"…"
"She just left without explaining, as annoying as ever."
Yukino furrowed her brows. She sighed, pulling out her phone, preparing to contact her troublesome older sister who had come to Kyoto without telling her.
At that moment, Yuigahama turned around. Her light pink hair swayed around her neck.
Under the lamplight, her smile bloomed like a bright sunflower, reflecting sincerity and beauty in Yukino's eyes.
She no longer avoided it and chose to surrender.
She said, "But I really like that kind of Yuu-kun."
Outside, the winter night.
As if it would stay like this forever, the darkness spread into an endless distance.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Without attracting much attention, Yuu successfully carried Masuzu back to his room.
This was also thanks to Masuzu not screaming or making a fuss. Even if passersby saw the odd scene, they'd only think they were playing something unique. They'd smile and pretend not to notice, secretly admiring the strength of the man's arms.
"Masuzu, you're heavy."
That was the first thing Yuu said after setting Masuzu down.
Masuzu, who had resolved to stay silent, immediately raised her eyebrows, unable to hold back a glare. "I haven't eaten properly for days. You think I could still get fat?!"
Yuu locked the door. He crouched in front of her, a smile on his face as he stroked her hair. His voice was incredibly gentle.
"If it's not because you're fat, why do you feel heavier in my heart?"
"???"
Staring in shock at the happy smile on his face, Masuzu quickly put on a disgusted expression. Like a female knight whose face was poked with something gross by a pig-headed man, she scoffed bluntly, "If I committed a crime, you could punish me with the law or personal punishment. Don't disgust me with cheesy romantic lines like that!"
Yuu dodged her attempt to bite his finger and continued asking with a smile, "Don't like it?"
"I hate it to death."
Masuzu struggled, finally breaking free from the blanket bundle. She sat up, slightly out of breath. Her sapphire-like eyes still held a trace of shadow.
"You know I hate this kind of thing the most. Why do you still—"
"Because you do things that make me unhappy too. I'm just returning the favor. Not too much, right?"
Yuu sat cross-legged in front of her and spoke casually.
And, as if he no longer intended to fight, he launched a frontal attack.
"I originally planned to keep arguing like this until you couldn't take it. But after meeting someone outside, I realized dragging this out would only make me more uncomfortable."
"Someone? …Yukinoshita Haruno?" While combing her disheveled silver hair, Masuzu immediately recalled the words he'd said earlier. She unconsciously gripped the hair in her hand.
"So, you really went around with her earlier?"
"Yeah. I strolled around Shimogamo Shrine. The scenery was beautiful, and I took some photos."
Masuzu almost laughed in frustration at his nonchalant attitude.
"Oh? That's great. Why don't you just die?"
Hearing her hate-filled words, Yuu smiled instead. "No way. Until I hear you say you love me, I won't die."
"What's with that shonen manga line…" Masuzu sighed in exasperation and waved her hand. "Fine, I love you—there. Whether you die or not, I'm going back now."
As she tried to stand, Yuu grabbed her cold, soft hand and pulled her toward him.
In the end, her soft, precious body fell into his arms. She looked up at him with a small, shocked face.
Yuu's eyes turned serious. "You think I'd accept a half-hearted answer like that?"
"…Sorry, I won't give you the answer you want."
As if giving up on resisting, Masuzu let her whole body go limp. She closed her eyes and said despairingly, "Do whatever you want—lock me up or anything. From the start, I've never had the strength to resist you… Maybe this is the best ending."
As soon as she finished, Yuu reached under her hips.
"Since you say that, I won't hold back."
"Eh? Wait—"
Amid her reflexive cry, Yuu scooped her into his arms and walked toward the bed prepared by the inn.
The sudden sensation of being lifted and pressed against his broad chest reminded Masuzu of the day he carried her to bed when she had a fever. Her heart wavered for a moment.
When she came to, she was already lying on soft, cool blankets, like a pig on a cutting board.
The man pinned her waist with his knee. She could only see his arms—not overly large but strong and firm. His beast-like breath and heat enveloped the space above her. Her slender, frail body was almost entirely covered by his shadow.
"Masuzu, there's no point in running. The girl I love, I'll get her no matter what."
Yuu pursed his handsome lips. His eyes were sharp, his voice low and full of aggression.
For some reason, despite being in a position where she'd be pounced on, Masuzu felt relieved.
Like returning to the past before she confessed her love. Like… finally abandoning the right path, and they could fall into hell together.
"…Like a domineering boss." She raised her hand, gently wrapping it around his neck. "Those words don't suit the always-gentle you."
(But let it be like this.)
(As long as it's not about love, I'm willing to give you everything…)
(Because being away from you these past few days has been so painful.)
"Finally, I can return to your side."
The corners of her lips curved softly. Her chest was filled with a warmth she hadn't felt in a long time.
Masuzu closed her eyes. In her heart, she was ready to be broken and unable to get up tomorrow.
(They say people with strong physiques can fight longer. Seven times a night is nothing… So someone all-around in sports like him might act like a male dog in heat.)
While thinking strange things, Masuzu felt him slowly lower his head. His hot breath burned the skin of her neck. Her body temperature spiked almost instantly. Various parts of her body reacted with excitement. Her heart pounded with hopeful rhythm.
The next second, his soft lips kissed just above her collarbone.
"Hmm…" She couldn't hold back a moan. Her nose let out a breath.
It felt like her collarbone was seared with an iron rod. But it didn't hurt. The electric shock-like sensation paralyzed her entire body. Only a tingling feeling rose to her nerve endings.
Biting and sucking. Her fingers unconsciously intertwined. Her body shifted restlessly, rubbing against him.
This was the start of affection. She could feel his gentleness and love for her—which made her even more itchy and impatient.
"Don't, don't kiss my neck anymore. Move somewhere else… It's ticklish."
Masuzu herself didn't expect such a shy, soft voice to come from her mouth.
But at that moment, she didn't have time to dwell on trivial things like that.
His lips obediently moved away from her neck, lightly kissing her forehead.
"I want to continue too… But before everything's ready, let me leave a mark first."
With that, the warmth left her.
As if her mind was frozen by the sudden cold air, Masuzu froze for a moment. Then she sat up abruptly, staring at Yuu, who sat beside her with his knees bent.
"What did you say? Ready? You mean a condom?"
(Why can someone stop at this point?)
(Your self-control is insane. Why don't you become a professional FPS player?!)
"I keep one in my wallet as a charm. The inn probably provides them too."
Yuu shrugged. His tone was no longer low and domineering like before. He spoke casually, as usual. "I just wanted to tell you, until we're truly dating, I won't touch you, and I won't let you go either."
"Masuzu, this is how I love you—no matter how long it takes for you to accept it, I'll wait, and I'm willing to keep waiting."
Maybe this was the first lie Yuu ever told Masuzu?
"Yuu…"
Stunned, Masuzu stared at him with wide eyes. Her sapphire eyes rippled with emotion.