Nozomi did not continue to dwell on why Yukinoshita Yukino was in Sakurasou, much less why she was in Yuki Suoh's room of all places.
He let out a slow breath.
The warmth of it brushed against Yukino's delicate ear, making her flinch.
"Hnn..."
The moment his lips landed on her earlobe, a vivid flush painted Yukinoshita Yukino's already porcelain face. Her fingers curled as she pushed against his chest, her voice trembling.
"D-Don't… don't be so sudden... It tickles."
Nozomi chuckled mischievously. "Yukino, you smell so good tonight."
"Shut up," she muttered, trying to sound stern, but her voice carried more embarrassment than command. "Don't spout such shameless things."
Her words scolded, but her eyes wavered under the weight of his gaze, a heat stirring in the quiet spaces between them. His gaze was not the playful kind she'd grown used to—it was intense, like a smoldering fire under a calm surface.
Was she… going to give herself to him tonight?
It wasn't like she hadn't thought about it. In fact, ever since Yuki Suoh had tempted her with her usual schemes and suggestions, Yukino had given in to a rash plan—offering herself as a surprise. But now, lying here with Nozomi so close, her boldness from earlier wavered like a candle in the wind.
She would be meeting his mother the day after tomorrow… they'd be getting officially engaged.
Was she truly ready?
Nozomi, of course, wasn't bothered by her hesitation. The second daughter of the Yukinoshita family was nestled in his arms—what was there to be upset about?
He pulled her a little closer, his voice low and teasing. "Yukino… can I be just a little naughty?"
Yukino didn't answer right away. Instead, she gently pushed his hand from her cheek and rested her face against his chest. She was small, much smaller than him—her head only just reached his collarbone when standing tall. In his arms, she seemed even more delicate.
Nozomi blinked. Was that a yes or a no?
Still, she wasn't pulling away.
And her breathing—soft, quick, uncertain—gave her away.
Was she… anticipating what he would do next?
To do nothing at this point would be almost criminal.
Nozomi exhaled, firmed his hold around her slim waist, and gently lifted her into his lap.
"Wuwuwu…!"
She gave a muffled protest, but it was quickly silenced as he tilted her chin and kissed her.
...…
Her lips were cool and soft, like jelly kissed by moonlight—sweet with just a hint of winter.
He lingered, a little lost in her taste.
Yukino's cheeks blazed. Her first instinct was to press against his chest, objecting weakly. But this wasn't their first kiss… and something in her heart had changed since those early flustered days.
Their rhythm had found harmony.
Her resistance faded into shyness, and then into acceptance.
With trembling fingers, she wrapped her arms around his neck, leaning into him. She kissed him back—gently, hesitantly, but willingly.
...…
Nozomi eventually pulled away, his eyes drinking in her face. Her eyes were misty, glimmering under the moonlight like ripples on a quiet lake.
He smiled gently, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.
"Yukino… thank you for tonight. That was a wonderful surprise. I'm really happy."
"Mm," she murmured, too shy to meet his gaze. Her hands gripped the hem of his shirt tightly, as if afraid he might vanish.
Nozomi chuckled softly, then lay down with her still in his arms. He tucked the blanket around her with quiet care.
"Sleep now, okay?"
Yukino blinked, confused. "You… you're not going to…?"
Nozomi shook his head, resting his chin gently atop her head.
"Of course I want to. But I also treasure you, Yukino."
He smiled wryly. "Besides, this is Yuki's room. Are you really okay giving yourself to me here?"
Yukino bit her lip and turned away. "...No."
He smirked. "Then shall we head to my room?"
Yukino immediately shot him a glare. "Nozomi!"
She huffed and turned her back to him. "You're so annoying. That's it! Today is canceled!"
He laughed, amused by her adorable pout.
As he reached out and gently smoothed her hair, his tone softened.
"Shame. I had something I wanted to talk to you about."
"Hm? What is it?" she asked, looking back with curiosity.
