It might've been a little early for a bath at this hour, but Utaha was in such a good mood she didn't care.
After a brief hesitation, she decided to give Haru the chance to reap some "benefits."
When the tub was filled, she told him and slipped into the bathroom, shedding her clothes. With her long hair gathered neatly into a shower cap, her body sank into the hot water. She let out a soft hum of pleasure, her eyes narrowing in bliss.
She had to admit—soaking at night felt amazing.
Only moments ago she'd been second-guessing herself, but now she'd completely forgotten her earlier misgivings.
There's still plenty of time tonight… what should we play?
Her gaze drifted over the misty bathroom, equal parts expectant and wistful about what might come next.
She already knew Haru's skill behind a camera, which only made her anticipation greater. This would be her very first photo set, and she was genuinely excited.
Capturing her beauty shouldn't be difficult for him—so perhaps… she could be bolder?
Maybe even something a little more private?
But as the thought stirred in her heart, she remembered what he'd said earlier—that he wanted to bathe with her, almost like he couldn't wait. So why wasn't he here yet?
Don't tell me… he's waiting outside, trying to lull me into dropping my guard, only to suddenly burst in and scare me?
Given what she knew about him, it wasn't impossible.
But she was wrong.
At that moment, Haru was at the front door, letting Yukino back inside.
"You just came back? Did Hiratsuka-sensei and the others say anything?"
"They thought I had an urgent matter at home, so they didn't ask much," Yukino replied, bending to slip off her shoes. "Kato seemed to guess something, but it's fine. She shouldn't come over."
Haru glanced at her delicate feet sliding into the slippers. "You're really going to hide in the wardrobe? Honestly, even I think that's childish."
Yukino froze for a heartbeat, then lifted her head with calm composure. "At first I wasn't interested either. But then I thought… if it were Utaha-senpai in my place, she would absolutely do it."
Haru raised a brow. "No… she'd probably just watch openly from the sidelines."
Yukino's lips curved faintly. "You're forgetting one condition—it's her birthday."
That gave Haru pause. He couldn't refute it.
It was true. With their history, their time together, even their battles fought side by side, Yukino would naturally give Utaha face on her birthday.
But giving face was one thing—letting Utaha claim this first? Unacceptable.
She wouldn't say the words out loud, but deep down Yukino couldn't help thinking: It should have been me first.
That tiny twist of jealousy gnawed at her. And since it was Utaha's birthday, Yukino had to swallow it quietly.
Still, she could at least watch. If Utaha made some shameless request, or struck some daring, suggestive pose, Yukino could catch it on her phone. One more piece of blackmail to keep in reserve.
But really, what stung most was being beaten to the punch.
Even if it was by her battlefield ally, she couldn't just shrug it off.
As they reached the living room, Yukino caught the faint sounds from the bathroom. "You lured her in there already?"
"More like… I made a sacrifice to cover for you," Haru replied.
"Sacrifice?"
But when she saw the set of pajamas lying on the sofa, her expression darkened. "You were planning to bathe with her?"
Yukino knew better than anyone what that meant. She had bathed with him once herself—she knew full well what could happen when a man and woman were alone in that space. And she knew Haru. He wasn't without restraint, but he was hopelessly lecherous.
If he went in… something would happen.
And she was supposed to sit outside, listening? Absolutely not.
Seeing her thoughts, Haru tried to reassure her. "It's just a temporary cover."
"More like you're planning to throw yourself in and enjoy it," Yukino shot back flatly.
Haru chuckled. "As expected of you, Yukino—pulling idioms like that straight from your sleeve."
"…Do you really think flattery helps right now?"
"Worth a try."
Still smiling, he added, "I never planned to bathe with her. I only said it to distract her for you."
"And now you're not going in?" Yukino's tone dripped with disbelief.
"I could… help wash her back. Or just chat."
"And then, mid-chat, you'd slip in next to her, right?" she retorted.
Instead of denying it, Haru laughed outright.
Yukino frowned. "What's so funny?"
"Don't you see? The way you're sulking—it's adorable. You're actually jealous."
Her cheeks flushed instantly, and she turned away.
Denying it was pointless. Just thinking of Utaha stealing the photoshoot first made her chest ache with bitterness.
Otherwise, why would she have rushed back here at all?
Haru raised a finger, grinning like a mischievous schemer. "I have an idea."
Feigning indifference, Yukino bent down to pet the cat, hiding her blush. "…What idea?"
"You don't need to hide."
"…What?"
"Both of you can model for me. Problem solved."
Yukino froze, blinking. It took her nearly a second to process.
Then her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Wait… was this your plan all along?"
"Of course not. I'm not clairvoyant. I didn't know Utaha wanted a photoshoot, and I didn't know you'd spill the info."
That silenced her.
Two-person photoshoot… the thought alone sounded far too intimate.
Yet compared to crouching in a wardrobe, it did make more sense.
Yukino tried to convince herself: It's just photos. Ordinary photos.
But the photographer was Haru. And she could already imagine him giving outrageous instructions, pushing them into embarrassing poses.
If it were only Utaha, maybe he'd restrain himself.
But with both of them together…
Double the fun, right?
"Haru, are you in the living room?"
Utaha's voice floated from the bathroom, full of suspicion. She'd been waiting too long, her mind filling with questions.
Haru glanced at Yukino, lips quirking. "So? Have you decided?"
Yukino bit her lip. "…We'll do it your way."
Exactly as he expected.
