Ch2 Despite how she looks, Yukinoshita Haruno doesnt drink,

I arrived early.

There were two buildings similar to each other, two twin high-rise apartments.The last time I was here was when Yukinoshita fell ill during the cultural festival. She was resting when I came together with Yuigahama, although I dont think I was much of a presence.

Yuigahama has already stayed overnight at her house, and will come back sometime later. Maybe thats why she can walk through the sliding doors with Yukinoshita so nonchalantly.

Personally though, I couldn'tt calm down at all. Just the thought of going in a girls house is freaking me out!

Actually, were only in the lobby.

Girls homes are seriously scary - I didn'tt even step foot inside and I was still worried to death.

Deciding to come into such a dangerous place with my club mates was certainly a mistake.

In the lobby it was silent, as we were the only ones present. If I was Baso[1], I would say that this was a silence that penetrates rocks. Dang, is that you Angelo?

All that I can hear are uneasy breaths.

The elevator was part of the external part of the building,with an orange plywood frame and slightly opaque glass of the same color.

It made it almost impossible to see the inside of the elevator .

Looking towards the door, I noticed that Yukinoshita had her key in hand, but paused before inserting it into the lift intercom, and rang instead. If Yukinoshita was still living alone, she wouldn'tt have hesitated before simply swiping her card, but now someone was in her territory.

I had no ideas as to why Yukinoshita stopped living alone. I had vague hunches, but I did not want to try finding out. After all, I was going to know sooner or later. Not that I was uninterested, but rather I simply didn'tt know how to ask, and at which moment to ask. I have always been afraid to pry into someone elses past, as mine is buried into the recesses of my mind.

From experience, I understand these careless words have the potential to wound the person deeply.

For example, if I asked if you were in relationship during a school or business interview, this inopportune phrase will cause me to be placed under suspicion, even if nothing bad was meant by the asking.

There is always risk of appearing over eager in looking for undivulged information.

But I think I can ask Yukinoshita, after all.

Shared information can become the basis for further conversation.(2)

Is she still here?

Likely yes

We did not need to clarify the owner of the name we were talking about.

It was certainly Yukinoshita Haruno, who was waiting in her apartment.

Yukinoshita answered with a weak smile, and went to ring the intercom a second time.

It seems this time she was already anticipated.

The automatic door moved much quicker then Yukinoshinto did, and opened before she had the chance to ring.

"Wow, Yukinon-chan!~" - the unrestrained voice sounded and light steps were heard.

On the other side of door stood Yukinoshita Haruno

Light shined from the lobby and spilled onto her.

"Hello...."(3)

One wears a playful expression, the other - a confused one.

I was once again convinced that these sisters were similar to each other.

No, I fully understand that they have dissimilar personalities, but even without my subjective opinion they were both beautiful.

It is only in the impressions that they leave that causes me to think that they are beautiful in their own way.

So in this moment where I did not think so deeply, I was able to simply notice that they were similar.

They had similar slightly open mouths, and their similar wide eyes were looking at each other.

But this image collapsed quickly enough.

"You came back!"

It didn't seem characteristic how she simply clapped Yukinoshita on her shoulder, nor how her eyes were much softer then they were usually.

She wore informal clothes, thick and fluffy. House wear, I believe.

Above it she threw on a coat over her shoulders without threading her arms through the sleeves, and had sandals on her feet.

It was almost as if her look was saying "Hey, you! You there!."

More important, her hair wad damp, and her cheeks -pink.

Usually her pupils were sharp and piercing, now they looked sleepy and dull.

Yukinoshita also noticed that her sister was different from usual, and gave her a reproachful look.

"Are you drunk?"

"Well. Yeah. But only a little bit." Haruno held up her thumb and forefinger and made the classic "tiny amount"

gesture.

However, judging by the blurred smile and gestures it is possible to guess that she drank a decent amount.

Yukinoshita and Yuighama both wore looks of contempt.

It seems that Haruno-san now felt a little awkward, so she coughed,

"You returned, and with your friends"

"Yes. I want to talk to you." Yukinoshita changed the subject abruptly with a touch of stiffness and a trace of excitement on her face.

Seeing that, Haruno-san answered curtly.

"Sure, whatevs"

She threw an indifferent look at us and glanced behind her at the lift.

"Will you all come in? It's impossible to talk like this."

"We're not going to your house, we only came to see her off." I said

"Y-Yes, and besides, weren't you about to go somewhere?" answered Yuigahama.

I was a little surprised with her words. It would be impossible for me to interfere with something so personal.

