I like Yukino too

"Friend?"

Hayama Hayato never expected to hear the word "friend" from Amano Makoto.

He had always regarded Amano as his opposite.

The other person always seemed to succeed in everything Hayama wanted to do but failed at.

Even back in elementary school, Hayama had wanted to be involved in Yukino's bullying incident, but he knew deep down that he played no part in it.

On the other hand, Makoto Amano, who was unremarkable in elementary school, always surprised everyone with his unexpected actions.

Not only did he "save" Yukinoshita Yukino, but even Yukinoshita Haruno, whom Hayama struggled to get close to, paid attention to Makoto Amano.

In the eyes of others, Hayama Hayato might be the popular and charismatic figure in class, but in front of Makoto Amano, he always felt inferior.

It was like being overshadowed by a dark cloud.

That's why Hayama hated Makoto Amano.

"Why can you say such things so easily?"

Being friends with Amano Makoto was impossible for Hayama Hayato.

"Don't take everything so seriously all of a sudden."

Makoto Amano turned and walked away.

"Friends play together, don't they?"

Hayama Hayato couldn't resist and finally turned around, but Amano Makoto, who was gradually moving away, simply waved his hand without looking back.

"I still have plans with Haruno later. I'm done here for today. Goodbye."

Makoto Amano had always been good at reading people.

---

"Hayama-senpai, was that Amano-senpai from Class A in the second grade just now?"

The football club manager, a girl with short, light yellow hair who usually portrayed a cute schoolgirl image, jogged over out of curiosity about Hayama Hayato's actions.

She happened to witness the conversation between Amano Makoto and Hayama Hayato before they parted ways.

"Is he your friend, Hayama-senpai?"

Although it was an unintentional question, she unknowingly touched a sensitive subject for Hayato.

...

Hayama Hayato's gloomy expression became even more menacing. He gave the girl a stern look in response to her question and walked away without saying a word.

"Senior Hayama... so scary..."

The girl pressed her hands against her chest in shock.

Hayato Hayama's demeanor just now was far from the friendly image she had of him.

"Why did he suddenly get angry? I just wanted to ask if Senior Amano plans to join the football club..."

As she watched Hayama Hayato walk away, the first-year football club manager pouted cutely when nobody was looking.

---

Several days had passed since Makoto Amano talked to Hayato Hayama.

"Yukino~ Yukino, Yumeko, Hayama, and Ebina have made up. The class atmosphere has finally returned to normal."

Yuigahama Yui happily rushed into the service club room and called out Yukino's name.

She had informed Hayama Hayato and the others about the service club, and Hayama had taken the initiative to apologize to Ebina Hina and Yumiko in class.

Ebina and Yumiko had also apologized, and tears of reconciliation were shed. It was a happy ending.

"They've already made up?"

Yukino recalled that she had only asked Yuigahama Yui to call Hayama Hayato and the others. But she hadn't seen them since then, so she assumed the issue had been resolved.

Also, why was this girl suddenly calling me by my first name?

Being addressed by her first name directly by her family and others besides Makoto Amano, Yukino felt a little uncomfortable.

"Yeah, I conveyed Yukino's original words to our classmate Hayama: 'If we're truly friends, there shouldn't be any conflicts that can't be resolved.' Hayama seemed to understand and took the initiative to resolve it with Yumiko and the others. It was just a misunderstanding, and thanks to Yukino, it got resolved."

The girl with a bun-shaped head affectionately held the hand of the girl with long, straight black hair.

"No...I..."

Did I actually help?

Yukino felt as if she hadn't done anything, and the matter had already been resolved this time.

Naturally, she cast suspicious eyes towards Amano Makoto, who was sitting next to her.

"Yuigahama-san, what are you planning to do with my Yukino?"

Makoto Amano pretended to be angry and pointed at Yuigahama Yui's hands that were about to wrap around Yukino's shoulders from behind.

Yuigahama seems to enjoy playing with girls' emotions quite a bit.

"How possessive. I like Yukino too."

Yuigahama Yui released her grip on Yukino with a pout.

In her eyes, Amano Makoto and Yukinoshita Yukino were definitely a couple.

"Why are you saying such misleading things?"

Amano successfully diverted her attention.

"What's with my Yukino..."

This guy has thick skin.

"Because Yuigahama-san is too forward; she started touching Yukino as soon as she came in... It's really enviable... I mean, she needs to stop!"

"Really? You're not concealing any wicked desires in your heart anymore?"

Yukino's disgust grew stronger.

"It's not perverted... Also, I just thought the sentence I said earlier was cool, so I said it."

"Boring."

Amidst the disgust, there was a hint of annoyance.

That... The girl with the bun-shaped head, who had been caught between the two and could only "watch the battle," finally found an opportunity to speak up.

Although her tone was quite weak...

"Are you two really not dating?"

Yuigahama Yui's eyes shifted back and forth between Amano Makoto and Yukinoshita Yukino.

"No."

"No."

One denied it flatly, while the other provided a subtle response.

"I apologize for misunderstanding, but he and I are indeed just childhood friends for now."

Makoto Amano stared at the girl with the bun-shaped head in front of him, wearing a pensive expression.

"Oh."

Although she heard the answer, Yuigahama Yui still seemed a little confused.

"Yuigahama-san, since the matter has been resolved, it seems you don't need to stay with me any longer."

Yukino, noticing Makoto Amano's gaze, quickly expressed her intention to see the girl with the bun-shaped head off.

"But I still want to stay with Yukino for a while... Can't I?"

Even though they hadn't spent much time together, Yuigahama Yui seemed to genuinely like this cold and aloof girl with long, straight black hair, who was actually very gentle.

"I... It's the first time someone has treated me with such hopeful and straightforward eyes."

And from the other girl's gaze, she couldn't see the jealousy and rejection that other girls often displayed.

That's why Yukino, rarely, blushed again.

"I also find the service club quite intriguing. Yukino and Amano are also very interesting, so..."

Yuigahama Yui, who has always been in the home club, wants to find a club for herself.

And though the name is quite peculiar, the service department with its friendly members seems like a good option.

"Yuigahama Yui-san!"

Just as the two young girls had settled down and the atmosphere was pleasant, Makoto Amano suddenly slammed his hand on the table.

And he aggressively stood up from his chair.

"Woo..."

The frightened dumpling-headed girl cowered, resembling a cute little cub.

The black-haired girl, affected by the sudden outburst, furrowed her brows slightly.

It seemed like she was reprimanding Makoto Amano for speaking so loudly all of a sudden.

"W-what's the matter?"

Confronting the suddenly intense Makoto Amano, Yuigahama Yui sought refuge behind Yukino, her face filled with fear.