Ch 32. Let Me Feed You

The next day, a new week began.

In the classroom of Class 2J at Sobu High School, Hoshimi rested his chin on one hand, listening to the teacher's lecture with a bored expression.

"Yawn~~"

Feeling sleepy, Hoshimi yawned and half-closed his eyes, his gaze unconsciously shifting to his neighbor, Yukinoshita.

Yukinoshita, with her usual cool demeanor, looked as beautiful as ever. As Hoshimi gazed at her profile, memories of last night's dream surfaced in his mind.

Last night, he had hoped that Yukinoshita, whose clothes had been washed away, would ask him for help, allowing him to propose an unfair deal. However, Yukinoshita's swimming skills and unyielding spirit were so strong that she swam for half the night to find her clothes.

But from Yukinoshita's tenacity last night, he could tell that she had discovered a little secret about the dream world.

In his dreams, stamina doesn't deplete. Although one may feel tired, it's just a subconscious perception, or a belief that one should be tired at a certain point. With enough willpower, it's possible to break through this perception and have limitless stamina.

Of course, this applies only if he doesn't interfere. If he wanted to, he could easily turn Yukinoshita into a weak, frail beauty. But that wouldn't be fun. The authentic Yukinoshita was much more interesting.

Speaking of Yukinoshita, she had been preparing for a long time. He wondered what surprise she had in store for him today. It was something to look forward to...

"Yawn~"

Hoshimi yawned again, looking at Yukinoshita's delicate profile. Bathed in the gentle April sunlight, he gradually drifted into sleep.

Next to him, Yukinoshita's gaze suddenly shifted when Hoshimi closed his eyes. She watched him out of the corner of her eye, a cold glint flickering in her icy blue eyes.

Hoshimi, keep sleeping. When you wake up, I'll show you what cruelty is and what it means to lift a rock only to drop it on your own foot!

A faint, sadistic smile curled at the corners of Yukinoshita's lips as she thought of something.

...

"Riiiing~~~~~"

The bell signaling the end of class rang, waking Hoshimi from his light sleep.

He rubbed his eyes, a bit dazed, as he saw the girls in the classroom gathering in small groups.

Seeing them take out bento boxes wrapped in furoshiki, Hoshimi realized that the morning classes were over and it was now lunchtime.

He felt his stomach and confirmed that he needed to eat.

First, he stretched while sitting, then prepared to get up and check the school convenience store for something new to eat.

"Hoshimi, where are you going?"

Just as he stood up, he heard Yukinoshita's unusually gentle voice.

He raised an eyebrow, looking at Yukinoshita's faint smile with a puzzled expression. "What's up? Do you need something?"

"Hmm? Hoshimi, what are you talking about?" Yukinoshita took out a bento box, her voice even gentler. "Didn't we agree over the weekend to have lunch together from now on?"

"..." Hoshimi's expression grew more puzzled as he looked around at the gentle Yukinoshita, certain there was a trick.

But....

"Yukinoshita-san, you're being unfair, showing off in the classroom like that."

"Ugh~ I'm so jealous..."

"Huh? Who are you jealous of? Yukinoshita-san or Hoshimi-kun?"

"Hoshimi-kun, of course. Getting to taste Yukinoshita-san's homemade bento, just thinking about it makes me envious."

"Yeah, Yukinoshita-san's paella during the home economics class was perfect. Even the teacher said she could be a restaurant chef with that skill."

"Ugh~ I'm so jealous. I wonder what kind of bento Yukinoshita-san made. I really want to try it."

"Now that you mention it, I'm curious too, but forget it. That's a love-filled bento Yukinoshita-san made for Hoshimi-kun. Don't even think about it. Just eat your own lunch."

Listening to the murmurs of the girls around him and feeling their envious and admiring gazes, Hoshimi knew he had no choice but to step into this trap. Otherwise, the public opinion he had painstakingly built might turn against him.

With no choice but to jump into the pit, Hoshimi gave Yukinoshita an appreciative look.

Well done, using the situation to your advantage, unlike last week's Yukinoshita who only relied on brute force.

But manipulating 'situation' isn't that easy. Any mistake, and the consequences won't be simple.

"Hoshimi, bring your desk over. Let's enjoy lunch together."

Meeting Hoshimi's gaze, Yukinoshita understood his thoughts but showed no hesitation or retreat, maintaining her faint smile and confidently inviting Hoshimi into the arena.

"Okay, Yukino." Hoshimi responded warmly to the challenge.

He moved his desk to merge with Yukinoshita's, placed his chair beside hers, and the two sat shoulder to shoulder.

"Hoshimi, would you like some cookies before lunch?"

Looking at Hoshimi beside her, Yukinoshita's faint smile almost broke, the sadistic smile underneath already peeking out.

"Okay." Feeling the girls' amorous gazes, Hoshimi had no choice but to step into another pit.

"Hehe~" Yukinoshita laughed, her bright smile filled with undeniable malice.

She took out a bag of cookies she had made the night before.

In the sunlight, the whole bag of small cookies looked delicious, and one could almost smell their sweet aroma.

"Rip---"

Yukinoshita opened the delicate package and picked up a round cookie with bear ears with her slender fingers.

"Come on, Hoshimi, let me feed you."

With a sweet smile, Yukinoshita brought the cookie to Hoshimi's mouth.

"..."

Smelling the pungent scent from the cookie, Hoshimi's tear ducts twitched involuntarily.

Sure enough, it was a big trap...

"Ah~~ the couple feeding each other!"

"I never thought the cool Yukinoshita-san would do something like this... it's surprising..."

"If they're doing this in the classroom, I can't imagine what they do in private."

"Well, it's their business. But I never thought I'd see such a scene in our J class, especially with Yukinoshita-san, known as the 'Flower on the High Peak.'"

Listening to the excited discussions around him, Hoshimi maintained a graceful smile. He leaned forward slightly, eating the cookie while also licking Yukinoshita's fingers.

"Hmph~" Yukinoshita sneered, not caring about Hoshimi's small revenge.

She withdrew her hand, her sweet smile eagerly anticipating Hoshimi's reaction.

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