Chapter 45 - 45: Amamiya Haru Colluding with Elementary School Student

Just as Haru had predicted, Yukino arrived with food and water. She didn't ask too many questions about what had happened. Instead, as the club's vice president, she simply reminded Utaha, "Since you're not feeling well, make sure to rest properly. Stop thinking about staying up late to study." Utaha couldn't help but feel a little speechless at that. Was she really that easy to read? How could both Yukino and Haru tell she had been staying up late to study? In reality, she was overthinking it. Aside from Haru and Yukino, no one else had mentioned anything similar to her. The afternoon passed peacefully. Or at least, that was how it seemed on the surface. Utaha had initially wanted to attend the club activities despite being unwell, but Yukino firmly refused. "I appreciate hardworking people, but I can't stand those who stubbornly push themselves too far. If you're really eager to improve, you can use your time at home to practice your acting in front of a mirror." Yukino's emotionless words effectively sent Utaha packing. "You sure have a way with words." Haru chuckled teasingly. Yukino didn't respond. She was actually quite curious about what had happened at noon. She hadn't asked Utaha about it, but that didn't mean she wouldn't ask her childhood friend. Haru scribbled down a single word on paper: "Period." Yukino immediately understood. As a fellow girl, she knew just how miserable that time of the month could be. With that, any lingering doubts in her mind disappeared. Given her personality, it's unlikely she'd fake period pain just to deceive someone. It's probably just a coincidence that they ran into each other at noon. Yukino let go of the matter. But that relief didn't last long. While Haru was out buying water for the club members, Yukino happened to see Hashimoto and the others huddled together with Megumi Kato, whispering about something. She didn't think much of it—until Hashimoto suddenly exclaimed, "Wait, what? Senpai was supposed to have lunch with you?" Megumi Kato nodded honestly. "Yeah, since we're both playing the heroine, we've been keeping in touch a lot lately. Today, she was the one who invited me to lunch." "But… she suddenly changed her mind and didn't go with you. Doesn't that mean she only decided not to go after she saw Amamiya-san?" It was as if the girls had channeled their inner detectives, instantly piecing the puzzle together. Yui had the same thought but kept quiet—because she noticed that Yukino's expression had subtly changed. Megumi Kato remained silent this time. But Yukino didn't need her to confirm anything. Her grip on the book tightened, fingers clenching with increasing force. I almost fell for it! She was furious. If Megumi Kato hadn't accidentally let that slip, she would have truly believed that their meeting at noon had been a coincidence. After all, period pain was a private matter. Most girls wouldn't even discuss it among themselves, let alone with a guy. When Haru returned with the water, he immediately noticed the shift in Yukino's mood. He was about to ask, but Yukino spoke first. "Didn't you promise to teach Kasumigaoka-senpai how to bake a cake? Perfect timing—I can assess your pastry-making skills today." Haru gave her a puzzled look. "Did you take the wrong medicine or something?" Yukino's expression remained indifferent. "Why do you ask?" "I figured there was no way you'd let me tutor her. Besides, when it comes to baking, you're the real expert." "So, in your mind, I'm just a petty person?" "Don't change the subject—I still don't believe you." Yukino closed her book and spoke calmly. "Why not? Baking is part of the school's home economics curriculum. You'll be teaching her the theory here, and she can practice it herself in class." "…Oh, so that's why you agreed. You planned this from the start." Haru understood now. "Unless… you prefer another teaching method? Like a one-on-one private lesson?" Yukino gave him a knowing smirk. Haru wasn't about to walk into that trap. He immediately laughed and said, "I never said that." Only then did Yukino look away. It wasn't until everyone had gone home that she suddenly realized—Haru hadn't gone to the karate club today. When she casually asked him about it, he put on a mysterious expression and said, "Gotta let senpai rest for a day. If we sparred at full intensity every day, he wouldn't survive." Yukino assumed he was