In front of the statue at Chiba Station's North Exit.
A striking young man and woman locked eyes. After a few seconds of awkward silence, they sighed in unison to break the tension.
"What's she planning…"
"No need to think too hard to know, right?"
They exchanged glances and couldn't help but smile again.
They'd only just met moments ago when Yuigahama sent the message, as if she'd timed it perfectly.
Clearly, she must have already arrived at the meeting spot. She was probably nearby, spying on their movements.
If they really wanted to find her, they could likely catch her within five minutes… though neither of them would go out of their way to do so.
After all, this was Yuigahama's decision.
If nothing was amiss, that silly dango girl had likely decided to follow them like this, acting as a spectator until the date ended, hoping they'd spark some romance during it.
If they'd settled on a three-person outing, that'd be fine. They could reasonably catch the last-minute runaway. No one was allowed to skip out so casually.
But the most important part of this date was to advance the Ideal Boyfriend task and warm up the relationship between Yuu and Yukino—there shouldn't be anyone else involved.
Perhaps considering this, Yuigahama didn't say anything and abruptly backed out like this.
"That idiot, why not just say it outright? Why play a surprise like this…"
Understanding her good intentions, Yuu couldn't help but grumble. He focused his mind slightly, sensing a faint gaze spying on them.
(Not too strong. Is it through a phone lens?)
(This girl even knows a bit of counter-surveillance techniques. That's actually impressive…)
Sighing inwardly, Yuu didn't actively search for the source of the gaze. Instead, he looked at Yukino.
Yukino pressed her forehead as if she had a headache, saying helplessly, "Yuigahama-san doing something like this… somehow, it doesn't surprise me at all."
"So, should we catch her?"
"…Forget it. Even if we catch her now, she'll find an excuse to slip away midway. Like her stomach suddenly hurting again."
To some extent, Yukino knew Yuigahama well.
So, she hesitated briefly, glancing into Yuu's eyes. After a few seconds, she looked away again, saying as if nothing happened:
"Let's proceed as a pair for now, as she wishes… Hah, I made a fun plan for the three of us. Now I have to cancel it all."
Yuu asked curiously, "What plan do you need to play at an amusement park all day? Don't you just play whatever you see…"
As soon as he spoke, the atmosphere shifted.
The initially odd expression vanished. Yukino stared at him with cold, clear eyes, her slender arms crossed over her chest. She scolded him like a teacher lecturing a naughty child:
"Naive. Do you think Disneyland is small? Factor in queue times and lunch breaks—you might not even finish one round of the park by closing! Plus, visiting the park's exclusive shops and taking photos with mascots takes time too…"
"Stop, I get it!"
Yuu had no intention of listening to How to Conquer Disneyland in the Shortest Time from Start to Finish, no matter how melodious her voice was.
The one time he went with Haruno, though he'd researched the ride routes beforehand, he didn't mind replaying facilities Haruno found fun and skipping boring ones.
The most important thing when going out was to have fun—and Yukino's long speech clearly didn't fall into that category.
Yuu said obediently, "Anyway, it'll take time to get to Disneyland by train. We should have time to plan a two-person date on the way. I'm not familiar with the place. I'll follow your lead completely."
"Mm, follow me with confidence." Yukino brushed her graphite-like black hair over her shoulder, lifting her beautifully curved chin. She said calmly and proudly, "My knowledge of Disneyland is above most visitors."
"Yeah, yeah, I can feel your love for it… Don't tell me you have an annual pass too? You go every year until even the mouse mascot knows you." Yuu smirked casually.
"…"
(Did I actually guess right?)
"Seriously?" Seeing her suddenly fall silent, Yuu blinked in surprise, saying sincerely, "Having such a hobby makes you pretty adorable."
For context, Yukino was used to it.
No matter what Yuu said or did, she was accustomed to his flirtatious personality and wouldn't easily blush, get shy, or give the reactions of an innocent girl anymore.
