Chapter 61 - 61: A Bold Move

"It all lines up—every single detail!" The Kasumigaoka couple was now completely convinced by Haru's words. They had no choice—his explanation, though a mix of truth and fabrication, had been delivered so naturally, and their daughter had even backed it up with her own testimony. Everything made sense now. The couple once again apologized to Haru. Only now did they realize that their daughter wasn't in a relationship, let alone having issues with one. It had all been a complete misunderstanding on their part! And Haru's theory about competitive spirit and determination? It seemed entirely reasonable to them. After all, they knew just how exceptional their daughter was. And exceptional people often possessed a strong competitive drive. "Such a shame it's already so late. Otherwise, we'd insist on inviting you in for dinner," Utaha's father said sincerely. "It was just a small misunderstanding. Now that it's cleared up, there's no need to dwell on it," Haru replied with a smile. That answer earned him even more favor from the couple. Utaha's mother turned to her daughter. "It's getting late. Let's not keep Amamiya-kun any longer. Come inside." "You go ahead. I'd like to talk to him for a moment," Utaha shook her head. The couple didn't object, giving Haru a nod before heading inside. As soon as the door closed behind them, Utaha dropped the act, her gaze soft and shimmering. "Thank you. You were incredibly calm just now." "I had to be. Your dad looked like he was ready to punch me," Haru shrugged. Utaha giggled, pressing her lips together. "He wouldn't actually do that…" After a pause, her eyes sparkled. "But you really were amazing. I was completely stuck, and you still managed to smooth things over." Haru gave her a knowing look, but said nothing. Utaha's cheeks reddened slightly, a rare hint of embarrassment flashing across her face. "I did mess up today. I didn't expect them to react that strongly," she admitted. "You're their daughter. It'd be strange if they didn't react," Haru pointed out. Utaha felt even more awkward. After a moment of hesitation, she looked at him, a little anxious yet hopeful. "You… stayed here just to help me?" "What else? You think I was just leaning against the car, looking cool under the streetlights?" "That does sound like something you'd do." "Hey, that's slander! You know that's illegal, right?" Seeing him pretend to be offended, Utaha's eyes filled with laughter. But the more she smiled, the heavier her heart felt. She thought of his girlfriend. And suddenly, she felt suffocated. Haru mistook her silence for lingering worry about her parents and reassured her. "When I saw you get out of the car looking so troubled, I figured you'd have a rough time at home." Utaha thought back to how he had effortlessly handled everything. A soft smile spread across her lips. "So you waited here until you were sure I was okay?" Haru nodded. She averted her gaze, her voice quieter. "You… know me really well." "Not really. I just tend to think things through," he corrected. "Yeah…" She repeated the word, her lips barely moving. Then she murmured, "If it were someone else in the club, you'd do the same thing for them, wouldn't you?" Haru noticed the shift in mood and tried to lighten things up. "That's what it means to be a responsible and dignified club president!" But Utaha didn't take the bait. She lowered her head and stayed silent. Haru's heart sank. So, she hadn't moved on after all. Under the streetlights, she stood quietly, lost in thought. The warm glow illuminated her elegant figure—her long, slender legs wrapped in dark stockings, the curves of her body subtly outlined by the light. A faint blush colored her cheeks, and her soft lips parted slightly as she breathed. Her eyes, filled with unspoken emotions, shimmered like water, more radiant than the rain from the other night. Haru knew he had to break the tension before things went too far. He quickly found a topic. "I never expected you to start learning Chinese. With everything else on your plate, you'll need to manage your time carefully." Utaha looked up at him, her gaze deep and warm. "Go on." Her eyes were too intense. Haru turned away, pretending to glance at a passing pedestrian. "With your talent and intelligence, you can balance writing, club activities, school, and now Chinese, but only if you manage your time well," he explained. "You need to figure out your priorities. Finish what's most important first, then move on to other things. Take it one step at a time. Rushing won't get you anywhere—you saw what happened last time." His voice was steady, reassuring. Utaha listened quietly. She didn't interrupt. Just… listened. When