Shout out to Turnkeyfish and Ceyhun Caglrlcl for the pledges. 3 bonus chapters this week as appreciation.
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"Did you eat something spicy and it got swollen?"
Kusami Tsukimi narrowed her eyes, inching closer to Sakurahara Momo with the instinct of a seasoned investigator. Her nose twitched slightly, and she leaned in to take a sharp sniff.
"…I don't smell anything spicy," she said, suspicion thick in her voice. "Cherry-senpai, you're totally lying, aren't you?"
Sakurahara Momo's heart skipped a beat. A drop of cold sweat slid down the back of her neck. With a forced laugh, she waved both hands in frantic denial.
"N-No way! I really did eat something spicy. It was like… super spicy mapo tofu!"
"Mhm," Tsukimi replied, unconvinced but choosing not to pursue the matter further. Her narrowed eyes still lingered on Momo's flushed face and slightly swollen lips.
Luckily for Momo, Tsukimi had never kissed anyone before—so she didn't know what post-kiss lips looked like. That fact was Momo's saving grace.
After a few seconds, Momo wiped her forehead and exhaled softly, finally releasing the tension in her shoulders.
If Tsukimi ever found out…
That she had actually gone to see Nozomi…
And had been kissed—no, practically devoured—by him…
She would never be able to face anyone again.
------
Meanwhile, over at Sakurasou, Nozomi had just returned to his room, expecting the usual peaceful quiet.
But peace was a luxury that never lasted long in his life.
As he opened the door, his eyes instantly widened.
Standing in the middle of his room was a bare, snow-white figure—dripping from the bath, skin gleaming like porcelain in the soft light.
"A-Ah!"
The girl made no effort to hide herself at first—letting his gaze linger for exactly two seconds—before letting out a dramatic, fake-sounding scream.
"Eek! A wolf has broken in!"
Nozomi's lips twitched with disbelief.
"…Yuki, this is my room. I should be the one screaming here."
He crossed his arms, deadpan.
"Who the hell breaks into someone's room completely naked, like some kind of bathroom fairy?!"
The girl, Yuki Suoh, simply pouted, wrapping herself lazily in a towel and looking at him with big, watery puppy eyes.
"Even if I am a nympho, I'm still your cutest little sister!"
She stepped closer, eyes twinkling mischievously. Her voice dropped into that teasing, dangerous tone only she could master.
"So? So? Are you enchanted? Blushing? Tempted? This is how it always starts in anime, isn't it?"
She clasped her hands together, voice dripping with theatricality.
"Big brother returns home, opens the door, and—bam!—accidentally walks in on his adorable little sister fresh out of the bath. Then—hehe—sparks fly~"
Nozomi bonked her forehead with a flick.
"You're not even trying to act surprised anymore. You were clearly waiting in ambush. You're trying to lure me!"
"Because you've been spending all your time getting cozy with Yukinoshita!" Yuki puffed her cheeks, her glare sharpened into a full-on pout. "If I don't do something, you'll start turning into her!"
"…That's not how it works," Nozomi muttered, rubbing his temple. "And it's her who might start resembling me, not the other way around."
"Waaah, I don't care!" Yuki wailed, throwing herself dramatically into his arms like a scorned heroine. "You can't ignore me!"
"Fine, fine." Nozomi gently wrapped his arms around her. "How could I ignore my precious Yuki? My embrace will always be open for you."
"That's better!" she chirped, snuggling into his chest with a triumphant grin. "Honestly, Sanshokuin and I worked so hard creating opportunities for you. The least you can do is reward us with attention!"
Then, while nestling closer, she poked his cheek with her index finger.
"So, spill it. How far have you gotten with Yukinoshita? Tell your cute little sister everything!"
Nozomi sighed in surrender. There was no point hiding it from this relentless girl.
"We're still at the 'holding hands and hugging' stage."
"Ehh?! Just that?!" Yuki puffed her cheeks again, clearly offended. "You weren't this patient with Sanshokuin. Does that mean Yukinoshita's special to you?"
"…I just respect the girl's pace, Yuki. It's the same with you."
"Oh? Is that so?" Her eyes sparkled again, lips curving upward. "So I am special!"
