Successor 

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[-Continuation-]

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[-Third Person View-]

Every woman in this world seeks attention from the man she views as important and holds dear to her.

Even Yukinoshita Yukino… isn't an exception to this, which again is not a bad thing because that's just how it is.

And even though she hasn't sorted out her thoughts about Hachiman, at that moment, what he gave Yukinoshita, knowingly and unknowingly, was the most precious gift a man can ever give to a woman - his utmost attention.

Yukino couldn't spot an ounce of disrespect in his eyes, in fact, his eyes were so expressive of his emotions that they served as a means or a window for the people around him to understand exactly what he was feeling in that moment.

And the only words his eyes spoke are.

Magnificent.

It was as if he was seeing the most precious thing to him for the first and last time in his life.

Those who already understood this saw it even more deeply, those who didn't know began to understand, and those who had denied or overlooked it were faced with the undeniable truth.

Overall, he laid everything bare for everyone to see, like an open book.

….

.

Yukino, now standing behind Haruno, felt an unusual sense of gratitude towards her sister.

Perhaps this will be the first and only time she will ever willingly agree to this…

"....." Lowering her gaze, she stared at the ground.

A faint blush coloured her cheeks and ears…

Her eyes sparkled with intensity.

She was the most affected by the current situation, as the focus of Hachiman's emotions was obviously directed at her.

She felt exactly what Hachiman was feeling…

…

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[Hachiman's POV]

"...you don't know?" Haruno questioned me.

Before I could answer her, my gaze drifted towards Yuigahama, who wore a sorrowful and conflicted expression on her face…

Carp, I messed up, didn't I? ….now what?

I shifted my gaze to Komachi. She looked at me with pure shock on her face, which I found cute.

Finally, I turned back to Haruno with her usual grin, but there was something different this time that I couldn't quite pinpoint.

And I couldn't see Yukinoshita as she was behind Haruno, blocking her…. from me.

"I didn't expect you to be so expressive, Hachiman." Haruno said with the same expression.

…well, I say you don't know me enough then. But what's with the sudden promotion of calling me by my first name.

"Ms. Hiratsuka did say once that my eyes are like soulless fish." I said, not knowing if what I am saying is even related to this or not.

"…but is everything alright?" I asked with uncertainty.

Haruno scoffed playfully. "Helloooooo, does anyone remember that I am also wearing a yukata today?"

Her words were accompanied by a proud expression, as if demanding attention and compliments for her outfit.

"Looks good, I guess." I replied half heartedly.

"...not impressed, are we?" She chuckled, obviously catching on.

"Why are you standing in front of Yukinoshita?" I demanded.

Haruno stepped aside with a mischievous smile. "Oopsie, my bad."

Yukinoshita came into full view before me. "....."

Her pale skin glowed under the soft light, perfectly complementing the purple lily pattern of her yukata. Her lips were adorned with a light pink lipstick, making her natural beauty even more striking. Her long black hair was tied up in a flawless bun, secured with a long red pin that matched the red ribbon she often wore. She looked absolutely stunning….

"...*ahem." I cleared my throat awkwardly, trying to prevent myself from blurting out something stupid again.

"You look good in yukata." I complemented.

"Thank you." She accepted it confidently, gaining herself by now. "And I may be rude, but you don't look anything special today."

"...yeah, kinda made zero effort in that regard." I didn't hide.

"I could see it." Yukinoshita told matter of factly.

Welp, it seems I can't either, even if I had wanted to.

I shifted attention back and forth between Haruno and Yukinoshita as I reminded her of our phone conversation. "Anyways, as I said on the phone with Haruno, Yuigahama was really worried about you…"

I suggested. "I don't want to look like I am pushing it on to you, but I think it is about time we clear up all the misunderstanding…. you know about that whole accident thing."

"I think so too. It is better to clear up when an opportunity like this is presented…. by you." Yukinoshita agreed with a nod.

"No! No! This is too fast… Big brother, you dummy, can't you read the room–!"

But before any progress could be made, Komachi interrupted, scolding me back and forth like an overexcited child, which she is by the way.

However, Yuigahama quickly stepped in and hushed her gently, putting a hand over her mouth. "Komachi, stop." She said calmly. "You don't have to…"

"What are you saying, Komachi? This is between Yukinoshita and Yuigahama." I interjected impatiently. "It has nothing to do with you."

Even so, I didn't feel like I had much say in this matter.

