Haruno's apartment.
After seeing Hoshimi and Kotoko leave Yukino's apartment on the surveillance camera, Haruno leaned back in her chair, half-squinting her eyes like a fox as she stared at the ceiling.
Earlier, she had stepped in to help Yukino, not to gain her favor, but because...
Yukino is her younger sister! And apart from herself, she wouldn't allow anyone to bully her sister in any way!
That little brat dared to compete with Yukino for a man; that could be tolerated. But then she had the audacity to mock Yukino using her secret?
Unforgivable! If Haruno had been on the scene, she would have made that little pudding know what the wrath of an 'older sister' is!
"Phew~"
Haruno exhaled and her half-squinted eyes gradually returned to normal.
Alright, now that the anger had been vented, it was time to get back on track.
Since she first encountered this little brat at the Sobu High School's ball games tournament, she had intended to investigate her background.
This Iwanaga Kotoko is not someone to be taken lightly.
Her family, the Iwanagas, like Haruno's family, belong to the high-class circles in Chiba. However, the Iwanaga family surpasses hers in terms of wealth and influence. They could be described as a 'reinforced +1' or 'reinforced +2' version of her own family.
And Kotoko is the sole daughter of the Iwanaga family, the only legitimate heir.
Compared to Yukino, who is the second daughter of the Yukinoshita family, Iwanaga Kotoko undoubtedly has the advantage in family background.
However, Kotoko has a fatal flaw! Her body is imperfect! Anyone with a bit of effort could find out about this.
Because of this, it seemed Yukino had softened her heart towards Kotoko?
As Yukino's sister, Haruno knew her personality well.
Someone like Yukino, who usually doesn't tolerate the smallest flaw in others, was now allowing Hoshimi to have a foot in both worlds? Honestly, this would normally be impossible!
But what if the other party has a physical defect?
In that case, her seemingly cold-hearted sister might soften due to "pitying the weak" and choose to turn a blind eye to Hoshimi's two-timing.
If this situation continued, Yukino might eventually accept it.
Haruno was very aware of her foolish sister. Although Yukino appeared cold and ruthless, deep down, she was soft-hearted. If Hoshimi kept playing his cards and Kotoko continued to feign weakness, Yukino would eventually be too kind to object.
This way, Hoshimi's two-timing would become a done deal.
However... that clever Hoshimi seemed to have a lapse in judgment. He brought that little brat to Yukino's house to flaunt and mock her soon after the two met!
Even if Yukino's heart had softened, there was no way she would allow such blatant ridicule under the pretense of "pitying the weak!"
Now, that 'clever man' Hoshimi had managed to ruin what was initially a winning hand!
From Yukino's attitude tonight, it seemed that Haruno wouldn't even need to intervene for an irreparable rift to form between Hoshimi and Yukino.
"Hehe~" Haruno's lips curved upward.
Although the situation developed somewhat unexpectedly, it was generally heading in a favorable direction.
All she needed to do next was to add some fuel to the fire from the shadows to push things in the direction she desired.
Oh, right, that restless little brat could be of some use too. She's a ready-made 'fuse,' so why not make good use of her?
"Hehehe~ Hehehe~~"
In the dim bedroom, Haruno's face, illuminated by the computer screen, gradually blossomed into a bright smile...
...
Meanwhile, let's shift the focus back to Hoshimi and Kotoko.
As Hoshimi carried Kotoko and walked down the street, he saw a black luxury car from Kotoko's family parked quietly on the roadside.
He looked around the black car but didn't spot the female driver. She could either be in the car or hiding in a place he couldn't see.
Hoshimi didn't give it much thought. He carried Kotoko and steadily walked towards the car.
As long as he got Kotoko into the car, his job was done.
As for her safety afterwards... should he really worry about the safety of Kotoko, the 'Yokai Priestess'? What a joke!
"Tap—tap—tap—"
On the quiet street at night, the sound of Hoshimi's footsteps was crystal clear.
At this moment, both remained silent, silently savoring the tranquility of the night.
Before long, Hoshimi stopped walking as they reached their destination, and the clear footsteps faded.
Hoshimi turned his head and nudged Kotoko's little head, which was resting on his shoulder. "Kotoko, it's time to get down."
"Okay~~" Kotoko responded, but made no move to get off his back.
"Kotoko?" Hoshimi called, the inquiry evident in his tone.
"Hoshimi-senpai~ A goodbye kiss~" Kotoko whispered softly in Hoshimi's ear, her voice tender.
"..." The warm breath in his ear left Hoshimi half-weak. His breathing grew heavier as he replied in a low voice, "Kotoko, how can I kiss you while carrying you? This posture is too difficult; my neck can't take it. Get down first, and then we'll do it..."
"Is that so..." With that, Kotoko adjusted her position, arms around his neck, legs around his waist, forehead pressed against his.
"Hoshimi-senpai~ Is this good?" Kotoko moved closer until their noses lightly touched.
"Yes, it works." Hoshimi said nothing more, holding Kotoko's hips with both hands. He leaned forward, gently capturing her lips.
In the tranquil night, the boy and girl kissed deeply beside the luxury car.
Not far away, hidden in the shadows of the trees, the female driver watched expressionlessly as the two openly flaunted their affection.
At that moment, she felt a numbness in her lower abdomen, though she remained emotionally unmoved...
But just because she wasn't affected didn't mean others weren't.
Oh no, not others—other yokai.
At this very moment, a group of tiny yokai, invisible to ordinary people, gathered around Hoshimi and Kotoko, cheering and giving blessings.
Hoshimi, who could neither hear nor see them, felt nothing, while Kotoko, who could hear and see them, became inexplicably excited...
After who knows how long, Hoshimi's arms grew too sore to continue. He put Kotoko down, gently ruffling her head. "Alright, let's continue this in our dreams."
"Okay~" Kotoko responded with a giggle, hands clasped behind her back, her face flushed.
Hoshimi: "Then, I'll head back?"
Kotoko: "Yeah, go ahead~"
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