During the break, in Class 2-F.
"After school, we'll be making props together. Tenkuji-kun, you're okay with that, right?"
"No problem, but can I stop by the club first?"
"Of course. The schedule's flexible. Just meet the logistics team leader later to get your tasks."
"Alright. Thanks for your hard work."
After bidding farewell to the class president who came to explain the cultural festival tasks, Yuu turned to Yuigahama and asked, "What about you?"
"I'm making costumes with Yumiko." Yuigahama said with a regretful tone.
She unintentionally placed her hand on his shoulder, tapping it lightly as if playing a piano, her cheeks slightly puffed out.
"I don't have any sewing experience~ Is it too late to learn now? What if I end up holding the others back…"
Yuu laughed. "If you really can't do it, just ask me. I'll help you after finishing my tasks."
"Yuu-kun, you can even sew?!" Yuigahama's eyes widened. Then her face scrunched up, and she pursed her lips reluctantly.
"Not only are you great at cooking, but also… your femininity is too high… Yuu-kun, good thing you're a guy. Otherwise, other girls would feel really inferior."
Yuu nodded in agreement.
"True. If I were a girl, Yukinoshita wouldn't hold the title of the most popular beautiful girl in school."
It'd probably be like Haruno outshining Yukino.
He'd surpass her in everything, know more than her… even his chest would probably be bigger than hers.
Don't ask where Yuu got that confidence. After all, it was impossible, so why not be a bit smug in his imagination?
But in comparison, though many said Yukino was a perfect superhuman, in Yuu's and even Yuigahama's eyes, she was just a smart, cold, independent, and somewhat reclusive beautiful girl.
Nothing particularly special.
That's why they could treat her as a friend and interact with her as equals.
"By the way, Yuu-kun, did you eat lunch at the Service Club?" Yuigahama, with her finger on his shoulder, suddenly asked curiously.
"Yeah, there wasn't really anywhere else to go."
"Then… was Sora-chan there too?"
Caught off guard for a moment, Yuu looked at her and laughed. He reached out and pinched her soft, fair cheek.
"Not even officially my girlfriend yet, and you're already interrogating me? Afraid I'd cheat with Yukinoshita?"
Her tone was indeed like a wife questioning her husband.
"Ueueue… it's not like that~" Yuigahama made an unclear sound, her eyes looking aggrieved. "I was just asking. I'm not some overly possessive girl…"
"Besides, if my lover were Yukinoshita, I feel like I could accept it…"
Deliberately leaving her last sentence unfinished, she left Yuu releasing her cheek in confusion.
"Besides what?"
"Nothing!" Yuigahama rubbed her face and huffed as if annoyed, turning away. "If you don't like it, I won't ask again. Anyway, you probably just bicker with Yukino while eating, right?"
"I didn't say I didn't like it. If you want to know, I'll tell you." Yuu spread his hands, looking innocent. "Yukinoshita and I are good friends. How could a normal conversation be called bickering?"
His attitude was no different from usual, and Yuigahama didn't press further. She turned, left her seat, and headed to the restroom with Yumiko and the others.
Yuu never could understand why girls went to the restroom together… Maybe it was like the bond between guys who fought together in the military?
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Winter days darkened quickly, making it easy to feel like it was already late when school ended.
Yet, just before four in the afternoon, gray clouds covered the top of the school building. The humidity wasn't too high—a comfortable winter afternoon.
The bell rang, and the school, briefly quiet, came alive again.
Unlike usual, not many students rushed out of class to release their energy on the field or on the way home, regaining their spirit from the pressure of studying.
Some were still laughing and fooling around at their desks. Others went to the back of the classroom, pulling out tarps and half-finished props, calling their team members to continue yesterday's work.
After saying goodbye to the lively classroom, Yuu, without his school bag, and Yuigahama headed toward the special building.
As far as the eye could see, props like signs, billboards, and stage decorations lined the corridors, infusing the cultural festival atmosphere into every classroom door. Outside the corridors, many students gathered on the field. Some were practicing, others making large props, carrying sound systems and equipment, preparing to start work.
It was like preparing for a festival. Everyone participated joyfully.
Most students preferred staying at school these days over usual—creating, shopping, practicing, and strategizing.
Academic concerns were set aside. With classmates, whether on good or bad terms, they built festival stalls for their class, gaining experiences not found in books.
The annual cultural festival always left deep memories, recalled after graduation, making people sigh that it was their fleeting youth.
Honestly, though, Yuu couldn't remember what happened at last year's cultural festival—the only thing he recalled was going home early, bringing snacks from the festival for his little sister, only to get a "Tch, just student-made stuff, tastes average" review.
Thinking of that, Yuigahama happened to ask, "By the way, will Sora come that day?"
"I'm not sure. She never used to come…" Yuu pondered for a moment. The image of taking his little sister to the hospital for a checkup flashed in his mind, giving him a bit of hope.
"Now, if the reason's good enough, it should be fine."
The reason Sora didn't want to leave the house was complex. She wasn't just socially anxious or a hikikomori. She was very different from a certain perverted painter—she once said that as long as she could be by his side, she was willing to leave the familiar house, no matter where she had to go.
In other words, she wasn't afraid of people or unfamiliar places. She was afraid of a place without Yuu.
This brother and sister were each other's shelter. Yuu was just a bit stronger.
"Great. If you need help convincing her, I'll pitch in too! I really want us to stroll the cultural festival together~"
Yuigahama clenched her small fist, showing an enthusiastic expression.
Yuu nodded in agreement. Chatting casually with her, they climbed the stairs of the special building. The blank Service Club sign quickly appeared before them.
Like at lunch, he knocked first. After hearing a response from inside, he opened the door and entered.
Yuigahama watched from behind. She was slightly surprised but didn't say anything.
"You're here."
With her back to the window blocking the cold breeze, Yukino closed her book. She waited until both had closed the door, then continued, "Though we could discuss in the group chat, I'm more used to addressing important matters in person."
"Yukino, Yahallo~" Seemingly not listening at all, Yuigahama waved cheerfully and walked quickly toward her.
"Hey!"
As the cold hand was about to touch her cheek, Yukino blocked the surprise attack with her book. Her softened expression showed a hint of helplessness.
"You're a second-year high school student. Please act a bit more mature, Yuigahama-san."
"Ehehe, that's just how girls joke~"
Without any regret, Yuigahama smiled brightly and walked back to Yuu's side, her small dango hair ties swaying.
They placed their school bags on the table and pulled up chairs to sit.
Unlike usual, Yuigahama unconsciously sat close to his shoulder. When she caught Yukino's gaze, she panicked slightly and shyly moved away, her expression showing guilt.
Seeing Yukino only tilt her head in confusion, not noticing anything, and quickly looking away flatly, she felt relieved.
Yuigahama herself didn't understand her feelings now. She felt scared of her parents finding out she had a boyfriend, and she didn't want their situation to affect the Service Club's atmosphere.
Yet, when Yumiko questioned her at lunch, she openly admitted that she and Yuu were already prospective partners… Why couldn't she do the same in front of Yukino?
"Yui, what's wrong?"
"Nothing…"
Asking softly, Yuigahama answered softly too. "Yuu-kun, do you think we should tell Yukinon we're dating?"
Yuu thought for a moment. "No need. Just admit it if she asks. She doesn't seem too interested in stuff like this anyway."
"You're right… Okay, let's leave it at that!"
As if finding comfort in his words, Yuigahama sighed in relief.