But despite Yuighama's protests, Haruno-san began to push her towards the elevator.

"It's fine, It's fine. I was just going to the supermarket anyway!"

"W-Wait" Yuigahama tried to resist, but when you get pushed, you need to move.

Yukinoshita gave a perplex sigh and strolled past both of them , and pressed the elevator call button

Haruno sang a tune to herself when she reached the lift, and started to mash the button.

Hey, it won't arrive quicker if you spam it. On the contrary, in some elevators double-pressing is it's cancellation function.

Because of this Haruno-san seemed even younger.

For some reason, I've always thought that she rarely drank, but here she was, swaying unsteadily.

Even when the lift arrived, the narrowness was a little uncomfortable.

Only Haruno-san looked cheerful, and we turned our careful attention towards the floor.

It felt like a huge silence pressed on our shoulders. Yuigahama seemingly noticed it too, and attempted to strike up a conversation with Haruno-san.

"You drank in the house?"

"Ehh? Certainly not! I drank elsewhere, and I came only to sober up in the shower. You know, how after a night of drinking how you want to freshen up?"

"No, I didn't know that. Actually, why should we know that? We are high-school students after all."

Haruno-san seemingly lost her dignity momentarily, and sadly inclined her head.

"Well, it's true. When all of you can drink, they you'll understand."

"Why would I want to take up such an normie(riajju) hobby?"

"Aren't you impudent" Haruno-san said and seized me by an ear. My ears ached quite a bit after the cold, so this new attack was super effective.

Oh no! My weak ears! Besides, there was an aroma of alcohol that was somehow pleasant smelling mixed with shampoo.

By the way, from where in the lift was the pleasant smell from?

"I say it is fun to drink, and so it will be" Haruno told me quietly,

as if it wall all the same, and it didn't matter what I said.

But I had no time to answer her - we already arrived on the floor where Yukinoshita lived.

Yukinoshita turned the door handle, and we all entered into a hall. The scheme of this apartment was most likely -3DLK, which was wildly popular now. There was a living room, kitchen, dining room.

I didn't step further then the living room last time, but the living room was quite spacious in of itself, and from the corridor I saw the door of the room which I suspect is the bed room.

But now it felt like something in the apartment changed. So it seemed to me.

The corridor, even the living room, - everything is beautiful now.

Even though it's cleaned, the living room did not majorly change. Yukinoshita probably could notice, but only the specifics.

She then looked at her sideboard from the sofa. I too became interested in what she was looking at.

It was something similar to what Yuigahama had in her room. Seems like it was called aromatic sticks.

Having looked briefly, it looked like the wooden sticks similar to sticks prits, inserted into a pot. I noticed a liquid at the bottom of the pot.

It is the basis of the smell that extends through the house, I believe. The sweet and gentle flower aroma fills the room.

In principle, it should set you at ease, but I on the contrary can't calm down because it was a smell unlike what I was used to.

The existence of another person changes the atmosphere. Yukinoshita Haruno made no small impact on the accommodations.

And so I was hooked by a smell that did not enter into my image of Yukinoshita Yukino. It was probably brought by Haruno-san. If I were to make personal expectations of the type of aromatizor Yukinoshita would buy, it would be cool and pure, like mint or mylnyanka.

Also this smell was apparently unpleasant to Yukinoshita, who like a frightened cat, glared at the aromatizor, frowned, and went to the kitchen to put the kettle on.

She's probably getting ready to serve tea to her visitors.

Over here we have Haruno, looking merry. Purring to herself quietly, she opened the refrigerator, got a bottle, jumped on the sofa and conveniently laid down.

Extending her long legs from her shorts, she reached over and rested her feet on a small table.

I didn't know how to stop watching this careless figure.

Haruno-san then waved with a hand as if calling us to her.

"Sit down where you want"

"So sister, why are you here"- Yukinoshita who returned to the living room wearily sighed, and put black tea on the coffee table.

She placed the four cups so they were easily in reach of all of us.

Haruno-san placed her hand over a cup and downed with with one swig. Then she exhaled appreciatively, pouring champagne in the glass.

Yuigahama watched it attentively.

"Eto wine? Do you drink it often?"

"I drink everything, beer,and wine, and vodka, and shaosinsky wine."

"Cool! It's cool to meet someone who knows so much about alcohol."

Haruno smiled in response.

"I don't actually now anything about it. I simply go to a popular shop, where everything tastes more or less pleasant, and I tell them some things about my mood and preferences, and they give me recommendations."

