"Yukinon~~ Yukino-chan~ I'm sorry~~"
"Nyanon~~ Meow meow meow~~ I'm sorry~~"
Listening to Hoshimi repeatedly apologizing, Yukino felt a bit helpless.
Isn't this jerk usually quite clever? How is it that he can't see through her true feelings now?
Also! His skin is thicker than a city wall!
In general, what kind of guy would cling to a girl and shamelessly apologize like this? Where's your dignity? Your pride? Your self-respect?
"Sigh~" Yukino sighed softly, feeling even more helpless.
Aside from feeling helpless about Hoshimi's shamelessness, she was more frustrated with herself.
For some reason, she just couldn't deal with Hoshimi like this. It seemed that as long as Hoshimi softened his tone, her heart would soften as well.
No matter how much she had prepared or planned, as long as Hoshimi gave in, all her efforts would melt away like spring water flowing far away.
In a daze, Yukino felt like she might be beyond saving...
"Yukino..."
Hearing Hoshimi suddenly stop dragging out his words, Yukino turned around, slightly puzzled.
The moment she turned her head, she fell right into Hoshimi's trap.
Hoshimi suddenly attacked, stealing a kiss from her lips.
"Mmph~~"
At first, Yukino pushed against Hoshimi's chest and struggled a bit.
But after ten seconds or so, she reluctantly and helplessly let him have his way.
Gradually, the atmosphere became ambiguous, and with her head spinning, Yukino no longer bothered to think about trivial things. She went along with the intimate mood, sinking into the sweet warmth Hoshimi created, abandoning herself to it.
Yes, that's right, this sweet warmth...
The warmth named 'Hoshimi Kiyokawa' had already eroded her judgment, making it difficult for her to always make the right choice as she used to...
Forget it, she didn't want to think anymore...
Yukino gave up thinking and allowed herself to fall deeper into this warm embrace.
In the hazy and intimate atmosphere, Yukino and Hoshimi clung to each other as close as ever.
Vaguely, a trace of doubt appeared in Yukino's heart—why did Hoshimi's scent seem a bit different? Like there was an additional fragrance? This scent felt familiar, as if she had smelled it somewhere before...
After pondering for two or three seconds, Yukino gave up thinking again.
Forget it, she couldn't be bothered. Even if she figured it out, she wouldn't know what to do about it now. It was better to pretend she didn't notice.
Yes, that's better...
...
At Haruno's apartment.
Watching Yukino and Hoshimi getting all intimate together on the surveillance, Haruno was utterly dumbfounded, her mind buzzing.
WTF! Why?!
My foolish little sister! Why would you forgive this jerk, Hoshimi Kiyokawa?!
Do you even know what he did?! He brought your rival—his mistress—to your house to flaunt it right in your face!
Even in this situation, you forgive him so easily?!
I don't expect you to break up with Hoshimi entirely! But at the very least, you should give him the silent treatment for a month!
If that's too much, then at least a week!
If not that, even three days would do!
Three days is enough! At the very least, make Hoshimi understand that you're not that easy to mess with!
And now look at you—barely half an hour has passed, and you've already forgiven this jerk!
"Sigh~~~"
Haruno let out a long sigh, filled with frustration and disappointment, collapsing weakly into her chair.
Is this still the vengeful little sister I know? The Yukino right now seems like a kind-hearted fool who can forgive anything.
I'm not sure whether this is a problem with the Yukinoshita family's upbringing or if Hoshimi Kiyokawa's sweet talk is just that effective...
"..."
At a loss for words, Haruno mustered all her strength to keep watching the surveillance, despite her frustration and helplessness.
No matter how speechless or helpless she felt, she had to continue protecting Yukino from the shadows, firmly holding the line to prevent Yukino from falling into Hoshimi's trap too early.
...
Back at Yukino's apartment, in the now ambiguous atmosphere, Hoshimi held Yukino close, whispering warmly as he breathed on her neck, "Yukino, I want to..."
"Don't even think about it!" Yukino, still holding onto a shred of rationality, firmly shut down Hoshimi's world-ending idea.
"Oh..." Hoshimi responded flatly.
He was just trying his luck, after all. If Yukino agreed, that would be amazing; if not, it was no big deal.
He thought for a moment, gently caressing Yukino's soft hand, and asked, "Yukino, isn't your sister coming over? Why isn't she here yet?"
"..." Yukino's beautiful eyes widened slightly as she suddenly remembered her sister was supposed to visit.
She quickly stood up and pushed Hoshimi's shoulders. "Hoshimi, my sister should be arriving soon. You should hurry home."
Hoshimi pulled Yukino back into his arms, pressing his cheek against hers, speaking nonchalantly, "Yukino, we're a couple. What's the problem with being together? Don't keep letting your sister scare you."
"Hoshimi, you..." Yukino's lips parted, but she didn't know what to say.
Actually, she knew Hoshimi was right. She really didn't need to panic just because her sister was coming over.
But due to the childhood shadow her sister cast, whenever she heard the word "sister," she couldn't help but hide the things she cared about...
"Yukino, your sister still hasn't shown up after all this time. Could something have happened on the way? Why don't you call her and check?"
Seeing Yukino hesitating, not knowing what to do, Hoshimi began making decisions for her.
"...Okay... I'll ask..." Yukino took out her phone and, still sitting in Hoshimi's embrace, dialed Haruno's number.
"Ring--- Ring--- Ring---"
On the other side, Haruno silently stared at her vibrating phone on the desk.
She turned her head to glance at the surveillance and then silently picked up the phone.
Alright, very good. Sitting in your boyfriend's arms to call me—how did I never notice before that, Yukino, you're quite bold, huh?
"Moshi moshi, is that Yukino-chan?"
Though Haruno had a swirl of emotions in her heart, her tone was as mischievous as always.
"Sister, it's me."
"Yukino-chan, why are you calling me? Is something up?"
"Sister, it's like this. I wanted to ask... mmm~" Yukino let out a strange noise and quickly continued, "I wanted to ask when you're coming."
Watching the surveillance, Haruno's eyes grew colder and colder.
She had seen it clearly just now—the reason Yukino made that strange sound was because Hoshimi had nibbled on her earlobe.
And after that, Yukino only shot Hoshimi a reproachful look but didn't stop him. Instead, she continued the phone call with her sister while maintaining this intimate posture.
Seeing the two of them so close together, Haruno's voice subtly took on a trace of coldness.
"Yukino, your sister... I..."
===
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