'Good heavens...'
'Why would fate arrange for such a perfect and breathtaking young man to appear by my side?'
'Is this punishment for her being a Yuki-onna?'
'Hold it together!'
'Hold it together!!'
'Hold it together!!!'
Yukino clenched her trembling fists, trying desperately to suppress the wild, explosive emotions surging through her chest.
Feigning composure, she lifted her head slightly, her lips curling into a charming smile as she gazed at Hikari.
Hikari, on the other hand, froze awkwardly. He returned her smile with one of polite detachment, unsure what to say.
'Damn it!'
'She truly lives up to her reputation as a Yuki-onna', Her allure was nearly supernatural. That smile, that subtle movement—each one sent shivers down his spine, freezing his heart of burning youth in its tracks.
'Calm down! Calm down!'
'I can't just throw myself at her.'
While Hikari was more than willing to accept anything she freely gave, he refused to act impulsively toward a widow.
Otherwise, how would he be any different from those degenerates?
Yukino had extended such a warm invitation to him, dressed so casually yet invitingly. She had even sacrificed her first kiss to cool him down earlier.
Such trust!
As the self-proclaimed Paragon of Pure Love, how could he possibly betray that?
And so, the two sat in composed silence, faces adorned with elegant smiles that masked the raging beasts within.
To an outsider, they would have seemed the picture of harmony—a dashing young man and a graceful woman, their poise and beauty a perfect match.
Little did anyone know, they were each straining to keep their inner turmoil from scaring the other away.
Eventually, it was Hikari who broke the silence.
He reached for the cup of tea on the table, downed it in one gulp, and said with a smile, "Miss Yuki-on…Yukino the tea's finished. I'll be heading out now."
Hikari stood up and wiped the sweat off his brow. He had almost slipped and called her "Yuki-onna" aloud.
Yukino, her focus split between keeping her emotions in check and listening to Hikari, missed the slip entirely. She stood quickly, intent on seeing him off.
"Ah… Well then, Hikari-kun, if you're busy, I won't keep you," she said, her tone tinged with reluctant politeness.
At the doorway, just as Hikari was about to leave, Yukino hesitated.
"Hikari-kun," she called softly.
He turned back, his hand on the doorframe.
"You've helped me so much recently, and I feel terrible for not doing anything in return." Her voice wavered slightly.
"I… I'd like to repay you, but I don't know what would be suitable. So… if you're free tonight or tomorrow, could I invite you over for dinner? I have… some interesting things at my place I'd like to show you."
Her cheeks flushed, and she pinched her thigh behind her skirt to keep herself grounded.
"Would that… be okay?"
Hikari clenched his fists tightly to regain composure and nodded.
"Sure, that works," he replied simply.
As Hikari turned and walked away, and Yukino closed the door behind him, both exhaled deeply in relief.
"Finally, I don't have to keep holding back. This is torture."
The thought echoed in both of their minds.
For Hikari, the reprieve was brief; he headed downstairs, distracted by other matters.
Yukino, however, collapsed weakly against the door before sliding to the floor.
Moments later, she sprang up, stomping her feet in frustration and slamming her fists against the wall.
"Arghhhhh!!!"
"Why didn't I pounce on Hikari-kun just now?"
"I've endured for decades. And yet, when the moment came, I held back."
"I can't take this anymore. I'm useless. A worthless Yuki-onna. A useless yokai."
"Forget this nonsense about human-yokai boundaries. Forget the widowhood. Forget everything. It's all garbage. Complete garbage."
"If this continues, I'll die with nothing but regrets."
"Good thing! Good thing I invited Hikari-kun for dinner tonight."
"Sleeping powder. Yes! Tonight, I'll prepare dinner—and buy sleeping powder."
"I'm sorry, Hikari-kun, but I just can't take it anymore."
"I love you. I adore you. I need you."
"I'll make you mine, Hikari-kun."
Yukino dashed back into her room, leaving a trail of icy water puddles behind her. It looked as if a miniature sprinkler truck had passed through.
Such was the gift of her Yuki-onna powers—producing ice and snow, with an almost infinite reserve of water.