Ha. On the contrary, to become experienced with alcohol is to not brag about it.

You mention names of wine, like Moria-zo,Mao,Dassay, when you want to be the cool student while in reality you have hardly learned the pleasure of alcoholism. But the sense of Haruno-san came to mind.

I detest people who spout off their knowledge about a glass of wine. Especially those who worship Belgian beer and refuse Japanese dry beer. It is some kind of illness.

And why do we boys like to show off something we were not asked about? It might look impressive, but it looks very sad if we do not have complete knowledge.

"Sommelier, sommelier!" But I don't know what to think of the girl with sparkling eyes Gahama, who has zero experience.

The experience of modern writers is also awfully awful. This horror of bad-writing is ever-present.

Nevertheless, influence of alcohol cannot be underestimated. There are even companies that communicate only in a state of intoxication, therefore we should at least recognize utility of alcohol.

For example, if a drunk said something that would normally be extremely offensive, it would be possible to pin all the blame on alcohol. Yeah right. The one who wasn't drunk would never forget it.

Describing the present situation, Haruno-san has become more open under the influence of alcohol. Therefore Yuighama probably feels more carefree with it.

Haruno-san brought the glass to her mouth, and savoring the aroma, emitted a pleasant moan.

This was a very much cliche gesture.

Yuigahama looked at her with delight.

"Wow, so cool!"

Cool? Well, Haruno-san, is of course, cool, but you are praising alcohol here. If drinking alcohol is cool, then those alcoholics without homes, walking in the streets, are also cool.

And the men drinking in broad daylight in Koiva or Kasay, are they handsome and cool men?

But Yuigahama, seemingly, has no concept of careless adult drunkards, therefore she admired drinking Haruno-san.

"Drinking women look somehow mature."

"Hey, dismiss these foolish thoughts."

Hey you! Your train of thought disturbs me! Find a good circle of friends, when you get into university! Promise your brother!

However there is an element of truth in Yuighama's words. We constantly admire adult things.

Probably, the only reason is because of the inaccessibility of alcohol and tobacco. Having become adults, we can easily obtain and consume these proofs of our adulthood.

But what if we have experience with sad drunkards? Alcohol very quickly loses it's charm. For example, my father sometimes comes back, and being inebriated, asks me to help me undress after a party. Why do I have to help you?

I let out a small sigh, and at the same time someone else sighed.

I looked at the other party, and I saw Yukinoshita come from the kitchen with mineral water,give one to Haruno-san, and place a hand on her champagne bottle.

"Simple Alcohol intake is not stylish. Stylish is to enjoy the quality of alcohol, while using common sense and moderation."

"That's right, and I do." However Haruno-san giggled and hugged the champagne, unwilling to give up the bottle.

Yukinoshita pulled back her hands to her sides and looked at the bottle with discontent.

"You will drink that still?"

"There are days when it is good to drink. Besides, you could say that alcohol is a kind of "grease" for life."

"I think that brings about more problems."

Yes, nothing good will come out of that statement. For example, If I blurt out something about greasing during an interview for work, they will for certain refuse me, because gears are necessary for work! (I don't get this. Does grease stop gears?)

Though sometimes there were people who play a greasing role, and soft/pliable things are sometimes necessary, like lungs.

In reality, Haruno-san ignored Yukinoshita's remark and still took a sip.

"Do not worry, I'm listening" she said quietly, but in an oddly sober tone.

I think Yukinoshita understood it too. She took the refused mineral water, and smiled slightly.

"Well, even when sober, you aren't the type of person that can talk normally."

"Yukino, you're so meaaaan." Haruno-san playfully murmured, moving her glass, and looked through it at Yukinoshita. But even through a golden distorting filter Yukinoshita's look was sharp all the same.

"So what did you want to talk about?" she asked in a carefree manner, clicking her finger tip on the glass.

What a beautiful silent ring, but within it is tension similar to the feeling of the first step on thin ice.

(4)

Time dragged on far too long.

Yuigahama and I were strangers, unable to intrude, so therefore only the sound of our breathing was audible.

She told us that she want us to look. So when I spoke, I looked everywhere waiting for her to speak. When this happened, I turned away, but soon decided to look at Yukinoshita's face firmly.

Yukinoshita said nothing all this time, and Haruno-san fixedly looked at her. Yukinoshita san slightly opened her mouth, and then close it again, as if carefully selecting the proper words, and it was done so silently that I am not even sure she was breathing.

I only saw one confused faced here though.