joking and didn't bother questioning further. But Haru was telling the truth. With his [Steel Body Lv1], even Senior Oyama couldn't land a hit that would break through his defenses. If they sparred at full power, the impact of Haru's "reflect damage" effect might actually break the guy's arms. And if he kept dominating the matches like that, it would probably crush Oyama's confidence too. I should go out more often to farm some "wild" experience points. Haru made up his mind. On the way home, they stopped by Yukino's place to pick up a box of cookies—originally a gift from her sister, Haruno. Since there were two boxes, she decided to give one to Haru. When they arrived at his apartment, just as he was about to pull out his keys, the door to the neighboring unit swung open. A well-dressed woman stepped out, holding the hand of a little girl. "Mrs. Nagao, you're back from the countryside?" Haru greeted her first. She was his neighbor—nice people. Yukino also recognized them from previous visits to play with the cats. "Haru-oniichan, I brought you a present this time! And since Yukino-oneechan is here too, you can share it together!" The little girl, who still had some baby fat on her cheeks, eagerly let go of her mother's hand and ran back inside. She returned moments later, holding a bag of apples with a proud look on her face. "My uncle grew these! I even helped water them! But my own apple tree hasn't grown big yet." Haru didn't take the apples right away—he first glanced at the woman. She smiled and nodded. "It's a gift for you. Please accept it." After thanking her, Haru turned to the little girl and praised, "That's amazing. So one day, I'll get to eat an apple from your very own tree?" "Of course! My apples will be the tastiest!" "I believe it." Haru then lifted the cookie box. "Your Yukino-oneechan brought cookies. Want to join us?" The little girl instinctively looked up at her mother. "Are you sure we won't be intruding?" the woman hesitated. The girl nodded solemnly. "Yeah! Haru-oniichan, it's rare for you to bring your girlfriend home. I shouldn't disturb you." Haru chuckled. Yukino smiled gently. "It's no trouble. This brand of cookies is delicious—you should try them, Sakura-chan." And so, the little girl was successfully "bribed" with food. The mother and daughter's plan for an outing was postponed. "These cookies are so good!" In the living room, Yukino watched as the little girl happily munched on cookies, her gaze softening. "You didn't even correct her. I guess Sakura's cuteness got to you." Haru teased while reaching for another cookie. "I do like cute things—whether people or animals." Yukino replied calmly, taking a bite. Haru smirked. "So in other words, you think I'm cute?" Yukino nearly choked. Just as she was about to retort, she noticed Sakura watching her intently. "What's wrong, Sakura?" The little girl said seriously, "I'm waiting for you to return the favor." "…Return the favor?" "Yep! Haru-oniichan fed you a cookie, so now it's your turn to feed him!" Yukino : "..." Meanwhile, Haru burst into laughter. Yukino sighed, picked up a cookie, and held it out. But just as Haru bit into it, he also bit down on her fingers. Yukino's cheeks turned crimson. Across from them, Sakura clasped her hands together and sighed, "So romantic…" Yukino thought she might explode. Yukino quickly pulled her hand back, calmly wiped her fingers with a napkin, and asked, "You're only in elementary school, and you already know what romance is?" The little girl puffed up her cheeks in protest. "Of course! A boy in my class even confessed to me, but I turned him down. I'll only start dating when I grow up to be as beautiful as Yukino-nee!" Yukino, who had been slightly embarrassed just moments ago, instantly felt a wave of happiness wash over her. A compliment from a cute child carried far more weight than flattery from her peers or even adults. Her smile brightened. Feeling pleased, she not only let go of the minor incident of haru sucking on her fingers but even fed him two more times. She decided to keep the girl for dinner and put her best cooking skills to the test. Later, from the kitchen, she overheard: "Haru-oniichan, I did well, right? You said that if Yukino-oneechan came over, I should praise her a lot." "You did amazing. Here, your Gojo Satoru figure as promised." "Yay! Thank you, Haru-oniichan!" Yukino stood there, expressionless. …He actually bribed an elementary schooler?!