Yukinoshita Yukino didn't know what to say.
Not that she could say anything at the moment—her mouth was otherwise occupied.
Caught in Nozomi's kiss—eager, deep, and growing bolder by the second—Yukino's protests were little more than symbolic. Her slender hands gently pushed against his chest, not with real strength, but enough to pretend she was resisting. The truth? She had already surrendered. Her eyes remained closed, unwilling to meet his gaze. If she did, she might melt from embarrassment alone.
Yes, the second lady of the Yukinoshita household had, for this moment, yielded.
Nozomi, sensing her acquiescence, became more daring. His warm palm slowly traced her snow-pale skin, sending a subtle tremor through her frame. It tickled, it tingled, and it made her feel strangely weak, like her body was betraying her heart's attempt to stay composed.
When he finally let her lips go, Yukinoshita Yukino blinked dazedly, staring at him with confusion and a touch of indignation.
"Y-You… what did you do to me?" she murmured, her voice airy. "Why… why don't I have any strength left…?"
Nozomi couldn't help but laugh at her reaction. "I didn't do anything. That was just a normal kiss."
"Liar…" Yukino averted her gaze with a pout, her cheeks glowing a deep pink. She didn't believe him—not one bit. After all, this guy was the same person who once tried to win her over using a kitten. Cunning to the bone.
Nozomi leaned in, gently tilting her chin to make her look at him. "Don't hide from me. Tonight… I want Yukino to look only at me."
"W-Why would I… I won't!" she huffed, turning her face away again, ears as red as autumn maple leaves. Her actions screamed embarrassment, but her voice lacked true resistance.
Nozomi chuckled, leaning close to her ear and whispering, "If you don't want to look, then don't. I'll just keep looking at you instead."
The heat of his breath brushed her sensitive skin, making her breathing irregular. Yukino raised her hand instinctively to shield her face.
"S-Stupid… Don't talk like that…"
Nozomi's grin grew mischievous. "Alright, I won't talk… I'll just check for myself."
He dipped his head again, this time placing a soft kiss on the curve of her neck. Yukino flinched, letting out a small gasp. Her fingers clutched the back of his head as she trembled faintly. Her eyes widened slightly, watching him from behind long lashes. The shyness in her heart stirred with excitement.
He was careful, almost reverent, like she was something precious to him. That thought alone made her heart beat faster. Her skin glowed under the room's soft light, carrying the fragrance unique to her. Her body, once cool and collected, had grown warm.
As he caressed her with his lips and hands, the bath towel she'd been wrapped in slid away.
"H-Hnngh…"
Yukino let out a soft sound, almost a sigh, her hands clutching at him. She wanted to push him away, truly—but her heart wouldn't let her. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she looked up at him through lowered lashes. It was hard to believe this was real.
Nozomi, heart pounding, finally stopped after what seemed like forever. He gently lifted her by threading his arms beneath her knees and back, cradling her in a princess carry.
When Yukino regained her senses, she found herself seated on his lap.
Before she could react, his lips captured hers again.
"This guy… he's addicted to kissing, isn't he?" Yukino thought in a daze. Still, her arms betrayed her once more, wrapping around his neck.
The room was silent, save for the faint hum of the night outside. Just the two of them, breathing each other in.
For a fleeting moment, Yukino allowed herself to respond more openly. She didn't know what this would lead to, but… if it was with him, maybe it was okay to be honest.
But honesty came with its own consequences.
As they finally pulled away, both of them were flushed. Nozomi's fiery gaze bore into her soul, and the sweet scent of her body overwhelmed his senses. He inhaled deeply, struggling to calm the firestorm within.
Yukinoshita Yukino, overwhelmed by his intense aura, trembled lightly and held on tighter.
"D-Don't… Nozomi… I-I'm scared…" she whispered, voice fragile.
Nozomi's gaze softened. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead gently.
"I treasure Yukino more than anything," he said, his voice quiet but firm. "So I won't do anything you're not ready for. I promise."
"…Mm." Yukino nodded, bashful but believing him.
She still believed him on this point. After all, it wasn't the first time they'd shared a moment like this. Nozomi always stopped himself—because of her. Because he respected her.
But...
As she gazed into his flushed face, the lines of strain faintly creasing his brows, a ripple of guilt stirred in Yukinoshita Yukino's chest. Her heart trembled with a quiet understanding.
She bit her soft pink lip and asked in a whisper, "Nozomi... are you uncomfortable?"
Nozomi, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead, took in the sweet scent of her body and smiled gently. "No... As long as I can hold Yukino like this, I'm more than happy."
Yukino puffed her cheeks and gave him a little glare.
"Liar. You're obviously holding it in."
Nozomi gave a sheepish chuckle, his composure cracking under her gaze. "You got me. I guess... I can't hide anything from Yukino."
Yukinoshita Yukino narrowed her eyes and clicked her tongue. "You're always sweet-talking me..."
She remembered all too clearly how this man once used a stray cat to stage a fateful encounter. And now here he was again, pretending to be composed when clearly he wasn't.
She peeked at him from beneath her lashes and then, suppressing her bashfulness, whispered, "If it's not too much... I can help you."
Her voice trembled at the end, but her resolve held firm.
She could still hear Suo Yuki's mischievous voice in her head, lecturing her about boys' bodies and what discomfort could mean for them.
Nozomi's eyes sparkled. He leaned in close and whispered something barely audible into her ear.
Her cheeks turned crimson. "You're such a... pervert!" she muttered, clearly flustered—but after a moment of hesitation, she gave a shy nod.
Nozomi grinned. He let her go for now.
From the drawer nearby, he pulled out a pair of sleek, black, over-the-knee socks. With practiced fingers, he slipped them gently onto her slender, snow-white legs, savoring the feel of her soft skin as if it were porcelain.
Yukinoshita Yukino averted her eyes, heart pounding. She knew he had a thing for her legs. Whether it was his request for knee pillows, or the constant, subtle caresses—Nozomi's preferences were an open secret.
And yet... she still sat in his lap willingly.
Their lips found each other again. This time, with more depth, more emotion. Nozomi closed his eyes, tasting the sweetness of the girl in his arms.
Moments like this made happiness feel so incredibly close. So real.
He meant it—he wanted to keep Yukino with him. Not just now, but always.
Perhaps sensing his sincerity, the once-distant Ice Princess of Sobu was now gently blooming in his arms.
Time slipped by. The socks—once a symbol of teasing affection—were now tossed aside, forgotten.
Yukinoshita Yukino lay breathless, her limbs feeling soft and light like cotton candy under spring sunlight. Nozomi, however, was still visibly struggling.
Yukino gave him a side glance, her expression shifting from bashfulness to faint exasperation. She had initially felt a trace of jealousy... but now, a calm acceptance washed over her.
She knew. Her body, delicate and frail since childhood, simply couldn't keep up with Nozomi's... intensity.
She took a deep breath and leaned closer. Her gaze softened, a tender glimmer dancing within it.
"Don't tell the others... about what we just did."
Then she looked down, cheeks flushed, her voice barely more than a breeze.
Even if she was clumsy. Even if she fumbled through each gesture. She wanted to give her all—to make him happy.
To make her Nozomi feel loved.
And as Nozomi watched the bashful girl lower her head in silent determination, his heart melted.
Yukino was so adorable it hurt.
He felt his chest warm and lighten, like a cherry blossom petal fluttering gently on a breeze.
This girl... she was already the most precious part of his world.