The next morning.
Yukinoshita Yukino slowly opened her eyes, her gaze landing on the man still embracing her. For a brief moment, her thoughts drifted into a haze, the memories of last night flooding back all at once. Her cheeks instantly flushed with a shy redness as she covered her face with both hands.
"Ugh... what did I do..."
She puffed up her cheeks in frustration, a pout forming unconsciously on her lips. Ever since she got entangled with Nozomi, everything about her had started changing. She was becoming more impulsive, more emotional—and somehow, more herself. Although she wouldn't admit it out loud, she didn't hate being close to him.
Still...
There was always this strange sense of unease that crept up inside her.
Back then, she had clearly stated that she would never fall for him. She had her pride, her rules.
But now?
Smack! Reality had slapped her square in the face.
"What a sinful man..."
Yukinoshita Yukino muttered to herself and reached out with her slender fingers, poking Nozomi's cheek softly. She tried to push his arm away with gentle insistence.
But Nozomi, even in his sleep, instinctively pulled her tighter.
"H-Hey... don't cling to me! I need to use the bathroom..."
Her voice was laced with embarrassment as she glared at him, half annoyed, half flustered.
Eventually, he relented, loosening his grip, and Yukino quickly escaped from his embrace.
After returning from the bathroom, she stopped in her tracks.
Her precious territory—the space next to Nozomi—had been overtaken.
There, nestled contently in Nozomi's arms, was Shiina Mashiro.
Yukino's eyebrow twitched.
Are you serious right now!?
You're supposed to be a world-class painter, not a world-class homewrecker!
Mashiro, you thieving cat!
Grumbling to herself, she crawled back into bed, positioning herself behind Nozomi and closing her eyes.
She wasn't going to start a fight.
She didn't want to ruin the moment.
Because even the mere thought of losing this closeness with Nozomi—of never seeing him again, never feeling this warmth—was too much to bear.
Yes... she had already fallen for him. Whether she liked it or not.
Maybe last night had been too thrilling. Too intense.
Her body, despite all the excitement, welcomed the return to sleep.
When she awoke again, it was to the familiar sensation of being in Nozomi's arms. His gentle eyes looked into hers, a smile tugging at his lips.
Yukino's heart skipped a beat.
He really was handsome.
Different from the polished perfection of someone like Hayama Hayato. Nozomi's warmth, sincerity—it reached her.
"W-Where's Mashiro...?"
She stammered, eyes darting away.
Nozomi scratched his cheek and chuckled. "She said she wanted to eat Yukino's portion. After finishing, she snuck away content like a satisfied cat."
Yukino's expression twisted in disbelief.
"T-That thieving cat...! Hmph!"
She pouted, muttering under her breath. Still, she didn't really hate Mashiro. If Mashiro were to wear cat ears and curl up beside her, she might even pet her.
As long as Mashiro returned the favor, stroking her head while wearing those ridiculous ears, it'd be forgiven.
......
During breakfast.
Yuki Suo, Shiina Mahiru, and a few others kept sneaking glances Yukino's way.
Their stares burned holes into her, making her cheeks flush.
Why were they looking at her like that!?
She was Yukinoshita Yukino! Second daughter of the prestigious Yukinoshita family!
She didn't do anything!
...Okay, maybe she lowered her bottom line again, but still!
After the meal, Yukino volunteered to help wash the dishes.
Once everything was clean, she dried her hands and stepped into the sunroom, cradling a soft white cat. She absentmindedly stroked its fur, letting her thoughts drift.
Shiina Mahiru approached with a teasing smile.
"Yukinoshita, how was it?"
The question struck like lightning.
Yukino froze, her body stiffening as her ears turned red.
"W-What do you mean...? How was what...?"
She tried to act nonchalant, but the attempt only made Mahiru chuckle more.
Yukino's reaction reminded Mahiru of her own early days—awkward, shy, overwhelmed. Even now, she wasn't entirely used to Nozomi's intensity.
"Don't act clueless~ I'm asking about Nozomi. His... ability."
Yukino gritted her teeth, shoulders stiff.
She knew there was no escaping this.
Shiina wasn't trying to be mean. If anything, she was opening up and trying to share a private bond. Refusing to answer would be... unfair.
With a deep breath, Yukino mumbled.
"V-Very powerful... almost too much. I honestly couldn't last long."
She glanced at Mahiru with apprehension.
"Are you... not afraid?"
Shiina Mahiru naturally understood what Yukinoshita Yukino meant. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she leaned in close, her lips nearly brushing Yukino's ear.