Double the fun, indeed.
Flustered, Yukino grabbed a set of clothes from the bedroom, speaking quickly: "You don't need to go in. I'll do it."
"Sure," Haru agreed easily.
Bathing with Utaha could wait—there'd be chances later.
But a joint photoshoot? That opportunity might never come again.
And besides, he could already picture it: Bunny Girl Senpai and Cat Girl side by side, both posing just for him.
The thought alone made his blood race.
Meanwhile, in the bathroom—
Utaha, puzzled by Haru's silence, perked up at the sound of approaching footsteps. Her lips curled into a lazy smirk as she leaned on the tub's edge, eyes glinting with mischief.
So he really does plan to scare me? How childish.
She was ready to savor his little "performance."
But when the figure finally stepped inside, Utaha froze.
"…What's with that ghost-stricken look, Senpai?"
Yukino's tone was calm, almost bored. But the faint sparkle in her eyes betrayed how much she enjoyed Utaha's reaction.
"Wait, Yukino? Why are you here? Weren't you out?" Utaha's composure cracked.
"I was," Yukino said lightly. "But I came back midway."
"That's not what I meant—"
"You want to know why I came back?"
"Exactly!"
"I don't feel like telling you."
"…"
Utaha was stunned into silence.
Two seconds later, she pressed her palm to her forehead in exasperation and muttered,
"No wonder he hasn't come in for so long… Turns out you ambushed him halfway like some gank in a game."
Yukino ignored her and calmly tied up her long black hair with a shower cap. She had no intention of getting it wet tonight.
"So… you came to bathe with me?" Utaha asked, her tone a little complicated.
"Is that not allowed?" Yukino countered.
"…Suit yourself."
Of course Utaha minded.
Her perfect, private evening had just been hijacked.
She propped herself lazily against the edge of the tub, eyes fixed on Yukino undressing, and deliberately teased,
"What a shame I didn't bring my phone. Otherwise, I'd definitely snap a picture of this."
"I should remind you," Yukino replied coolly, pulling a phone out of her pocket, "that I do have mine."
Utaha instantly shut her mouth.
Right now, Yukino was still in her underwear—whereas she herself was already completely bare. Best not to push her luck about photos.
She didn't speak again, only watched in silence.
Yukino wore a simple set of plain white underwear, no patterns, no frills—so modest it almost looked boring. And yet, against her pale, porcelain skin, the effect was anything but. With her lustrous black hair tied up, the elegant line of her smooth back was revealed, flawless as carved jade.
Her delicate waist curved gracefully, not an ounce of excess flesh to be seen. Long, slender legs stepped lightly against the slippers, her entire figure radiating a fragile, artistic beauty, white and unblemished as marble.
Utaha often provoked Yukino with remarks about her body, but in truth, she knew very well—apart from being a little flat-chested, Yukino had no shortcomings at all.
She herself was voluptuous and mature, Yukino was slender and refined. Two completely different charms.
And besides, they were still young. Who could say Yukino wouldn't fill out someday?
Perhaps after entering the workforce… perhaps after having children… she might very well change.
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
Yukino's long legs carried her closer, her gaze filled with faint irritation.
Utaha stretched languidly, showing off her own flawless figure as she slid back to make room.
"You're too skinny, Yukino."
"No," Yukino replied firmly, slipping into the tub and letting out a soft sigh as the warm water embraced her, "my weight is just right."
Only after savoring that first wave of comfort did she continue,
"I've done proper research. Haru even made me a complete, scientifically planned training regimen. My weight's been perfectly healthy."
Utaha had to admit she was right, but she still muttered,
"I suppose… you are a little shorter, and smaller in general. That weight makes sense."
Yukino didn't flinch. Instead, she countered with a dry barb,
"Is your chest really the only thing you can brag about, senpai?"
"No," Utaha replied sweetly, "but I think that's quite enough."
"Ha."
Yukino's cold little laugh ended the exchange.
The hot water rippled softly between them, steam rising and swirling until it blurred their vision of each other.
Yukino leaned back, fully relaxing, her expression turning uncharacteristically hazy. Her breathing grew long and languid, her lips parting ever so slightly, as if she were a fish surfacing for air.
Utaha couldn't help but stare.
No wonder Haru was so taken with her.
Even as a girl herself, seeing Yukino like this—unguarded, at ease, achingly beautiful—made her think she was adorable.
This was a side Yukino would never show at school. A side only someone close could ever see.
Still, Utaha couldn't help wondering—why had she come back midway?
Surely, it was to stop Haru from photographing her alone.
But… could it be that Yukino intended to take photos with her?
The thought crossed her mind and she instantly dismissed it. That just didn't fit her image of Yukino.
Then Yukino's soft voice drifted over,
"Every time I lie in the bath like this, I don't want to get out… especially on a night like tonight."
The first part sounded normal enough—Utaha felt the same way.
But the second part… what did she mean by that?
She blinked. "What do you mean, a night like tonight?"
Yukino's reply was calm, almost casual.
"Haru's waiting outside right now."
"…Waiting for what?"
"For us to get dressed and become his models."
"…Hah?"
Utaha shot upright, splashing water everywhere—right into Yukino's face.
"What are you doing?" Yukino sputtered, annoyed as she wiped her eyes.
But Utaha only stared at her in shock.
Nani? So the intel was real?
Weren't the photos supposed to be just her and Haru?
How did it suddenly turn into a duo event?!
~~~~~~~~~~
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