At first glance, Yukinoshita Yukino's sharply edged, cool aura is enough to make most people instinctively keep their distance.
At a second encounter, however, one might be moved by the faint traces of warmth hidden beneath that winter-snow-cold exterior.
And once you truly become familiar with Yukinoshita Yukino, you start to understand that she's really just a child who's tough on the outside but fragile on the inside—someone who wraps herself in a hard shell to protect her soft core from getting hurt.
Narumi Tōru, who had gone through life-and-death situations with her in the simulations and witnessed every one of her lowest moments, was already on the third layer of understanding her. Bocchi, on the other hand—who had only just met her—was still in the process of overturning her first impression.
"What kind of things are you looking to buy, Miss Gotō? If it's clothes or study supplies, I might be able to offer some advice."
The black-haired girl who had seemed stern and intimidating at their first meeting now showed a rare, friendly smile. It surprised not only Bocchi—but even Narumi himself.
She wasn't even this friendly to me the first time we met, Narumi thought, quietly grumbling to himself.
That said, it was only a fleeting internal complaint. Narumi understood perfectly well why Yukino's attitude had shifted.
It was simply because Gotō Hitori was a friend he had brought along.
"Th-thank you, senpai… but I…"
A slightly overwhelmed Bocchi felt a bit troubled. To begin with, she hadn't actually planned to buy anything at all—Ryō-senpai had misunderstood her intentions and dragged her along on her own initiative.
She cast a pleading look toward Narumi, and he immediately caught on and picked up the conversation.
"Bocchi-chan just wanted to come along and browse together. It was Ryō who went ahead and pulled her in without asking."
He stepped slightly in front of Bocchi and explained with an easy smile. Yukino, who had been wearing a composed smile, visibly stiffened when she heard that familiar name.
"Ryō… ah."
Her expression shifted into something subtle and hard to read.
"You mean that imaginative bassist who wanted to roam the world with you?"
What kind of tone is that, Miss Yukinoshita?
"So not only is Miss Gotō suddenly joining this outing, but there's also that Miss Yamada who's impossible to read. You really are quite popular, Narumi-kun."
And on top of that, she was smiling strangely while making pointed remarks—just a little unsettling.
"I don't really mind, but next time, could you at least let me know beforehand before unilaterally adding your close friends to our plans?"
That was a lie. You clearly mind a lot.
"Ah—yes, that was definitely my mistake. I promise it won't happen again."
Narumi rolled his eyes slightly, smoothly presenting a ready-made explanation.
"But to me, Yamada is an important friend… and President, you're also very important to me. It might be wishful thinking, but if the people who matter to me could get along—or even become friends—I'd be really happy. I didn't consider how either of you might feel and acted on my own assumptions… I'm very sorry."
After that seamless sequence, Yukino awkwardly withdrew the assertive stance she'd had just moments earlier.
"…I understand how you feel. I wasn't truly angry."
After all, if his motive was simply "wanting the people important to him to get along", then that meant she herself was counted among those important people.
"Just… next time, tell me in advance, no matter who you're bringing."
"Yay~"
"And don't forget—you promised to do whatever I say for a whole day."
"Not a problem at all. Carrying bags, checking out shops, lining up to buy things—call me anytime."
"I won't actually treat you like a delivery boy. If there is something I want you to do—"
Yukinoshita Yukino's gaze shifted, finally settling on Bocchi, who had been quietly reading the room the whole time.
"Take responsibility for bringing Miss Gotō here, and make sure you take good care of her."
Those words genuinely changed Narumi's impression.
He'd expected Yukino to subtly or openly compete with Gotō Hitori for attention, but instead she showed no childish jealousy—rather, she gracefully yielded the spotlight with maturity.
"Miss Gotō, is there any shop you'd like to check out?"
She asked softly, showing a level of thoughtfulness that was rare even for her. Bocchi, still a little nervous, sensed the sincerity and kindness behind it.
After a brief hesitation, she tried to voice her true wish.
"I-I'd like to look around a record store…!"
Narumi and Yukino exchanged a glance, then nodded in unison.
Following the navigation, they found a record store tucked away in a corner of the floor. Its sparse foot traffic and simple, understated décor made it feel quiet and subdued—but that calmness gave all three of them a sense of relief.
The moment Bocchi stepped inside, the rock fan in her came alive. It was as if all her defenses dropped away; she eagerly scanned the shelves lined with classic albums, her face brimming with excitement and curiosity.
Narumi, who also had a decent amount of musical knowledge, browsed the colorful vinyl records hanging on the walls. Watching Bocchi wander through the sea of her interests with starry eyes, he couldn't help but smile.
Though she wasn't particularly familiar with music or rock, Yukinoshita Yukino found herself completely captivated by the jazz playing softly from the record player the moment she entered. As she looked around this place that clearly fascinated both Narumi and Bocchi, she felt as if she'd stepped into an entirely new world, her curiosity growing stronger by the second.
The faint sense of disappointment she'd felt earlier—about Narumi having personal connections she knew nothing about—slowly faded, replaced by the feeling that the distance between them had shrunk a little.
"Koumi-senpai, have you listened to this album? It's amazing!"
Now fully in her element, Bocchi practically radiated energy near the British rock section, happily holding up an album and waving it at the curly-haired boy.
"Sex Pistols are seriously awesome—God Save the Queen still sounds fresh even after almost fifty years!"
"An album from nearly half a century ago?"
Yukinoshita Yukino raised an intrigued eyebrow. Movies from fifty years ago were already impressive enough to her—she couldn't help but wonder what rock music from that era would be like.
"Y-Yukinoshita-senpai, are you interested too?!"
"Yes. Please, tell me about it."
Encouraged by Narumi's smile and nod, Bocchi cleared her throat. Still a bit shy, she began haltingly explaining the band's achievements and famous tracks to a very attentive Yukino. Though Yukino only had a surface-level understanding of rock, she listened intently, trying to grasp the passion and fascination overflowing from Bocchi's words.
Wow, these two are getting along better than expected, Narumi thought.
Watching the two—who'd seemed to have nothing in common—slowly break the ice, he smiled and picked up a music magazine from a nearby shelf, planning to skim it to pass the time—
Only to meet a pair of yellow eyes behind the bookshelf the moment he pulled it out.
"They really look like a family of three."
The owner of those golden-yellow eyes—Yamada Ryō—delivered that side-splitting assessment.