Reincarnation: Yukino Yukinoshita Is My Childhood Sweetheart

Hotel parking lot.

The Yukinoshita couple stood on the right, while Haru was pulled to the left by his mother. His father, meanwhile, had taken the car keys and gone to fetch the car.

"How are things progressing with Yukino?"

The moment his mother spoke, she echoed the exact words Haruno had said just moments ago.

The only difference was that Haruno had delivered the line with a leisurely, knowing smirk, as if she had seen through his every move. His mother, on the other hand, looked at him with pure curiosity and anticipation.

"We're just good friends, Mom. You already knew that, didn't you?"

Haru responded with a smile.

"Just good friends?"

"Otherwise? What else would you think?"

"You're usually so smart—how are you acting like an idiot now?"

"Come on, Mom, don't be like this. If I really turned into an idiot, that'd be genetic… Uh, Mother Dearest, could you tone down that look in your eyes? It's kinda scary."

Haru's tone suddenly changed as he skillfully played the role of a lowly underling.

"You brat…"

His mother had originally planned to pinch him a few times, but seeing how quickly he surrendered, she was both amused and exasperated.

Glancing at the Yukinoshita couple chatting quietly in the distance, she lowered her voice and asked, "You two were so close as kids—why hasn't anything progressed all this time?"

Haru responded naturally, "Yukino is working hard toward her goals, and as her good friend, I'm helping her."

"That's not what I meant."

His mother shot him a glare. Then, as if something suddenly occurred to her, she looked at him in surprise.

"Wait a minute—don't tell me you've fallen for someone else?"

Haru was speechless. His mother was still as prone to wild speculation as ever.

And realistically speaking, with how sharp and perceptive Yukino was, how could he possibly have feelings for anyone else?

"Is it that Kasumigaoka senpai of yours?"

Her words were a direct hit.

Haru blinked in surprise. "Mom, you know her?"

"I don't, but don't forget—I was the one who drove you and Yukino to school on the first day. That school of yours has a rather famous girl, right? Kasumigaoka Utaha? I heard a lot of people talking about her, so I looked her up later."

"…Wow, you really have time to spare."

Ignoring her son's sarcasm, she continued, "That Kasumigaoka girl is indeed beautiful, and she's got a great figure too. But since I've never interacted with her, I still think you and Yukino are the best match."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. You're the president of Yukino's fan club."

"Watch your mouth, kid!"

She playfully smacked him before her gaze flickered toward the restaurant's entrance.

There, a slender figure came running out.

The girl anxiously scanned her surroundings. The moment her eyes landed on them, her tense expression softened instantly.

His mother giggled. "Looks like Yukino came looking for you. Did you see how worried she looked just now? And you still say you're just friends?"

This time, Haru didn't refute her.

Because he had seen it too.

That brief moment when Yukino's gaze shifted from worry to relief—it struck his heart with pinpoint accuracy.

Once again, he thought of all the years she had spent persevering and working so hard.

"Good evening, Auntie."

By now, Yukino had walked over, still slightly breathless as she tried to steady her breathing.

Haru's mother responded with a smile, then turned to look at her son with an amused expression.

He had no choice but to speak up. "What were you talking about with Haruno?"

Yukino said nothing. She simply locked eyes with him, her gaze burning with intensity.

"What's with that look? Did Haruno teach you some new foolproof strategy to win? Wait… so you and your sister are finally revealing your true ambitions—teaming up to take down the final boss, me?"

"Haru, watch your mouth!"

His mother scolded him with a glare.

Yukino, seeing Haru obediently nod and act like a meek underling again, couldn't help but laugh.

"I would never team up with my sister. Besides, she'd never come up with such a plan."

"Don't be so sure—watch out for karma," Haru countered.

"Yet isn't your statement just as confident?" Yukino responded smoothly.

"Oh, using my own words against me now? So you really do have a plan with Haruno? If she pranks me, won't you feel bad for me?"

Yukino gave him a stunning smile. "Mm, I'd feel bad."

"You heartless woman!"

Haru didn't believe her one bit.

He'd heard those exact words before—only for the person saying them to turn around and do the opposite.

Turning to his mother, whose grin was now stretching wider than an AK's recoil, he groaned, "Mom, can you stop laughing?"

She shook her head, eyes twinkling with amusement. "No."

Watching this play out from the front row was far too entertaining to pass up.

Then she turned to Yukino with a warm smile. "I knew I had good taste. Yukino, you're absolutely adorable."

A faint blush dusted Yukino's cheeks, but she remained as poised and confident as before. "Auntie, Haru has said the same thing before—he also thinks I'm very cute."

His mother's smile deepened into a classic "Ara~ Ara~."

Just then, the car arrived. She waved to her husband and turned back to the two young ones.