She had to remember she was out on a date with him to make Yuu her ideal boyfriend—not to be a foolish girlfriend easily toyed with, letting her emotions dance to his tune.
Advising herself inwardly, Yukino took a slow breath and turned halfway.
Fiddling with the hair on her chest, she explained in a steady tone, "It's not about hobbies. My parents took us to Disneyland once a year. With such an old habit, isn't it normal to have an annual pass?"
Yuu nodded understandingly. "A habit forced by your parents… So, you don't actually like Disneyland?"
Yukino frowned slightly, resisting the urge to retort sharply. She still answered calmly, "It wasn't forced, and I don't hate it."
"Alright, I know where you're like me." Yuu suddenly smiled, mimicking her crossed-arm pose. He said with a touch of sentimentality, "Since you don't want to lie, when you don't want to tell the truth, you always give vague answers."
As if unwilling to be compared to him, Yukino shot him a cold, dissatisfied look. "I'm different from you."
"True." Yuu corrected himself obediently. "You're way more awkward than me."
Yukino was too lazy to bother with him. She walked straight toward the bustling station.
Perhaps only this Yuki Onna could radiate a chill from her back.
Yuu shrugged nonchalantly, stepping forward to follow her.
"Did you bring a mask?"
"Why bring one if I'm not sick?"
"For disguise! Even if there's no flu now, naturally attention-grabbing handsome guys and beautiful girls like us will get approached easily if we walk without masks."
Yukino turned, giving a faint smile as if impressed. "Though it's true, I don't have the thick skin to say something like that so naturally."
Yuu didn't care at all. "Most importantly, it reduces the chance of being spotted by someone we know."
"…"
After thinking for a moment, Yukino was convinced.
She looked left and right, not seeing a pharmacy nearby. Just as she was about to say she'd buy a mask at the station later, a packaged bag was handed to her.
"Spare. Never opened. Completely clean."
"Thanks." Yukino took the mask without refusing, tucking her beautiful hair behind her ear. She hooked the white ear loops behind her ears, looking at him, whose face was also half-covered.
"Do you prepare this thoroughly when dating Yuigahama-san too?"
"Mm… Pretty much." Yuu thought for a moment, choosing not to tell her he'd never actually gone on a proper date with Yuigahama to avoid her overthinking again. "It's my habit. Before doing anything, I think about what might happen and prepare for it."
"…Sounds exhausting."
They entered the station, passing through the ticket gates with the crowd. They stood side by side on the platform, waiting for the train.
Yukino glanced at his bag, her eyes—brighter and clearer above the mask—showing curiosity. "Can I see what's in your bag?"
Yuu was about to say yes when he suddenly remembered something, silently swallowing his words. He looked casually at the train tracks.
"Nothing much. Just tissues, wet wipes, small medical supplies, and other emergency stuff. Nothing interesting."
Even with a 1% chance of being found out, he wouldn't let Yukino rummage through his bag.
After all, there were adult reasons inside.
As a responsible man, after confirming his relationship with Yuigahama and hearing her say she wanted to do that, Yuu, who was good at thinking ahead, naturally kept a round rubber charm in his wallet and bag for emergencies.
Not to mention, this morning he'd already tasted the bitter fruit of overflowing energy. He had to face the reality that some of his dirty desires were erupting like a volcano…
If he couldn't resist tasting the forbidden fruit after the date, this charm could show his care as a boyfriend!
Yuu had once felt proud of his thoughtfulness.
Now, he felt equal regret.
…Thankfully, Yukino wasn't the type to forcibly search someone's bag.
To avoid Yukino getting the wrong idea, Yuu would hide it for now and toss both charms in the bathroom later.
Seeing the girl beside him look slightly confused but not dwelling on it, Yuu secretly sighed in relief. He mourned for one second the two unopened Durex that would end up in the trash from his bag.
Good thing he'd bought a full box and hidden it at home. Losing two wasn't a big deal.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Tenkuji Residence.
