The girls played with the cats for a while before heading off in small groups, laughter trailing behind them like flower petals in spring.
Nichiji Sumire suggested giving everyone a makeover—specifically, how to style themselves like charming countryside girls. Naturally, Shiina Mahiru and Sakurajima Mai were instantly intrigued and followed along eagerly.
But Yukinoshita Yukino stayed behind.
Despite how kind and lively everyone was, Yukino had always preferred a quiet atmosphere to crowded outings. Shopping wasn't exactly her thing, and besides... the cats were still here.
Nozomi saw his chance.
Without a word, he slowly lowered himself, resting his head gently on Yukino's soft thighs. Her legs, as always, were like a perfect blend of elegance and warmth.
Surprisingly, she didn't push him away. Instead, her slender fingers softly ran through his hair.
But her sigh gave her away.
Nozomi opened his eyes and looked up at her adorable, thoughtful face.
"That sigh… Is it about tonight, Yukino?"
She puffed out her cheeks in frustration, clearly annoyed.
"Of course it is, dummy. How else am I supposed to feel when my boyfriend is planning to confess to my mom that he wants to date both her daughters?"
Nozomi let out an awkward laugh.
"I mean... I haven't exactly figured out the wording yet."
"So all that sweet talk earlier... Was it just to coax me? Liar!"
Yukino pinched his waist sharply.
"Ah—ow ow ow! Stop that! You've been abusing my poor waist all day! If this keeps up, how can we even think about our happy future together?"
"Pervert."
Her sharp glare made him chuckle. Without warning, he brought her hand to his lips and kissed it tenderly.
"Yukino, my beloved... I like you. I really do. That's why I'm ready for whatever comes. I might not have the perfect plan, but when the time comes, I'll face your mother honestly."
"Sincerity is my ultimate move!"
"Ugh, that's easy for you to say. You've never had to stand up to my mom. You've no idea how terrifying she is! On the surface, she's all smiles. But deep down, she's ice-cold and intimidating."
She yanked her hand back and, not satisfied, pinched his nose with a frown.
"I can't breathe! Are you trying to murder your future husband, Yukino!?"
"Hmph! I should. You playboy."
She pouted and swatted at him lightly. Nozomi, laughing, got up from her lap and lifted her into his arms like a princess.
Yukino yelped softly in surprise as she landed on his lap.
"Just leave it to me," he said confidently, gazing into her eyes. "If there's a problem, then I'll handle the source of it."
Yukino narrowed her eyes.
"Wait. What exactly are you planning to do to my mother?"
"Ahem. Yukino, please! What kind of man do you think I am? I'm not going to do anything to her."
"That's exactly what a suspicious guy would say! I know you, Nozomi! Where are your hands going?"
"I swear on my dignity as a gentleman! I won't lay a single inappropriate finger on the Lady Yukinoshita."
Yukino raised an eyebrow. Her voice was ice.
"So you want her to make the first move? Disgusting."
"No, no! That's not what I meant at all! Look, I just want her to approve our relationship. And also... well, you know, Haruno has done so much for me. I can't ignore her feelings either."
Yukino's teasing faded. She bit her lip thoughtfully.
"My sister... Do you think she knows how I feel about you?"
"Honestly? I think she knows. But I never actually told her."
Yukino stared at him in disbelief.
"You didn't even talk to her about it, and you just jumped on me like that? You seriously have no sense of danger."
Nozomi smiled and gently lowered his head, brushing his lips softly against Yukino's delicate snow-white neck. His voice was low and full of mischief.
"I've already sent a message to Sister Haruno... she should be here soon."
Before the final syllable left his lips, the door creaked open.
Yukinoshita Haruno stepped into the room.
She was dressed in a flowing sapphire-blue dress that shimmered under the light, the skirt brushing mid-thigh with an elegance only she could pull off. Her expression was unreadable—calm, distant, and oddly cold as she silently observed the two figures before her.
Yukino froze.
Still seated in Nozomi's lap, her cheeks burned a shade brighter than any sunset. She instinctively pushed herself away from his embrace and stood up in a fluster, straightening her skirt with trembling hands like a child caught red-handed.
The silence hung thick in the air.
Then came the sound of Haruno's sigh—sharp, yet faintly amused.
Her voice rang out, soft but unwavering.
"Yukino-chan, do you remember the question your onee-san asked you before?"
Yukino's lips trembled. She didn't answer.
Haruno stepped further into the room, her eyes gently narrowing.
"You said you didn't like Nozomi. That you'd never, ever date him. So, Yukino... what happened?"
"I... I'm sorry, sister…" Yukino's voice cracked as her eyes welled up. Her shoulders trembled under the weight of shame and guilt.
But before the mood could sink any further, Nozomi took a bold step forward.
With a confident grin that was somewhere between heroic and criminal, he wrapped an arm around Yukino's slim waist—then reached out and pulled Haruno in as well.
"Wha—! Nozomi!? What do you think you're doing?!" Yukino yelped.
"Y-You pervert, let me go this instant—my sister is right here!" she added in a shrill whisper.
But Nozomi was already lifting both girls up like a rogue protagonist from a late-night rom-com.
With a fluid motion, he deposited the two sisters onto the couch with comedic flourish. Yukino immediately sat up, face as red as a boiled octopus.
"S-Sister, are you okay? Say something!" she stammered.
Haruno sat up as well, her usual calm mask still firmly in place. She glanced toward her flustered little sister.
Raising her hand, Haruno leaned in closer.
Yukino flinched.
She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for a well-deserved slap.
But instead... she felt warmth.
Haruno's arms gently wrapped around her, pulling her into a soft embrace.
"Ah... so silly," Haruno whispered, a bittersweet smile gracing her lips. "Back then, I think we were talking about different things altogether."
She gently stroked Yukino's hair.
"You thought you were the one engaged to Nozomi, right? And that he took advantage of a misunderstanding to get close to me?"
Nozomi rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "That… might be partly true."
Yukino stared at her sister, stunned.
"Sister, you… you knew?"
Haruno nodded. "I had my suspicions. The moment he joined your club, I could see the way he looked at you. And well, my little Yukino is too cute. Of course he'd fall for you."
"Then why didn't you stop him?" Yukino's voice was barely a whisper.
Haruno looked at her kindly, her voice low and sincere.
"Because, deep down, I wanted us all to stay together. I love my little Yukino, and Nozomi… bad as he is, he has a way of protecting us both."
She leaned her forehead against Yukino's gently.
"So, I'm not angry. A little sad you thought I'd hit you, though. Am I really that scary?"
The warmth between them spread—until it was rudely interrupted.
Two arms snaked around their waists again.
Yukino sighed and shot Nozomi a death glare.
Haruno raised an eyebrow.
Nozomi simply grinned.
"Well, Sister Haruno did say she wanted the same treatment as Yukino. And I think now's a perfect opportunity to make good on that promise."
He gave both girls a confident, almost smug look.
"And besides, what better way to convince your mom than to make it official?"
The Yukinoshita sisters stared at him in stunned silence.
This guy really was the final boss of thick-skinned rom-com protagonists.
"Unbelievable," Yukino muttered.
"Seriously, who writes this guy's lines..." Haruno added, blushing.
Nozomi just gave them his trademark shameless smile.