Yuki Suo leaned in, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "So? What happened between you two?" Her tone was deceptively casual, but her gaze was sharp.

Yukinoshita Yukino hesitated. She wanted to speak, truly, but the words just wouldn't come. She had prepared a vague answer, something general, safe. But Yuki Suo wasn't satisfied with breadcrumbs—she craved the full story.

Seeing Yukino retreat into silence again only deepened her interest.

"Tch. Fine, don't tell me then," Yuki Suo huffed, arms crossed. "I'll find out sooner or later anyway."

Despite her clear jealousy over Nozomi and Yukino's engagement, Yuki Suo never voiced opposition. She knew Yukino well enough to respect her honesty. Yukinoshita Yukino, awkward as she was, had a heart that didn't lie. That rare, unpolished sincerity was something Yuki Suo grudgingly admired.

Compared to those shallow girls clinging to their brothers or seeking status through flattery, Yukino stood apart. She was genuine, untouched by the masks others wore. Even if her frankness made her seem distant or strange, Yuki Suo respected her.

And so, she decided she would keep supporting Nozomi. Even if her own feelings stayed unresolved.

But, would they?

---

The next day, Nozomi walked with a spring in his step. What happened last night played over and over in his mind, each replay heating his blood anew. He was full of vigor, almost glowing.

As soon as lunch break hit, he made a beeline to the Service Club.

When his eyes landed on Yukinoshita Yukino, she stiffened.

His gaze burned like a spotlight.

Yukino ducked her head quickly, unable to meet his eyes. Her calm exterior was cracking. Last night she had been daring, emboldened by the darkness and stillness of night.

But daylight was merciless.

During the day, she could no longer pretend to be brave.

"Yukino-chan, good afternoon!" came a cheery voice.

Yuigahama Yui burst into the room like a sunbeam, practically throwing herself at Yukino.

"Ah... good afternoon, Yuigahama-san," Yukino murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

The usual greeting, "Hello," died in her throat. Her cheeks were far too red for that.

Yui, ever the mood-maker, didn't mind in the least.

She grinned and slid beside Yukino, chatting about lunch and school gossip. But behind her bubbly energy, Yui carried a subtle admiration for Yukino.

Unlike herself, who constantly sought approval from others and bent with the tide, Yukino stood like a mountain. Stubborn, but unchanging. That trait, that strange strength, inspired Yui more than she would admit.

Thanks to Yukino, she had learned to speak a little more honestly, even if only a little at a time.

The rest of lunch break passed in a flurry of Yuigahama's animated conversation, making it impossible for Nozomi to get a private moment with Yukino.

But afternoon was another story.

The moment the final bell rang, Nozomi was back.

Without waiting for permission, he reached out and gently took Yukino's hand.

"Let's go."

"W-Where are you taking me?!"

"Somewhere we won't be disturbed."

He smiled mischievously.

Before she could resist, he had led her to the science lab, its sterile scent mixing with the tension in the air.

Closing the door behind them, Nozomi turned and cornered her softly against it.

His breath ghosted along her neck. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears.

She pushed him back, cheeks aflame. "H-Have you become so shameless?! This is a school!"

But Nozomi didn't answer with words. Instead, he closed the space between them, picking up right where they left off the night before.

Her legs weakened under the rising heat of his closeness.

Her small hands clutched at his shoulders, torn between pushing him away and pulling him closer.

Finally, he scooped her into his lap with surprising gentleness.

"Yukino... you promised me, remember?"

His voice was low but firm.

"You said you wanted to change, to face things head-on. That kind of growth takes effort. Let me help you."

Yukino bit her lip, trembling.

"Y-You... you're bullying me again."

But her voice held no real anger.

He was helping her, sure. But also, definitely taking advantage.

She didn't push him away this time.

As his arms tightened around her, she slowly closed her eyes, letting him taste the warmth of her blush-streaked skin.

---

After a while, Yukinoshita Yukino was completely out of breath, her chest rising and falling as she leaned weakly against the wall. Her normally composed demeanor had melted away, replaced by a flushed, dreamy expression that made her seem even more breathtaking.

Nozomi gazed at her with smoldering eyes, his heart pounding as he took in her rosy cheeks and her slightly parted lips, glistening from their shared moment. Her expression—part innocence, part seduction—was almost too much for him.

So, as if drawn by instinct, he lifted her delicate chin with gentle fingers and leaned in. He kissed her. Not fiercely, but gently—tenderly—as though sealing a promise with his lips.

Yukinoshita Yukino's body gave a little jolt, her eyes flying open in surprise.

H-He kissed me…

He didn't do that last night… so why now…?

Meeting his soft, earnest gaze, something inside her crumbled. With a small sigh, she raised her trembling hands and slowly wrapped them around his neck, closing her eyes.

Maybe… maybe a little kiss wasn't so bad…

...

When the two returned to the Service Club, the atmosphere shifted immediately.

"Eh?! Yukino-chan, what happened to your lips?! They're so red!" Yuigahama Yui exclaimed with wide eyes, pointing dramatically.

Yuki Suo and Sanshokuin Sumireko glanced over, their eyes sharp and filled with mischief. The smirks on their faces said everything.

"Is there...?" Yukinoshita Yukino asked nervously, raising her fingers to her lips.

Her cheeks flared into a deep pink. In a flustered attempt to deflect attention, she sat down with practiced calm and announced in her signature cool tone, "Today's tutoring subject is English. Focus, please."

Yuigahama Yui instantly groaned.

"Ehhh~ I hate English!" she cried, collapsing into her seat like a defeated heroine from a romance anime.

Still, girls were born actors. Yukino, for all her calm, was secretly panicking. Her fingers trembled ever so slightly as she handed out worksheets, trying not to let the memory of Nozomi's lips on hers completely fry her circuits.

Once tutoring was over and Yuigahama Yui had been saddled with homework, she left with an exaggerated sigh, slumping like a tragic schoolgirl.

"Ughhh... there goes my phone time! But if I don't finish, Yukino-chan will totally go ice queen on me tomorrow!"

It was true—Yukinoshita Yukino devoted her precious time to help, so slacking off would be like throwing her sincerity in the trash.

Meanwhile, Sanshokuin Sumireko pulled Nozomi aside with a frown.

"Nozomi, seriously... go easy on the president! Her lips were obviously kissed. We're not blind."

Nozomi scratched the back of his head, smiling awkwardly. "Ahaha... sorry. I might've gotten carried away. She was just... way too adorable."

Sumireko's cheeks puffed slightly in mock irritation. "That doesn't mean you can go full pervert mode! Cherish her properly, you dummy!"

Sensing her frustration—and maybe a hint of jealousy—Nozomi leaned in, his tone lowering to a whisper.

"Then how about I cherish you instead, Sumireko? You staying at Sakurasou tonight?"

Her entire face turned bright red. Eyes darting to the side, she gave him a sidelong glance before muttering, "Y-Yeah... I'll come over."

The president had made progress. There was no way she could allow herself to fall behind, right?

Club activities ended amidst Yuigahama Yui's theatrical sobbing and dramatic complaints about the workload.

Yukinoshita Yukino, however, didn't go to Sakurasou that night.

She stayed behind, sitting alone in quiet contemplation.

If she continued getting close to Nozomi... she had a feeling he might become even more daring. He was like a storm she couldn't predict. And she wasn't quite ready to be swept away.

They weren't even engaged yet. She had to be reserved... right?

But her fingers, unconsciously brushing her lips, told a different story.

Even if her heart wasn't ready to leap... it was already inching closer.