Hoshimi, who had witnessed everything from the side, poked Kotoko's thigh and asked in a low voice, "Kotoko, what are you talking to?"
"A yokai~ What else could it be?" Kotoko replied casually, as if it was the most normal thing.
"A yokai... why can't I see it?" Hoshimi was puzzled. He had clearly absorbed spiritual energy today, so why couldn't he see the yokai?
"You don't have the 'sight' ability, of course you can't see them."
"Huh? I don't have the 'sight' ability? Isn't my cultivation talent top-notch? How could I not have the 'sight' ability?" Hoshimi asked in confusion.
Kotoko rolled her eyes at Hoshimi. "Who said having cultivation talent means you automatically have the 'sight' ability? They're not the same. 'Sight' is 'sight,' and cultivation talent is cultivation talent. People with the 'sight' ability almost always have good cultivation talent, but having cultivation talent doesn't necessarily mean you'll have the 'sight' ability."
"If you want to see yokai and ghosts that are invisible to ordinary people, you need to master cultivation techniques so that the spiritual energy can fully reside in your body."
"Earlier this afternoon, you were circulating the cultivation technique, but it hadn't stabilized, so the spiritual energy didn't reside in your body. That's why you couldn't see yokai and ghosts."
After understanding, Hoshimi rubbed his chin. "I see..."
"Whimper~~~"
At this moment, the mini yokai came back. It floated to Kotoko's ear, babbling as it reported everything it had discovered.
Kotoko's expression turned subtle as she listened. She glanced at Yukino in the study, and a hint of amusement appeared in her mysterious purple eyes.
Interesting, truly interesting. Yukinoshita-senpai is really 'reserved,' doing something so intriguing in her own home.
I wonder, if her actions are exposed, what expression Yukinoshita-senpai will have? Will she still be able to maintain that cold, aloof ice queen demeanor?
"Kotoko, did you find out Yukino's secret?"
Noticing Kotoko's changing expression, Hoshimi grew curious. He rubbed Kotoko's thigh, trying to coax some information out of her.
"Heh~" Kotoko chuckled softly. "I did, and it's a very interesting secret~"
Kotoko raised her hand, patted the mini yokai, and stuffed it back into her sleeve.
Meanwhile, Yukino had gathered all her textbooks and notes. She carried the neatly stacked books, expressionless, as she walked towards the living room.
"Hoshimi, Yukinoshita-senpai is coming out," Kotoko cheerfully reminded him.
"..." Hoshimi sighed and could only give Kotoko's thigh a gentle pinch to express his helplessness.
Looks like he'll have to wait until Kotoko reveals the mystery on her own.
Tap--tap--tap---
The sound of footsteps gradually approached.
Returning to the living room, Yukino directly placed the stack of books on the coffee table in front of Kotoko. "Iwanaga-san, these are my first-year textbooks and notes. If you want to study, you can start now."
"No need to rush." Kotoko raised her head to look at Yukino with a playful expression. "Yukinoshita-senpai, before we start studying, I have a question. Could you explain what 'reserved' means?"
"..." Yukino furrowed her delicate brows. "Do I really need to explain that? Iwanaga-san, did you learn your Japanese from the P.E. teacher or something?"
"Hehehe~" Kotoko laughed, her smile a bit eerie, a bit odd, and faintly tinged with mischief.
She folded her hands on her stomach and, with a slightly strange expression, said, "Yukinoshita-senpai, I just want to hear your explanation. I think you might have a unique understanding of the word 'reserved.'"
Yukino frowned, sensing that something was amiss.
What is this vulgar person up to now? Is she trying to lead me into a trap again?
But it's just a vocabulary explanation. What kind of trap could it possibly be?
She thought for a moment, her frown relaxing, and responded calmly, "Being reserved means being dignified and gracious, maintaining a balance, being polite without losing kindness."
After finishing, Yukino stared coldly at Kotoko. "That's my understanding of 'reserved.' Is there a problem?"
"Dignified and gracious... maintaining balance... polite... kind..." Kotoko muttered the key phrases to herself, her gaze becoming more and more nuanced.
She looked at Yukino and teased, "Yukinoshita-senpai, are you polite? Are you kind? Are you... balanced?"
"..." Yukino didn't respond. She glared at Kotoko, her gaze growing colder.
She had figured it out. Kotoko had come to her house today just to stir up trouble.
"Iwanaga-san, are you going to study or not?" Yukino's attitude turned icy as the unwelcome guest pushed her limits.
She crossed her arms and looked down at Kotoko, the coldness that kept people at a distance beginning to form around her.
"Study? Of course, I want to study! How could I not?" Kotoko grinned wickedly.
She stood up, puffed out her chest, and put her hands on her hips, exuding an air of confidence. "But what I want to learn is not the knowledge in these textbooks. I want to learn about the private lessons you were studying at home this afternoon, Yukinoshita-senpai!"
"Yukinoshita-senpai, what exactly were you studying at home this afternoon? Can you teach me? I really need it~ Hoshimi also really needs it~"
"?!?!" Yukino's pupils contracted, her icy blue eyes filled with disbelief.
Impossible! How could you possibly know what I was studying this afternoon?!
No way! Absolutely no way! You're definitely trying to provoke me! To scare me!
I won't fall for it!
In an instant, Yukino had thought it all through. She forced herself to remain calm and replied with a steady face, "Iwanaga-san, what are you talking about? I don't understand. I was at home reviewing this afternoon. I was studying the material in the textbooks!"
"..." On the side, Hoshimi raised his eyebrows, feeling a bit conflicted.
My dear Yukino-chan is as terrible at lying as ever. Her over-the-top denial clearly indicates something is up...
"Heh~ is that so?" Kotoko leisurely glanced at Hoshimi. "Hoshimi, I suggest you check the cupboard in the kitchen. You might find something interesting~"
"?!?!" Yukino's eyes widened in shock.
It's over! She really found out!
How?! How was I discovered?! Where did I go wrong?!
No, I can't think about that now!
The most important thing now is to destroy the evidence! As long as there's no evidence, nothing happened!
With that thought, Yukino immediately sprang into action. Without saying a word, she ran towards the kitchen.
"Kotoko, block Yukino! I'll go to the kitchen!" Hoshimi's eyes lit up as he jumped off the sofa and dashed towards the kitchen.
Yukino's intense reaction confirmed it—there's definitely a big secret to uncover!
Today, he must find out what interesting thing Yukino has been doing behind his back!
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