"Blow… Blow~…"
As the sound of the hairdryer droned on, Hoshimi's humming was muffled.
Curious, Yukino leaned closer to Hoshimi and asked by his ear, "Hoshimi, what song are you singing?"
"I don't know. I only know these two lines..." Hoshimi replied absentmindedly.
It was a song he had heard in his past life, but he couldn't remember where. He only knew this part, and couldn't recall any more of it.
"..." Seeing that Hoshimi didn't even know the song himself, Yukino didn't press further. She gently combed through his white hair, continuing to help him blow dry it.
A short while later, Yukino finished her task, turned off the hairdryer, poking Hoshimi's side. "Alright, it's dry."
Hoshimi covered his waist, turned to look at Yukino, and complained, "Yukino, can you stop poking my waist all the time? Your future happiness is all stored here! What if you damage it? Are you planning to keep making me..."
"Hoshimi! You jerk! Shut up!"
Yukino's face flushed red, embarrassment and frustration welling up inside her. She threw the hairdryer aside and, with a fierce glare, covered Hoshimi's mouth.
She couldn't let this jerk keep talking! If he continued, the world might just implode!
"Mmm! Mmm!" Hoshimi, with his mouth covered, looked at Yukino with an innocent expression, his eyes reflecting her embarrassment and anger.
"You jerk! If you mention this again, you're going home today! You're not staying at my place anymore! Got it?!" Yukino threatened, her face blushing a deeper red.
"Mmm... Mmm..." Hoshimi blinked, nodding slightly in agreement.
"Hmph!" Yukino snorted coldly and let go of Hoshimi. Without looking back, she picked up the hairdryer and walked toward the bathroom.
After putting the hairdryer back in its place, Yukino returned to the living room, sitting calmly next to Hoshimi as if nothing had happened.
If not for the lingering blush on Yukino's cheeks, Hoshimi might have believed that nothing had indeed transpired.
Hoshimi thought for a moment and decided to drop the previous subject for now, planning to revisit it with Yukino later when the time was right.
He lightly poked Yukino's waist.
"Hmm? What is it?" Yukino turned her head to look at Hoshimi, her usual calm demeanor intact.
"Yukino, what do you normally do around this time?" Hoshimi asked curiously.
"Study," Yukino replied without emotion.
"And besides studying?"
"..." Yukino thought for a moment before answering, "Besides studying, I might watch a movie to relax or watch some cute pet videos. Other than that..."
Yukino paused for a moment before continuing, "Other than that, not much."
"Alright." Hoshimi thought for a moment, then casually put his arm around Yukino's shoulder and smiled. "Well then, Yukino-chan, how about we watch a movie together now?"
"Hmm, okay," Yukino agreed.
She also felt like doing something to pass the time. Being with Hoshimi, she wasn't particularly in the mood to study, and besides, Hoshimi wouldn't let her focus on studying anyway.
If they didn't do anything, just being close for a while would naturally lead to... more intimate contact.
That was too risky. She was worried she might not be able to resist Hoshimi's gentle persistence and allow him to cross certain boundaries.
In the past, she had been able to maintain some semblance of reason when dealing with Hoshimi. But recently, as their relationship had progressed, she began to doubt whether her rationality was being worn down by this bastard...
Or maybe, it was just becoming a habit? They had gotten used to being close, and taking things a step further didn't seem so impossible anymore...
So, it was better to find something to do to pass the time. Just lying around doing nothing, being close like that, was far too dangerous... in many ways...
"Hoshimi, I'll go get the laptop. Wait here," Yukino said, having made up her mind. She stood up and headed to the study.
Just then, Hoshimi suddenly grabbed her wrist.
"Hm?" Yukino turned back, looking at Hoshimi in confusion.
Hoshimi smiled warmly, his expression overly friendly as he said, "Yukino, how about we go to my place? I have a private home theater; the viewing experience will be much better. If you get tired, I can walk you back. It's close by, just a few steps away. If you're really exhausted, you could even stay at my place. I promise I won't do anything inappropriate. What do you think, Yukino?"
"..." Yukino gave Hoshimi a look as if he were an idiot.
Hoshimi Kiyokawa, do you think I'm a fool? Do you expect me to believe that nonsense?
If I dare to go to your place today, we won't be going to that workplace visit tomorrow. In fact, I might not even be able to leave your house until after the weekend.
You bastard! Are you really that greedy for my body?! Greedy enough to completely lose your mind?!
"Hmph!" Yukino snorted coldly, shook off Hoshimi's hand, and sternly said, "Hoshimi, I'm going to get the laptop. Wait here!"
With that, Yukino hurried toward the study.
Watching her retreating figure, Hoshimi grinned, revealing a gleaming smile.
Oh~ my adorable Yukino-chan, your flushed ears and neck have already betrayed you. You clearly have the same thoughts. Why not just admit it?
Looks like I'll need to come up with a plan to make Yukino realize her true feelings...
Hoshimi's overly exuberant smile faded into a more subtle grin as he quietly contemplated his next move.
A moment later, Yukino returned with the laptop.
After plugging it in, she stood before Hoshimi, looking down at him from above.
"Hoshimi, why are you smiling?" Yukino asked, narrowing her eyes, sensing something off.
"Nothing, just thinking about which movie to watch." Hoshimi grabbed Yukino's hand and pulled her into his embrace.
Yukino didn't resist at all, instead comfortably settling into his lap, finding a cozy spot to sit.
She gently placed her hands over Hoshimi's and calmly said, "This time, I'll pick the movie. You don't need to trouble yourself."
She hadn't forgotten the last time they watched a movie together at her place. This time, she wasn't giving Hoshimi any chances!
"Alright, then what shall we watch?" Hoshimi asked.
"Let's watch..." Yukino thought for a moment and then said, "How about Flipped?"
She hadn't seen it before, but based on the name, it seemed like a romance film, so it should be fine.
Hoshimi rested his chin on her shoulder, rubbing his face against her soft cheek. "Okay~ that works~ no problem~"
"Alright, then let's watch that." Yukino picked up the wireless mouse and started navigating the laptop.
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