"Sister, stop making wild guesses,"
"So you really thought the same thing too,"
"Even if Lin-kun goes to other girls and spends the night with them, I can accept that,"
In the end, Ryou Fujibayashi laid down harsh words, completely cutting off any reply Kyou Fujibayashi could give.
Since her Sister had put it that way, all she, as the elder sister, could do was accept it.
Ryou Fujibayashi was also afraid of being led astray by her sister into overthinking, which would only drag her into even more inner turmoil.
So she decided to just outright state the worst-case scenario and declare that she accepted it, that way all of her sister's words would lose their effect.
Moreover,
Ryou Fujibayashi had a thought of her own,
the one she felt most sorry toward wasn't her own sister, Kyou Fujibayashi, but her dear friend, Ren Nanase.
Ren had met Lin Ye even earlier than her, had fallen for Lin Ye even earlier, and had even once expressed that fondness right in front of her.
But as her friend, she had failed to uphold her own principles—not only had she fallen for Lin Ye, she had even gotten intimate with Lin Ye.
She truly felt sorry toward Ren,
Lately, she had been constantly wondering whether to tell Ren,
but every time she saw Ren, every time she wanted to speak up, the words stuck in her throat, impossible to say.
She was afraid; she shrank back.
"Phew…"
Next time, next time for sure, I will make things clear with Ren.
Ryou Fujibayashi silently thought.
Kyou Fujibayashi shook her head,
she had already known her sister was beyond saving, that there was no pulling her back, but that it had reached this degree—that she truly hadn't anticipated.
Lin Ye going off to spend the night with other girls, and her sister could even accept it.
What else could she possibly do!
All she could do was accept it too.
Sigh!
A single sigh,
the moment Kyou Fujibayashi thought of her sister having to face so many rivals in love, she couldn't help but feel worried for her sister.
Her timid sister—how could she ever be a match for those wicked women.
Her sister was too gentle, too good-natured, with that born-to-be-bullied air about her.
How could she rest easy,
better that she step in to help her sister…
The very instant this thought surfaced, Kyou Fujibayashi froze,
wasn't—wasn't this exactly the same as what her sister had said?
She… mustn't.
The two Fujibayashi sisters were destined to lie awake tonight as well.
...
...
Lin Ye arrived downstairs at Yukinoshita's apartment building,
the building's entrance door opened very quickly,
he soon boarded the elevator,
the apartment door was already open, and the girl with long black hair, dressed in loose, light-colored loungewear, was already waiting at the doorway.
"Here are the slippers,"
she pointed to the slippers already laid out on the floor.
"Mm,"
Lin Ye stepped inside,
compared to before, the apartment carried an added trace of pleasant, subtle fragrance.
It was Yukinoshita having used some scented perfume and aroma diffusers.
Compared to before, this made Lin Ye realize this must surely be a change the girl had made because of him.
"It smells lovely."
Upon entering, Lin Ye immediately offered praise,
Yukino Yukinoshita gave an "mm," accepting Lin Ye's compliment.
Lin Ye had wanted to point out the reason for Yukino's change, but on second thought it might provoke Yukino's embarrassment and quite possibly trigger her contrary streak, so he decided not to say it.
This matter wasn't all that important anyway.
Out of habit, Lin Ye sat down on the sofa, and Yukino poured him a cup of plain boiled water.
Because Lin Ye had once mentioned he didn't drink tea at night, the attentive girl had already committed it to memory,
"Phew…"
Lin Ye blew on it, took a sip, "So what's the reason you called me over today?"
This made Yukino, who was sitting beside Lin Ye, quickly shoot him a sidelong glare,
this guy clearly knew, yet was deliberately pretending he didn't.
"I am your girlfriend, and also your fiancée,"
the cool, aloof words sounded, as she reasserted her claim of ownership.
She didn't continue, but she was already giving the reminder.
Yukino was that kind of girl—even when she wanted to ask directly in her heart, she held it in and wouldn't say it aloud, waiting for him to bring it up himself.
Sometimes he forced the girl to voice the question herself; sometimes he played along with her,
this time, he chose the latter!
"I had a meal with Isshiki. I won't repeat all the suggestive, flirtatious remarks she made—you already know about them."
"Mm,"
Yukino Yukinoshita knew, and had even witnessed it several times.
Today she had even seen Isshiki linking arms with Lin Ye—this behavior grew more excessive each time.
