That night, when Haru returned home, he found Yukino sitting on the bed, intently staring at her phone—most likely watching the footage she'd taken of the crime scene takedown.
"Did your curiosity get satisfied?" Haru asked as he slipped off his slippers and sat beside her.
"Mm," Yukino replied without a hint of embarrassment. After all, she had asked because she was curious.
Haru leaned against the headboard with a smile. "Looks like I'm going to trend on social media again tomorrow. What should the headline be? 'The Hooded Hero Returns' sounds about right."
Yukino kept watching her clips. "I think the media will start speculating about why you've been absent recently. They might dig deeper."
"Doesn't matter—they won't find me anyway."
Yukino put down her phone and turned off the light.
Just as Haru lay down, Yukino's slender, soft body leaned against him, instinctively resting on his chest.
"I just talked to senpai," she whispered in the darkness.
Haru asked casually, "What did you talk about?"
But Yukino didn't reply. She stayed silent.
He felt a bit speechless. "Isn't it rude to leave a conversation hanging?"
"Wait until I figure it out before I tell you," Yukino answered.
While Haru was in the bathroom washing the rose-red panties, Yukino was brainstorming inside the room.
She quickly guessed what Utaha meant by "sneaking into my bed"—it must have been the night she let Haru sleep in the master bedroom with her.
If she was right, Utaha probably sneaked over while Yukino was sound asleep.
Though Yukino usually slept well, she'd still wake up immediately if there were loud noises nearby.
That meant Utaha likely didn't do anything improper. At most, they shared the same bed—like co-sleeping—so Utaha could savor the thrill of sneaking in.
Having pieced it together, Yukino calmed down, though some anger remained.
That shameless senpai!
Her eyes glowed cold in the dark.
But soon she thought of something else.
I remember senpai once said something like 'let's do it together'—could it be she really doesn't mind doing that kind of thing?
The thought made Yukino blush.
With her personality and principles, "joining forces as sisters" was something she'd never entertain.
But after all this time, she still couldn't satisfy her boyfriend.
That lingering frustration never left her.
She also recalled how, a few nights ago, Utaha had played a "relay race" game with her in the early morning.
What a dirty trick, senpai.
Blushing, Yukino closed her eyes. She'd wondered if maybe Utaha, frustrated by her own inability to satisfy someone, had thought of teaming up with her.
Considering Utaha's occasional risqué jokes, it wasn't impossible.
But could Yukino really accept that?
She didn't have an answer yet.
It was another Wednesday. During afternoon gym class, Haru skipped the high jump test.
He was bored with it.
He and a few classmates from Furukawa's group gathered, skipping the activity and discussing holiday plans instead.
"I'm heading to Akihabara for a few days. My brother said he'd cover all the expenses," one said.
"That's nice! I like the maids in Akihabara," another teased.
"You like them? You're just a pervert!" they all joked.
After the laughter died down, someone asked Haru, "What about you? Any plans?"
Besides the Hooded Hero's trending comeback, Haru's status as the karate champ kept him in the spotlight.
Though the tournament hype had died down, his classmates always paid attention to him.
"Not decided yet," Haru said, hiding his hot spring trip plan with Yukino.
"No way, you haven't decided?" they teased.
"Are you keeping secrets? You have such a cute girlfriend like Yukinoshita—shouldn't you have plans already?"
Haru suddenly remembered something and smiled. "How about a trip to Nara to see the deer?"
Furukawa's group paused, then laughed.
Haru felt satisfied—talking with friends was always fun; they were always on the same wavelength.
Soon, the conversation shifted to anime, with the most popular show among them being the modestly famous Midnight Punch.
As Furukawa put it: it had daily life, humor, healing moments, and big plot twists—what more could you want?
After school, on his way to club activities, Haru ran into Utaha.
He expected trouble, but instead, she quietly followed and asked in a lowered voice, "Has Yukinoshita been talking to you about anything… special lately?"
"No… wait, you two had a secret chat again? Can you give me mic access?"
"No?" Utaha smiled mysteriously.
Her smile was like the Mona Lisa's—impossible to read.
Without letting Haru probe further, she changed the topic. "I think Megumi has some issues lately."
"So you're not answering my questions?" Haru sighed. Both Yukino and Utaha liked leaving conversations half-finished.
Utaha pretended not to hear and said softly, "I always thought Megumi was my most reliable partner, but now… maybe our friendship is changing."
"Changing how?" Haru asked knowingly.
Utaha pondered. "I'm not sure yet, but I want to find out."
"I said I'm not sure yet."
With Yukino and Utaha both keeping him guessing, Haru spent some time in peace.
On December 23, the day before the holidays, Utaha and Megumi both decided to visit Haru's house to prepare for the next day's trip.
But to Haru's surprise, they didn't arrive together. Utaha was there early.
Yukino smiled suddenly when she saw her. "Falling out?"
Utaha smiled calmly. "What nonsense? Megumi has something to do and will come after dinner."
"I thought you two, as the strongest alliance, would wait for each other. Not true?"
Yukino's tone was dripping with sarcasm.
Utaha grinned. "So you want us to fall out?"
"You're wrong. I don't want or expect that. I'm just an observer enjoying your story."
"Oh? Have you thought about teaming up, too?"
Utaha's words made Haru notice Yukino's expression change—not anger, but a complex mix of conflict and embarrassment.
Yukino was silent for two seconds, then coldly said, "If you don't want me to show your defeat right now, you'd better drop that topic."
Though the upper hand was still with Yukino and the matter made her feel stifled, at least she scored a point.
Usually, she was the one getting roasted, especially in front of Yukino's sister.
She'd hoped to find someone weaker to tease—but no luck.
Megumi and Haru were clearly stronger.
As for other classmates, Utaha thought they were weak anyway, and since she wasn't close with them, why bother bullying strangers?
Her sharp tongue was reserved only for those close to her; strangers she treated with polite distance.
Haru couldn't help but interrupt: "May I ask what exactly you two are talking about?"
Partly curious, partly wanting to stop another fight.
Both girls looked at him simultaneously. "None of your business."
They exchanged a glance; Yukino turned away coldly, and Utaha smirked.
Haru was more confused than ever.
Was the problem that Utaha said "teaming up"?
But how could she and Yukino possibly team up peacefully?