READ BOKURA NO SUKI WA WARIKIRENAI 12 SPOILERS HERE
Yui's Thoughts
Yui recalls how Ritsu had said to her, "...That's no good, Yui-chan. During such times, you should push away."
She narrates that after that interaction, she and Ritsu didn't have a serious conversation anymore. It's not that they didn't talk to each other at all, but somehow, there was a sense of distance between the two of them.
State of the Volleyball Team
Mitsuka catches Yui sighing at volleyball practice one day. She remarks to Yui that sighing brings bad luck, startling Yui. She also asks Yui if something's the matter, to which Yui cups her mouth in surprise and answers that she's just feeling a little sad that the third years have to retire (she's thinking of Hayato and Mano in particular).
Mitsuka agrees, but reminds Yui that the team has made it into top 8, and it's something to be proud of.
Mano announces to the team that the third years shall retire and asks for everyone to support the new team captain, Mukai. Mukai is pumped up and says, "Leave it to me!", but the rest of the team jokingly say that they're not confident. (The vice-captain is someone called Katou.)
Mano reassures everyone that the third years will still visit often (Hayato lightly smiles in agreement). Yui watches as Ritsu laughs along with everyone in the team. Hayato sees Yui looking at Ritsu.
Yui Reflecting (Some More)
Now back at home, lying on her bed, Yui thinks again to the scene of her and Ritsu and how Ritsu stopped when he was about to kiss her.
She thinks, 'Has Ricchan seen through my thoughts? That I still haven't figured out my feelings, yet am just going with the flow. I know that I've done something to upset him, yet apologizing to him doesn't seem right...? What am I going to do...! (What on earth was I expecting him to do back then...!)'
Just then, there's a knock on her bedroom door. When she opens it, she finds Hayato at the door.
Yui: Onii-chan! What's up?
Hayato: You don't have club activities today, right?
Yui: Yes?
Hayato: It's a rare day off, so will you accompany me for a while?
Beach
The Yotsuya siblings head to the beach. Yui marvels at the view and sea breeze.
Yui: Anyway, why the sea?
Hayato: ...Just felt like it?
Yui: Eh?
Hayato: In the past, Dad used to get stung by jellyfish here; he had a difficult time.
Yui: Ah- something like that happened before, eh? (You remember so well.)
Yui marvels at how cooling the seawater is and Hayato smiles gently while watching her.
Yui's Worries
The siblings walk along the beach together. Yui glances at Hayato and wonders to herself if he brought her to the beach to clear her mind - and if that was the case, then he must have noticed that her behavior recently was unusual. (She sweatdrops, disappointed that she caused others to worry about her again.)
Nonetheless, Yui also realizes that Hayato isn't asking her about what's wrong. Meanwhile, she notices something else.
Yui: Oh? Ah, um, it's rather warm today. I was wondering if you're feeling hot wearing that long-sleeved shirt.
Hayato: Ah, you're right. I wore the wrong outfit today.
Hayato folds his sleeves, revealing his wrist and the fact that he's still wearing the wristband that Yui (and Mitsuka) made for the volleyball team.
Why Volleyball?
Yui asks Hayato, "Onii-chan, may I ask what made you start to play volleyball?"
Hayato: Hm?
Yui: Ricchan mentioned that he was invited into the team through you. It made me wonder why you started playing volleyball.
Hayato: ...I guess it was because of the timing.
Yui: Timing?
Hayato: When I just entered middle school, Dad was frequently talking on the phone. I guessed that he was talking to Mom.
-Flashback-
Papa Yotsuya: Ah, yes, Hayato is doing well. He even helps out at home... I'm actually a little worried if he's putting himself second. Interests, hobbies, club activities... it would be good if he had something he enjoyed doing.
-End of Flashback-
Hayato explains that after he heard what Dad said, coincidentally, his homeroom teacher, who was the volleyball club's in-charge, invited him to try volleyball. Therefore, there wasn't any particular reason he started playing volleyball.
Yui thinks to herself, 'So it's because he didn't want Dad to worry. That's just like onii-chan.'
Yui: You didn't have any particular reason to start, yet you've played volleyball all the way through high school.
Hayato: Playing volleyball didn't feel like a chore to me, so I thought that it suits me.
Yui: ...At the start, it was just letting nature take its course. However, while continuing at it, you begin to find yourself enjoying it, and eventually it has become something important to you. Things like these do happen, don't they?
(While saying the above, Yui is realizing the same about her and Ritsu's relationship.)
Renewed Perspective
Yui narrates: That's right. This isn't me just going with the flow; I was the one who decided to give it a shot.
Hayato looks at Yui, who seems to have cleared her mind. He smiles and remarks that she looks a lot better. She smiles back up at him and says, "Thank you, onii-chan. You're always looking out for me. I'm fine now."
However, Hayato notices something and suddenly grabs Yui.
The wave has come in, and Hayato lifts Yui into his arms. (He lifts her vertically, supporting her at the hips, such that she's now above him, looking down at him.)
Yui stares at Hayato, surprised, and he looks back up at her. The wave splashes onto Hayato's shoes and drenches his feet. He puts Yui down only after the wave has receded.
Yui narrates: Th-that gave me a shock...! It was just because he was afraid I'd get wet. (Her heart is pounding quickly.)
Hayato's Big Heart
Hayato: You're not wet, right?
Yui: Nope, just some small drops from the wave. On the other hand, onii-chan, your shoes...
Hayato (takes off his shoes): It's fine. They'll dry quickly. As long as you're fine.
Yui recalls how Hayato hurriedly wiped her hair dry back when they were caught in the rain (in Chapter 5). She narrates: Do you have to do this much just because we're family?
Yui: ...Why do you do so much for me?
Hayato: ...Because you treat me as family, Yui.
Yui: ...? What do you...
Hayato: There was a time back then when you cried and didn't want to leave me, right?
Yui: ? Ah? Oh, are you referring to when Mom was ill?
Hayato: No, before that.
Yui struggles to recall.
Hayato: While we're on this topic, I'm also not referring to the times you were frightened by the mascots at the amusement park, or the two times you cried when we were lost.
Yui: *flinches at the memories* Onii-chan, you have a really good recollection of the times when we were young, huh...?
Hayato: I can still recall events up to when I was 2 years old.
Yui: 2 years old?! If it's that long ago, then I really can't remember anything...
Yui decides to take off her shoes and walk barefoot as well. Hayato watches her and recalls how Yui had smiled earlier, saying that she's fine now.
He mutters, "...That's right. It's not the same as when we were young, anymore."
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