So, this has gone through a lot of revisions and a lot of things. So, I don't know if the finished product is up to your standards.

Although I felt happy with the finished product, the ending area was a bit hard to finish off so I don't know if this chapter is good or not. Let me know what you thought of it if you have feedback. If not, that's alright.

In the end, season two is over as soon as you finish reading this chapter. Season three will be coming soon...ish. I've only finished two episodes of season three as I've been catching up on some other anime and prepping some new books coming up in later on and for next month. Also, still got some other matters to settle, more personal stuff. One of them has been looking for a job and school to balance out the time.

So a warning in advance, if the next chapter doesn't come out soon, apologies as I have personal stuff to settle first. But alas, I hope you enjoy the chapter.

---

Yukino: I'm sorry about the other day.

Currently, the Service Club members sat in their usual clubroom, in their normal seats as Yukino had prepared tea for everyone. Y/N was confused as to why she was apologizing.

Yui: No problem! My mom tells me all the time that I come home too late.

Y/N: (thoughts) Did Mrs. Yukinoshita speak with Yukino? What happened the other day?

Hachiman: Well, that's what moms are for. They always have something to say. Komachi's entrance exams is coming up, so she and mom have been arguing about that lately.

Yui: Oh, yeah, Komachi-chan's exam is tomorrow, huh? It gave us the day off, too.

Y/N: Guess the best thing to do tomorrow is sleep in.

Hachiman: Is sleeping in all you do?

Y/N: Pretty much, yeah.

Yukino: (to Hachiman) If I know Komachi-san, I'm sure she'll do fine, though.

Hachiman: Yeah...

Yui: But as her brother, you've gotta worry, huh?

Hachiman: Exactly. Komachi's too cute, so she's bound to be popular, right? Because of that, I'll have to watch out for boys. Above all, I have to make sure nobody finds out she has a useless brother like me. Komachi's reputation depends on it.

Yui: That's what you're worried about!? Also, you're assuming she'll pass?

Y/N: Not surprised. Siscon.

Hachiman: No I'm not!

Yukino: I'm not sure if that's thinking positively or negatively.

From a small bag, Yukino had placed the cookies on a plate, Yui gasping with excitement.

Yui: Did you make those, Yukinon?

Yukino: Y-Yes...I just made them last night...

She looks away, saddened slightly as Y/N grew even more confused. He didn't know what happened the other day as he left with his siblings.

Yui: I see! I've kinda been trying since then, too, but it's not going too well.

Yukino: (hands bag) Here, if you'd like.

Yui: Oh! Thanks! Um...just for me?

The black haired girl gulps as she nervously looks at Y/N, who notices the gaze and waves it off.

Y/N: Don't bother. Nee-san is going to call me out for eating too much sweets. Even more so, she'll devour the cookies as I'll just bring it home.

Yui: What about Hikky's?

Shyly, the youngest Yukinoshita goes into her school bag, pushes the plate of cookies towards Hachiman.

Yukino: If you'd like...

Hachiman: S-Sure...

Awkwardly, Hachiman takes one as he starts to eat it, Yukino going back to her seat. Y/N on the other hand rests his face on the table.

Y/N: ...I'm bored.

Timeskip-Evening

Y/N: See ya.

Hachiman: Later.

Yui: (waves) Okay, see ya!

It was the end of the day, the four of them about to depart. Y/N was slightly facing the direction of his home, the corner of his eye on Yukino. The Yukinoshita girl had her hand in her bag, a small blush on her face as she struggled whether to give Y/N the bag of cookies or not.

As Y/N begins to walk away, she finally spoke...somewhat.

Yukino: Ah...um...

Y/N: What?

A brief silence enveloped the four, Yukino looking between Y/N's face and her school bag, where the bag of cookies resided in.

Yui: (awkward smile) Uh...I'm gonna go ahead.

Hachiman: Same here.

As Hachiman begins to walk away with his bike, Yui walking in the direction of her home, Yukino's blush began to increase. She was going to be alone with Y/N, where she was struggling to hand over a simple gift.

