"That's up to you."
Byakuya replied casually.
Having been teased by Eto so many times, he had become desensitized. Now, whenever he faced similar situations, he just assumed Eto was teasing him and responded accordingly.
He felt that the moment he showed any hint of taking it seriously, this troublesome woman would tease him even further.
"What do you mean 'up to me'... That's so half-hearted."
Eto immediately expressed dissatisfaction with Byakuya's answer.
"That's because you always toy with me for your own amusement. If I don't stay casual about it, won't you just get what you want?"
Byakuya said flatly.
"Am I really that awful in your eyes? Ahh~ You're breaking my heart..."
Eto said with a wounded tone.
"How is this my fault now? This is clearly your own problem."
Byakuya looked exasperated.
"Okay, okay, I definitely won't tease you this time. Just give me a serious answer."
Eto's tone now carried a hint of coquettishness.
"Don't... please don't act coy with me. I can't handle it."
Byakuya immediately put a stop to it.
Mainly because the coquettish voice really didn't suit Eto's image—it made him feel rather uncomfortable.
"What's there to not handle? Don't tell me you have no resistance against girls who act cute?"
Eto asked curiously.
At the same time, she felt as if she'd discovered a new world. Weaknesses were hard to find on Byakuya, and she seemed to have just stumbled upon a rather interesting one~
"That's not it. I just feel like acting coy really doesn't suit you. It's a bit hard to listen to."
Byakuya explained.
"It doesn't suit me? I didn't expect you to think that way. So what kind of image do I have in your eyes? I'm a bit curious."
Eto asked immediately.
"Haven't I told you before? You're a strong, capable woman. Having you suddenly act all cutesy feels really awkward... Though you're also quite scheming."
Byakuya said bluntly.
"You... Who says a strong woman can't act cute? What if I just like being coy?"
Eto deliberately adopted a coquettish tone again. "Isn't that right? Byakuya-niichan~"
"..."
That single "Byakuya-niichan" made Byakuya's scalp tingle.
"Please spare me..."
Byakuya said helplessly.
But then Eto doubled down instead. She came over to sit beside Byakuya and deliberately whispered coyly in his ear, "Byakuya-niichan, will you go out with me? I like you so much~"
Byakuya immediately used one hand to block Eto, who was intentionally breathing into his ear.
"Don't take this too far."
Byakuya said flatly.
"Are you... angry?"
Seeing Byakuya looking so calm, Eto actually became a bit worried. She cautiously asked.
"No, why would I be angry at you?"
Byakuya shook his head slightly.
"That's good. I knew you had a good temper. Hehe~"
Eto showed absolutely no sign of remorse—clearly planning to do it again next time.
"If I ever really got angry, you wouldn't be laughing."
Byakuya sighed helplessly.
"If you really got angry, I'd find a way to calm you down."
Eto smiled cheerfully. "For instance, how about I offer you my first time? Would that be a sincere enough apology?"