W-well, it's true that if she didn't like me, she wouldn't even consider doing this... Wait, no, that's not what I meant! Qin Yu's heart pounded wildly.
"Fishy Treasure, don't you like me? If you don't, I won't do it," Hu Tao said, sounding genuinely disappointed.
It's a trap. Another one of these verbal traps!
Qin Yu felt both disgusted by this trap and unable to voice her true feelings, whether due to her persona or genuine aversion.
"I... don't dislike it," Qin Yu said. "But I do hate doing this."
"Really?"
No kidding.
Emboldened, Qin Yu declared, "Yes!"
"Hmm... but the books you read are full of scenes like this. You hate it in real life? I find that hard to believe."
"Huh?"
Books? How does she know what I've been reading?
Wait, I can't be sure she means the ones I'm thinking of... Qin Yu tried to convince herself, desperate to calm her racing thoughts.
Stay calm. Handle this rationally.
"I've read The Citrus Within and Phantom Thief White Cat. Hehe, they're quite interesting! I just never imagined you'd be into that kind of thing, Fishy Treasure. But... precisely because of that, I know you don't hate kissing. Those books are full of such scenes, right? Or did you skip those parts?"
She's actually read them?!
They are interesting, aren't they—no, no, why am I getting excited? Is this really the time to bond over books? I'm in a massive crisis here!
She had to say something. But the more she tried to speak, the more she struggled to find the right words.
"Why do you... want to kiss?" Qin Yu asked softly.
"I want to know what kissing feels like. You know, it's described in books, but even if I can imagine it, I bet the real thing is totally different."
Just out of curiosity? Qin Yu felt a surge of anger.
If Hu Tao had confessed her feelings a hundred times, Qin Yu might have maybepossiblyprobablyshould have accepted. But just for curiosity? Absolutely not.
This was her first kiss.
You expect me to give my first kiss in a situation like this? Not a chance! Qin Yu's irritation intensified, and her inner resistance doubled.
"I don't think it's right, Hu Tao," Qin Yu said, expressing her disapproval. "Wanting to... do something like this just out of curiosity? I'm sorry, I can't accept."
"I guess you're right... But you're the only one I can ask. Even though it's out of curiosity, I don't feel this way about just anyone."
So... I'm special? A flicker of joy surfaced in Qin Yu's heart at those words, but she quickly suppressed it.
If Hu Tao had a "anyone will do" attitude, Qin Yu would be furious.
If Hu Tao had a "only you will do" attitude, Qin Yu would also be furious.
Although their reasons for being upset differed, there was no helping it—Qin Yu was simply a troublesome woman.
The best solution would be to pretend nothing had happened, spray each other with amnesia mist, and forget everything that had just occurred.
Regardless, Qin Yu had to reject Hu Tao.
"I'm glad you said that, Hu Tao, but I still can't accept."
"Sigh... Alright then..."
Hu Tao finally gave up. Since Qin Yu had made it clear she wouldn't budge, there was no point in pressing further. Upsetting Qin Yu would be disastrous.
Seeing Hu Tao lie back down, Qin Yu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
She finally gave up.
But... when did Hu Tao find out I read these kinds of books? Doesn't she find it weird? Or is she just surprised I'd read them?
It was indeed quite unexpected.
After all, her public persona didn't exactly scream "someone who'd be interested in these kinds of books."
But... but still! Maybe I can brush it off as a "contrast," right?
A typically warm-hearted and kind young girl secretly enjoys books with borderline intimate content! Ha ha... it sounds awful no matter how I spin it.
This makes me sound like a woman who secretly harbors nothing but dirty thoughts!
Even though the main content I read isn't actually this type of stuff.
Still, she couldn't calm her nerves for a while.
Despite having dismissed Hu Tao's idea and avoided a future kiss with another woman, the mere thought of Hu Tao harboring such intentions left Qin Yu restless.
Even if Hu Tao's curiosity was the sole motive.
