This... is obviously a wedding ring... It's Little Snow and Hikki's wedding ring... right?
Mm-hm~ Yukino and Hachiman nodded at the same time.
A short while ago, I went to meet Yukino's father, and while I was there, we set the wedding date.
Hachiman explained.
We'll get married on the day of graduation.
Hachiman, enjoying his fiancée's gentle massage, added another sentence.
So... why are you giving me one? Yui asked.
This? I don't know.
Hachiman's deliberately evasive tone made Yui want to slap him to death.
Ask Yukino. She insisted on having another one made for someone.
After saying that, Hachiman closed his eyes, hummed a little tune, and put on a leisurely, self-satisfied air.
Yukino angrily tossed Hachiman aside, took Yui by the hand, and led her away.
Watching the two of them whispering to each other nearby, Hachiman rolled his eyes and twisted his sore neck.
After several crisp cracks, Hachiman stood up with a refreshed look and pulled open the Club Room door to go to the bathroom.
Well, how should I put it... Yukino thought for a moment, unsure where to begin.
Ah~ I've got it.
Yukino tapped her hand, leaned over to Yui's ear, and whispered something.
As Yukino spoke, Yui's pretty face grew redder and redder. In the end, unable to contain her embarrassment, she cried out.
Huh? You're saying I drugged Hikki? And shamelessly... did that with him? Yui's face looked as though it might drip blood, and even a faint mist seemed to rise above her head.
Hmph, I saw it with my own eyes. Do you think I'd lie? Yukino rolled her eyes at Yui beside her, still vividly remembering what had happened.
At the time, Yukino from the Modified First Playthrough had trembled as she swiped the Room Key Card. The first thing she saw was a seductive expression that had never before appeared on Yui's face.
Don't bring that up. Just thinking about it makes me angry.
Yukino grabbed Yui's chubby cheeks.
Are you stupid or what? Why did you have to use such a clumsy method?
Yukino pulled Yui's cheeks back and forth, speaking irritably.
Wahh~ What does that have to do with me? I've never done anything like that!
Yui's eyes filled with tears from the pain, and she looked at Yukino pitifully with her big eyes.
Still denying it? Do you think I don't know you? Be honest with yourself—do you like Hachiman now?
Yukino pursed her lips and asked, already knowing the answer.
I... Yui had just begun to deny it when Yukino cut her off.
Don't even think about lying. I know everything you're thinking. I understand you better than you understand yourself now.
Yukino pointed at Yui's nose.
I'm not unreasonable. Just tell me the truth—I won't blame you.
You even have a ring. What are you worried about?
I... like him.
For the first time, Yui honestly told Yukino how she felt.
When Yukino heard Yui's answer, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Yui was willing to admit her feelings, this would be easy to resolve.
What she feared most was Yui becoming like the one in her dream. Her deep love for Hachiman had gone unexpressed for so long, while she watched the wedding date of her best friend and the man she loved draw closer and closer. In despair, she had plunged all three of them into an unbearably awkward situation.
I knew it.
Yukino giggled as she pinched Yui's little nose and tugged it back and forth.
You... don't blame me? Yui asked hesitantly.
Why would I blame you? It just proves I have good taste.
Yukino smugly tipped up her little nose.
Mm...
My Yui is so cute. That pervert really got a bargain.
No, just submit to me. We can't let Hachiman get the better deal.
Yukino said.
But... Little Snow isn't a boy.
Yui stammered.
What's that got to do with anything? At worst, we'll immigrate later and find somewhere that allows same-sex marriage. We won't bother with that Dead Fish Eyes pervert anymore.
Yukino held Yui's face in her hands and gave her a loud kiss.
When Hachiman returned to the Service Club after using the bathroom, he saw his fiancée kissing his pet.
Noticing Hachiman's twitching eye, Yukino raised her head and shielded Yui behind her.
I'm telling you, Hachiman, you aren't allowed to bully Yui from now on. She's my wife!
Huh? Then what am I? Hachiman asked, bewildered.
You're my concubine.
Yukino declared righteously.
Hachiman stood there in a daze, completely baffled. He had no idea what had happened during the short time he'd been in the bathroom.
The End of Chapter Sixty-Six
Yo~ Looks like you're pretty busy, huh? Hachiman said cheerfully as he patted Hayama's shoulder while he adjusted his guitar.
Heh.
Hayama had no desire to pay attention to the person in front of him.
Hey~ Don't be so cold.
Hachiman held back his laughter, sympathizing with what Hayama had been going through lately.
Whenever Hayama and Ayaka rehearsed, Haruno would rush over to their class to join in the fun no matter how busy she was.
