Being held like this…
Just sitting quietly in Nozomi's arms…
Yukinoshita Yukino's cheeks flushed a deep crimson, her slender fingers tightening slightly as she resisted the urge to squirm. It was happening again—this exact scenario had already played out once before.
And yet, here she was. Again.
She knew it. She knew Yuki Suou and Sanshokuin Sumireko had deliberately dragged Yui away, leaving the clubroom conveniently empty. A not-so-subtle ploy to give her and Nozomi some alone time.
She could have left.
She should have left.
But for some reason… she didn't.
Maybe, just maybe, she hadn't wanted him to show up and find the door closed. Maybe she didn't want to disappoint him. The thought alone made her chest ache strangely.
Nozomi's arms wrapped naturally around her slim waist. His hands were warm, his embrace calm but firm. The faint scent of her shampoo mingled with the gentle breeze drifting through the window, and Nozomi, burying his face lightly in her shoulder, couldn't help but smile.
"Yukino," he said with a grin in his voice, "want to hear my request?"
"Hmph… What kind of nonsense are you about to say now?" she retorted, cold as ever—but her voice trembled slightly.
"My request is…" he paused dramatically, "let me hold you just a little longer."
"You're already doing it!" Yukino's brows twitched. "Is there any point in asking permission after the fact?"
"Well, I was afraid you'd run off again. So I figured... seize the moment first, ask forgiveness later."
"You're such a shameless jerk!"
"Yes," Nozomi said cheerfully, "but if being a shameless jerk means I get to hold you like this, then I accept my fate gladly."
"…!"
Her cheeks burned. Words failed her. What was she even supposed to say to that?
But more than that…
What made it even worse was that she wasn't pushing him away. She felt safe here. Warm. Like her heart could rest a little.
Still, she grit her teeth and mustered her final defense. "You can only hug. No weird stuff. This is still the clubroom."
"Scout's honor. I won't pull anything weird," he replied, raising his hand playfully—before shifting topics completely. "So, Yukino… how'd the exam go?"
She snorted. "Do you even need to ask? If Mahiru hadn't been slacking because of someone, I'd already have first place."
"Oh? That confident, huh?" Nozomi chuckled. "Not worried I'll take your crown?"
Yukino turned to give him a deadpan glare. "Nice try. You're trying to goad me into a bet again, aren't you? Not falling for that one."
"Caught red-handed." Nozomi laughed. "You know me too well. I was just thinking—if we bet on our grades, the loser has to grant the winner one request."
"Nope. Not happening."
Her eyes narrowed, lips pursed. She wasn't dumb enough to fall into that trap. Not with this guy.
Even if she believed she could beat him—there was no telling what he'd ask for if she lost.
"I actually messed up on the Japanese lit section," Nozomi said with a suspiciously thoughtful tone.
"Still not betting."
"Aw, come on. I'm being vulnerable here!"
"You're being sneaky, that's what you're being." She glared at him, her tone as sharp as ever. "Can't you behave like a normal person for once?"
Nozomi scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Sorry… but that's a little hard when Yukino's this charming."
She rolled her eyes. "If that's your excuse, then just—just let me go."
"Alright, alright."
Nozomi gently released her, though his movements were a bit awkward—as if he were trying to hide something with his bag. Yukino noticed, of course, and gave him a cold side glance.
"Seriously? Have a little dignity."
Turning away, she walked over to the window, letting the cool breeze wash over her burning face. She needed a reset. A mental reboot. Anything.
Of course, Nozomi had other ideas.
He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her again. This time from behind.
"Yukino," he said softly, "do you think that little cat—Neko-chan—will show up again?"
(I seriously can't remember the name that I gave to the cat. Comment if you can remember and get yourself an extra chapter.)
She huffed. "You're still pretending you didn't lure it here?"
"Come on, don't be like that. Clearly the cat was drawn in by your gentle aura. I was just a humble bystander."
"…You are so full of it."
"Alright, alright. I admit it. I brought the cat on purpose."
Yukino gasped. "I knew it! I'm going to tell Hiratsuka-sensei you violated school rules—again!"
Nozomi's hold tightened. "I only did it because I knew you liked cats. I thought you'd smile."
"You're ridiculous… bringing animals to school just to mess with me. You used the cat to seduce me!"
Nozomi tightened his embrace around her slender waist, a sly grin playing on his lips. "I'm doing this for you, Yukino. Who told you to like cats so much?"
