When Yui wasn't around or had fallen asleep, Yukino's initiative toward Kotomi was at full power.
From the moment the thought was firmly decided in her heart, Yukino Yukinoshita had already reached out her hand toward Kotomi...
What Yukino had originally imagined was grabbing Kotomi's chin with her hand, with a hint of domineering force, making Kotomi look at her, and then saying:
"From now on, your eyes can only look at me."
Yukino's imagination was beautiful, but unfortunately, she still didn't have that kind of courage. So even though she reached out, she only tugged lightly at Kotomi's sleeve.
"Hmm?" Kotomi Izumi felt her sleeve being tugged and turned to look at Yukino. "Is something the matter, Yukino?"
After Kotomi turned her head, Yukino Yukinoshita lowered her hand. Taking the initiative like that still required too much courage for her right now.
"At the station earlier, I argued with you because you said I wasn't cute... I'm sorry."
Yukino Yukinoshita spoke in a calm tone, though her cheeks were faintly flushed.
"It's fine, don't worry about it."
Kotomi Izumi nodded. Seeing Yukino's current expression, she couldn't help but smile. Even though she felt embarrassed, she still honestly apologized—this tsundere yet aloof side of little Yukino was actually quite adorable.
Sure enough, an iceberg that had partially melted was the cutest.
After hearing that Kotomi wasn't angry, Yukino Yukinoshita finally relaxed a little. She was just about to talk to Kotomi about the strange psychological changes she experienced while arguing earlier.
However, before she could speak, Kotomi added teasingly:
"Good that you know you were wrong~ Come on, give me a foot massage, say something nice, and then lull me to sleep. If I'm in a good mood, maybe I'll be magnanimous and let it go~"
As she spoke, Kotomi Izumi reached down, untied her short boots, kicked them off, and revealed a pair of delicate, jade-like feet wrapped in white pantyhose, gently swaying.
Faced with such a beautiful sight, Yukino Yukinoshita momentarily forgot about Kotomi entirely and instead thought: Helping Kotomi massage her feet... wouldn't that actually be a reward?
Unfortunately, how could a proud and aloof little tigress like her ever admit such a thought? A sharp glint flashed in Yukino Yukinoshita's eyes as she silently began loosening her wrists.
Seeing this, Kotomi Izumi immediately pulled her white-clad feet back obediently. After clashing with Yukino Yukinoshita so many times, she could easily recognize the signs before Yukino made a move.
This doesn't look like she wants to massage my feet—it looks more like she wants to twist them off... Kotomi Izumi complained inwardly.
"Why did you pull them back? Didn't you want me to massage your feet?" Yukino Yukinoshita asked with a faint smile.
Kotomi Izumi chuckled awkwardly and said:
"Let's forget it. I'm worried you might twist my feet off."
That lighthearted joke instantly eased the atmosphere between them.
After thinking for a moment, Yukino Yukinoshita decided to tell Kotomi everything—the strange feelings she had when they argued at the station, as well as the unusual emotional changes she had been experiencing over the past few days.
"Come to think of it, it's really strange. Words like 'you're not cute' never used to bother me at all. But for some reason, when you said it at the station earlier, I felt inexplicably uncomfortable. And as time passed, that discomfort even turned into anger."
"Now that you mention it, that's true. You're the type who gets immersed in novels—most of your attention is on whether the book is interesting or not.
"I've joked with you about 'you're not cute' before, and back then you really didn't care. You just calmly replied, 'You're right,' and went back to reading.
"So when I joked about it again at the station, I just wanted to see you calmly say 'You're right' again. I didn't expect such a strong reaction this time. Honestly, while we were arguing, I was firing back stubbornly while also feeling confused inside."
Hearing this, Yukino Yukinoshita couldn't help but laugh.
"I see. I was wondering why someone as sharp-tongued as you didn't perform particularly well during our argument just now—even your comebacks were rather ordinary. So it turns out my sudden reaction caught you off guard. It seems if I want to win arguments against you in the future, I'll need to strike first and disrupt your rhythm."
"Hmph, how devious."
Kotomi Izumi snorted unhappily. As someone who cared about her pride, losing an argument to Yukino still annoyed her.
