Ch.144 Utaha

"It was a fun event."

Aki says as he says goodbye to the group before entering the bus, Hikigaya also follows him while giving others a nod.

"Miyamura, Hori let me give you a ride."

Chika says as she drags them into the car that had come to pick her up before they can even say anything it drives off into the distance.

Seeing this Ai gives a hidden thumbs up as she also looks at the group, making a respectful gesture she bows to Kaguya as she says.

"Kaguya Sama, please forgive I have some things to do. I will wait for you at home."

"Ok, you must have some things to do."

Kaguya nods as Ai enters one of the cars, signaling to the driver she also left the area. The remaining people are Ryuu, Yukino, Sora, Utaha, and Kaguya.

An awkward silence hangs between Ryuu and Yukino, as for the other they are just staring at them in silence.

"Brother, can you get me a drink.."

Sora breaks the silence as she stares at her brother without any change in her emotions.

"Oh..Uh..Ok.. Wait for a while.."

Saying that he rushes toward a nearby shop, Yukino stares at his fleeting figure with conflicting emotions while the other three stare at her.

"So, anything to say?"

Utaha asks as she stares at Yukino after all this entire operation was a joint operation to find out the thing wrong with Ryuu.

"Haaa.. That idiot seems to be hiding something big.. Idiot can't he even trust me..even though I trust him with my life."

Yukino mutters with a sigh as she again turns to the direction Ryuu had walked.

"Just this.?"

Kaguya asks with a raised eyebrow, finding the lack of information quite surprising. Seeing this Yukino narrows her eyes as she says in an irritated voice.

"What are you asking surprised for, Don't you know him... If he wants to hide something do you think it will be easy to find it out..that idiot.."

Her voice dies down in the end as it starts to get softer. Sora just stares at this interaction without asking anything anything or adding to the conversation.

"You have something to ask?"

Yukino turns to Sora feeling her stare, not turning her eyes away Sora replies.

 "Nothing... I guessed this would happen."

Hearing her reply all three of them stare at her with questioning gazes, after all among the four of them only she has been always calm in this matter.

"Do you know something?"

Kaguya asks in a little raised voice, hearing her question Sora turns her head away and looks at the returning figure of Ryuu.

"Perhaps."

She replies as she walks toward Ryuu and gives him a big hug, although surprised Ryuu hugs her back.

"Did something happen, Sora?"

Ryuu asked in a gentle tone as he patted Sora's head, Sora turned her head up looking at his face.

"Brother will you ever leave me."

"Haaa, what kind of question is that? Didn't I promise you already that I will never leave you.."

"So you will not leave Sora?"

Sora asks again her voice softer than ever and her eyes giving a gentle but vulnerable light.

"Yes, I will never my dear Sora."

Hearing Ryuu's reply she puts her head near his chest as she listens to his heartbeat.

"I will also never leave you... brother...."

Sora replies her voice carrying a hidden tone that Ryuu couldn't pick... perhaps he did.. only he knows.

Looking at the interaction between Sora and Ryuu, the other three watch in silence as they try to find the hidden meaning in her words.

After all, Sora was the one who called them for this cooperation, and if she isn't saying something she knows there must be a big reason for it.

Hearing their response all three had their thoughts but there was one thing common about them.

All of their faces showed a grave tone as if their family died.. well if their thoughts are correct the situation for them is even graver than this.

"Hey, is something wrong?"

Ryuu asks in a worried tone as he looks at the grave tone on their face, hearing his question they quickly calm themselves down.

"No.. there is nothing wrong?"

Utaha replies while the other nods, seeing this Ryuu turns his attention toward Sora, and getting out of her embrace he hands her the drink he bought.

"Thanks."

Sora replies in a soft voice as she takes the drink. After which they have a small chat about their picnic experience before entering the car.

Unnoticed to Ryuu a look of determination burns in the eyes of the three girls as they look at Ryuu.

Sora falls asleep in Ryuu's embrace as soon as the car starts, Yukino and Ryuu have a conversation as the awkward tension between them melts.

After all being friends for so long what haven't they gone through, by their experience alone they are closer than any lovers.

Kaguya and Utaha also add to the conversation as they have a joyous ride.

Yukino falls asleep mid-way as she uses Ryuu's shoulder as a pillow, showing a comfortable sleeping face.

Kaguya looks at Utaha for a while before she also closes her eyes, as for of she fell asleep or not, there is no need to know that.

So now the only people awake in the car are Ryuu and Utaha... Let's not count the driver after all he is being paid to act like air.

"It's been a while since we had a conservation just between us..."

Utaha says as she looks at Ryuu's face, hearing her words Ryuu gives a soft sigh before he nods.

"I guess this is quite a rare occasion.."

Ryuu replies as he also stares at Utaha, both of them become silent as they remember their first-ever meeting.

"If not for you that may have been my last day in this world...."

"Well.. we can't be sure. But you should have been more careful that day.."

"Well.. many things were going through my mind that day.... Still thank you...."

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