Haru nearly praised Yukino with a "You truly foresee everything."
Fortunately, he corrected himself just in time. "Senpai did look for me."
"Just as I expected. No matter how much she suppresses her feelings, one day, she won't be able to hold back."
Yukino gazed at him expressionlessly.
Knowing he was at fault, Haru resigned himself to her scolding.
But Yukino didn't seem interested in scolding him. She continued eating with her usual grace and composure. "The short film has been completely shot. Can you handle the editing?"
"Of course. But I thought you would want to do it yourself."
"I've been learning, but I know my skills aren't good enough yet. If I were to edit it now, I'd probably produce something I wouldn't even be satisfied with."
"Then should we find a time to go to the company?"
Since she had brought it up so directly, Haru figured she wanted to observe the editing process in person.
"That works." Yukino agreed without hesitation.
During the lunch break, the school was buzzing with energy. With the holiday just ending, the relaxed and excited mood still lingered.
"Yukinoshita-san, is the short film completed?"
"Yukinoshita-san, do you want to go shopping with us tonight? Kanako really admires you!"
"Ugh, no, I don't!"
As Haru and Yukino walked out of the cafeteria, a few students who had helped with the film earlier greeted them.
Of course, all the girls were there for Yukino.
The rumor that they were dating had long since spread, and after witnessing Yukino's leadership and personality during filming, the girls wisely refrained from chatting with Haru.
As they walked, Yukino responded to each greeting with quiet politeness.
When they reached the deserted end of a hallway, Haru chuckled and teased, "So, how does it feel to be admired and respected by your classmates?"
Yukino actually took a moment to consider it. "Though I prefer quieter environments, I must admit—it's not a bad feeling."
Then, she turned to him, amusement flickering in her beautiful eyes. "For this, I should thank you."
Haru had been the one who convinced their classmates to help with the shoot. The snacks and drinks on set? All provided out of his own pocket.
Yet, he never took credit. Instead, throughout the filming, he kept emphasizing that she was the director, the one in charge.
After hearing it enough times, everyone naturally assumed that the delicious snacks and wide variety of drinks had been arranged by Yukino herself.
And so, her reputation at school had shifted for the better.
Coupled with her fair and impartial demeanor, she had, on the very first day back, earned the admiration and goodwill of many.
"It was nothing," Haru said casually, smiling. "We're going to be in high school together for three years. If I can help you have a better time here, why wouldn't I?"
To him, it really was a small thing.
Something he felt he should do.
Yukino's smile deepened. "To be honest, I wanted everyone to know that you were the one who bought everything."
"It's in the past now. Besides, there's no need for us to keep things so separate, is there?"
"Are you confessing to me right now?"
"I've already confessed, haven't I?"
Still the same as always. Yukino chuckled to herself, then thought of another remarkable girl.
I really can't escape this scumbag, can I?
Her gaze drifted toward the sports field, and in her mind, an image of Kasumigaoka Utaha surfaced.
Before she could stop herself, she asked, "Senpai didn't come looking for you today?"
"Nope." Haru answered honestly. "First day back, she's probably busy."
Yukino had forgotten about that. Utaha was also top of her grade, a school celebrity in her own right. Of course, she'd be swamped today.
Haru noticed her silence and added, "She probably doesn't have time to find me today. I spent most of the morning with Furukawa and the others."
"Those two friends who openly discuss H-games with you?"
So she hadn't forgotten them.
Haru chuckled. "We don't just talk about those kinds of games. It's like how manga fans sometimes read those kinds of books, but people who only read those books rarely touch regular manga."
Yukino shot him a helpless look. "Only you could say something so ridiculous with a straight face."
"Was my logic wrong?"
"Absolutely."
"Alright, fine. What I meant was—Furukawa and the others aren't just any friends. They helped a lot during filming."
"Helped?"
"Yeah. They kept the atmosphere lively and looked after classmates who were grumpy from the heat."
"Fair enough. But that doesn't change their image as your H-game discussion buddies."
"Whatever, it's only the first day back. I won't argue with you today."