"But putting that aside, what's been happening to me these past few days?
"Whether it's getting angry over a single 'you're not cute' comment earlier, arguing with you, or constantly caring about what you say lately... I've realized that my emotions are becoming increasingly strange. They keep rising and falling over even the smallest things related to you.
"It's as if my heart has become a puppet controlled by strings, and you're holding those strings. Every move you make pulls at my heart.
"Kotomi, my heart has become so strange. It feels like there's a monster inside me, ready to break out of the deepest cage in my heart and bring about changes I've never experienced before. I instinctively feel uneasy about it, yet deep down, I also seem to be anticipating that change to come sooner."
Faced with Yukino Yukinoshita's heartfelt confession, Kotomi Izumi couldn't take her eyes off her.
Yukino Yukinoshita gazed out the train window, her eyes deep as she murmured:
"Perhaps I'm a monster myself, just one that has been well disguised under the appearance of a 'literary girl.' But after meeting you, Kotomi Izumi... you've made me gradually want to tear off that disguise. The proof is that during these past few days traveling in Kyoto with you, I originally planned to finish a novel—but from the moment we departed until now, I haven't read a single page."
Yukino Yukinoshita's words made Kotomi Izumi's heart suddenly pound.
"I-is that so..."
Kotomi Izumi forced out those words.
She felt that she couldn't respond to the meaning behind Yukino Yukinoshita's words—or the emotions poured into them.
Because Yui was still here.
Even if Yui was asleep right now.
If this was truly Yukino's confession, Kotomi felt she couldn't give her an answer.
At least, not now.
Because it wouldn't be fair—to Yukino or to Yui.
That was why Kotomi Izumi didn't want to speak carelessly.
She knew she was selfish. Even though she already had two girlfriends, she still wasn't satisfied—she wanted more, and more...
But at this moment, facing Yukino's feelings, Kotomi Izumi didn't want to pretend to understand everything or act indifferent while saying pretty yet irresponsible words.
After Yukino Yukinoshita finished speaking, she fell into silence, waiting for Kotomi's response.
However, what she was thinking inside was far from as calm as what she showed on her face.
Was I too hasty, saying it now?
Forget it... since I've already said it, I'll just treat it as saying it a bit earlier. I had already decided to tell Kotomi anyway.
So this is what a confession feels like? It's completely different from how it's described in novels. I'm so nervous... it even feels like it's getting hard to breathe. This tension... it feels like it's only going to grow while I wait for her reply...
Why hasn't Kotomi responded yet? Did she not understand the implication of what I just said? No, that can't be right. We both like reading novels—she should definitely understand.
If she understood but still hasn't responded... then it means... she doesn't like me. She doesn't want to accept my confession.
Kotomi... I'm begging you... don't do this. Please respond... okay?
The suffocating feeling grew heavier and heavier. Was this the tension of waiting for an answer after mustering the courage to confess?
Maybe... if Kotomi doesn't respond to my confession, then dying like this from suffocation wouldn't be so bad...
Yukino Yukinoshita thought silently, waiting for Kotomi Izumi's reply in the quiet.
Kotomi Izumi took a deep breath. She didn't realize that this small action only made Yukino's already anxious heart even more uneasy.
If Kotomi Izumi hadn't understood what Yukino Yukinoshita meant just now, then she wouldn't be Kotomi Izumi.
—Yukino likes me.
Almost instantly, Kotomi Izumi fully grasped the feelings hidden beneath Yukino's words. After realizing it, her emotions became complicated. Her first instinct was happiness—after all, she also wanted Yukino to become her girlfriend. Otherwise, she wouldn't have gone out of her way to hide her relationship with Megumi and Yui.
I like Yukino, and Yukino likes me. That means it's mutual... so pursuing her next should be ridiculously easy, right? Kotomi Izumi cheered inwardly.
But soon after, her feelings turned complicated again. Yukino Yukinoshita taking the initiative today was completely unexpected.
It could be said that before Yukino spoke just now, Kotomi had never even considered the possibility that Yukino would confess to her today.
