章節 279: Ch 279. Now It's Yukino's Turn to Make a Move
Hoshimi: "You were sound asleep, Utaha, so I didn't wake you up."
"Mmm~ What time is it? Why are you up so early, Hoshimi?" Kasumigaoka asked, her words slightly muffled as Hoshimi pinched her cheek.
Sitting by the bedside, Hoshimi gently stroked Kasumigaoka's face. "It's almost 7:40. Today's Wednesday, and I have to go to class. I skipped yesterday to spend the whole day with you, Utaha. If I skip again today, our class teacher won't let me off. If she complains to my aunt again, I won't be able to handle it."
"Mmm~ She? Hoshimi, is your class teacher female?" Kasumigaoka picked up on the subtle hint in Hoshimi's tone.
"Yep~" Hoshimi shrugged, sighing. "Go ask around at Sobu High; everyone knows the title of 'Unrivaled Iron Fist Hiratsuka Shizuka.'"
"Iron Fist…" Kasumigaoka blinked. "Does your class teacher often use 'force,' Hoshimi?"
"Hmm~~ How should I put it~~" Hoshimi thought about it and said, "To be precise, Hiratsuka-sensei uses 'force' mainly as a deterrent; she rarely actually uses it. She cares a lot about her students' growth—she's a rare kind of good teacher."
"I see…" Kasumigaoka tilted her head slightly, looking pensive.
"Alright, enough talk. I'll be late if I don't go." Hoshimi took a few restaurant cards from his pocket and placed them on the bedside table. "Utaha, these are restaurant cards. If you're hungry, just call one of them, give my name, and they'll deliver food here."
"And…" Hoshimi pointed to the clothes rack by the door, "Your clothes are dry. I brought them over for you."
"Also, I remember you said your leave was until today. If you plan to head home before I'm back, please lock the door; just pull it shut, and it'll lock automatically."
"One last thing…" Hoshimi took a keyring and placed it on the bedside table. "This is the door key. If you want to cook, there's a grocery store 200 meters down and to the right. They have pretty much everything."
"If you don't feel like cleaning up after cooking, just leave the dishes. I'll take care of them when I get back."
"Hmm~ that should cover everything." Hoshimi looked at Kasumigaoka. "Utaha, do you have any questions?"
"..." Kasumigaoka blinked, glancing at the keys on the bedside table.
"Hoshimi, can I take the keys with me?" she asked softly, her eyes glinting.
"Nope, this is the only key I have. If you take it and something happens with the lock, it'll be a hassle for me," Hoshimi said with a smile, ruffling her hair.
It was true; there were two sets of keys for the house—one was the set in front of her, and the other was with his aunt, Arisugawa Houko. Originally, there had been another, but his mother lost it before she passed away.
"Mmm…" Kasumigaoka's eyes dimmed a bit, looking a little disappointed.
Suddenly, she seemed to think of something, raising her head sharply to look at Hoshimi. "Hoshimi, if this is the only key, where should I leave it when I go home? If I leave it inside, you won't be able to get back in, right?"
Hoshimi chuckled, "Utaha, when did you develop a memory like a goldfish? You forgot my place has a fingerprint lock? I can just scan my finger to get in."
"Ah…" Kasumigaoka froze for a moment, her face turning slightly red as she pulled the blanket over the lower half of her face.
She remembered; Hoshimi had indeed entered with his fingerprint yesterday. She'd even seen it…
"Alright, no more talking. I really have to go this time." Hoshimi stood up, straightening his clothes and turned toward the door.
"Hoshimi, wait…"
Just a few steps out, Kasumigaoka called him back.
"What is it?" Hoshimi turned to look at her, curled up under the blanket.
"Hoshimi, come here…" Kasumigaoka extended a pale hand from under the covers, motioning for him.
Hoshimi walked over, gazing down at her.
"Hoshimi, bend down. I need to tell you something…" Kasumigaoka, her face slightly flushed, nervously gripped the edge of the blanket.
"Hmm?" With some idea of what she was up to, Hoshimi slowly leaned down.
As he bent to about 60 degrees, Kasumigaoka suddenly lifted the blanket, hooked her arms around his neck, and gave him a carefully planned morning kiss.
A minute later, Kasumigaoka reluctantly let go of him.
She still remembered Hoshimi's impending class, or else this brief minute would never have met her ideal standard.
"Bye, Hoshimi." Kasumigaoka retreated under the covers, only her crimson eyes visible as she bid him goodbye.
"Mm, see you~" Hoshimi leaned down and gave her a light peck on the forehead.
Then, he straightened up and left the bedroom without hesitation.
…
Inside the elevator, Hoshimi adjusted his clothes and hair, glancing at his reflection with a soft smile.
Ding---!
The elevator arrived on the first floor, and Hoshimi had resumed his usual appearance.
Smiling at the mirror one last time, he turned and exited the elevator.
At the apartment entrance, he immediately spotted Yukino waiting for him downstairs.
Like a peony, Yukino stood coldly elegant as always. She looked at Hoshimi as he walked up to her, and asked calmly, "Why are you so late today?"
"I lost track of time while soaking in the bath and stayed a bit too long," Hoshimi explained, scratching his head a little sheepishly.
"..." Yukino didn't pursue it further. She stepped forward, naturally linking her arm with his. "Let's go. We'll need to hurry today, or we'll be late."
"Mm." Hoshimi nodded, setting off toward school with Yukino.
After a short distance, they encountered Kotoko at the first traffic light.
Standing at the crosswalk in Sobu High's uniform, Kotoko beamed as she waved at Hoshimi from across the street.
Crossing the road, Hoshimi and Yukino joined her.
"Good morning, Hoshimi~"
"Good morning, Yukinoshita-senpai~"
After greeting them, Kotoko found her spot, slipping her arm naturally around Hoshimi's other side.
"Good morning, Kotoko." With a smile, Hoshimi responded to Kotoko's greeting.
On the other side, Yukino, who had been increasingly less friendly with Kotoko, merely nodded in response.
"Hoshimi, where did that bracelet come from?" Kotoko, holding Hoshimi's arm, noticed the dragon-scale bracelet on his wrist.
"It's…"
"It was a gift from his aunt's daughter," Yukino answered quickly, for some reason beating Hoshimi to it.
Not only that, but after answering, she leaned forward, giving Kotoko a small smile.
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