"And then!"
"We took a walk, and I saw her home,"
"Just that?"
Yukinoshita instinctively wasn't quite convinced.
She sniffed, and could still faintly catch the trace of Isshiki's faint scent clinging to Lin Ye.
"The detailed version is that she held my hand as we walked,"
after some thought, Lin Ye still informed her of this matter, which made Yukino's expression shift slightly.
What holding hands on a walk signified—how could she not know.
The girl's dark blue eyes gazed at him, a thread of melancholy and sorrow flowing within them.
Why, accepting yet another one—weren't she and Mai Sakurajima already enough?
"Yukino, let me explain first—I was forced to agree to hold hands with her on the walk because of a certain matter, that's all. None of the other things you're worried about happened. I have consistently and firmly refused her,"
Lin Ye spoke very earnestly, "Whether she's joking or being serious, I refuse her either way,"
Yukino Yukinoshita recalled, and gave this statement of Lin Ye's her basic trust.
"Mm,"
"So, Yukino, don't overthink it. I'm hardly a man Isshiki can obtain,"
"Full of yourself,"
"It's the truth,"
Without even realizing it, Lin Ye had closed the distance between himself and Yukinoshita. The two had originally been thirty centimeters apart, but now, through Lin Ye's efforts, the two were already pressed close together.
Yukinoshita had already noticed, but she didn't say anything, much less do anything.
They had already kissed and touched—merely leaning against him was honestly nothing at all.
The next second,
Yukino's expression shifted slightly, but more than anything it was helplessness.
This guy had placed his hand on her leg.
"I don't like being touched by a hand that's held another woman's hand,"
Lin Ye immediately lifted his hand, "I'll go wash it right now,"
He didn't hesitate, immediately heading to the bathroom,
this swift retreating figure made Yukino Yukinoshita unconsciously reveal a natural smile,
a kind of sweet, in-love feeling.
She couldn't help but realize it.
Yukino Yukinoshita was also gradually realizing that she had already fallen into love herself,
she had once believed she would never encounter love during her high school years, never date anyone; yet if it could be said that becoming engaged to Lin Ye and becoming his lover had been more out of unavoidable circumstance—
then now, she felt she had truly confirmed that she and Lin Ye were indeed dating; she had the feeling of being in love.
"Splash splash…"
Lin Ye lathered up with hand soap twice, rinsed clean, and returned to the living room, sitting down beside Yukino.
"Yukino, all washed clean."
"If Isshiki knew, she would be heartbroken,"
"Her being heartbroken—isn't that exactly what we need? Shouldn't you be happy, Yukino?"
Lin Ye said with a smile.
Yukino continued to glare sidelong at him.
If Isshiki could withdraw, then she would indeed be happy. But only that—she didn't feel especially happy.
"I'd rather it be someone else who's heartbroken."
That one sentence let Lin Ye know who Yukinoshita meant.
Mai Sakurajima,
"That would be far too difficult."
At once Lin Ye felt the girl's sidelong glare,
"How could I ever let my girlfriend be heartbroken! Isn't that right, Yukino."
As he spoke, Lin Ye leaned in even closer, his right hand wrapping around the girl's slender waist.
Because of the loungewear, the fabric was very thin and light, and the touch was all the better.
Lin Ye couldn't help but gently begin to caress.
Yukinoshita felt a bit uncomfortable and shifted slightly, wanting to break free but unable to find a good reason.
Seeing the girl tacitly allow it, Lin Ye grew a little bolder.
But this time he was met with the girl's resolute words, "That's enough."
She realized that if she kept tolerating it, this guy Lin Ye's behavior would only grow more and more excessive.
Sure enough, some things had to be firmly refused right from the start.
Lin Ye stopped, but after a few minutes he started again—though compared to last time, to a far lesser degree.
This guy,
Yukino thought to herself.
"Yukino, is there anything else you called me over for?"
"There is."
She did have other matters.
"Go ahead."
"When are you going to arrange for me to meet Miss Mai again."
Last time they had met and stayed over, but that had merely been Mai Sakurajima one-sidedly seeing her, while she hadn't seen Mai Sakurajima at all, let alone had a proper conversation.
This time, Yukino was determined to meet Mai Sakurajima, and to talk with her once based on their current relationship and standing.