Yukinoshita gave a wry smile and abruptly started to speak " About what the things that happen between us will be>" she said not loudly, but cold and piercing.

To me, it seemed as if the voice echoed through the room. Or probably, I was intimidated by it's timbre. Probably, the direct staunch look and fierce eyes are capable to shake the heart of the listener.

And Haruno-san - not an exception.

"That means you want to talk to me?" she asked, visibly excited.

"Yes. Because this conversation concerns, me, you, and mother."

Having listened to this new information, Haruno-san blinked and tilted her head sideways. She thought of something, understood what Yukinoshita said, and lowered her shoulders in disappointment.

"And here I thought you wanted to talk about something else." Haruno said, sighed, and gave a curious look towards Yukinoshita.

"Is that true?" she asked, looking at Yuigahama as if looking for confirmation. Haruno-san's gaze caused Yuighama to fidget nervously. But Yukinoshita stepped in, moving forward.

"I want you to listen to me" she said in a steady voice. The same tiembre, and even the same volume, but simply told a little quicker.

Here is where I saw determination. In this phrase there was no room for confusion or uncertainty and even less room for mistakes, so Yukinoshita Yukino's words for certain reached Yukinosita Haruno. Haruno-san changed her posture and sat down formally, and put the glass of champagne on a table.

This pose means she is waiting for continuation from Yukinoshita.

"Speaking generally, I will come back home. I want to talk seriously to Mother about the future and my future. Even if it does not turn out well, I will have no regrets."

Haruno, whose eyes were closed, interrupted with a rough sigh.

Yukinoshita's thin shoulders trembled, and her brilliant long black hair hid her face. I couldn't see her face, but she continued.

"I want to put into words that makes me understood" she said and brushed her hair aside, revealing the disappearance of the soft smile. Seeing her face, I was able to seize my spirit back. Likely having the same effect on Yuigahama, Yukinoshita was just so beautiful.

Through her eyes, the bright determination shone through, and her cheeks flushed. It was impossible therefore, for someone to refuse to answer it.

Only Haruno-san was able of sighing with a certian regret, and I, having looked at Haruno-san, forgot to breath again; the smile of Haruno-san was identical to Yukinoshita's smile. Kind and soft, light, and a little cold.

"Are you absolutely sure this is your answer, Yukino-chan?" her voice soft and kind.

Yukinoshita nods in the affirmative. But Haruno-san continued to look at her with an estimating look. Seeing that no-more was coming from Yukinoshita, she gave out a short sigh.

"Well it's fine. Already a little better" Haruno told herself, and quietly took the glass and drained in one drink. She looked at the empty glass, and I don't know what expression she wore. All I could see were droplets flowing down.

Haruno-san looked at the glass long enough and nodded."I understand what you want to say. If you are serious, I will help you."

"You will help?" Yukinoshita looked at Haruno with mistrust that was quickly overwritten with a broad smile.

"Yes" she answered curtly, but Yukinoshita did not change as a person. I didn't either. I knew this well enough not to accept words at face value.

Therefore, I chose not to ask again, realizing inopportuness.

"More important, is it possible"

"Mother will certainly not change a course she is set on easily. Therefore it is necessary that you take time to persuade her. So I will offer the right word at the right time." Haruno said, and gave a cheerful wink.

She's right. Haruno's mother is highly unlikely to change her opinion

Of course, I have not spent enough time with her, and I only drew conclusions from conversations with Yuki

noshita that could be overheard casually by me. I personally think that she is a person that does not require another's opinion

Though she addresses Yukinoshita as daughter, her words were turned against her.Therefore, if even these simple conversations can be believed, conversations with Yukinoshita in private will go especially foul. Her image is close to the ideal of stubborn Yukinoshita when I first met her, and of Haruno-san, who it seems listens, but pays no attention to the speaker.

At once it is clear that they are their mother's daughters. Therefore, if Haruno-san communicates with her mother for even one day too late or early, her support wouldn't have value.

But here Haruno-san laughed.

"Though I don't know, whether it'll do anything." Bursting out laughing at her own words, Haruno-san tilts the bottle and pours champagne into the empty glass. It isn't clear whether it's possible or not.

After stopping to laugh and downing yet another glass, Haruno-san gave Yukinoshita another long, serious look.

"But...But isn't it better not to go back at once?" Yuigahamama said, and Haruno-san looked slightly suprised at the unexpected comment.

"I was sent here because she was worried about Yukino chan. If I return now, it is even more likely that she disagrees."

Directly speaking, she was sent as the observer. Or more likely for supervision. Well after all she was a minor, and it was the duty of the trustee to sponsor her.

