Chapter 65 - 65: Yukino: I Have Black Stockings

When Amamiya Haru returned home to change, his phone rang. "You free right now?" "I am. Could it be that you're inviting me on a long-awaited date tonight?" Haru teased out of habit, but to his surprise, a different voice chuckled on the other end. "A long-awaited date? So this is how you two talk in private, huh?" …Yukino's sister, Haruno?! Just as Haru was processing his shock, Yukino's exasperated voice followed. "Come over to my place." He agreed, and just before the call ended, Haruno's playful voice chimed in again. "Wait, don't hang up! Let me talk to him for a bit—" Haru hung up, wondering why Yukino was calling him over so late. He took a shower in the meantime. After all, he'd been out for a long time and even got into a scuffle—his jacket was a mess. Since their apartments weren't far apart, he didn't bother calling a driver and walked over instead. Yukino opened the door. She handed him a pair of slippers, then wrinkled her nose slightly. Catching the faint scent of shampoo, she asked, "You just took a shower?" "No, I only showered after your call." As they walked inside, Yukino lowered her voice slightly. "My mother talked to me about you today." Haru's expression turned serious. "I had a feeling. Looks like our secret dates got found out." Yukino shot him a glare but couldn't suppress a small smile. She knew he was just trying to lighten the mood. And yet, she still couldn't help but glare at him. Just like before—whenever he made an unreasonable request, she would glare at him, sigh, and think, Honestly, what am I going to do with you? Then, she knelt down, casually tucking her long hair behind her ear. "My mother said that lately, a certain Inspector Yūto has been contacting our family frequently. Even your parents—he reached out to them, too." Haru immediately understood. "So this inspector is after me?" Yukino's gaze was a little complicated. "Yes. Because you've done some… big things." Her voice suddenly paused. Then, her tone shifted. "I didn't expect you to have such a strong sense of justice… It's not something I ever considered before." Hearing that, Haru pieced everything together. That inspector must've leaked some details to the Yukinoshita family, and their mother, in turn, sent Yukino to probe for information. Haru glanced toward the living room. "Haruno's here because of this too?" Yukino's expression remained blank. "She's here to enjoy the show." "If she's here to laugh at me, then why do you look so serious?" "Because I'm your girlfriend." She stated it calmly. Haru's spirits soared immediately. "Alright, let's go deal with her together. You and me, side by side—no way we lose this fight!" Yukino gave him an amused, skeptical look. "Side by side?" "Ahem—husband and wife!" Haru corrected himself. Yukino's cheeks flushed. She rolled her eyes at him but still took his hand and led him to the living room. A familiar figure was already lounging on the couch, waiting. Like Yukino, Haruno was dressed in full-length pajamas—her body completely covered except for the exposed skin around her slender neck. "Yo, it's the Hooded Hero himself!" Haruno smirked as she greeted him, then chuckled as if she couldn't contain her amusement. Haru and Yukino sat across from her. Haruno's teasing eyes gleamed with interest. "Come on, tell me about your crime-fighting adventures. We've known each other since we were kids, and I never would've guessed you had a hero complex." "Haruno, we agreed that I would be the one asking the questions," Yukino reminded her. Haruno nodded with an innocent smile. "I know, I know! But I'm curious too! I'll ask for you, and you can just sit back and listen." "I refuse." Yukino shot her down mercilessly. Haruno immediately sensed something was off. She narrowed her eyes, scanning the two of them carefully—until suddenly, she laughed. "You two…" "She's my girlfriend now." Haru cut to the chase, smiling. Yukino's face tinged red, but she sat beside him naturally. "I knew it!" Haruno wore an I saw this coming expression. She gave her sister a meaningful look. "So, don't you think you owe me a thank-you?" She was referring to the little reminder she had given Yukino that day. Yukino, ever serious, nodded. "Thank you." Haruno, caught off guard by her sister's straightforwardness, suddenly found it less amusing. Losing interest in that, she turned her attention back to Haru. "So, tell me—what made you decide to go out at night and fight crime?" "You think being bored with nothing to do counts as a reason?" Haru quipped. "What do you think?" Both sisters were staring at him. "Alright, I admit I'm guilty. I shouldn't have done this behind your back." Haru confessed to Yukino. Haruno, standing off to the side, fanned the flames with a smirk. "And why am I not included in this confession? Could it be that you're planning to keep sneaking around fighting criminals? And if something goes wrong, you'll come to me for help covering it up?" Haru countered, "If I really asked you for help, would you agree?" "Of course! Not only would I keep your secret, but I'd also help clean up any trouble afterward." Her grin was dazzling. Haru didn't believe a single word. "If you hesitated even a little before answering, I might have actually believed you." Haruno chuckled and shook her head. "You and Yukino have really lost your charm." She muttered something about things getting boring and left for the guest room. With a soft thud, the door closed. Haru understood that she was giving him and Yukino some space. Just as he turned to say something, Yukino spoke first. "Are you really sure this won't cause trouble?" His heart warmed at that. The sisters weren't mad that he hadn't told them—what they truly cared about was whether he'd be in danger. