Reincarnation: Yukino Yukinoshita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

"Who should I drop off first?"

Haruno asked as she started the car, her eyes flicking to the bag beside Yukino in the rearview mirror.

She had noticed it earlier—packed with vegetables and meat.

That's way more than one person could eat.

Even if they planned to store it, there was no need to buy that much.

So... they've started living together?

Haruno, the ultimate siscon, found her emotions fluctuating wildly.

She couldn't decide whether to be relieved that her once-lonely little sister was finally going to end up with her childhood friend, or to lament the fact that even her younger sister now had a boyfriend, while a certain someone—Miss Shizuka Hiratsuka—remained single.

That woman was practically past her expiration date!

"Just go to my place directly. I'm still waiting for Yukino to teach me how to cook," Haru said casually, leaning back in the car's backseat.

Haruno's lips curled into a playful smile. "Looks like I was right—are you two living together now?"

"We're not," Yukino replied, calm and composed.

"But you're cooking together. Isn't that basically the same thing?"

"If you insist on seeing it that way, then there's no point in me arguing."

"Yukino, you're not as cute as you used to be. Same goes for you, Haru." Haruno feigned regret.

Neither Haru nor Yukino paid any attention to her.

Not that Haruno minded. She thought to herself for a moment before suddenly laughing. "Haru, your performance today was interesting. Looks like you're all set to step into the world of adults?"

Under Yukino's curious gaze, Haru replied nonchalantly, "I learned it from TV."

No one believed him.

But neither of the Yukinoshita sisters called him out on it.

Haruno, clearly in a good mood, continued driving while grinning. "How about I take you to audit some college classes when you have time?"

"Maybe someday," Haru said, not taking it seriously.

Haruno was unpredictable. For all he knew, she might forget her offer by tomorrow.

When the car stopped in front of Haru's house, Haruno got out as well but made no move to follow them inside.

Haru extended an invitation anyway. "Want to come in?"

"Next time, for sure. I've got something to take care of today." Haruno waved off the idea with a smile.

"Alright."

Just as Haru and Yukino turned to head inside, Haruno called out, "Haru."

Her tone was different this time—

The two turned back. Haruno's expression was soft, her smile warm. "Thank you for looking after Yukino."

"Haruno-san, I think you've got it wrong," Haru corrected her. "It's not me looking after Yukino. We've been supporting and relying on each other to get through everything."

Beside him, Yukino stood still, her gaze fixed on Haru. Her eyes softened, filled with warmth and satisfaction.

"Supporting and relying on each other, huh?"

Haruno smiled faintly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

I can practically smell the stench of romance from here.

Watching the two head inside, Haruno was reminded of the past.

Back then, her little sister had been afraid of her.

The first time she'd met Haru, Yukino had been hiding behind him. He, on the other hand, had boldly stared her down.

"My name is Amamiya Haru. I currently hold the record for the highest jump in our elementary school's history. Pretty amazing, right?"

That unconventional introduction had left Haruno stunned for a moment.

But then she realized he'd said it on purpose—to distract Yukino and ease her tension.

Even as a child, he'd been thoughtful enough to care for her little sister. From that moment, Haruno had been curious about him.

That year, Haru and Yukino were seven years old.

"Maybe that's when they started supporting each other," Haruno murmured, a soft laugh escaping her lips. Her eyes carried a rare warmth she seldom showed.

This year, Haru and Yukino were sixteen.

....

Life for Amamiya Haru soon returned to its usual rhythm.

He'd replaced his daily after-school runs with sparring at the karate club. The club captain was more than happy to welcome him.

On Tuesday after school, Yukino sat in the clubroom, clearly in a bad mood.

Haru was still at the karate club, leaving the room with only four girls for the time being.

Yui was frowning in concentration as she read a book and took notes.

It was obvious her study efficiency wasn't great, but her determination was admirable.

Yukino's sour mood wasn't because of that, though. It stemmed from the news brought in by the girls from the photography club, Hashimoto and her friends.

"Yukinoshita, are you sure that Megumi Kato girl is really a student here?"

"We've been asking around during lunch for the past two days, but strangely enough, no one seems to have any impression of her."

Hearing that had left Yukino feeling like she'd stepped into a horror story.

She'd made the request on Sunday night through a group chat with Hashimoto and her friends.

She hadn't asked Yui for help, as the cheerful girl was still within her "watch zone."

But the fact that Hashimoto and her group had come up empty-handed was baffling.

They're the type to take requests seriously. There's no way they didn't try their best. Does that mean this Megumi Kato really is just that ordinary? Ordinary to the point where no one interacts with her?

The realization left Yukino in disbelief.

Even the most ordinary student would have some kind of social circle by now—it was almost June, after all.

Even Yukino, who maintained an aloof and distant persona, had classmates who occasionally spoke to her.

What were they talking about earlier? Who is Megumi Kato?

Yui's curious gaze flitted between Yukino and the others.

Their conversation hadn't been particularly hushed, so she could hear it all clearly.

Just then, a familiar voice came from the doorway. "Pardon my intrusion."

Yukino, unfazed by the figure's voluptuous silhouette, responded, "Come in, senpai. Haru is still at the karate club. He'll be here shortly."

Utaha raised an eyebrow. "Karate? Amamiya-san joined another club?"

"No, he's just found a new way to work out," Yukino replied curtly.

"Hmm?"

Utaha didn't press for details.

Having been a regular visitor to the photography club these past two days, she'd already grown familiar with the group.

In less than two minutes, she'd gleaned the whole story right under Yukino's watchful gaze.

"So, you're saying Amamiya-san is already evenly matched with the karate club captain?" Utaha's surprise was genuine.

For a first-year to hold their own against a third-year captain—one who'd competed nationally, no less—was no small feat.

Hashimoto, adjusting her new telescope, replied, "Pretty much. Amamiya-san's always been amazing. We're used to it by now."

"Used to it?"

Utaha tilted her head in confusion.

Another girl chimed in with a grin, "Yeah! Whether it's photography, scriptwriting, or even standing up to bullies on the first day, Amamiya-san's always been incredible. We're used to him being amazing."

Hashimoto added with a giggle, "At this point, we just treat him like a deity—admire him from afar and don't get too close. After all, he has Yukinoshita-san~, right?"

"Are you all that free?" Yukino, hearing her name mentioned, felt compelled to interject.

"Sorry, Vice President! We'll get back to work!" The girls laughed as they returned to their books.

Utaha glanced at Yukino, their gazes meeting briefly. She offered a polite smile.

Yukino merely nodded before resuming her reading.

Their relationship is even closer than I thought. This might be a bit tricky.

But rather than frustration, Utaha felt intrigued.

The greater the challenge, the more interesting it becomes.

After all, her "rival" was no ordinary opponent.