"Prepare your things.And still call Mother. After all we will need to prepare everything for your return."

I distinctly remember my grandmother telling my father the same thing before we went to see his parents. After that they over fed me almost to death. Grannnie, I may be young, but my stomach is not a black hole.

Now is not the time to remember the Hikagaya family. Right now, the main concern was the Yukinoshita Family.

Yukinoshita hesitated, deep in thought, and nodded.

"That's right. I'll do it."

"Then if Yukino-chan returns home, can I use this apartment from time to time? Surely, you wouldn't be opposed?

"It's not my personal apartment. Do as you wish." Yukino answered without hesitation.

"Thank you. Start packing and come back soon, to procrastinate would be lazy."

Yukinoshita will apparently be living at her mothers house for a long time.

If she goes to school from her mothers house from now on, she needs to transport all of her things away from her house.

For me, as a guy, such large-scale moving is not necessary. But she is a girl after all, and they need to transport clothes, dryer material, cosmetics. Whenever Komachi packed for travel, she had huge suitcases. I don't understand, but Yuigahama did, and she raised hur hand .

"Me too! I will help!."

"It's not necessary, I cannot force my inconveniences on you."

"It's fine, it's fine. I want to help. I like to clean!"

"But what about your room..."

But Yuigahama was resolute, and Yukinoshita gave up, having been put on the back foot. I thought she would last longer.

Yuigahama gave a slight smile and hung her head.

"This is all I can do for now." she said under her breath. She probably noticed that she was overheard, and lifted her head quickly and poorly manufactured a grin.

Yukinoshita gave her a pitying look, and said nothing. Seeing this picture, I became disgusted. To insert oneself into personal situations unasked make me sick.

But I could respect her Yuigaham's noble desires at least. But where does that put me? I didn't need to think about that long.

"Free workers are a rare commodoties these days, and labor even has laws regarding it now. Real unpaid work is a true rarity that even you need to take advantage of.

Even underground criminal organizations have rules about the workers."

Work can't be that bad. Work during the day, working after hours, two days off a week.(Nobody says that these two days off you will be given a break). This is great!

I appear to be the only happy one here. Hello? Yukinoshita and Yuigahama both looked at me with pain written on their expressions.

Only Haruno-san gave me a slight grin.

"Well, that;s fine. You can stay overnight tonight, after all, when Yukino-chan comes home you can't visit her so simply anymore."

I recieved the necessary permission from the elder sister, and her tone was somehow much softer then usual.

But there was something in her words and that something was heartbreaking and sad.

Yes, when Yukinoshita goes to her mother's, Yuighama can't come over as regularly. Already there is something major that will change. Neverthless, it looked like that this hit softened Yukinoshita's defense.

She turned around a leaned slightly towards Yuighama and looked at her face.

"Then, do your best."- Yukinoshita was embarrassing Yuigahama now, who turned a soft shade of pink, and then smiled broadly.

Yuigahama clapped her on her hip

"Certainly, of course!" came Yuigahma's too quick response, a strong smile on her face.

It probably wasn't very pleasant to have her hips touched, so Yukinoshita turned quickly.

"I do not have enough room for you if Yuighama-san stays overnight" she told Haruno-san.

In response, Haruno-san rapped her knuckles against the sofa she was laying on.

" I can sleep here for one night. Besides, I need to do some drinking alone. "

Haruno-san said, swirling her empty glass, and Yukinoshita sighed response.

"Then it's settled, I'll go get the room ready"

"Mhm"

The conversation, apparently, is finished and Haruno-san rose.

"I'll go down to the supermarket. You guys need anything?" asked Haruno-san asked generously, and the girls shook their heads.

Haruno-san nodded in reply, took her coat hanging on the back of the chair and left the room. Looking at her leaving, I also noticed a hanging wall clock. Oho, look at the time.

The perfect time to leave. "I'll go with her."

After all, moving Yukinoshita's things will force us all in close proximity. Also I will be exposed to female.. dedicates, and get severe nosebleeds as the typical protagonist. As a result of blood loss, I'd be force to stay over.

I should avoid that! Otherwise I will lose my own person, like Tatsui and Hiro! Moreover, I feel awkward to be in the same room as a girl.

I rose to follow the footsteps of Haruno-san, and the girls, without communicating with each other, rose as well and followed me.

It seems they want to escort me when I leave. But when I bent to wear my shoes, Haruno-san didn't slow down at all and quickly put on her sandals and left the apartment.

