About fifteen minutes later, Ms. Ninagawa arrived at the café carrying her handbag.
"Sorry to keep you all waiting."
She apologized politely to the group, sat down beside Shizuka, and ordered an Aricano from the waiter.
"Still drinking Aricanos this late?"
Haru, always quick to start a conversation, comnted naturally.
Ninagawa took off her mask and gave a weary smile.
"No choice. Things have been crazy lately—I've been working past 2 a.m. for four days straight."
"Health cos first," Shizuka said, subtly shifting her position to block Ninagawa from view.
Although she'd purposefully left the inside seat open for her, she still took precautions—not wanting to attract attention in a public café.
Ninagawa noticed and thanked her with a small laugh.
"I'm just a behind-the-scenes staff mber. Honestly, it's rare anyone would recognize on the street."
"Better to be safe," Shizuka replied with a smile—always detail-oriented when it ca to serious matters.
Once the coffee arrived, Ninagawa turned to the students with visible admiration.
"Back when we last t, I already wanted to talk with you all about that short film. Unfortunately, the timing wasn't right. Then I got swamped with work and couldn't reach out."
The three girls—Yukino included—looked mildly surprised.
Because Haru had guessed this exact thing.
"So, you really liked the short film?" Haru asked.
"Yes. The script was deep, the visual storytelling was clever—it didn't feel like a student film at all," she praised.
"Well, that's because these girls aren't your average high schoolers," Haru grinned, then looked at the slightly nervous trio.
"Yukino worked so hard as director. She stayed up late almost every night and still kept up with her studies."
Ninagawa looked surprised.
"Wait—you're not the director?"
"I didn't see any credit listed for one, so I assud it was you."
Haru had left a deep impression on her. Plus, Yukino's mother had spoken highly of him several tis.
"I was just a background extra—my main job was lugging equipnt.As for the credits, Yukino purposely left herself out. She doesn't like drawing attention."
Now Ninagawa looked even more surprised. She turned her gaze to Yukino with newfound admiration.
Shizuka was hearing all this for the first ti and was completely drawn in.
Since Haru had been singing her praises, Yukino had no choice but to clarify:
"What he said at the end wasn't entirely true. While I do avoid being too flashy, I left my na out because I only care about the quality of the work. Nothing else matters to ."
"That kind of mature mindset is rare for a high school student," Ninagawa said admiringly.
"I've t your sister too, and you're definitely both cut from the sa Yukinoshita family—so calm and composed at such a young age."
Yukino thanked her with a small smile—but inwardly, she felt a rare surge of excitent.
Ever since a long ti ago, she had stopped aiming to surpass her sister.
Her goal had changed to "growing alongside Haru."
Still, to be ntioned in the sa breath as her sister by soone she respected—it felt good.
It ant she'd made the right choice back then.
She was improving—and efficiently so.
Haru went on to introduce Utaha and gumi next.
Clearly, Ninagawa had watched the short film in detail; she had strong impressions of both heroines.
Especially now, seeing how quiet and refined gumi looked—it was a stark contrast to the screen version of her character, and that contrast made an impression.
Once the introductions were done, Haru smiled mischievously.
"So… is this whole eting just to talk about the film?"
"No."
Ninagawa shook her head, eyes almost glowing as she looked at the three girls.
"I watched that short film three tis. I think the three of you have enormous potential and talent. With just a bit of guidance, you could shine even brighter."
All three girls froze.
Because it was clear: Ninagawa wasn't just impressed—she wanted to ntor them.
Haru and Shizuka were the ones who saw through the situation quickest.
They understood the subtext.
As one of the rare female directors in the industry, Ninagawa likely saw sothing of her younger self in the trio.
Still, neither Haru nor Shizuka said anything. This wasn't their decision to make.
That right belonged only to the girls.
Utaha spoke up first:
"Ms. Ninagawa, I'm honored you think so highly of us. But we're still students…"
Yukino and gumi seed to feel the sa.
"I'm not asking you to decide anything now," Ninagawa said with a laugh.
"To , you're all hidden gems. If you ever run into issues before graduation—whether with acting or directing—feel free to ask for help."
Then, noticing the atmosphere growing too formal, she softened her tone:
"That said, I'm no big-ti director. I just happen to know a thing or two when it cos to coaching actors and directors."
With that, the three girls relaxed.
Though everyone in the room knew: she was being modest.
They'd already looked into her background.
Anyone who'd survived this long in the film world, with a consistent output and solid reputation, was far more than soone who rely "knew a thing or two."
They chatted warmly until night fell, and finally left the café.
Haru went to pay the bill, while the others waited outside.
Suddenly, Utaha turned to Ninagawa:
"Oh right—one thing. You clearly think highly of Haru, too, don't you?So why didn't you ntion him even once?"
Yukino looked over imdiately—she'd been wondering the sa thing.
Under their gaze, Ninagawa smiled.
"That boy's different. He's a natural-born all-rounder. From what I've heard, he's never received any formal training. Yet look at how good he already is."
"That's true," Yukino added instinctively.
"He's probably self-taught."
Ninagawa nodded, lowering her voice slightly.
"Which is why I shouldn't intervene. Soone like him is capable of carving his own path, creating his own style. Interfering might actually hold him back."
The girls looked stunned.
They knew Haru was talented in many ways—from academics to filming, even coaching, and screenwriting.
But to hear such high praise from a respected director—that was sothing else.
Haru returned from the register, and the group eventually split up.
On the ride ho, Yukino and Utaha were deep in thought.
gumi, however, looked as calm as ever.
Haru didn't disturb them. After confirming everyone was going to their own hos tonight, he kept quiet the whole way.
What did surprise him was this:
The mont Yukino and Utaha got ho, they both headed straight for the bedroom.
Before entering, they even exchanged a glance—each surprised the other had the sa thought.
Left alone in the living room with gumi, Haru brought her a plate of fruit.
"Not joining them?"
gumi shook her head.
"They're clearly shaken by what Ms. Ninagawa said. I'm not."
Haru had figured as much. Sitting across from her, he joked:
"Did I get showered in praise while I was paying the bill?"
"Mm. The director spoke very highly of you."
Haru nodded, unsurprised.
Yukino and Utaha probably had one thought in mind now—they needed to catch up.
Being so far behind soone you're emotionally close to—it's sothing you might accept in the short term, but not forever.
Haru leaned back lazily.
"You know… so of the things Ms. Ninagawa could teach you—maybe I could teach too."
gumi popped a slice of apple into her mouth.
"Are you bragging to ?"
Haru picked up his own slice, just about to respond—when she cut in:
"The more you reveal your strengths to …
The harder it is for to leave you."
A sudden basic attack.
Was she trying to bait out his Flash Step?
Haru nearly choked.
gumi tilted her head sweetly, eyes innocent and soft.
"I ant growing together, of course. What were you thinking?"
~~~~~~~~~~
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