Chapter 44 - 44: Outstanding Individuals

"Damn it! That bastard Amamiya just carried Kasumigaoka-senpai on his back and ran off! I want to do that too!" "What?! That really happened? Spread the word—Amamiya carried Kasumigaoka-senpai off campus!" "No, no, pass it along—Amamiya carried Kasumigaoka-senpai in his arms for a romantic date outside school!" Yukino and Yui were having lunch in the cafeteria when they overheard the excited chatter of students who had just entered. Envy was practically written all over their faces. "What's going on?" Yui perked up her ears. The gossip seemed to involve Haru. She turned around and saw Yukino setting down her chopsticks, her brows slightly furrowed in confusion. "Should we go ask?" She knew Yukino cared. And honestly, so did she. Just as Yukino was about to respond, Hashimoto from the photography club rushed over, looking particularly gossipy. "Some of the rumors are true, some aren't. I got the details." That immediately piqued their interest. "Kasumigaoka-senpai seems to be injured, so Amamiya-san carried her to the infirmary," Hashimoto reported swiftly. "Injured?" Yui's eyes widened. "What happened exactly?" "No clue. I didn't go to the infirmary myself," she admitted with a shake of his head. Yui instinctively turned to look at Yukino, only to find her calmly picking up her chopsticks and resuming her meal without a care in the world. "...You're just going to keep eating?" "Maintaining a regular schedule and a balanced diet is essential for good health," Yukino replied coolly. She was composed as ever. Yui, on the other hand, was struggling to stay calm. "No, seriously—aren't you even a little concerned?" "I am." Yui was taken aback by how easily Yukino admitted it. But her tone remained steady. "Haru didn't come looking for me, which means Senpai's injury isn't serious. We can finish our meal first before checking on her." Yui was stunned for a solid three seconds. Then, inwardly, she marveled: This is what a main heroine's presence feels like. That effortless confidence, the composed yet graceful attitude—it was the kind of presence she could only dream of having. Like a certain comedian-turned-singer once sang: I just can't seem to learn. Still, as she and Hashimoto resumed their meal, Yukino's gaze lingered on her lunch tray, her eyes subtly flickering with thought. How did Utaha get injured in the first place? ..... "Kasumigaoka-senpai isn't injured. There were just… special circumstances, so I brought her to the infirmary." At the infirmary door, Hiratsuka Shizuka arrived in a rush, looking visibly concerned. Haru quickly clarified the situation. "That's a relief." Shizuka let out a breath and chuckled wryly. "I literally dropped my lunch and ran over. The rumors were getting out of hand." Haru understood her concern. Utaha was an exceptional student—one any teacher would care about. Especially someone as kind-hearted as Hiratsuka Shizuka. "But why are you waiting out here?" Now that she had calmed down, Shizuka finally noticed something odd. Haru gestured toward the infirmary. "You'll see when you go in." She raised an eyebrow but stepped inside nonetheless. Less than a minute later, she walked out, her expression... complicated. "No wonder you're staying out here," she muttered, suddenly understanding. Haru remained unbothered. "I could've stayed inside, but this kind of thing is… a private matter for girls." At first, Shizuka was surprised at how composed he was. Then she remembered—he had grown up around Yukino. He'd probably encountered situations like this before. That made her chuckle. "Alright, I'll go inform the other teachers so they don't worry. Phew, that really gave me a scare." She turned to leave but stopped after a few steps. "Wait—neither of you have eaten yet, right? Want me to grab something from the store for you?" Haru shook his head. "No need. Someone will bring food soon." Shizuka blinked. "Who?" "Yukino," Haru said casually. Shizuka's expression froze, then she turned away and strode off. Tch. These kids showing off their relationships… Haru leaned against the wall, staring blankly into space until a familiar fragrance drifted through the air. He turned his head. "Done?" "Mm." Utaha's cheeks were slightly flushed, her smile charming as ever. Haru nodded. "Avoid cold foods for now. And no coffee either." Utaha's face reddened a bit more. She blinked in curiosity. "How did you know I drink coffee?" Leaning lazily against the wall, Haru smirked. "You've been 'trained' by Yukino, right? If you had even a sliver of defiance in you, you'd be pulling all-nighters to study. And coffee or tea is a necessity for that." Utaha laughed softly. It was a gentle, affectionate laugh. "You know me that well?" Something about her tone felt… different. The air between them grew subtly charged. Haru, staying calm, smirked. "What? Touched by my thoughtfulness? Thinking of offering yourself to me?" The moment of tension shattered. Utaha sighed in mild disappointment but quickly adjusted herself, shaking her head with a smile. "Touched? Yes. Offering myself? Not quite yet." I still need to take down the final boss named Yukinoshita first. She gazed at Haru's youthful yet undeniably dependable face. The image of him carrying her—steady and swift—lingered in her mind. It wasn't love at first sight. Their past connection was merely the spark. What truly captivated her was the sense of security and reliability he gave her. "You remember what I said, right?" he asked. Snapped out of her thoughts, Utaha blushed. "Yeah. I'll watch my diet." Seeing her slightly flustered, Haru spoke in a softer tone. "It's not just about food. This kind of situation is best treated with angelica root decoction. And make sure to get plenty of rest—traditional medicine is way more effective than just coming to the infirmary." Utaha didn't question how he knew that. She simply locked eyes with him, her gaze unwavering. "Alright. I'll keep that in mind." Haru gestured toward the bench outside the infirmary. "Sit down for a bit." He figured Yukino would arrive soon. But Utaha didn't sit. With her hands clasped behind her back, her graceful figure and long, striking legs stood bathed in sunlight. A playful flush colored her cheeks as she flashed a dazzling smile. "Let me treat you to a meal." "Sure. But not today. A lot of people saw us earlier. I'm guessing rumors are flying around like crazy right now, so Yukino will definitely show up soon. And knowing her, she'll bring food." Haru felt the need to explain. Utaha paused for a moment before smirking. "I never said it had to be today. You carried me all the way here. That deserves a proper meal outside school." Haru played along. "You planning on treating me to a feast?" "You can order anything you want," she said lightly. "Then I'll keep that in mind. One of these days, I'm gonna get a real expensive meal out of you." "Looking forward to it." She felt more at ease now. Being an outstanding woman meant keeping a clear head. She knew this wasn't about simply closing the distance. It was about timing. Who says only Yukinoshita can be the master of the long game? That thought made her smile as she watched Yukino and Yui approaching with food in hand. As the two equally exceptional girls locked eyes, Yukino's internal radar blared. "What's wrong?" Yuigahama asked, noticing her hesitation. Yukino simply shook her head. Senpai has leveled up. Outstanding individuals could read each other's intentions in a single glance. No words were necessary.