It didn't affect me at all. I was fine, fine.

Actually though, I didn't want to stand awkwardly together with her in the lift. I decided to slow down putting on shoes to put some distance between us. Behind me, as shoe horn was pushed towards me.

"Oh, thanks." Turning to take the spoon, I saw Yukinoshita. It was a humble and reserved look she wore, and after giving me the spoon, she lacked a place to put her hands, so she kneaded them together.

"I'm sorry that I involved you in this family business"-she said, then inclined her head, and I carelessly nodded in reply.

It was a really meaningless conversation. No serious changed occurred. Yukinoshita merely declared a self evident thing aloud, that she wanted to solve her own problems.

"Doesn't matter. After all it was necessary." For her, and probably for me. After rising, I checked how the footwear fit and returned the shoe horn to Yukinoshita.

"And I didn't do anything to be thankful for. Rather, you should be thanking Yuigahama, and good look with moving."

Yuigahama gave me such a grateful smile that I got goosebumps, and I turned to face her. She clasped her hands towards her chest.

"Of course! I will help out with cleaning!" Apparently, the helper should be the expert, or at least be good. For some reason it does not seem that you are strong at cleaning.

But after all, you learned to cope and manage cooking even with your complete and absolute lack of talent. Therefore, she could accomplish other things like cleaning.

Slowly, with almost imperceptible speed, we all change.

"Bye" I said while turned the handle of the door and in the middle of heading out.

Yuigahama waved a hand at breast level, while Yukinoshita awkwardly attempted to wave her hand at hip level.

"Aha, bye Hikki"

"Be careful"

I got a little embarrassed from being under such focus. I nodded as a token of my gratitude and took my leave.

After going down alone in the lift, I walked into a silent lobby. It is natural that there would be few people at this time. And this particular apartment complex was for rich people, therefore very few people walked around at night.

Knowing this, I moved forwards. However near an exit, I saw a girl, with a look that clashed with the ideal of the rich.

It didn't feel like Haruno Yukinoshita. Wearing light pink pastel tones in a brick pattern, fleecy, fluffy and soft clothes where covered by a hoodie. And there were short shorts that leave her beautiful legs vulnerable.

Even though her jacket has a zipper, she didn't zip it past the bottom of her breasts. This look certainly doesn't suit an elegant lobby of a building, but it was far more beautiful then it.

These clothes are one problem, but her carelessness in being so exposed was another problem all together. And while I wasn't a person prone to small talk, I had to acknowledge her. To ignore her would be unnatural.

Besides, she's smiling broadly and gesturing for me. I need to approach.

"I thought that you already left" I said, and Haruno-san smiled.

"What a pleasant coincidence. It's like we arranged a meeting." she whispered, as though being secretive.

"I don't think that's right.Call it an ambush" It might seem similar, but those are as different as the two songs by Amin and Yumin "I wait for you" and ambush"

But even after all the truths, the action is the same.

The most terrible thing here is Yukinoshita Haruno. She proceeded onward, without doubting at all that I would follow her.

At least the next supermarket was somewhere close to the station, so I can head back home from there.

Walking one step behind Haruno-san, the doors shut behind me. On the night highway the cold winter wind blew.

The winter wind whipped on cheeks, causing Haruno-san to bury herself more deeply in her coat.

She noticed something, and smelling her hoodie, frowned. "Hmm" she discontentedly hummed and grasped my hand sniffed it, and placed it on the hoodie.

What is this? Why do you want my hand? Do you need organs? Or maybe you need my fingerprints? Wait, I'm a genius, and I've figured it out. She will use my iphone and withdraw money.

Hah, I'm already one step ahead of you, I spent all my phone money on 5 star waifus.

Without understanding what had occurred, I withdrew my hand and caught a faint whiff of tobacco. She sniffed at it again.

Probably, the coat became infused with the smell of tobacco when she drank at a bar. I worked part-time at a bar before, so I would be ablel to identify this smell.

Her shower probably washed the smell away from her hair. Smokers get used to this odor and pay it no mind, but non-smokers are severely irritated with it.

Especially this Smolny heavy smell similar to popular during the Seva era strong tobacco. If it was a smell with a menthol, vanilla, or female flower aroma, it would be alright. But that was a distinctly male cigarette smell.

Does this mean she drank with a man? Man, poor guy. She has a boyfriend? No, at her age, it is perfectly normal, so why was I slightly sad when I learned about that.

It felt like the wedding of your favorite actress, someone you thought was previously untouchable. You don't need to report this to a blog though. But I'm worried! I should lie down in fetal position. And then on my back. And then just sprawl out.

