Yuuki Asuna's arrival in Class J was nothing short of dazzling. Her long chestnut hair shimmered under the classroom lights, and her smile had a warm, almost healing quality that made everyone around her feel at ease. With her graceful posture and a voice as soft as falling sakura petals, Asuna quickly became the center of attention.

Boys blushed when she spoke to them, and even the more reserved girls found themselves drawn to her quiet charm. It wasn't long before she earned the title of another "goddess" of Sobu High, joining the ranks of Yukinoshita Yukino and Yuki Suo.

Yukino, ever the composed and analytical observer, found herself intrigued. Her elder sister, Yukinoshita Haruno, had personally asked her to watch over Asuna—to get closer to her. It wasn't a request Haruno made lightly, and it made Yukino suspicious. Why the sudden interest in the daughter of the Yuuki family?

Yukino watched Asuna closely all morning. Her mannerisms were perfect, almost too perfect. She greeted everyone with the right amount of politeness, spoke with measured kindness, and even laughed in a way that seemed rehearsed.

"She's like a doll carved out by society," Yukino thought. "Or a daughter shaped by years of strict upbringing."

Still, there was no malice in her. Asuna was genuine in her own way. Yukino could see it. She wasn't two-faced like some of the girls who pretended to be perfect. Asuna simply acted as she was expected to—a model daughter.

Yukino didn't approach her just yet. Being the "ice queen" of Class J, she wasn't the type to start casual conversations. But she remained observant, silently acknowledging the new girl's presence.

On the other hand, Yuki Suo wasted no time. Her intuition was sharp.

"My brother would absolutely fall for someone like Asuna," she thought confidently.

With the swiftness of a fox and the enthusiasm of a matchmaker, Suo befriended Asuna and began plotting. If she brought this elegant beauty to her brother's side, surely Nozomi would be pleased. And a pleased Nozomi meant rewards—perhaps that new limited-edition perfume or a trip abroad?

......

That afternoon, Yukino received a cryptic text from Nozomi:

"Meet me behind the gym. Bring no one."

Against her better judgment, she went. Deep down, she already knew what awaited her.

When she turned the corner, she was wall-pinned by a familiar presence. His scent, a mix of cedarwood and mystery, washed over her. Nozomi smirked down at her, eyes glinting mischievously.

"You liar!" Yukino gasped, cheeks flushed. "You said you were going to buy drinks!"

"I did. But I also bought some time with you."

With that, he sat her on his lap, cradling her gently as his fingers brushed through her silky, raven-black hair. Her breathing hitched.

"You didn't really mind, did you?"

Yukino bit her lip.

No, she didn't. And that frustrated her more than anything.

The past few days had left her dizzy. His presence was like a storm, and she found herself swept up in it. Her body had begun to change—she could feel it. She was growing, maturing... and the thought made her both embarrassed and strangely proud.

As his hand drifted along her thigh, fingers brushing the soft curve just above her knee-high socks, she trembled.

"Stop it... it tickles," she whispered, voice barely audible.

"You're too tempting, Yukino," Nozomi murmured, eyes gleaming. "You don't know what you do to me. If only we were in my room right now..."

She playfully smacked his shoulder. "Pervert."

Even in moments like these, her heart betrayed her.

Eventually, she gathered the courage to bring up what was on her mind.

"There's a transfer student in our class. Yuuki Asuna. My sister told me to watch over her. It feels strange... almost like I'm being used."

Nozomi's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of understanding crossing his face.

"Do you know her?" she pressed.

"Sort of. During that recent business trip, your sister and I met with her father."

Yukino's eyes widened. "So you're saying... Asuna's here because of you? To get close to you?"

"I never said that. You came to that conclusion on your own."

Her expression darkened. "You and my sister seem so close... I don't even know what you're doing half the time.

She had always been the quiet observer in the shadows—watching, waiting, hoping for clarity. But now, Yukinoshita Yukino could no longer ignore the storm of emotions brewing in her heart. Nozomi, the boy who had forced his way into her life with such reckless passion, was getting closer and closer to other girls. And she, the supposed "main heroine," was left in the dark, treated like just another side character in his ever-expanding story.