"I won't be giving you a ride. Young people like you enjoy nightlife, right? Us older folks will leave you to it."

Haru reached out. "Uh, this place is pretty far from home, you sure you're not giving us a ride?"

His mother simply got in the car, ignoring him completely.

Yukino politely bid them farewell.

As the car passed by, Haru turned to his father in the driver's seat.

"Dad, open the door. I wanna get in."

His father gave him a flat glance. "Go entertain yourself."

Haru: "…"

Yukino chuckled beside him.

Soon, her own parents came over to say goodbye as well. Neither of them mentioned giving her a ride home—clearly, they trusted the situation.

"You're still laughing? Now we have to walk back."

Haru shot Yukino a glare.

But she just kept smiling.

A smile that felt different from before—

A smile with a teasing, seductive charm.

He chose not to go looking for Haruno. Knowing her, the moment she found out he'd been ditched by his parents, she'd rush over just to mock him.

Instead, he called his driver.

Once the call ended, he and Yukino waited outside as the city came to life around them. The streetlights flickered on, shop signs lit up, and the bustling night scene transformed into a glittering tapestry of colors.

Haru absentmindedly took in the view, but deep down, he was pondering something else—

Yukino's mood felt… off.

Only someone who had grown up with her could sense the subtle emotions she was hiding.

He was watching the city lights.

She was watching him.

The car arrived quickly. They both got in the backseat, and Haru asked, "Are we dropping you off at home, or…?"

"Let me think about it."

Surprisingly, Yukino didn't give a straight answer.

Definitely feels off…

Haru nodded and gestured for the driver to start driving.

Yukino pulled out her phone, seemingly checking something.

Assuming she was looking up study materials, Haru didn't interrupt her.

About ten minutes later, she put her phone down.

"How about we go to the aquarium?" she suggested softly.

A question mark slowly appeared in Haru's mind.

Yukino, however, looked completely at ease.

"You're not objecting, so that means you agree. Ikegami-san, please take us to the aquarium nearby—the only one still open at this hour." 

Ikegami, the driver, nodded. "Understood, Miss Yukinoshita."

The car turned around as the navigation system recalibrated for a new route.

Yukino turned back to look at Haru, noticing his skeptical gaze. With a composed expression, she asked, "What is it?"

"You're acting strange today," Haru decided to confront her directly.

Yukino remained unfazed. "You figured it out already?"

"So you're admitting it?"

"Yes, but admitting it doesn't mean I have to explain it to you."

"Oh, great, playing mind games with me now?"

Eventually, the car pulled up in front of the aquarium.

Yukino stepped out first, glancing toward the small shops near the entrance. "I'll go buy the tickets. Do you want anything to eat or drink?"

She gestured toward the vendors selling ice cream, drinks, and even balloons.

"Just water."

Haru had mostly cut out sugary drinks.

Yukino nodded and walked off.

As Haru unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out of the car, he caught sight of the driver hesitating as if he had something to say.

"If there's something on your mind, just say it," Haru said with a smile. "No need to hold back between us."

The driver was silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice, "Boss, haven't you realized yet?"

"Realized what?"

"The aquarium… it's the perfect place for a date."

"Who said that?"

"My wife."

"…"

It was rare for the driver to talk this much.

Seeing that Haru was open to the conversation, he continued, "My wife says that an aquarium date is ideal because it's unaffected by the weather—rain or shine, it doesn't matter. Unlike a movie theater, you don't have to worry about whether both people are interested in the same film. Plus, there are tons of adorable sea creatures, so there's always something that appeals to a girl's tastes."

Haru gave him a thumbs-up. "Respect."

"Respect… what does that mean?"

"It's the highest form of admiration."

"Then, on behalf of my wife, thank you."

Haru walked up to the entrance of the aquarium, where Yukino was already waiting with the tickets in hand.

Her presence alone drew the attention of several men passing by.

And when Haru approached, those gazes shifted—becoming noticeably less friendly.

"Here you go," she said, handing him a ticket.

Yukino handed him a bottle of water.

"Thanks."

Taking it, Haru walked past the ticket gate with her. Then, suddenly, he stopped in his tracks, putting on a contemplative expression.

Yukino looked at him, puzzled.

Haru solemnly declared, "An aquarium is the best place in the world for a date."

Yukino was momentarily stunned.

Haru had perfectly inherited the Copy Ninja Kakashi's technique, repeating the driver's words for words.

Yukino seriously considered his statement. "I never knew aquariums had such deep knowledge behind them."

Seizing the opportunity, Haru probed, "Didn't you just look this up on your phone?"

Yukino's beautiful eyes reflected his face as she replied, "No, I only searched for good date spots."

This time, it was Haru's turn to freeze.

Crap. His casual attack had triggered her ultimate move.

