Yuigahama Yui felt that she was very unlucky today..
It was a rare weekend, and she had planned to relax, but her mom had sent her out to run errands.
This wouldn't have been a big deal, but the nearest convenience store was closed for some reason, so she had to go to one further away.
On her way back, she passed the popular dessert shop "Snow Castle" and remembered the "Mango Pomelo Sago" special she'd been wanting to try.
But after queuing for what felt like forever, she was told it was sold out.
With a sigh, the girl sporting a cute bun hairstyle took her frustrations out by heading to the dessert shop next door and sitting down.
"I'm already here, so I might as well get something to take home."
That was her reasoning, at least.
A girl's mind is always changeable and hard to guess.
Just like now—she had barely ordered a drink and a slice of cake before noticing a familiar figure sitting at a table ahead.
Amamiya-kun? He's not eating anything. Is he waiting for someone?
Her pretty eyes sparkled with curiosity.
From her seat, she had a clear view of the boy's sharp profile.
Thanks to his striking looks and gentle attitude, he had drawn the attention of every girl in class from the very first day of school.
But by the second week, a rumor had spread: Haru had been bullied by upperclassmen. The twist? He took down all three of them single-handedly, sending them straight to the nurse's office.
The story spread quickly but died down just as fast for reasons Yui didn't know.
The rumor was that Haru's parents had intervened and used their influence to settle things with the school.
She genuinely wanted to get to know him.
After all, what teenage girl wouldn't be drawn to a good-looking boy?
But unfortunately for her, Haru only ever seemed close to one girl: Yukinoshita Yukino.
I heard even Kasumigaoka-senpai has approached him?
After deliberating for a moment, Yui decided to go for it.
They were classmates, after all. Even if they'd only exchanged casual greetings before, that was still something, right?
With newfound determination, Yui stood and walked toward him.
As she got closer, she noticed he was scribbling something in a notebook.
Glancing quickly, she caught a glimpse of the page:
Scene 1: A girl caught in a street explosion. She and other bystanders are thrown to the ground by the blast. Her expression isn't one of shock but of despair and numbness.
Close-up: Focus on the girl's hopeless face as the camera zooms in.
Below that was a rough sketch of a short-haired girl sitting on the ground, her face blank and lifeless.
Yui blinked in confusion.
What is this? A novel and illustration?
No, novels don't look …
Still, it gave her an excuse to strike up a conversation.
Nice one, Yui! She praised her quick thinking as she approached, making sure she was in Haru's line of sight.
But just as she was about to speak, a pleasant voice called out:
"You're early. I thought arriving fifteen minutes ahead of schedule would be enough."
Yui froze on the spot.
Before her stood a breathtakingly beautiful girl with black hair.
She was slender and graceful, with long, perfectly-shaped legs accentuated by black thigh-high stockings.
This name popped up in Yuigahama's mind.
The girl had spoken to Haru, but now her gaze shifted toward Yui.
The cheerful, outgoing Yui felt herself stiffen as she awkwardly turned away and trudged toward the counter, her head spinning.
I wasn't trying to talk to him. I was just here to buy something, that's all.
She tried desperately to convince herself, cheeks burning with embarrassment.
Having intended to chat up a boy, only to be caught by his best friend.
Her mind screamed as she reached the counter.
She plastered on a smile as the staff greeted her warmly. "I-I'm just looking for now."
Sneaking a glance over her shoulder, she froze again when she saw both Haru and Yukino looking her way.
It's over. This is totally embarrassing!
Yui's face turned as red as a tomato, her inner turmoil bubbling like Mentos dropped in soda.
Meanwhile, Yukino turned back to Haru with a calm expression. "She's your classmate, isn't she?"
Haru nodded, setting down his pen. "Her name is Yuigahama Yui."
Yukino took a seat across from him, a faint smile gracing her lips. "If I'm not mistaken, she was trying to talk to you just now."
The smile didn't leave Yukino's face. "Then I suppose my timing wasn't ideal?"
Haru ignored her jab, sliding his notebook toward her. "Take a look at this."
Yukino's delicate fingers picked it up, her gaze scanning the page. "This is the idea you mentioned yesterday?"
"Yeah, a modern drama with a touch of fantasy."
"So, you still haven't given up on becoming a director?"
"It's my dream, after all."
Yukino chuckled softly, her competitive spirit ignited.
Having grown up together, she knew him better than anyone else.
She also knew his ultimate goal: to become a director, and then use his connections to contact the head of Tsuburaya Productions to see if he could buy the copyright to make an Ultraman movie.
"Tokusatsu is my true passion," he had told her once.{T/N: Tokusatsu:is a Japanese term for live-action films or television programs that make heavy use of practical special effects.}
Since then, Yukino had started to learn about filmmaking herself—not just out of curiosity, but because she wanted to support him.
For years, she had stood by his side, determined to keep it that way.
Later, the Amemiya family business started doing better,his strict mother also noticed it.
Under their mother's arrangement, the two of them have never been separated from elementary school to the current Sobu High School.
And if anyone thinks they can flirt with him, they'd better be ready to face me.
Yukino's eyes glimmered with resolve as she watched Yui pass by.
Yuigahama, who was still trying to ease her inner embarrassment, paused and turned around stiffly: "Is there something wrong, Yukinoshita-san?"
Yukino's face remained clam "You were trying to get to know Haru, weren't you?"
Yui froze, clutching her newly-bought drink, unsure how to respond.
She had been completely caught off guard by Yukino's bluntness.
"I thought you'd already gotten to know each other as classmates," Yukino said calmly.
It's over! They really have a close relationship. She even called him "Haru"!
Yui forced an awkward laugh. "N-No, I just greeted Amamiya-san a few times before."
Yukino's piercing gaze didn't waver. Yui could only shift uncomfortably, feeling as if she were standing trial.
Yukino nodded slightly, the answer already forming in her mind.
This girl wasn't much of a threat.
Beside her, Haru rested his chin on his hand, instinctively taking the position of a spectator.
Giving up on friendly interactions on the very first day, huh?
Still, Yukino in her battle mode…
Which was Quite cute.