The Hikigaya couple's youthful love story is definitely not a problem.

After finishing speaking, Hiratsuka Shizuka slammed her phone onto the table and continued her struggle with the ramen in front of her.

Hmm, have you improved the recipe again? It tastes even better than it did a month ago.

Hiratsuka Shizuka smiled and spoke to the shop manager.

Ah, I did some more research and made some improvements.

Hey, is that your friend over there? It looks like they're about to fight.

The shopkeeper looked at Hachiman with concern, worried that they might scare away his customers.

Let me tell you, do you see those two women over there? They're sisters, and the man being pinched on the cheek by the older sister is the younger sister's boyfriend.

Hiratsuka Shizuka said, feigning a gossipy expression.

The store manager was startled by her words and automatically imagined eight hundred episodes of melodramatic plot before continuing to watch what was happening over there.

What if a fight breaks out? I just opened my shop tonight.

Hey~ Don't worry, that man over there can afford to pay for it, and those two sisters are even richer, their family is very famous throughout Chiba Prefecture.

Hiratsuka Shizuka said, seemingly eager to stir up trouble.

So... that means they're from a wealthy family.

The shop manager didn't even cook the noodles; he just quietly watched the commotion from the Hiratsuka Palace.

Wait a minute, are you kidding me? If they were from a wealthy family, why would they come to my shop to eat ramen with you?

The store manager glanced at Hiratsuka Shizuka suspiciously.

How do you know if that's just his taste? Haven't you ever seen rich young men eating skewers and drinking beer at roadside stalls? You're making a fuss over nothing.

Hiratsuka Shizuka rolled her eyes dismissively.

Leaving aside Hiratsuka Shizuka and the other two who were just watching the show with nothing to do, Hachiman felt as if he had been raped by a teddy bear that was ten times his size, leaving him speechless with frustration.

Looking at the photo on Hino's phone, the scene in it was this ramen shop. Thanks to Hiratsuka Shizuka's excellent photography skills, the photo was perfect in terms of both angle and lighting.

Anyone who isn't blind can tell that the man and woman in the photo are Hachiman and Haruno.

The intention behind this photo is quite sinister; anyone not present at the time would surely believe that Haruno and Hachiman were passionately kissing.

Because only Haruno's back can be seen in the photo, one of her hands is hooked around Hachiman's neck, the other hand is on his face, and her head is tilted slightly.

"What do you think would happen if this photo were leaked?" Haruno asked Hachiman, pointing to her cherry lips with a feigned innocence.

What exactly do you want to do? Hachiman clicked his tongue, feeling a sharp pain in his tooth roots.

I'd like to ask you what you're up to. Are you so eager to help others? What did Hayama give you that made you go to such lengths to help him? Yang Nai immediately lost her temper.

Hikigaya-kun, haven't I been pretty good to you? I helped you a lot with what happened between you and Yukino back then, and this is how you repay me?

I don't understand what you're saying.

Hachiman was also getting anxious; this woman had inexplicably come looking for trouble.

"You didn't make the things for Hachiman?" Haruno also came to her senses. In her memory, Hachiman wasn't the kind of guy who would deny what he had done.

I have no idea what you're talking about. My relationship with Hayama isn't as good as you think; we're just ordinary classmates.

Hachiman frowned.

Um... Sister, it seems like this is my responsibility.

Yukino addressed the two who were locked in a tense standoff.

"You?" Haruno narrowed her eyes. "Don't lie to me just because of Hikigaya-kun."

Sister, after all these years, don't you understand me yet? Since I said it was my responsibility, then this matter has nothing to do with Hachiman.

Yukino looked coldly at her older sister.

The gifts for the two of you were originally in one bag. I was too tired when I came back from England, so I didn't unpack them and just had my driver deliver them to you.

I don't know what happened after that.

Yang Nai stared at her younger sister for a long time, then suddenly burst out laughing.

Oh dear~ Yukino is too serious. If you had said so earlier, this wouldn't have happened~

Hmm... if that's how things are...

Hikigaya-kun, I'm sorry.

Yang Nai readily bowed his head and admitted his mistake to Hachiman, showing no sign of embarrassment.

Yukino, could you give me your seat? I have something to say to your fiancé.

Upon hearing the word "fiancé," Yukino blushed instantly. Without saying a word, she gave her seat to Haruno and even took the lifeless Rumi with her.

What did Hayama do to make you lose your composure like this?

Hachiman removed his glasses and awaited Haruno's answer.

