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Chapter 50: Drinking Buddy

And just like that...the bomb is dropped by none other than Chifuyu.

"I asked Kaori to marry me."

"And I said 'Yes'."

Every single person's mouth dropped as soon as the news have been released by the newly engaged couple as the incoming bride showed her left hand with a shining diamond.

The group all fought the urge to turn to a certain woman, they all know whom the incoming groom truly loves. Well, all except one man: Kazutora Hanemiya. Unhesitatingly, he turned to Yukino who is standing beside him with an unexplainable look. He couldn't read her expression. Her face is blank, as if what they just heard didn't surprise her. It was then that he realized. The reason why the woman was so out of it lately. She already knows and expected everything.

And for that reason alone, the urge he is fighting at that moment, was the urge to punch his boss.

The boys, however, with soberness finally visible on their faces, were so shocked that they couldn't react. Peh had to pinch his division captain, Pah, to say something.

"W-Well, would you look at that, guys? Looks like someone also decided to settle down. I...I guess we'll have to see whether Takemichi or Chifuyu would come second after the two of us, love." He asks his fiancée who handled his fiancé's joke well.

"I guess we'll just have to see and support whoever it is. Anyhow, congratulations, Kaori-san, Matsuno-kun." Was all she said.

"Congratulations, you two. May the two of you continue to become strong, happy, and loyal to one another." Smiley, spoke after, with his usual smile. His younger twin brother, however, couldn't help but look at him weirdly. Perhaps, it is because of his brother's last adjective.

"A toast to your engagement, Chifuyu, Yamamoto-san." Inupi says as he raised his glass. Draken only turned to meet eyes with him.

"Congratulatulations..."

The whole group were all genuinely surprised when they heard the source of that voice. It was none other than, Yukino, with an unexpected smile on her face.

"...Kao-chan and Chifuyu." She continued and raised her glass as well.

"Ah. Thank you for the support, Yuki-chan." The short-haired girl replied with her sweetest smile of the night.

She, then, met eyes with a pair of green eyes who only stared at her.

"Take good care of Kao-chan, Chifuyu."

"I will." Was all the man replied, with a nod.

"I just told you I'm fine, Kazutora-kun. Why don't you just go home now and take your rest?"

A certain brunette is now in front of the entrance of her clinic, where a certain long-haired man just brought her. The man has a huge frown on his forehead, perhaps, still hasn't moved on that his boss is finally engaged.

"Did you know that Chifuyu would do that, Yukino? Tell me the truth." The golden-eyed man stated, with annoyance visible on his face.

"Like I said earlier, I didn't. Let's just be happy for them, okay?" As soon as she said that with a small smile, the man stared at her back long and hard. She immediately got awkward. She didn't know what to say and so, she faked her yawning.