Everything today had gone far beyond Yukino's expectations.
She had thought she was prepared—that she understood Makoto's tactics well enough to respond calmly.
But at this moment, she realized—his strategy had evolved.
And she was already a patch behind.
By the time she realized he wanted more, it was already too late to resist.
Because her lips were sealed once again.
In her half-lidded eyes, confusion welled up, and her breathing quickened.
Two seconds later, she finally closed her eyes. Her long lashes trembled, her moist lips neither dodging nor rejecting.
I fell for him again!
That was the flustered and helpless thought Yukino had right before she lost all reason.
Because Makoto had her in his arms, her meticulously washed legs instinctively tensed.
Already straight, they became even straighter, and in the process, she accidentally kicked off her slippers.
Her pale, delicate feet had nowhere to land, and her round toes curled cutely in the air.
Makoto's hand slid to her waist—this time, not over her clothes.
The atmosphere had already reached this point. How could he not escalate things?
So when his hand touched her bare waist, her reasoning collapsed. The girl clung to him even tighter, burying herself in his arms.
Under the ceiling light, their intimate embrace cast a shadow on the floor.
Their foreheads slightly messy from movement. Yukino's sleek, waterfall-like black hair was flattened against the couch back due to her position.
Compared to her usual neat and serious appearance, she now carried a rare and enchanting charm.
Her long lashes curled up as if trembling, highlighting her bone-deep beauty.
That cherry, once sweet and sour, now represented far more—it was the fuse that ignited the fire in her heart.
Even though Yukino could feel Makoto's hand getting bolder, she no longer had any thoughts of resistance.
After a while, it seemed she used all her strength to press her hands on Makoto's shoulders.
Her bangs messily brushing against his forehead, her face flushed and shy, but she forced herself to say, "I-I'm not ready yet."
"I know."
Makoto could see how embarrassed she was, and yet she still tried to act calm.
It was… incredibly adorable.
"Then you…" Yukino didn't finish her sentence. She couldn't exactly ask, "What exactly are you planning to do to me?"
Makoto, holding her smooth calf, smiled. "I already said—I'm collecting tuition."
Yukino didn't fully understand what that meant.
But after a brief silence, she whispered, "Not in the living room."
That was the only defense she could muster against Makoto's final move.
Though it was like paper armor—one poke and it would collapse.
Makoto couldn't hold it in anymore and sighed from the heart, "You're so cute."
Yukino made that familiar "I'm about to elbow you" face again.
Makoto chuckled and scooped her up in a princess carry.
Her long legs dangled from his arms, swinging a little as a sign of her shy struggle.
But the next second, she wrapped her arms around his neck, her heart pounding, and—shamefully—she was even a little excited for what came next.
Makoto had only taken a couple of steps when a phone started ringing.
"It's your phone," he said.
Yukino's gaze looked like misty moonlight—dazed and shimmering. She didn't even look at the phone on the couch, only parted her lips and said, "Ignore it."
Makoto had excellent eyesight. He glanced over and saw the caller ID: "Mother."
So he said, "It's your mom."
Yukino froze, suddenly realizing what she looked like right now. Her face turned a lovely red.
"Miss Second Daughter really is the cutest."
Makoto teased with a smile, then walked back, picked up the phone, and answered it right in front of her.
Yukino was dumbfounded.
She had expected him to give her the phone.
Before Mrs. Yukinoshita could say anything, Makoto spoke up, "Hello, Auntie? Are you looking for Yukino? She's taking notes very seriously right now."
"Makoto?" Mrs. Yukinoshita's tone was clearly surprised, then softened. "Are you two busy?"
"Yeah, I think after seeing that I could handle all the post-production alone, she felt a strong desire to improve, so she invited me over."
Makoto lied effortlessly.
Yukino's eyes filled with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance—clearly condemning him for lying to her mother.
But Mrs. Yukinoshita didn't seem suspicious. She chuckled, "That child has always seen you as her goal. She may not say it, but I can tell—she wants to surpass you."
"That's true. But she's improving fast. Give her a month, and she could easily catch up with my progress."
"You think that highly of her, Makoto?"
"Well, it's the truth. Yukino isn't just gifted academically—she learns everything quickly. It's like she was born to be fed talent by the universe."
Yukino stared in a daze. She wanted to say something, but didn't know where to begin.
Wait—why are you chatting with my mom?
Weren't we in the middle of something?
Was he doing this on purpose? Or had he forgotten the point?
If not for her lingering modesty, Yukino would've urged him to continue—despite her shame.
Her emotions had just been stirred, and now he was laughing and talking with her mom? Was that fair?
Even while talking on the phone, Makoto kept his eyes on her face.
Seeing her embarrassed, angry, yet oddly captivating expression, he silently mouthed: Cute.
Yukino couldn't hold it anymore and elbowed him at last.
Makoto didn't flinch. He turned to Mrs. Yukinoshita and asked, "Auntie, I have a question for you."
"What is it?"
"Other than Aikido, has Yukino also trained specifically in elbow strikes?"
The mother and daughter: "???"
The call lasted less than two minutes.
Mrs. Yukinoshita genuinely thought her daughter was studying seriously while Makoto tutored her, so she ended the call early.
Makoto put down the phone and looked at the proud, reserved girl in his arms.
"Do you know how much psychological damage that elbow just caused to a poor high school boy?"
Yukino didn't respond.
But under the bright lights, her eyes, eyelashes, and lips all shimmered with a dreamy glow.
It was as if she was silently telling Makoto: Either continue—or put me down.
There was no way Makoto would let her go.
He tossed the phone back onto the couch, held her soft body close, and dashed straight toward her bedroom.
It was time to pay tuition!
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Did they do it..?
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