"Haru, co help ."
Utaha had already pushed open the won's fitting room door, glancing back as she called out.
"Coming."
Haru walked over with a conflicted expression.
Whenever Yukino wasn't around, Senpai always wanted to try sothing new.
And judging by gumi's reaction just now, he was now certain of one thing—those two girls, who were once close friends, probably couldn't go back to the way things were.
As Haru stepped into the won's fitting room, the nearby sales associate was montarily stunned.
It wasn't that she was shocked to see a guy enter the ladies' changing area. She'd seen couples like that plenty of tis—if the people involved didn't mind, it wasn't her place to intervene.
What did surprise her was the fact that Haru had just been chatting with gumi this entire ti. Since she had been recomnding items to them nearby, she'd naturally assud those two were a couple.
"Excuse , I'd like to take a look at this dress," ca gumi's polite voice from behind.
Startled, the sales associate turned around quickly, only to find the girl who'd just been standing beside her now across the aisle, browsing a different rack.
When did she move over there? she had no idea.
That realization made her second-guess everything. Maybe she'd been working too much lately—too many shifts, not enough rest. Her mind must be slipping for her to miss sothing so obvious.
Unbeknownst to either Haru or gumi, their casual behavior had just triggered a minor existential crisis for the poor shop assistant.
Back inside the fitting room—
Utaha was, indeed, holding a dress. And it did have a zipper in the back.
But Haru gave it a glance and instantly realized—this zipper wasn't long enough to truly require assistance. She could've easily managed it on her own.
Looks like she just wants to talk to in private.
Sure enough, the mont Haru had that thought, Utaha spoke up.
"What was gumi's reaction just now?"
"You two fought?" Haru countered.
Utaha looked unbothered. "I wouldn't call it a fight. It's just—well, I tend to hold grudges. Today was a rare opportunity, so I couldn't resist giving her a jab."
Back when gumi had casually said, "Three wins for Utaha-senpai, zero for Yukinoshita", it had left Utaha sulking for days.
What bothered her the most back then wasn't just the statent itself—but the fact that if she hadn't confessed to Haru last year, or if Yukino hadn't snapped her out of it early, she might really have beco the kind of woman who'd smugly say, "Yukino, I win again."
That remark from gumi hadn't just stung—it had hit the exact weak spot she tried to hide.
Damn you, gumi. You've shaken my heart!
"So, yeah, that's basically a fight," Haru muttered knowingly.
He could already guess the reason. Another classic case of "bestie backstab." And as the man in the middle, Haru felt awkward as hell.
Utaha didn't seem to mind. "You still haven't answered my question."
Haru replied, "Kato's reaction was… pretty normal. She showed a bit of emotional fluctuation, but nothing too obvious."
Utaha gave a short laugh. "Just as I expected. One small move from and she's already cracking."
Haru hesitated for a mont.
Utaha noticed. "What is it? Just say it."
"Senpai… have you thought about what might happen if Kato tells Yukino about your little move today?"
Utaha froze.
A cold chill crept down her spine.
If Yukino found out… would she act on it?
Of course she would.
Utaha bit her lip, visibly uneasy.
What annoyed her the most was—despite being taller, longer legs, and older than Yukino—she still couldn't beat her in physical strength or combat ability.
And she knew why.
Yukino and Haru had known each other since childhood. They probably started training together ages ago.
As for her?
Before eting Haru, the only exercise she ever did was basic fitness to maintain her figure. She'd never made a serious effort to build up her body.
Their starting lines weren't even close.
How was she supposed to overtake Yukino around a corner if she'd already fallen so far behind?
Maybe I should just call it a night after shopping...
Utaha made up her mind.
Ti to play her trump card: Tactical Retreat.
After confirming the dress fit her well, she calmly undressed with Haru beside her and slipped into the new one—right there, in front of him.
Neither of them felt awkward about it anymore. They'd already seen each other plenty of tis.
Out of feminine modesty, Utaha still turned around to change, her back facing Haru.
When the two stepped out of the fitting room, gumi was already holding a shopping bag—clearly having found sothing she liked.
Utaha kept her composure as she paid. Just as she took her receipt from the cashier, gumi's voice rang out behind her.
"Will you be joining us at Amamiya-kun's place later, Utaha-senpai?"
Haru froze.
Was she already starting her revenge?
Or maybe… an interrogation?
Thanks to his [Perception] skill, Haru clearly sensed a subtle shift in gumi's emotional state.
