Chapter 118: Ch 118. Haruno: Kill Hoshimi! Steal Yukino!
"Hmm~ It's nothing. Just pretend I didn't say anything."
Even Yukino, who is always brave and forward, dares not to challenge Hoshimi directly.
"Hehe~" Hoshimi grinned mischievously, lightly tilting Yukino's smooth chin.
"Little Yukino, let's both try for the performance level in piano. If you win, I'll promise you one thing, anything you want. If I win, you'll have to promise me one thing too, anything I want."
"What do you say? Are you up for the challenge?"
Feeling targeted, Yukino smiled faintly, "I refuse."
"Hmm?" Hoshimi's eyes widened in surprise, "Refuse?!"
Hoshimi carefully examined Yukino, pretending to be shocked, "Is this really the Yukino Yukinoshita I know? You're actually avoiding a fight!"
"Hmm~" Yukino gave a light laugh.
Knowing it's impossible yet trying anyway is either the mark of a hero or a fool.
But neither of them fits those categories. She's a smart girl, and she certainly won't give Hoshimi that chance.
She couldn't afford to give it—after all, she's still in high school...
"Little Yukino, are you really going to avoid the challenge?" Hoshimi asked, tilting his head.
Yukino slightly lifted her delicate neck, looking like a proud swan who has seen through a hunter's trick.
"tsk~" Hoshimi clicked his tongue in disappointment.
He stared at Yukino's exquisite face, blinking, and suddenly said, "Coward."
Yukino's ears twitched, pretending not to hear.
"Turtle with its head withdrawn." Hoshimi continued to provoke.
Yukino clenched her small fists but still didn't respond.
"Yukino, what if I don't practice piano in my dreams?"
Yukino seemed a bit tempted, a thoughtful look appearing in her eyes.
"Yukino, if you can't handle this, then you're truly a coward."
Yukino looked at Hoshimi and said word by word, "I'm a girl!"
"Oh~" Hoshimi changed his approach, "Then you're a cowardly woman."
"Hmm~" Yukino raised her small fist and lightly punched Hoshimi's chest twice.
"Yukino, will you accept the challenge?" Hoshimi persistently asked again.
"Since that's the case..." Yukino furrowed her brows, seeming to make a decision.
Hoshimi blinked, his red eyes full of anticipation, as if he could already see Yukino melting away like water.
The next moment, Yukino glanced at Hoshimi and suddenly flashed a bright smile, "In that case, I refuse!"
She had already stated she wasn't a fool!
If Hoshimi dares to challenge her from such a disadvantage, he must have some trump cards, some killer moves.
At a time like this, if she were to go for it, she'd truly be a genuine fool!
"....." Hoshimi, stunned by the refusal, was silent for a full three seconds.
He lifted both hands, holding Yukino's face, and carefully examined her proud expression.
Incredible—how quickly Yukino had learned, overcoming her competitive nature.
So, he must be a great benefactor, right?
As a great benefactor, Hoshimi decided to have Yukino reward him.
He held Yukino's face and kissed her again, making sure to say something before the kiss.
"This is the reward I deserve, for helping you overcome your competitive nature."
With that, their lips met.
Yukino's earlobes turned red, and instead of resisting, she reached out and grabbed Hoshimi's clothing with her slender fingers.
This kiss was particularly long...
Long enough that both became intoxicated, their minds wandering.
After gazing at Hoshimi's beautiful red eyes, Yukino shyly closed her eyes.
Although allowing Hoshimi in was already her limit, he had pressed on, breaking through her boundaries...
She couldn't let Hoshimi break through any further... If this continued, she'd make a mistake...
The kiss was the final boundary! It absolutely couldn't be breached!
Yukino silently vowed in her heart.
Meanwhile, Hoshimi was thinking about how to provoke Yukino into accepting his future challenges.
Since discovering the existence of his dream clones, Hoshimi feared no technique-based challenges, and even some special types of challenges weren't very intimidating.
Piano? Is it difficult? It might be challenging to reach the performance level in a short time.
But he has dream clones! Among so many dream clones, there must be a pianist!
With high-multiplier dreams and the unique abilities of dreams, the skills of a pianist dream clone might reach an astonishing level.
By the time of the exam, bringing out the pianist dream clone would make it easy to surpass Yukino.
After that, he could turn Yukino into whatever shape he wanted.
Too bad... Yukino didn't even accept the challenge...
How frustrating.
The more Hoshimi thought about it, the more he felt regret and frustration. He decided to hold Yukino close and kiss her thoroughly to calm his vexation.
…
Meanwhile, at Chiba University.
Haruno Yukinoshita, who had just dealt with club-related issues, smiled and bid farewell to her junior.
"Yukinoshita-senpai, thank you so much for your help. Even though it's Sunday, you've still taken the trouble to help me. I'm really sorry."
The cute junior kept bowing to Haruno Yukinoshita.
"It's alright. It's just a small matter."
In front of others, the smiling Haruno Yukinoshita displayed a reliable senior's demeanor.
She reached out and patted the junior's head.
"Hmm... Thank you, senpai..." The junior's voice grew softer, and her face reddened more and more.
"Alright, I'm heading home now." Haruno Yukinoshita withdrew her hand at an appropriate moment to avoid unnecessary trouble.
"Senpai, have you had breakfast? I know a great restaurant. Would you like to..." The junior hesitantly invited Haruno Yukinoshita.
"No need. I have some things to take care of." Haruno declined with a smile.
"Eh? Senpai, is there something you need help with?"
"It's a bit of family business, related to my younger sister."
Mentioning her younger sister, Haruno Yukinoshita's heart suddenly ached.
That damn Hoshimi! How could he be so quick? How could he and Yukino advance to second base so soon?!
She was really worried. If she wasn't careful, Hoshimi and Yukino might reach home base!
No! The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. Haruno wanted to rush home and check the surveillance footage to see if that bastard Hoshimi had launched an attack on her sister.
"I'm leaving now. Goodbye. Call me if anything comes up." Haruno Yukinoshita quickly said goodbye and hurriedly turned to leave.
"Eh..." The junior, left behind, watched Haruno Yukinoshita leave with a dazed expression and let out a disappointed sigh.
Meanwhile, Haruno hurried back to her apartment.
She dashed into her bedroom, eagerly turned on her computer, and accessed the surveillance footage.
The moment the footage appeared on the screen, Haruno was stunned for a moment, then...
"Ah!!!"
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