Chapter 26: Bite and Run
"Could you tell me a bit about what you and my brother have been through on this island?"
Megumi stopped talking about names.
But she did want to know how Yukino had gotten so close to her older brother.
"Um... should I start from the beginning?"
Yukino walked over and sat on a dry log near the fire.
"Yeah, we've still got plenty of time. No rush, you can take your time."
Megumi threw another piece of wood onto the flames.
Ah...
What kind of person is Katō's little sister?
Yukino couldn't tell what Megumi was thinking.
Her face in the light from the fire looked calm, but also like the deep sea at night—exceptionally still, and hard to understand.
Yes, the affinity above Megumi Katō's head is...
[Kato Megumi -- Afinity: 100]
_ _ _
"Yukino?"
Jun had also woken up early in the small, cramped hut.
After gently moving Yui's arm—which had been draped across him—Jun looked at his sleeping sister's face for a moment.
But as soon as it looked like Megumi might wake up while he was looking at her, he quickly left, scared.
Not far away, Yukino sat staring into the campfire, deep in thought.
Jun approached quietly. She didn't notice him at all.
Then suddenly—
"Hyaa!"
Yukino almost jumped out of her skin when she heard Jun's voice behind her.
"Ka-Katō... Jun-san! Is scaring people your favorite hobby or something!?"
She held her chest and tried to calm her pounding heart.
In the middle of a dark night, with only the campfire for light, a sudden voice behind you can give anyone a heart attack!
She crossed her arms tightly over her chest and glared at Jun as if he were some kind of annoying bug.
"I tried to make a noise on purpose, but you were thinking about something else."
Jun quickly explained. He even stepped on a branch on purpose to make a sound, but Yukino was completely lost in her own thoughts.
"Hmph! He always makes excuses. You're a liar, Katō! I'd never win a debate against someone like you!"
Yukino looked away, her cheeks a little red.
It was true—she had been daydreaming, thinking about everything she'd talked about with Megumi and all the things she'd been through with Jun on this island.
"I wasn't lying back then. I'm sorry. I'm serious."
Jun lowered his head and apologized.
"Hmph. If saying "sorry" fixed everything, we wouldn't need police or laws, right?
Yukino wasn't ready to forgive him that easily.
"In that case... here. Think of it as my apology."
Jun pulled a small box out from behind his back, as if he were a magician.
"What is this?"
Yukino took the box, because she was curious.
"It's..."
Inside was a creamy white substance—something like a solid balm.
"I made it from coconut oil and a little beeswax... It's sort of a lip balm. I'm not sure if it turned out well. If it doesn't suit you, I can try making a better one."
"L-l-lip balm?"
Yukino stammered, shocked.
"I..."
She touched her lips with her finger.
They were a bit dry...
But why is this guy staring at my lips so much?
With her face burning red, Yukino quickly closed the box.
"Okay, I'll accept it."
The beeswax came from a beehive that they harvested from a tree a few days ago.
Jun almost got stung while trying to collect it.
"You don't want to try it first?"
He hadn't tested his recipe on anyone yet, and he was really curious to see how it would turn out. He wanted to know how well it worked.
"...."
Under Jun's intense gaze, Yukino couldn't say no.
Her face was red (thankfully, the darkness hid it), but she tried to stay calm. She opened the box again, took out a small amount of the balm, and carefully put it on her lips.
It's cool and smooth. The scent was nice, too.
Yukino silently agreed—it felt pretty good.
"Well?" Jun asked excitedly.
Even in the dim light, the fire cast just enough glow to reveal a soft shine on Yukino's lips.
It was obvious. It's fascinating.
"Not bad," Yukino replied curtly, tucking the little box away like it was something precious.
"So... about what happened back then... could you forgive me?"
Jun kept hoping. She hadn't immediately rejected him, so maybe the lip balm had worked.
"...."
Yukino didn't respond.
She just walked up to him, standing right in front of Jun, and looked into his eyes.
Her gaze made Jun's heart race.
"Close your eyes," she said quietly.
She lifted her foot slightly, holding the collar of Jun's shirt to bring their faces closer.
"Okay..."
Was this the end?
Was it because of the lip balm? Was this actually going to be a sweet moment?
Jun closed his eyes, not knowing what was going on.
But reality was different.
"AAARRRGHHHH!!"
PAIN.
It was an unbelievable amount of pain!
Right where his neck met his shoulder, Jun felt the sharp bite of small but vicious teeth.
Is she a vampire? Jun panicked, almost jumping out of his skin.
So, that whole "close your eyes" thing?
It was a total trap.
"There, you can open your eyes now. I forgive you... for what happened."
When he finally opened his eyes, Yukino had already turned and was running back toward the little hut.
That was a classic "bite and run" move!
Jun touched the spot on his neck where she had bitten him.
Luckily, she hadn't said anything. It hurt, but not too badly.
Oh my gosh, please don't tell me I've caught rabies.
He let out a sigh, feeling a mix of annoyance and amusement.
Not far away, the horizon began to glow.
Even though it was still dark outside, Jun knew...
Dawn was coming.
_ _ _
"Good morning, Katō-kun!"
Yui was the first to wake up that morning. She had clearly slept like a log all night.
"Huh? Wait! What's that on your neck?!"
She rubbed her eyes and stared at Jun, shocked.
Right there—
"Nothing! You're seeing things!"
Jun quickly pulled his collar up to hide the mark Yukino had left the night before.
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