Even though she looked calm on the outside, beneath that placid exterior… there was a hidden aura of "Let's see how many bones I can break."
Utaha was still distracted by the cashier's receipt when she heard that question. She casually replied, "No, I need to head ho early tonight to see my parents."
gumi nodded. "In that case, it'll be just going to Amamiya-kun's place."
Utaha's hand paused mid-receipt.
"You're going to his house?"
"Mhm. The cat audition is coming up soon. Didn't Yukinoshita say she really wants Jelly to be selected? I'm rooting for jelly too."
Her reasoning was flawless.
Even Haru was impressed. In such a short amount of ti, she'd not only steadied her emotions, but found a perfect, natural excuse.
"I see."
Utaha gave a light reply, but her gaze hesitated.
After all the ti she'd spent with the orange cat, she couldn't help growing attached.
She wasn't as obsessed with cats as Yukino, but still—the little guy had been a source of comfort, and she genuinely wanted to be involved in the audition too.
After a mont of internal debate, she agreed.
In that instant, Haru clearly saw gumi relax.
He quietly observed, already bracing himself to act as peacemaker again—Team Dragonfly Leader, always arriving just in ti to stop a catfight.
anwhile, elsewhere—
Yukino and Shizuka had just finished dinner and were taking a walk in a nearby park.
This ti of evening, the park wasn't too crowded—mostly moms with their kids.
Yukino easily spotted a quiet place to sit. As they settled on a bench, Shizuka spoke up.
"You look healthier than before."
"Hmm?" Yukino tilted her head slightly, puzzled.
Shizuka smiled and gestured toward the path they'd taken. "Your sister told once—back in middle school, she'd drag you and Haru out for walks, but you'd get tired pretty quickly."
Yukino's expression softened, a nostalgic smile blooming on her lips. "That's true. I had poor stamina back then."
"Are you better now?"
"Mhm. Haru's been helping train. He even made a detailed workout plan for ."
"No wonder. That guy's got amazing physical endurance."
Shizuka said it casually, but in her mind, she recalled seeing Haru's bare physique during the hot spring trip.
Her face grew warm, and she quickly turned away, afraid to betray her thoughts.
Yukino didn't notice—she was still caught up in her joy.
Shizuka's observation confird how much she'd improved. It was sothing she'd worked hard on, and hearing praise from soone else—especially an older figure—made it all the more rewarding.
"Oh right, a coworker gave a bunch of tea recently. I rember you liked tea back in the Photography Club. Want a bag?"
"Thank you," Yukino replied sincerely. She really did love tea.
Then she asked, "Is that why you invited to dinner tonight? To give tea?"
Their conversation over dinner had been entirely casual. Even now, nothing serious had co up.
"I almost forgot," Shizuka suddenly said, patting her forehead. A slight embarrassnt crept onto her mature features. "Has filming started on your new club movie?"
"Not yet. Pre-production is tough. And since Utaha-senpai is leading this one, she's lacking a bit in experience. We still need to sit down and discuss things."
Yukino was honest.
Shizuka's eyes lit up. "In that case, is the Photography Club still looking for helpers?"
Yukino looked surprised. "You want to help? What's the reason?"
Shizuka gave an awkward smile. "That short film you made last year was fantastic. All my friends and coworkers raved about it. Even my family couldn't stop praising it."
Yukino fell into thought. "So… you're hoping our next film also does well, and earns you so complints?"
"It's not just that. More like… I want to redirect their attention."
Shizuka sighed, looking a little forlorn and troubled. "You see, I'm still single. And if I don't give my family sothing else to focus on, they'll…"
Yukino understood.
Ah, another matchmaking issue.
It made sense, honestly. Despite being nearly thirty, stunningly beautiful, and with an amazing figure, Shizuka was still single. Naturally, her family would worry.
"If you've got ti, please feel free to join us," Yukino said gently. "Haru's especially fond of teaching newcors."
Shizuka raised a brow. "What do you an, fond of newcors?"
Yukino's smile carried a hint of pride. "He always enjoys ntoring. Says it's fulfilling. And you're a total newbie, so he'll definitely be happy."
Shizuka lowered her head slightly, cheeks flushed.
She knew Yukino didn't an "fond" that way… but having had more than one intimate mont with Haru herself, she couldn't help but overthink it.
It'll work out... right?
She thought, heart quietly fluttering.
~~~~~~~~~~
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