"I wonder if Yukino missed me. Let's give her a little surprise."
Haruno Yukinoshita.
The eldest daughter of the Yukinoshita family.
Yukino's older sister.
She bore a striking resemblance to Yukino—youthful, beautiful, with delicate features.
But unlike Yukino's long, straight black hair, she had short hair, equally captivating in its own way.
Unlike Yukino's reserved nature, she possessed a warmth and charm that made her more approachable.
And above all—her favorite pastime?
Yukino.
More specifically, messing with Yukino.
With a mischievous smile on her lips, she set her plan in motion.
Tonight, she would launch a sneak attack on her dear sister's rented apartment.
Give her a 'surprise.'
Ding!
The elevator came to a stop.
The doors slid open.
Haruno stepped out in her high heels.
At the same time, a boy in a black sweatshirt walked in.
The two passed each other.
As if sensing something, she suddenly turned around.
Through the narrowing gap of the closing elevator doors, Haruno caught a glimpse of a pair of golden eyes—clear and contemplative.
Thump!
Her heart pounded violently.
A long-buried memory surfaced.
A pair of golden eyes she could never forget.
But back then, those eyes had held an unfathomable sadness.
The elevator doors shut completely.
The descent resumed.
Her fingers unconsciously brushed against her short hair.
'That was when I cut my hair…'
Memories she had long since locked away.
"It must be an illusion."
She could no longer recall that face.
It was just a pair of golden eyes.
What were the odds?
And yet…
She was only deceiving herself.
She wanted to turn back.
But she lacked the courage.
Clenching her fists slightly, she exhaled and slowly let go.
Then, slipping on the familiar mask of a smile, she turned toward Yukino's room.
'We can never see each other again.'
Ding-dong!
The doorbell rang.
Click!
Yukino opened the door—only to find the one person who always left her with mixed feelings.
Her complicated sister.
Haruno waved, tilting her head with a bright, teasing smile.
"Hey, Yukino~ Did you miss your sister?"
"No."
Yukino's reply was cold and immediate.
Without another glance, she turned and walked back inside.
Haruno's lips curled into an amused smile.
Skillfully slipping off her shoes, she stepped inside as if she owned the place.
She flopped onto the sofa, making herself comfortable.
Then, spotting a cup of black tea on the table, she picked it up without hesitation.
Just as she was about to take a sip—
Clack!
Yukino swiftly reached out and stopped her.
"What are you doing?!"
Haruno blinked. "Hmm? Just having some tea?"
She tilted her head playfully.
"Don't be so stingy. We're sisters, after all. It's not like I mind sharing with you."
She lifted the cup again—
"Don't."
Yukino snatched it away, turning toward the kitchen.
Haruno blinked in confusion.
"???"
What was that reaction?
She had used Yukino's cup before.
Why such a strong reaction this time?
Then—
Her gaze shifted to the table.
There was another cup of black tea.
Two cups.
One was meant for her.
But the other…
Wasn't.
Silence.
Haruno slowly sat up.
Her playful expression faded, replaced by sharp alertness.
As a devoted older sister, she had a keen sense for when something was off.
And right now—
Something was definitely off.
Her eyes swept the room.
Then—she saw it.
Water.
Near the bathroom door.
That wasn't like Yukino.
Her sister was meticulous, almost obsessively clean.
A stray cup of tea.
A suspiciously strong reaction.
The tea was still warm.
The bathroom door, slightly damp.
A faint fragrance in Yukino's hair.
Yukino just took a bath.
But she wasn't alone.
That other cup belonged to someone else.
And that person drank from it.
Right before she arrived.
Realization struck Haruno like lightning.
Her delicate, seemingly untouchable sister—
Had brought someone home.
While she was showering at that!?
This was wrong.
This was very wrong.
And most importantly—
Was that 'someone' a man?!
Her mind raced.
She had to know.
Immediately.
But she couldn't act rashly.
Yukino returned, pouring herself another glass of water.
Haruno quickly regained her composure, her expression unreadable.
Taking a sip, she spoke casually.
"Yukino, you're a sophomore this year, right?"
"What about it?"
Yukino sipped her tea, calm and composed.
"Have you… picked up any bad habits? Like dating?"
Her voice was light.
But the undertone was anything but.
And then—her words took a sharper turn.
"You know, Mother would never allow it."
Silence.
For the briefest moment—
Yukino's body tensed.
Then, as if nothing happened, she replied in a flat tone.
"A childish question. I have no interest in premature relationships."
Haruno's sharp gaze caught everything.
The subtle hesitation.
The barely noticeable stiffness.
Lies.
A slow, knowing smile crept across her lips.
Her voice returned to its usual playful lilt.
"Oh? That's good, then."
But beneath that smile—
Her eyes glinted with something else entirely.
She knew.
Yukino was hiding something.
And that 'something'… was a man.
'Ah, it seems that someone is targeting my lovely sister. I cannot allow this.'