The older brother had left. The house was silent.
Sora, looking sleepy, suddenly snapped fully awake passing her brother's room.
Her body stopped swaying. Her strength returned. A sharp, cold glint flashed in her clear, bright eyes.
"Come to think of it, it's been a while since I adventured into Yuu's room…"
Muttering to herself, the silver-haired girl reached for the doorknob of a room not hers.
The gray cat at her feet only watched from the side. Yukinon yawned as if bored, seemingly uninterested in stopping her little master's odd behavior.
"The door's locked?"
Sora's eyes widened in disbelief. She twisted the knob a few more times, even ramming her shoulder into the door twice. Only then did she hurriedly run back to her own room.
When she returned to Yuu's door, the black rabbit plushie in her hand had turned into a key. She skillfully inserted it into the lock, twisting hard.
"…When?!"
The key failed to turn and fell to the floor. The girl stared at the door in disbelief, stumbling back two steps and collapsing onto the ground.
Then, she was furious.
"That damn Yuu, how dare he change his room's lock without telling me?!"
Outrageous! How dare he do this!
Wasn't it normal for a little sister to want to enter her big brother's room to play and do things others shouldn't see? Why go so far as to change the lock to stop her!
He's a criminal! This deserves a life sentence in the little sister's court!
"Damn it! Yuu, you big idiot, huge idiot, massive idiot—!!"
"Meow~"
Yukinon narrowed her cat eyes, slowly licking her paw while watching her little master roll around in the hallway, swinging her fists wildly and shouting in an embarrassing pose.
This is a human?
Better to stay an elegant, noble cat. At least she didn't have to be like her little master, emotionally unstable for twenty-nine out of thirty days…
And her heat cycle was awfully long too.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Yukinoshita Residence.
While diligently working on her craft, Haruno yawned, occasionally glancing at the monitor. She looked sleepily at the small ornament in her hand.
Though she seemed drowsy, her hands moved steadily and quickly, performing each step perfectly. No one could find fault with her work.
About half an hour later, she cut the excess thread, holding it up to the light and examining it for a long time. Only then did she sigh in relief, showing a satisfied, happy smile.
"Perfect! Way prettier than the one he gave… Of course, I'm the best~"
Humming a cheerful tune unconsciously, Haruno held it up high, letting the colorful beads shine brightly into her eyes. After admiring and reminiscing briefly, her hand slowly passed through the circular band.
Before wearing it on her wrist, Haruno suddenly paused, frowning. She thought for a moment, then lowered her hand, sighing softly.
"I have to let Yuu-chan put it on himself… If he doesn't put it on for me, this thing's meaningless no matter how pretty."
Her eyes calmed, turning cold and emotionless.
Haruno sat upright, placing the handmade beaded bracelet into a small, custom-ordered box. Then she carefully tucked it into her bag.
Like the wooden comb from the past, she wouldn't feel at ease without carrying it everywhere.
"Mm, everything's ready. All set, just waiting for the east wind… So, when should I tell him his feelings are all messed up~"
She muttered in a cheerful tone, but her lips didn't curve at all.
Haruno stood, stretching her body, loosening her stiff joints and fingers. Just as she prepared to go downstairs to the bathroom.
Movement on the screen caught her attention.
"This…"
She stood frozen, watching the figure on the monitor leave. After pondering with a furrowed brow for a long time.
Haruno suddenly smiled, cracking her neck. A faint murderous intent flickered between her brows and eyes.
"What a coincidence… Looks like even the gods can't wait to see a good show start."
Her mind raced like lightning. Without hesitation, she shed her clothes, heading to the closet to grab the outfit she had in mind.
She changed and applied makeup at top speed, even forgetting the bathroom. Haruno shut down the computer, grabbed her bag and necessary tools, and strode out of the room.
"Yukino-chan, Yuu-chan… Tsk, even Masuzu-chan's trailing behind."
"No matter. I hope you all can handle the surprise I'm giving you…"