Again, Shout out to Dad for the support.
********************
Back home, Yukinoshita Yukino rolled on her fluffy bed, hugging her beloved panda plushie tightly. Her beautiful face was bright red, and her ears were practically glowing with heat. She buried her face into the soft panda belly, letting out a muffled scream.
"Yabai... I'm losing it. I'm seriously going crazy...!"
Otherwise, why would she agree to something as embarrassing as a hiza makura—a lap pillow—for that guy?
It wasn't just a moment of weakness. She knew exactly what kind of person Hozuki Nozomi was. A shameless, smooth-talking womanizer who would never pass up a chance to take advantage. If she gave him even one opportunity... he might push even further.
Images suddenly flooded her mind—Nozomi with Shiina Mahiru, resting on her legs. Sanshokuin Sumireko, too, calmly letting him do the same. Yukino clutched the panda tighter. There was a strange, stinging pain in her chest.
"Why do I even care... about that ecchi playboy...?!"
She bit her lip in frustration and tried to organize her thoughts.
To be fair... it was her fault today. As the kaichou of the Service Club, it had been her decision to let Nozomi join. But just because she was annoyed with Yuigahama Yui's request, she ended up freezing him out. That was immature. And unworthy of a Yukinoshita.
Giving him a lap pillow? It wasn't a reward. It was... punishment. Punishment for her own poor behavior. That was all.
Still... she couldn't help the lingering bitterness.
Yuigahama was trying her best, even practicing cooking... for Nozomi. And what about earlier? On the way home, he ran into a bijin—a beautiful girl in a red coat. And somehow, he even knew her name.
As if that wasn't enough, he said she was his youchien (kindergarten) classmate. Seriously?! Who remembers their kindergarten classmates?! Elementary school? Maybe. But kindergarten? It was such an obvious lie!
And her own reaction had been... shameful. He held her hand. He hugged her. And she didn't resist. No—she let him. What was wrong with her?
As her mind spiraled, her phone buzzed with a message. It was from that guy.
Nozomi: "Yukino, are you home?"
She frowned instantly and fired back a response.
Yukino: "I'm home. But who gave you permission to call me by my name?"
Nozomi: "Didn't you just call me by my name?"
Yukino froze. Her fingers hovered over the screen. He was right.
"Ugh... your name only has two syllables... Then I'll just call you 'Hozuki' from now on."
No matter how she addressed him, it felt too close. Too casual. Maybe she should just start calling him ecchi playboy instead. Yes. That felt more accurate.
She thought back to that shameless hug. So bold! So unrepentant!
Another message came through.
Nozomi: "I hope you'll call me oniisan from now on."
"O-Oniisan?!"
Her face turned a deeper shade of red. Without thinking, she hit the call button. He picked up immediately.
Her voice was cold.
"The lap pillow is canceled!"
"Ehh?! Why?!"
"Tch. Listen closely, Hozuki Nozomi—stay away from my onee-sama. If you get toyed with, don't come crying to me. Got it?"
There was a moment of silence. And then, on the other end of the line... he laughed.
That infuriating laugh.
Yukinoshita Yukino clutched her phone tightly, cheeks burning hotter than ever.
Nozomi grinned, amused. "Heh~ are you worried about me, Yukino-chan? However, I think Onee-sama is actually very kind to me. Doesn't seem like she wants to play with my heart."
He added with a dramatic sigh, "Compared to Onee-sama... kaichou really broke my heart today."
Hearing that, Yukino quickly hung up the phone. Her chest tightened with guilt. That moment from earlier... Kicking him out during club activities... It truly was her eternal stain.
The way he said it. The way he looked at her. The feelings stirred something deep in her heart she couldn't explain. Even she hadn't noticed how much space Nozomi had taken up in her heart. If it was someone else, she wouldn't even care. She wouldn't even feel guilty.
A few moments passed. Then—ding—her phone lit up.
Yukinoshita Yukino: "I'll give you a lap pillow. But you're not allowed to mention today's events again!"
Nozomi: "Wakarimashita~ I won't bring it up again. Promise."
Seeing that reply, Yukino felt a sense of relief settle in her chest. Maybe... Maybe after giving him that lap-pillow, the guilt will fade.
Staring at her phone, her emotions swirled. She didn't want to admit it, but... That baka actually cared about her a lot. Even after watching her get on the train, he had to message her to make sure she got home safely.
She hugged her panda plush tightly. "Mou... if only he wasn't so fickle..."
But then she recalled what Mahiru and Sayu had said... That guy... he's apparently really good at that thing.
Her eyes widened. Her face burned red.
No! No! Absolutely not!
She wasn't ready for anything like that. Just thinking about it sent steam bursting from her head like a kettle.
She clamped her legs together instinctively. That guy—Nozomi—he hugged her earlier so boldly.
If they ever actually got married... Would he just go around bullying her every day?
Yukino began punching her pillow with flushed cheeks. "Calling him ani-sama? Dream on!"
But still... He did say he wanted to be her brother-in-law.
Is that what he thought? That her Onee-sama was better than her for marriage? Damn him!
She sent him another message.
Yukinoshita Yukino: "Lap pillow, postponed!"
Anger started to overpower guilt. It wasn't that she wasn't going to give it to him. She just wanted to be a little selfish. A little selfishness.
She'd postpone it until her mood allowed it. Let him wait.
Nozomi: "...Yabai. Not keeping your promise~ Tsk tsk."
Yukino's heart skipped, but she didn't reply. She couldn't lose face again! She set the phone down. Pretending to sleep, pretending she didn't see the message.
Tomorrow… she thought. It'll depend on his attitude. If he truly wanted that lap pillow... Maybe... just maybe... she'd give it to him.
In just minutes, her emotions had gone up, down, sideways, spinning like a typhoon. She didn't notice it yet... But she already cared deeply for this one man.
Meanwhile, at Sakurasou...
"Nozomi! You got a delivery, come sign for it!" Chihiro-sensei called from downstairs.
"Hai hai, I'm coming~"
Nozomi descended and blinked in surprise. A tall delivery box—one meter high—stood at the genkan.
He tilted his head. Why did it feel like... something inside was alive?
He signed it with his seal. Then lugged the box to his room.
Peering at the sender's info, his eyebrows twitched.
Sender: "Your beloved child bride and part-time fiancée ♡"
He froze.
That heartbeat he felt earlier...
Wait... no way.
"Is it her...?"
Carefully opening the box...
"YAA~!"
A soft body leapt out. Arms wrapped around his neck, slender legs clinging to his waist.
"Nii-sama! it's Yuki~ It's been so long! Let's do some love sports!
Nozomi: "!?!!!"