Friendship, Snow's Farewell and The Promise of Spring

The next day was a Sunday, a holiday for many people and a chance to flock outdoors to enjoy playing, as snow had not yet arrived this winter. Today, the sun was shining, providing a perfect environment to play in Chiba.

Chiba is an eclectic place where intimate museums, stunning national parks, and tranquil temples share space with buzzing restaurants, modern mega-malls, and thrilling theme parks. As a bonus, some of the nation's best beaches are just a short distance away. The city is less than an hour from Tokyo, so it's excellent for a day trip.

Amid this cityscape, many travelers and locals will find themselves passing through Narita International Airport, taking their family to Chiba Park to hike the trails of Chiba Park, or enjoying relaxation time with picnics on holidays.

Established as a municipal park several years after World War II, Chiba Park now stands on the former site of Railroad Regiment No. 1.

Ancient lotuses flourished in abundance, gracing the landscape with their vibrant blooms from late June to early July. Learning of this natural spectacle, many tourists visit Chiba Park in Chiba City, just one kilometer north of the bustling central area. 

In 1952, global recognition was bestowed upon the Oga Lotus, a botanical marvel that emerged from the meticulous efforts of a dedicated botanist and lotus expert. Through extensive excavations, three lotus seeds were unearthed, and with careful nurturing, one of them blossomed into the illustrious Oga Lotus. Since its inception, this revered flower has been cultivated across Japan, finding its tranquil home within the serene confines of Chiba Park.

Though of course, it was meaningless to anyone who had nothing to do and just sat on the bench waiting for someone.

In that Chiba Park, Towa was staring up into the clear blue sky, with nothing to do as he sat on a bench and had a uniquely Japanese icy treat, ice cream mochi. Biting into the soft, chewy exterior meet a center of pillowy ice cream. An ice cream daifuku, meanwhile, is usually a bit larger and contains extra fillings inside the mochi – thick red bean paste, matcha, or even strawberries.

'It's a fairly big park'

Towa went to Akihabara at his cousins' place as he was working there as a mascot at 'Homura' Japanese confectionery shop. After helping Towa got a fair share of money from his aunt increasing his allowance for more gacha. He even got this newly made creation which was originally suggested by himself, finally completed by his Uncle and now is a very popular item on the menu.

'Kon thanks for keeping it cold' Towa thanked telepathically to Kon who was resting inside his shadow.

After getting some time to recover his powers, now he could be summoned anytime in his cat form or fox avatar with Towa's mana. While in this form Kon can use some of his powers like his ice magic for cold storage of snacks.

'Ah, well, don't mind it. But I will accept any token of your appreciation from your side.'

'Okay, your fried tofu combo with premium tuna cut will be there as we reach home'

Towa had put his bike in the parking area near the entrance after retrieving it back from his school. He arrived a bit early than planned so he was enjoying his share of mochi first.

"I like the strawberry one the most but next time I'll ask Aunt for matcha for a change."

He was already there for about 15 minutes. It seems like it's about time for the meeting.

"Towa-san…"

Towa turned his head towards the voice and saw Yukinoshita Yukino standing there.

This goes without saying, but she was not in her school uniform, as it was Sunday. She was wearing her straight hair up in a twin tail instead of down as she does in school and a black sweater adorned with a playful cat print. It was such a fresh sight. 

"Hello Yukino, Looks like something happened by the look on your face," Towa mentioned the uneasy face Yukino was making.

"Yes, many things happened."

"I see, do you like strawberry daifuku? Let's talk while eating on the bench." Towa pointed at the bench he had been occupying.

Leaving the details Yukino explained what happened. To sum it up, looks like Yukino and his fake friendship was revealed to her big sister after the dinner at home. Maybe because she is her sister, Haruno must have guessed it.

Maybe Yukino could hide expressions.

But she couldn't fake emotions.

If she could, Haruno never have seen through her act...

She was pretty clumsy that way.

 "Well, it can't be helped now that cat is out of the bag."

"Towa-san, I have something important to say."

"Yes?"

"C-Can I become friends with you? Not the fake one like before, but real friends," Yukino asked, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"Friends... I see, then I'll gladly like that."

"But before becoming friends, I think we only can after I pay you back first. That way we can be friends on an equal footing."

"Hmm, then do you remember the promise I made with you last time about helping you make friends, then just do that, and I'll be content."

"Well then, Towa-san, once again, we become friends," Yukino said with a happy smile, reaching forward for a handshake.

"Yes, that's right." Towa clasped her hand firmly in his own.

"My goodness, look at what we have here. I thought I saw a 'Burglar Cat', but it was just a small rice-cake rabbit."

But their moment of friendship was interrupted by a voice. Towa raised his head and an unknown girl was standing there.

Towa began wondering how he should reply to suddenly being called a 'burglar cat' and a 'rice-cake rabbit ' out of nowhere. As he observed the girl standing before him in casual attire, her shoulder-length bob cut hair pulled up into a side ponytail, he couldn't help but notice a striking resemblance to Yukino, leaving the air she was giving out.

"Nee-san!?"

"Yahallo!"

'Huh, So she is her sister.' Towa thought.

"What's the matter? It's just a greeting," she said, her tone laced with amusement. "Or are you taken aback by Onee-san's appearance? Can it be that your innocent little heart is melted by my charm, and you're experiencing a moment of bliss?"

"No, I thought I heard a greeting so novel it may have been used for the first time in human history."

"Hmm, I really like your snarky reaction," Haruno continued, flashing a smile that seemed to conceal more than it revealed. "I'm Yukino-chan's older sister, Haruno. What's your name?"

"Um, my name is Kousaka Towa."

"Towa? That's a girly name." Haruno remarked teasingly.