That was her thinking, but to Lin Ye, this carried an unmistakable air of a Shuraba.
Have Mai Sakurajima and Yukino Yukinoshita calmly converse over tea and a meal?
Impossible, absolutely impossible.
"Lost your nerve?"
Yukino Yukinoshita said softly,
she had perceived Lin Ye's meaning from his reaction,
"Since you dared to date two girlfriends, now you don't dare let the two girlfriends meet?"
That was a taunt, that was a provocation, that was pressuring Lin Ye to make a decision.
"I'm afraid you'll come out the loser, Yukino."
The moment he finished, he was met with Yukino's cold glare,
the meaning of that gaze was simple: you think I'd come out the loser?
Utterly impossible.
Me, Yukino Yukinoshita, afraid of coming out the loser.
"Fine! I'm afraid Mai will come out the loser."
But the chill in Yukino's gaze only deepened.
Lin Ye grew awkward—nothing he said was right.
"I'm afraid I'll come out the loser—that works, doesn't it!"
Yukino's expression didn't change, but the corners of her mouth still curved up ever so faintly; she had still cracked a bit of a smile.
"Even if you're afraid, it still has to be done,"
This was Yukino Yukinoshita's decision, "If you don't contact her, I'll find a connection and contact her myself. She'll definitely agree."
That was indeed true—if Yukino were the one inviting Mai, Mai really would have no reason to refuse.
Or rather, Mai probably wanted to see Yukino again too!
It was only that Mai hadn't raised any similar request for now—on one hand because of her own work commitments, and on the other because she was considering his mood and his thoughts.
Mai didn't want to put him in too difficult a position.
And now Yukino had been the first to bring it up.
Lin Ye had assumed he could stall it out for a few months, letting both sides solidify their relationships first.
"I promise you, I'll get in touch. But Mai's been rather busy lately."
This was also the truth, and Yukino knew it, but she also knew it was Lin Ye's stalling excuse.
Still, she didn't intend to keep pressing Lin Ye; it was enough that Lin Ye had compromised and agreed.
"All right."
If Lin Ye later failed to follow through, she would find another chance to raise the demand again.
The next time she brought it up, it would mean immediately arranging to go meet Mai Sakurajima.
She very much wanted to talk with Mai Sakurajima and see how Mai Sakurajima viewed their current three-person relationship.
After agreeing, Lin Ye felt it necessary to demand some compensation from Yukino.
So, he began his little maneuvers again, and in the end even gathered the girl into his embrace.
The two of them met each other's eyes, the ambiguous atmosphere growing ever thicker.
Yukino Yukinoshita knew what Lin Ye wanted to do.
How many times had it been today already?
Still more?
Helplessness, ever more helplessness.
But she didn't refuse either—she'd just treat it as a small reward!
The girl slowly closed her eyes, leaving only her long lashes trembling faintly.
Lin Ye understood at once that the girl had already permitted his subsequent actions.
He didn't hesitate in the slightest, immediately kissing her, once again seizing the girl's red lips.
This feeling really was somewhat addictive.
His affection and fondness for Yukinoshita came, on one hand, from his past life's love for two-dimensional heroines, and on the other, from having gradually grown fond of this girl while getting along with her after transmigrating into this world.
She was beautiful and lovely, faintly cold and proud yet also gentle.
Lin Ye liked her very much.
And now, with the two already in the relationship of lovers and betrothed, he held back nothing in his heart regarding any intimate behavior toward the girl.
If he couldn't even take liberties with his own girlfriend and fiancée, how would that make any sense!
So, he could now be said to have let himself go—and more so, it was like making up for his past restraint, redoubling his efforts to reclaim it from the girl.
This kiss was merely the first step.
"Mmh…"
A few minutes later, Yukinoshita was panting, her cheeks flushed crimson, her eyes hazy with a thread of allure.
It was no longer her first time experiencing this, yet every time it sent ripples through her most sensitive nerves.
"Yukino…"
Different from his usual voice, Yukino caught the desire in Lin Ye's words.
This was definitely not merely kissing and taking liberties—it was…
She thought of something.
The sealed, private apartment, the ambiguous atmosphere, and the impulse lingering from the kiss they'd just shared,
if things went on like this, she felt they really would reach that step.
So fast!
So fast that even Yukinoshita couldn't keep up.
Hadn't this guy always been so cold and indifferent? Hadn't he never shown any particular interest in the opposite sex?