It is difficult to listen to this and not be shocked to your core. Surprise is too simple a word when facing unexpected information of this caliber.

Rather, hate!

It felt dangerous. If someone close told me something similar I would also be shocked for certain. For example, Komachi. Or Komachi, And still, also, Komachi,Komachi, and Komachi.

Alright, while there are benefits to escapism, I need to think seriously about this. If heard that about Komachi I would surely die from sudden temperature or heart troubles. Good luck, Komachi!

If Haruno-san's jacket had such a strong odor of tobacco, that means she was at the bar for a long time. The air freshener in the room hammered at her, but the odor didn't leave all the same.

"You spent a long time drinking."

"Yes, I really didn't want to go back. A few more, and I would have stayed there till the morning"

Haruno said sadly, and gave off a tired sigh.

"I see...." Till the morning! That's obsecene. For example "Night Channels" or "Night life" has the connotation of sensuality and obscenity. Eh, I don't want to know that about Haruno-san. Hachiman's Hacimanovsky would blow up.

Actually, what about the forty gun salute? Everrybody sometimes celebrates explosively. Though, it's not the time for opposing justification.

It's rather odd to think about what Haruno-san behaved like when she was drunk, even though I was grateful for this turn of events.

I'm also glad that she discarded her mask, usually Haruno-san would refused such interrogation, besides she looked happier.

Because of these thoughts I lagged behind a few steps. Haruno-san turned swiftly, "It's better if I returned as early as possible! I need to listen to Yukino-chan." the weakened Haruno-chan said

"..."

But I kept silent, so Haruno-san looked at me inquisitively, as if trying to understand why I was silent.

I gave a slight shake of the head, meaning that it wasn't anything serious.

"I'm just surprised" Haruno-san stopped in place and gave childish smile.

"At that?"

"It's hard to say. Why did you seriously listen to her?"

"It's natural after all, as the elder sister"

After her smile transformed into one of discontent, she took a step back, spun around and kept walking.

"Hikagaya-kun wouldn't you listen to Komachi-chan if she came to you asking for help?"

"O-Oh, I get it now." Yes, it's true with anything that involves Komachi even slightly. I would drop everything and listen to her if she approached me seriously, and would fight anything to answer her.

I mulled over the comparison with my sister, and Haruno-smiled.

"There you see. I will help Yukino-chan always, even if her choice is incorrect."

"But wouldn't it be necessary to stop her if she made a wrong choice?"

"She would not come to me if she did. Besides, to me this is unimportant. Whether she will be allowed to leave, or whether she will give up, it will change nothing"

I couldn't see her face, so I walked slightly forward to look. Without coming closer then would be proper, I took a detached view of her face. At long last, we passed through a viaduct over the highway, and began walking through the small avenue in the park.

Lamps shine on a field, giving it the color of dry grass. Light that falls down on her pale cheeks shifts with each new step, creating the contrast of warm patches of light and ice shadows where I couldn't discern her emotions.

It's fine, because I wouldn't be able to pin her down with such uncertain words.

After passing through the field surrounded with trees, we stumbled onto an open space, a field in the park center. Having left the avenue with fountains, Haruno-san started walking quietly, and looked up at the sky.

There, as I expected, was a moon, and two trees similar to each other, as if they were twin high rise buildings, shrouded in weak light.

After jumping and landing lightly on her feet, Haruno turned to me.

"Being given deadlines and responsibilities makes people into adults."

"Hmm, is that so." It's odd, how narrowing of decisions leads to growing. Narrowing a choice and reducing possibilities is how people come to more accurate predictions of the future.

I could understand that, and Yukinoshita was probably making her decision with such thoughts in mind. But my attention was capture by the mourning eyes of Haruno-san when she said those words. It was almost as if she was talking about someone far away.

"Have you had similar experience?"

"I don't think so" she answered with a smile. "An why would I? We're talking about Yukino here, for this is the first time she is so resolutely adjusted. Hikagaya-kun, look after her."

Can this be taken differently as "do not interfere?" The same nuance in the word "nice" that she uttered over phone.

To admire Yukinoshita's strength of will is good, and I don't disagree with that. But I can't insert my own opinion. So I can only agree with Haruno-san.

Because if it is what Yukinoshita wishes for, it is what she wants. And if even Yukinoshita Haruno approves of it, I am simply looking for a problem that isn't there.

"A-alright." Haruno-san is seemingly pleased with my answer. She takes a playful stance now, knitting her hands behind her back, straightened up and gave a cheerful smile.

