(Did she study hard all day to improve grades, or just distract?)
Yuu quickly ignored unimportant question. Glanced Mama Yuigahama blocking door. Mother gave provocative stare urging quick go, but real leave would drop affinity score.
No chit-chat, Yuu pulled phone, called Yuigahama likely peeking downstairs from upstairs.
Mama Yuigahama didn't stop. Just leaned doorframe arms crossed chest, muttered interested: "Really as Yui said..."
Connection quick. Cautious voice from line end.
"Hello?"
"Yui, heard studied full day today?" Yuu not straight main issue, greeted near-usual tone.
Unlike politeness to Mama Yuigahama, Yuu naturally smiled. Attitude intimate gentle.
Doorway Mama Yuigahama pursed lips unavoidably. Eyed cruel prospective son-in-law differential treatment toward prospective mother-in-law.
Yuu turned, ignored mother, continued call with Yuigahama.
"Hm, nothing else to do."
Not usual lively tone, Yuigahama softly replied. As suppressing all emotions heart, not show: "But efficiency still not as good as your teaching. Many mock test mistakes. Even after answers, still not understand well."
"Able study that long already amazing. Next time make prediction test set, group study again. After final exam scores out, surely shock impress teachers."
"No need overdo..."
Yuigahama slightly despair laughed, but as hurried end call, quickly silent.
Hearing breaths, Yuu knew no more small talk needed.
Other side likely guessed today's visit intent, so hid evasive rejecting attitude—but not too strong.
Or rather, Yuigahama waiting him take stance, Yuu step change their relationship.
Yuu didn't let wait long.
This must do, even Yukino couldn't interfere.
Calming tone, Yuu softly: "Yui, things want say. Can come out bit?"
"Me too many things want say to Yuu-kun..." Loving voice sweet to heart, slowly fell ground, turned sigh.
"But, not come alone... Where Yukinon?"
Yuu moistened dry lips.
"Waiting garden."
As Yuigahama expected, tone unsurprised, little changed: "Guess right."
"Those words, you two want say together to me, right?"
"Hm... Why feel almost smarter than me?" Yuu speechless. Could only joke ease atmosphere.
Sadly, Yuigahama unappreciative.
"Don't wanna go. You go home. Please tell Yukinon I'm fine, back school soon."
Yuu soft sighed: "Yui, didn't say that before."
"Hm, changed mind." Yuigahama very frank: "Thought strong enough accompany you, Yuu-kun, whatever happens... But thinking what Yuu-kun Yukinon want say, scared dare not meet."
"Past foolish coward me... Though now bit smarter, turns out, not much braver."
Hearing self-deprecating voice, Yuu tried shake head deny, but recalled she couldn't see now.
Deep breathed, poured sincere feelings words:
"Yui, though not wanna hear, some things must do. Don't want behind back, so that day said all possible to you. Hope prepare self."
Yuigahama hit bullseye:
"Asking girl loves you accept mental prep you'll date best friend, not feel very cruel?"
"Yes, know."
As natural, Yuu calm replied. But beside fist unconsciously clenched.
"Think I no guilt saying these? Not lying wanting together. If choice, why leave girl loved me three years, ask Yukinoshita also friend date? That much free time?"
"..."
Yuigahama speechless. As digesting words. After moments, hesitant asked: "Asked Yukinon date? Why..."
After calming unintended excess emotions, Yuu calm: "Since not wanna hear, won't force. Sorry."
"No, I..." Hearing distant voice, Yuigahama instinctively explain, but before words out, felt annoyed. Unconsciously yelled:
"Wanna say this my fault not understanding enough?! If want together, why not admit love once, sincere date request! Then, though really date Yukinon, still find reason convince self!"
"But now just best friend. Every time wanna claim your girlfriend, no courage. Can't find reason comfort self—Because no right at all!"
Perhaps emotions overrode brain, voice louder more fervent. Yuigahama accused, vented, roared. Even faintly cry-like.
Phone to ear. Yuu didn't pull from ear-shaking voice. Calmly stared quiet winter street. After hearing panting breaths, slowly:
"That right, long had... For me, different from others."
Yuigahama seemed bit lip. Stuttered: "Don't want, ambiguous statements."
"Then what want? Anything giveable, give you."
Yuu sighed. Clenched fist slowly loosened. Muttered as self, also Yui:
"Just want walk future together, don't wanna see you force self."
Relying own choices, however step forward, hurt others...
Once again felt life true hell level.
Now, no Yukino share burden.