Why today… was it because of her?
Yukinoshita couldn't help but think.
Joy overflowed within her heart.
In her daze of thought, the very next second she felt her body being gently pushed down to lie on the sofa.
Lin Ye had both hands braced on either side of her body.
She met Lin Ye's gaze, their four eyes meeting, and her heart trembled.
Her clothes had been loosened just a little.
This was completely different from the furtive liberties before.
This was truly about to be something.
The girl gripped Lin Ye's hand with one of hers, turning her little head aside, leaving only an exquisite profile.
"You want to continue…"
Am I about to be refused?
A thought surfaced in Lin Ye's mind.
"You may…"
But the girl's next words shattered his guess, setting his heart ablaze in an instant.
"But please sever your ties cleanly with the other girls. As long as you can promise me that, you may continue…"
This was her condition.
Lin Ye was stunned.
...
If he thought about it carefully, a condition like this from Yukinoshita suited her character.
He and Yukinoshita were already affectionate with each other, had confirmed their relationship as lovers, had the betrothal of fiancés, and their parents had already acknowledged it.
The girl herself was the very traditional sort, and after being kissed and touched by him, with only the final step remaining, she was already incapable of treating him as just an ordinary man—she was treating him as her future husband.
And since her husband had such a desire, she as his wife could accept it; but because of the complicated situation the two currently faced, it led the girl to put forth such a condition.
Sever ties cleanly with the other women—indeed, just a single promise from him would suffice; she didn't need him to call them up right now and declare a breakup.
This could be said to be absolute trust in him, placing the highest trust in his promise.
Were it a scumbag, a scumbag coveting the girl's body, he would absolutely make the promise right now—and even failing to fulfill that promise for a while would be no problem; he could stall it out as much as he wanted.
Because the girl already had an enormous sunk cost, she could no longer easily cut her losses; even if she suspected he wouldn't keep his word, the girl wouldn't immediately leave—she'd only completely give up at the very last moment of despair.
And by that time, to put it crudely, the girl would perhaps already have been played with until he'd grown bored.
So…
Gazing at the girl who had closed her eyes within his field of vision, Lin Ye's heart instead grew directly calm.
He shouldn't let the girl down, and now even more so he couldn't give the girl this promise.
His promises were precious; he was one to do as he said and keep his word.
Things he couldn't accomplish, he wouldn't agree to.
Likewise, he didn't want to betray the girl's trust and reliance.
Lin Ye leaned in closer,
the girl grew nervous, the trembling of her lashes growing even more pronounced.
Lin Ye kissed the girl's forehead.
Yukinoshita was startled, but she kept still all the same.
The next second, he kissed the girl's red lips.
Yukinoshita responded of her own accord.
Only, Lin Ye then pulled away.
"Yukino…"
"Mm?"
Yukino opened her eyes.
"Thank you."
Yukino was puzzled.
Why thank her.
"I don't want to deceive you. I don't want to betray the trust you place in me."
At those words, Yukino understood too.
He had refused.
It truly left her feelings conflicted.
An ordinary man would absolutely have agreed first—with the little head already taking effect, how could the big head still keep control.
But Lin Ye had rationally held himself in check.
Things he couldn't fulfill, he simply wouldn't promise.
Yukino sighed mournfully… her charm still wasn't enough to make her lose her reason.
"There won't be a chance like this later."
"Mm, but I believe there will be."
Yukino glared sidelong at him, "Sit properly."
At the girl's demand, Lin Ye braced himself and stood up straight.
After rising, Yukino straightened her clothes, "I'm going to wash up, shower, and rest."
"Mm, understood."
Lin Ye nodded, "I'll scrub your back for you."
Yukino threw out several question marks.
She suppressed her smile, yet was also a little incensed,
"In your dreams."
"Isn't scrubbing your girlfriend's back the most natural thing in the world?"
"Not needed."
"Then you scrub my back."
This one, Yukinoshita could actually accept.
"Then it's happily decided—we'll bathe together."
So this bastard's goal was this all along!
Yukino cried out inwardly.
In the end, Yukinoshita didn't agree after all.
Meanwhile, Lin Ye thought of testing his new superpower.
Tonight both the opportunity and the setting were suitable—a perfect chance for another test.
Lin Ye looked toward the girl,
and at this moment the girl with long black hair shuddered all over.
...
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