"Giving up so easily? That's not like you, Amamiya Haru."
Yukino raised an eyebrow, doubt plain on her fair face.
Whenever she called him by his full name, it meant one of two things—either she was angry or she wanted the truth.
And this time, it was clearly the latter.
Under her sharp gaze, Haru glanced around, ensuring no one was nearby, before leaning in close.
"What are you doing?"
Yukino didn't back away, though her cheeks grew slightly warm at his sudden proximity.
Lowering his voice, Haru whispered, "I'm giving up quickly because I'm a kind and considerate man."
"Speak normally."
Cough. "Fine… It's just that you always surrender quickly when you stay over at my place, so I figured I'd return the favor."
Yukino glared daggers at him.
Was that really something he could just say out loud?
Besides—she had never once surrendered.
Not even once.
She could swear on her… well, relatively flat chest.
Even that one time, when she lost way too quickly and nearly begged for mercy, she still made a comeback in the end.
Haru, unfazed by her glare, spread his hands. "I was just trying to be thoughtful, and now you're mad at me?"
Yukino took a step back, putting some distance between them. Her anger faded, replaced by growing suspicion.
Her sharp mind warned her—this is a trap.
"Reverse psychology?" she guessed.
Haru feigned innocence. "How could I? You're too smart for that. If I used reverse psychology on you, you'd see right through it immediately."
Yukino narrowed her eyes. "So it is reverse psychology."
Turning away, she walked off, throwing out a casual remark, "I'm not staying over at your place tonight. Give up."
Haru sighed dramatically. "Mission failed, huh?"
Yukino paused for a moment. "Kasumigaoka-senpai isn't allowed to stay over either. I'll be calling to check."
"Is this what they call a 'bed check'?" Haru laughed.
Yukino didn't deny it.
After School
The photography club gathered, excitement filling the air as they learned the short film had entered its final editing phase.
After all, this project had been built from the ground up, step by step. Everyone had poured their energy into it.
"Will it be uploaded online?" someone asked.
"Have we settled on the final name? Last time, Yukinoshita-san mentioned that she wasn't entirely satisfied with the current one and wanted to think it over some more."
A group of students turned to Haru, eagerly awaiting his response.
Utaha, however, remained silent, merely glancing at Yukino, who sat calmly beside her. She quickly caught on. "Yukinoshita, you've already decided, haven't you?"
The others immediately turned their attention to her.
Yukino gave a small nod. "I've decided to release it online. When I spoke to the principal earlier, I promised to include a promotional segment for the school at the end of the film. Because of that, I believe the school will help us with promotion as well."
"This is great news! If more people see the short film we worked so hard on, it means our efforts weren't in vain."
Even Kato Megumi, who rarely spoke up, chimed in. It was clear this project meant a lot to her.
Yukino nodded. "I feel the same way. As for the name, I've decided on 'Birthday Gift.'"
Utaha gave her a strange look. "'Birthday Gift'... Is it because of the ending I suggested? Where the ghost heroine chooses to say a heartfelt farewell on the other heroine's birthday?"
"Yes." Yukino confirmed.
Utaha's expression became even more complicated.
Is this some kind of gesture of goodwill?
But she immediately dismissed that thought.
Knowing Yukino's personality, there was no reason for her to go out of her way to please anyone.
And yet, the final version of the film had adopted her proposed ending instead of the one Yukino originally decided on.
She couldn't quite wrap her head around it.
Meanwhile, Kato Megumi sat quietly, lost in thought, unnoticed by the others.
With everything settled, Haru didn't keep the club members for too long on their first day back.
As usual, he and Yukino walked home together.
But they hadn't gotten far before a black Lexus sedan pulled up beside them.
It didn't exactly "block" their path, but it was clear that the car had stopped specifically for them.
The door opened, and a weary-looking woman stepped out.
Yukino's eyes flickered with surprise. "Mrs. Hisada?"
Haru stood by silently, observing.
"Yukinoshita-san, do you have a moment to talk in private?"
