Therefore, even though she almost ran into Hoshimi in the elevator every day, Yukinoshita never thought about avoiding him.
"You mean that elevator at the back?" Hoshimi thought for a moment and said, "That elevator goes straight to the 28th floor, very close to my parents' bedroom but not close to mine."
"Besides, that elevator requires a card to use. I'm too lazy to get the card, and I don't want to walk extra, so I generally don't use that one."
Of the four elevators in the apartment, the one on the left was the closest to his bedroom.
The elevator on the right led to the second living room upon entering, and to reach his room, he had to go through the main living room and then take the stairs to the second floor.
The freight elevator on the right was the same, and the exclusive elevator at the back went directly to the 28th floor, opening into his father's study, then a few steps to his parents' bedroom.
To get to his own bedroom, he still had to walk quite a distance, so he wouldn't go out of his way to use that elevator without reason.
"Your parents?" Hearing Hoshimi mention his parents for the first time, Yukinoshita frowned and suddenly wanted to get down from Hoshimi's back.
In this situation, what if Hoshimi's parents saw them and misunderstood? It didn't matter if classmates misunderstood, but if Hoshimi's parents did, it could be a big problem!
Hoshimi's family background wasn't simple, and they lived in Chiba, so it was very likely they had dealings with her family.
If Hoshimi's parents misunderstood their relationship and told her mother, the consequences would be unimaginable!
Thinking of this, Yukinoshita stiffly struggled a bit, trying to get down from Hoshimi's back quickly.
"Hm? Are you worried about being seen by my parents?" Hoshimi, guessing Yukinoshita's thoughts, looked a bit strange.
"...Yes," Yukinoshita hesitated for a moment and then nodded slightly.
"Don't worry, my parents aren't here. I live alone," Hoshimi explained with a subtle expression.
Yukinoshita stopped struggling, somewhat puzzled, and asked, "Hm? Your parents aren't here? Then where are they?"
Gone to the afterlife.
Hoshimi thought to himself and then said flatly, "Guess."
"...." Yukinoshita didn't speak, silently pondering.
Maybe Hoshimi didn't have a good relationship with his parents? He seemed reluctant to bring them up.
Also, did Hoshimi live alone? Living in a duplex apartment alone was quite luxurious.
Was it that his family's background was so affluent that a duplex apartment didn't matter, or did his parents value him greatly?
"Yukinoshita, press the elevator button."
Having reached the elevator, Hoshimi pinched Yukinoshita's leg to remind her.
"..." Yukinoshita, without a word, pressed the elevator button and poked Hoshimi's rib.
"Hm? What's the meaning of this, Yukinoshita?" Hoshimi squinted at her.
"You pinched my leg," Yukinoshita said indifferently.
"..." Hoshimi didn't say anything as he walked into the elevator.
After Yukinoshita pressed the button for the 15th floor and the elevator doors closed, Hoshimi began pinching Yukinoshita's leg furiously.
"?!!"
Yukinoshita froze. Before she could react, Hoshimi's revenge was over.
Feeling better, Hoshimi saw Yukinoshita grinding her teeth, ready to retaliate, and casually reminded her, "There's surveillance. Be mindful of what you do."
"..." Yukinoshita bit her lip, glaring at Hoshimi, wishing she could bite his ear in retaliation.
After a moment, Yukinoshita calmed down, closed her eyes, and decided not to bother with Hoshimi.
"Ding--"
Shortly, the elevator arrived at the 15th floor.
Hoshimi stepped out of the elevator with Yukinoshita on his back. Just as he was about to ask for her apartment number, Yukinoshita opened her eyes and started pinching Hoshimi's side furiously.
"Oof~"
Hoshimi groaned in discomfort.
After a moment, Yukinoshita finished her revenge, smiled slightly, and said, "Alright, put me down. I can go back on my own."
"..." Hoshimi didn't respond and continued carrying Yukinoshita into the 15th floor.
Upon entering, 1504 was immediately on the left. Without hesitation, Hoshimi walked over to knock on the door.
"?!!"
Confused, Yukinoshita's pupils contracted, and she whispered harshly in Hoshimi's ear, "Hoshimi! What are you doing? My home isn't here!"
Hoshimi ignored her, about to knock on the door.
"!!"
Realizing Hoshimi's intentions, Yukinoshita held her breath and urgently whispered, "1507! 1507! I live at 1507! Don't knock on random doors!"
"Alright, I got it." Hoshimi responded and turned to find 1507.
He hadn't planned to knock on anyone's door, but because of Yukinoshita's revenge, he intended to scare her a bit as payback.
Moreover, he knew that with Yukinoshita's aloof nature, she wouldn't want to involve others, so she would definitely tell him her exact apartment number before he knocked.
As expected, everything was under control.
"1507... 1507... found it."
Hoshimi stood in front of 1507, calmly saying, "Yukinoshita, open the door. What are you waiting for?"
"... What do you mean?" Yukinoshita didn't take out the key, staring intently at Hoshimi's side profile.
"To take you home and help with your sprained ankle," Hoshimi replied calmly.
"Hoshimi, this is reality," Yukinoshita said softly.
"I know. Do you think I can't tell reality from dreams?"
"..." Yukinoshita remained silent.
She just wanted to remind Hoshimi that this was reality, and even if she had a sprained ankle, he couldn't do whatever he wanted.
"Yukinoshita, you don't think I have bad intentions, do you?"
"... Don't you?" Yukinoshita stared at him.
"No, I've told you, I'm not that kind of person."
"Really? Then why do you want to come into my home?"
"Payment," Hoshimi explained, "As payment for helping with your sprained ankle, let me tour your home."
"..." Yukinoshita stared at Hoshimi for a long time before silently taking out her key to open the door.
At this moment, she chose to trust Hoshimi once.
"Click---"
The door opened, and Hoshimi carried Yukinoshita into her private domain, where she had never welcomed anyone before.
Once inside Yukinoshita's apartment, Hoshimi put her down, looked around the entrance, and murmured,
"It feels like someone is watching me...."
Yukinoshita rolled her eyes, stood with her right hand on the wall, and pushed Hoshimi with her left hand, "Move aside, don't block the way. I need to change my shoes."
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