Y/N still kept his bored expression, his attention focused on Yukino. But Yukino looked to Yui, who had paused as she could see the nervousness in her eyes.

Yui: Uh...what should I do?

They hear footsteps from behind Yukino, the four looking over to see Haruno walking up to them.

Haruno: Yukino-chan, I'm here to pick you up.

Yukino: Nee-san... (irritated) I see no reason for you to pick me up.

Haruno: Mom told me to. She said I should live with you for a while.

Yukino: (eyes widen) Why would she say that now?

Haruno: (sly grin) I think you have an idea why.

Yukino: ...That's something for me to do myself. It has nothing to do with you.

Haruno: Do you even have your own "self"? I've watched you all this time to decide what should be done. Can you really talk about your own ideas? You've always been allowed to live as you please, haven't you? But you haven't made any decisions on your own. Even now, you don't know how to act, do you? ...What is it you want to do, Yukino-chan?

Y/N: (sigh) If you're going to fight, do it somewhere else.

Haruno: (grins) This can't even be called a fight. We've never fought once, you know. You should know that, Y/N.

Y/N: I really don't care. This really isn't the place for it.

Yui: U-Um...we...we have thought on our own. Yukinon and I both have.

Haruno: Oh? Then tell me all about it when you get home. You only have one home you can come back to, after all.

The oldest Yukinoshita sibling turns around, walking in the direction of Yukino's apartment. Yui looks to Yukino worriedly.

Yui: U-Um...oh, I know! Wanna come to my place?

Y/N: ...Huh?

Timeskip-Night, Yui's Apartment

Y/N: (thoughts) She told us to come...I did, but now...

After arriving at Yui's home, the four stopped into her room, sitting at the table that she had in the middle of her room. On the right side, in the corner, was Yui's bed. On the left, in the corner, was her desk, textbooks on the shelves with pencils in cups and other school supplies scattered on the desk.

Yukino: I'm sorry to trouble you.

Yui: Don't worry! It's no trouble!

(A/N): Oh, shit! It's Gahama-mama!

The door then opens, revealing it to be Mrs. Yuigahama. She looked like Yui, just older. Although, she seemed young for an adult who would be in her late thirties or early forties.

In Yui's mom's hands was a tray of tea and snacks.

Mrs. Yuigahama: That's right! You don't have to worry at all! (sets tray on table) You two are Hikky-kun and L/N-san, right?

Hachiman: Uh...yeah...

Y/N: Yes, ma'am.

Mrs. Yuigahama: (smiles) Yui talks about you two all the time. Particularly Hikky-kun.

Yui: (embarrassed) Mama! You don't have to tell him that!

Yui then got up, pushing her mother out of the room, despite the older Yuigahama's protests.

Mrs. Yuigahama: Aww, I want to talk to Hikky-kun, too!

Yui: That's enough!

Mrs. Yuigahama: Oh, Yukino-chan is spending the night, right? I'll have to get the futon out.

Yui: I'll handle that!

After pushing her mother out of the room, Yui laughs awkwardly as she makes her way back to the small table.

Yui: Sorry about that. I guess mama's a little too excited to have you here, Yukinon. How embarrassing...

Yukino: It's okay. You two are very close. I'm a bit jealous.

Y/N: Not surprising, considering Haruno-nee and Mrs. Yukinoshita.

Hachiman: But with the mother and sister she has, I think anyone would have trouble, Yukinoshita or otherwise.

Yukino: I'm sorry. That was an awkward thing to bring up. I'll head home now.

Yui: Hey, about that...why don't you stay over?

Yukino: But...

Yui: You let me stay over all the time. And I know sometimes it's hard to go home.

Hachiman: Well, neither you nor your sister are thinking clearly right now.

Y/N: I don't see the problem with taking a night to think things over. But, you should probably give them a call first.

Yui: Yeah, I think that's a good idea.

Yukino: Yes...you're right.

