When Utaha brought up the fireworks festival, Yukino knew right away — this trip just gained two more members.
And of course, Megumi Kato would be going too.
Technically, Yukino could refuse. She could shut it down cold. But doing that would only put Haru in an awkward position.
Wait a second. He's a playboy. Why am I the one worrying about how he feels?
Feeling a little frustrated at herself, Yukino sighed inwardly. No matter how much she tried to act decisively, there were still moments like this when she just… couldn't.
If it were her sister in this situation? She'd probably deal with it effortlessly — that same unbeatable, untouchable aura written all over her face, cutting down any would-be rivals like it was nothing.
"Yukinoshita, how about we all go see the fireworks together?" Utaha asked, casually extending the invitation.
She then glanced over at Megumi beside her. "Megumi and I already talked about it. We were thinking of going Saturday morning and coming back on Sunday."
Haru turned to Yukino, gauging her reaction. Seeing her calm and composed expression, he asked, "What do you think?"
Yukino, already having come to terms with the situation, replied smoothly, "Sure. Let's all go together."
Maybe it was Utaha's direct invitation that changed her mind — or maybe she had her own reasons. Either way, she didn't say no.
And just like that, their weekend plans were set.
Afterward, Utaha and Megumi started asking about the incident from the other day. Haru shared whatever details he could — anything that didn't directly involve his own… unusual circumstances.
Once lunch was over, the four of them left the cafeteria together.
As they walked back toward the classrooms, Haru noticed two groups of students arguing ahead of them. Things were heating up — from the looks of it, the fight could break out any second.
And then, from somewhere in the crowd—
"Hey, that's Amamiya!"
All at once, everyone's attention shifted toward him — even the guys who looked like they were about to throw punches froze mid-glare to look his way.
Haru gave them a helpless, wry smile. "Uh… guys, I've already done more interviews today than I can count. Please don't tell me you're gonna treat me like some kind of celebrity now — I didn't even get paid for any of those."
There was a ripple of awkward laughter from the students. The crowd that had been gathering hesitated, losing its momentum.
Haru turned back to the two arguing groups, about to casually ask what the fuss was about—when a tall guy from one side spoke up.
"Amamiya… I saw you on the news. Saving someone like that… I respect it. Honestly, I don't think I could've done the same."
As he spoke, the guy started backing away.
"So I'll let this go — out of respect for you."
Haru blinked. Huh? Respect?
The other group spoke up too.
"If it's you stepping in, Boss Amamiya, we'll back off too."
The two groups that had been seconds away from throwing hands… both turned and left without another word.
Leaving Haru standing there, utterly dumbfounded.
…What the hell?
Did I eat some kind of "Charisma Fruit" or something? Why am I only finding out about this now?
Beside him, Utaha teased with a grin, "Boss Amamiya, huh? I gotta admit — that does have a pretty cool ring to it."
Haru groaned, rubbing his temples. Please spare me.
Yukino, though also amused, cut right to the heart of the matter.
"They're not giving you respect," she said plainly. "They're afraid of you."
Megumi nodded thoughtfully. "Probably because of those rumors about you fighting delinquents on the first day of school."
Yukino nodded. "The news report today explained everything very clearly. You were holding that father and son at the edge of the cliff for half an hour. Plus, everyone knows how much you hate bullying. Unless those students are complete idiots, they should understand this isn't the place to pick a fight."
Haru sighed helplessly, only silently lamenting how powerful trending news could be.
Those two groups of students earlier had said things like "we're giving you face," but in reality, they were just scared he might actually fight back.
After all, his one-vs-three fight on the very first day of school had already spread like wildfire.
And after all this time, instead of fading away, the story had evolved along with his growing reputation—turning into "he hates violence so much, he only uses violence to stop violence."
But the rescue incident's impact didn't end there.
That afternoon, the principal even came to find Haru personally.
After learning that Haru had no interest in interviews and just wanted the hype to die down naturally, the principal readily agreed to help block reporters from disturbing him.
Later, after school, Haru avoided the crowd of classmates swarming him and was planning to hide out in the club room—only to get intercepted halfway.
Waiting for him was Utaha.
"Help me move some stuff to the Journalism Club," she said casually, meeting his confused gaze.
Since she was asking for help, Haru didn't refuse.
