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Sitting on the bench beside the vending machine, Andrew held the adorable Miss Yukinoshita in his arms.
His mood couldn't have been better.
Her body was soft, warm, and carried a faint, intoxicating fragrance. Different from Mahiru's—just slightly. Probably because Yukinoshita was still resisting him, her body stiff and reluctant.
Compared to her, Mahiru trusted him far more. If he had to put it in simple terms, then Mahiru's angelic softness easily won over the current Yukinoshita.
She had struggled at first, but after a couple of attempts, Yukinoshita gave up. She knew she couldn't break free. More than that, she was terrified someone might pass by and see them like this—close, intimate. The thought of such social death made her freeze in place, letting him hold her while glaring up at him with eyes full of frustration.
"What do you even want from me? Why is it that every time we meet, you have to bully me?"
"Ahem. Maybe because I'm a villain?"
"Come on, Yukino. You already know—I'm a shameless demon. Whatever I do is justified. Demons don't care about human rules, after all."
That line made her tense up instantly. To openly disregard human rules was dangerous. If left unchecked, people like him would eventually become a threat to society. Not that she particularly cared about society as a whole… but still. Couldn't he just stop bullying her?
As she sat there sulking, his warm breath brushed her ear.
"Don't worry. I'm just going to hold you. Just for one lunch break."
"You won't let me kiss you, so at least let me hug you, okay?"
Yukinoshita almost laughed in disbelief. If she had it her way, she wouldn't even let him hug her. But what could she do? He was exactly the type of shameless, thick-skinned person she couldn't deal with. Words didn't work, and force… well, she doubted her aikido could overpower this so-called demon.
So was she really just… stuck with it?
It felt so unfair.
"Relax, I mean it. I just want to hold you. You looked so lonely earlier—I can't stand seeing a cute girl sad. So I thought I'd come cheer you up."
She scoffed, refusing to give him the satisfaction."First of all, I'm not lonely. Or sad. And second… if that's your way of comforting people, then I'd rather you didn't!"
"And finally… let me go, will you? What if someone sees? You're always with Shiina, aren't you? If she finds out, she'll hate you for sure."
Yukinoshita knew she was throwing Shiina under the bus, but if it could get her out of his arms, she didn't mind using it as a distraction.
"You're right. If someone saw and it made things difficult for you, that wouldn't be good."
"But… I'm still not letting go."
She almost collapsed from sheer exasperation."Why me? Why is it always me?"
Couldn't this jerk go bother someone else?
Andrew put on a serious face."Because during your treatment, I lost my first kiss. So I'm clinging to you."
"What nonsense! That was my first kiss, not yours!"
Yukinoshita was speechless. How could anyone be this shameless?
"Heh, exactly. Since your first kiss is already mine, why don't you give me your other firsts too?"
His tone was almost gentle, but when it reached her ears, her whole body tingled.
Wait—was he pouting at her? Acting spoiled? And why did it sound like he was demanding even more of her "firsts"?
"If you don't answer, I'll take that as a yes. Starting today, Yukino has to hug me once a day. And kiss me too."
"Like hell I agree! Idiot! Let me go—I hate you!"
Her anger finally boiled over. She pounded his chest with her fists, like a little hammer. But no matter how hard she hit him, he didn't loosen his hold at all. He only kept smiling down at her, his gaze burning into her.
Her face turned red. She ducked her head, unable to meet his eyes. Eventually, out of breath from hitting him, she slumped weakly against his chest as though she'd lost all strength.
"I hate you… I said I hate you. So why won't you let go?"
"How far do you plan to bully me?"
Andrew tilted her chin up, forcing her to look at him. Without hesitation, he stole her lips.
"If I could, I'd bully you for a lifetime."
"Mmph—! Idiot… don't… stop touching… I hate you…" She panicked, squirming helplessly.
"Didn't you say you'd only hug me? You liar… you never keep your word…"
But no matter what she said, Andrew only kissed her harder, using the same trick he always used on Mahiru. Words didn't matter. Complaints didn't matter. His lips silenced everything—her protests, her resentment, her helplessness.
He knew he was being awful. Probably the worst kind of person. But wasn't that what he'd said all along? He was a demon. Yukinoshita knew that too. Even if he ever showed her kindness, she wouldn't believe it.
