151. Baka

"Nozomi, I won't go either. I'll just look after the cats with Yukinoshita."

Sanshokuin Sumireko adjusted her glasses slightly as she spoke, her tone as calm and quiet as ever.

She didn't really enjoy crowded social gatherings—watching a movie with a group just wasn't her thing. There was a quiet charm to solitude, a comfort in pages of books and the soft purring of cats. And perhaps... a curiosity. She wanted to observe how Yukinoshita Yukino really felt about Nozomi, and just how close the two had become.

"Yuki, what about you?" Nozomi turned to his bright, energetic little sister with hopeful eyes.

Suou Yuki gave a mischievous giggle, twirling a strand of her hair. "Hehe, since Yukinoshita and Sumireko aren't going, then of course I'll follow my beloved Onii-chan's example and stay too!"

Even though she was curious about Yumiko and the others, Yuki wasn't interested in mingling when guys like Hayama were involved. She liked keeping her playful, clingy side private—only for Nozomi and her closest circle.

"Alright then, I'll leave the president and Sumireko to you, Yuki. Be sure to take good care of them!"

Yuki stood at attention dramatically and gave a mock salute. "Understood! Leave it to your most reliable sister! I'll take care of Yukinoshita and Sumireko like a warm, fuzzy blanket on a cold winter's night!"

"Pfft, what are you even talking about?" Sumireko covered her mouth and chuckled, unable to hold back her amusement.

"Yuki, you're acting like we're helpless little kittens. I assure you, Yukinoshita and I can manage just fine."

Yukinoshita Yukino, cool as ever, rolled her eyes in a perfectly executed tsundere fashion. "You should focus more on yourself. Don't end up staying out all night."

"We're just watching a movie. Who do you think I am, Yukino?" Nozomi grinned and waved her off, then smoothly added, "Speaking of which, I'm more curious about your lunch box today, President."

At that, Yukinoshita immediately turned defensive, holding her bento close like a knight protecting sacred treasure.

Nozomi gave her a pleading puppy-eyed look. Yukino's frosty expression held firm… until Sumireko and Yuki nudged her teasingly, offering their own food to Nozomi with dramatic flair.

Yukino let out a soft huff, cheeks faintly pink. She picked up a piece of tamagoyaki with practiced elegance and brought it to Nozomi's lips.

Suou Yuki and Sumireko exchanged knowing glances, smiling like proud matchmakers as they quietly slipped out.

"We're heading to the library. I want to check out that new astronomy book. Coming, Suou-san?"

"Of course, Sumireko~ Let's leave the lovebirds alone."

They exited with giggles and light footsteps.

Nozomi gave them a discreet thumbs-up as they left. Definitely needed to find a way to reward those two.

Now, only two remained in the quiet clubroom—well, aside from Yuigahama, who was still off running errands after losing that bet with Yukino.

Just then, his phone buzzed. A message from Suou Yuki lit up the screen.

"Onii-chan, mission complete. Yuigahama-san is now with us. The clubroom is all yours~! 💕"

Nozomi's heart warmed. Yuki, you truly are the MVP.

Yukino sat in her chair, trying to appear unbothered, her face hidden behind a book. But her fingers trembled slightly.

She had hoped her cold exterior would be enough to keep Nozomi at a distance… but that plan crumbled the moment his warm hand landed on her thigh, right over her black knee-high socks.

She jolted, blushing furiously.

"Y-You pervert! Hands off, now!"

Nozomi gave her a mock-serious expression. "It's not what it looks like. I'm giving you a massage. My ancestors ran a massage parlor, I swear."

Yukino narrowed her eyes, her blush deepening. "Do your ancestors also have a tradition of lying through their teeth?"

Still, she didn't pull away.

Nozomi could see it—the flustered tsundere defense was strong, but not impenetrable.

So. With a gentle but determined motion, Hozuki Nozomi slid his hand between her knees and, with a soft lift, scooped the proud second lady of the Yukinoshita family into his arms. He settled himself into her chair and drew her into his lap.

"Ah?!"

"W-What do you think you're doing?! This is the clubroom... and it's still school!"

Warm breath tickled her ear, and the heat on her cheeks intensified. Nozomi leaned in and, without hesitation, placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

"I just want to hold you, Yukino... just for a little while, okay?"

Her entire body trembled, and she snapped at him with a crimson face:

"Y-You pervert! You know what you're doing, right?! You're such a shameless rogue!"

Nozomi nodded solemnly, his chin resting on her delicate shoulder. "I know exactly what I'm doing. I just want to hold you. That's all."

ukino tried to squirm free, but as soon as she moved, she realized it— she felt it. That. Even though there was still a layer of skirt between them, she could feel the undeniable heat. Her breath caught, and her eyes glistened with moisture.

"You jerk... you're bullying me..."

"I swear I won't do anything more. I just want to hold you like this. Please."

The sincerity in his voice tickled her heart. Her resolve faltered. She looked up, those crystal-clear eyes narrowed in conflicted annoyance. Gritting her teeth, she raised her hand and tugged harshly at his collar.

"Yuigahama-san... she'll come back soon! S-she just went out for drinks..."

"No worries," Nozomi said smugly. "Yuki already took her away."

Her eyes widened in horror.

—Suoh Yuki?!

That traitor! The one who always clung to Nozomi like a spoiled sister, the one who seemed to treasure every second with him more than anyone... Even she had conspired to give him this chance?

A wave of guilt and emotion swelled in Yukino's chest. Why? Why would she go so far to help her?

The tension in her body softened. Her limbs relaxed. She didn't speak, only reached out with a trembling hand and gently grabbed his collar, holding him close.

Nozomi leaned in, brushing ever so slightly against her forehead. She inhaled sharply, then whispered with flushed cheeks and trembling lips:

"If you dare do anything weird... I'll never forgive you. I'll never talk to you again!"

"Got it! I promise. No weird stuff."

Despite the overwhelming temptation, Nozomi restrained himself. For now. He had taken a big step forward today. Yukino was willingly letting him embrace her. That meant more than he could've hoped for.

Yukinoshita Yukino's heartbeat thudded rapidly. Her logical mind screamed that this was wrong. This was her clubroom. This was school. Letting a boy hold her like this here was beyond outrageous. But... Suoh Yuki and Sanshokuin Sumireko—both girls who clearly held feelings for Nozomi—had chosen to step aside for her.

She couldn't just push him away. Not this time.

Especially when he looked at her with such heartfelt eyes. When he pleaded for nothing more than a quiet, simple hug.

She let her cheek rest against his shoulder. Nozomi could feel her warmth through the soft layers of her uniform. The sensation of her sitting in his arms—so close, so real—filled him with elation. Her long, beautiful legs draped delicately over his knees. He tightened his arms gently around her, and a flutter of breath escaped her lips.

Feeling his breath becoming uneven, Yukino's cheeks flared. "D-Don't get carried away..."

"I won't," he whispered with a smile playing at his lips.

—Now that he had earned the right to hold her like this, the rest... wouldn't be far behind.