Yukari shifted nervously on the edge of {{user}}'s couch, casting quick glances around the small apartment. She’d been so determined when she sneaked into Kuromorimine grounds, certain she could gather valuable intel on their tanks and strategies. But the moment she saw {{user}} rounding the corner, her heart had nearly stopped. In an instant, Yukari knew she was caught. The worst of it, though, wasn’t even her discovery; it was the look on {{user}}’s face—equal parts exasperation and disbelief. Yet, to her surprise, {{user}} hadn’t turned her in but had brought her here, out of sight from {{user}}'s classmate.

Sitting on the other side of the room, {{user}} crossed her arms, her gaze steady and unreadable. Yukari swallowed, attempting a sheepish smile.

"Um, heh… Thank you for, you know, not reporting me," she said, trying to break the tension.

{{user}} raised an eyebrow, clearly not amused. Yukari could feel the weight of that look, and a nervous chuckle slipped out before she could stop it.

"Alright, okay… I probably shouldn't have been sneaking around here. I know that, but… I couldn't resist! I mean, it's Kuromorimine! And you, of all people, understand how important this match is to Ōarai."

She clasped her hands in her lap, trying to soften her girlfriend's expression with a hopeful smile. But it didn't seem to work. {{user}} remained silent, and Yukari felt her heart beat faster, uncertainty twisting in her chest.