyone's attention shifted once again to the phone, which was ringing on the table.

Isshiki grabbed it and sighed.

"It's Mom again, I already told her that I was busy tonight." She cancelled the call and put back her phone on the table.

"So, I think we can obviously say that I and Yui-senpai won."

This answer wasn't going to please Yukinoshita.

"I completely disagree. I individually sang better than you two, moreover, despite Hikigaya-kun not being a good singer, he still managed to put in a very good performance."

Of course, she was really determined to win. Remember, Yukinoshita hates losing.

"I think we all won in the end. I don't think we could select anyone as losers here, could we?" Yuigahama stepped in, calming the tensions.

"Fine, I don't mind this conclusion." Isshiki didn't protest, and neither did Yukinoshita.

We finally could find common ground.

Isshiki grabbed her phone, a bright smile suddenly curving on her lips as she looked back at us.

"Hey guys, do you mind if I recorded it all?"

"You recorded our songs?" Yukinoshita asked.

Isshiki nodded in confirmation. Apparently, these karaoke rooms offered a feature allowing the person who booked the room to record everything sung during the session.

So, I suppose she could access the audio files later.

"Yes. I would love to make Grandpa listen to our performances later. I know he would be absolutely delighted to hear the songs we sang today."

"That's a great idea, Iroha-chan. I'm sure that it would bring a smile to his face and make him happy."

"I see, then make sure he listens to all of it." Yukinoshita smiled warmly.

"Well, I don't really mind either. As long as those audio recordings are not published online, do whatever you want with them."

"Thank you so much-"

buzz!

Isshiki's phone once again vibrated.

"What's going on, seriously. I can't have a good time with my friends or what?" she growled.

She grabbed her phone, a frown evident on her face as she was about to cancel the call again.

"Hum, Iroha-chan, maybe you should reply. Perhaps your mother's got something important to tell you, like, it's been already many times she tried to call you so..." Yuigahama spoke up in time, right before she pressed the red button to cancel.

I don't know why, but I shared the same feeling as Yuigahama in that moment.

"Isshiki, where is your mother right now?" I asked.

"Huh? I don't know. I remember she proposed me to go to the hospital with her after class but I refused as I had already planned to have this karaoke with you guys. So, she is probably in the hospital, I guess."

My eyes widened slightly, I wanted to mention the possibility that came first to my mind, but for some reason I couldn't find the courage to do so.

"Isshiki-san, I think you should answer the call," Yukinoshita interjected, her tone much more serious than earlier.

One exchange of gaze was enough to understand what the other was thinking about.

Isshiki finally pressed the green button, answering the call.

"Yes? Yeah, sorry, I was with my- What?"

The gradual, unmistakable shift in her expression confirmed my suspicions.

"Grandpa is... No, this can't be... He was supposed to make it through the week—what happened?" Her voice had transformed, now heavy and broken, a stark contrast to the cheerful tone she'd had just moments earlier. "I-I'm coming right now!" She ended the call, scrambling to gather her things as quickly as possible.

"I-Iroha-chan, is everything okay?" Yuigahama rushed toward her, her face filled with concern.

"Grandpa died..." The words slipped from her lips, and in that instant, the weight of it crashed down on her, making it real. Her voice shattered, and tears began streaming down her cheeks. Isshiki's hands trembled as she fumbled to collect her belongings, barely able to contain the tidal wave of grief as she prepared to leave the room.

"Oh no... Yukinon, Hikki! We're leaving, now!"

Just a moment ago, everyone was happy, singing and enjoying themselves without a care in the world. However, life's harsh realities suddenly caught up with us, sobering us with a slap of brutality. In an instant, the mood shifted, and we quickly steeled ourselves for departure, wasting not a single second.

Once outside, we immediately set course for the hospital, seeking out the fastest and most efficient route to get there as every second counted.

Inside the hospital, we hurried after Isshiki as she rushed desperately toward her grandfather's room. We tried repeatedly to urge her to slow down, but she wouldn't listen, her focus fixed entirely on getting to him.

"We're here... Iroha-chan." Yuigahama's voice finally managed to stop Isshiki in her track, as we were all standing behind her and catching our breath.

Then she opened the door.

We were met with a heartbreaking sight. In the hospital room, an elderly man lay lifeless on the bed, every machine around him silent, confirming the absence of life. On his left sat Isshiki's parents, grief etched deeply into their faces, and on his right, her grandmother, Ironaï, clutching a handkerchief tightly in her hands.

"Iroha..." her grandmother murmured, her voice thick with profound sorrow, her face lined with the weight of unspoken words.

Isshiki stumbled forward, falling on her knees, her legs no longer able to carry the weight that added upon her the second she saw the lifeless body of someone she so intensely loved.

"Grandpa... No... Why so soon..." Her hands reached to cover her face, but that was far from enough to hide her tears.

Her sobs filled the room, raw and unrestrained, as her family quickly gathered around her.

"He's gone... and I wasn't here..." she choked out, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her face, unstoppable.

"It's okay, Iroha... There was nothing you could have done." Her mother wrapped her arms around her, holding her in a warm, steady embrace. She looked up at us briefly, her expression a mixture of sorrow and gratitude, before returning her attention to her daughter, who was breaking down in her arms.

That was huge.

Even for me, that was huge. Tonight turned out to be one of the most terrifying nights I've ever experienced. I intently observed the expressions on Yuigahama and Yukinoshita's faces.

Yuigahama was on the verge of tears herself, watching Isshiki sobbing openly in her mother's arms. Yukinoshita, on the other hand, had turned her gaze away, her expression darkening as she focused intently on a distant point.

To an outsider, it might appear that she was trying to remain unaffected, but I could sense that the events had struck her deeply as well.

As for me, just staring at the corpse lying on the bed made my heart pound. It wasn't from sadness, though I appreciated him before.

Of course, I felt sadness over his passing, but what filled my heart in that moment wasn't sorrow. I swallowed instinctively, my hand beginning to tremble as I quickly shoved it into my pocket, feeling the pounding of my heart intensify.

His illness had consumed him entirely, leaving him no choice but to surrender to it in the end.

And I was the next one on the list.

No, really, I meant it, the sight was terrifying.