At this moment, Hoshimi's sense of responsibility and patriotism emerged.
He believed he should properly educate Yukinoshita, guiding her to a level where she could adapt to society.
However, the best method would be to give her a home and then a child, making her a housewife whom he could spoil. This way, she wouldn't have to deal with societal issues.
Additionally, with this thought, he had already chosen a name for their child and even had an idea of where their graves would be in the future.
Of course, he couldn't say any of this out loud, or he would scare the straightforward Yukino.
"Hehe~"
Thinking of this, Hoshimi couldn't help but laugh.
"..." Yukino heard him, but she didn't respond. Her body was too soft, and she didn't feel like speaking.
Hoshimi found a comfortable position, resting his head on Yukino's shoulder, closing his eyes, and savoring her scent.
If it weren't for Kotoko's sudden appearance, he would have followed his plan step by step.
But Kotoko's sudden appearance made him feel a sense of crisis.
Kotoko had a sharp tongue, always speaking without restraint and not caring about others' opinions.
In this aspect, Yukino was slightly inferior to Kotoko. Yukino sometimes had reservations, and she also had the fatal flaw of having a 'family.'
Moreover, Kotoko was a genuine 'outsider.' Unlike Yukino, who was an 'outsider' merely on the fringe of human society but unable to leave it, Kotoko walked the line between humans and spirits, arbitrating their conflicts.
Kotoko was human but also the 'Goddess of Wisdom' and 'Arbitration Priestess' she claimed to be.
Her extraordinary status made Kotoko far more challenging than Yukino.
If left unchecked, a showdown between Yukino and Kotoko would soon result in Yukino, who was an iceberg on the surface but a tsundere inside, losing badly and ultimately distancing herself from him.
To hold onto Yukino, he had to speed up his progress to prevent her from being driven away by Kotoko.
Tonight's long hug was part of his strategy.
A hug might seem insignificant, but it can stimulate the brain to release oxytocin. Known as the 'hug hormone,' oxytocin is a 'bonding agent' that promotes closeness and strengthens relationships.
Additionally, oxytocin has another, more direct nickname – 'the love hormone.'
Hugs and kisses between couples trigger the release of oxytocin, helping to create a peculiar yet extraordinary intimacy.
His goal today was to use the oxytocin released during the hug to make Yukino realize or at least consider a hidden thought in her heart – 'Do I like Hoshimi?'
If today's plan succeeded, their relationship would make significant progress, ensuring Yukino wouldn't be easily provoked to leave him.
"Hoshimi... is time up?"
Hoshimi's thoughts were interrupted. He estimated that time was up.
He thought for a moment, "Two more minutes."
"..." Yukino didn't doubt him and continued to fulfill their agreement.
She tightened her hold around Hoshimi's back slightly.
Three minutes passed in the blink of an eye.
"Yukino, time's up," Hoshimi whispered in her ear.
"Mm..." Yukino responded softly.
For some reason, she suddenly felt a strange reluctance to let go of Hoshimi...
Hoshimi's embrace was too warm... so warm that she didn't want to leave.
"..." Yukino shook her head, dismissing the strange feeling from her mind.
She thought she must have gone mad to have such a thought.
She pretended to be indifferent and said, "Hoshimi, let go of me."
"Yukino, you're not letting go of me. How can I let go of you?"
At that moment, Yukino's arms were still wrapped around Hoshimi's waist.
"..." Yukino's breath hitched, and she silently withdrew her arms.
Hoshimi also released her immediately, stepping back and resting his hands on her shoulders, gazing at her.
Yukino looked different from her usual self.
Her skin, smooth as milk, held a faint pink hue, and her delicate face was flushed with shyness.
Her icy blue eyes had turned into clear springs, and her gaze carried a unique charm.
Her slightly pouted lips glistened with a hint of moisture, appearing especially alluring under the light.
The snow had turned into spring water...
Hoshimi stared at her, dazed for a moment.
The next second, without a word, he lowered his head to kiss Yukino.
"?!"
Yukino's eyes widened as Hoshimi approached, frozen in place.
She wanted to dodge, but Hoshimi's hands held her shoulders firmly, preventing her from moving. Moreover, her sprained right foot made it difficult to act.
As Hoshimi drew closer, Yukino grew more flustered. She wanted to avoid him, but her body wouldn't cooperate.
At the last moment, she thought of turning her head so that Hoshimi would kiss her cheek.
After all, it was just a kiss on the cheek. It had happened twice before, so once more wouldn't matter.
She tried to comfort herself this way.
However, at the last moment, Yukino slightly tilted her head, meeting Hoshimi's lips.
As she looked at the close Hoshimi, Yukino felt dizzy.
Huh? Why? I was trying to turn my head to avoid him, so why did I lift it?
My body, have you betrayed me?
Or did Hoshimi control my body?
Yukino, who vaguely knew the truth, frantically avoided the reality, constantly finding 'reasonable' excuses for herself.
The kiss continued...
After an unknown period, Yukino, slightly oxygen-deprived, finally regained control of her body.
She pushed Hoshimi away, lowered her head, and covered her lips, standing still with a flushed face.
Hoshimi, who was pushed away, sat back on the sofa, gazing at the ceiling with a dazed look.
Girls are really made of sugar, spice, and everything nice...
And pursuing beauty is indeed human nature...
Buddha, I understand now...
Yukino, with her cheeks flushed and eyes filled with shyness, glanced at Hoshimi.
Seeing his reminiscent expression, she pretended to be cold out of embarrassment, "Hoshimi, you went too far!"
"Ha~~" Hoshimi couldn't help but laugh at Yukino's feigned coldness.
He took out his phone, opened the camera, and captured Yukino's adorable expression.
The priceless tsundere expression of Yukinoshita Yukino—who knows how much this photo would fetch from Ms. Haruno?
Click—
The sound of the shutter echoed, forever capturing the tsundere Yukinoshita, who had just lost her first kiss.
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