A jumble of chaotic thoughts swirled in Qin Yu's mind, leaving her mentally drained.
"Hu Tao... do you find those kinds of books interesting?" Qin Yu couldn't resist asking, fidgeting with her bracelet.
Lying on the bed, Hu Tao kicked her white-socked feet and nodded.
"Yeah, they're pretty interesting. I've never read anything like them before, you know?"
Qin Yu felt a surge of camaraderie, like sharing thoughts with a fellow book lover. Still, she remained concerned about Hu Tao's opinion of her reading such material and pressed further.
"Then... do you think it's weird that I read them?"
"Not at all! Everyone has their own tastes. There's nothing strange about it. Some people like action and fighting, others prefer romance. It's all perfectly normal—just do what makes you happy!" Hu Tao said with a smile.
Hu Tao's words finally put Qin Yu at ease.
Exactly! It's perfectly normal! Just do what makes you happy!
Who knew Hu Tao could be so sensible?
Qin Yu smiled contentedly. "You're right."
"But... what made you want to read these kinds of books in the first place?"
"Eh? Oh... it was just curiosity at first. Now I think they're really good at capturing emotions."
"Isn't it because there's kissing in it?" Hu Tao asked in surprise.
How could anyone watch something just for the kissing scenes? Qin Yu thought to herself, shaking her head to indicate her disagreement. She watched it out of genuine appreciation for the storytelling.
Though if there were scenes like that, it wouldn't be... bad, either.
Just then, Hu Tao suddenly sat up.
"Oh, right! Since you said we can't kiss, can I try something else?"
Qin Yu's heart, which had just begun to calm down, leaped into her throat again.
Not again!
"W-what is it?" Qin Yu asked anxiously.
"I want to sit on your lap."
Huh? Just that? Qin Yu had braced herself for some unreasonable request. Hu Tao looked so light—at least she wouldn't feel like she was holding a tank in her arms.
This is way better than kissing.
Compared to kissing, the idea of someone sitting on her lap didn't seem so bad. Qin Yu readily agreed, figuring she might even earn some Points.
"Okay," she said.
"Whoa, thanks! Sit up straight a bit." Hu Tao bounced up and leaned closer to Qin Yu.
She then swung her leg over, landing it on the side of Qin Yu's thigh.
Huh?
And then she sat down facing Qin Yu.
Eh?!
Qin Yu stared blankly at Hu Tao straddling her lap, feeling the softness, warmth, and weight pressing against her legs. Is this what Hu Tao meant by "sit on my lap"?
Qin Yu had assumed Hu Tao would be sitting with her back to her, but instead, they were face-to-face.
"Hmm, so this is what it feels like..." Hu Tao murmured, sounding genuinely intrigued.
Realizing the situation, Qin Yu felt her face and ears flush hot again. Her heart pounded so hard she feared Hu Tao could hear it.
Doesn't Hu Tao ever consider my feelings? Just suddenly doing this... she couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
Just as Qin Yu was about to speak, Hu Tao shifted her thighs inward, pressing them tighter against Qin Yu's.
The pressure transferred to Qin Yu's thighs, the sensation of being squeezed from both sides, and the even more palpable warmth, blasted her mind into a blank. Her entire face flushed crimson.
"Fishy Treasure, your body is so flexible," Hu Tao said, stroking Qin Yu's side.
Waaah!? Qin Yu flinched violently, startled.
This—this girl is really... Don't just touch me like that! Overwhelmed by tension, Qin Yu found herself gasping for breath, her mouth hanging open.
Seeing Qin Yu like this, Hu Tao felt an inexplicable wave of embarrassment.
"Fishy Treasure, sometimes you're quite..."
"Quite...?"
"Erotic?" Hu Tao's blush deepened, her gaze drifting away.
Ha?! Erotic?! Is that supposed to be a compliment?!
Evaluation: S
Why did that pop up?!