"You're clearly doing this for your own perverted pleasure..." Yukinoshita Yukino huffed, her voice low and flustered. "Using cats as bait to lure me... How shameless can you be?"
Nozomi chuckled. "Then why do you keep falling for it?"
"I don't!" she snapped, turning her face away.
"Liar," he whispered, voice low and teasing. "If you didn't want to, why are you still in my arms?"
"You forced me!" she argued, cheeks blazing with heat.
"Then answer this," Nozomi said, narrowing his eyes playfully. "Why would I force you, of all people?"
"How… how should I know?" she stammered, caught between indignation and confusion.
"Then let me tell you," he said gently.
Nozomi turned her around, slowly, so that her startled gaze met his. His expression was calm, but there was fire in his eyes.
"Yukino… I like you."
That straightforward confession pierced the air like a kunai, making Yukino's heart nearly leap out of her chest. Her pale skin turned crimson from her neck to her ears.
But she recovered quickly — too quickly — and jabbed back with narrowed eyes, "Didn't you say the same thing to Mahiru and the others?"
"Uh… That's…" Nozomi scratched his cheek awkwardly.
"Pervert! Flirt! Scumbag!" Yukino shouted, fists flying — though they were more symbolic than actual attacks.
Nozomi caught her hand easily, pressing a light kiss to her knuckles. "Yeah. I'm the worst. A terrible guy with a wandering heart…"
He pulled her closer again, eyes softening. "But even so, even if I'm greedy and shameless… I want to keep you by my side."
His words wrapped around her like a quiet enchantment.
Yukino's body stiffened as he leaned in. She could feel the heat radiating off him, the way his breath tickled her skin.
He's going to kiss me…!
She panicked, shutting her eyes tightly — but instead of her lips, she felt a warm touch on her cheek.
Her eyes fluttered open in surprise, just as Nozomi whispered, "Honestly, I wanted to kiss your lips… but I respect you, Yukino. I'll wait. I want to do it when you're truly ready."
Flustered beyond words, Yukino couldn't bring herself to look him in the eye. Her lashes trembled and her lips parted, but no words came out. She gave a tiny, almost inaudible nod.
"…Mm."
That was enough for him.
The air between them softened again, almost dreamlike. Yukino's cheeks were on fire, her heart pounding like a festival drum. Nozomi released her gently, but with a lingering reluctance, slipping a small card into her hand.
"Here, carry this with you," he said, his tone suddenly serious.
Yukino blinked, still dazed. "What is it?"
"A protective charm. If you're ever in danger, it'll activate and shield you."
"Seriously? That sounds like something out of an RPG. Did you pull this from a treasure chest too?"
"Maybe," he said with a smirk. "Who knows?"
"You should keep it. What if something happens to you?"
"I've got plenty. This one's for you."
Yukino stared at the small card in her hand, her expression unreadable. But inside, her heart melted just a little more.
They stayed like that until the end of club time — wrapped in silence, wrapped in each other.
When they finally separated, Yukino found herself reluctant to let go. She scolded herself internally for the silly thought. What's wrong with me…?
But she already knew the answer.
She hadn't resisted his hug. She hadn't hated the kiss on her cheek. Instead, her thoughts kept drifting — to his lips, to the way Mahiru and the others looked at him. Had he kissed them too? Gone even further?
A pang of something unfamiliar twisted in her chest.
I'm his fiancée, she reminded herself. But… he's already shared things with others I haven't even experienced yet.
If he had kissed her on the lips just now… could she have stopped him?
Her thoughts spiraled until her whole face turned the color of a strawberry.
Meanwhile, the culprit behind her emotional turmoil — Nozomi — had already returned to Sakurasou.
Just as he entered, a loud voice echoed through the dorm's hallway.
"There's a doll at the door! A real one! Kyaaa, she's beautiful!"
Nozomi blinked. "…What?"
He walked to the entrance, only to find a tall, elegant girl with wavy blond hair standing politely at the threshold.
"Good evening," she said, smiling gracefully. "Sorry to drop by so late."
Misaki Kamiigusa was practically vibrating with excitement beside him, pointing at the girl like she was some kind of goddess. "Look, Nozomi! A doll! A living one!"
"…She's obviously a foreigner, not a doll," Nozomi sighed, rubbing his temple.
He stepped forward and offered a welcoming smile. "You must be Rita. I'm Nozomi, the one in charge of Sakurasou. Welcome."
The blonde girl tilted her head slightly. "Oh? You already know who I am?"
"Yeah," Nozomi said with a smirk. "Mashiro said you'd be arriving today."