"How did I know?" Yukino repeated Hoshimi's question with an amused look. "Guess how I knew?"
Hoshimi shook his head. "I won't guess."
He already had a rough idea in his mind and was just asking Yukino for confirmation. Since she didn't want to answer, he let it go.
"If you won't guess, let's go," Yukino said, turning back and looking ahead expressionlessly.
"Alright..." Hoshimi didn't say anything more and walked out of the library with Yukino, arm in arm.
Soon, the two were strolling down an empty street.
Yukino glanced at Hoshimi from the corner of her eye, a barely noticeable playful glint in her eyes.
Going back to the previous question, how did she know?
First, Hoshimi's behavior tonight in the dream, catering to her every whim, raised her suspicions.
At the time, she didn't think much of it, assuming it was just a change in Hoshimi's behavior due to their closer relationship.
Secondly, in the library, when she asked Hoshimi not to disturb her, and he really didn't, that raised a red flag. She became more vigilant and paid attention to Hoshimi's actions.
Then, Hoshimi suddenly left without a word.
At that moment, she recalled the scene of Kotoko whispering in Hoshimi's ear.
In an instant, everything became clear. All the clues pointed to the final answer.
Hoshimi's accommodating attitude tonight was to keep her busy with her own matters, so he could meet Kotoko undisturbed.
Knowing what Hoshimi intended, there was no way she would let him get away with it.
Usually, it was Hoshimi who made her restless. Today, it was her turn to trouble Hoshimi!
Following Hoshimi to meet Kotoko wasn't about claiming anything, it was simply to get back at him.
Yes, just revenge! Nothing more!
"Hoshimi, how much longer do we have to walk?" Yukino asked indifferently, her eyes sparkling.
"This is it." Hoshimi stopped and turned to look at a small park.
Yukino also stopped and followed his gaze.
A very ordinary, common park, with typical playground equipment, nothing special.
Except for the bench directly facing the entrance, which seemed unusual.
The bench was dark red, with a smooth sheen, seemingly made of expensive wood.
But why place such a bench in a common park?
Yukino was puzzled. She glanced at Hoshimi's profile but didn't ask, silently following him to within a meter of the bench.
"Let's try..." Hoshimi murmured distantly.
He closed his eyes, thinking about meeting Kotoko again.
Soon, something strange happened. The dark red bench glowed white, the light forming a human shape.
The next moment, the light faded, revealing Kotoko, dressed in a Western-style dress, holding a reddish-brown cane, sitting on the bench.
She looked at Hoshimi and Yukino holding hands, pouted, and ran to Hoshimi in small steps.
"Hoshimi! You're so slow! Do you know how long I waited at home?"
Hoshimi squinted, smiling gently as he placed his hand on Kotoko's head. "Kotoko, before discussing how long you waited, we need to talk about how you know how to pull people into my dream."
"Ahaha~ Ehe~" Kotoko tapped her temple with a small fist, slightly tilting her head and sticking out her tongue, pretending to be silly.
"Heh~" Hoshimi chuckled, turned Kotoko around with one hand, and pushed her towards the dark red bench.
"Come, let's sit and talk. I have plenty of time tonight."
The three sat on the bench, Hoshimi in the middle, with Yukino and Kotoko on either side.
Hoshimi looked at Kotoko, speaking meaningfully, "Kotoko, you seem to know a lot. Can you tell me something? Not too much, just start with how my dream pulls people in."
"Well..." Kotoko leaned forward, looked past Hoshimi at Yukino, then back at him, blinking as if hinting at something.
Hoshimi smiled slightly, putting his arm around Yukino's shoulders. "Kotoko, don't worry. Yukino is one of us, no need to avoid her, just tell me."
"..." Kotoko's expression stiffened for a moment before she sat up straight, her face serious. "Hoshimi, I can tell you some information, but I want to do an equivalent exchange, just like you like."
"Alright..." Hoshimi thought for a moment, then nodded. "Okay."
Then he asked, "Kotoko, what do you want?"
"Ahem~" Kotoko cleared her throat, stood up, leaned forward, cupped Hoshimi's face with a smile, and said, "First, let's start with a long-awaited French kiss!"
Before Hoshimi could refuse, Kotoko kissed him in front of Yukino.
At first, Kotoko watched Yukino's reaction out of the corner of her eye,
Seeing Yukino go from astonished, to expressionless, to frosty, Kotoko felt a bit of satisfaction.
She had specifically enrolled in Sobu High, waiting for Hoshimi, but someone else got to him first, which annoyed her!
This Yukino lady sure had some luck.
But what's luck worth? This world runs on strength!
I, Kotoko, will definitely win with my strength!
"Mm~~"
Lost in thought, Kotoko was interrupted by Hoshimi's counterattack, a soul-sucking kiss that shattered her thoughts, leaving no room to observe Yukino.
After a while, Hoshimi, now breathless, placed the almost suffocating Kotoko back on the bench.
Then he endured the sharp pain in his waist, looking at Yukino with a pained expression. "Yukino, you can understand, right?"
"..." Yukino's face was icy, staring ahead, ignoring Hoshimi, but her hand remained on his waist, twisting his flesh.
Judging by the wrinkles in his clothes, Yukino had been twisting for quite a while.
Hoshimi, who had long blocked out the pain, pretended to be in agony, holding Yukino's hand, "Yukino, why don't you take a break? If your hand hurts, that wouldn't be good. You can continue later, I promise not to resist."
"....." Yukino said nothing, releasing her grip and lifting Hoshimi's shirt to check.
Not bad, already a patch of bruises, which made her feel slightly better.
Besides, her hand was indeed a bit sore, so she decided to rest a bit before continuing.
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