he finally turned back, he pointed at her. "If you end up overworking yourself again, I'll have no choice but to visit you in the hospital." "I'm not that reckless," she countered. "That's true. You're the top student in your grade. Even I couldn't pull that off." Haru teased. But Utaha didn't smile. Instead, she looked straight at him. "In a lot of ways, you're amazing too, aren't you?" Haru kept a straight face. "Damn, I thought I hid it well. Looks like I'll have to put up another layer of security." "What kind of security?" "I haven't figured it out yet. I'll let you know when I do." "Alright." Their conversation paused again. Silence settled between them. Haru wasn't a fan of awkward silences. He took a step back. "Well, I should probably get going—" "Amamiya-kun" she called out at the same time. Their eyes met. Then she smiled. Her eyes dimmed, laced with a trace of bitterness. For the first time, she didn't bother to hide her emotions in front of Haru. "Go ahead," he said, deliberately keeping his tone light to dispel the atmosphere. "I like you." Without warning, she said it. Haru was silent for a second before he chuckled. "Being liked by the most popular girl in school—what an honor." Utaha stared at him without wavering. Haru sighed. "Alright, no more jokes." "Mm." Only then did she respond. Leaning back against the car, Haru spoke slowly. "Having feelings for someone during high school is completely normal. We're still young—our world is small, and our experiences are limited. A girl as exceptional as you…" He smiled slightly. "You'll accomplish great things in the future. And when you step into a bigger world, you'll realize you're surrounded by people just as outstanding. Maybe one day, when you look back at your high school crush, you'll just see it as a fond memory—something from your youth." Utaha nodded. "That makes sense." Haru turned and walked away. She stood there, watching his car fade into the distance, but she didn't rush to go inside. Instead, she glanced at the bustling streets in the distance. For the first time, she realized just how vast this city was—so big that it could make dreamers lose their way. She had lost her way once too. But not anymore. The proud Kasumigaoka Utaha had no intention of giving up. She had to work harder—much harder. Until she surpassed Yukinoshita Yukino. Only then would she have the confidence to stand beside him. All the frustration and disappointment faded away in that moment. What replaced them was a burning fire inside her. Determination. Courage. Some people, no matter how many times they fall, always find the strength to stand up again. Tonight, she had seen firsthand how he handled her parents, how he navigated the situation with a level of maturity beyond his years, resolving everything with ease. All her admiration would now fuel her drive forward. Over the next two days, the Photography Club was struck by a strong sense of déjà vu. Utaha was serious again. But this time, something was different. She had learned to manage her time and energy properly, always carrying herself with a radiant confidence. She no longer pushed herself to exhaustion. Friday afternoon. Haru and Yukino sat side by side in a dessert shop. Across from them sat Megumi Kato and Yui. Utaha had gone straight home after school. Just yesterday, after classes, Yukino had led another club activity—another photography session. Everyone had performed exceptionally well. While Yukino was pleased, she was also a little curious. Utaha's performance had far exceeded her expectations. She suspected Haru must have spoken to her about something. She planned to ask him about it tonight. But for now, there was something more pressing. "The club's budget—do any of you have suggestions?" Yukino's gaze swept over the three of them seriously. "Are we running out of funds?" Yui looked surprised. From the very first day she joined the club, she had noticed how well-equipped it was—professional-grade gear, everything in abundance. She had assumed money was never an issue. "Yes," Yukino confirmed. "Even for a simple experimental short film, the costs add up quickly." Yui instinctively asked, "Can we apply for funding from the school?" "Impossible. Unless our club wins a competition, the school won't give us additional funding." "I see..." Yui had no solution to offer. Megumi Kato sat quietly, playing on her phone. The reason she hadn't spoken was simple—Yukino hadn't asked Haru yet. In her view, if Yukino had gathered everyone today, she probably already had some ideas in mind. She just wanted to hear other suggestions first to see if a better one came up. "Haru" As expected, Yukino's gaze landed on her boyfriend. Haru