"I'm not going to apologize for that."
Rei Ao's voice was calm.
His fingers slipped through Yukino's hair and down to the back of her neck, the warmth making her involuntarily shiver.
"First, you know exactly what kind of person I am. I'm drawn to beauty and enjoy the thrill of possessing someone—heart and soul."
He leaned in slightly, shrinking the distance between them. Yukino could smell his fresh scent.
"And you, Yukino, are no different."
He bowed his head until his forehead nearly touched hers. His thumb grazed across her collarbone.
"You're like a book I want to read and reread, savoring every page."
A tremor raced up Yukino's spine. His words, like the man himself, were both blunt and filled with subtle nuance—hard to dismiss as mere sweet talk.
"Such flowery words."
She turned her face away but didn't push his hand off.
"They're not flowery words. They're facts."
Rei Ao gave a quiet laugh. With his other arm, he wrapped around Yukino's waist, pulling her closer.
"I'm fickle, but I never lie. If the day comes when my feelings for you change, you'll be the first to know."
Yukino felt his heartbeat through his clothes—steady and strong. Beneath his usual composed exterior, it was beating faster than she'd expected. He was…excited.
"You really are detestable."
Cheeks flushed, Yukino pressed her forehead against his shoulder.
"You're basically justifying your own womanizing like it's some kind of virtue."
Rei Ao stroked his chin lightly against the top of her head.
"Because I know you, Yukino."
"What really bothers you isn't my wandering eyes. It's your fear that all those fleeting attractions might water down our relationship."
His fingers wove through her long hair.
"But you're overthinking it. I'd never let someone who's captured my heart so completely slip out of my grasp."
"At school, I keep my distance out of respect for your feelings. Otherwise, I'd want you by my side every second—ready to, you know, start a round anytime."
"You…what are you even talking about?!"
Mention of "starting a round" made Yukino burn with embarrassment. She squeezed her eyes shut. She had to admit, his words were hitting the mark—like a key perfectly unlocking all her half-understood emotions.
Yes, what she feared wasn't the sharing. It was the possibility of being replaced.
"What am I supposed to do with you…"
Her voice was muffled against his sweater.
Rei Ao cupped her face in his hands, looking more earnest than she'd ever seen before.
"You don't have to suppress your possessiveness—just like I won't suppress my nature. We'll find a balance, even if it's contradictory."
He pressed a light kiss to her forehead, not a lustful one but more like a promise.
"Besides…"
A mischievous grin tugged at Rei Ao's lips.
"You get the perk of seeing how I am when I'm trying to coax you. Everyone else just sees my polite, gentle, or wild side."
Unable to hold back, Yukino murmured, "You narcissist."
"Only when it comes to you."
Seizing the moment, Rei Ao kissed her softly but firmly, leaving her resistance to melt away like spring snow.
…
By the time they broke apart, night had fallen. Moonlight filtered through the clouds into the room, edging Rei Ao's silhouette with silver.
Yukino gazed at him, realizing this was precisely his allure: he never hid his roving nature, and that honesty made every moment of genuine focus feel all the more precious.
It was a kind of "real deal," she supposed—even someone as aloof as she was found herself feeling jealous.
"Next time…"
She straightened the collar of his rumpled shirt.
"At least keep your distance from the girls you aren't actually interested in."
Rei Ao caught her fingertips, dropping a kiss on them.
"As you wish, my Yukino."
"But…"
He flashed a mischievous smile. "You getting jealous is so cute—it almost makes me look forward to next time."
Yukino glared at him, but there wasn't any anger in her eyes.
"Don't count on it!"
She was about to get up when his large hand pulled her back into his arms.
"Where do you think you're going?"
He asked with a grin. "You don't get to throw a hungry wolf out once he's already inside."
"At least feed me first."
Realizing exactly what he meant, Yukino's face went bright red. She didn't dislike the idea. In fact, part of her wanted to be in his arms, wanted to…
But still.
"I—I'm going to take a bath…"
"Aw, why bother? I like Yukino just as she is—fresh out of the box~"
"???"
…
"Hahahaha, that's hilarious!"
In the living room, Mabel was doubled over, laughing at the comedy film playing on TV. She was acting almost like she was born in this modern world, totally unlike the way Alicia behaved.
But Alicia couldn't muster a smile. She was restless and uncomfortable, her nerves on edge every time she heard certain…noises coming from the master bedroom. It had been going on for a while now, and was only getting…louder.
"Alicia, what's up?"
Mabel asked when she noticed her unease.
"U-um…"
Alicia lowered her head, mumbling. "Mabel, d-don't you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
Mabel tilted her head and listened. Soon enough, she picked it up. Her eyes went wide, and she glanced at the closed door.
"It's Yukino," she remarked calmly.
"You'll get used to it."
"G-get used to it?"
Can someone really just "get used to" that kind of thing? Alicia felt utterly bewildered. Was she the odd one, or was this world simply that…open?
"Aah, it's got nothing to do with us, so let's just watch the movie," Mabel said with a dismissive wave, not particularly bothered. As long as it wasn't happening to her, she was fine. If Yukino was the one suffering, Mabel could at least eat her snacks in peace!
She was feeling quite smug, until—
All of a sudden, a voice rang out from the other room:
"Mabel, get in here!"
"!!!"
Rei Ao's call cut right through the walls. Mabel froze, her face going slack with shock.