"It has characters for eien (eternity) so I like it." Towa did not to let her playful jabs ruffle his feathers.

"Then how shall I refer to you?" Haruno inquired, her playful tone softening slightly.

"Like normal," Towa replied with a hint of amusement.

"Okay. Towa-kun, then. Well, nice to meet you" Haruno suddenly pulled Towa into her embrace, obviously her being five years apart and Towa was lightly placed on Haruno's thighs.

"Woah! What's this for?"

"Nothing, I just find you intriguing. If you address me as Haru-nee, I might consider granting you the privilege to ask me anything... However, my 'Three Sizes' is a secret."

"What's that? I'm not interested~." Towa tried his best to play innocent.

"What are you doing Nee-san! To begin with, why are you here, weren't you waiting in the car?"

"It's nothing I just wanted to meet this new friend Yukino-chan talked about." Haruno flashed a smile treating them like a child. Looks like she won't talk unless he gets past that fake smile of hers.

 'Kon.'

'Yeah!'

"Meow~" Under the bench hidden Kon reveals himself.

"A cat?" Yukino ears perked up.

"Oh, here is Kon, our cat. Yukino, you talked about how you liked cats, right?" Towa said, prompting Kon to affectionately rub against Yukino's legs.

"How cute~!"

"Looks like he likes you. Why not play with him for a while?" Towa suggested, sensing Yukino's hesitation.

"Ah, n-no, it's..." Yukino tried to resist but it all crumbled under Kon's adorable charm.

"Meow~" Kon mewed, coaxing Yukino into playing along.

"Nya~ " Yukino unable to resist the urge to play with the friendly feline followed him to a tree near the bench.

"Well then, 'Haru-nee', won't you release me as promised? Talking like this will be hard."

"…hmm." Haruno was listening to him half-heartedly as was more focused on Yukino and Kon.

'She also likes cats. As expected, the two of them are sisters, aren't they?' Towa sighed inwardly.

Putting his hand in front of Haruno's face, Towa called out, "Oi! Haru-nee."

"Ah—! Yes, wait a sec," Haruno replied absentmindedly, releasing her hold on Towa, who landed with a soft thud.

"So Haru-nee came to spy on us here or it was something else?"

"Personally, I just wanted to see 'Kousaka Towa' is the right person to let Yukino-chan involved with. But in reality, I was here to make sure that you both remain real friends."

"Why? Normally no one would like a person who would involve their younger sibling to do scam."

"It's cute to call this 'fake' friend charade a scam. Well, you got approval from our parents as this friendship is beneficial to the Yukinoshita family."

"Alright, I won't ask further. But is it okay to tell me that?"

"You seem smart for your age, I don't see a problem," Haruno replied nonchalantly.

"I see, if the offer from before is valid Haru-nee, then can you celebrate Yukino's birthday in private like she wanted."

"About that, it was already done. I was just playing with her," Haruno confessed, her tone tinged with mischief.

"The accumulation of those stupid things might cause problems between you sisters."

"No rather it is more interesting this way, I am used to playing villain."

 "Making sure to look after your sibling and all responsibilities you bear is a prideful thing to do," Towa understood that Haruno wished Yukino wouldn't emulate her. As the older sibling, Haruno bore the brunt of the responsibilities, and witnessing someone with seemingly more freedom still embrace those duties likely frustrated her. However, her love for her sister, she tries her best to not be a role model for her.

 "Doing that for Yukino and yourself. You aren't that big of a villain."

"Really~ you say some nice things don't you, Towa-kun." She again smiled with that fake mask of hers

"I also have siblings bigger than myself, at times they try to do stuff to help even if you don't ask them," Towa reminisced about his siblings at home and his cousins with a smile on his face."But as a younger sibling, I would say it is better to share problems, it might lower some burdens from both sides and you might understand each other more."

"If it doesn't work for me…Then, will you save me from this hell?"

She smiled, a heartbreaking smile, casting aside her mask that left Towa speechless for an instant. Haruno words to him indirectly stated 'Do not bother with me.'

"It might not be sufficient, I may not be eligible yet but I'll try my best to help both Haru-nee and Yukino, whether it is to alleviate your stress or help Yukino to make friends. So try to be true to yourself between us," Towa replied earnestly "That's just how serious I am about this."

"Teehee, you're playing cute. But Onee-san won't forgive you if you make Yukino-chan cry." Haruno started her poke attack on Towa's cheeks.

"Ack-*poke* Hey, that hurts!*poke*cut that out would you! *poke*What way of hiding shyness is this!"

[50,000 Achievement points obtained]

"Nee-san, please can you not bully my friend." Looks like Yukino returned carrying Kon in her arms after playing.

"Alright," Haruno agreed, glancing at her wristwatch. "Looks like it's time to leave. We have to reach the hall to check for the event."

After exchanging quick goodbyes, they parted ways.

"Well, we're finally done here. Let's go home," Towa suggested, ready to leave.

"What was that roundabout way you took, even giving that note on purpose? Wasn't this just a little change of Achievement Points?"

"Well what to say, I guess she was similar to me as I was in my past life maybe. I don't know why I did it." Towa left for home with his bike after dismissing Kon.

On the other side.

In the car, Haruno found herself lost in thought, her mind replaying the events of the day. Unconsciously she put her hands on her cheeks, feeling the warmth that lingered there.

"Nee-san are you alright? Your face is all red." Yukino observed, noticing her sister's flushed cheeks.

"Nothing, maybe it's the sun." She tried brushing off her sister's concern. But deep down Haruno didn't know what she was feeling.

As they continued their journey, Haruno's thoughts remained fixated on one thing: 'Just keep your promise and be interesting for me, Towa-kun.' It was a fleeting thought, yet it carried a weight that she couldn't quite comprehend.

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