I Almost Turned Gay

But a heart-to-heart talk is very likely.

Shuya quite interested in hearing what they were talking about, but he didn't plan to go along to watch the show.

Going there now would only complicate things further; they'll figure out a solution eventually.

He had great confidence in them.

For now, it's not a big problem; ultimately, it's just that Yukino can't get over it.

Mai took it all in stride and didn't dwell on it much.

But that's part of Yukino's charm... Shuya smiled.

Things turned out just as he expected.

A little while later, Yukino arrived at Mai's school, Minegahara High School.

She didn't wait long at the school gate before she saw Mai come out.

"Miss Mai."

Yukino, who appeared calm on the surface, stopped Mai.

"You've arrived."

Mai nodded to her.

Yukino somewhat surprised. "You knew I was coming?"

"Yes, Shuya informed me."

Mai's face held a strange expression, as if she wanted to burst out laughing but was trying hard to hold it back.

Yukino felt a pang of panic and cautiously probed, "W-Notify me? What did he say to you?"

"Well... basically all of them?"

Mai tried hard to suppress her laughter. "Hoo hoo, I really didn't, hoo, I didn't expect Yukino to be so, so... hoo hoo hoo..."

Her shoulders were trembling uncontrollably.

Yukino blushed deeply, feeling utterly ashamed.

She said weakly, "I... I'd better go back."

"Wait, wait, don't go back!"

Even though they are both women, Mai thinks Yukino too cute right now.

She went up and took Yukino's hand, comforting her, "Everyone makes mistakes. Even if your mistake was a little funny or indescribable, don't worry about it."

"Miss Mai, you are indeed gloating, aren't you?"

Yukino puffed out her cheeks slightly, a rare occurrence for her, and spoke with a hint of coquetry in her voice.

Mai finally couldn't hold back any longer. "Pfft, haha! Who told you Yukino be so cool all the time? Now you just look even cuter."

Afraid that Yukino would run away, she affectionately hooked her arm around hers, and the two walked closely together on the downhill path in front of Minegahara Middle School.

The surrounding students all turned their attention to them.

Mai's reasons for attracting attention are self-evident. Although Yukino is not as famous as Mai, her appearance and unique school uniform are also exceptionally eye-catching.

Everyone knows that Mai is in school, so her Strange Arts cannot hide her identity.

However, the two of them didn't mind; they were already used to this level of attention.

When they walked together, the number of people turning their heads to look at them increased several times over.

"Mai, aren't you getting a little too close?"

Yukino tried to move her arms, but found she couldn't break free at all.

Whenever she turned her head, she was almost face-to-face with Mai.

"Otherwise, Yukino, you'd run away, wouldn't you? Besides, it's not a big deal."

Mai said contentedly, "This is really nice. It makes me feel like I'm walking home from school with my friends."

Yukino was taken aback, remembering that Mai had no friends at school, a situation she often longed for.

Today we've accomplished half of our goal.

Yukino felt sorry for her, but still offered the honest opinion. "Miss Mai, I think you'd be better off making some friends at school."

P. S. 1: 555 chapters, 1.2 million words, that's really not easy.

Ps2: Just finished watching Is the Order a Rabbit?, so satisfying.

Section 598, 556: Almost Bent Over

In response to Yukino's theory, Mai simply scoffed, "You don't have many friends at school, do you? Your only good friend is the one who claimed you as a friend."

"... Sorry, you're right."

Yukino sighed; she truly had no way to refute those words.

That left her with no grounds to criticize Mai.

"Huh?"

Mai suddenly exclaimed in surprise.

"What's up?"

Yukino looked in the direction she was looking, puzzled.

A small group of girls were walking ahead of them, Mai was looking at one of the cute girls with short hair.

Upon hearing her voice talking to her friend, Yukino blurted out, "Yuigahama- san?"

"Oh, so that kid went to the same school as me..."

Mai looked away, marveling at how small the world was.

