"See you tomorrow, Yukinoshita-san, Sanshokuin-san! I'll keep working hard!"
With a bright smile, Yuigahama Yui took off her frilly pink apron, waved cheerfully, and dashed out of the cooking room. Her energy was as contagious as always, leaving a faint trail of chaos behind.
Yukinoshita Yukino watched her leave, then sat down heavily on the nearest chair, her posture elegant yet visibly drained. A deep sigh escaped her lips.
"Teaching someone to cook... is more exhausting than I expected," she murmured, brushing a stray braid over her shoulder. Her voice carried a faint trace of defeat. "Honestly, it's shameful, but halfway through, I really wanted Yuigahama-san to give up. Her mother banning her from the kitchen... might've been for the best."
"Pfft..." Sumireko couldn't help giggling, still wearing her blue apron and her trademark pigtails, though her glasses were off for once.
"But you still taught her seriously, didn't you, Yukinoshita-san? Even though you're strict, you're also incredibly kind and gentle. I mean, it's obvious. No wonder Nozomi-kun keeps chasing after you."
Yukinoshita Yukino flushed instantly, her porcelain cheeks turning pink. She shot her a cold glare, though her eyes couldn't quite hide her flustered state.
"Why are you bringing up that pervert?"
She scoffed, crossing her arms defensively. "Maybe I should have invited him. He could've tested the cookies for poison. Might've finally shut him up."
"Hehe~ But you still went all out teaching Yui-chan just because you're part of the Service Club. So dutiful, Yukinoshita-senpai."
"Exactly! I was just fulfilling my duty! She asked for help making cookies, and as a member of the club, I couldn't turn her down. It has nothing to do with anything else."
Sumireko giggled behind her hand, her violet eyes twinkling. "Mm-hmm, suuure. You keep saying that, but it doesn't change your nature. You're sweet and warm on the inside—just like a freshly baked cookie. That's what Hozuki Nozomi-kun likes most about you."
Yukinoshita Yukino: "..."
"Are you a worm inside his stomach? How do you know what he's thinking?"
Sumireko tilted her head and smiled playfully. "He told me. Seriously. He said if you were really cold and unapproachable, he'd have stayed far away. But he can't help being drawn to you."
The continued praise made Yukino blush harder. She waved her hand dismissively, trying to regain her composure.
"Enough. Club activities are over. Let's go home."
"Yes,Kaichou~" Sumireko chirped, intentionally dragging out her voice.
"Sanshokuin... you're being annoying."
"Ara, what do you mean?"
"The way you say 'president' is... weird. Especially when you copy Nozomi-kun's tone."
"Fufu~ just showing respect! Isn't that how he calls you?"
"...…"
Yukinoshita Yukino had no comeback.
—
Meanwhile, Hozuki Nozomi received a message from Yuigahama Yui.
[The cookies didn't turn out well today. I'll bring them tomorrow instead!]
He replied with a simple: [OK.]
Then followed up with: [I'll be waiting. Good luck!]
He could tell just from her message that she was discouraged and needed support.
Since Mahiru and Sayu had gone shopping with Miura Yumiko—an unexpected but blooming friendship—Nozomi had time on his hands. He decided to swing by the school gate and wait.
Not long after, Yukinoshita Yukino and Sanshokuin Sumireko emerged side by side.
Yukinoshita spotted him immediately and frowned. She turned her head away with a cold hmph, clearly intending to ignore him.
But Sumireko, ever the playful one, looped her arm around Yukino's and waved.
"Yo! Good afternoon, Nozomi-kun~"
"Heh, good afternoon, Sumireko. And you too, Yukinoshita-san."
Yukino narrowed her eyes at Sumireko. Why did she have to greet him so happily? And why was she dragging her into this?
"Were you waiting for us on purpose?" she asked coolly.
Nozomi grinned like a fox. "Maybe. I just wanted to know why the club met today without me. Feels like I was... excluded, ne?"
Yukinoshita stiffened slightly. "It wasn't on purpose," she mumbled.
"It was! You and Sumireko both smell like cookies! You made sweets without me?! That's unforgivable!"
He held out his hands dramatically. "Hand them over. The cookies. I'm robbing you. If you don't comply, you're not going home tonight!"
Caught red-handed, Yukinoshita Yukino hesitated, then sighed in defeat. She reached into her bag and handed over a small bag of cookies. Sumireko giggled and did the same.
Nozomi lit up like a kid at a festival. "See? That wasn't so hard. Just remember to call me next time. I missed out on you two in aprons! What a tragedy!"
"Hmph, it should be a tragedy. If you saw it, your mind would definitely go straight to ecchi thoughts."
Yukinoshita shot back, her tone sharp but cheeks pink.
She couldn't help remembering how... prominent Yuigahama and Sumireko looked in their aprons. Compared to them, she—
No, she didn't want him to see that. That's why she told him not to come today.
But now that he had found out, guilt lingered in her heart.
"Ouch. So that's how low you think of me? That I'm just a perv who only thinks about that?" Nozomi clutched his chest dramatically.
