Reincarnation: Yukino Yukinoshita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

Aoyama Nanami.

That was the name of the girl standing before them.

She could also be called the "Part-time worker."

Her looks were certainly attractive, but still a fair gap from Yukino's beauty.

However, it was the dazzling smile on her face that stood out at that moment.

It was a smile full of effort, completely devoid of any negative emotions.

"You need to rest."

In the face of this smile, Yukino's voice, usually sharp and cold to strangers, softened for a rare moment.

Hiratsuka Shizuka also voiced her concern, "Your complexion is too poor. You should rest for a bit. I suspect your body is already pushing its limits."

Aoyama Nanami wanted to push herself further, but she noticed the handsome young man in front of her making a gesture, raising his hand.

She paused, then realized his intention.

Soon, a colleague came over, and Haru pointed at Aoyama's pale face and said, "Her complexion is bad. We think she should rest immediately. If she keeps pushing herself in this state, she'll collapse sooner or later."

Aoyama was caught off guard.

She wasn't exactly angry, but surprised.

One of her colleagues quickly added, "You should've rested earlier, Aoyama. The boss even said so."

"…Sorry, it's my fault."

Aoyama Nanami could no longer keep up the pretense.

She thanked Haru again. "Thank you for your help earlier."

Haru waved it off. "No need to repeat it. Besides, you've already paid the price for your gratitude."

"Eh?"

"Paid the price?"

When Aoyama Nanami didn't get an explanation, one of her colleagues "took" the tray from her hand, and she walked over to the corner to rest.

"That girl really works hard. It seems like some kind of belief is driving her to keep going," Hiratsuka Shizuka commented.

Yukino, however, instinctively looked at Haru. "What do you mean by 'paid the price'?"

"I meant her smile just now," Haru answered.

"I guessed so too," Yukino nodded.

That smile was impossible to get mad at.

Even Yukino herself had been somewhat affected by it.

So, as the three of them ate their ramen, a new topic had been added to their conversation.

After finishing the meal, when Haru went to pay, Hiratsuka Shizuka deliberately pulled him aside, smiling at Yukino, "I need to talk to him for a moment."

Yukino nodded and stepped outside to wait by the store.

"What would you like to talk about?"

As he asked, Haru and Hiratsuka Shizuka left the counter, making sure not to block others.

"Amamiya-San, you're still the only friend Yukino has, aren't you?" Hiratsuka's words came straight to the point.

"If Yukino hears that, she's definitely going say something to you," Haru replied, gazing out the window.

Hiratsuka laughed heartily. "Then I must have guessed right."

Her smile softened as she continued, "It's actually her good fortune to have you by her side. I've heard from Yukino's sister, Haruno, that without you, Yukino would probably have spent her life alone."

Haru disagreed slightly. "I think you're underestimating her. Yukino's nature can handle solitude. As for what others say… she's actually told me how she feels about it."

"Oh? What did she say?" Hiratsuka was eager to know.

"She said: 'No matter how loud someone shouts from the foot of the mountain, the person who has already reached the summit doesn't care.'"

"Hah, that sounds like something she would say. But… if it weren't for you, she wouldn't have the smiles she has now. She's looking much more lively, fitting her age much better," Hiratsuka said with a warm smile.

Haru simply smiled in agreement, acknowledging her words.

Hiratsuka casually changed the subject. "By the way, Takano Koichi and the others got a huge scolding from the principal. They're definitely going to behave for the next year. They were nearly on the verge of being expelled."

Haru just murmured a casual "oh," not surprised at all by the outcome.

Hiratsuka looked at him and teased, "Honestly, do your parents and the principal know each other? I can tell that he's quite lenient with you."

"Are you trying to probe into my family, Hiratsuka-sensei?"

"I'm just asking casually~"

Hiratsuka waved her hand, signaling the end of the topic.

She tried to play the role of an older, wiser figure, patting his shoulder, but realized he was too tall. So, she lowered her hand and said, "A person's true character is seen in good times, but their integrity is shown in adversity. You've known Yukino for so many years; you should have seen both her character and integrity, haven't you?"

Haru's gaze softened. "Yeah, she has her own determination, and she's been working hard for it."

Hiratsuka smiled slightly. "So, I'll leave it to you to continue looking after her. She's smart, but in some areas, she still thinks like a high schooler, much like her peers. She's far from being as mature as you."

Haru turned his head to look at her.

Hiratsuka stood with her hands on her hips, a bit smug. "What, do you think I'm impressive now? This is the wisdom of an adult, quite powerful, huh?"

"No, I just wanted to point out that there's green onion stuck in your teeth."

"???"

Hiratsuka's smile instantly froze.

She quickly pulled out her phone and checked, and sure enough, there was green onion stuck in her teeth, most likely from eating ramen earlier.

Haru couldn't help but laugh at the awkward situation, as Hiratsuka went from being all smug to flustered, her face turning bright red.

He didn't wanted to laugh, but he couldn't resist.

The laughter quickly brought about Hiratsuka's angry glare.

"I'll take Yukino home first."

Haru swiftly retreated.

Outside, Yukino was standing under the streetlight, talking to a tall young man who was clearly hitting on her.

Haru walked over and tapped the man on the shoulder. "Having a good chat? Mind if I join?"

The young man froze.

Yukino's cool face suddenly broke into a smile. "Did you finish talking with Hiratsuka-sensei?"

"Yeah." Haru nodded.

"Sorry, I didn't realize she had a boyfriend," the young man stammered, awkwardly turning and running off.

Haru rubbed his chin, as if pondering. "Looks like others think we're a good match. What do you think?"

Yukino sighed lightly. "Here we go again."

"I'm just having a serious discussion with you."

"If you don't act like an idiot in front of me, then yeah, maybe we'd be a good match."

"Hmm? Did you actually just admit it?"

"Idiot!"

Yukino's face turned red immediately.

Haru laughed heartily. "Let's go. We don't need to wait for Hiratsuka-sensei. She has her own car."

Yukino, still fuming from his earlier foolishness, spoke coldly, "Then you can ask her to drive us home."

"She drives a sports car, you know? It only has two seats. Do you want me to hold you, or hold her?"

"I'll remember that, and when I have the chance, I'll tell Hiratsuka-sensei."

Haru sighed, mimicking her earlier tone. "I even promised Hiratsuka-sensei I'd take good care of you."

Yukino paused.

Her fair face flushed slightly.

Based on what she knew about him, she was sure he hadn't said that to Hiratsuka.

But his words just now… she knew they were sincere.

It felt as though a candy jar had been overturned in her heart, and sweetness and joy bloomed, filling her entire being.

Sincerity was the ultimate weapon.

Yukino watched as he kept that expression of "I'm waiting for you to say something nice."

Her eyes glinted with a soft smile. "Let's go. I want to visit your cat."

Haru pretended to be dissatisfied. "Is that all? Where's your sincerity?"

Unexpectedly, Yukino extended her pale hand.

"You're the one who bragged about taking care of me, right? Now's your chance."

The meaning was clear: She was offering her hand.

Haru took it.

He held her hand tightly.

Yukino's basic attack? He caught it without hesitation.