"Th-then… um… Rai-kun, could you… let go of me first…"
"Mm—!"
The widow, already flushed with embarrassment, tried to quietly slip out of Rai Hikaru's arms, hoping to avoid further awkwardness.
But perhaps because her movement was a bit too hurried—or too clumsy—she somehow got stuck halfway.
...
Even Rai Hikaru was left a little speechless.
He had already been preparing to release her the moment she spoke. But he hadn't expected this Yuki-onna to take matters into her own hands first.
And before he'd even moved—
Yukino Shindou started wriggling about in a flustered, uncoordinated way, squeezing and shifting until the situation grew awkward for both of them.
Realizing she couldn't break free from his embrace, Yukino Shindou grew anxious.
"Mmm…!"
A soft, restrained whimper slipped out.
Rai Hikaru suddenly felt the person in his arms growing colder.
No—this wasn't just cool.
It was biting, bone-deep cold, as if he were hugging a massive block of ice.
Startled, Rai Hikaru immediately loosened his grip.
Yukino Shindou snapped back to her senses as well, realizing that in her emotional agitation, she had accidentally triggered part of her Yuki-onna abilities.
She hurriedly reined them in.
"Th-then… um!"
"I know Rai-kun didn't mean anything by it… b-but I…"
"My body is a bit… special. When my emotions fluctuate too much, my temperature drops…"
Afraid her identity might be exposed—and that she might frighten him—Yukino Shindou rushed to explain, her voice tinged with panic.
You call that 'a bit cool'?
Rai Hikaru smiled wryly inwardly. Even with his enhanced physique, the chill had been piercing. A normal person would've frozen stiff on the spot.
But despite his thoughts, he cooperated outwardly, smiling gently.
"I understand. I really do."
"I once read in a book that women as fair and translucent as Miss Yukino often have special constitutions."
"It's called ice-skin, jade-bone."
"Also known as… Snow White."
At first, Yukino Shindou listened quite seriously, genuinely believing such a constitution might exist.
But when she heard the last part, she couldn't help letting out a soft laugh.
Pfft.
She lifted her hand and lightly slapped Rai Hikaru's chest, laughing as she scolded him,"Rai-kun, what nonsense are you saying? I'm not Snow White!"
Though she sounded reproachful, her heart felt inexplicably sweet.
After all, compared to the ominous folklore surrounding Yuki-onna—cold spirits who brought misfortune—Snow White sounded far more pleasant.
And besides… being called a princess by Rai-kun made her happier than she cared to admit.
It wasn't until her slender hand made contact with his firm, scorching-hot chest muscles that Yukino Shindou suddenly froze.
As if shocked by electricity, she yanked her hand back, her face turning bright red.
She was a widow—being so casually intimate with a male high school student was far too inappropriate.
Normally, she barely spoke more than a few words to other men.
Let alone touching them like this.
Rai-kun… won't he think I'm a loose woman…?
Clutching the hem of her skirt tightly, Yukino Shindou lowered her head, cheeks burning with embarrassment and anxiety.
"Rai-kun, I'm… I'm sorry…"
"I… I was rude."
Rai Hikaru waved his hand dismissively.
"It's fine. The girls in my class do this to me all the time."
Hearing that, Yukino Shindou let out a breath of relief—but for some reason, her chest felt oddly tight.
That solid, sharply defined chest… so I'm not the only one who's touched it…?
Well… of course.
"Rai-kun is so handsome… you must be very popular with girls at school…"
The moment the words left her mouth, Yukino Shindou covered it in horror.
She'd only meant to think it—how had she said it out loud?!
S-so embarrassing…!
Rai Hikaru, however, didn't think much of it.
Looking at her faintly flushed face, he replied casually,"Actually, I've never dated anyone."
"Eh?! R-really?!"
Yukino Shindou's beautiful eyes widened in shock—and an inexplicable surge of excitement bloomed in her chest.
A strange, gentle happiness wrapped around her heart.
[Ding! The host's response has given a long-widowed woman a trace of comfort and warmth, perfectly aligning with the actions of a Pure Love God of War.][Congratulations! Pure Love Points +50!]
Huh?!
That counts too?!
You're telling me this qualifies as a pure-love action?
Rai Hikaru was genuinely stunned.
But thinking it over, it actually made sense.
He had soothed the lonely heart of a widow—naturally lowering the chances of her falling into infidelity or being targeted by a Minotaur-type scumbag.
How could such a practical act not count as pure love?
Even if the system's definition of "pure love" was… debatable.
One thing was certain.
Yukino Shindou—the demi-human Yuki-onna—was far easier to farm Pure Love Points from than an ordinary heroine like Shinomiya Natsuka.
And she yielded far more.
Damn… is it because she's a Yuki-onna? Or because she's a widow?
Is this system trying to push me down the furry route… or the Cao Cao route?!
...
Shaking those chaotic thoughts from his mind, Rai Hikaru looked back at Yukino Shindou.
Only to find her staring intently at him with those large, watery eyes—clearly taking his words seriously, as if waiting for more.
With no choice, Rai Hikaru continued,"It's true. I've never had a girlfriend. By the way, Miss Yukino… you're married, right?"
His gaze drifted to the ring on her left ring finger.
"Ah… th-this… um…"
"Yes… I… I am married…"
As she spoke, the faint blush on Yukino Shindou's face slowly faded, replaced by her usual pallor—almost to the point of looking fragile.
She suddenly found it difficult to meet his eyes, her right hand unconsciously covering the ring.
As if something she desperately tried to hide had been gently but unmistakably uncovered.
Even she didn't understand why.
It was a mark she could never erase—yet she still instinctively tried to shield it from Rai Hikaru's view.
"Your husband… has already passed away, hasn't he?"
Yukino Shindou, who had been at a loss for words, froze at Rai Hikaru's sudden question.
She looked up in surprise.
The handsome boy before her was smiling softly—his gaze steady, gentle, and unwavering as it rested on her.