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." "Then that's fine." Yukino finally relaxed, leaning into the couch in a more comfortable position. In a soft voice, she said, "Tell me everything." Haru didn't hold back. From the very first night he patrolled the streets to every fight he'd been in, he laid it all out. Yukino frowned, her expression turning serious. "Who exactly is this Koga guy?" "Don't overthink it. My lawyer already dug up his background, and this time, I'll make sure he's kept busy." Haru smirked. Only then did Yukino's brows relax. "What do you plan to do?" "He mentioned earlier that he was taken in for questioning before, which means he must've pulled some strings to get out. But tonight, he got out of the station and immediately gathered people to attack a minor with weapons. Just that alone is enough to keep him locked up for a while." Now that they were discussing serious matters, Haru didn't slack off. Yukino nodded in agreement. A group of over ten men armed with weapons ganging up on a high schooler—and still losing. Not only was it illegal, but it was also downright embarrassing. After that, they shifted to other topics, leaving "The Hooded Vigilante" behind. Though this was her first relationship, Yukino was clear-headed. She wasn't the type to throw a fit or blame him for acting on his own. Once she confirmed that he wasn't in danger and was strong enough to handle himself, she simply moved on. It wasn't until she happened to glance at her club's group chat, where Yui and the others were discussing "The Hooded Vigilante," that she turned to her boyfriend. "Was it because of those bullies from your childhood that you chose to fight criminals in secret?" Haru was caught off guard—he hadn't expected her to jump to that conclusion. He shook his head. "You're thinking too highly of me." "Am I?" Yukino smiled gently. Back then, he hadn't just dealt with the ones who bullied him. In their final year before graduation, he even helped other students who were being harassed—students he wasn't even close to. She remembered asking him once if he was scared when he fought. He simply replied, "Since I saw it happening, I figured I'd lend a hand." Yukino had never forgotten those words. "By the way, does your mom know about us yet?" Haru suddenly asked. Yukino smirked. "Why? Do you want to show off?" "Show off? Why would I do that?" "Because such a cute girl is now yours." "...Fair point. I should definitely brag about it." "...…" After teasing each other for a while, Haru finally said seriously, "I was thinking... we should find a time to gather both our parents and tell them during a family dinner." Yukino's cheeks flushed, a sweet warmth filling her heart. "Okay." Right now, she was at her softest, most vulnerable moment. Haru saw that too and, with a shameless grin, asked in a low voice, "How about I stay over tonight?" Yukino's face turned even redder. Her eyes, shimmering like autumn waters, held a certain allure. "Okay." She gave her second affirmative answer that night. A while later, Yukino brought him a fresh towel and toothbrush. Haru went to wash up. Left alone, Yukino stepped out onto the balcony and called her mother. "It's late. You must have something important to call me at this hour," her mother said. "Yes." Yukino took a deep breath, her gaze turning icy. She first explained the situation with Koga, then gritted her teeth and said, "I'd like to ask you to dig up his dirt and hand it over to the police." "What did he do to make you this angry?" "Haru almost got hurt." Gone was the gentle Yukino from just moments ago in the living room. Right now, there was only fury in her heart. Haru had made it sound lighthearted, but she didn't believe him. She knew his combat ability was strong, but the problem was—it was over ten armed men. To her, Haru had only downplayed the danger to keep her from worrying. "I understand," her mother replied calmly. "Then, I'll leave it to you," Yukino said. She was about to hang up when her mother suddenly asked, "You rarely ask me for favors. You're doing this for him. But is there anything you want for yourself?" Yukino froze. It was the first time she'd heard her usually strict mother ask something like that. Just as she was about to answer, she sensed someone watching her. Turning around, she saw Haru leaning against the balcony door. Meeting her gaze, he silently gestured for her to finish her call. In that moment, Yukino felt a surge of confidence. She spoke into the phone, "I have everything I need right now." Hearing her tone, Haru already guessed who she was speaking to. Once she put down her phone, he asked, "Was that your mom?" "Mm." "You should've handed me the phone—I could've told her something." "And what would you say?" "Obviously: 'Your daughter is mine now. If you have any complaints, take it up with me.'" Yukino's eyes sparkled with laughter. He was trying to act playful, but she knew he truly meant it. Her heart melted. She grabbed his wrist. "Come inside." Haru raised an eyebrow. "What are you planning?" Under the night sky, her deep blue eyes shimmered with something almost intoxicating. "I'll grant you one wish," she murmured, cheeks glowing. Haru had never been one to hesitate. "Your legs would look amazing in black stockings." Yukino's face turned scarlet. She shot him a glare—but, for once, she didn't scold him. Because she had bought black stockings. And even the catgirl outfit he secretly liked… she had bought that too. Looking at her reaction, Haru knew—tonight, he was about to take off. Late that night. Haruno sleepily came out to get a glass of water. Seeing the dark, empty living room, she thought, Yukino sure went to bed early tonight. But just as she took a sip, she suddenly realized something. She hurried to the door. Sure enough, Haru's shoes were still on the rack. He hadn't gone home. Haruno glanced over her shoulder. There was only one guest room—and she was occupying it. That left only one other place he could be. An amused smirk crept onto her lips. If I knock on their door right now, would they freak out? Of course, that was just a passing thought. Still… "I'm really curious what they're up to," she muttered, returning to her room. For the first time in her life—she regretted being so smart. If she were just a little dumber… she could knock on the door, pretend to be clueless, and ask: "What are you two doing?"