———
Meanwhile, Hikari was busy elsewhere. Following Rikka's instructions, he'd spent generously to hire professionals to repair Natsuha's rented apartment.
The work was nearly complete, so Hikari hailed a taxi to bring Natsuha back from her temporary hotel stay.
When they arrived, Natsuha was astonished by the sight of her newly repaired apartment.
"Wow! It looks even better than before." she exclaimed, noticing the added rocking chairs, sofa, cradle, and wooden horse.
Hikari merely smiled without explaining. After all, most of it came from the apartment building's storage—repurposed in the name of love.
It wasn't for unlocking more… creative roleplay scenarios or anything like that. Of course not.
As Natsuha continued to admire the additions, she turned to him, wide-eyed, "Where did all these things come from? They weren't here before, were they?"
Feigning casualness, Hikari shrugged. "Oh, these? Borrowed them from the neighbor, Miss Yukino. She saw how bare your place was and decided to help out of the goodness of her heart."
Natsuha gasped in disbelief. "Miss Yukino? Who knew she had such… unconventional tastes. People really can be surprising."
Hikari coughed awkwardly. "Ahem! Watch your mouth. Miss Yukino was being generous, and here you are, speaking ill behind her back. That's just wrong."
Natsuha quickly covered her mouth in mock repentance, then leaned against his chest with a playful pout. "I'm sorry, okay? I was wrong."
But after a beat, she added mischievously, "That said, are you sure you didn't, you know, test these props with Miss Yukino before bringing them here?"
Hikari didn't fall for her bait. He raised his hand and lightly flicked her forehead. "What kind of person do you think I am? Do you think I'd sell my integrity for a few pieces of furniture? Preposterous!"
He crossed his arms and declared with mock solemnity, "Let me tell you, my dignity is priceless."
Xiahua laughed and quickly apologized again, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Hikari relented but imposed a small punishment as retribution.
He coaxed her onto the rocking cradle and began pushing her back and forth without using his hands, relying purely on his movements. Natsuha burst into giggles.
———
Meanwhile, Next Door…
After a quick trip to the supermarket, Yukino returned home with bags of groceries, her heart brimming with anticipation.
As she walked into her kitchen, her thoughts drifted to the dinner she planned to prepare for Hikari that evening. The mere thought of him coming over filled her with a sense of warmth she hadn't felt in years.
Humming a cheerful tune, she meticulously sliced vegetables and arranged them into elegant, artful presentations.
"This will be the perfect dinner," she thought, her cheeks flushing as she imagined the two of them sharing stories about her long, lonely life as a Snow Woman.
But just as she started preparing the main course, a muffled noise from next door caught her attention.
At first, she dismissed it. "Probably nothing," she told herself.
However, the noises grew louder—rhythmic and increasingly conspicuous. It wasn't long before the sounds became impossible to ignore.
Yukino froze, the knife trembling in her hand. Her slicing grew quicker, the pressure of her blade heavier.
BAM!
Her knife slammed down with such force that it split her wooden cutting board clean in half.
Clenching her jaw, she set the knife down and cautiously pressed her ear against the wall.
The moment she heard what was happening, her heart pounded uncontrollably, her mind racing. The temperature around her plummeted as her emotions spiraled out of control. Frost crept across the walls, and a pool of icy water formed at her feet.
"What am I doing?" Yukino shook her head, trying to calm herself.
In an impulsive flash, she darted back to the kitchen, grabbed her knife, then hesitated. Slowly, she placed it back on the counter, her hands trembling.
"Why are you like this, Yukino? This isn't who you are."
She exhaled sharply, forcing herself to confront the truth.
"Hikari sent that girl home that night. They're probably a couple, aren't they?"
Her heart clenched at her own words.
"And me? Who am I to Hikari? Just a widow. A useless, shameless widow."
Her bitter laughter echoed in the empty kitchen.
"You really thought you had a chance? You're pathetic, Yukino. Utterly delusiona.."
"Disgraceful. Worthless!"
SMACK!
The resounding slap she delivered to her own cheek snapped her out of her spiraling thoughts.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/AmbitiousTranslator
🥰 Support the translation and help me grow.🤓
Read upto 20 Extra chapter in Patreon
https://discord.gg/bYAfGyp98y