She leaned in closer, voice soft and sultry. "Let's be real, big bro. Compared to Yukinoshita's pair of A's that you can't even look at… Yuki's got C's! Want to touch?"
"Please shut up—"
Before she could tease him any further, Nozomi leaned down and silenced her the most effective way he knew.
He kissed her.
Her playful voice was instantly muffled, replaced by a soft gasp as her eyes widened… then fluttered shut. Her arms instinctively wrapped around his neck, holding him tight, completely melting into the moment.
Nozomi wasn't some bland, passive protagonist. He had restraint, yes—but he wasn't a monk. He hadn't gone further with Yuki Suou before not because he didn't want to, but because he truly cherished her—as well as Yukinoshita. But that didn't mean he was immune to temptation. Especially when it came in the form of Yuki Suou, all teasing smiles and soft sighs.
And honestly?
Yuki had a point.
Compared to the distant, untouchable Yukinoshita Yukino—who acted like physical intimacy was a final boss battle—having someone like Yuki, who was open, affectionate, and sincere, felt like a blessing.
Miss Yukinoshita was too innocent. Too careful.
He even had the strange desire to "help her grow up" in more ways than one. But she still wasn't at the stage where she would let him cross those boundaries.
A hug? Acceptable.
A kiss? Probably war.
And so, with Yuki, who was right here, wrapping herself around him and pouring her affection out so honestly—it was impossible for Nozomi to be indifferent.
As for Yuki herself?
Her thoughts were spinning like sakura petals in the spring wind. Her whole body felt light, her mind warm and dreamy. Her beloved brother—the one she adored above anyone else—was kissing her. Not out of obligation. Not out of pity.
Because she'd teased him, and he had wanted to.
And that meant…
That she had a place in his heart too.
A real place.
Thinking of that, a wave of joy bloomed inside her chest, scattering her earlier jealousy of Yukinoshita into the wind. That girl was too shy, too slow, too reserved. She would miss so many opportunities. And in the end, she'd fall behind.
Yuki didn't hate Yukinoshita, not at all.
In fact, she kind of pitied her.
So beautiful, so smart, but socially clueless and clumsy like a baby deer.
"She's never had friends before, huh?" Yuki muttered to herself with a small sigh. "Onii-chan… you really do know how to pick a project."
Then, snuggling up to Nozomi again, she whispered with a sugary lilt, "Mmm~ Onii-chan…"
He grinned devilishly.
Pulling her gently onto the bed, he let her rest in his lap. His hands caressed her slender waist, fingertips exploring her with reverence and curiosity.
"Didn't you say I could touch it?" he teased.
He leaned in, savoring the soft jade before him—the warmth, the scent, the breathless quiet between them.
Yuki blushed furiously, her body trembling slightly, but she didn't stop him. Instead, her fingers slipped through his hair, stroking gently.
"If it's Onii-chan… Yuki doesn't mind," she whispered, voice barely audible.
Nozomi's eyes softened, and he kissed her forehead. "Don't worry. I won't go too far. You're special, Yuki. You deserve the best. Today isn't the right time."
"Un… I'll listen to whatever Onii-chan says."
As long as she was in his heart, that was enough.
------
A while later, Yuki stumbled back to her room, her legs wobbly like jelly. She shut the door behind her and collapsed onto her bed with a squeak, cheeks bright red.
"B-Brother is such a bad guy…"
The memory of his touch, his warmth, and his lips flashed across her mind like a looped scene from a shoujo anime.
Her lips curled into a sweet, dreamy smile.
She had taken initiative. She hadn't waited, like some reserved background character. She didn't want to be like Yukinoshita—blushing silently, too slow to move.
She wanted Nozomi to see the full charm of Yuki Suou.
And from the look in his eyes tonight?
She was winning.
With a happy hum, she rolled over, reached into her drawer, and pulled out a pink notebook.
The title on the front read in sparkly gel pen: "Onii-chan Observation Diary: 100 Ways to Win My Brother's Heart!"
She flipped to a page and placed a checkmark beside a specific entry.
"✓ Ambush bath exit scene: Success!"
Nodding in satisfaction, she whispered to herself, "Next time, I'll try a different move!"
The game had only just begun.