"What's so special about being a genius?" Hikigaya Hachiman muttered, glancing at the wall clock decorated with a Mr. Pan design. It was already half past one in the morning. "If it's that important, say it tomorrow. I'm going to sleep."
"Sleep? You just woke up," Yukinoshita Yukino replied sharply. "Get up."
It suddenly dawned on her this was her bed. And Hachiman, having laid back down, was lying right in her usual spot, his face buried in her pillow, inhaling the lingering scent of her hair.
A flush of crimson spread across Yukino's cheeks as she kicked off her slippers and leapt onto the bed in a flustered panic.
"This is my bed! If you want to sleep, go to the living room. There's a couch there."
"Hold on. You brought me here. It's not like I insisted on coming over. Why should I go sleep on the couch?" came Hachiman's muffled protest from the pillow, his voice tinged with annoyance, his nose filled with the soft, familiar fragrance.
"So what should I go sleep on the couch instead?" Yukino reached out her pale, porcelain-like hand, trying to push him off the bed. Despite her Aikido training, her slender arms didn't offer much in the way of physical strength.
Irritated, she turned around and began lightly kicking Hachiman with her meticulously maintained feet, trying to shove him off her bed. Her toes, round and pearly like tiny gems, were smooth and delicate, though the bluish veins visible beneath her pale skin revealed her frailty rather than detracting from their elegance. If anything, the contrast made them seem even more delicate inviting protection, rather than repulsion.
Yet no matter how hard she pushed or kicked, Hachiman didn't budge as though nailed to the mattress.
Frustrated, Yukino raised her foot and pressed it directly against Hachiman's face, gently rubbing it across his cheek in defiance. But in response, he suddenly turned his head. A warm gust of breath grazed her sole and then, in an act of devilish mischief, he lightly licked it.
The sensation, so foreign and stimulating, made Yukino's body weaken instantly. She collapsed onto the bed, glaring at Hachiman like a startled kitten too flustered to fight back, her only defense was puffing up in indignation.
Hachiman casually wiped her foot clean with his shirt, adjusted her posture, and gently repositioned her placing her just ten centimeters from himself. Then he softly cradled her turned-away face, guiding her to look back at him.
"Can you not stare at me like that? Your dead-fish eyes are seriously disturbing."
Even as she said it, he sat up. "If you're not sleeping, where are you going?" he asked, confused as she walked out of the room.
"To grab something that'll fix your dead-fish eyes. Wait here."
Yukino offered him a faint smile before stepping out and closing the bedroom door behind her.
A few minutes later, she returned holding a pair of black-rimmed, non-prescription glasses.
"Here. Try these."
Hachiman took the glasses from her and put them on with a sleepy grunt. The moment he did, Yukino let out a soft gasp.
"What is it?" he asked, puzzled.
"N-Nothing," Yukino stammered, cheeks turning pink as she looked away.
Hachiman blinked slowly, suspicious, but the fatigue was already catching up to him. He let out a yawn. "It's already two... we should sleep."
Taking the glasses off, he handed them back. "You can keep these. They don't really help me anyway."
"It's late. If we don't sleep soon, we'll be useless tomorrow," he added.
Yukino rubbed her eyes, sleepiness finally catching up with her. She nodded quietly, pulled a thin spare quilt from the cabinet, and laid it gently on the bed.
After removing her slippers, she climbed into bed lazily and lay a small distance from Hachiman.
"Good night, Hikigaya-kun. Oyasumi."
She turned her back to him and closed her eyes.
"Good night, Yukinoshita."
Hachiman whispered in reply before shutting his own eyes.
By the time Yukino awoke the next morning, it was already seven. As usual, due to her low blood sugar, she was drowsy and a bit irritable.
Her frosty eyes narrowed as she spotted Hachiman trying to sneak past her body.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to wake you," he said sheepishly. "But if I want to leave the room, I need to go this way. If you want to sleep more, go ahead. I'll call you when breakfast is ready."
Hearing this, Yukino shut her eyes without a word, drifting back into sleep.
The next time she opened her eyes, Hachiman was standing by her bedside with a bowl of rice porridge.
"Sweetened it for you. Hurry and eat."
Still groggy, Yukino slowly sipped the porridge with half-lidded eyes. Once she finished, she seemed a bit more alert.
"Go wash up and change. We're heading to school."
"Yeah, yeah. You nag like an old man," Yukino grumbled, grabbing her school uniform.
She glared at Hachiman. "Well? You still standing there? What, you want me to change in front of you?"
Hachiman sighed and turned to leave the room.
Outside, he waited for several minutes, but Yukino still hadn't emerged.
He finally knocked on the door. "Are you ready? We're gonna be late."
The door creaked open, and Yukino poked her head out.
"Can you grab my underwear? It's hanging on the balcony. I forgot to bring it in last night."
Scratching his chin awkwardly, Hachiman walked toward the balcony. As he slid the door open, he was met with an array of undergarments.
Whether they were simple cotton or delicately laced, every piece exuded a refined elegance. They weren't just practical they were high-end, designed for comfort and beauty.
Trying his best to ignore the lace-trimmed thong fluttering nearby, Hachiman picked up a matching set of pale green bra and panties. Tiny floral lace details edged the fabric subtle, yet unmistakably luxurious.
He walked back to Yukino's room, knocked gently, and handed the garments through the doorway. As his arm brushed against hers, the warmth and softness of her skin eclipsed the texture of the clothing in his hand.
After Yukino was fully dressed, she perched Hachiman's glasses back onto his face and fetched a brand-new pair of black thigh-high socks from her drawer. Sitting on the living room couch, she carefully pulled them on, smoothing out every wrinkle as she went.
Once she was satisfied, she slipped on her shoes by the door and tugged Hachiman outside.
Unlike usual, Hachiman's appearance had undergone a transformation. With the glasses masking his tired eyes, his features were striking on par with someone like Hayama Hayato. As they walked together toward Sobu High, they drew the attention of many female students.
But as soon as those girls saw Yukino walking beside him, they quickly looked away.
Just as the two of them were about to pass through the school gates
"Wait for me, Hikki! Yukino!"
They both turned back to see a pink-haired blur sprinting toward them, waving with both hands.