He took the opportunity of coming to my place to pick up the gifts you brought back from England to confess his feelings to me.

Yang said it casually.

You refused?

Of course, he was just a childhood playmate, and my parents aren't as easy to talk to as you were back then.

Perhaps it's because the Yukinoshita family only has two daughters.

Hachiman said calmly.

Oh, you actually thought of that? As expected, Yukino didn't misjudge you.

Patting Hachiman on the shoulder, Haruno said with a charming smile.

That's why, after you marry Yukino, she will no longer be Yukinoshita Yukino, but your wife, Hikigaya Yukino.

The Yukinoshita family was already in a very precarious situation. Some people always habitually believe that women are less capable than men, and the Yukinoshita family now only has two daughters. Such a huge empire is being controlled by women, which makes some people unhappy.

Now Yukino is determined to follow you regardless of everything, so for the sake of Yukinoshita's family.

Someone always has to make a sacrifice.

Yang Nai suddenly rubbed her temples, looking somewhat tired.

Therefore, I have to think things over and over again before I can make a decision, because one wrong move could lead to complete failure.

Such a large piece of meat under the snow, if it weren't for the fear of breaking one's teeth, someone would have already taken a bite.

For your sake and Yukino's sake, I have no choice but to sacrifice myself.

I was angry because I thought you were the one who helped with Hayama's situation.

But, Hikigaya-kun, you should also understand my difficulties.

In any case, Yukino and I are your family, so there's no need for this.

Hachiman said calmly.

"Oh~ So should I be so moved that I offer myself in return?" Yang Nai looked at the joke with a grin.

I have no objection, but Yukino would absolutely not agree, and I can't beat her, so I'm sorry.

Dream on. I have absolutely no interest in these romantic entanglements right now. My mission is to ensure that the Yukinoshita family continues to thrive in Chiba.

Alright, let's order. It's my treat tonight.

Oh, really? Well then, Hikigaya-kun, I won't stand on ceremony.

Yang smiled, ready to enjoy her first peaceful dinner in a long time.

Chapter Ninety-Two: The Quietly Fallen Apartment

That's it? It was resolved with just a few words? The shop owner, who loved watching the drama unfold, became even more reckless after realizing he didn't have to worry about any losses. Seeing that the group had calmed down after just a few words, he was somewhat disappointed.

Or what? Do you really think they're going to fight? Hiratsuka Shizuka finished her ramen broth, and after finishing a huge bowl of ramen by herself, she let out a satisfied sigh. After hearing the shop owner's words, she lazily leaned back in her chair.

Whether it was because she was too full or because she was disdainful of what he said, she rolled her eyes and then pulled out her cigarette case.

Amidst the swirling smoke, Hiratsuka Shizuka's face possessed a hazy, ethereal beauty.

After her slender, jade-like fingers deftly flicked away the ash from her cigarette, Hiratsuka Shizuka continued speaking.

You should know that people like them are very rational.

They are not like ordinary people like us, who are easily blinded by anger.

That's precisely why these people seem so terrifying.

They are always thinking and weighing things, which is why they are able to rise above ordinary people.

Hiratsuka Shizuka spoke with feigned profundity, but when she turned around, she realized that the shop owner had already gone back to work.

*Ahem*... Hiratsuka Shizuka felt a little embarrassed. Luckily, no one was around, or it would have been incredibly awkward.

As Hachiman and Haruno talked, they occasionally chuckled, while the four girls who were with Hachiman huddled together.

Rumi was held in Yukino's arms, while Komachi sat opposite Yui.

As Hiratsuka Shizuka watched, she suddenly felt that this kind of life was pretty good.

Perhaps it's time to put those past events aside and maybe go shopping with some friends sometime? Hiratsuka Shizuka thought to herself.

Ignoring Hiratsuka Shizuka who was deep in thought, Hachiman was speechless at Haruno, who was eating with sweat dripping down her forehead.

Is it really necessary to add so much spice? Hachiman watched as Yang Lazi fanned her bright red lips with her pale hand.

I haven't had much of an appetite lately, so I'll add more chili to stimulate it.

Yang Nai took a sip of the thick layer of red broth and sighed contentedly.

I haven't had a proper meal in ages; I've almost forgotten what it feels like to be stuffed.

Sniffling at her nose, which was running from the spiciness, Haruno took the water that Yukino had just handed her and drank a sip.

Here, wipe your sweat off.

Hachiman pulled a few tissues from the box on the table and handed them to Haruno.

Ah~ thank you~ Yang took the tissue, wiped her nose, and then blew it.