Around 8 p.m., Yukino was in her bedroom watching the news when she received a message from Makoto.
[I'm at your door.]
Yukino immediately got up, not even bothering to grab a jacket, and ran to the door in her thin nightwear.
The increasing number of chaotic Kabukicho videos had completely distracted her from reading; all she could think about was waiting for a message from Makoto.
Even though she was fairly sure that with his abilities, he'd be fine, the worry in her heart just couldn't be ignored.
The moment she opened the door, she was all set to scold him for acting recklessly—but when she saw Mrs. Yukinoshita standing beside him, the words caught in her throat.
"Mother?"
Yukino's bare-faced expression was full of surprise.
She even glanced at Makoto, realizing that when he said earlier, "Your mom already arrived at the scene," he wasn't kidding.
"Let's go inside first," Mrs. Yukinoshita said.
Of course, Yukino didn't object.
As she moved aside and watched Makoto walk in calmly to change his shoes, she finally felt relieved knowing he was indeed unharmed.
The three of them sat down in the living room. Yukino couldn't be bothered to grab a jacket anymore—it's not like there were any strangers here.
Makoto's "auto-targeting" briefly activated.
But because Yukino was so flat-chested, even though her pajamas were very thin, he still couldn't tell whether she was wearing a bra or not.
"Makoto went to Kabukicho tonight with his friends to take some night shots.
Thankfully, I happened to see them halfway there. Otherwise, I doubt they'd have come back so easily…" Mrs. Yukinoshita gave a short summary.
Makoto disagreed. "I actually didn't plan to hang around there for long."
"Really?"
Mrs. Yukinoshita gave him a vague smile.
Clearly, she didn't believe him.
Yukino had a lot of questions bottled up and couldn't hold them anymore. "So what exactly happened in Shinjuku?"
Before Makoto could speak, Mrs. Yukinoshita calmly answered, "Just a bunch of idle young people gathering to vent their emotions, nothing more."
Yukino thought for a moment. She was still a bit doubtful, but the explanation was plausible.
That short film that was circulating online over the past few days had led her to check the news daily.
She'd seen a few videos explaining the chaos in Kabukicho.
While pouring tea, Mrs. Yukinoshita casually said, "But I didn't expect it was Hayato who suggested this little mischief trip to Shinjuku."
Makoto explained quickly, "I was joking earlier. While it was Hayama's suggestion, it was just something he said offhand."
He had already thrown Hayama under the bus once earlier, so he needed to clarify things to keep Mrs. Yukinoshita from taking it too seriously.
"So what you're saying is, it was your own decision?"
Mrs. Yukinoshita suddenly turned to him, her sharp gaze like two blades locking onto his face.
Yukino thought her mother was angry at Makoto for going somewhere inappropriate.
But as she observed, she realized—Wait a minute. Why does this sound like she's only scolding Makoto?
"Not exactly," Makoto said calmly. "I hadn't been there before, didn't have anything better to do, so I just wandered in."
Mrs. Yukinoshita stared at him for a few seconds, then changed the subject.
"Weren't you going to talk to Yukino about something? Now's your chance."
Yukino felt a bit awkward.
This scene felt familiar.
Last time Makoto came over at night, he also happened to run into her mother.
Yukino knew he came for "benefits."
And if her mother weren't around, she probably wouldn't have minded.
Just as she was trying to figure out how to respond, Makoto said,
"Yukino and I were planning to talk about filming techniques. It might get a bit technical—are you sure you want to listen in?"
Mrs. Yukinoshita smiled gently. "I've got some free time now. Listening in wouldn't hurt."
Makoto nodded.
Then he looked at the still slightly puzzled Yukino. "You've been studying cinematography a lot lately, haven't you?"
He emphasized "lately."
Yukino understood immediately—he was referring to the time loop. "That's right."
"I get that you're eager to improve, and you probably want to reach my level. But progress takes time. If you want to direct a short film, first you need to understand light, performance…"
Makoto began discussing technical topics with Yukino.
Mrs. Yukinoshita listened for a while but got increasingly lost. Eventually, she got up and said, "I'll go take a bath."
Yukino replied with a nod and kept listening attentively.
But as soon as her mother entered the bathroom, Makoto dropped the act.
He lowered his voice. "Can we go to your room?"
Yukino's expression froze. She glared at him. "Can't you be serious for a bit longer?"
She'd actually learned quite a bit just now.
But the moment her mom left, he couldn't wait to act up again.
"What are you implying?" Makoto played innocent. "I just mean we'll be more private there."
Yukino deadpanned. "You think I'll believe that?"
Makoto smiled. "I believe you will."
"..."
After a short silence, Yukino got up and headed toward her bedroom.
Makoto followed right behind.
Since her mother was still home, Yukino didn't fully shut the door—she left it ajar.
When she turned around, she saw Makoto sitting obediently at her desk. She thought he might have genuinely reformed and smiled.
But then he spun the chair around to face her and patted his thigh. "Hey bro, I've got a seat for you right here."
Her smile vanished.
There's no way she'd sit on Makoto's lap.
If she were going to, it'd be when her mother wasn't home.
So she ignored him and walked past, intending to sit in the inner chair.
