Ch 95. Do You Want to Go Home and Sleep Together?

Understand? Understand what?

Not fully grasping the hidden meaning, Yukinoshita Haruno subtly glanced at Yukino.

Seeing Yukino's cold expression, as if she had understood the hidden meaning in Iwanaga Kotoko's words, Haruno was somewhat astonished.

Her sister had reached a secret understanding with someone she had just met, and right under her nose, no less.

Unbelievable. This secret must be related to Hoshimi.

To be precise, the secret that her sister and Iwanaga Kotoko were hinting at must be Hoshimi's secret.

Haruno was curious about Hoshimi's secret and silently decided to remain inconspicuous, ready to analyze the upcoming conversation between Yukino and Kotoko.

But unexpectedly, after mentioning Hoshimi's secret, neither of them spoke again, and the infirmary fell silent once more.

Iwanaga Kotoko, her expression soft, caressed Hoshimi's face. Her strange purple eyes were filled with a doting affection that did not match her petite frame.

Yukino watched silently, her expressionless face making it impossible to guess her thoughts.

Haruno was speechless. She had wanted to hear the secret, but neither of them spoke.

After thinking for a moment, she decided not to break the silence and continued to remain unnoticed, waiting for the two to possibly resume their conversation.

"Ring ring~~ ring ring~~"

After an unknown amount of time, the sound of a melodious phone ringtone broke the silence.

It was a call for Iwanaga Kotoko. She took out her phone, glanced at it, and walked out of the infirmary to answer the call, looking somewhat troubled.

She didn't go far, just stood by the infirmary door, answering the call without lowering her voice, seemingly not caring if others heard the conversation.

"Moshi moshi... Mother... Yes... Yes... I know... I'll be back soon..."

"I'm at school... to see someone... a senior... Eh? You want to meet him?"

"Today might not be possible, he's exhausted from too much exercise..."

"Yes... Alright... I'll bring him home sometime..."

"Yes... I'll be back soon."

Although some parts were unclear, the general content was filled in by the three people in the infirmary.

"Clatter—"

The infirmary door opened, and Iwanaga Kotoko returned to Hoshimi's bedside.

She gazed at Hoshimi and leaned down to whisper in his ear, "Hoshimi-senpai, I'll let you off this time, but next time I won't be so lenient if you do this again."

"You're so mean, treating adorable Kotoko-chan as a monster. I know my limits very well and wouldn't speak out of turn in public."

"My mother is urging me to go home, so I'll leave for today, but we can meet tonight."

"Oh, right..." To ensure she could enter Hoshimi's dream tonight, she gently reminded, "Hoshimi-senpai, remember to think of me in your dream, so I can come in."

Hoshimi's eyelashes trembled slightly.

After giving her instructions to Hoshimi, Kotoko straightened up and looked at Yukino, "Yukinoshita-san, although I don't want to, can I ask you to take Hoshimi-senpai home?"

"...Alright," Yukino nodded coldly.

"Thank you, Yukinoshita-san." Kotoko stood up, lifted her skirt, and curtsied gracefully before elegantly exiting.

Yukino watched Kotoko leave with indifference, not saying a word throughout.

"Clatter—"

The infirmary door closed, and Yukino's gaze shifted to Hoshimi.

She looked at Hoshimi deeply for a while, then closed her eyes to rest.

Seeing her sister resting, Haruno moved a chair between their beds, crossed her arms, rested her chin on her hand, and looked at the unconscious Hoshimi with a faint smile.

Meanwhile, in the dream world, Hoshimi sat on the rooftop water tower, sighing.

He was actually in a half-awake state and could sense everything happening outside.

Kotoko's whispers in his ear and Yukino's gaze on him were all clearly perceived.

"What should I do..." Hoshimi rested his chin on his hand, worriedly looking at the towering buildings.

Kotoko had become his junior. This little girl with a sharp tongue and clever tactics was far more troublesome than Yukino.

Moreover, Kotoko's sense of shame was different from ordinary people. She was the type who could shamelessly make lewd remarks and declare her dominance in public.

Far more formidable than the tsundere Yukino, who barely showed any emotion.

He could almost foresee the disastrous social death scenarios Kotoko would bring in the near future.

"Ah, such a bother..." Hoshimi lay on the water tower, lazily gazing at the clear blue sky.

After thinking for a bit, he made up his mind. The sky quickly turned cloudy, and a light drizzle began to fall.

Feeling the cold rain on his body, Hoshimi's thoughts became clearer.

He pondered Kotoko's last words.

"Hoshimi-senpai, remember to think of me in your dream, so I can come in."

The short sentence revealed a lot of information.

Kotoko knew more about the rules for pulling people into dreams than he, the owner of the dream, did?

Princess of Yokai... Goddess of Wisdom... This might be a good opportunity.

Just in time for him to use the dream to strengthen himself, Kotoko might bring some surprises.

Strengthen himself first, and deal with real-world problems as they come. There's always a way forward, no need to worry too much.

"Alright, time to wake up."

Hoshimi waved his hand, the rain stopped, the sky cleared, and a brilliant rainbow arched across the sky.

He stood up, stretched, and nonchalantly walked to the edge of the water tower and jumped off.

As the wind howled, the dream shattered.

"Yo~ You're awake, little brother~"

As soon as Hoshimi opened his eyes, Haruno greeted him with a smile.

"Yes, I'm awake." Hoshimi sat up and looked at Yukino, who was still resting with her eyes closed.

"How are you feeling? Are things better?" Haruno asked, implying more than she said.

"A little better, but not much. It's no longer an issue."

"Oh? Really?" Haruno looked at Hoshimi thoughtfully.

Hoshimi ignored Haruno and looked at Yukino, "Yukino, is your sprain better?"

"Yes."

"Yukino, do you still want to attend the closing ceremony?"

"..."

Yukino looked at Hoshimi, her icy blue eyes as cold as when they first met.

"My body isn't feeling well, so I plan to go home early to rest. I wanted to ask if you want to go home with me?" Hoshimi asked with a gentle smile.

"...We need to ask Hiratsuka-sensei first," Yukino said after a moment of silence.

"Alright." Hoshimi smiled at Haruno, "Haruno-san, could you call Hiratsuka-sensei for us?"

"...Sure." Haruno looked deeply at Hoshimi before agreeing.

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