Yukino made her decision immediately.
Even if it was a time loop, she didn't want to go to meet her mother while riding Makoto's motorcycle.
That just didn't seem right.
Especially today, when she still had school to attend.
Yukino remembered how Utaha had looked at her earlier, and she had already sensed that the other person had misunderstood her.
If she and Makoto showed up in front of acquaintances again, it would make it look like they were skipping school to go on a date.
When they arrived at the cat cafe and sat down, Yukino's body and mind relaxed again.
She had already been charmed by the little kittens in this cafe last time.
Now, seeing them again, her joy was impossible to hide.
She absentmindedly pet a cat and noticed Makoto raise his phone to take a picture of her.
She immediately tensed up, "What are you doing?"
Makoto looked at the photo on his phone and commented, "I was right. This shot turned out really well."
"Give me your phone," Yukino said.
Rather than putting the phone away, Makoto reached out and held it in front of her. "Look at your expression."
Yukino glanced at the photo, her first thought being: This guy is good at taking pictures.
Then, she understood what Makoto meant.
In the photo, she was gently patting the head of a calico cat, smiling with pure joy and relaxation.
She couldn't even remember the last time she had been this fully relaxed.
She didn't take the phone, but said awkwardly, "I have my own way of relaxing."
"If you had a friend with you, the relaxing effect would be even better," Makoto said as he put his phone away.
Yukino's expression didn't change. "The 'friend' you're referring to is yourself?"
"No, I mean Itsuki."
Makoto gave an unexpected answer.
Yukino froze for half a second and then asked uncertainty, "Itsuki?"
"Yeah. You don't know her well yet, but her personality—she takes everything seriously—will definitely be the kind of person you admire."
"Taking things seriously?"
Yukino repeated the words, then acknowledged, "If she's really that kind of girl, I'd definitely be willing to get along with her."
She made a mental note of this.
But then she quickly remembered that everything would reset tomorrow, and she wouldn't remember anything from today.
Yukino felt a strange sense of loss.
Makoto just looked at her beautiful face without speaking.
It was as if she had completely forgotten what she had said earlier: "Don't even think about it."
But now, Makoto had her photo on his phone.
And he had taken it openly.
The two of them decided to leave the cat cafe at 4 p.m., so they had really spent the whole day outside.
Yukino still insisted on going dutch.
But when they were paying, Yukino noticed a row of cat-themed keychains displayed at the counter. They were all cute, obviously targeted at female customers.
She wanted one, but with Makoto standing behind her, if she bought one of these cute keychains, he might seize the opportunity to tease her again.
Thinking about dealing with this kind of silly problem made her decide not to buy it.
"If you want it, just say so. Why is it so hard to admit you want it?" Makoto's voice came from behind her.
Yukino pursed her lips, realizing she had forgotten how well he knew her.
In the end, Makoto paid for the keychain she had picked out and handed it to her.
"Thanks. I'll give you the money," Yukino said.
She thanked him, turned her face away, and felt strangely hesitant to make eye contact with him.
Maybe she didn't want him to read her thoughts again.
Or maybe she was self-conscious about what he had just said: "Why is it so hard to admit you want it?"
She felt like there was more to Makoto's words than she realized.
This time, he didn't ask her to stay for dinner, and instead, he drove her back to her apartment.
"Thanks for today. I had a great time," Yukino said, looking directly into Makoto's eyes, speaking very seriously.
Makoto asked, "Is that all?"
"Is there more?" Yukino asked, puzzled.
Makoto pulled out his phone and showed her the photo.
That's when Yukino remembered what she had said earlier: "Don't even think about it."
"You've been planning this since then?" Yukino asked, incredulous.
Makoto chuckled. "How could I? If I were that amazing, I'd be a city legend."
"A time loop isn't necessarily any less impactful than a city legend," Yukino instinctively retorted.
Though it was a bit awkward, she stubbornly held Makoto's gaze. "The photo will disappear tomorrow anyway. You can keep it if you want."
She wanted to keep today's memory, but unfortunately, that wasn't possible.
Makoto nodded in agreement. "For you, the time you spent relaxing today is more important than a photo."
"Did you have to say that right in front of me?" Yukino felt uncomfortable.
Makoto didn't continue with that topic. "By the way, didn't you ask me why I stopped calling you by your name all of a sudden?"
Yukino seemed a bit interested. "Are you finally going to tell the truth?"
Makoto stared into her eyes. "Because back then, I hadn't officially decided to pursue you, Yukino."
Hearing her name like that, Yukino froze.
Because it meant that he was going to pursue her.
For some reason, Yukino felt the urge to avoid looking into his eyes.
She barely kept her composure, her voice calm. "I think there's something I need to clarify with you."
"Go ahead," Makoto gestured.
Yukino suddenly felt nervous. She unconsciously bit her lower lip.
She recalled his earlier words: "Be more honest."
"I admit I care about you as a friend, but I will never date you," she said softly.
Makoto responded nonchalantly, "Is that all?"
Yukino stood there, stunned.
What does he mean by "Is that all?"
You said you wanted to pursue me, didn't you?
Makoto turned around and walked back, saying, "Some things you believe in might not be as firm as you think."
Is he provoking me again?
Yukino adjusted her posture, confidently raised her chin, and smiled in response, "I stick to my own ideas."
Makoto waved his hand and walked away without looking back.
That night, Yukino didn't read in her room as usual but instead stood on the balcony, feeling the breeze.
The night wind brushed against her hair, and it stirred something deep inside her.
The sound of his voice calling "Yukino" echoed in her mind.
The girl felt a little heat in her heart, and since she was alone, she didn't hide her emotions.
Shyness gradually spread in her eyes.
Admit it, you actually feel something.
That thought popped up in her mind.
But her self-control was excellent, and she quickly pushed the thought away.
Her phone in her pocket suddenly vibrated. She picked it up and saw that Makoto had sent her a photo of herself at the cat café.
It seemed slightly edited, and the photo looked even better than before.
Below the photo, Makoto had written: [I have to admit, when it comes to looks, you're just a little bit above me.]
Yukino: [Idiot.]
The text was disdainful, but she was smiling, and she saved the photo.
"It's a little unfortunate that I'll forget all of this tomorrow."
She stared at the photo of herself in a daze.
When it was time to rest, she sent her usual "Good night" message to Makoto.
In addition to the "Good night," she also sent: [Sweet dreams.]
With a sense of regret, she closed her eyes.
Meanwhile, Makoto initiated the reset.
[The host can choose to retain the memory of any target. Would you like to proceed?]
"Retain the memory of Yukinoshita Yukino from today."
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Sharing memories from time loops kinda reminds me of Gong-Ja and Raviel, good and sweet romance.
It's also a good manhwa, go read it if you haven't.
Title is "SSS-Class Suicide Hunter."
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Read 20 Advanced Chapters on p@ tr eon (.) com/HalflingFics
Also, please point out my mistakes in the comment, thank you!
Don't forget to leave a review too~ Actually, please leave one.
Check out the other translations too
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