Utaha was sure of one thing—she wasn't sweating.
Not really.
At most, she just felt a bit... pressured.
Earlier, she had joked about sketching out the pose Haruno and Haru ended up in, but to be precise—it hadn't been a joke.
It was a test.
She had long heard stories about Haruno from both Yukino and Haru. But seeing is believing, and being the prideful girl she was, Utaha had to confirm things for herself.
Haru would call this kind of person a "steel-headed child"—the kind that only learns after running into walls.
But Utaha hadn't expected this.
She had barely made her first probing move, when Haruno struck back with no regard for any "rules of engagement"—closing the distance and going straight for the kill.
Telling their mother? Haruno and Yukino's?
And Haru's parents?
Now that was a terrifying threat. So much so that Utaha hadn't even had time to make an excuse or denial. All she could do was raise the white flag and silently beg for mercy.
Judging from Haruno's smooth and devastating combo earlier, Utaha was sure she'd been prepared all along—just waiting for the right moment to unleash it.
She slumped beside Yukino and muttered, "Has your sister always been like this?"
Yukino calmly held her sketching pencil, completely unfazed. "If you mean her tendency to wait patiently before counterattacking at the perfect time, then yes. She's always been that way."
Utaha grit her teeth. "Not even a chance of winning?"
"You don't have one. I don't, either."
"What if we teamed up?"
Yukino actually turned to look at her in surprise.
And when she saw the burning determination in Utaha's eyes—equal parts stubbornness and competitive fire—she couldn't help but smile. "Senpai, you might want to reevaluate your mindset."
"…Sorry."
Utaha murmured, then took three deep breaths.
Yeah, that was a dumb thing to say.
Me, team up with Yukinoshita? What kind of delusional dream was that?
Yukino looked away and said flatly, "If you plan to keep dealing with my sister, you should start preparing yourself now."
"For… a mental beatdown?"
"Roughly."
That was the end of that conversation.
Yukino seemed to get absorbed in her sketching again.
Utaha picked up the water bottle and took a small sip, her eyes drifting absentmindedly to Yukino's drawing board.
Meanwhile…
Haru had followed Haruno back to her car. Watching her rummage through the trunk, he couldn't help but ask, "You're not actually planning to mess with Utaha-senpai, are you? That's a bit much."
Haruno didn't look up. Her voice came with a faint lilt of amusement. "What's this? You're already jumping to her defense?"
"It's not really defending… just being considerate."
"Oh? Is that so?"
She laughed softly but didn't push the topic.
Haru waited patiently.
Sure enough, she eventually spoke again, "That wasn't even me being serious, you know."
"I know. That's why I'm asking you to go easy on her," Haru said, half-resigned.
"Here, take these."
She handed him two bags.
"What's this?" Haru asked, taking them.
"Chocolates and some nice cookies. A friend of mine brought them back from overseas."
Haru peeked inside and recognized the brand—Hershey's. An American classic.
Clunk.
The trunk slammed shut. Haruno now held a finely crafted fabric bag in her hand.
Just as Haru was about to ask if she needed anything else, she turned back and winked playfully. "My car windows are tinted and specially treated… but still, I think it's better to be cautious."
"…What do you mean?"
Haru was confused, glancing between her and the bag.
A soft blush bloomed across Haruno's face. "You still don't get it?"
Then it hit him.
He glanced at the dark-tinted car windows again.
"…You're changing clothes?"
Her blush deepened. "What else? Your face was so close earlier… I could even feel your breath down there…"
"Okay, okay! Enough! You'll get me flagged!"
Haru quickly interrupted, thoroughly flustered.
Yeah… he finally got it.
This was fallout from that moment earlier—when she accidentally sat on his face.
Though, technically, he hadn't intentionally looked up her skirt—it was an accident.
Haruno grinned mischievously, her cheeks still rosy. "So, make sure to keep watch. If someone sees, I'll blame you. And then you'll have to take responsibility."
She was clearly embarrassed.
And yet, she still had the guts to tease him.
Haru sighed and turned away, leaning against the side of the car. "Got it."
He heard the door shut behind him.
His mind wandered again.
