Reincarnation: Yukino Yukinoshita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

In the end, Nanami Aoyama decided to accept Haru's help.

Carefully tucking the slip of paper into her pocket, she asked earnestly, "Is there anything I can do to repay you?"

Yukino, slightly surprised, glanced at her. "You're already thinking of returning the favor?"

Nanami nodded emphatically. "If there's anything within my ability, please don't hesitate to ask."

Yukino's opinion of the girl rose even further.

She allowed a faint smile to grace her lips. "For now, there's no need."

"Then," Nanami said solemnly, "please give me your contact information. I insist."

Neither Haru nor Yukino refused, and after the three exchanged numbers, a bright smile finally appeared on Nanami's face.

Haru suddenly asked, "Are you planning to head back to the ramen shop now?"

Nanami hesitated before replying, "I'll go to the hospital for a check-up first. As for quitting my other jobs, I'll need time to explain the situation to my managers."

Haru didn't argue but offered a metaphor. "Right now, you're like a boxer stepping into the ring. Official matches are one-on-one, but you're taking on four opponents at once. Do you think you can win?"

Nanami blinked, then cautiously answered, "I… might?"

Haru chuckled. "The last person who said that got absolutely roasted."

"???"

Nanami watched the pair walk away, their figures disappearing into the distance. Clutching the slip of paper in her pocket, she felt a surge of gratitude.

"I'm lucky to have met such kind people."

Then, her expression turned troubled.

"But what should I do to thank them properly?"

She disliked owing anyone favors, yet they claimed they didn't need anything from her right now.

What a headache.

...

"Just one part-time salary from Snow City won't be enough to match what she earns from four jobs."

Walking down the street, Yukino brought up the issue succinctly.

Haru smiled. "Can't get anything past you, huh?"

Yukino's tone remained calm. "It's clear what you're planning—to privately contact the shop manager and raise her pay."

Haru didn't deny it. "That's exactly the plan."

"And why is that?" Yukino asked, her curiosity piqued.

Haru didn't rush to answer. Instead, he posed his own question. "What's your impression of her?"

"In terms of character, she's an excellent girl," Yukino replied decisively.

"Are you confident in that assessment?"

Meeting Haru's skeptical tone, Yukino said clamy, "If she wasn't a good person, then with her looks and figure, there would be no need to work herself into exhaustion. Plenty of men would throw money at her willingly."

Haru was momentarily taken aback.

It was a perspective he hadn't considered.

With a small laugh, he remarked, "You always manage to hide your kindness behind sharp words."

Yukino gave him a sidelong glance. "Now, answer my question."

For some reason, as Yukino asked this, she felt a subtle shift in Haru's emotions—a change she couldn't quite pinpoint but knew was significant.

Haru gazed at the bustling street, his voice nonchalant. "I'm willing to help her to this extent because I've seen that smile and those eyes before."

"Before?" Yukino prompted, confused.

Haru nodded, memories flooding back. "That awkward, determined smile—pushing forward despite everything. I've seen it countless times in the past."

After over a decade in this world, many of his memories from before had faded.

But some memories remained forever.

Nanami's weary yet determined expression mirrored the countless faces of ordinary workers he had encountered in his previous life.

Even his own.

Back when he was just another low-level worker, enduring unreasonable demands from customers, his own smile carried the same mix of humility and persistence.

Yukino studied his profile quietly, sensing the emotions beneath his words.

She didn't fully understand, but their years of knowing each other told her his mood wasn't great.

The hand Haru had been holding since earlier—this time, it was Yukino who tightened her grip.

She didn't even realize how gentle her gaze had become.

Haru spoke again. "You probably aren't satisfied with that answer, are you? I didn't explain it clearly. But since I ran into her, I figured I'd help out."

Yukino shook her head.

No, I'm more than satisfied.

In fact, I couldn't be happier.

She didn't voice her thoughts, opting instead to change the subject. "Do you remember what you told me on my birthday this year?"

Haru blinked. "How am I supposed to remember? I said a lot of things that day—your sister even dragged me into some long conversations."

Yukino's eyes softened. "You said you didn't really have dreams. Even the idea of filming your own tokusatsu series was more of a goal than a dream."

Then, her voice turned gentle as she repeated his words:

"'Read a few more books, meet a few more people, experience a few more things, earn a little more money. As long as, on the final page of life's diary, I can say I lived without regrets—that's enough.'"

Haru stared at her, surprised. "You remembered that?"

Yukino smiled brilliantly. "Because I like what you said."

"Well, I like it too, but…"

"But what?"

"…Who even keeps a diary these days?"

"..."

Yukino's smile vanished in an instant.

Great. He's ruined the mood again.

Her voice turned frosty. "How much longer are you planning to hold my hand?"

"Well, since I'm already holding it, let's hold on a little longer," Haru replied nonchalantly.

"So that's what you're thinking?"

"Haha, just kidding. Honestly, it's because your skin is so smooth—I've struck gold!"

"That's a lie."

"Alright, fine. It's because your hand feels nice to hold, and I don't really want to let go."

"Another lie."

"Hey, enough already! Don't push it too far!"

Watching his exaggerated frustration, Yukino knew he was putting on an act, but her lips still curled into a faint smile.

In that moment, her smile was slightly shy but breathtakingly beautiful, its impact impossible to ignore.

Her smile bloomed like flowers in spring, vivid and dazzling.

Haru felt his resolve crumble, as though his "health bar" had been wiped out.

He knew full well that Yukino had already seen through him.

And she knew that what he wanted to touch wasn't limited to her hand.

There were her legs.

And, possibly, other places too.

After all, he had been eyeing her legs for years.

Yukino recalled the time he joked about "legs that could be admired for years."

Her cheeks flushed a delicate pink that rivaled the beauty of the setting sun.

.....

As time flew by, Friday arrived.

Thanks to Yukino, Haru's [Teaching] skill had leveled up to 7, while his [Cooking] skill had reached level 5.

Yukino's talent as an all-around prodigy meant that teaching her was always highly rewarding.

For every bit of film knowledge he taught her, she reciprocated by teaching him cooking.

They took turns being the teacher.

It was just like before, when Haru taught her Chinese, and Yukino, unwilling to fall behind, responded by teaching him Spanish.

Learning languages with Yukino? That seemed perfectly natural.

After school that day, at the clubroom, Haru noticed an unusual excitement in Yui and the others.

Even Yukino occasionally showed glimmers of anticipation.

Everyone knew that Haru would be sparring with the karate club tomorrow, and their emotions were palpable.

However, their excitement was soon overshadowed by an even greater shock.

Especially Yukino.

Because there was a person standing at the door of the photography clubroom.

"Excuse me, is this Amamiya Haru's photography club?"

The girl at the door had long, straight black hair and a polite smile.

Her face was stunningly beautiful, and her mature, curvaceous figure surpassed what many grown women could hope to achieve.

She hadn't even stepped into the room yet, but her mere presence was enough to overshadow the four girls inside.

Her name was Kasumigaoka Utaha.

"Just from the way she stands, I can tell Kasumigaoka-senpai is unbelievably strong!" Haru thought.

Yui and the others' eyes lost their usual clarity, replaced by awe and envy.

Yukino set down her book and took a deep, steadying breath.

A formidable rival had arrived.