"Hehe, I overstepped myself again, as the elder sister."

"Don't you always do that"

"Meanie!"

She instantly answered my playful question, patted me on the head, looked at me, and smiled.

"And here you are, the opposite of me, always behaving yourself, big brother."

Of course I am the ever present big brother. I already have reached level "veteran" in "Big Brotherness". My instincts are so natural they are a part of me and I can say it with pride.

Haruno fixedly looked me in the eyes and suddenly burst out laughing. "Wow, how honorable. It's good to have a big brother. I always wanted such a brother!" Haruno-san playfully said with a drunk look, laying a hand on me and leaning her elbows into me to force me to notice pleasant smells and softness.

"I don't like drunks"

"And I'm not very drunk."

I tried to carefully unhook her hand from me, but due to our uncertain gate, I was unable to.

So we left the avenue, arriving at the road to the station. After passing two cross walks, we arrived at the outlet center.

It was already closed but warm light still burned on the gas station. It became immensely awkward for me because people were looking at us.

We reached a fork, station the left, supermarket to the right. Haruno released me carefully, and skipped for a step.

"Are you okay going back by yourself?"

"Ah, what kindness! Super! Gentleman, real gentleman!" she said, tapping my shoulder and gave off the alluring smile that only girls were capable of.

I strained not to let a blush show on my cheeks, and failed, to Haruno-san's satisfaction.

"I'm not a gentlemen. I'm going home anyway." I said.

Harun smiled at me again.

"Yes everything is normal" even with her smile, the phrase was devoid of playfulness and her eyes appeared to let out cold light

"I really don't get drunk!"

Yeah sure, whatever.I don't know how much you drank. But her voice no longer faltered, she no longer skipped, and

it was as if Yukinoshinto Haruno was ordinary Yukinoshita Haruno again. Fine and seductive, a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Therefore I also started to play it off as if it didn't affect me. Nonetheless, I gave out a sigh of disappointment, and presented one last test.

"Alcoholics always say they can't get drunk."

"I'm not actually drunk, to be honest with you. It's rather that I simply can't drunk" she said slowly. And falling victim to my own curiosity, I looked at her closely, and she looked far away.

Her cheeks were still slightly reddish, but the look was cold, and the slovenly smile was no longer present.

"No matter how much I drank, there is always sober me in the back of my head. And I understand what happens. Even when I smile and have fun, I can't feel it as me."

And even during this moment, from the mouth of the original, Haruno-san speaks as if she is talking about someone else. Literally, she is talking about herself, but somehow too objectively, so the concept of "I" is dim.

Her own private worlds uninterrupted by anyone else seems bound of both truth and lie. Haruno-san noticed that I was watching her closely,

so she stuck out her tongue, as if to dismiss everything as jokes.

"That's why I go out on family meetings and campaigns to get drunk and afterwards I just go to sleep."

"That has to be the worst way to get drunk" I easily answered. "It really is." Haruno-san told me and grinned slightly, covering her mouth with a hand.

She walked away again, moving away from me by two steps. I decided to watch until she made it to the supermarket. Haruno-san turned back and waved to me with a hand.

And then I saw a smile on her face I had never seen before, and I have never seen since.

It was tender and kind, and I could even feel sympathy through the space between us.

"You're probably the same you know. I'll make a prediction. You can't get drunk."

"Stop it. I plan to be a future corporate slave that goes on company meetings or a househusband that drinks beer bought using the money of the wife in broad day light.

I said this disturbing, impudent and unpleasant thing in place of a farewell, and smiled. I took one step and turned back.

Haruno, an aloof and usually disingenuous person was watching me leave.

The distance between us meant we didn't have to talk, in principle.

"I still think you're drunk." I said. Why tell me all these things? Why smile so sincerely and cheerfully?

As if she's showing me her real self. She's certainly drunk.

"You think? I see. Well it's fine, think what you want." Haruno-san said, awkwardly hiding her carefree smile with a hand.

It felt like one more mask was added thanks to alcohol. After all, all alcohol does is tell a huge lie to open your soul. She did not show her real self,and instead paraded a shortcoming.

If someone were to ask me about this inconsistent creation, or her everyday mask, probably it was the adult version.

More or less adult, because at the end she could pretend that she forgot something that is impossible to accept.

The night was already late enough, and the city was covered by a dense darkness, making the only thing visible the rare light in houses and draft s by a taxi. The further I depart from the station, the noise because farther.

In this calm there was only one phrase I could hear.