made a suggestion. "What about getting a sponsor?" Yukino blinked. "We're only filming an experimental short. Who would be willing to sponsor us?" "For example, Snow city Shops." "..." Yukino shot him an exasperated look. So you're suggesting sponsoring yourself, huh? "I think it's a solid idea. Our script isn't bad, and if we upload the final product online, it could generate some income—like licensing rights." "That's just speculation. Even if someone is willing to buy it, the amount would probably be negligible." Yukino rejected the idea. Even though she knew it wasn't a bad one. After all, using a self-produced film to advertise his family's business was reasonable. But this was her project—her production. If she let her boyfriend leverage his connections for sponsorship, it would change the whole dynamic. More than anything, Yukino Yukinoshita was a proud person. "I actually think Amamiya-kun's idea is pretty good. Why don't you support it?" Yui asked curiously. Yukino calmly explained, "Snow city is his family's business." "Eh?" Yui was stunned. Even Megumi Kato looked up, surprise flickering in her eyes. That brand's chain stores were incredibly successful. She had shopped there multiple times herself. So the big boss was right beside me this whole time? Haru didn't bother elaborating. He simply waved his hand dismissively. "Let's drop this topic for now. Since Yukino doesn't approve of my suggestion, that leaves us with one last option." Yukino's lips curved slightly. "Go on. Maybe we're thinking the same thing." Haru blinked, then chuckled. "So that's what you were waiting for." Yukino's smile remained. She enjoyed this kind of silent understanding between them. It was... gratifying. Across the table, Yui was utterly confused. Megumi Kato, however, had a hunch. She recalled how Haru had taken on ten opponents at once in the karate club. Her guess was confirmed when he spoke next. "I made a name for myself under Oyama-senpai, right? The karate club is thriving now, and this year, we might actually win a major competition." Yukino smoothly continued his train of thought. "The principal has probably had his eye on you for a while. The only reason he hasn't approached you yet is likely because you're already too high-profile. He's worried that if he showers you with too much praise and encouragement, it might affect your mindset." Haru glanced at her. "You even figured that out?" Yukino smiled. "Hiratsuka-sensei told me earlier. The principal is planning to meet with you next week." Oh great, you've got an informant now too. Haru made up his mind. "Then next week, I'll go as the club president and request funding directly from the principal." "I'll go with you." Of course, Yukino intended to do her part. With that settled, Yukino turned to Megumi Kato, who had remained silent the whole time. "Kato, any issues with the script?" "None that I can see." Megumi finally looked up, her delicate features calm as always. She had already read the full script. The difficulty level was low—even a high schooler like her could handle the roles. Of course, she also knew that Yukino and Haru had probably adjusted the characters to match the club members' strengths. As they finished their food and got ready to leave, Megumi suddenly reached into her bag and pulled out a neatly wrapped box of small cakes. "My family made these. I told them how well everyone in the club has treated me, so they wanted to send this as a thank-you gift." The three of them expressed their thanks and accepted them. On the way back, Haru kept sneaking glances at Yukino. She noticed immediately. "If you have something to ask, just ask." "The budget issue was just an excuse, wasn't it?" Haru had suspected it all along. "You figured it out after all." There was admiration in Yukino's gaze. "So what was the real reason for gathering everyone today?" "They've all been too busy lately. As club president, you didn't think to give them a break—so as vice president, I had to take care of it." "As expected of you. So considerate." "Thank you for the compliment." Yukino turned to face him with a bright, confident smile. "Kasumigaoka-senpai's change—does it have something to do with you?" "Yeah... she's fired up again." Thinking back to that night, Haru's feelings were complicated. "Having determination is good. But if she channels it the wrong way, she's going to end up getting hurt." There was meaning behind Yukino's words. Confident and formidable—that was Yukino Yukinoshita. As they passed by a supermarket, Haru suddenly spotted a perfectly straight wooden stick lying on the ground. He instinctively bent down to pick it up. "Why is this just lying here?" Yukino glanced at it. "A