"Don't worry, Sayu and I are just fine. You won't have any problems either." Her voice was light, but carried the kind of mysterious confidence only someone who had crossed a threshold could have. "Nozomi-kun treasures you. He'd never hurt you."
Of course, Mahiru left out the fact that she had indeed suffered from Nozomi's "enthusiasm" more than once.
Yukino gulped, her voice trembling slightly. "I'm still a little scared... So I didn't go all the way last night."
Mahiru responded with a knowing smile, like a big sister passing on secret knowledge. "I get it. I was the same at first."
She gently took Yukino's hand, her tone softening with genuine warmth. "Let's get along from now on, Yukinoshita. We're in this together."
Yukino felt her heart clench—strangely touched. She squeezed Mahiru's hand back and gave a slow nod. But guilt crept into her expression as she bit her lip.
"I'm sorry, Shiina-san. You were the first one by his side… but now I… at the end of the month, it's—"
Mahiru rolled her eyes dramatically. "Are you bragging or apologizing?"
"N-No! It's not like that—I just—"
"Pfft! Relax. I'm joking."
With a giggle, Mahiru pulled Yukino into a warm embrace.
"Yukinoshita, I don't mind. Really."
Her voice became distant, wistful.
"For me… I never had real parents. They were always just... absent. I worked so hard to be the perfect girl, the angel everyone praised, hoping they'd notice me one day... maybe come home. Even just once."
Yukino's eyes widened.
Mahiru's grip on her tightened, her voice trembling.
"Then I learned the truth. I was a mistake—born from a one-night stand, just a pawn in some twisted family arrangement. My very existence kept them trapped in a marriage they both hated. I was nothing more than a burden... an obstacle to their happiness."
Yukino's heart ached. She wanted to say something, anything—but the words wouldn't come.
"When I hit rock bottom and thought no one cared, it was Nozomi who saved me. He gave me hope… a real home."
She smiled, eyes shimmering with emotion.
"Sakurasou is my home now. And Nozomi… he's my most precious person. I'll never leave him."
Mahiru looked straight into Yukino's eyes, sincere and unyielding.
"So Yukinoshita… become family with me. Stay by Nozomi's side too."
Yukino's voice cracked as she responded.
"Shiina-san... I promise."
Yes, she couldn't leave him either.
She understood now. It wasn't just about attraction. Nozomi had saved them—Sayu, Mahiru... perhaps even her. If not for him, they might've fallen into darkness.
Mahiru beamed when Yukino nodded.
"Then hurry up and give yourself to him! I've been dying to sleep with you."
Yukino's face turned scarlet, and she shot Mahiru a glare.
"Shiina-san! You've been totally corrupted by him!"
Mahiru giggled behind her hand.
"You say that… but look how much you've changed. The Yukinoshita Yukino I first met would never open up like this. Maybe we're really becoming family."
Yukino hesitated, then smiled ever so slightly.
"Maybe... we are."
Just then, a voice cut in.
"What are you two whispering about? Don't leave me out."
Nozomi appeared, holding a warm Baumkuchen in his hand, clearly bought for Mashiro. He tried to squeeze between them on the couch, his hand naturally wandering to their thighs like a mischievous fox.
Smack!Smack!
"Pervert." They slapped his hand in perfect sync.
"This is a girl's secret!" they chimed in unison.
Nozomi chuckled awkwardly, rubbing his hand.
"Alright, alright. I'll go give Mashiro her treat. You girls keep bonding."
As he walked off, both girls watched him go, then burst into laughter.
"Yukino," Mahiru said seriously, "We can't spoil him too much. Otherwise, he'll just keep charming more girls."
Yukino narrowed her eyes. "Agreed. We need a plan... a punishment plan."
Mahiru grinned. "Exactly. Let's make him pay in public grain."
(a form of public shaming or symbolic punishment. a teasing euphemism for some kind of embarrassing or intimate public gesture —romantic or sexual in implication — meant to "punish")
Yukino blinked. "Public… grain?"
Mahiru leaned in and whispered something scandalous.
Yukino's face turned beet red. Her heartbeat skyrocketed.
"W-Why me? I haven't even done it yet! You plan it!"
Mahiru teased, "I'll wait for you."
Yukino groaned. "Why does it always have to be me?!"
Mahiru only smiled, not answering out loud, but her thoughts were clear:
Because you'll feel guilty once you find out who he's really meant to marry…
Little did she know—
It was Yukinoshita Haruno who was set to be engaged to Nozomi.
But Mahiru wasn't worried.
She believed Nozomi would make everything right.
And Yukinoshita Yukino… she wouldn't be able to escape his gravity either.