But once they arrived at the Journalism Club, he noticed something strange — the entire room was empty.
Utaha pushed open the door and explained calmly,"I made a deal with them. As long as they don't bother you for interviews, I'll help them recruit new members."
Haru suddenly understood. No wonder no one from the Journalism Club had approached him today, despite him being all over the news — it was Utaha working behind the scenes.
"Thanks," Haru said simply. "Alright, what do you need me to move?"
He rolled up his sleeves, looking ready to work like a model citizen.
Utaha pointed toward a stack of chairs in the corner. "Move those chairs over here, and those two desks too."
As Haru started moving things, he casually asked, "Where did the Journalism Club members go?"
Utaha didn't lend a hand — she simply stood there and answered,"They have an event off-campus today. They won't be back anytime soon."
Haru paused for a second after setting down a desk.
'Won't be back anytime soon'?
Wasn't that extra line a little unnecessary? A normal answer only needed the first half, right?
Just as a strange feeling crept over him, he saw Utaha casually walking toward the door.
She reached out, pulled it shut — click — and locked.
"What are you doing?"
Haru couldn't help but echo a certain someone's famous line.
Utaha didn't answer right away. Instead, she openly dangled the key in front of him, twirling it on her finger with a playful smile.
The next moment, the voluptuous girl in black stockings casually walked up to Haru, her hands clasped behind her back. Her fair cheeks gradually flushed with color, and there was a complex, indescribable emotion shimmering in her beautiful eyes.
—Wait.
That look in her eyes… don't tell me…
Haru's heart skipped a beat.
"I don't really mind hiking, you know."
Utaha's voice drifted over, calm yet laced with something else.
Haru froze. When he met her gaze again, he finally caught the emotions flickering in her eyes.
—Jealousy.
She was jealous.
Jealous that he didn't invite her to go hiking.
Jealous that, during such an important moment, the person by his side wasn't her… but Yukino.
Just as Haru was about to say something, Utaha dangled a key in front of him, shaking it slightly between her fingers.
"You want this?" she asked.
"I do," Haru nodded honestly. "We still have club activities to handle."
A sly smile curved Utaha's lips — graceful, seductive, and undeniably captivating.
And in the next instant, she let go of the key.
It slipped right into her cleavage.
Haru's eyes widened.
What kind of play is this?!
Utaha herself was blushing fiercely now, but the playful smile on her lips only deepened.
She was enjoying it.
Enjoying his shock.
Enjoying this rare moment of having him all to herself.
"If you want it… you'll have to reach in and get it yourself," she whispered, her face flushed.
Haru paused for two seconds — then calmly rolled up his sleeves.
Utaha's eyelashes trembled. She was nervous… but at the same time, boldly waiting. "Wait, wait— you're seriously going to— hey!"
Before she could finish, Haru had already reached into her cleavage.
Now it was Utaha's turn to be completely stunned.
"You know me," Haru said casually. "I'm a man of action."
Of course, despite his words, he wasn't actually feeling around recklessly. He couldn't even tell where the key was — and given Utaha's delicate mood today, he didn't dare to be careless.
with a snap.
Utaha suddenly grabbed his hand, her eyes half shy, half angry. "Having fun groping me?"
Haru corrected her seriously, "I wasn't groping. I'm searching for the key. Carefully."
Utaha exhaled slowly, still holding onto his hand — refusing to let go.
"I was jealous, Haru," she whispered.
His hand froze in place.
She said it.
She actually said it out loud.
Which meant… she had no intention of backing down.
At least, she wasn't going to just let him walk away so easily.
"...So," Haru asked, his hand still resting motionlessly where it was, fully playing along, "what do you want me to do now?"
Utaha's flushed cheeks lifted in a faint smile. "A little guessing game. Are you in?"
Haru didn't hesitate for even a second. In moments like this, whatever she said — the answer was always yes.
"I'm in," he replied earnestly.
Utaha gave a small hum of acknowledgment, as if she were steadying her racing heart. About five seconds passed — long enough for her to calm the heat in her chest — before she finally parted her soft lips.
"Guess," she whispered, voice laced with challenge, "what color I'm wearing today?"
Haru's eyes widened in shock.
Wait… hold on.
That's the kind of guessing game we're playing?!