[OreGaIru : New Me!]

….

[-Continuation-]

.

[-Third Person View-]

"There, finished." Hachiman said proudly, setting the dryer down on the vanity.

Yukino reached up, running her fingers through her now-dry hair, testing the softness.

She turned slightly, glancing up at him with a friendly smile.

"I really should thank Komachi later." She said softly, almost as if thinking aloud.

"...guess, no appreciation for me then?" Hachiman teased, jokingly but expectantly.

Yukino's gaze lingered on him a fraction longer than necessary.

Then, her voice came quiet yet firm. "Appreciating one doesn't mean the other isn't appreciated."

She stepped closer, leaning up to kiss his cheek.

Before he could react, she pulled away, her movements purposeful but not rushed.

"In fact, I appreciate you more." She added, her tone laced with a subtle warmth, though she didn't look back at him.

Hachiman stood rooted to the spot, momentarily stunned, his cheek faintly tingling from the unexpected appreciation.

Yukino walked to her closet, her steps composed, and retrieved a garment bag.

With care, she unzipped it to reveal a navy-blue evening dress. The silky fabric shimmered faintly under the light, catching his attention.

Satisfied with what he got, Hachiman simply watched her, hands slipping back into his pockets, a quiet sense of happiness settling over him.

Yukino didn't miss it.

"Anything to say?" She asked, holding the dress up against herself, her voice almost playful.

He crossed his arms, leaning against the wall with a raised eyebrow. "I was just thinking about how much time I need to mentally prepare for people staring at you all night."

Yukino paused, her fingers brushing over the dress's neckline as her cheeks flushed faintly.

Without further comment, Yukino stepped toward the bathroom to change. But before she could fully close the door, Hachiman's voice stopped her.

"Need help with the zipper?"

Her hand froze on the door handle, and she turned her head just enough to glare at him. "Don't push your luck."

He shrugged, unfazed, as the door clicked shut.

Moments later, the door creaked open, and Yukino stepped out.

Hachiman straightened, his breath catching for a split second.

The dress fit her perfectly, hugging her figure in all the right places before cascading elegantly to the floor.

Her hair, now fully dry, framed her face in soft waves, accentuating her sharp features and luminous eyes.

She met his gaze, tilting her head slightly. "Well?"

He blinked, quickly schooling his expression back to neutral. "You are testing my patience."

Yukino's cheeks colored again, but she only smoothed the fabric of her dress with a practiced air.

"Shall we?" He said, extending his hand toward her.

She didn't hesitate and placed her hand in his.

Her fingers were cool and delicate, fitting perfectly against his larger palm.

….

As they stepped outside, a sleek black car idled at the curb, its tinted windows gleaming under the fading evening light.

Hachiman immediately recognized the sharp, no-nonsense gaze of Emiko as the driver's window slid down. Haruno's assistant never wasted a word.

"Youngest Miss…." Emiko said without preamble.

"See, you made Emiko wait." Hachiman stated in a blaming tone.

Yukino didn't flinch.

"I was precisely on time." She corrected, brushing an invisible wrinkle from her dress.

She added, turning to Emiko. "We could have gone by ourselves."

Emiko ignored their bickering and nodded at Yukino. "Miss Haruno insisted I drive you. She is already at the venue."

Hachiman held the door open, and Yukino stepped in gracefully, her dress pooling neatly around her.

He followed, settling into the plush leather seat beside her.

As soon as they were buckled in, Emiko shifted into gear, the car gliding smoothly onto the road.

The ride started in silence, save for the faint hum of the engine.

Yukino gazed out the window, her profile calm and composed.

"So." He said, breaking the silence. "Did Haruno bribe you into this, or is chauffeuring us just another bullet point in your job description?"

Emiko glanced at him briefly through the rearview mirror. "Ms. Haruno doesn't bribe. She gives instructions."

Hachiman smirked faintly. "Sounds about right."

Emiko replied without looking back. "She said someone needed to ensure you two arrived without causing a scene."

Hachiman raised an eyebrow. "A scene? Us? Never."

Yukino gave him a sidelong glance, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Let's not validate her assumptions, shall we?"

"Fine, fine." He said, leaning back and resting his arm on the seat behind Yukino. She didn't react, but he noticed her shoulders relax ever so slightly.

The city lights blurred past the windows as they moved closer to the venue.

The occasional bump in the road jostled them lightly, and Hachiman felt Yukino's arm brush against his.