The result was that every time Hayama rehearsed in the classroom, he felt as though a thorn were lodged in his back. Whenever he turned around, he would see that faintly smiling expression on Haruno's face.
Thus, after enduring a long period of rehearsals that were both painful and enjoyable, Hayama was utterly exhausted in body and mind.
On top of that, he now had to serve as the band's guitarist. While he was already this tired, that bastard in front of him had even trotted over to mock him.
Hayama felt that the fact he hadn't smashed his guitar straight into Hachiman's face proved that his upbringing was exceptionally good.
What exactly did you come here for? The ever-kind Hayama still asked.
Nothing much. I just saw you over here and came to say hello.
Hachiman answered casually.
Speaking of which, after all this time, you still haven't managed to talk to Haruno?
...Hayama fell silent.
Seriously? Hachiman asked in disbelief.
It's been almost a month, and she comes to watch you rehearse for over an hour every day.
Cough... Hayama looked awkward. I don't know why, either. Every time, she leaves just as we're about to finish. And when I chase after her, she ignores me.
Good luck, young man. You still have a long way to go.
Hachiman patted Hayama's shoulder and turned to walk back to Yukino's side.
Hayama's mouth twitched. He suddenly felt as though his entire life had turned gray.
Why did you go over there again? Seeing Hayama's suddenly terrible expression, Yukino knew that Hachiman must not have done anything good.
I was just encouraging him so he'd pursue your sister more determinedly.
Hayama was rather pitiful. He hadn't given up after all these years, but unfortunately, her sister only regarded him as a childhood playmate.
In her sister's eyes, he didn't even count as a childhood sweetheart.
Yukino sighed.
Hearing you put it that way, I suddenly feel a little sorry for Hayama.
Hachiman said.
What's there to feel sorry about? Haruno walked up to Hachiman in her high heels.
Glancing at Hayama, who was fiddling with his guitar, Haruno let out a quiet sigh.
I originally only thought of him as a younger brother. Who knew he'd later become interested in me?
But there isn't a law saying that if someone likes me, I have to like him back, is there? Haruno rolled her eyes at Hachiman.
So don't meddle in Hayama's and my affairs. Once he has his head bashed in, he'll naturally give up.
Tsk, what a heartless woman.
Hachiman sighed.
Ever since you ran off with my little sister, I haven't had anything left to worry about. Romance isn't for me.
The career woman Haruno spoke coldly.
Then why do you tease him every day? Be careful not to get burned.
Hachiman joked with Haruno.
Heh, I'm only ever the one doing the burning.
Hachiman and Haruno bickered while Yukino watched helplessly. Whenever those two met, they would trade insults and enjoy every second of it.
Meguri Shiromeguri quietly came over. Seeing the two of them still hurling insults at each other, she looked troubled and had no choice but to walk over to Yukino's side and whisper something into her ear.
Is that so? I understand. Go back and take care of your work for now.
Yukino nodded at Meguri Shiromeguri.
But... this matter is very important. If it's mishandled, people might laugh at this Cultural Festival.
The usually gentle Meguri Shiromeguri was agitated now, extremely dissatisfied with Sagami Minami for being incapable of accomplishing anything and adept at ruining things.
It's fine. My sister prepared for this long ago.
Yukino comforted her.
Just as Hachiman had expected, Sagami Minami's only method of retaliation was to use her position as the Cultural Festival Executive Committee Chairperson. The moment she obtained the list of winners for the Excellence Award and Regional Award, she would immediately disappear.
That way, everyone would have to search for her, increasing her sense of presence. Then, after everyone worked hard to find her, she would be discovered by accident.
She would say something like, "I was just a little nervous and wanted some fresh air. Who knew I'd lose track of time?"
Then everyone would happily invite her back.
In the end, she would easily complete the work she had originally been responsible for. Such a small action would let someone who had always been ignored attract attention, making it almost effortless.
The advantage of doing this was that she could not only effortlessly seize the fruits of the Cultural Festival that Haruno and the others had worked so hard to achieve, but others would also find it difficult to blame her.
After all, she was a girl, and this was her first time serving as the organizer of such a grand event. It was understandable that she might be nervous. Moreover, she hadn't caused any irreparable mistakes, so there would be no punishment—at most, a few verbal reprimands.
But this time, things would not go as Sagami Minami wished. No one would have to go to all that trouble searching for her.
After sending Meguri Shiromeguri away, Yukino separated the two people still bickering and told them what Meguri Shiromeguri had just learned.
Heh, I knew it.
Hachiman laughed.
You kept one copy of everything I told you to pay attention to, right? Haruno asked.
Before you continue