As the sky gradually brightened, Yukino, whose routine was exceptionally healthy, opened her eyes.
The curtains were tightly drawn, and no light from outside seeped through.
Yukino quietly stared at the pitch-black ceiling, thinking that yesterday's experience had been really nice, but unfortunately...
Wait a minute.
Yesterday?
Yukino suddenly sat up in bed, just like last time.
Her sudden movement caused the strap of her nightgown to slip off, revealing her smooth, round shoulder and a large area of skin.
But she wasn't in the mood to care about that.
"Why do I still remember what happened yesterday?"
Yukino quickly reached for her phone.
Just as she unlocked the screen, Makoto sent a message: [Good morning.]
Yukino was about to edit her reply when Makoto sent another message:
[Memories like this, I think, are very precious to you. So this good morning gift should be considered sincere, right?]
She froze completely.
The decision she had made "last night," and the defenses she had just built in her heart, seemed to be forcefully knocked open.
It was like a critical hit in a game, causing a one-hit kill effect!
"Some things you believe in might not be as firm as you think."
Yukino's mind once again echoed his voice.
The fact that she remembered "yesterday" and the happy experience proved that what he said was right: some things really aren't as firm as she thought.
So, in this "some things," does it also include the belief that she would never fall in love with him?
Yukino held her phone and didn't know how to reply.
She noticed that her cheeks were once again flushing.
Admit it, you do have feelings.
She sat on the bed for about ten minutes, pulled up the strap of her nightgown, and, with mixed feelings, edited a message: [Good morning, thank you.]
Only he could enter the time loop, so the memory she wanted to preserve was finally kept. It was clearly something he did.
"Is this the final step in your combo?"
The girl muttered to herself.
She realized that when she thought about Makoto, she no longer felt as confident.
Yesterday, when she elegantly told him that she wouldn't fall in love with him, his calm and collected expression left her baffled.
Now Yukino could understand that he still had a trump card he hadn't played yet.
A trump card strong enough to break down her defenses!
"This is troublesome."
She muttered something only she understood.
So today, for the first time in her life, Yukino skipped class voluntarily.
She stayed at home the entire morning, planning to read a book and learn something, but she couldn't concentrate at all.
She turned to practicing the piano, and while playing, a thought unexpectedly popped into her mind:
Since that guy has researched everything, does that mean he can also play the piano?
No, wait.
Why am I thinking about him so much?
Yukino pressed her long fingers tightly on the piano keys. She knew her mental state was very off.
I can't read this book!
I can't play this piano!
At 10 AM, she picked up her phone again and clicked on Makoto's social media profile.
Yukino: [Do you want to come over for lunch? I'll cook, just as a way to thank you for helping me relax yesterday.]
Makoto: [What a coincidence, I'm just out buying ingredients.]
When Yukino saw this reply, she paused for a moment.
Was it really a coincidence, or was it intentional?
She didn't dare ask.
But when she turned off the phone screen, she clearly saw her own face reflected on it.
Her expression was completely different from usual.
"I really am crazy."
She thought to herself again.
Around 11 AM, Makoto arrived at Yukino's house.
Yukino reached out to take the bag: "Thanks, how much is it? I'll pay you now."
Makoto was about to speak, but she added, "I know you're going to say that in the time loop we don't need to worry about money, but I insist."
Huh, looks like you've learned to answer quickly.
Seems like you came prepared today, huh?
But your preparation probably isn't enough.
Makoto smiled: "Alright."
After paying, Yukino opened the bag and casually glanced at the ingredients. Then she froze for a moment.
The ingredients were very fresh.
But the problem was, these were all her favorite dishes.
She looked at Makoto with a subtle expression, and he quickly responded, "Haven't we eaten together several times before? I paid a little attention to your tastes."
Yukino was silent for a few seconds, then sighed as if helpless: "Why do you always pay attention to these details?"
"What do you think?" Makoto retorted.
Yukino didn't answer.
What do I think?
I think you're just after my body.
Yukino put the ingredients down, invited Makoto to sit, and proactively made tea, then brought out some snacks.
"I don't know if you like this, it's something my sister gave me last time," Yukino said.
Makoto looked at the cookies on the table, then…
"Is this a cream puff?" He picked one up.
Yukino: "Yeah, cream puffs. My sister bought a lot of boxes."
Makoto was about to put the cream puff in his mouth, but when he heard this, he froze: "Cream puffs?"
Yukino asked, "Don't you like them?"
"No, I actually like them."
Makoto didn't explain.
After all, this was a bit hard to explain. Yukino might elbow him if he did!
Thinking carefully, Yukino gave me cream puffs... No matter how I hear it, it sounds strange.
Makoto ate a little, then saw Yukino preparing to handle the ingredients, and asked, "Do you want me to help you out?"
"No need, you're the guest."
"Actually, I'm pretty good at cooking. Maybe we can take this chance to have a little contest?"
Yukino turned around: "Are you serious?"
Her expression looked like she was caring for a fool.
Makoto said, "It's kind of boring just sitting here by myself."
Yukino didn't refuse this time: "Then you can help me with the ingredients, but I'm still the head chef."
"No problem."
Makoto stood up and walked over.
A guy like him—how could he really be here just to test his cooking skills or help out?