She didn't pull away, and he took that as a small victory.

Emiko's voice cut through their moment. "We are almost there."

Soon, the car slowed as they approached the venue, a grand hall lit with warm, inviting lights.

Even from a distance, they could see clusters of guests mingling near the entrance, their laughter and chatter faintly audible through the glass.

Emiko pulled to a stop by the entrance and stepped out swiftly, opening the door for Yukino first.

"Thank you." Yukino said politely, stepping out with practiced elegance.

Hachiman followed, adjusting his suit jacket as he straightened. Emiko gave them both a once-over before slipping back into the driver's seat.

As the car drove off, Hachiman turned to Yukino. "Ready?"

Yukino nodded, her lips curved into a small.

He offered her his arm, and once she took it, he began leading her toward the entrance - the noise and lights of the wedding reception drawing them in.

Not even a moment later, Hachiman's fingers tugged absently at the knot of his tie.

Yukino sighed, stepping closer. "Here, let me fix it. I am still amazed you managed to get through your game launch like this."

"That was a different crowd." He started, but her hands were already at work.

Her fingers brushed lightly against his collar as she adjusted the tie, her movements quick and precise.

"There." She said, stepping back and folding her arms.

"Thanks, I think." He muttered.

….

The moment didn't linger as they stepped into the grand hall.

The space was breathtaking - chandeliers glittered above, casting a soft, warm glow over elegantly arranged tables.

The hum of voices filled the room, blending with the gentle clinking of glasses and the faint melody of live music.

Hachiman scanned the crowd until his eyes landed on a familiar figure near the center.

Hiratsuka Shizuka, resplendent in a flowing white gown, stood beside Ryota, her laughter bright and infectious. Ryota, ever the picture of calm, looked utterly captivated by her.

"They look... happy." Yukino said softly, her gaze fixed on the couple.

Hachiman nodded. "Yeah. Guess miracles do happen."

Yukino gave him a side glance, but whatever retort she had was cut off by a cheerful voice.

"Hikki! Yukinon!" She called, waving excitedly.

"Yui." Yukino greeted her tone formally, but with a touch of warmth.

"Hey." Hachiman said, hands casually in his pockets.

"You made it! Isn't this place, like, super gorgeous? Oh my gosh, Ms. Hiratsuka's going to look amazing!" Yui's enthusiasm bubbled over, and she clasped her hands together. "I mean, can you believe she is actually getting married? It feels so… unreal, you know?" 

"Unreal is an understatement." Hachiman said dryly.

"Hikki!" Yui scolded, though her laugh betrayed her amusement. "Be nice! This is, like, the happiest day of her life." 

"He is just being himself." Yukino interjected, her tone laced with mild exasperation. 

"My Yukino knows me so well." Hachiman quipped, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

Before Yui could respond, another voice chimed in - quirky, confident, and unmistakably familiar.

"Oh, my little brother finally showed up."

Haruno approached, a glass of champagne in hand, her dress shimmering under the hall's lights.

Her elegant dress shimmered with every step, and her presence was as magnetic as ever.

"Don't you two clean up well." Haruno said, her gaze flicking between them. "Though I must say, Hachiman, you look dashing today."

"Thanks for the glowing endorsement." He replied dryly.

Haruno chuckled, clearly amused. "You are welcome. But enough about you. Yukino, darling, you look absolutely stunning."

"Thank you, sister." Yukino replied, her voice cool but polite.

Haruno's grin widened, but instead of lingering, she turned on her heel and disappeared into the crowd as effortlessly as she had arrived.

"She is in her element." Hachiman remarked.

"Unfortunately." Yukino added under her breath.

As they made their way deeper into the hall, several familiar faces greeted them, including Komachi, who waved enthusiastically from across the room.

Komachi arrived moments later, her energy as infectious as ever. "Big brother! And Big Sis Yukino! You're finally here!"

"Yeah." Hachiman greeted with minimal enthusiasm as he was just with her an hour ago.

Komachi wasn't having it.

"You two look amazing together." She gushed, her eyes sparkling with delight.

Before he could respond, she grabbed his arm. "Come on! Let's go congratulate Ms. Hiratsuka before she decides to call you out in front of everyone."

With a resigned sigh, Hachiman let himself be dragged along, Yukino following at a measured pace.

As they approached the bride and groom, Shizuka turned, her face lighting up when she saw them.

"Ah, my favorite students!" She exclaimed, holding out her arms.

.

….

[To be continued…]

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