❝ Well... it was supposed to be, ❞ There’s a sort of darkness in her voice, hinting at something mysteriously ominous... or maybe it’s just disappointment. Either way, she was beaming with pride when she showed these cupcakes to her friends. She made them all by herself, without help from anyone at the inn... she worked really hard decorating them... and on the outside they looked great. A mirror image of the kittens in the picture she’d been using for reference. However, when Yosuke-kun took a tentative bite and his face shriveled up like he’d bitten into a raw lemon, she’d known it was too good to be true. ‘You can’t feed these to anyone, Amagi. They’ll die.’  Forlorn, she sighs at the memory. ❝ I wanted to thank you for being so considerate over the past few days, but... ❞

Yukiko manages a smile in spite of herself.

❝ I’m afraid the taste would convey the wrong sentiment. They didn’t turn out quite right. ❞ It’s probably for the best that she had her friends try them first. ❝ I’m sorry. ❞

❝ C-cute? Me? –Really!? ❞ Well, that snuffs out the trail end of Yukiko’s giggles. Two quick blinks, her cheeks flare pink while her mouth drops into a tiny ‘o’ that she has to cover with her fingertips– those words had an effect on her; it’s practically written on her face. (a one-hit kill) In fact, the joke that had caused her to keel over in the first place dissipates from her mind entirely as she begins to grasp what had just happened. She just heard the words ‘you’re really cute’ from Mitsuru Kirijo’s elegant, rose red lips. (and red is an excellent color on her, too… but that’s besides the point) It’s impossible not to fluster over such a thing. She’s simply so strong, and cool, and graceful– not to mention composed–

Yukiko needs a few seconds before she can comprehend it as a compliment and respond accordingly. Her heart’s simply beating too fast!

❝ O-oh… um– ❞ Still a little unsure of herself, she at least manages a smile. ❝ Thank you. ❞

❝ Oh. I appreciate your concern. But this isn’t anything new... I can handle it. ❞ Though her smile is soft with appreciation, her tone is backed with a foundation of steel, polite with ominous undertones. Throughout the evening, her distaste with some particularly vulgar customers was gradually putting cracks in her pleasant demeanor of hospitality. Many saw Yukiko’s dual status as a high schooler and manager-in-training as a good reason to come gawk or make suggestive comments. But with experience comes poise, along with a desire to confront such visitors and protect the inn.  Rather than letting them tear her down as many might assume, each comment is sufficient to build a fire under her bones. And now, for another guest to even point such things out, she has even more reason to ask them to leave. She serves his drink with the bow of her head before rising again. ❝ Please enjoy. ❞

It’s scary how her expression changes when she turns her sights on the unwelcome visitors. 

Smack! Yukiko’s hand moves like lightning, of it’s own volition-- dangerous in lieu of what she perceives as vulgar intent. She immediately regrets it. She always does. But his smile was just so slimy and suggestive that she couldn’t help herself. It’s gone (she’s safe) because now he’s cowering and rubbing his cheek, recovering from the shock. Oh. She didn’t hit him that hard, did she? Now they’re drawing some attention... it’s only a matter of time before Yu-kun turns around, too. She takes an apologetic step back and holds her hands behind her back.  

❝ --Oh! I’m sorry! My hand moved before I could think. ❞ Yukiko’s voice has a convincing ring of sincerity. It’s impossible not to feel a little bad... he looks like he might cry. Still. ❝ But I fail to see how that’s any of your business. ❞

Yukiko initially thought it a fishy request-- being tasked with going all the way to Yasoinaba Station just to retrieve some travel brochures. But as with most things, though she had many unanswered questions, she went along without complaint. It’s a scenic, familiar walk to the station. (it makes her think of him-- arriving or leaving again-- it’s bittersweet) The wind had depraved some of the cherry blossom trees of their flowers and dustings of pink petals are scattered about the ground. It’s still a little chilly out (perhaps she should have brought a jacket after all) Winter is steadily coming to an end and it lifts her spirits to see the town in bloom.

When she stops to survey the brochure stand, she doesn’t think it particularly strange to hear the tap-tap of footsteps behind her. A train just arrived, it’s only natural. So of course it comes as a surprise when she feels a gentle a tap on her shoulder--

❝ --Huh? ❞ Yukiko blinks and slowly turns her head. This is the moment where she probably should have figured out the true nature of that errand. (Kasai had this knowing glint in her eyes when she’d asked--and Yukiko thought she’d just imagined it) However, she’s too flustered to backtrack or manage any coherent thought for that matter when she sees him. Yu-kun. And he’s smiling. Soft and genuine. A smile she could only try to repaint in her imagination whenever they talked over the phone. Her heart thumps. He’s right here. Her heart thumps again. Right in front of her. And again. Close enough to touch. ❝ Yu-kun!? When did-- ❞

‘ Maybe this was all supposed to happen just like this because… because it was always supposed to be you and me. ’ Of course, he delivers the line so smoothly that it reminds her of a drama she watched with Rise-chan and the other girls. There had been scoffs and claims that it just wasn’t realistic-- and she even had one of her laughing fits over how cheesy it was-- but at this very moment it melts her insides to jelly. Only because it’s him. Cheeks bright pink, she stares in stunned silence for a few beats before...

❝ Snrk... Yu-kun... I can’t believe you just said that with a straight face! I was only here on an errand--! ❞ Now she’s laughing. Doubling over. (in part just expressing how happy she is to see him-- there’s so much happiness stirring in her that it’s impossible not to burst) And that’s when it clicks. ❝ --Wait. Did you tell them you were coming? I thought that errand was strange! ❞

Yukiko holds her cheek in her hand, tilts her head. She really thinks about it for a second. They’d known how disappointed she’d been to miss his arrival last time, even though she’d tried to hide it. She smiles again, her blush reappearing.

❝ I-- I can’t believe it. I’m just so happy to see you. ❞ She has a million questions for him-- but for now, there’s only one that matters. Though it’s a challenge to quell her excitement, Yukiko’s voice is soft, bashful. ❝ C-can I give you a hug? ❞

( cool anon!!! it always makes me smile when i see you in my inbox, thank you

❝ Oh-- ❞ The insinuation that she’s been anything other than polite brings a little color to her cheeks. Had she said something insensitive? Either way, the implication seemed to have flown right over her head... to the point where she can’t even recall what kind of comment she made. (she just remembered that she needed to buy some tofu) Still, she hadn’t meant to insult him. He’s the sort of person who could probably make anything look good-- though she can’t very well voice that thought, now can she? The sight of his eyes trained on her evokes a panicked impulse to backtrack and her hand waving mimics a fish flopping out of water. ❝ N-no, not exactly! ❞

Yukiko utters a tiny laugh... a reflex she must have picked up watching Chie attempt to talk her way out of all sorts of situations. 

❝ I’m sorry. I mean, I wear a kimono most of the time... ❞ She manages a composed smile when she finally finds her footing. Perhaps it was the thought of Chie that helped push her along. It usually is. ❝ That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s outdated. I think the same is true in your case, too. ❞