She'd told him earlier that she was wearing black today—but that had clearly been a lie.
After that little incident, he had gotten a very clear look—it was actually rose red.
Not long after, Haruno stepped out of the car again.
Haru, resisting every instinct, kept his eyes respectfully up. "Let's go."
But Haruno suddenly tossed something at him. "Catch!"
Haru's reflexes kicked in instantly. He caught it—and immediately felt a strange dampness in his palm.
He looked down.
…Rose red.
Yup. Exactly what he thought it was.
His eyes widened. "What the hell?!"
Haruno giggled, her face still flushed. "You were so well-behaved under my skirt earlier. This is your reward."
"What kind of reward is this?!" Haru exclaimed, exasperated.
"Aww, I get it. You're waiting for me to call you onii-chan, right? But you'll have to sweep me off my feet first~"
"Can you please just take this back?"
"It's yours now~"
"I —!"
Haru followed behind her with a grim look on his face, the rose-red panties now temporarily stuffed into his pants pocket.
His brain felt like it was running on lag—he truly hadn't expected Haruno to pull something like that.
Up ahead, Haruno didn't look back once. Her steps were light, but her hand reached up to touch her flushed cheeks.
When I told you, 'You could never be my bridesman,' it seems you still didn't get the message, huh.
That's what she thought to herself, smiling faintly.
When they rejoined the others, Haruno had already slipped seamlessly back into her usual persona—the gentle, mature, graceful older sister. She handed out cookies to Yukino and the others with a warm smile, even calling Haru over to join them.
Faced with her impeccable composure, he could only throw up his hands internally. What can I say?
Yukino, meanwhile, was immersed in her sketching. Her focus was so intense that even casual conversations nearby couldn't distract her. Once she entered the zone, she was all-in.
"You're probably about to go on winter break, right? Any plans?" Haruno asked, leaning toward her sister.
Without even glancing up, Yukino replied, "Haru is planning a hot spring trip."
"Hot spring?" Utaha's eyes sparkled.
Haru blinked. She just said that in front of them? Yukino usually kept things like this to herself.
Now both Haruno and Utaha were looking at him. Feeling their eyes on him, he nodded. "Yeah, I've been thinking about it."
"Sounds nice. I barely get any time off in December," Haruno said with a stretch. "I'll just have to enjoy watching you guys have fun. Though I am planning a trip to Nara to see the deer for New Year's."
"What's so great about deer?" Yukino asked plainly.
"Call it a little emotional detox."
Haru was reminded of a certain surreal anime that involved deer, but none of the girls here had probably seen it, so he let it slide.
They stayed at the park until noon. For lunch, Haruno treated everyone. The restaurant she chose had a great chef—though, of course, it still couldn't compare to Haru's [Drugging] cooking—but it was delicious enough.
In the afternoon, Haruno drove the trio home before heading off on her own.
"I have to report back home, but I'll swing by again tonight," Utaha said reluctantly. Clearly, she wasn't thrilled about going home.
Yukino responded dryly, "As long as Senpai behaves herself tonight, I'd be happy to see you again at Haru's place."
Utaha's face turned red—but surprisingly, she didn't fire back.
Yukino found that unusual, but Utaha had already left.
Haru, however, understood perfectly.
After all, Utaha had crawled into his bed early that morning… and technically, that happened in Yukino's presence.
Once inside, Haru went straight to the bathroom.
He hesitated for a moment, then decided—he'd quietly wash the rose-red undergarment later tonight when no one was around.
Just then, his phone buzzed. A message from Haruno.
Haruno:Are you thinking about what to do with my little gift?
Haru rolled his eyes and typed back:
Haru:Could you please turn off the psychic surveillance mode? Thanks.
Haruno:Teehee~ Don't forget to take good care of my panties, okay? It's my first time giving something like that to anyone.
Haru:Honestly, I'm having a hard time feeling happy about your so-called "first time."
Haruno:Well, why don't you try using them? I'm sure that'd make you happy.
There was a long pause.
Then Haru sent back a sticker: a panda flipping the middle finger.
On the other end, Haruno burst into laughter, doubled over with laughter.