Maybe she got the wrong idea when I said it was time to clear up the misunderstanding.

Trying to diffuse the situation and give them some privacy, I suggested changing locations.

"Why don't we go somewhere else?" I asked Haruno, giving her a meaningful look.

She caught on immediately and nodded in agreement. "Let's go."

"You are coming too." I told Komachi firmly.

"No, I am staying with Yui." she replied stubbornly, crossing her arms in defiance.

"Let her be, Hikigaya." Yukinoshita said softly.

"If it is okay with you guys…." I relented.

….

.

At [7:40], there was an announcement that the scheduled start of the fireworks festival would be delayed by ten minutes.

Haruno began finishing the silence in the air. "We are here as a proxy for my father, and I was getting bored with all the reception I had to do. I am so glad you showed up, Hikigaya."

"So, your father is kinda famous or something…?" I asked, flowing with the mood.

Haruno chuckled. "Yep. You know what my father does, right? He's rather influential when it comes to these kinds of municipal events."

If I remember correctly, it should've been something like the construction industry.

"Does the prefectural assembly really have that much influence over the city like this?" I asked, a little astonished.

"Oh, you are so sharp. You really are something, Hachiman. But if I had to say, this has to do more with corporate than assembly." Haruno praised me without reverence.

…of course they would be influential, I guess.

"However, you also sure do know how to act clueless, lil brother. I am impressed." She added, trying to gauge my reaction.

But, I wasn't willing to give it away.

"I don't know what you are talking about…." I responded using the same skill she is implying I am good at.

"Haha, so funny! You think it's going to work on me?" She asked, looking at me like a child playing tricks.

I immediately changed the topic. "Why is Yukinoshita with you? I doubt that she would enjoy something like 'acting proxy' or whatever…"

"Hoo, you didn't know? After you called me, she contacted the girl with you, 'gahama' and guess what? Yukino was invited by her to the same event our father was invited to. So she came in hopes of meeting 'you' guys…"

"That's unexpected… for Yukinoshita to get into something this bothersome just to meet us…"

"Yeah, I couldn't understand either when she said she would also tag along." Haruno said and added. "Honestly, Yukino had to get into a lot of trouble with our mother to attend this event. I mean, it is my job as the oldest daughter to attend events like these. It's what our mother decided on a long time ago."

"Is that, like, something Yukino can't attend?" I had the feeling that Yukinoshita had said the same thing before.

Considering all that has unfolded, it became evident to me that Haruno was officially designated as her father's successor.

Well, it should be natural that the eldest daughter would take over the family business. But why would that lead to Yukinoshita being unable to attend? And even causing trouble?

I don't believe Yukinoshita holds any qualms about Haruno inheriting the mantle of succession. So, there shouldn't be a reason as to why she couldn't come.

Haruno made a problematic smile. "Mm. Well, it's what my mother decided… Besides, it does simplify things, doesn't it?"

Is this how loaded families are perceived?

Demonstrating that there's a single successor means less bothersome problems. There would be more negatives to giving the people the idea that they were having a family dispute over succession. They almost resemble a traditional samurai household or something…

"In any case… You are disappointing Hachiman, even after the trouble Yukino had to go through, you were caught having an affair? Not exactly admirable, you know?"

I ward off Haruno's attack. "You're still saying that even after what you have just seen?"

"Ehheee, how could I? That was soo sweet, I am sure Yukino finally understood, so, yeah, I was just kidding." Haruno dismissed her own words.

"Haruno, you're a graduate from our school, right?" I switched to using first names too, following her lead.

"Mmhmm, that's right. I am three years older than you Hikigaya." Said Haruno with a casual tone.

"So does that mean you are a university student?" I asked, slightly interested.

She answered. "Yep. I go to a nearby national university for sciences and technology."

"Oh, both of you sisters are doing the sciences, huh?" I added, in a sad tone, that I am sure I won't be choosing science for my university.

"So Yukinoshita is aiming to go to a national or public university for the sciences, too…?" Haruno's smile, somehow, looked as if it were one of ridicule.

"She's no different from back then, huh…? Always trying to match with me, always trying to take after me…" Haruno's voice softened, her eyes gazing off into the distance with a hint of nostalgia.

But beneath her words, I could sense some kind of eerie uncertainty.

I couldn't let her continue to belittle Yukinoshita, though. "Hey, aren't you guys being too harsh on her, always poking at her about this?"

…

.

[To be continued….]

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