The woman forced a smile, but her exhaustion was evident, making it look rather unconvincing.
Yukino still vividly remembered the things her mother had warned her about. Without hesitation, she declined. "Sorry, but Haru and I are heading home for dinner."
"I can treat you both to a meal."
"There's no need. I have no intention of getting too close to the Hisada family." Yukino's response was blunt.
The woman's smile faded, replaced by a look of irritation. "Is the Yukinoshita family really going to drive us into a corner like this? We've known each other for so long—do you really have to go this far?"
Yukino frowned. "I think you've misunderstood something. I don't know much about my family's affairs."
The woman clearly didn't believe her, letting out a cold chuckle. "That's exactly what Haruno-san said earlier."
"Oh, so you already spoke to my sister? Then coming to me is a waste of time."
Seeing the woman's lack of courtesy, Yukino didn't bother being polite either.
The woman clenched her fists, lowering her voice. "My son is still in the hospital. The doctors say it'll take at least a year for him to fully recover."
Yukino looked confused. "And you're telling us this because…? Haru and I have no involvement in your family's matters."
Haru quickly nodded. "Yeah, I gotta be honest here—we really don't."
The woman gritted her teeth and softened her tone slightly. "My brother's career plummeted because of your family's ruthless tactics. He was crushed to the very bottom and still hasn't recovered."
Now Yukino understood. "I see. You want me to ask my mother to show some mercy? Then you're bound to be disappointed. I have no knowledge of these matters, nor any interest in them."
Haru, on the other hand, had a pretty good idea. For things to have escalated to this extent, it likely wasn't just his family involved—Yukinoshita's mother must have collaborated with others as well.
"Did you really have to take it this far? Our family has already suffered enough! I went to see Haruno-san this morning, and the first thing she said was that she didn't know anything. And now you're saying the same thing…"
The woman's face darkened further, her voice seething with resentment. "The backbone of the Hisada family—my husband—is now in prison. And thanks to the yacht incident, one of his legs was broken. He has to use a cane just to walk."
Yukino was already growing impatient.
She was about to reject her outright when Haru suddenly spoke up.
"Mr. Hisada lost a leg? So now he's literally taking life one step at a time?"[1]
The air went still.
Yukino quickly turned her head, barely stifling a laugh as she shot Haru a sideways glare.
Her eyes clearly said: Did you really just crack a joke in this situation?
The woman stared blankly at Haru. "What… did you just say?"
She looked as though she couldn't believe what she had just heard.
How could someone say something so cold-blooded with such a casual expression?
Haru pretended not to hear and turned to Yukino. "Let's go."
Yukino only nodded, staying silent.
She was mostly worried she'd laugh out loud—that would be way too rude…
"Wait!"
The woman reached out, trying to grab Yukino, but Haru swiftly caught her wrist.
"Let go of me!"
The woman's voice grew sharp, her expression turning frantic.
Haru released her hand and calmly reminded her, "Mrs. Hisada, you're a respectable person. Don't make a fool of yourself here. Losing your composure will only end up hurting you in the end."
Yukino, who had been keeping a straight face, blinked in surprise.
She remembered Haru saying something similar while playing a game once.
If she recalled correctly, there was another line after that: Elegance never goes out of style.
"Are you threatening me, Amamiya Haru?"
The woman's face twisted in anger.
The driver—who doubled as her bodyguard—stepped out of the car, a tall, imposing man glaring at Haru with clear hostility.
Haru suddenly raised his fist.
With a sharp whoosh, his punch stopped just an inch from the man's face.
The man froze.
The sheer force of the punch sent a gust of wind through his hair.
Everything had happened so fast that, despite his professional training, he hadn't even been able to react.
The woman stood there, stunned.
Haru lowered his fist and smiled at her. "That wasn't a threat just now. But this is."
The bodyguard hesitantly touched his own face, still in shock.
With that speed and explosive power… If Amamiya Haru had actually gone through with the hit, he'd be out cold—sleeping like a baby by now.
[1] (T/N: lol)