"Click--click--click--"
After a short while, three or five photos were taken. The young female clerk, who had just taken the photos of the handsome guy, didn't feel as happy as she thought she would.
Her mood grew heavy and conflicted as she returned to the counter, scanning the barcodes one by one.
"Beep~"
670 yen.
"Beep~"
650 yen.
"Beep~"
640 yen.
With each scan, the clerk's heart bled a little more, while Hoshimi's smile grew wider.
Not long after, the clerk looked at Hoshimi, forcing a smile. "The total is 32,780 yen. After the 50% discount, it's 16,390 yen."
"Pretty cheap," Hoshimi said as he pulled out his wallet and casually handed the clerk two 10,000-yen bills.
The clerk's face stiffened as she accepted the money and made change.
After a moment, she handed Hoshimi some bills and coins. "That's 16,390 yen, and here's your change, 3,610 yen."
"Heh~" Hoshimi chuckled as he took the money and put it back in his wallet. Then he asked, "There are too many books; I can't carry them all. Can you deliver them to my home?"
"Yes, of course. Please leave your address, and we'll deliver them tomorrow."
"Is there a delivery charge?"
The clerk, feeling more and more burdened, explained the store's policy. "There's no charge if it's over 50 books and within the same city. Are you in the same city?"
"Yes."
"..." The clerk's eye twitched as she took out a pen and paper, sliding them to Hoshimi. "Sir, please leave your address and phone number. We'll arrange the delivery as soon as possible tomorrow."
"Alright~" Hoshimi leaned over and quickly jotted down his information.
After finishing, Hoshimi added, "I'm a student, so I'll be home in the afternoon. Please call me before the delivery."
"Understood, sir."
By this point, the clerk had calmed down. She looked at the handsome young man who perfectly matched her taste, but she couldn't feel excited anymore.
Ah~ Is this the emptiness after getting the gold card in a gacha game? The feeling of spending too much money?
Ah~ It feels like such a loss! 16,390 yen! It took me so long to save that!
I swear I'll never do this again! Ah~ No, I mean, I won't act on impulse anymore!
"Yukino, let's go."
As the white-haired, red-eyed boy led his super-cool, long-haired girlfriend away, the clerk's gaze turned a bit resentful.
It's not even worth it compared to gacha games; at least the virtual husband wouldn't run off with another woman...
...
"Ha! How naïve..."
After walking a short distance from the bookstore, Hoshimi couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Yukino, with a face as cold as ice, pinched the back of Hoshimi's hand and asked, "Hoshimi, you knew she was lying from the start?"
"Of course. If even you could tell, how could I not?"
"..."
Yukino's face grew darker, and she silently elbowed Hoshimi in the side.
But Hoshimi, anticipating her move, had already placed his hand protectively over his side, catching her elbow perfectly.
He held down Yukino's elbow, laughing. "Yukino, did you see that? It's not just men who can lose their heads over beauty; women can too. She lost over 10,000 yen in a flash. Hopefully, she'll learn a lesson and won't be so impulsive next time."
"..."
Yukino kept her face cold and said nothing.
Seeing Yukino still upset, Hoshimi blinked playfully and teased, "Yukino, don't tell me you're jealous because I left those photos behind? How cute~"
"Hmph!" Yukino snorted, countering, "Hoshimi, if a guy left with a few photos of me, how would you feel?"
"Uh..."
Hoshimi froze.
After thinking it over carefully, he replied with certainty, "I'd be a little annoyed and would try to subtly suggest he delete them. If he didn't, I might have to take more direct measures."
"Hmph!" Yukino snorted again, asking, "So, Hoshimi, do you understand now?"
"Yes, I understand. I was wrong," Hoshimi said, stopping in his tracks and pulling Yukino to a halt as well.
At this moment, they were in a dimly lit residential area with no streetlights and very few people around.
Just as Yukino was about to stop Hoshimi, who she sensed was about to do something, he pulled her into an embrace and kissed her.
The May night was a bit chilly with the sea breeze, and the moonlight was no different from usual.
But to Yukino, tonight's moonlight was exceptionally intoxicating, making her feel weak all over. She could barely stand, leaning softly against Hoshimi's chest.
In the quiet, dim street, the subtle sounds of their kiss became the most prominent melody.
"Rustle--rustle--"
Suddenly, there were footsteps, followed by voices coming closer.
"How's your daughter doing lately? Has she brought a boyfriend home?"
"No, not at all. She just gets angry when I ask. It doesn't look promising. How about your daughter?"
"No news here either. Every time I push, she says she's busy with work. Push more, and she says she's looking. Then she just stops answering her phone..."
"Sigh, they're all the same. Why don't young people want to get married nowadays? If they wait too long, it'll be even harder..."
Judging by the voices and the conversation, it was clearly two middle-aged women worried about their children's marriages.
As Yukino, who was feeling utterly weak, listened to the approaching voices, she shyly pushed against Hoshimi's chest.
Idiot! Let go of me! Someone's coming!
But instead of letting go, Hoshimi held Yukino even tighter.
"Rustle--rustle--"
Before Yukino could muster the strength to push Hoshimi a second time, the two middle-aged women were already nearby.
With their experience, the women instantly knew there was a young couple kissing as soon as they got close.
The two women exchanged knowing smiles and quietly walked around the young couple.
After moving a little further away, one of the women couldn't help but sigh.
"Ah, youth is wonderful..."
"Indeed... Youth is so wonderful; seizing the moment is great... But young people today don't seem to have much desire. They don't live like we used to... those were the days... partying and enjoying life to the fullest..."
"Sigh" x2
As they reminisced about their own youth, the two women couldn't help but sigh deeply.
"Rustle--rustle--"
After the two women walked away, Hoshimi finally released Yukino, leaning his forehead against hers and breathing lightly.
"Even the aunties are reminding us to seize the moment. What do you think? Should we go out for a walk tonight?"
"In your dreams~" Yukino rolled her eyes, her gaze as soft as spring water. "Did you forget we have exams soon? You still want to wander around? I have to study tonight."
"Alright, whatever you say," Hoshimi didn't insist. He wrapped his arm around the soft Yukino and leisurely continued towards the apartment.
===
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