kid probably brought it along, and their parents made them leave it behind... Wait, what are you doing?" Before she could finish her sentence, she saw her boyfriend gripping the stick tightly. "If no one else wants it, I'll take it. A stick this straight... it's the perfect King's Sword!" Haru marveled. Yukino quickened her pace and decisively left him behind. "Hey, wait for me!" Back at the Amamiya residence, Yukino finally didn't have to deal with her boyfriend's childish antics. After changing shoes, she went to the living room and scooped up the orange cat. "You've gained weight again, haven't you?" This time, Haru didn't bother explaining the so-called "orange cat curse." Instead, he brought over some fruit and tea. "Staying over tonight?" Yukino nodded, happily stroking the cat. After a while, she noticed Haru standing by the window, peering through binoculars. "What are you looking at?" "Just admiring the scenery. Relaxing my eyes," Haru replied without hesitation. In reality, he was grinding his [Auto-Aim] skill. "Who told you binoculars were for relaxing your eyes?" Yukino gave him a look of pure skepticism. "I came up with it myself. Pretty impressive, huh?" "You've successfully dumbfounded me." That night, after their showers, Yukino lay on the couch watching TV, her smooth legs resting in Haru's lap. To avoid getting too relaxed, she had warned him in advance—he could touch, but not play. Haru agreed. He wasn't in a rush. His left hand absentmindedly traced her silky skin while his right hand scrolled through his phone. Yukino noticed his focused expression. "What are you looking at?" "Studying for my driver's license." "So soon?" Yukino froze for a moment. The two of them had always been close, so she was certain—Haru had never brought up anything about getting a driver's license before. "I told you before, didn't I? If I ever lose my job, I'll just become your chauffeur," Haru said with a grin. Yukino sighed. "With your abilities, losing your job is impossible. You're worrying over nothing." "Well, it doesn't hurt to learn something new. I'm sure it'll come in handy one way or another." "That does make sense… But are you sure you don't have some ulterior motive?" "As expected of the sharp-eyed Miss Yukinoshita. You caught on so quickly." "Idiot." She shot him a glare, but as his hand rested gently on her thigh, she could feel his warmth seeping through. Her cheeks tinged with pink. "So, what's your real reason this time?" she asked. "I was just thinking about the future," Haru replied casually. "We're definitely going to get married someday, and we'll have kids too. If I polish my driving skills now, I won't have to worry about you hiring some unprofessional driver to drive our family around." He put his phone down as he spoke. Yukino's heart softened in an instant. She huffed, feigning nonchalance. "That 'as expected of you' line? I'll return it right back at you. You're really planning that far ahead, huh? All because of your natural-born lecherous tendencies?" Marriage, children—she had never seriously considered those things before. Yet, hearing him say it out loud… The lively glow in her autumn-colored eyes seemed to melt under the warm lighting, like the first thaw of fresh snow. It was mesmerizing. "I'll take that as a compliment." Haru remained unfazed. This time, Yukino was caught off guard. "You're not even denying that I called you out on being a pervert?" He chuckled. "We're going to spend the rest of our lives together, right? The sooner we show each other our flaws and strengths, the sooner we'll get used to them." Yukino felt her heart tighten, her nose stinging slightly. She set the orange cat down, leaned closer to Haru, and before he could say a word—she pressed her lips against his, her face flushed red. Haru was caught completely off guard. Her scent surrounded him, drowning out everything else. Aside from her naturally modest figure, every other curve—from the delicate arch of her waist to the graceful lines of her legs—was flawless, leaving no room for complaint. Not to mention her face, now carrying a rare, captivating charm—her usual cool beauty tinged with an intoxicating warmth. Brave Hero Yukinoshita has successfully drained Demon Lord Amamiya's HP bar. Their lips parted. Her heart was pounding, her eyes shimmering like crystal-clear water. She smiled, both shy and pleased. "I like what you just said," she murmured. "I think I like you even more like this," he murmured, wrapping his arms around her slender waist—small, delicate, and without an ounce of excess. Hearing those words, a sudden impulse stirred within Yukino. For example… She could just push him down and have her way with him tonight.