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"Ms. Kirisu!!"
The sight of Mafuyu sent a flush of red blazing across Utaha's face. She sprang out of Yuto's arms like a startled kitten. Sure, she might be completely smitten with Yuto in private now that she'd 'grown up,' but that didn't mean she'd flaunt it in public. As the school's celebrated literary beauty, Utaha usually carried herself with a calm, elegant air. Kissing her boyfriend in front of a teacher? That was a step too far, even for her.
Meanwhile, Kirisu, already wrestling with her own guilt, avoided Utaha's eyes and shot a quick, scolding glance at Yuto, who stood there with a faintly amused smirk.
A few minutes later, the three of them stepped into the shimmering interior of the Clock Tower Craft Essence and settled into their studies.
......
It was another weekend, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. Sunlight poured down in golden waves, the sky stretched wide and clear, a soft breeze rustled through the air, and fluffy clouds drifted lazily overhead.
Yuto, dressed in a sharp yet casual outfit, waited downstairs outside Megumi Kato's apartment for their date. About five minutes later, she emerged, her ponytail swaying with each step as she approached in a breezy summer dress and white sandals. She'd clearly put extra care into her appearance today.
The girl before him was a vision of quiet beauty—her fair, oval face framed by gentle doe eyes, arched brows, a delicate nose, and soft, pink lips that glistened faintly. Without a trace of heavy makeup, she glowed with the effortless charm of a schoolgirl in her prime. Megumi wasn't strikingly tall or petite, but her smooth, pale skin shimmered like fresh cream. Her white Bohemian dress floated in the breeze, tracing her slender curves, while her graceful legs stretched down to white sandals, her pearly toes curling shyly like little doves.
"Yuto-kun, sorry to keep you waiting."
Classic Saint Megumi—her gentle voice was a balm, soothing as ever.
Yuto waved it off with a grin. "For you, Megumi, I'd wait forever."
Pfft… Megumi pressed a hand to her lips, stifling a giggle, her wide eyes sparkling like a lake after a summer rain. "When did you get so smooth, Yuto-kun?"
They strolled out of the neighborhood side by side. Catching the glint of sunlight in her ponytail, Yuto said, "That hairstyle looks great on you, Megumi."
"You like ponytails, Yuto-kun?"
Megumi glanced at her reflection in the light, a quiet warmth blooming in her chest. He always noticed the little things about her first.
"Yeah," Yuto nodded. "I like it when girls tie their hair like that, it's pretty."
"What about Utaha-senpai? Is she pretty with a ponytail too?" Megumi blinked her big eyes, her tone light but pointed.
"…" Yuto stumbled, caught off guard by the subtle jab. "Uh… yeah, her too," he mumbled, quickly steering the conversation elsewhere. "I've already got the movie tickets. There's an amusement park next to the theater, if we've got time after, we could ride the Ferris wheel together."
"Sounds good," Megumi replied with a soft nod, falling into step beside him.
......….
As they neared the theater, Megumi excused herself to the restroom with a shy smile. Yuto waited outside, hands in his pockets, until a sudden flash of light caught his eye from the distant parking lot.
"Found you."
His eyes narrowed slightly. He strode toward the car where the light had flickered and tapped lightly on the window.
Haruno Yukinoshita, seated inside, rolled it down with a syrupy smile. "Yes, can I help you?"
"Why are you following me?"
Even behind sunglasses, Haruno's elegant beauty was unmistakable. Yuto tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his gaze.
"Hehe, you must be mistaken. I'm just waiting for someone," Haruno replied, sliding her sunglasses down to reveal bright, clear eyes. "Besides, I don't even know you. Why would I follow you?"
"I doubt that," Yuto said, a cold smirk tugging at his lips as he pointed to the camera on the passenger seat. "If you've got nothing to hide, hand it over so I can check."
"Kid, aren't you a little full of yourself? Do I need to remind you about the laws against bothering girls?" Haruno's knack for flipping the script was almost admirable. The commanding presence she'd honed in her elite family might've sent an ordinary person running.
But Yuto wasn't ordinary.
"Hand over the camera."
Done with the games, he let his aura shift. To Haruno, it was like a tidal wave crashing down, a dragon glaring at an ant. Her face drained of color, sweat beading on her brow as she stammered, "I-I was just checking on you. You're too close to my sister. I'm worried she'll get hurt."
"So you followed me, planning to snap photos of me with other girls to show Yukino?" Yuto plucked the camera from her trembling hands and deleted the photos. "Don't do this again."
The suffocating pressure lifted, and as Yuto's footsteps faded, Haruno sat frozen, heart pounding. It wasn't until minutes later that she shook herself free, slammed the gas, and drove out of the lot like her life depended on it.
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