Ch 69. Yes, I Like You

Hoshimi's smile was too fake, unsettlingly so.

"Yukinoshita, the cold compress is almost done. I'll wrap it with an elastic bandage now; it will heal faster that way."

Hoshimi first removed the cold towel and placed it on the coffee table, then took an elastic bandage from the first aid kit.

Seeing this, Yukinoshita proactively lifted her right leg for Hoshimi to wrap.

Hoshimi glanced at Yukinoshita, calmly saying, "You need to lie on your stomach to wrap the sprained area."

"..." Yukinoshita was puzzled. Was there a difference between wrapping it while lying down and wrapping it while on her stomach?

This was beyond her knowledge. Unsure of the reasoning, Yukinoshita chose to follow Hoshimi's instructions and turned over to lie on her stomach.

Seeing Yukinoshita being so obedient, a hint of a mysterious expression appeared in Hoshimi's eyes.

He stood beside Yukinoshita, his expression unchanged. "Bend your right leg."

Yukinoshita followed the instruction and bent her right leg.

Hoshimi carefully wrapped Yukinoshita's leg with the elastic bandage.

As the wrapping was about to be completed, Hoshimi calmly said, "Yukinoshita, this afternoon during the spar, you owe me 26 lashes."

"..." Yukinoshita, lying on her stomach, frowned, not understanding why Hoshimi brought this up now.

Suddenly, a sense of unease arose in Yukinoshita's heart. She seemed to realize something and parted her lips to warn Hoshimi.

But it was too late...

"Smack!"

"Smack!"

"Smack! Smack! Smack!"

After five crisp and rhythmic sounds, Hoshimi bolted.

On his way out, he quickly explained to Yukinoshita, "26 lashes, one slap counts for five, you still owe me one, but I won't count it!"

With that, Hoshimi was already at the door. He grabbed his shoes and left without looking back.

"Bang!"

Hearing the loud sound of the door closing, Yukinoshita gritted her teeth, her face turning red.

She clenched her fists, her breathing growing heavier, and her chest heaved with anger, her icy blue eyes filled with fury.

"Phew~"

After a while, Yukinoshita took a deep breath and gradually unclenched her fists.

She turned over and looked at the white ceiling, the anger in her eyes slowly subsiding, and the blush on her face gradually fading.

When Hoshimi mentioned the 26 lashes, she realized what he intended to do.

But before she could warn him, the slaps had already landed.

The first one was heavy, so heavy it stunned her. She expected it but didn't think Hoshimi would hit so hard!

Wasn't he supposed to like her?! Why did he hit so hard?

After being stunned by the first slap, she realized what was happening after two more slaps. She wanted to resist, but Hoshimi was too quick with the last two slaps.

Before she could get up, Hoshimi had finished and run off. It was too late to chase after him.

"Bastard..."

Yukinoshita cursed quietly.

The bastard had hit her without any restraint, and the spot where she was hit still burned with pain.

"Sigh~~"

After cursing a few more times, Yukinoshita sighed, feeling somewhat helpless.

She seemed to be getting used to Hoshimi's sudden pranks and sneak attacks...

"Should I take revenge?"

Yukinoshita asked herself.

She wanted revenge, but her rational mind told her not to continue.

Continuing would only harm herself.

While she sought revenge, Hoshimi treated it as fun.

She was furious, while Hoshimi remained cheerful.

They weren't even on the same playing field; Hoshimi saw her revenge as mere entertainment.

No, not just entertainment after meals, but his main entertainment every day...

"Sigh~ Hostility, huh?" Yukinoshita muttered absentmindedly.

After talking with Hoshimi today, she realized she needed to think about many things.

Think about Hoshimi, think about their hostile relationship, think about Hoshimi's abilities, and think about what she would do if she had Hoshimi's abilities.

Yukinoshita's mind was in turmoil, pondering everything.

She covered her eyes with her arm, quietly thinking.

Time passed, and at some point, Yukinoshita's breathing became steady and deep, as if she had fallen asleep while thinking.

…

Rewinding a bit, Hoshimi, who had sneaked out of Yukinoshita's apartment, didn't go home immediately. Instead, he leaned against the door of 1507, listening to the sounds inside.

He listened for a long time, but didn't hear Yukinoshita shouting his name in anger.

"Heh~"

Hoshimi chuckled softly, satisfied, and left.

But he didn't go straight home; instead, he took the elevator downstairs and left the apartment building, heading somewhere unknown.

...

"Ding dong~~ Ding dong~~ Ding dong~~~"

After an unknown amount of time, the doorbell woke Yukinoshita from her sleep.

She sat up and looked out the window, realizing it was already evening.

"Ding dong~~ Ding dong~~"

The doorbell kept ringing.

Slightly annoyed, Yukinoshita put on her slippers and walked towards the entrance.

Who could it be?

Was it that bastard Hoshimi? Did he dare come back?

Yukinoshita reached the entrance and checked the peephole, seeing a tall woman dressed like a chef outside.

"Who are you?" Yukinoshita asked through the door.

"Is this Miss Yukinoshita? Master Hoshimi asked me to deliver dinner to you." The tall woman responded quickly, holding up the thermal box.

"Click--"

Yukinoshita frowned and opened the door.

Sent by Hoshimi? Did he add something to it?

"Miss Yukinoshita, hello." The tall woman breathed a sigh of relief, lifting the thermal box. "Miss Yukinoshita, Master Hoshimi asked me to bring this to you. Do you need me to help set it up inside?"

When ordering, Master Hoshimi had specifically instructed that Miss Yukinoshita had limited mobility and that it would be best if she set up the meal inside. If possible, it would be even better if she could stay and wait for Miss Yukinoshita to finish eating and then clean up.

"No need, I can do it myself."

But the first step encountered a problem; Miss Yukinoshita wouldn't allow her inside.

"Miss Yukinoshita, it's a bit heavy. Are you sure you're okay?" The tall woman asked cautiously.

Yukinoshita, expressionless, stretched out her hand. "Just give it to me. I can handle it."

"Uh... okay." The tall woman reluctantly handed the insulated box to Yukinoshita.

"Hmm?" As soon as Yukinoshita took the box, her arm sank noticeably.

"Careful, Miss Yukinoshita." Luckily, the tall woman quickly steadied the box, preventing it from falling further.

"No problem, I can handle it myself." Yukinoshita frowned, gripping the heavy box.

Although she had prepared herself, she didn't expect the box to be this heavy.

Was it fully packed?

===

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