Chapter 78: Can't Even Win You Over With This?
Seeing Yu's silence, Sasuko immediately intensified her offensive. She pressed even closer, the faint sweet fragrance clinging to her wrapping around Yu's senses.
Though it was already a cool autumn night, she wore only thin clothing, the fabric rustling softly as her figure drew near.
"Yu! Just teach me..." She lifted her face, warm breath brushing against Yu's neck as if by accident.
Moonlight outlined her slender silhouette.
When Yu's wrist was guided by her hand to rest against her waist, even through the layer of fabric he could feel the warmth of her skin. Just as he was about to withdraw his hand, Sasuko suddenly murmured softly, "Cold..."
"If you're cold, wear more clothes." Yu's voice was lower and huskier than usual. "I'll get you something." He turned and headed straight for the bedroom.
Sasuko watched his retreating back, the corner of her mouth curving in a triumphant arc.
Just now she'd clearly felt that always-steady heartbeat skip a beat. Though it passed in an instant, it was enough for her to confirm certain things.
Yu... you can't escape.
She silently followed, pausing at the bedroom doorway.
Watching Yu's back as he searched through the wardrobe, his flowing shoulder line and the small patch of pale nape made her unable to look away.
Taking advantage of Yu facing away, Sasuko suddenly made a soft request. "I want that light yellow sweater!" As she spoke, she unbuttoned her outermost school uniform jacket.
The jacket rustled down, draping over the chair back. Moonlight spilled over, gilding her form in just her underlayer with a soft glow.
When Yu turned with the sweater, he immediately averted his gaze. "Sasuko..." His tone carried an unmistakable warning.
But Sasuko only laughed lightly, unconcerned, even deliberately spreading her arms. "You took too long finding clothes—I'm already cold from waiting." Her slender waist flashed momentarily in the moonlight.
These words made them both recall that rainy day. She'd deliberately "forgotten" to bring clothes, making Yu deliver them to the bathroom door. The door had opened quite wide, the misty vapor and blurred silhouette making the usually composed Yu show a nearly flustered expression for the first time.
Though she'd been seriously lectured afterward (verbally), Sasuko would always remember his instantly averted gaze and reddening ear tips.
That version of Yu... was especially interesting.
Now she deliberately stood on tiptoe and leaned close, letting her hair sweep across Yu's cheek. "Anyway, it's not like you haven't..." Before she could finish, soft sweater fabric was pulled over her head.
"Put it on." Yu's voice rarely carried a trace of tension.
Sasuko smiled cunningly, taking the opportunity to tuck her arms into the oversized sweater sleeves. "Mmm! I think I put it on backward." She deliberately fumbled clumsily, tugging at it. "Yu, help me fix it!"
As she spoke, her body leaned slightly forward, the wide sweater collar sliding to one side. She swayed toward Yu as if unable to stand steady.
Yu instinctively steadied her arm, his fingertips withdrawing the moment they touched.
This motion emboldened Sasuko to press even closer, her nose almost brushing his chin. "Yu! Now I'm not cold..."
Her voice was soft and sweet, full of dependence. Feeling Yu's instant stiffness, her mouth curved triumphantly beneath the sweater.
Yu, what will you do next?
Just as Yu seemed about to use his abilities to remotely help her adjust the sweater, Sasuko suddenly exclaimed "Oh!" as if tripped by the too-long garment, stumbling toward Yu.
They both fell onto the soft bed. The sweater became even more disheveled as she took the opportunity to wrap her arms around Yu's neck. "It's all your fault for not helping me put it on properly!"
Moonlight filtered through the window lattice, illuminating intertwined black hair and suddenly close faces.
Sasuko felt the rapidly accelerating heartbeat by her ear and narrowed her eyes like a cat who'd discovered a secret.
She embraced his neck, lifting her face to look directly at his forcibly composed expression, cunning light flowing through her pure features.
"Yu! Your heartbeat is so fast?" Her breath was gentle, her lips very close to his jaw. "Could it be..." Her soft body pressed closer, clearly feeling each other's body heat.
"It's okay, Yu," she murmured softly, slowly drawing near. "There's only the two of us here..."
Before she finished speaking, an invisible yet gentle force suddenly enveloped and lifted her.
Soft blankets quickly wrapped around her, leaving only a flushed face exposed.
"Sasuko, you've crossed the line."
Moonlight illuminated his tense jawline, those usually gentle eyes churning with restrained and complex emotions.
Sasuko wriggled lightly in the blanket cocoon but found herself wrapped completely tight.
"I was just joking!" she muttered indignantly, her voice muffled in the blanket. "You're making such a big deal out of nothing..."
Yu raised his hand to extinguish the lights, his footsteps toward the door echoing in the darkness. "Good night, Sasuko."
Sasuko tried again but found the blanket as secure as a cocoon.
This time Yu was clearly serious.
But thinking about it, she suddenly smiled quietly in the darkness.
This time Yu's reaction seemed slower than ever before. Not until that final moment did he...
Didn't that mean Yu's defenses weren't impregnable?
Sasuko gently nuzzled into the blanket that carried his scent. Though restrained, her mood was like a joyful bird.
Moonlight leaked through the door crack, illuminating her bright eyes.
"It's okay, Yu..." she murmured softly to the empty room, her tone certain. "I have all the patience in the world!"
As night deepened, Sasuko fell into dreams filled with sweet anticipation.
Yu walked alone to the courtyard, letting autumn wind billow his clothes as he tried to cool his chaotic thoughts.
The moonlight was cold as frost.
Sasuko's burning and direct affection—he could no longer pretend not to understand.
It wasn't just dependence but a girl's unreserved adoration.
Yet in his memory, Sasuko always seemed to be that little girl who'd tug at his sleeve begging for candy, the panicked figure who'd run barefoot to him after nightmares, the spoiled bundle who'd demand to be carried when tired of walking.
These images remained vivid—how could he immediately reconcile that pure dependence with the burning emotion before him now?
The wooden sword's whistle through air suddenly rang out, breaking the night's tranquility.
Yu repeatedly practiced the most basic slashing movements, trying to use physical exhaustion to drive away mental distractions.
Yet as the blade cut through wind, his mind uncontrollably conjured Sasuko's increasingly clear image: hair carrying fragrance brushing his cheek, eyes full of persistence and expectation, and when she drew near, that undeniable presence belonging to an adult woman...
"Crack"—a crisp sound as the wooden sword snapped in two.
Yu stared at the broken blade in his hand, lost in thought—
Some boundaries he'd always tried to maintain had perhaps, unknowingly, already begun to loosen.
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