"Yuigahama Yui's conquest rating toward the host has increased by 1 point."
At the System's gleeful, gloating voice, Mio's mouth twitched. She really hadn't expected Yui to suddenly come out with something like that—it landed on her completely unguarded, a direct hit and a crit.
This wasn't right. The old Yui would've found some way to change the subject, wouldn't she?
When did she learn to be this forward?
Seeing Mio's slightly flustered expression, the corner of Yui's mouth curved into a faint smile.
Looks like being a little bold actually paid off. After all, she rarely got to see Mio make a face like that.
The last time she'd seen that expression was probably back when the two of them kissed.
The memory of the kiss pulled Yui's gaze down to Mio's lips.
Glossed with nothing but lip balm, they had a crystalline shine to them—and an inexplicable pull on her.
Mio noticed where Yui was looking.
Just as she was debating whether to say something about it, the doorbell rang.
It snapped Yui back to herself, too.
Watching Mio get up to answer the door, a flicker of regret crossed her eyes. She really shouldn't have hesitated just now—Mio had clearly noticed and hadn't pulled away, which was obviously a hint to go ahead and kiss her.
Such a perfect opening, right there in front of her, and she'd let it slip.
So frustrating!
Over at the door, Mio had no idea who'd be knocking at this hour. The apartment's security was solid, but she was still cautious enough to check the peephole first.
When she made out the familiar figure of Yukinoshita Haruno, she finally opened up.
Taking in the gorgeous kimono Haruno wore, Mio asked, a little surprised, "Senpai? What brings you here?"
"To see you, of course. Well? Aren't you just thrilled?" Haruno asked, beaming.
"Ah. I'm so thrilled."
At Mio's flat, line-read delivery, Haruno burst out laughing.
Once she'd gotten it out of her system, she went on, "All right, fine—truth is, I'm playing hooky. I came along with Mother to call on a business partner nearby, and while they were busy chatting, I slipped out~"
"Is it really okay for the family heir to be skipping out like this?"
"It's fine. This wasn't real business, just keeping up the relationship. With Mother there, I'm more than covered."
Haruno rarely pulled stunts like this. But the place they were visiting happened to be near Mio's apartment, and she'd been struck by a sudden urge to see her cute little white-haired kouhai—so she just up and slipped over.
"Well, if Senpai says it's fine, then it's fine." As she spoke, Mio set out the pair of slippers reserved just for Haruno.
Haruno stepped into them and walked into Mio's home like she knew the place by heart.
When she spotted Yui sitting in the living room, she said, a touch surprised, "Didn't expect my kouhai to have company today~"
She'd never met Yui, but she could guess this was one of Mio's classmates. What she couldn't figure out was why Mio's classmate was wearing Mio's clothes.
While Haruno was sizing Yui up, Yui was studying the mature, beautiful older girl right back.
Looking at that lovely face, Yui kept feeling like she'd seen it somewhere before.
And though the woman wore a smile that looked harmless to man and beast alike, Yui's gut told her this gorgeous, grown-up older girl was dangerous.
"Ahem. Let me introduce you two. This is my good friend, Yuigahama Yui."
"And this is Yukinoshita Haruno-senpai—Sobu High's former student council president, and Yukinoshita Yukino's older sister."
The moment Yui heard the name Yukinoshita, it clicked—this face really did look a lot like Yukino's. Except Yukino always kept a stern look on her face, while her sister always wore a smile. Two complete opposites.
She'd had no idea Mio was even acquainted with Yukino's sister.
"Little kouhai, can I borrow something to wear? This outfit is so uncomfortable~" Haruno wrapped her arms around Mio from behind and breathed the words into her ear in a soft, syrupy voice.
"How many times do I have to tell you—stop blowing in my ear!"
Mio tilted her head away and rubbed at her burning ear, then pointed toward her room. "Go grab something from the wardrobe in my room yourself. I'm going to cook."
"Understood~"
Listening to the exchange, Yui couldn't help frowning. She kept getting the sense that the two of them were... awfully close.
Haruno especially—this definitely wasn't her first time here. Or rather, she had to come by often, which was exactly why everything came to her so easily.
A sudden sense of threat washed over Yui.
Then again, maybe she was just reading too much into it.
After all, not everyone swung the way she did. Maybe the two of them really were just ordinary friends.
Shaking off the spiraling thoughts, Yui stood and went to the kitchen doorway. "Mio, let me give you a hand."
"Sure."
Mio didn't turn down the help. Yui's cooking skills these days were leagues above where they'd been in the original story, and with her pitching in, things would go a lot easier.
While she worked beside Mio, Yui asked, "Mio, does Yukinoshita-senpai come over a lot?"
"Mm. She's good friends with Chihiro-sensei and Shizuka-sensei, so she's always coming around to Chihiro-sensei's place to drink. That's how we ended up meeting."
"Oh. I see."
Hearing that, Yui quietly let out a breath. Looked like she really had been overthinking it.
"Oh, right—in a couple of days Mashiro and I are heading off for a hot spring trip. Want to come along, Yui?"
"A hot spring trip!" Yui's face lit up with excitement—but it didn't last long before it crumpled.
"What's wrong?"
"I have to go back to my hometown tomorrow to visit my grandma."
That was exactly why she hadn't taken the initiative to invite Mio somewhere earlier.
"It's okay. There'll be other chances."
"Mm."
Neither of them noticed that Haruno—now changed into different clothes—was sitting on the living room sofa, wearing a thoughtful look.
Now, what was it I had scheduled in a couple of days?
...Never mind. Not important. And if it's not important, that's the same as having nothing on at all.
And if my schedule's clear, then surely a long-overdue hot spring soak is no problem whatsoever~
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