Chapter 92 – I will always support you

"Hmm? Shiina, I remember you're not from this floor, right?" Those classmates who were still in the mood to have fun remained in the KTV room, engaging in spirited karaoke sessions to express their exhilarated emotions.

While Yukio and others who preferred not to stay up late were naturally preparing to return to their dorms.

For some reason, Shiina followed Yukio like a little tail, all the way to this floor, before Yukio finally addressed her. It was known that on the cruise, male and female students' rooms were not on the same floor.

Initially, it could have been coincidental, but by this point, it was hard to find an excuse for being on the same path.

Shiina still had that light and airy demeanor, like an elf visiting from another world, out of place yet gracefully existing within it: "Yukio-kun, may I sit in your room for a while?"

The girl's face was adorned with a joyful smile, indescribably happy.

She couldn't pinpoint why, but just seeing Yukio made her brows lift in joy, her worries cast aside, her eyes automatically squinting in happiness, with a sense of fulfillment naturally radiating from her demeanor.

"Of course." Yukio didn't refuse. After being promoted to Class A, some students chose to scream their lungs out in celebration, perhaps Shiina, being the artistic type, sought to find a sense of reality in their success through conversation, Yukio thought.

Back in Yukio's single room, while he was pouring water, Shiina asked a direct question: "Yukio-kun, now that we're in Class A, you'll continue to look for the school's rules, right?"

"Yes." Yukio affirmed, returning to Shiina with two glasses of water and handing one to her: "What's wrong? Are you worried I won't have a direction or goals anymore?"

Some students might think that after advancing to Class A, they could rest easy, while others believe that even in Class A, they must diligently defend and suppress all lower classes to maintain their superior status.

Overall, the challenge of having no further goals after reaching Class A is real, with the only option being to ensure they are not surpassed by lower classes.

Holding the cup with both hands, Shiina took a cute sip: "No, I know Yukio-kun always has goals. Although I'm not sure why you're targeting the Advanced Nurturing System, you must have your reasons."

"But no matter what, I'll always support you." Though the words were as light as cotton candy, Yukio could hear the resounding determination in them.

From his current angle, Yukio could clearly see Shiina's gentle face, her steadfast purple eyes, and her focused gaze. Everything about her made him catch his breath.

Shiina playfully tilted her head, though the angle was slight, it carried an adorable charm that immediately brought Yukio back to the moment.

He didn't offer thanks, nor did he ask why, because Yukio knew very well that to thank her would be too formally distant, and to ask why would seem too estranged.

Shiina evidently held him in high regard, treating him as the first true friend in her life, standing firmly by his side even when the goal was the Advanced Nurturing System, without any doubt or hesitation.

Such trust warmed Yukio's heart: "I won't waste words on thanks, but if there's anything you can help with, I'll definitely tell you."

Shiina's eyebrows curved into beautiful crescents, her gentle joy needing no words to reach Yukio's heart.

Reciprocation is only fair, facing Shiina's trust, Yukio was introspective. She trusted him so much, yet he realized he hadn't truly sought to understand her: "So, Shiina, now that we're in Class A, you can do anything you wish."

"Whether it's advancing to universities like the University of Tokyo, or even studying abroad, the school can arrange it. If you want to go straight into employment after graduation, the school can arrange for any profession as well.

"With that in mind, what do you want to do, Shiina?"

Her eyes, akin to shining amethysts, suddenly lit up as if Yukio's words had cast a beam of light upon them.

She wasn't exhilarated because of the promotion to Class A. To Shiina, whether it's Class A or D, there wasn't much difference, nor did it matter which class she graduated from or whether the school would provide resources for various arrangements.

What she cared about the most was discussing the future together with Yukio!

Discussing the future with a boy...

That was what truly made her heart flutter, feeling like a tiny sprout rooted in her heart, rapidly growing into a towering tree attracting thousands of birds and sparrows, bustling about its branches.

And her heart was those branches, swaying with the birds' chirping and fluttering, her spirit leaping, an indescribable joy filling her entire being.

Perhaps because the topic was too sweet, Shiina couldn't help but let her emotions spill over, and she blurted out, "It seems, being a housewife wouldn't be bad."

Yukio blinked in surprise, doubting his ears. To attend the Advanced Nurturing High School and then become a housewife after graduation?

It's like a University of Tokyo graduate choosing to wash dishes; quite a mismatch, right?

Shiina seemed to finally realize what she had said, her cheeks, already flushed with joy, now took on an even deeper shade of embarrassed red.

Too shy to meet Yukio's eyes, Shiina's voice became soft and timid: "Is that, is that not okay? Yukio-kun, do you, do you not like it?"

At this point, Yukio understood Shiina's meaning, recalling all of Shiina's behaviors.

Their passionate discussions about books in the library, their nightly emotional exchanges, her carefree sipping of drinks at the celebration party, relying on him without fear of danger.

On the deserted island, hugging him from behind on a jet ski, laughing and chatting, and even inexplicably starting a rivalry with Ichinose.

Everything seemed to have an answer now; it was the little romance of this girl named Shiina Hiyori.

Just a brief recollection of Shiina's airy voice, her content smile, her insights shared during book conversations, her silhouette in the sunlight, and the daily coffee at the library.

Truly, every memory seemed to be accompanied by her, and Yukio realized how accustomed he had become to the girl's presence.

Thinking this, he smiled and gently stroked Shiina's hair, unafraid of any danger.

Shiina closed her eyes in enjoyment, like a cat being pampered, even cutely tilting her head to let Yukio's palm touch more of her hair, the only difference from a cat being she didn't purr softly.

"The same words back to you."

"Hmm?" Shiina opened her eyes, not quite understanding Yukio's meaning, only to find him very close.

"I mean," Yukio's hand moved to cradle the back of Shiina's head gently: "I will also always support you. From now on, please take care of me, Hiyori."

As naturally as water flows into a channel, as effortlessly as the earth orbits, Yukio kissed her, making Shiina all the more reluctant to part. Whenever she recalled their first kiss, it felt incredibly sweet, seeping into her heart.

Whether it was the sweetened canned coffee she often drank, the reddest part of a watermelon, or the tip of an ice cream cone, none could compare to the sweetness, stability, and endearing quality of Yukio's kiss, making Shiina forever fond of it without ever growing tired.

***

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