The moment Utaha said, "What if I stepped on your face?" Yukino immediately realized what was happening.
At first, Utaha had seemed to be teasing just a little, expressing a mischievous whim. Now, it was clear... she was serious.
Haru's reaction was far too calm, far too composed, completely failing to give the response Utaha had hoped for. Naturally, she felt compelled to "turn up the intensity," just as Haru had jokingly suggested.
Yukino thought through the situation and didn't quite know what to say.
Watch? Maybe... she admitted that part of her curiosity was piqued.
But mostly… it was disdain.
"You two are being far too childish," she finally decided to interject.
Utaha, still wearing a playful smirk, said, "He did ask me to step harder… and even said he wanted you to join in."
Yukino's tone remained flat. "I already said I refuse."
Haru lifted his head as if to respond, but quickly lowered it again, resuming his relaxed position.
Of course, this odd behavior didn't escape the notice of the two women.
Yukino was the first to react, her expression tightening with annoyance. "Senpai… did you forget you're wearing a skirt?"
Her remark was pointed.
Utaha, still pressing her foot on Haru's back, had seen his eyes instinctively wander along the fabric of her skirt when he looked up. The strange vantage point was… quite the bonus.
Utaha's face flushed, but she quickly regained control, suppressing the rising embarrassment. "It's not like he hasn't seen it before, so it doesn't matter."
"You really are something…" Yukino muttered, clearly at a loss.
Haru, lying on the sofa, said casually, "Honestly, if you really stepped on my face, I probably wouldn't refuse."
Both girls froze for a second. Then, as if silently agreeing, their eyes both filled with disdain.
Utaha's grin faded, replaced with a deliberately stern look. "You've really reached this level of… perversion?"
Haru maintained his expectant expression. "By all means, step harder. And Yukino too."
Utaha quickly pulled her foot back and stepped off the sofa.
Yukino turned away, expression cold, and returned to petting the orange cat... a clear message that she didn't want to discuss this any further.
"Is that it?" Haru made a disappointed face.
Neither of the women responded.
Sure, they had done cosplay and fought alongside him before but having stockings involved in stepping antics? That was a little beyond the pale.
And the worst part: Haru had been completely composed, showing not a shred of reluctance or discomfort.
Utaha, unable to get the reaction she wanted, felt like a punch had landed on a sponge... utterly without effect.
Haru sat up and studied their expressions, amused.
Not that he actually enjoyed being stepped on in general... this wasn't really a fetish. But seeing Utaha, so rarely lively, trying to put him in an awkward position, he had to respond.
Back or shoulders? Sure. Face? Maybe not.
Still, the situation sparked some daring thoughts in his mind. He'd seen them in stockings before, but never approaching him with those expressions so close… it was oddly endearing.
"I assume you're staying for dinner, Senpai? I'll start cooking," Haru said, scheming slightly as he left the living room.
Once he was gone, Utaha finally let out a frustrated sigh. "His defenses are way too high… normal tricks can't even touch him."
Yukino, gently stroking the cat, glanced at her. "Normal? You just said you wanted to step on his face... I don't think that counts as normal."
Utaha looked surprised. "You mean… I need to be bolder?"
She tried to phrase it delicately.
Yukino glared. "I told you, I don't like this kind of topic."
"Fine, then I won't say it," Utaha stretched and grabbed her bag. "Want to talk in the bedroom?"
"About what?"
"That idea Haru mentioned before, about using apprehending criminals for publicity... I've thought it over, and it's actually not a bad idea. I shouldn't have dismissed it outright."
Yukino stood, holding the cat, and followed her.
After a brief discussion, they confirmed the plan was workable.
Watching Utaha take notes diligently, Yukino asked quietly, "That night when Hiratsuka-sensei stayed over… did anything happen in your room?"
Utaha's hand stiffened, her expression betraying unease.
Yukino's suspicions were confirmed. That night had been eventful.
"Is it… hard to explain?" Yukino pressed.
Utaha exhaled, hesitant. "With you, it wouldn't be a problem… it's just… I don't really know how to describe it."
For once, she hesitated before Yukino. Her face flushed slightly with embarrassment.
"Then think it over, and tell me later," Yukino said patiently.
With Haru in the kitchen preparing dinner, it was just the two of them.
Utaha stayed silent for a moment, struggling. "If I tell you… are you sure you won't get mad?"
Yukino raised an eyebrow, coldly amused. "I think I already know."
"Know what?"
"You've gone this far… so I'm guessing you snuck out to see him that night?"
Utaha fell silent.
She couldn't help but think: Yukino really is sharp. She had barely started to speak, yet Yukino had already figured out what happened.
Still, Utaha wasn't flustered... she hadn't intended to discuss that incident anyway.
But Yukino's tone turned icy. "It seems that you have been completely infected by that guy, otherwise why would you not be able to hold it in for even one night and instead sneak off to find him?"
Utaha's cheeks burned red.
The words were direct, and even the phrasing "couldn't hold back" from Yukino caught her off guard.
Admittedly… she hadn't been able to hold back.
Yukino ignored her internal thoughts. "At this point, you need to tell the truth."
She had almost forgotten the incident herself... just a casual question but Utaha had created a whole situation.
So Yukino decided to get to the bottom of it. If Utaha tried to hide it, she would find out anyway. And if necessary, she could ask Haru or Shizuka.
"I understand," Utaha said, taking a deep breath. She walked to the door, closed it, and locked it.
Yukino straightened instinctively, sensing the seriousness.
Utaha returned and sat down, her face flushed. She lowered her voice and spoke slowly, carefully:
"That night, after I returned to my room, I couldn't sleep. I don't know exactly what time it was... somewhere around midnight, I think. Hiratsuka-Sensei, who was sleeping beside me…"
She bit her lip, her cheeks burning. "She actually hummed to herself."
Yukino: "???"
Utaha exhaled forcefully, as if relieved: "That's what happened that night. I didn't dare move at all, afraid she'd notice... but in the end, she didn't."
Yukino was filled with awe.
The room quickly fell into a strange silence.
Utaha didn't rush to explain further... she knew the impact of the revelation.
A woman who had been single for so long, holding in so many emotions… it could really result in something as wild as a passionate outburst in her dreams.