That’s A Secret! 

….

[-Continuation-]

.

[-Hachiman's POV-]

"Well, I am working on leveling up my [Culinary] skill so I can unlock the [Househusband] job class in the future." I explained.

Her eyes softened just a bit, but she kept her composure. "Quite ambitious. But you know, any position here requires strict qualifications. No shortcuts."

"[Quest] accepted." I replied, lifting my cup in a mock toast.

Yukino chuckled, her laughter a soft melody that danced in the air like the steam rising from our cups. "Just remember, you can't just rely on cheat sheets forever. Experience is the best teacher."

I leaned back, the weight of her words settling in. "Fine, but I am hoping for a few more 'side quests' along the way. Maybe some cooking lessons?"

"Staying here for today isn't enough? And I suppose this is just another step in your quest to create reasons to intrude on my space?" She pointed it out.

"What can I do?" I asked, feigning innocence. "My girlfriend rarely invites me over, so I have got to seize every opportunity before it vanishes."

"All right, Mr. Aspiring Househusband." She mused. "How about you reconsider your job? I think you would excel in the Art of Flattery."

"Nah." I countered with a smirk. "That's an exclusive skill reserved just for you."

"Does that mean your Househusband job isn't exclusive to me?" She grinned back.

"Wow, you catch on quick." I chuckled. "But no, it's also reserved just for you."

"Good." She replied with a smile, the corners of her eyes crinkling in delight.

After that we fell into a comfortable silence as we finished our tea.

I stretched out, still feeling the warmth of the tea as it lingered in my chest.

"Next time I come by, maybe I should bring an extra pair of clothes." I said casually, adding a slow and suggestive tone for effect. "I could leave them here and freshen up a bit... myself."

Glancing over at Yukino, I waited for her response.

She neatly placed her cup back on the table before meeting my gaze for a brief moment. Then, with a small habitual motion, she adjusted the hem of her sweater.

"Do you want anything else?" Yukino's voice drifted absentmindedly towards the kitchen, her eyes already searching for something else to occupy herself with.

Yep… She totally ignored that… But she didn't object to it either.

"I am good for now."

Shaking my head, I declined any further offers and lazily settled into the couch in a more comfortable position.

I observed Yukino move over to her bookshelf, her fingers trailing thoughtfully along the spines. 

After a moment of consideration, she selected one and turned back to me with a slight, knowing smile.

"You will probably find this boring…" She said, holding up the book. "But I thought you might like to have something to hold onto while you drift off to sleep…."

I chuckled at her perceptive gesture. "Well, my girlfriend knows me too well." I replied shamelessly. "But I must admit, I would much rather hold onto your warm body than read a potentially boring book."

"Guess who is eager to get kicked out?" She countered.

"Actually, give me that book, won't you? I am kinda intrigued hearing you claim it is boring." I immediately redirected the conversation and handed her the book from my grasp.

"What kind of reasoning is that?" She murmured while I opened the book.

"The Last Memories of a Lost Dreamer." I read the title, and I couldn't help but smirk at the inherent irony.

"Sounds like a real page-turner." I added wryly as I looked up at Yukino, who had perched herself on the armrest of the couch next to me.

…a little farther than I would have preferred for my comfort, but I held my tongue, unwilling to disrupt her chosen spot.

Without a word, she leaned her head back against the couch, her eyes fluttering closed as though she were content to simply exist in the moment with me.

We sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, only the sound of turning pages and our quiet breathing filling the room.

…

"So… how is it? The book."

Yukino spoke up after a few minutes, her voice soft but carrying an edge of curiosity that could never be masked by her usual coolness.

"That's a secret!" I replied with a playful smile.

"What? You still have secrets you can't tell me?" Yukino raised an eyebrow, her gaze both curious and mildly exasperated.

That… hit differently than I expected - or maybe even more than Yukino herself expected.

Secrets, huh?

I thought for a moment.

I have a few, don't I?

No… maybe just one big secret - one that could potentially change everything

But I stayed silent, unable to find the right words to explain myself.

Yukino sighed, a small smile slipping through. "Well, I guess... That's part of your charm."

She said gently, reaching out to brush my cheek with her fingers. "So I will let it pass."

She sensed my dilemma just now, didn't she?

How cute of her…

I dipped my head in mock gratitude. "Thank you for your gracious understanding."

I don't look in her direction.

Meanwhile she studied me for a moment, her expression unreadable, before she spoke again, her voice quieter but firm. "...But promise me, if you ever decide to tell your secret, I better be the first one to know."

Even though I didn't see her face, I can feel her eyes on me, piercing yet soft at the same time.

She paused for a beat, her gaze flicking over my face then, she added, her voice almost a whisper. "That is… I presume no one knows about it, except you, up until now."

"Promise." I said, without hesitation.

When I finally turn around to face her, I find her face inches away from mine.

Sometime during the conversation, she had crawled all the way to my side of the couch.

I mentally berate myself for not paying close attention to her.

I think it's quite sensual, how she gets on all fours and crawls towards me.

It reminded me of a kitten - soft, fluid, yet with a quiet intensity that was anything but innocent.

A really sexy kitten.

She reached out, her hands wrapping tightly around my neck, pulling me closer with a soft, deliberate tug.

Her breath brushed against my face, warm and steady.

The air between us seemed to thicken as she whispered. "When exactly?"

…a time frame?

I don't have a single clue.

Before I could respond, she closed the distance between us.

Her lips met mine in a brief, sweet kiss.

It wasn't hurried, but it held so much promise, warmth, and understanding.

It was fleeting but intense, and when we pulled away, her cheeks had taken on a gentle blush, the color soft against her normally composed face.

We rested our foreheads together, taking in the moment, just breathing in each other's presence.

I stayed there, holding her, feeling her heartbeat against mine.

"...I don't know." I murmured, not sure if I was speaking to her or to myself, the words more a promise than anything else.

Then Yukino just adjusted herself beside me, pretty close by actually.

I just stayed like that there… and by now I had already thrown the book that was in my hands to the side.

But after a while, I began to feel the stiffness of sitting in one position for too long.

A dull ache crept up my back, and I shifted slightly, trying to find some relief.

I glanced at Yukino for a moment, she was still resting, her posture relaxed, and, without much thought, I dropped my head gently onto her lap, sighing in contentment.

My leg draped over the edge of the couch, the feeling of her proximity making everything feel oddly perfect.

"Hachiman…" Yukino muttered, her voice soft.

"...What?" I feigned ignorance, even though I was clearly more focused on her than anything else.

"Nothing." She replied, her voice trailing off as if she had given up.

She didn't move at first, but her fingers twitched slightly, brushing against my hair in a way that felt almost absent-minded.

I stayed there for a moment, feeling the subtle warmth of her lap, the gentle touch of her fingers against my hair.

Yukino's hand lingered for a second longer, and I could sense her eyes on me.

I shifted my head slightly, just enough to glance up at her.

.

….

[To be continued…]

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