For example, right now, he grabbed the apron before her, and under Yukino's surprised gaze, he lifted the apron and said, "Turn around and open your arms."
Yukino became wary: "I can do it myself."
Makoto mimicked her tone: "I insist."
Yukino turned around with a straight face.
Girls at home usually choose comfortable outfits.
As she turned, the hem of her light blue home dress gently swayed, revealing her slender, well-proportioned legs, which extended upward, making it impossible not to follow her with your eyes, admiring her hidden thighs and that beautiful waist-hip curve.
Yukino's body was tense as she thought about whether she should elbow Makoto or kick him if he tried to take advantage of her.
However, Makoto calmly tied her apron for her, being very polite the entire time, and even controlling any physical contact perfectly.
This made Yukino's inner conflict and tension freeze completely.
When she heard Makoto's voice saying, "Done," her stiff body instantly relaxed, turning into a sense of bewilderment.
Wait a minute!
Why did she feel a sense of expectation?
This guy is definitely up to something!
Even though Yukino had never been in a relationship before, she still realized it at this moment.
Makoto was pulling her in!
Yet, she couldn't control her emotions like before.
It was all because he had played a trump card that breached her defenses.
After they had a delicious lunch together, they each sat on single sofas in the living room.
Makoto, watching a TV program, casually asked, "Do you want to go out again today?"
Yukino thought for a moment and said, "No, I'm feeling fine now."
It wasn't just her tense emotions that had eased.
Thanks to his arrival, her once restless heart gradually calmed down.
Yukino knew she could now sit down and study or practice the piano.
All of this was possible because he had come.
Yukino felt her cheeks heating up again.
This was not a good sign!
Sitting to her right, Makoto still spoke casually, "Since you don't want to go out, how about studying instead?"
"Studying?" Yukino was taken aback.
Makoto said formally, "I think you'd enjoy this kind of thing, and since there's an opportunity, you can ask me about any professional knowledge."
"Then I'll leave it to you."
Yukino agreed without hesitation.
This suggestion was just what she wanted.
However, she didn't notice that Makoto was baiting her again.
They studied together until about 4:30 PM, and Yukino, extremely satisfied, stopped writing notes. She had learned a lot today.
Her tone softened as she said, "Thank you for your hard work."
Makoto, now reeling in the bait, replied, "Is just a verbal thank you enough?"
Yukino raised an eyebrow, "What do you want?"
Makoto took out his phone. "Can you let me take a few pictures? You've seen my photography skills; I'm sure you'll be satisfied."
Yukino scoffed coldly, "You just want to take pictures of my legs, right?"
"Exactly."
Yukino mocked, "You're still so honest."
"Thank you for the compliment."
This time, Yukino didn't say the usual "don't even think about it."
After all, the person had helped her so much in the afternoon. Taking a few casual pictures wasn't a big deal, and his photography skills were flawless.
So she agreed.
Afterward, in Yukino's house, she followed Makoto's instructions, posing for one beautiful lifestyle photo after another.
"Let me see."
Yukino sat on the two-person sofa in the living room and immediately spoke.
She felt some anticipation in her heart.
Makoto sat next to her and handed her the phone.
Yukino didn't mind that he suddenly sat so close and took the phone.
After all, "yesterday" she had even held him.
Once there's a first time, there will be a second.
As Yukino was admiring her photos, secretly praising how good he was at taking her pictures, she noticed something.
Makoto was looking at her legs.
"Your eyes?" Yukino reminded him.
"Oh, sorry." Makoto seemed to realize his mistake.
Just as Yukino was about to continue admiring the photos, someone had promised to behave but immediately made a move!
Her body trembled, and her cheeks turned crimson.
Because Makoto had grabbed her smooth calf.
And he lightly spoke, "Did you anticipate this step?"
No one had ever touched her legs before, especially not in such a steady and controlled manner, feeling the skin on her legs.
Yukino felt a variety of emotions welling up inside her.
She glared at him with a red face, but the words "Let go" didn't come out. Instead, Makoto's voice broke her defense: "Is it so hard to admit you care?"
Yukino froze on the spot.
Of course, she understood.
The last time he said this, he was mocking her for clearly caring about him but never being straightforward.
But this time…
He had clearly already noticed her thoughts.
He'd been waiting to ambush her!
He said he liked her legs, and he meant it.
Makoto followed through.
So he grabbed, and in an instant, it was as if he'd melted her…
The living room was silent for a moment, and Yukino, almost resigned, turned her blushing face away, saying, "If you dare do anything crazy, you're done for, Fushimi."
But Makoto was smiling. "Bro, you smell so good."
Of course, he didn't do anything rash, just contentedly playing with her beautiful leg.
It was white, smooth, and the feel was just as good as he had expected—excessively good.
A genuine "leg play."
Despite just casually toying with it, Yukino's whole body seemed to go limp as she leaned on the sofa, her face flushed and silent.
This was bad.
She thought this to herself for the second time.
The feelings she had wanted to obscure had finally become clear.
Meanwhile, Makoto thought: Today's memory must be preserved. She had studied so hard all afternoon—he absolutely couldn't waste her effort.
The cream puffs on the table were probably unstable, wobbling in the dish as if foreshadowing the future.
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