Ch 186. Kasumigaoka is Very Soft

Outside the family restaurant:

"Hoshimi, shall I walk you to the train station?" Kasumigaoka asked, her eyes reflecting a hint of something unspoken.

"No need," Hoshimi replied, letting go of Kasumigaoka's soft and delicate hand with a smile. "I can just follow the GPS on my phone, or even take a cab if needed. You don't have to trouble yourself, Utaha. Besides..."

Hoshimi paused, his smile growing wider. "Besides, your place isn't far from here, right? There's no need for you to go out of your way. It would be a hassle to go back and forth."

"Hm?" Kasumigaoka raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Hoshimi, how do you know my house isn't far from here?"

Hoshimi's smile deepened as he explained, "Utaha, your school is nearby, so your home can't be too far away, right? Given your level of genius, any school would suit you. So, you likely chose one close to home rather than one that would waste your time commuting."

Kasumigaoka stared at Hoshimi in silence for a while before stepping closer and whispering in his ear, her breath warm, "Hoshimi, would you like to come over to my place?"

Hoshimi leaned back slightly, looking into Kasumigaoka's eyes, which were filled with a soft, inviting light. He asked a question with deeper implications, "Utaha, is there anyone at your place?"

Kasumigaoka's lips curled into a smile as she wrapped her arms around Hoshimi's neck, replying sweetly, "Hoshimi, if you want, there won't be anyone at my place."

"Hm?" Hoshimi raised an eyebrow, his expression curious as he asked, "So, is there someone or not?"

Kasumigaoka tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing with a teasing smile. "Hoshimi, are you chickening out?"

"..." Hoshimi's smile faltered for a moment before he wrapped his arms around Kasumigaoka's waist, replying seriously, "How could I? I was just making sure."

"Really?" Kasumigaoka's smile grew more seductive as she traced her fingers lightly across the back of Hoshimi's neck. "Hoshimi, there's no one at my place. So..."

Kasumigaoka paused, looking into Hoshimi's crimson eyes before continuing, "Do you want to come over?"

"..." Hoshimi maintained his smile but fell silent.

In this moment, he felt a bit dazed.

A long time ago, someone else had tempted him like this...

Who was it? And what was his answer?

Hoshimi began to search his memory...

He remembered—it was his boss's daughter who had tempted him, and he had refused.

Back then, he was fresh out of school, full of ideals, capable, and rational. He knew some opportunities were better left untouched, confident that he could succeed on his own terms. So, he turned down the temptation before him.

Now, the same temptation was before him again. What should he choose?

Hoshimi's smile grew wider as the answer surfaced in his mind. He leaned down, ready to accept this sweet offer.

Unlike before, he had fewer worries now. There was no need to struggle anymore; he could simply live for his own happiness. Why complicate things?

"Utaha, I..." Hoshimi was about to accept when Kasumigaoka suddenly withdrew her smile, her voice turning solemn as she said, "Hoshimi, were you just thinking about another woman?"

"Uh..." Hoshimi froze, his mind momentarily stalling.

How did she catch that? His expression hadn't given anything away! Could it have been his eyes?

But that couldn't be right; his gaze had been distant, contemplative, not reminiscent of someone recalling a particular memory.

Could it be that his eye contact had betrayed him?

In that instant, while maintaining his smile, Hoshimi's mind raced to figure out where he had slipped up.

"Ha~" Kasumigaoka laughed softly at Hoshimi's stiff expression.

"!!" Hoshimi raised an eyebrow, realizing that he had likely been played by Kasumigaoka.

"Ha ha ha~" Kasumigaoka laughed as she slipped out of Hoshimi's embrace.

She stepped back five or six paces, then bent over, hands behind her back, and looked up at Hoshimi with a teasing smile. "Hoshimi, my family is home. I was just messing with you, and you fell for it! A huge success on my part, don't you think?"

"But..." Kasumigaoka's tone turned slightly dangerous as she continued, "Hoshimi, judging by your reaction, were you really thinking about another woman just now?"

Hoshimi chuckled, "How could I be? I was just about to agree when you said something that threw me off. By the way..."

Hoshimi's eyes lit up with a mysterious gleam as he looked at Kasumigaoka. "Utaha, I have an empty villa in Chiyoda Ward with a big, soft bed, and no one will disturb us. Would you like to visit my villa instead?"

"..." Kasumigaoka's face flushed as she straightened up, shaking her head slightly. "No... My family would worry if I stayed out all night."

"Is that so? What a pity," Hoshimi replied, feigning regret while secretly feeling relieved.

By turning the situation around, from defense to offense, his subtle maneuvering had worked once again.

"Hoshimi, I'm leaving now," Kasumigaoka said, stepping back two paces and waving goodbye.

"Okay, see you next time." Hoshimi nodded with a smile.

Kasumigaoka took one last look at Hoshimi before turning to leave.

But after only a couple of steps, she suddenly turned back, throwing herself into Hoshimi's arms like a swallow returning to its nest.

She hugged Hoshimi tightly for a moment, then stood on tiptoe to plant a quick kiss on his cheek, whispering in his ear, "This is your reward for today's date. There will be more next time."

Before Hoshimi could respond, Kasumigaoka turned to leave.

But just as she took her first step, Hoshimi grabbed her wrist.

The next moment, a gentle force pulled her back into Hoshimi's embrace.

As she found herself close to Hoshimi once more, Kasumigaoka's lips parted as if she wanted to say something.

"Mmm~"

Before she could speak, Hoshimi suddenly captured her lips in a deep kiss.

At first, Kasumigaoka tried to resist, but after three seconds, her body softened, and she lost all strength to fight back, leaving herself completely at Hoshimi's mercy.

As dusk fell, the handsome white-haired, red-eyed young man and the graceful girl with skin like cream indulged in a passionate kiss on the street.

Passersby who noticed them reacted with envy, amusement, laughter, or simply averted their eyes, whispering among themselves.

Three minutes later, Hoshimi reluctantly let go of Kasumigaoka. After all, they were in public, and it wouldn't be proper to get too carried away—just a taste was enough.

At the same time, Hoshimi confirmed something: the sensation of having someone soft in his arms varies by person.

For instance, the feeling of holding Kasumigaoka was undoubtedly top-tier!

Although Yukino was also great, Kasumigaoka was slightly better.

As for why? Well, those who know, know...

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