Going into her bag, Yukino grabs her phone and stands by the window. She selects the contact ID she wanted and begins to wait for it to pick up.

Yukino: Hello... Neither of us is thinking clearly right now. I'm going to take a night to think things over, and then I'll talk to you.

Yui: She just...

Yukino: I called just to let you know.

Haruno: (on phone) Hmm...all right. Both Hikigaya-kun and Y/N are there, right? Put one of them on.

Sighing to herself, Yukino hands the phone to Y/N, who sighed in annoyance.

Y/N: Yeah?

Haruno: (on phone) You're such a nice guy, Y/N. Perfect for her.~

Y/N looks up slightly, staring the ice queen of Sobu, who was looking out the window sadly.

Hours Later...

It had been hours and both Y/N and Hachiman left, the lights were out in Yui's apartment. The orange haired girl was laying in her own bed while Yukino was sleeping on the floor, lying on top a futon.

Yui: Are you still awake?

Yukino: ...Yes.

Yui: What do you want to do, Yukinon?

Yukino: I...

Yui: I have something I want to do. I decided on it. Tomorrow...want to go on a date?

Yukino: ...Pardon?

Next Day

In the L/N apartment, Y/N was on the couch, covered in blankets as he was curled up into a ball. Next to him was the black cat the three of them took care of, Mizuki.

The L/N boy shivered as it was a day off, the school entrance exams were today for students that wished to apply at Sobu. Itsuki was by the door, standing in front of the mirror as he was fixing his scarf. Setsuna on the other hand was on the chair of the coffee table, a blanket around her as well as she was finishing up some of her work from university. Her laptop in front of her with a mug of hot cocoa next to it. 

As Itsuki leaves the apartment to go to his job, Y/N's phone rings. He begrudgingly picked it up, mostly due to the cold as he didn't want any of his arms or legs to exit the blanket.

Y/N: Hello?

Yui: (on phone) L/N-san! Let's have a date!

A dumbfounded face was present on Y/N, him dropping his phone as he could hear his sister snickering next to him. Wide-eyed, he sighed as he picked his phone back up and responded with a simple "sure."

Going to his room, he grabs a navy blue scarf, a present from Saki, which was handmade. Putting on a grey winter jacket and some pants to cover up, he puts on some snow boots as it was snowing outside.

Timeskip-Kasairinkaikoen Station

Y/N: Why?

Currently, the L/N boy was standing outside the station with both Hikigaya, Yukinoshita, and Yuigahama.

Yukino and Y/N: If you two have plans, we'll head back...

Yui: (smiles) This is fine. I want the four of us to go together.

Y/N: (sigh) Then let's hurry up and get inside somewhere. It's cold.

As Yui begins to walk to their destination, Y/N following behind as he shivers slightly, both Hachiman and Yukino look at each other, confused.

Their destination, an aquarium.

Hachiman: An aquatic park? This is where you want to go?

The four of them were going down an escalator, Yukino and Y/N in front with Yui and Hachiman in the back.

Yui: Yep! The snow does't matter here.

As they arrived at the attraction, they begin to walk around, the first thing they see were sharks in their own tank.

Yui exclaims happily as she runs up to it, taking out her phone to take pictures.

Yui: Wow, sharks! 

Yukino: Sharks, indeed...

Yui: Yukinon! I'm sorry I didn't tell you, okay? Be a little more excited!

Y/N: Hmm...

Yukino: That's easy to say...

The three glance over to Hachiman, who had his hands on the glass as a smile was on his face.

Hachiman: Hoh! Hammerhead sharks! (looks to Yui) Huh? What? We can take pictures?

Yui: (nods happily) Mm-hm! (looks to Yukino) See? Even Hikky's having fun.

The black haired girl sighs as she looks to Hachiman, who happily took out his phone to take pictures. When she looked to Y/N, he looked to be deep in thought.