But Makoto had anticipated that. He grabbed her and smoothly pulled her into his lap.
"You—"
"Shh. Your mom's in the shower. We don't have much time."
Yukino blushed and glared at him. "I don't remember saying yes just now."
"You didn't," Makoto replied.
"Then why are you holding me like this?"
"Because I want to discuss serious business—like our topic from earlier."
While holding the soft waist of the girl in his lap, Makoto realized he still couldn't tell if she was wearing a bra.
Flatness does have its advantages, he thought.
Perfect invisibility stats.
Yukino noticed his gaze and raised her arms to cover her chest. "What are you looking at?"
Makoto smiled. "I was just thinking—if you really want to direct a short film, then I'll help you speedrun the process during this time."
Yukino blinked in surprise. She didn't expect him to suddenly get serious again.
Makoto didn't seem to notice her reaction and continued, "Speedrunning might be hard for others, but with my help—and your natural talent—you'll absolutely succeed."
"My talent?" Yukino's eyes lit up slightly.
Makoto raised a finger to point at her.
Yukino grabbed his wrist and raised it higher, redirecting his finger to point at her face instead of her chest.
"Your talent is your genius. No matter what you study, you pick it up quickly. That's something others can't match," Makoto said.
A gentle glow began to shine in Yukino's eyes.
She had never told Makoto that she actually really liked his confident demeanor.
You could call it calm and collected.
Or even borderline arrogance.
But the truth was, he had indeed achieved something far beyond what most people their age could manage.
"I just ran through it in my head. At your current level, it'll probably only take a month for you to absorb all the necessary knowledge," Makoto said with certainty.
Yukino showed a thoughtful expression. "A month might not be enough."
She knew how talented she was, but she also understood she wasn't superhuman.
Makoto put on a sage-like tone. "Don't worry. I've got a plan."
He meant he would buff her.
With the buffs, Yukino's efficiency at absorbing knowledge would definitely surpass her usual pace.
Then, Makoto began helping Yukino with her planning.
He could see Yukino trying to catch up with him, so he didn't mind teaching her everything he could.
As his explanation grew more detailed, Yukino listened intently, a subtle smile gradually appearing in her eyes.
It was like tossing a stone into a calm lake—the ripples of her smile spread gently, wave after wave.
She didn't even notice that the book she had been clutching to her chest was now resting on her lap.
The charm badge's effects continued to take hold.
She didn't realize she was falling.
"That's the basic idea. After a month, if you want to end the time loop, I'll agree to it.
After that, I can bring the script to Aunt Yukinoshita and we can negotiate with a film company together.
That way, you'll also gain experience with other aspects of production…
Hey, I've been talking this long, can't you at least meow once in appreciation?" Makoto joked, smiling as he looked at Yukino's beautiful face.
Yukino didn't respond right away.
She turned toward the door, listening carefully, making sure the water was still running in the bathroom, before turning back to look at him.
"Thank you."
Her voice was soft and gentle.
"Don't thank me. Where's my reward?" Makoto asked, as if he were some righteous big brother.
A rosy blush spread across Yukino's skin.
She murmured, "You're already holding me, aren't you?"
"That's not enough," Makoto said greedily.
Yukino gave a small "mm."
It was unclear which part she was responding to.
But the next moment, she slowly lifted her hand and wrapped it around his neck.
She leaned in and kissed him.
Just like that kiss in the stairwell—not gentle, but blazing with passion.
Naturally, Makoto wouldn't let such a golden opportunity go to waste.
His hand slid down from her slender waist and gently grasped her leg, fair and smooth like polished jade.
Usually when it got to this point, Yukino neither resisted nor took the initiative.
But tonight, she cooperated—raising her beautiful leg with enticing flair as his hand guided her.
Her passion was enough to bring tears to one's eyes.
The atmosphere in the room turned scorching hot. Makoto breathed in her intoxicating scent and listened to her rapid, seductive breathing. His heart was racing uncontrollably.
His hand slid upward inch by inch from Yukino's soft calf.
Even at this daring stage, Yukino still didn't resist.
This was a sure win!
Suddenly, Yukino rose from his lap, her cheeks flushed as she backed toward the door.
Makoto understood immediately and followed her lead, wrapping her delicate, boneless frame in his arms again.
With a gentle kick of her leg, the door closed.
"What if Aunt comes knocking?" Makoto whispered into her soft ear, watching her earlobe and the skin of her neck flush with color.
Yukino bit her lip, feeling the warmth of his breath. Her gaze was misty and seductive. "That's your problem to solve."
"Why me?"
"Because you were the one who invited me in. And you were the one who suddenly grabbed me. Aren't those two reasons enough?"
"So even my adorable little bro can shift the blame, huh?"
"…"
Yukino ignored his teasing and narrowed her shimmering eyes.
She lunged like a hunter… Wait, considering the strength difference, she was the rabbit here.
So it was more like a rabbit pouncing on the hunter.
"Hurry up!" she declared.
This time, she kissed him again.
Her emotions had taken over.
She no longer had anything to fear.
Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Mrs. Yukinoshita was still bathing, thinking to herself how technical the kids' conversation must be—she couldn't understand any of it.
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Utaha's badge is op
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