Being confessed to by a girl you like was naturally a good thing. The problem was that Kotomi wasn't an ordinary person—she already had two girlfriends. Her original plan was to properly balance things between the two of them before seeking a third.
But now, before she had even sorted out her relationship with Megumi Kato and Yui Yuigahama, Yukino had already taken the initiative and confessed.
Faced with this sudden confession, Kotomi Izumi felt both happy and helpless. The happiness was obvious—this broad-minded girl had long dreamed of building a harem. But the helplessness was just as real.
After all, her second girlfriend, Yui Yuigahama, was right beside her. And her first girlfriend was a yandere who would pull out a hatchet at the slightest disagreement.
Even though Yui was already asleep, Kotomi Izumi still didn't dare accept Yukino's confession while she was right there.
It wasn't because she was afraid of Yui. Kotomi believed that Yui wasn't like Megumi—a darkened girl who might suddenly pull out a hatchet at any moment. Yui was gentle, obedient, considerate, and a little insecure. No matter how you thought about it, she wasn't the yandere type.
The reason she didn't dare accept Yukino's confession right now was simply because she didn't want to do too many things that would hurt Yui.
Kotomi wanted to respond to Yukino's confession—but she didn't want to do it in front of Yui.
Because that would be unfair—whether to Yui, who loved and trusted her, or to Yukino, who had gathered the courage to confess.
That was why Kotomi Izumi didn't want to speak carelessly.
She knew she was selfish. Even though she already had two girlfriends, she still wasn't satisfied—she wanted more, and more...
Kotomi Izumi looked at Yukino Yukinoshita's delicate face. Compared to usual, Yukino's cheeks now carried a hint of nervousness and anticipation.
Yukino... why did you have to confess to me at a time like this? Heh, I guess this is partly my fault too. After all, I was the one who repeatedly warned Megumi and Yui not to tell anyone about our relationship. Yukino must think I've never dated anyone, that I don't have a girlfriend, and that Yui is just a normal friend... that's why she chose this moment to confess...
Kotomi Izumi thought to herself, a bitter and helpless smile unconsciously forming at the corner of her lips.
With her usual keen perception, Yukino Yukinoshita naturally noticed that faint, bitter smile mixed with helplessness on Kotomi's lips.
It was like a thorn stabbing deeply into Yukino Yukinoshita's heart, making the suffocating tension born from her nervous anticipation suddenly turn into sharp pain!!!
Even though Kotomi hadn't said a single word, Yukino already had an answer in her heart.
Kotomi... are you going to reject me? As expected, your heart only has Yui. Not even the smallest space are you willing to leave for me...
Yukino Yukinoshita's eyes trembled uncontrollably. The bitterness in her heart made her want to burst into tears.
She bit her lower lip tightly, as if trying to use pain to suppress the sorrow and the tears about to spill from her eyes. She refused to let her pride be washed away by tears! She raised her head like a proud white swan—but the only reason she did so was to keep her tears from falling.
After a long while, Yukino Yukinoshita forced herself to endure the pain in her heart and broke the silence between them. Since she had already seen the answer in Kotomi's bitter smile, there was no need to prolong the waiting. No matter how long she waited, it wouldn't change the outcome of being rejected.
"...S-sorry. I suddenly said all those strange things. It must have made things difficult for you, right?"
Yukino Yukinoshita's trembling voice seemed to be forcibly suppressing the sorrow and pain in her heart.
"That's not it," Kotomi Izumi suddenly said.
Kotomi's words caught Yukino Yukinoshita completely off guard. She had thought that when Kotomi spoke again, it would be to reject her.
But that wasn't the case. Kotomi had denied her statement just now—not the confession itself.
"Th-then what is it?"
Yukino Yukinoshita asked in a daze. She found herself a little ridiculous—Kotomi hadn't even accepted her confession, yet just a single "that's not it" had already made her feel a bit relieved.
Perhaps... my heart really is gradually turning into a puppet controlled by Kotomi. Maybe before long, my entire heart will completely fall under her control...
Yukino Yukinoshita thought silently, her gaze fixed on Kotomi's face.
Unlike before, there was now an emotion in her eyes that she had not dared to reveal earlier.
That emotion... was love!
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