Even worse—one of those girls was her own older sister. Yukino had always felt she couldn't compare to her. Haruno was elegant, charismatic, and capable in ways that Yukino still struggled to understand. Seeing her interact so naturally with Nozomi, while she herself was tangled in confusing emotions, was like adding salt to an open wound.

Nozomi must have sensed the shift in her aura. Without warning, he pulled her into his embrace—tightly, as though she might vanish if he didn't. His lips met hers gently, but there was fire in the softness.

"If Yukino wants to know something," he whispered against her lips, "just ask. I'll tell you everything."

She wanted to believe him.

"I didn't mean to keep anything from you," Nozomi continued, his voice low, warm, and coaxing like spring sunlight. "It's just... business isn't something you should have to worry about. Not now. Not yet."

Yukino's lips twitched into a faint pout, the kind that made Nozomi's heart ache and melt all at once.

"Haruno's different. She's been in the game longer. She knows how to navigate that world. She's a college student, mature, and well-versed in the business world. It's natural she helps me."

Yukino's pout deepened, but her gaze softened slightly.

"Then tell me," she said, voice still tinged with irritation. "What exactly are you and my sister planning behind my back?"

Seeing her expression, Nozomi felt as though someone had launched a chakra needle directly into his chest. Guilt and tenderness swirled inside him like conflicting jutsus.

He gently ran his fingers through her hair—silky, midnight-black strands that slipped through his fingers like water.

"Have you heard of the virtual reality game that's been trending lately? The one where players can immerse themselves entirely into another world?"

Yukino nodded cautiously.

"I provided the core technology behind that project. I hold shares in the company. The profits from those shares—I gave them to Haruno to manage. She's using them to expand and grow other ventures."

"And there's more," he added, eyes gleaming faintly. "I also founded a film production company. And soon, I'm partnering with Kamiigusa-senpai to create a game and animation studio. We'll be producing our own mobile games and anime series."

Yukino blinked in surprise.

"Why... a film company?"

Nozomi's smile faltered a little, a rare trace of seriousness slipping through.

"Because Mai-senpai... she was being pressured by her old agency. They wanted her to do swimsuit shoots, and there were whispers of something darker. Unspoken rules. I couldn't just watch that happen. So I created a company where she'd be free."

Yukino's eyes narrowed.

"Isn't it you, the boss, who now has the power to make those 'unspoken rules'?"

"Wha—? Yukino, seriously? I would never—!"

"Scumbag," she snapped.

Before Nozomi could protest further, she suddenly grabbed his arm and bit down with a force that surprised even her.

"Ouch!" he winced, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he simply placed a hand on her head, gently soothing her, letting her anger run its course.

Moments later, Yukino released him and looked up, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Did that hurt?"

"It hurt," he admitted honestly.

She nodded slowly. "Good. That's exactly how my heart feels."

The air between them was still, thick with emotions neither knew how to untangle.

And then, as if drawn by instinct alone, Nozomi leaned in. His lips found hers again, and this time, she didn't resist. Instead, she clutched his neck tightly, returning the kiss with a fervor that caught even him off guard.

Time slipped away.

Eventually, she rested in his arms, catching her breath, cheeks flushed.

"I'm still mad," she confessed. "You did all this for other girls without telling me. But... you told me now. That matters."

She smiled faintly. "Maybe I was too slow. I should've asked sooner."

"If you ask," Nozomi said, brushing her bangs aside to kiss her forehead, "I'll always tell you."

She looked up at him, her expression soft but determined.

"Then don't bully me anymore."

"Me? Bully you? You were the one who bit me."

"And I'd do it again."

He chuckled. "Want to bite me somewhere else, then?"

Yukino's eyes narrowed. "Why does it always sound like you're being a pervert?"

"What? You're imagining things, Yukino-chan."

She smacked his hand—his ever-wandering hand that had crept back onto her thighs.

"Stop it," she scolded, but her voice lacked true anger.

"Didn't you say I've bitten you too?" he asked with mock innocence.

"You have. Several times. And not gently, might I add."

He put on a fake pout. "But I was just trying to help you catch up with Asuna-san..."

Yukino turned red instantly, glaring at him but refusing to meet his eyes.

This time, however, she didn't remove his hand. Her legs stayed still beneath his touch, and her long lashes fluttered as she closed her eyes—slowly, bashfully.

As if to say, "Just this once... I'll let you stay."