So why bother pretending?
He liked kissing her. Liked holding her. Liked the thought of keeping her all to himself.
...
As long as he could pass on his feelings to Yukinoshita, that alone would outweigh all the gentleness in the world.
As long as they were bound together somehow, he would become the one man who truly stood out in her heart.
And once she grew used to his presence, their feelings would naturally deepen.
When the snow finally melted, that would be the moment she'd show him her warmth.
Yukino Yukinoshita didn't even know what was happening to her anymore.
She was a girl, after all—being held so forcefully in a man's arms, bullied like that…
She felt wronged. She hated it, hated it so much.
And yet, her body slowly went soft.
Shamefully, her arms even slipped up around his neck, as if she were encouraging him.
She had no idea how long it lasted.
Her head was spinning by the time she finally broke free of his relentless kiss.
Maybe it was only because he was satisfied at last.
Breathing hard, her face flushed, Yukino looked almost unbearably cute, her delicate features softened with an emotion she herself couldn't name.
Andrew couldn't help but smirk at the sight.
"Looks like you don't hate me that much after all, Yukino."
She lowered her head and didn't answer. Her heart was in total chaos, and she had no idea how to deal with it.
"It's almost time for class, little Yukino. Come on, give me your number."
"…No." She turned her face away with an expression full of annoyance, as if she couldn't even stand to look at him.
"Really? If you don't, I'll just show up at your class every day until you give in."
"Ugh… fine, I'll give it to you, just don't come find me! You're not allowed to, got it?"
Blushing with frustration, she yanked out her phone and shoved it into his hands without looking at him.
Andrew casually added his own number into her contacts, saved under the name Lord Demon, before handing the phone back.
The mood grew awkwardly quiet.
Yukino pushed at him, her voice softer than before. "There, happy now? You've already bullied me enough. If someone sees us like this… it'll be really troublesome for me."
That gentle tone of hers melted him more than any kiss ever could.
"Just a little longer. I don't want to let go of you yet."
"You… pervert!"
She shot him a glare, but in the end, she could only shut her eyes helplessly.
She tried her best not to think about it. But really—when had she ever been this close to a boy before?
Her thoughts tangled into knots, yet along with the confusion came a strange, unfamiliar warmth.
Andrew only grinned, brushing his fingers through her silky hair.
She was being so obedient—how could he not savor it?
"Am I really that bad, little Yukino?" he teased, leaning close to whisper in her ear, his breath hot against her skin.
Yukino gave a sharp huff but ignored him. She'd already figured it out—the more she reacted, the more he pushed.
"Fine, I admit it. I am bad… but I just like being close to you. I can't help it."
"Pervert… you're nothing but a pervert!"
"Mmph—"
Unable to hold back, she snapped at him, only to be kissed again before she could finish. Yukino pouted miserably, her tiny fists pounding against his chest.
But slowly, inevitably, her arms circled around his neck once more.
Girls are creatures of emotion.
Andrew was shameless, yes. He teased her, bullied her, overwhelmed her.
But at the same time, the closeness made her feel something else—his undeniable affection.
Before she even realized it, she was responding to him.
There's that old saying: if you can't resist, you might as well enjoy it.
It wasn't until the bell was about to ring that Andrew finally let go, though reluctantly.
Yukino could only sigh in defeat.
He gently patted her head, then brushed his thumb over her slightly swollen lips. "Alright, we'll leave it here for today. Remember to call me if anything happens. I may be bad, but I'm a responsible demon, little Yukino. I'll take full responsibility for you."
Face burning, Yukino turned away without a word. That was the only protest she could manage.
Still, compared to last time, she was much calmer now. Her big, glassy eyes showed no trace of tears.
"Thanks for the treat then. Until next time."
He gave her thigh a quick playful squeeze through the black over-knee socks she wore before finally turning to leave.
Yukino glanced around nervously, exhaling in relief once she was sure no one was nearby.
Quickly smoothing down the skirt and blouse he'd mussed up, she darted back to class.
For the first time ever, the model honor student Yukino Yukinoshita found herself completely distracted during a lecture.
"..."
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