The car interior was quiet, save for the soft hum of the engine.
Yukima Azuma stretched comfortably in the passenger seat of Yukinoshita Yukino's car, reclining with a sigh of satisfaction. "As expected, nothing beats relaxing like this."
But Yukino, gripping the steering wheel with unusually flushed cheeks, wasn't nearly as composed.
Her mind was still spinning.
Earlier, on the street—after hearing Azuma's gentle words—she had lost control and hugged him. Right in public. Some Toyogasaki students had passed by and seen it. Worse, her sister Haruno's car was still nearby.
Even though she had initiated the hug, she was now so embarrassed she wanted to vanish.
"Let's go home," Azuma said, turning to her with that calm, knowing smile.
Yukino kept her eyes forward. If she looked into his deep gaze right now, she didn't trust herself. She was too… vulnerable. Too affected.
"I have to return to the office. Work isn't done yet," she replied, voice tight with restraint.
"Didn't you finish at five today?"
"It's because you—because Azuma—don't care about the company's growth! We're still in early stages. I have to make use of every moment."
"It's just today. One dinner won't kill progress."
"But—"
"Yukino," Azuma said quietly, "when's the last time you ate dinner at home?"
Those words broke through her final layer of resistance.
Yukino had always avoided Azuma's home. It was too warm. Too comforting. She feared that if she got used to it… she wouldn't be able to bear returning to the cold, suffocating "Yukinoshita" birdcage.
But resisting it hadn't protected her. Not really.
Moments later, the car turned toward Azuma's house.
Inside the doorway, Shiratamaru sat obediently, as if welcoming her home.
Yukino bent down and gently extended a hand. Shiratamaru blinked, tested her scent with a paw, then leapt into her arms. Her cold heart melted.
How long had it been since she held this precious fluffball?
She buried her face in its fur, inhaling deeply, wanting to absorb every ounce of warmth.
Azuma stood nearby, watching with a soft smile.
He still remembered when Shiratamaru first came home—just the size of a palm. Now the cat was long enough to stretch like a noodle. Clever and stubborn, it roamed freely, even knocking its bowl when hungry.
From "Is this your house?" to "This is MY house."
But it had never caused real trouble, so Azuma let it rule.
Dinner was Coca-Cola chicken wings.
Afterward, Yukino dashed upstairs with Shiratamaru in her arms. She had been cat-deprived for too long—and tonight was for binge "cat inhalation."
Azuma chuckled as he flopped onto the sofa.
In the kitchen, Kirisu Mafuyu gathered the dishes. Her long pink hair was tied in a low ponytail as she moved carefully, trying not to mess up.
Azuma peeked over the couch. Someday, she'll make a great wife…
CRASH!
A loud shatter pierced the room.
Mafuyu froze, her face pale. Slowly, she turned toward Azuma.
Then bent down in shame to pick up the shattered plate.
"Sensei, I'll handle it!" Azuma jumped up and rushed over, gently pulling her hand away.
Mafuyu looked like she wanted to crawl into a hole.
Yet again, her lack of domestic skills had betrayed her. Just how many plates had she broken?
Azuma led her to the couch and sat her down, then grabbed a broom.
"It's okay, Sensei. Everyone has their weaknesses."
That only made Mafuyu more embarrassed.
I'm the adult here—why is he the one comforting me!?
Azuma smiled kindly. "Go to your room. I'll take care of the rest."
It felt like a pardon from a judge. Kirisu Mafuyu bolted up the stairs like a criminal granted parole.
"I'll… pay double rent next month…" she muttered to herself, red-faced.
But before she reached her room—
A door opened.
And Yukino pulled her inside.
"Yukino? What's—"
Kirisu Mafuyu was startled, confused.
Her former student stared at her seriously.
"Mafuyu-sensei," Yukino said, twisting the hem of her white shirt, "I… I have someone I like."
Mafuyu blinked, shocked.
Yukino—Yukinoshita Yukino, the girl who once looked at her classmates like they were beneath her—was confessing love?
"Th-That's great!" Mafuyu stammered, trying to recover. "Is it someone from your company?"
Yukino nodded slightly.
"It's… A-Azuma-kun."
Boom. Kirisu Mafuyu's brain stopped.
Her former student was in love… with her current student!?
Sure, Yukino was an adult now. Azuma was still in high school. But still… wasn't the gap too wide?
Then again—love knows no age, right?
But—how was she supposed to process this!?
Mafuyu's mind was spinning. She, who had never even had a boyfriend, was now supposed to give relationship advice!?
"Uhh… w-well…" she fumbled. "You two look… compatible. So, um, you just need to work on communication."
"Try talking more. Increase physical closeness. Express your feelings."
"And when the time feels right, confess. Like during a fireworks festival—say 'I like you' when the fireworks go off."
"Or… something poetic, like… 'The moon looks beautiful tonight.'"
She drew everything from the romance novels she had secretly read.
After she finished, she looked at Yukino, bracing for mockery.
But Yukino nodded seriously.
"Umu, umu. As expected of Mafuyu-sensei."
Mafuyu wanted to die from embarrassment.
No!
Don't say it like I'm an expert! I've never even dated!
But for Yukino, the words struck home.
Now that she'd confirmed her feelings…
She was ready to act.
Yukino had never dated. Never experienced youthful love. But that didn't mean she would falter.
Even if she was late to the game…
Yukinoshita Yukino was finally ready to start her journey into love.