"Yes."
Her answer was instant and cold.
Sumireko chuckled and squeezed Yukino's arm. "Now, now. Don't be so harsh. Deep down, Nozomi-kun really cares about your opinion."
Yukino faltered. Her eyes softened, even if just for a second.
She... felt bad seeing him act hurt. But apologize? Out loud? That was asking too much.
Besides, she was still annoyed.
They were going to be engaged at the end of the month…
And this guy, this baka, still acted like a carefree flirt.
She got annoyed just thinking about it.
But then, Hozuki Nozomi suddenly said—
"It's still early, Yukinoshita, Sumireko. Wanna come over to Sakurasou and see the cats again? Lately, the little cats won't stop meowing at night. It's getting kinda troublesome."
Yukino knew exactly what he was doing—using the cats as bait to lure her over. Shameless.
Still…
She remembered the hurt expression from earlier and, against her better judgment, her heart softened just a little. Keeping her face composed, she gave a small nod.
"Fine. Just for a little while."
The three of them boarded the train bound for Sakurasou, the dorm that housed more than just eccentric students… but a growing number of mischievous cats too.
Sumireko leaned over with a sly smile, teasing, "Ne, Yukinoshita, don't you think the cats are calling for… you know, something more ecchi at night?"
"Ha?!" Yukino snapped.
"What? Am I wrong?" Sumireko grinned, completely unfazed.
Yukino glared daggers at her. This Sumireko—big-breasted and dirty-minded. Was she trying to suggest something?
But Nozomi stayed calm, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.
"Maybe I should take them to the pet shop. Get that one fixed so it stops crying at night and waking me up..."
Yukino huffed, crossing her arms. "You should be the one getting fixed!"
"Uwaa, that's cold, Yukinoshita! You wound me!"
Was she implying he was fickle again? Was she… jealous?
Nozomi felt oddly encouraged. He smirked inwardly. Once they got to Sakurasou, he had plenty of tricks to lower his future sister-in-law's guard.
Soon, Yukinoshita Yukino found herself seated in the living room, a fluffy tabby sprawled luxuriously across her lap. She gently stroked its fur, her usually icy demeanor melting into an aura of gentle warmth.
Nozomi watched enviously. He had rested his head on Mahiru's legs, even on Sumireko's—but Yukino's?
That was sacred ground.
What you can't have always seems more desirable. That greedy part of his heart didn't shame him.
The cats, under Nozomi's direction, began rubbing themselves affectionately against Yukino's legs, purring with eyes that practically begged, "Stay here forever~"
Even if she felt like staying, Yukinoshita Yukino eventually stood up with a sigh.
"We should head back now."
Nozomi reluctantly followed.
"I'll walk you home."
"Mm."
She didn't object. After what happened the other night—the thugs, the supernatural weirdness—having him around made her feel safer, even if she wouldn't admit it out loud.
As they walked, she stole a glance at him… only to find his eyes already on her.
Their gazes locked.
Yukino's heart skipped, and she instantly turned up the tsun.
"D-Don't look at me like that, you shameless succubus!"
Nozomi blinked, caught off guard. "Eh? Even you're calling me that now?"
"You know what it means, don't you?"
"Of course I do. But hearing it from you? That kinda stings."
Yukino looked away. "What, you think I'm too pure to know what a succubus is? Don't underestimate me."
He chuckled, eyes twinkling.
"In my heart, Yukinoshita is so kawaii and refined that you wouldn't even understand second-dimension slang."
Her cheeks flushed. She pushed her hair behind her ear with practiced grace.
"I-I only know the literal meaning. After the wedding ceremony… people kept gossiping. I just… overheard it. That's all."
Nozomi tilted his head, grin widening.
"Ah, the wedding ceremony~ Yukinoshita, why did you invite me that day?"
"Eh… w-why are you bringing that up now?" she stammered, suddenly flustered.
Before she could react further, her hand was gently caught by his.
"W-What are you doing?! Let go, you hentai!"
"Not until you answer me. Why did you invite me? Was it because... you're starting to accept the idea of marriage between us?"
Yukino stared at him, eyes sharp.
"I don't owe you an explanation. And I said let go!"
But even as she said that, she didn't really pull her hand away.
Nozomi met her gaze for a moment… then said nothing more, simply walking beside her, still holding her hand.
Yukino bit her lip, conflicted. Her heart beat faster the longer he held on. Her fingers twitched, but she made no real effort to break free.
...She just accepted it.
Maybe girls should make a move when it counts. Maybe it's okay to lean in a little.
"That didn't mean becoming some mindless silly girl chasing love."
Their situation was unique—twisted by a beautiful misunderstanding. Yukinoshita Yukino thought she was engaged to him, and because of that, she tried to learn about him… to accept him.
If not for that mix-up, she never would've paid attention to a playboy like him.
But even so—Nozomi would've found another way.
Because that's who he is.
And now, here he was.
Holding her hand.
Walking beside her.
Victory, step by step.