Who is that?

"Just a kid I ran into yesterday."

Mai saw Yukino asking, she told her about the rescue she had done the day before.

"So that's how it is. That scumbag went off to ruin other girls again."

Yukino's focus is clearly different from Mai's.

"Pfft, 'Scumbag'? You've given him another weird nickname."

Before Mai Yukino reply, Mai continued, "But this time you took the initiative, right? Calling him that doesn't seem quite right?"

"His actions deserve that title."

Yukino replied.

"Hmm, looks like you've been having a pretty exciting time behind the scenes. Okay, come to my house and tell me all about it today. In any case, you can stay overnight."

"... Okay. I came to find you because I wanted to have a good talk with you."

Yukino in agreement.

"Then it's decided. Hmm... Before that, will you come with me to some places?"

Where?

"Just follow me."

Mai maintains her mystery.

Yukino didn't press the matter. Seeing the girls walking further and further away, she casually asked, "Are they leaving?"

"Fine, I'll go. I'm not Shuya; I won't just go up to any cute girl I see and start a conversation."

Mai answered nonchalantly, Yukino couldn't help but curl the corners of her lips upon hearing this sharp comment.

Talking badly about Shuya is always a topic of entertainment for them.

The group of girls ahead walked quite fast and soon disappeared from their sight.

A little while later, Mai brought Yukino to a restaurant on Shichirigahama that was famous for its thick pancakes.

"Here? Haven't we been here before? Why did we come here specifically today?"

Yukino asked, puzzled.

This restaurant is very famous and is always packed, and it is certainly full now.

Mai took Yukino upstairs to queue together. There were only two groups of people ahead of them, so they shouldn't have to wait long.

Mai answered Yukino's question, "I have been here before, but it's after school now, so it has a different meaning."

"All right."

Yukino nodded, knowing that Mai was experiencing the life of an ordinary high school girl.

This was precisely an area where she had no knowledge, so she found it quite novel.

After waiting for about ten minutes, the two successfully entered the store.

The room was full, so they were seated on the balcony.

It's a bit hot in this location, but the view is superb, with a stunning, unobstructed ocean view.

They ordered the signature thick pancakes and drinks, enjoying their after-school afternoon tea.

Seeing Mai admiring the scenery, Yukino didn't rush to speak and turned to look at the sea.

The two women's long black hair swayed gently in the wind, attracting glances from the surrounding guests.

They were admiring the scenery, and people were admiring them.

Some students from Minegahara High School recognized Mai, but they didn't come up to ask for autographs; they just watched her secretly.

Mai and Yukino had no intention of discussing Shuya in such a public setting, so it would be better to talk about it at home.

Since that was the case, the two simply enjoyed the delicious pancakes.

Yukino's restless heart gradually calmed down as she spent time with Mai.

This disappointed Mai somewhat.

"Mai, could you explain your disappointed expression?"

Yukino asked helplessly.

"Because Yukino very rare, I want to see more of her."

"..."

Okay, don't be angry.

Mai cut off a piece of pancake and held it to Yukino's lips as an apology.

"I'm not angry."

After Yukino finished speaking, she opened her small mouth and ate the pancake that Yukino had brought her.

"Oh my, does this count as an indirect kiss? It's so embarrassing."

Mai feigned shyness.

"If you're really shy, please act it out. Your acting is terrible."

Yukino deftly defused Mai's teasing remarks.

But the next moment, she heard Mai whisper, "... Do you think I'm not shy?"

Yukino taken aback.

She looked at Mai, who had lowered her head slightly, her snow-white face flushed with a faint blush. Her bright black hair, which was lifted up, made her eyes appear and disappear, but it couldn't hide the subtle shyness that touched her heart.

Mai bit her red lips lightly, glanced up at Yukino, and when she found that Yukino was looking at her, she quickly lowered her head and stared at the table.

She looks just like a naive young girl in love.