Utaha and Yukino had switched to an encrypted voice call. Haru, who had hoped to join in the conversation, was once again denied access.
Left with no choice, Haru could only mutter under his breath, "You two really aren't very good friends," while tying on his apron and heading to the kitchen to cook.
Utaha smirked as she walked across the room. Her long legs, wrapped in black stockings, made deliberate pat-pat sounds against the floor in her slippers.
Hearing the sound, Yukino turned her head slightly. When she saw Utaha sit down beside her, she asked in a flat tone, "What is it?"
"Mm," Utaha nodded.
"Speak."
Their exchanges were as brief as ever.
Utaha glanced toward the kitchen, where the sound of chopping echoed softly, then leaned in slightly and asked in a low voice, "Did you have sex with him this month?"
Yukino frowned. "what?"
Utaha let out an ambiguous chuckle.
Yukino's expression imdiately darkened. "If you're trying to talk dirty with , Senpai, then I suggest you call him over. You two might have more in common."
"I wouldn't bring this up unless I had a reason."
"Oh? So you're saying you want to discuss sothing so ridiculous with ?" Yukino's words grew sharper and more pointed.
Utaha's cheeks turned slightly red. "What I an is... have you noticed it too? It's not just that we feel physically stronger after our regular training sessions with him. Even when we... do those things together..."
She didn't finish the sentence, because she knew Yukino understood perfectly well what she ant.
Yukino's icy expression tensed ever so slightly, but her voice remained detached. "Your imagination truly is sothing to behold."
Utaha, still blushing, continued seriously. "I know you're biased against . But try to recall it for yourself—see if what I'm saying holds any truth."
Yukino didn't imdiately retort this ti. Instead, she found herself reflecting—reluctantly—on those intimate monts she'd shared with Haru.
The deeper she thought about it, the more her delicate brows furrowed.
To her surprise... Utaha might have a point.
Even though she was always left exhausted, her legs too weak to move, and sotis left blushing and mumbling for rcy—she realized that after each ti, she did feel a slight improvent in her stamina and physical state.
Could doing that actually make soone stronger?
Yukino's cheeks flushed slightly.
Then again, it was technically a form of physical activity... and she was doing it with soone she loved.
In that light... maybe, possibly, it could count as training?
The ever-composed Yukino now found herself uncertain for once.
Utaha observed every change in Yukino's expression with quiet amusent. In a soft voice, she said, "Seems like you noticed it too."
Yukino kept her tone level. "At the end of the day, it's just a theory. And I didn't notice any... particularly dramatic improvents."
She paused a beat—perhaps feeling a little embarrassed.
Utaha, in contrast, seed much more comfortable. She leaned back lazily, stretching out her legs. Her black stockings glided smoothly as her feet peeked out. She slowly curled her toes, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "If that's really the case, then maybe we should..."
Yukino stiffened. Her voice was cold and sharp. "If you dare suggest teaming up again, I swear I'll scold you for real, Senpai."
Utaha chuckled and shook her head. "Just kidding. I am a girl too, you know. Being able to talk with you about sothing like this—I think I've used up almost all my courage."
Yukino gave a cold, sarcastic smile. With that sultry gleam in your eyes? You're calling that courage almost exhausted? Please.
But if their speculation turned out to be true, Yukino knew that next ti she and Haru got close... she wouldn't be able to resist paying attention to the details.
She sighed inwardly. I never should've responded to her in the first place. Now even my brain's getting muddled.
After dinner, neither of the girls seed in a rush to exercise. Once their "sage-ti" clarity passed, the three began casually discussing plans for their upcoming hot springs trip.
6:30 p.m.
Haru was on his phone, browsing local attractions and booking hotel rooms.
Yukino had been quietly petting the cat, but the audio from Utaha's phone caught her attention.
"Hello everyone! In today's video, I'll teach you how to make a nutritious, cat-approved al that your feline friend will love!"
"Cat food?" Yukino glanced over curiously.
Utaha kept her eyes on the screen and replied casually, "Just a video I happened to scroll past."
Yukino looked down at the docile cat in her arms, then leaned in to watch as well.
Haru thought about chiming in—he actually knew how to make that kind of al—but seeing how interested they both were, he decided not to ruin the mont.
The video was just six minutes long. When it ended, Utaha looked up and noticed Yukino lost in thought. She couldn't help but smirk. "What? Thinking about trying it yourself?"
Yukino didn't deny it. She turned to Haru. "Do we have ingredients at ho?"
"There's chicken and carrots," Haru replied. "But no shrimp."
"Then I'll make a quick trip out."
She stood up as she spoke.
Utaha blinked in surprise. "Is it really that urgent?"
Yukino glanced fondly at the cat on the couch. "Jelly hasn't had dinner yet. I'll give it a try."
Haru understood—cat people were just like that. "Want to go with you?"
"No need. The supermarket's close. I'll be back in ten minutes."
As Yukino headed for the door, Utaha instinctively turned to Haru, eyes gleaming. "Has she always been this affectionate toward cats?"
"She has," Haru replied with a soft smile.
Utaha murmured, "I an, I agree—Jelly's adorable. But that level of devotion? Kind of surprised ."
Just then, Yukino opened the door—only to find gumi standing there, hand raised mid-reach for the doorbell.
Yukino nodded politely, acknowledging her. "Kato-san is here," she called into the apartnt before stepping out.
"You heading out?" gumi asked, stepping aside.
"Just picking up a few things," Yukino answered calmly and left.
Back inside, Utaha imdiately perked up.
Haru couldn't help but chuckle at how suddenly she straightened her posture—like soone rising from a coma.
But his smile froze a mont later.
Utaha turned around and straddled him without warning, arms wrapping around his neck.
"What are you doing?" Haru blinked, stunned.
Utaha gave him a flushed, seductive smile. "Rember I said I wanted to test gumi? Now's the perfect chance."
Before he could react, she kissed him hard.
She also stuck out her tongue out out of habit.
Haru was stunned on the spot.
Who the hell taught you this thod of testing?!
You know perfectly well how attractive you are—and now you're doing this?!
gumi, having just finished changing into her indoor slippers, entered the room—and froze at the sight of them locked in an intimate embrace.
Utaha, breathless, didn't move from Haru's lap. She turned her head slightly, cheeks flushed, lips curved. "You're a little late today, gumi."
gumi's gaze unconsciously zeroed in on the lipstick sar on Haru's lips. "Got caught up with sothing at ho."
Then, in a calm voice, she asked, "What exactly were you two doing?"
Utaha gave a bashful smile and slowly let go of Haru. "Got carried away. Couldn't help myself."
gumi gave a nonchalant oh, walked over, and said blandly, "Yukinoshita-san just stepped out, and you're already jumping him?"
Utaha finally got off Haru's lap, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. "I'm under control now."
"Is that so?"
gumi didn't press further. She handed Haru a paper bag.
Haru finally had the chance to speak. "What's this?"
"My mom went overboard buying candy during a supermarket promotion. I don't really like sweets, so I brought so for you."
Inside the bag were colorful, rocket-shaped lollipops. The wrappers even had little fla designs to match the shape.
Even the sticks ca in red, green, and blue.
"Want one, Amamiya-kun?" gumi asked, her gaze flickering with sothing unreadable.
Utaha stood beside them, lips curled into a knowing smile, watching in silence.
Sensing the subtle tension, Haru picked up a lollipop and joked, "Thanks for the big rocket, Kato."
Utaha followed his lead, her smile turning mischievous. "Thanks for the big rocket, gumi."
"You're welco."
gumi replied blandly. Her eyes briefly t Utaha's—then quickly turned away.
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