Y/N was remembering a memory. He was about six at the time, his sister about eight or nine and Itsuki being in his early teens. Aquatic lifeforms were one of his mother's favorite things to see and she loved going to the aquarium. It was one of Y/N's earliest memories of seeing his mother's smile. Reminiscing the memories, it brought a fond smile to his own mouth. It even caused Yukino's lips to twitch upwards.

The green eyed boy noticed the small smile on Yukino's face, Yukino seeing his gaze focusing on her which caused herself to blush.

Y/N: What?

Yukino: I-It's nothing. You just look...so happy.

Y/N: ...This was one of my earliest memories growing up. Kaa-san loved coming here. It always brought a smile to her face. (looks to Hachiman) Want me to take a picture of you with the sharks?

Hachiman: Really? I'm gonna show this off to Komachi!

Y/N: Alright, we get it you doting older brother.

Hachiman: You're one to talk, you doting older cousin.

Y/N: Keika's innocence and happiness must be protected at all costs.

Hachiman: (nods) Correct.

Handing his phone to the L/N boy, he takes a picture of Hachiman with the sharks. Afterwards, they continue on through the exhibit, looking at the various sea creatures.

The next one was looking at a particular fish.

Yui: That's a "nurseryfish," it says.

Yukino: "They live in muddy rivers, where they don't move around too much," apparently.

Hachiman: (smirks) Hoh? If a shrimp passes by, it'll swallow it up in an instant, huh? That's the ideal way to live.

Y/N: Well, there is no denying free food.

Yui: You're both sympathizing with it!?

Yukino: Now that you mention it, this fish does remind me of someone...

Y/N: It's eyes are dead.

Yukino: Hikifishy-kun.

Hachiman: It's nothing like me, and that name is nothing like mine, either.

Y/N: Eh, close enough.

Yui: Ugh, it looks creepy!

Hachiman: Don't say stuff like that.

Y/N: If I recall, Yuigahama has called you creepy on multiple occasions.

Hachiman: You're not helping, either. Besides, they're doing their best to survive.

Yui: It is kinda cute, though.

Yukino: Whether or not it's cute aside, it has a certain charm.

Y/N: I suppose.

Hachiman: ...The fact that you called it creepy means you see nothing cute about it.

Continuing on, they encounter nurse sharks, out in an open tank where they are able to touch it. So long as they are gentle and they roll up their sleeves so they don't get their clothes wet.

Yui: Wow, "inuzame!" They look a little like Sable!

Hachiman and Y/N: How?

Yukino: "Nekozame"? I don't get it. Since the name means "cat shark," it must be catlike in some way...

Y/N: (thoughts) Hmm...she reacts with anything related with cats, huh? She really does love cats like they love Friskies.

Rolling up her sleeve, Yukino puts her hand in the water, touching the shark's skin.

Yukino: (perks up) It does feel a little like a cat's tongue.

Y/N: Well, yeah. A cat's tongue is pretty rough.

Hachiman: That's just what shark skin feels like.

Yui: Oh, there's a ray, too! Eww! Something was just slimy! It was slimy!

Yukino: What did you touch? Hikigaya-kun?

Y/N: She means you should wash your hands quickly.

Hachiman: (thoughts) Excuse me? Don't treat me like a ray. I'm not covered in mucus.

Yukino: (brushes finger against shark) Neko..."cat shark"...neko. Nyaa...or perhaps "shaa"?

Y/N: (sigh) Sharks don't say "shaa."

Hachiman: (looks to Yui) What? Done already?

Yui: (nods) Yeah. Getting touched too much probably makes them tired.

Hachiman: I see. That's just like you.

Yui: ...What is "just like me," I wonder...I'm not as nice as you think I am, really?

The statement sort of shocks the three. Out of the four of them, the most kindest person there is Yui. So hearing that statement from her own mouth felt strange to them.

They soon hear chirping, Yui perking up in the process and looking in the direction of those sounds.

Yui: Oh, penguins!

Y/N: Huh!?

Yui: Hikky, L/N-san, Yukinon, let's go!

