Yukino and Shin-chan sat facing each other at the dining table. In front of Yukino, there were even bowls and chopsticks left uncleaned.
Haruno noticed that not far off, in the corner of the room, a small dog was yawning.
'What is this strong sense of newlywed couple déjà vu?'
Where is that cute, innocent little sister of hers? How did she turn into this?
This scene was too much of a shock for Haruno, and combined with her earlier imagination, she was completely unable to think calmly.
"Haruno-nee, will you eat rice?"
"E-eat… I will?"
Seeing Shin-chan get up to prepare rice and the pasteurized eggs, Haruno felt utterly powerless.
"Tea?"
Watching Haruno's expression, Yukino couldn't help but feel secretly pleased, she seemed to understand a bit why her sister always liked teasing her.
'This time's sisterly showdown, I won!'
Having beaten Haruno in their first direct clash, Yukino was in a great mood. She had just seen black tea in the cabinet beside her.
Before Haruno could answer, Yukino went to brew the tea, acting as if she were completely familiar with everything in this room.
Haruno couldn't help but start a mental brainstorm. 'Shin-chan, wasn't he the boy Shizuka mentioned? Have these two started dating? Since when?'
'No, the semester just started. They certainly haven't known each other long. Today's "dating" must be a coincidence. From their earlier conversation, it was clear this brat Shin-chan was just overly friendly by nature.'
'Something must have happened between the two of them for them to be dining together.'
The only noteworthy thing was that this boy called her little sister "Yukino," and she didn't resist at all.
Calming herself, Haruno realized the issue was off, Yukino must be deliberately teasing her. In that case, she'd turn the tables.
Quickly, Yukino brought over a pot of black tea. Shin-chan also finished preparing the rice and eggs, cut up the remaining ingredients, added them to the electric hot pot, and covered it.
Even knowing it was all a misunderstanding, seeing the two of them cooperate so well still made Haruno's heart bleed.
Yukino really has grown up, she even dares to toy with her sister now.
"Yukino, won't you explain to me? What is your relationship?"
Haruno looked completely unhinged. She didn't reach for the teacup Yukino offered, nor did she touch the bowls and chopsticks Shin-chan set down.
"Exactly as you see. Shin-chan and I are in that kind of relationship."
This was the first time Yukino had called him "Shin-chan", before she always said "Nohara-kun"
"Oh? If that's the case, Mother should know about this, too. When do you plan to bring Shin-chan to meet her?"
Haruno's words made Yukino stiffen again. 'Damn it… she'd gone too far.'
Yukino couldn't imagine what Mother would say or do if she found out her daughter had fallen in love right after the semester began. The most critical point: she hasn't even fallen in love with Shin-chan. They only just met.
In an instant, Haruno felt the upper hand return. Seeing Yukino grit her teeth, she finally relaxed.
Her little sister was still the adorable little sister, nothing had changed, and there was no secret romance.
"But, if Yukino begged me, I might be willing to help you hide this relationship."
"I'm just classmates with Yukino. If anything, I'm more interested in you, Haruno-nee."
Before Yukino could respond, Shin-chan spoke up, breaking the tension between the sisters. The atmosphere immediately eased.
"Hmph, sister, we're not in love. We just had dinner together."
Haruno raised an eyebrow and looked at Shin-chan. She was even more intrigued by this bold boy.
"Is that so? Shin-chan, do you want to pursue me? Or are you very interested in both of us sisters?"
If this were an ordinary high school boy, hearing Haruno say that would surely fluster him. But Shin-chan didn't panic at all, Haruno even saw a hint of disdain cross his face.
He actually dared to disdain her and Yukino?
"I like the sexy, beautiful, and gentle type. Although, Haruno-nee, your figure is sexy and your looks are beautiful, you and 'gentle' have nothing to do with each other, right?"
"Nothing to do with gentle…?"
The truth is a sharp blade. Haruno's gentleness was all an act, she wasn't a gentle person at all. This was the first time she'd met someone so blunt, and she was at a loss.
Yukino couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.
It was the first time Shin-chan had seen Yukino smile, and she was even more beautiful smiling than when she wore a cold expression.
"All right, sister, hurry and eat. It's so cold, and you drank alcohol, if you don't eat, your stomach will be uncomfortable."
Yukino's words made Haruno pause. Was this really her sister? How could she be so obedient?
Yukino herself didn't think much of it. She didn't know why, but with Shin-chan there, the atmosphere didn't feel as stiff. Thinking carefully, her relationship with her sister wasn't so combative after all.
Perhaps it was because the sukiyaki was too delicious that Haruno relaxed. How long had it been since she'd eaten like this with Yukino?
Before long, Haruno and Shin-chan were chatting together. The two of them grew more and more enthusiastic, almost a sense of meeting too late.
"Haruno-nee, I didn't expect you to understand so well, beef must be eaten in one bite to feel truly satisfied!"
"Right! The aroma of the beef and the rice combine perfectly! It's really wonderful."
As an all-smiles beauty, Haruno found it surprisingly easy to chat with Shin-chan.
This was also her reluctant choice after several sparring matches against Shin-chan, she simply couldn't handle him.
Yukino, seeing her sister eat crow before her peer for the first time, felt elated.
However, all good banquets must end. Shin-chan and Yukino had already eaten their fill. Haruno, having a good appetite, watched as they finished all the remaining sukiyaki.
After eating, Yukino first helped clean up the aftermath, and then Haruno picked up the topic again.
"Shizuka said you and Yukino are in the same club. Then Yukino will be relying on you a lot."
"I'm the one tasked with changing his twisted personality! He flirts at school every day, don't you know those girls are all young ladies from wealthy families?" Yukino's voice came from the kitchen, full of dissatisfaction.
"Young ladies?"
Haruno was puzzled. She didn't quite understand what Yukino meant.
Yukino was not only skilled in cooking but also handled all the housework. She soon finished tidying up.
"All right, sister, let's not keep Nohara-kun any longer, let's go home."
Looking out the window from the kitchen, Yukino realized it was already late. It was inappropriate to stay at Shin-chan's any longer.
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