[328] Saving Yukino

Chapter 328: Saving Yukino

"Can we take a photo together?"

Hachiman was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected the girl to come to him for a photo.

"What's wrong? Haven't made any friends yet?"

Upon hearing his words, Rumi fell silent for a moment, but the next moment she lifted her head again, a smile spreading across her face.

"Thanks to you, things have improved a lot for me. Although I still don't have any friends right now, I'm sure I'll find some soon."

Actually, I've already found some.

With this thought in mind, the girl quietly looked at Hachiman in front of her.

"That's good to hear."

A smile also appeared on Hachiman's face. It seemed that his efforts hadn't been in vain.

"So, can we take a few photos together?" Rumi lifted the camera hanging from her chest.

"I want to show them to my mom, so she won't worry."

"Of course, no problem." Hachiman naturally wouldn't refuse.

Upon hearing about taking photos, Yui suddenly became interested.

"Rumi-chan, can we take photos together too? Right, Yukinon?"

Yukino nodded from the side, "Sure."

The group swiftly struck poses, freezing their smiling faces in the photo as the shutter clicked.

After capturing the moment, Hachiman beckoned to Komachi and the others.

"Would you like to join Rumi for a photo?"

"I do!" Komachi eagerly raised her hand and hopped over.

Not only her, but also Yumiko and the others approached.

Yumiko: "I adore taking photos."

Ebina: "Absolutely, let's take one together."

Saeko: "Taking occasional photos is nice too."

Kotonoha: "Count me in."

Saika: "Sure, let's take a photo."

Hayama: "It's a rare opportunity, so taking a photo for memories is a great idea."

Tobe: "Hayama's got a point."

"You guys..."

Observing everyone's reaction, Rumi was briefly speechless.

At that moment, Hachiman smiled and spoke up, "Rumi-chan, we're all happy to be your friends."

"Yeah, thank you all." Rumi nodded, feeling a bit excited.

Almost everyone took a photo with Rumi.

Seeing the joyful smiles on their faces, a faint smile appeared on Hachiman's face too.

Suddenly, he had an idea and approached Rumi again.

"Rumi-chan, let's take another photo together."

"Huh? Sure." After a moment of surprise, Rumi nodded.

Hachiman then signaled to Yukino beside him, "Yukino, come over too."

Though a bit puzzled, Yukino complied.

Handing his phone to Yui, Hachiman, Yukino, and Rumi posed for the photo.

*Click*

As the shutter sounded, the photo was taken.

In the picture, Hachiman and Yukino stood on either side of Rumi, their similar appearances making them look like a family of three.

After taking the last photo, it was time for the elementary school students to leave. Hachiman escorted Rumi onto the bus.

Watching the bus drive away, it was also time for Hachiman and his group to depart.

Just like when they arrived, Hachiman and his friends boarded Shizuka's car, while Yumiko and Hayama's group got into another.

As the engine roared to life, they left the place, marking the official end of the forest summer camp.

...

Back in Chiba, nearing noon, everyone got off the car, and Shizuka smiled.

"You've all worked hard this time. Be careful on your way back. Well then, let's disband here!"

"Komachi, let's go shopping first," Hachiman suggested.

"Understood!" Komachi saluted, then turned to the girls beside Hachiman with a smile.

"Sisters, would you like to join us?"

Yui: "Shopping? Sure, I'm up for it. Let's go together."

Saeko: "I'll pass. I need to go back and clean up my dojo."

Kotonoha: "I can't either. It's about time for Kokoro to come home, and I need to prepare lunch for her."

"..."

One agreed, two disagreed. Komachi looked at Yukino, who hadn't voiced her opinion.

"Yukino-nee, what about you? Would you like to join us?"

After a moment of consideration, realizing she had nothing else to do, Yukino was about to agree.

"Sure..."

But before she could finish, a black luxury car pulled up in front of them.

The door opened, and first out was a man dressed in a suit, presumably the driver.

Then, the driver opened the back door, and a stylishly dressed, short-haired beauty stepped out.

With a bright smile on her face, she greeted Yukino.

"Hi there, Yukino-chan!"

Seeing the newcomer, Yukino's face showed a slight surprise.

"Sister..."

That's right, the newcomer was her own sister, Yukinoshita Haruno.

Today, Haruno was wearing a white dress with a pair of strapped sandals.

Her fair shoulders and arms were exposed, and her delicate figure, even under the loose dress, couldn't be concealed. There was a deep cleavage in front, adorned with a green gemstone necklace on her long neck.

Walking down the street, she was undoubtedly a stunning beauty who turned heads.

Seeing Haruno, Shizuka also felt a bit puzzled.

"Haruno, what brings you here?"

"Oh, Shizuka-chan, you're here too, and Hachiman-kun."

Haruno greeted Shizuka and Hachiman, then turned to her sister with a hint of complaint.

"It's all because of Yukino-chan. She hasn't been home for so long, so I decided to personally come and take you back."

"Go home..."

Hearing this, Yukino couldn't help but feel silent. She really didn't want to go back and face her mother.

Seeing her silent sister, Haruno didn't urge her but instead turned to Hachiman.

"I didn't expect Hachiman to be with Yukino. Are you two on a date? It must be."

As she spoke, she kept nudging Hachiman's chest with her elbow.

"Um... Please don't do that, Haruno-san. Hikki will be in pain."

Seeing this scene, Yui quickly spoke up to stop her.

Looking at Yui's face, Haruno first seemed puzzled, then a smile appeared on her lips.

"Are you Hachiman's girlfriend?"

A shy girl like Yui couldn't possibly admit to being Hachiman's girlfriend in public.

"No, I'm... I'm..."

Just as she couldn't find a reason, Hachiman spoke up beside her.

"Miss Haruno, may I ask what brings you here this time?"

"Oh, Mom's been missing Yukino a lot, but Yukino refuses to come home, so I had to come and take her back as her sister." Haruno smiled as she explained.

"I see, Yukino has indeed been in the wrong for not coming home for so long."

To everyone's surprise, Hachiman actually spoke up in Haruno's favor.

"Yukino, why don't you go home this time and see your mother?"

"Hachiman, you..."

Yukino couldn't believe that Hachiman was suggesting she go home. She knew that if she went back this time, she might not be able to come out for the entire summer vacation.

But before she could say anything, Hachiman continued.

"However, Miss Haruno, in a few days, we'll all go together to the private beach of the Nakiri family for a few days. I hope Yukino won't miss out then."

Upon hearing Hachiman's words, the smile disappeared from Haruno's face, and she stared at him intently.

Not long after, a bright smile reappeared on Haruno's face.

"Don't worry, Hachiman. I believe Mom will agree to it."

Putting aside the Nakiri family, even now, Hachiman wasn't someone the Yukinoshita family could underestimate. And in Mrs. Yukinoshita's original plan, she did intend to pair up Yukino with Hachiman, so she wouldn't refuse this matter.

With Haruno's affirmative answer, a smile appeared on Hachiman's face.

"This is for the best. It would be regrettable if Yukino doesn't go."

He wouldn't allow Yukino to be confined at home for the entire summer vacation like in the original story. So he had to say these words, regardless of how the Yukinoshita family understood them, whether as a threat or a gesture of goodwill.

Saving Yukino was a goal he must accomplish.