Y/N: Right behind ya!

Both of them took off towards the penguins, Yukino giggling at Y/N's childlike behavior. As they followed behind, Y/N had taken out his phones and was taking many pictures of the penguins, hoping to send them to Saki and Keika later. Despite it, Y/N always liked fluffy creatures. Even penguins with their adorable chirping noises.

Y/N: (thoughts) ...Kawaii.

Hachiman: Oh, god, what are those? They're so cute! (takes out phone) I've gotta send Komachi a picture.

Yui: Wow! Look, they're swimming! When I see them this way, penguins look like birds.

Y/N: (thoughts) ...Are you kidding me, right now?

Yukino: Penguins are birds, actually.

Yui: (embarrassed) Huh? I-I knew that...

As the snow falls, Y/N begins to become cold slightly, despite his winter jacket. Him and Yukino begin to walk back inside.

Hachiman: What's wrong?

Yukino: We'll be waiting inside.

Y/N: Oi, oi, oi. When did it get this cold? I'm freezing.

As the two walk back inside, the two look back to the penguin exhibit, seeing two penguins meet up with each other and get close, their bodies giving each other warmth. When the two's gaze meet each others, a light blush came to their faces as they walked back inside.

When Yukino gazed at the plaque for information, she read a particular line. "They tend to stay with the same partner until one of them dies."

She imagined Y/N and herself. They knew each other for so long and she could only hope her love could make it to him. Be partners and stay together forever. As they went back inside, they stared at one of the exhibits nearby. Unknown to Y/N, Yukino had moved her hand towards his, clutching it. It somehow felt natural to him, which caused him to grip hers tightly.

Yukino: Some of them are moving freely...

Y/N: Yeah, it's a pretty huge fish.

Yukino: If it has nowhere to go, it'll hide, ride the current, follow something else, and crash into walls it can't see.

Y/N: Which fish are you talking about?

Yukino: Me.

This caused Y/N to stare at her curiously, but also confused. But Yukino kept staring at the scene in front of her, a peaceful scene playing out in her mind.

One with two children. A boy and girl. The boy would have blue eyes and black hair while the other had black hair as well, but with green eyes. It couldn't help but bring a smile to her face, thinking about the future. Although he was confused, seeing her smile only brought a smile to his. He just wasn't sure why.

From behind, up the small stairs, Yui and Hachiman were waiting.

Yui: Hey, guys! Sorry for the wait!

Following them, they proceed to the next exhibit, which was viewing jellyfish.

Yui: They kinda look like fireworks, don't they?

Hachiman: They do?

Y/N: You sure?

Yui: You don't see it? Look, like that one. It's like fwoom, bang...

Looking at the one Yui was pointing, they way the jellyfish moved as similar, albeit the jellyfish was organic and the fireworks aren't. Not only looking at it brought back to the flashback of going to the fireworks festival with his siblings, he relived the firework memory with Yukino.

Y/N: (small smile) Yeah...they look a bit like fireworks.

Yui begins to giggle, her head moving closer to Yukino's.

Yukino: You're close...

This only caused Yukino to become flustered as Yui giggles some more.

Yui: I'm glad the four of us saw this together.

Soon after, the sun was beginning to set, Yui running out the exit.

Yui: Goal! Hey, want to go through again?

Y/N: Again?

Hachiman: No. What's the point in seeing the same stuff again?

Yukino: H-He's right. I'm a bit tired, anyway.

Yui: Really? I think it'd be fun. And we still have some time...

Looking to her right, she gasps as the other's attentions were brought to it as well. Yui's sight was set on a Ferris wheel.

Heading to it, they bought tickets and the four of them entered inside, slowly being lifted up in the air. Yui sitting next to Yukino, Yui happily gazing out towards the city. Y/N and Hachiman sat next to each other, Y/N resting his head on his hand, his elbow on the hand rail next to him.

Hachiman: (thoughts) A Ferris wheel disguises its instability as it keeps slowly turning around. It never moves forward...