And this kind of direct hit packed serious damage—higher than the fiercest boss attack.

His HP continued to drop.

Yukino tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her cheeks tinged with red. Her smile, however, was breathtaking. "Let's go inside."

With half his HP gone, Haru reached out a hand.

Yukino blinked, hesitated for a moment, then, blushing even more, took his hand.

And then—

Their fingers intertwined.

Once inside, everything unfolded just as the driver's wife had predicted.

There were plenty of adorable sea creatures, many of which perfectly matched Yukino's aesthetic preferences.

With each passing exhibit, her mood visibly brightened.

Meanwhile, Haru… spent most of his time watching her.

He couldn't help it. Right now, she was glowing.

Some women were like flowers that bloomed for anyone who paid attention.

But Yukino—reserved and proud—was only blooming for him.

"What do you want to see next?"

Snapping out of his thoughts, Haru tore his gaze away from an octopus in front of him.

Yukino held a small guidebook, flipping through it. "Dolphins and penguins. I'm interested in those two."

So, they went to see the penguins first.

Yukino's eyes sparkled with joy. She looked completely satisfied.

Haru, on the other hand, stared at the waddling penguins and muttered, "Tengzi, since you've seen me as a member of Xinyue, why don't you kneel?"

Yukino heard him.

She turned her head helplessly: "What do these two Chinese words, Xinyue Member and Tengzi, mean?"

"It basically means I'm a Kamen Rider"

"?"

Just as she was about to scold him, a young boy nearby, holding his parents' hands, suddenly mimicked Haru's pose, leaning against the railing and mumbling, "Since you've encountered me, a Kamen Rider, why aren't you kneeling?"

Haru's eyes lit up. "Which Kamen Rider are you?"

The kid puffed up his chest. "Kamen Rider 555"

"Great taste!"

The two shook hands firmly.

The boy's parents smiled helplessly before turning to Yukino. "Your boyfriend's pretty handsome."

Yukino didn't correct them. Instead, she simply responded politely, "Thank you. Your son is adorable."

As they were about to leave the aquarium, a staff member stopped them.

"We're currently running a promotion," she said cheerfully. "All paying customers can receive a free souvenir."

She gestured to a display box filled with delicate charms featuring various designs.

Seeing Yukino's clear interest, Haru asked, "Can we pick whatever we want?"

"Of course! You two seem like a couple, so I'd recommend these whale charms."

The staff member held up two chibi-style whale pendants. Each whale had a small, pink heart on its head—one upright, the other inverted, forming a perfect pair.

Haru glanced at the other charms in the box. They were all in a similar cutesy style with different patterns.

Instinctively, he asked, "If couples and spouses get these heart-themed ones, what about friendships?"

"Of course, we have those too! Even solo visitors get a special design." The staff member pointed to a box on the right.

Haru was stunned. "Whoa, a mech penguin?"

Yukino cut in. "Are you going to pick the mech one?"

"Of course not. I'm taking the whales."

Without hesitation, Haru took the whale pendants from the staff member.

Yukino's lips curled into a satisfied smile.

After leaving the aquarium, they headed home—Haru's home.

Later, while Yukino was in the shower, Haru sat on the couch, stroking his chubby cat. "Her emotions have been all over the place today. You think I don't need to hold back anymore?"

"Meow~"

The orange cat let out a soft purr, curling up comfortably on his lap.

"I'm talking to you. You eat my food, sleep in my bed, and now, when I need advice, you've got nothing?"

"Meow, meow, meow?"

Soon, Yukino finished showering. Haru ended up drying her hair for her.

By 9:30 p.m., they were sitting in the living room—one playing with the cat, the other absentmindedly watching TV.

"For tomorrow's shoot, you just need to supervise. If I make a mistake, then you can step in."

Yukino lazily stroked the cat's head as she spoke.

Haru nodded. He had already expected her to say that.

"Hopefully, they're in good form. That way, my job will be easier," she added, referring to Kasumigaoka and the others.

Haru chuckled. "Even in your downtime, you refuse to relax. If you can't even take a break now, how will you ever unwind in the future?"

Yukino paused, pressing her lips together. "…You have a point. Let's not talk about work anymore."

Haru stared at the TV screen. "You know, I'm really looking forward to seeing your future. If you ever become a director, your movies will be the perfect mix of absurd and bizarre."

"And you? Besides wanting to make a tokusatsu film, do you have any other ambitions?"

Instead of answering, Yukino simply watched him, her tone soft.

"…I haven't really thought about it. Oh, but I do need to get my driver's license soon."

"What made you bring up driving?"

"You have all the makings of a strong, independent woman. If I ever end up aimless, I'll just become your driver."

Hearing that, Yukino's smile became impossibly gentle.

