Chapter 26: Thank You… For Stepping Up Just Now

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Mhm, indeed. This really turned out to be the best ending for everyone.

A Good End?

While Himekoji was still weighing the pros and cons, another voice suddenly cut through coldly from outside the door—

“You’ve got the wrong person to apologize to, Yui-san. Besides, it’s clearly another person who should be the one apologizing.”

That voice sounded colder than Miura’s earlier one, making those who heard it feel like shrinking back from a chill. Sharp like an icy wind yet beautiful like polar lights, it pierced them right through.

At the doorway, though she wasn’t standing at the exact center, it felt as if all eyes in the classroom were pulled toward her like she was the center of the world itself.

And the owner of that voice? None other than Yukinoshita Yukino.

Compared to her threat, Miura’s earlier intimidation was like a game for children. Because against Yukinoshita? Well… maybe you wouldn’t even have time to feel frightened.

What truly went beyond scared or frightened?

Inside someone’s heart, there’d rise thoughts they couldn’t control, couldn’t help but think:

How beautiful she is.

Due to Yukinoshita’s arrival, without anyone noticing, the classroom once more fell into absolute silence.

And who broke that silence? Once again, it was Yukinoshita’s voice.

“Yuigahama-san. If you invited someone, and then failed to show at the meeting place yourself, what kind of behavior is that? Besides, if you were going to be late, shouldn’t reaching out beforehand be common courtesy?”

Himekoji stayed quiet. It was like she skipped the problem of who should really be apologizing altogether.

Tch… Obviously she understood nothing at all.

It was a surprise that Himekoji, someone who rarely cared what others thought after being branded a Pervert, cared so much about what Yukinoshita thought that he actually minded it.

After Yukinoshita spoke, Yuigahama finally smiled with relief. That tear-stained smile had a kind of breathtaking beauty that made it seem like she’d gone from crying to laughing at once. The girl turned toward Yukinoshita, eyes still wet.

“S-Sorry. Ah… but I didn’t know your number, Yuki… Yuki-san…”

Wait… Since when were they this close? Since when could Yuigahama get away with calling Yukinoshita something as familiar as “Yukino-chan”?

Truth be told, Himekoji felt a little envy. It was embarrassing to admit, yeah…? But he kinda wanted to try calling her “Yuki-chan” too. In exchange, he didn’t even mind if she called him “Hime-chan.”

Hm! He really didn’t mind! The one who’d mind would absolutely be Yukinoshita. Actually, more than mind… it’d be dangerous. Like “deadly” levels of dangerous…

“…Oh? I see. Then I can’t just blame you entirely. We’ll let it slide this time.”

It was as if Yukinoshita didn’t care about the awkward atmosphere at all. She breezily wrapped things up—a supremely self-centered attitude that somehow still left people strangely refreshed.

“H-hang on! Yui wasn’t… I’m not done speaking here!”

Finally freed from being frozen stiff earlier, Miura barged in between Yukinoshita and Yuigahama with force.

Due to her rival Yukinoshita’s appearance? The Fire Queen’s previously extinguished rage roared right back—higher, fiercer than before. Her fury burned bright and loud once more.

Miura truly seemed unable to tolerate Yukinoshita stealing Yuigahama away so casually. Put another way… Yuigahama did seem a truly important friend to Miura.

Though… perhaps Her Majesty should reconsider how she treated her friends sometimes.

Also… were girls all this ferociously competitive?

Facing Miura’s anger, Yukinoshita shot back coldly without hesitation: “What do you need? I haven’t even had lunch yet, so my time is limited.”

“Ah? Need?” Miura snapped. “I should ask YOU that! What right do you have to butt in!? Just a minute ago, Yui and I were speaking. ME FIRST! And we still have stuff to talk about later!”

“‘Speaking?’ Weren’t you just scolding her?” Yukinoshita replied smoothly. “Could you even call that a conversation? Honestly? To me, it looked more like a single person throwing a tantrum against themselves… like they had a personality disorder.” She paused, then added clearly: “And about who was first? Didn’t I just say we were scheduled to meet before you?”

“HEY! Just who are you calling a—a personality disorder?!” Miura shouted, fighting not to stumble over her words.

But even so, it was plain as day: Yukinoshita had crushed Miura in terms of presence alone.

Poor Miura… In a battle of words, ten thousand of her put together wouldn’t stand a chance against one Yukinoshita.

“Well then. I apologize,” Yukinoshita stated coolly—a voice without regret. “I’m not quite familiar with your… species? Habits? So I mistook your earlier screeching for similar to when great apes trying to intimidate rivals.”

She said “apologize” yet didn’t sound the least bit sorry. Instead, Yukinoshita stood tall and proud—untouchably regal.

Before the Ice Queen? The Fire Queen raging like a blaze didn’t stand a chance. She froze solid in one blow.

Miura shot a sharp glare filled with pure hate directly at Yukinoshita, who took it all without flinching.

“Keep bluffing like a mountain bandit… though it’s best confined to your own territory. Just like—” Yukinoshita paused, glancing pointedly at Miura’s makeup— “how effortless it’ll be to take you down?”

“…Eh! What’s… what is THAT supposed to mean!?” Miura snapped defiantly, but her voice faltered immediately.

Miura had finally given up challenging Yukinoshita. She must have recognized the overwhelming gap between them? Fuming, she finally slumped back into her seat and started messing with her hair in frustration… then began furiously playing with her phone, clearly avoiding looking up.

Nobody dared to utter a word to her.

Even Hayama, normally skilled at smoothing things over, feigned a yawn like he’d rather pretend nothing had happened.

Beside Miura, Yuigahama remained standing. Both hands, which had been grasping Himekoji’s wrist earlier, had hastily released him the second Yukinoshita walked in.

Now, as if still thinking of something to say, she squeezed her skirt tightly with both hands.

Perhaps understanding Yuigahama’s meaning, Yukinoshita turned… and walked smoothly out of classroom without a backward glance.

“I’m going ahead,” she said airily.

“I’m coming too…” Yuigahama called out quickly.

Yukinoshita’s reply drifted back: “Do as you like.”

“…Okay.” Yuigahama breathed out in relief… though hers was the only smile in sight.

Hey…? Just what is with this mood in here?

The atmosphere in the classroom had sunk into seriously uncomfortable territory. Worse, actually, than the usual awkwardness.

And now, one after another, the other students started slipping away—making excuses about being thirsty… or needing the restroom… anything to escape the heavy air choking the room soon.

Only two groups remained: Hayama and Miura’s circle, plus the group just… gleefully watching all this play out.

As for Himekoji? He certainly wasn’t part of the watchers. And… definitely not part of Hayama and Miura’s group either.

So… as soundlessly as possible, he brushed past Yuigahama… and moved toward the classroom door himself.

But right as he passed by her?

His ear suddenly caught a whisper… so soft he almost missed it.

“…Thank you…” her voice drifted by. “…Just now… for stepping up.”

In that instant as they passed each other? Her breath was nearly right by his ear.

…