Y/N: (thoughts) But it always keeps spinning in the same spot forever. But still, eventually...

The four of them gazed out into the sunset, the sun slowly coming down as dusk draws near. The ride was getting closer to the end as they were slowly being brought down.

Yui: (sad smile) It's almost over. 

Timeskip-Dusk

The Ferris wheel ride was now over, heading out as they head off to somewhere else. The four of them were facing the orange horizon in front of them.

Yui: What should we do now?

Hachiman: Aren't we going home?

Y/N: I guess so.

Yui: I don't mean that. About Yukinon, and about me. About us.

Yukino: What do you mean by that?

A look of sadness plagued Yui's eyes, her digging into her bag.

Yui: (walks up to Hachiman) Hikky. Here.

Hachiman stares at it confused before he looked back up at the orange haired girl.

Yui: To thank you for that one time.

Yukino shyly looks at Y/N, then down to her bag. She still had the bag of cookies she had meant for him yesterday. Y/N sighs as he walks up to the railing in front of him, leaning his back against.

Yui: Remember when I asked for your help?

In her hand, she takes Hachiman's own hand puts a bag in it. It was a bag of cookies Yui had baked herself. But this time, it wasn't burnt. They were made correctly.

Yukino: Handmade cookies...you made them on your own?

Yui: I screwed up a little, though.

Yukino: (smiles) Yuigahama-san, you are amazing.

Yui: I said that I'd try it on my own, that I'd try to say it on my own way. And this is what I came up with. So...it's just to thank you.

Hachiman: You already thanked me.

Yui: Still...it's just to thank you. I want everything. Now, and from now on...I'm unfair. I'm a mean person. I've made up my mind.

Yukino: I see...

Yui: If we each find out how the other feels, I don't think we'll be able to stay the same way we are. So this will be the last help we give. The last request I have for us is about us. Hey, Yukinon, that contest we were having is still on, right?

Yukino: Yes. The losers have to do whatever the winner says.

Yui: I know the answer to your problem, Yukinon. I think it's probably the answer for all of us.

Y/N: (thoughts) The problem? What was my problem, again? It's been so long that I've already forgotten it. Impress my father? No...that wasn't it. That's what it was...I remember now. My happiness...my light...who I wanted to be happy with. That's right...

Yui: If I win, I'll take everything.

Y/N: (thoughts) She didn't say one specific thing. Had she said it out loud, it would set in. She had been avoiding that.

Yui: I know it's unfair...but it's the only way I can think of. I want things to stay this way forever. What do you think?

Y/N: (thoughts) She may be right. She's probably the only one who saw the right answer all this time. I must be easier to just accept it.

Yui: Yukinon...is that okay?

Yukino: I...

Hachiman: (thoughts) Yes, this is wrong. She's wrong.

Y/N: (thoughts) Yukinoshita...Yukino can't entrust her future to someone else. There's no way that can be right.

Yukino: (verge of tears) I...I...I wouldn't mind tha--

Hachiman: No. (clenches fist) I can't go along with that.

Y/N: ...Me...me, too. Yukino...Yukinoshita should solve her own problems herself. Just as I should figure out my own. (thoughts) That's right. My problem is to find my light. Who I live for. Who I should be happy with. Yuigahama is a nice girl. Something that has been decided. Yukino is a strong girl. An ideal that was forced onto her.

Hachiman: And that's nothing but...a deception.  Vague answers and mutual back-scratching...I don't need any of that. I know I'm an idiot.

Y/N: (thoughts) The path I've walked...

Hachiman: But still, by thinking, agonizing, struggling...

Y/N: I...

Yui: ...I thought you both would say that. 

Yukino: (wipes tears) Don't decide how I feel for me. And this isn't the last. Hikigaya-kun...Y/N...we still have your request. And one more thing...would you listen to my request?

Yui: Okay. Let's hear it.

Y/N: (thoughts) ...The path I've walked...

What is there to gain at the end? Who is my light?