"Madam Yukinoshita will be visiting the day after tomorrow. She'll be coming to discuss an engagement…"
Yukino blinked. "Ours?"
"…Between me and your sister, Haruno."
Her heart sank.
Her breath caught in her throat.
"…Eh?"
It was like a string in her chest had snapped. She stared at him, wide-eyed.
Miss Yukinoshita's voice trembled as she raised her eyes to meet his. "The day after tomorrow, Madam Yukinoshita will discuss the marriage between you... and my sister?"
Yukinoshita Yukino's beautiful eyes widened with disbelief. She froze, her thoughts spinning like a whirlwind. Her chest tightened as though she had been struck.
Wait... it was her sister, Yukinoshita Haruno, who was getting engaged to Nozomi?
Not her?
The realization hit her like a slap. Now that she thought about it, Nozomi had never explicitly said it was her he was going to be engaged to. And yet... hadn't he always called her his fiancée? Hadn't he held her, kissed her, whispered sweet promises in her ear?
Her lips quivered, and her eyes filled with tears.
"You… You liar…!"
She bit her lower lip, trying to hold back the sob rising in her throat.
Nozomi quickly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace. "Yukino, listen. I told Madam Yukinoshita that I want to be engaged to both you and your sister at the same time. I couldn't choose. I want you both."
Yukino blinked, stunned. Then she laughed—an angry, almost disbelieving laugh. "Are you out of your mind? Do you think my mother is an idiot? You want to take both daughters of the Yukinoshita family as your fiancées? What kind of protagonist from a light novel do you think you are!?"
"I'm your fiancé," he said calmly.
"Liar!" she shouted, her voice cracking. "You liar! Let go of me—uwaaa!"
Yukino pounded her fists weakly against his chest, her tears finally flowing.
Nozomi didn't resist. He said nothing more. He only lowered his head and pressed a gentle kiss to her trembling lips.
She froze, then slowly wrapped her arms around his neck, clinging to him as her sobs quieted.
She cried, not just from sadness, but from frustration.
Deep down, hadn't she already known?
Hadn't her heart already accepted his chaotic, selfish love?
Even though he was cruel sometimes, even though he said things that hurt her, Nozomi never let her go. His embrace was always firm, always warm, as if saying he would never let anyone take her away.
The news of his engagement to her sister didn't crush her. It simply reminded her that she had always been second.
Just like when they were children.
Just like every time she had been compared to Haruno.
"I'm always... the substitute," she whispered bitterly.
Nozomi gently wiped her tears with his thumb and kissed her again, softer this time, like a vow.
"Yukino... you're not a substitute. You're still my fiancée. I'll talk to your mother. I'll make her understand. Don't cry, please. Seeing your tears—it breaks me."
She turned her head away, embarrassed. "You're... the worst."
"I know. I'm selfish and the worst. But I love Yukino. So even if it makes me a villain, I want to keep you by my side, always. I don't want a future where you're not with me."
His voice cracked with emotion.
Without warning, he reached out and started to unbutton her shirt.
Yukino's breath caught. She stared at him, her face burning red. "W-What are you doing!? Didn't you say this is Yuki's room and it's inappropriate?"
Nozomi met her gaze, his voice low and firm. "I did. But now... I'm scared of losing you. Even if I cherish you, even if I want to wait, right now... I just want you to be mine. Completely. If I take that step, you'll never be able to leave me, right?"
Her heart pounded like a drum. Seeing the seriousness in his eyes, she trembled. Then, almost defiantly, she raised her arms and circled them around his neck.
"Before you do anything... answer me honestly."
"If you had to choose—between me and Haruno—who would you pick?"
Nozomi froze.
"Uh... Can't I have both?"
"No."
Yukino's voice was firm. "You can only choose one. Choose now. If you don't... I won't give myself to you. Ever. Don't even think about touching me again. Not even a kiss. This is your last chance, Nozomi."