"Why?"
Natsuo thought that every boy in the classroom would immediately agree to Yukino Yukinoshita's request.
But he couldn't help but ask the question in return.
And his reply certainly astonished many of the boys.
The most famous, most dazzling person in the school asks you to step out, and you ask 'why'?
"You should know," Yukino Yukinoshita replied calmly, unperturbed.
"Are you asking me for a favor? Isn't your attitude a bit off?" Natsuo remained seated, unmoving.
Yukino Yukinoshita's beautiful eyebrows twitched, as if she were about to get angry, but she held it back.
"I understand. Please come out with me for a moment. I have something I wish to ask you."
She adopted a sincere demeanor.
"Alright, let's go somewhere else to talk," Natsuo stood up.
Yukino Yukinoshita turned and headed for the door. Natsuo followed behind her. They left the classroom one after the other.
The classroom remained utterly silent for a moment, then erupted.
"What was that all about?!"
"Natsu-kun knows Yukinoshita-san? Who exactly is he?"
"That attitude just now... a true role model! If it were me, I wouldn't be able to do that; I'd be too happy."
"Don't worry, it'll never be you. Yukinoshita would never approach you."
"You jerk!"
The Walk to the Rooftop
Natsuo, walking behind Yukino Yukinoshita, could clearly hear the ruckus spilling out from the classroom, loud enough to startle the neighboring classes.
Perhaps because Yukino Yukinoshita's arrival had already drawn attention, as the two walked down the corridor, all eyes were on them.
Natsuo took a step forward and walked side-by-side with Yukino Yukinoshita: "You're certainly popular."
She was a celebrity in the school, known to all because of her family and appearance. Consequently, her every move was scrutinized.
"Isn't that the result you were hoping for?" Yukino Yukinoshita looked at him, her face calm.
"Then you've misunderstood," Natsuo shook his head, smiling.
"I merely wanted you to know that I won't be swayed by your beauty. I wasn't trying to draw attention."
"Is that so," Yukino Yukinoshita was unconvinced.
"You don't believe me?" Natsuo looked at her.
"It doesn't matter. I know nothing about you yet. Belief is irrelevant," Yukino Yukinoshita looked straight ahead, her tone indifferent.
"Fair enough..." Natsuo nodded, then changed the subject: "Where are we going?"
"The rooftop. No one will disturb us there."
"The rooftop, huh... Why not the club room?"
"It seems you really are new here," Yukino Yukinoshita sighed.
"It's just a long break between classes. We don't have much time. The club building is far from the academic building. And why would I go to a club room? I haven't joined any clubs."
"Haven't joined a club? Then you haven't started one either?" Natsuo continued to probe.
"Why would I start a club?" Yukino Yukinoshita countered.
"Just asking."
"Then let's walk faster. Don't waste time."
The Allure of the Back
At the stairwell, Yukino Yukinoshita walked up first. Natsuo lagged a step behind, allowing him to appreciate her fine, slender figure from behind.
Her smooth black hair was draped down her back. She wore the female version of the uniform, which was similar to the male version on top, but featured a grey and black pleated skirt, the hem reaching just above the knee bend.
Her slender calves were encased in black over-the-knee socks with a white trim. A sliver of white skin was exposed between the top of the sock and the skirt hem.
Very eye-catching.
Natsuo only took a quick look, but he noticed Yukino Yukinoshita suddenly stop. He looked up and met her gaze.
"Hmm? Why did you stop?"
"What were you looking at just now?" Yukino Yukinoshita asked coldly.
Natsuo was momentarily stunned. Then he realized. She's that sensitive?
"You could feel that?"
"Your gaze was far too obvious. Didn't you say you wouldn't be swayed by my beauty?" Yukino Yukinoshita looked at him with a slight sneer.
Natsuo showed no embarrassment at being caught. He spread his hands, smiling as he replied: "I can't help it. The flower is blooming so brightly. If I didn't admire it, it would make me seem completely devoid of appreciation."
"...You have a lot of nerve."
"I didn't do it intentionally. You were walking in front of me, and I just happened to glance," Natsuo admitted.
"That's more acceptable. Let's go," Yukino Yukinoshita nodded, seemingly satisfied with his honesty, and turned to continue climbing the stairs.
Natsuo followed her, refraining from looking again.
The first floor of the academic building was for first-years. The second floor was for second-years, and the third floor for the seniors.
Here in Japan, the hierarchy of seniority was quite strict. Lower-grade students generally wouldn't go to the upper-grade floors easily.
Natsuo and Yukino Yukinoshita's passage drew the attention of the older students.
Yukino Yukinoshita was famous, and she was known for being solitary, not moving around much. Today, however, she was taking a male student upstairs.
This strongly suggested they were heading for the rooftop.
The rooftop was a widely known spot for students' private meetings.
The possibility of that kind of encounter immediately unsettled the older male students. They wanted to follow and see what was happening, but they also dared not.
Yukino Yukinoshita's "keep out" aura was equally well-known.
In the end, the two reached the fourth floor, and no second or third-year students followed.
The fourth floor housed the student council office, and the fifth floor was the rooftop.
They didn't encounter any student council members on the fourth floor. Natsuo followed Yukino Yukinoshita and safely reached the rooftop.
Natsuo surveyed the rooftop, noting that it was safe. There were two-meter-high railings all around.
The average person can't climb up there.
The rooftop was also decorated with flower beds, filled with vibrant colors and fragrant scents.
"Over here."
Yukino Yukinoshita motioned for Natsuo to follow her and sat down on a bench near the edge.
Natsuo sat down beside her, maintaining a distance of half a meter.
Getting Down to Business
"You wanted to ask about the night before last, right?" Natsuo cut straight to the chase.
"What else would it be? Why else would I seek you out? Because you're handsome? That I fell in love with you at first sight?" Yukino Yukinoshita retorted.
"Why are you so aggressive?"
"Your gaze just now determined my current attitude."
"That was an act of nature," Natsuo explained.
"An act of nature... That's certainly a convenient excuse."
"I promise it won't happen again, alright?" Natsuo held up his hands in surrender.
"Fine. Otherwise, this conversation can't continue," Yukino Yukinoshita looked like she was grudgingly agreeing.
"You're too demanding. There are so many people looking at you every day. Do you have to be hostile to all of them?"
"People have eyes; I naturally can't control them. But I won't let them observe me this closely," Yukino Yukinoshita brushed a strand of hair back from her right cheek, answering confidently.
"I wasn't observing... So, I guess I'm lucky, then? To be this close," Natsuo joked with a smile.
"Can we please continue the topic?" Yukino Yukinoshita looked at him, fed up.
"Alright."
"So, what exactly was that place? Was it truly not a dream?" Yukino Yukinoshita's expression turned serious.
"To be honest, I don't know either. I went there for the first time that night too," Natsuo replied truthfully.
"You went there for the first time too..." Yukino Yukinoshita sank into contemplation.
Natsuo watched her thinking. This woman is cute no matter what she's doing.
If he hadn't already known her for so long, if he hadn't built up a resistance, he might have been captivated by her cuteness the moment he first saw her.
That's undeniable.
"Did you go there again after that?" Yukino Yukinoshita pondered for a moment before asking.
"Yes, I went there the second night as well."