Still, she reminded him, "We have plenty of time. You can figure things out at your own pace."

But Haru thought about his [Steel Body].

Even he didn't know what the future held.

After a brief silence, he spoke again. "If I ever do something you find completely meaningless, will you get mad at me?"

"Like what?" she asked.

"…It's just hypothetical. I don't even know yet."

Yukino fell silent.

Haru found it strange and turned to look at her—only to see her staring right at him.

"Is there something on my face? Or have you finally noticed my extraordinary charm and become entranced?" he teased.

Yukino didn't look away. In a soft voice, she said, "My world is very small."

Haru was taken aback.

Yukino held his gaze without hesitation.

She had always been proud, confident, and resolute—rarely showing such open vulnerability.

But her words were clear.

Her world was small. Aside from their families, it was practically just the two of them.

If Haru ever truly upset her and refused to apologize, she'd probably sulk for a few days before coming to find him herself.

"…Haru."

Under the warm light, a soft blush painted her fair cheeks, accentuating her beauty.

"Let's date."

Her voice was clear and unwavering.

"Alright," Haru replied gently.

She had expected him to agree, yet the sheer joy she felt still caught her off guard.

Biting her lip, she murmured, "You were holding back a lot, weren't you?"

"So you noticed?" Haru was genuinely surprised.

Then, with a quiet laugh, he added, "But I never expected you to bring it up so directly. That's really—"

"I don't mind… if you do something to me."

She cut him off.

Under his stunned gaze, her long lashes fluttered, and a shy, alluring mist filled her eyes.

For a moment, Haru thought—no city skyline, no sea of lights could compare to the stars in her eyes.

"…Just don't go overboard."

Her face flushed deeper, her breath uneven.

She had completely lost her usual composure.

Haru leaned in, wrapping his arms around her slender waist. Her fragrance instantly filled the air, lingering in the bright and spacious living room.

She shyly closed her eyes.

This was her first kiss.

A kiss that would be forever etched in her memory—a sweet, heart-pounding moment, carrying the innocent and tender emotions of young love.

.....

Saturday morning.

Despite officially becoming a couple, the two of them acted just as they always had.

If there was any difference, it was that when Yukino was preparing breakfast, Haru —watching her elegant figure as she tied her apron—could now naturally walk up and wrap his arms around her.

I've been wanting to do this for so long.

Haru pressed a quick kiss on her lips. "Is breakfast ready?"

Yukino didn't mind the affectionate gestures of a lover, but having someone hugging her waist was making it really difficult to cook.

With a hint of helplessness, she said, "Can you let go for now? It's hard to cook like this."

"Then let's eat out."

Haru playfully kneaded the soft flesh around her waist. It was just too tempting.

"I think it would be better if you went out."

Feeling his little movements, Yukino's face gradually turned red.

"What? It's only been one night, and you're already turning your back on me?"

"…Idiot."

The two of them bickered playfully, and before they knew it, the morning had passed.

That afternoon, they went to school together.

Once everyone had arrived, Utaha was the first to notice that something was off.

And by "off," she meant that Yukino's tone sounded a little too cheerful today.

On the surface, she looked no different from usual, but every now and then, the slight joy in her expression peeked through—something she simply couldn't hide.

"…Did something happen between them?"

Since they were preparing to go out for filming, Utaha took the chance to quietly ask Kato Megumi.

"I have no idea."

Megumi shook her head.

Utaha glanced over at Yukino, who was focused on organizing the shooting notes, and felt a subtle unease creeping up.

For this experimental short film, they didn't have many outdoor scenes, so Yukino planned to get the park shots done first. That way, they wouldn't have to travel far later.

Haru had agreed to just be a supervisor, so he had no intention of interfering with their filming plans.

But the moment he stepped onto the train with a group of young, beautiful girls, they instantly became the center of attention.

"There are a lot of people staring at us," Yui whispered to Yukino.

Yukino remained calm. "There's no need to pay attention to things like that."

Seeing her unshaken composure, Yui felt a bit impressed.

Until—

Two girls in short skirts, their faces slightly flushed, shyly approached Haru.

Yukino's brows knitted slightly. Her calm facade wavered, and an icy chill spread across her expression.

Yui, watching from the side, was completely dumbfounded. Wait, weren't you the one who just said there's no need to pay attention? That mood shift was way too fast!

"Um, hi! Are you guys shooting a movie? Your equipment looks so professional!"

"Thank you for the compliment, but if you have any questions, please ask them instead."

"Huh?"

The two girls blinked in confusion.

With a polite smile, Haru continued, "I have a girlfriend, so I don't accept random approaches."

…What?!

Silence.

Yui and the others were completely stunned.

Utaha looked as if she had just been struck by lightning.

Only Yukino… smiled with pure satisfaction.