Chapter 334
He advanced while she retreated, step by step, until their bodies were pressed against the wall. Yukino Shita Hiyori feel a rare sense of panic.
"No, it can't really be what I think, can it? You're still young, I don't think you need to be in such a hurry..."
Her body contracted inward in a defensive posture, her gaze shifted to the side, and her voice grew weaker and weaker.
Bump!
He placed his Hands on either side of her head, Kabe-don wall in front of him, his body almost touching hers.
For a moment, he was a little dazed. Was this the second time he had ever Kabe-don? The last one was with Ichiji Hoshika.
"Sis, I don't like forceful kids!"
Yukino Shita Hiyori made a rather pathetic struggle.
"Really? But I really enjoy seeing other people looking weak and troubled, you know?"
He moved a little closer, playfully, and placed his head near her ear, whispering:
"Especially someone like Miss Haruno Little Devil is usually so strong and perfect, is even more delicious~"
"...!!!"
Yukino Shita Hiyori's mind went blank; she couldn't immediately fathom his true purpose.
"Hey, Miss Haruno, do you think your personality is S or M?"
He asked a question that is quite bad for women.
But she wasn't an ordinary person either. Instead of immediately shouting about sexual harassment, she cautiously frowned and replied, "I don't think it's either of those. If I had to choose one, I'd lean more towards S."
"Really? Hmm... that makes sense. After all, most normal people wouldn't think of themselves as masochists, right?"
He nodded understandingly, straightened up a bit, and looked directly into her eyes at close range, no more than ten centimeters apart.
"By the way, I can say with certainty that I am an S, and I feel happy when I see other people's troubled expressions."
"..."
"Don't be nervous. Even I'm not a demon who takes pleasure in other people's suffering. I'm just... adding some spice to an otherwise mundane life."
"..."
She exhaled a deep, fragrant breath, calming herself slightly. "Ha~ I really never would have guessed that Talent Young Man was this kind of person."
"Right? So, I'm usually pretty normal, don't worry!"
"So, this is an abnormal situation?"
"That's one way to understand it."
"Ah, So..."
"Speaking of which, Miss Haruno's fragrance is quite complex. Should I say it's peony? Or maybe some other kind of scent...?"
"Because my motto is: 'Stand like a peony, sit like a peony, walk like a lily,' so take that as a compliment."
"That's a really good motto."
Sakurakoji Talent first smiled and praised him, then said, "However, I feel that a person's essence is a product rooted in their core, and no matter how one imitates it, it can never perfectly become something else."
"Just as you said, it's ultimately just 'like,' 'if,' or 'still.'"
"..."
Yukino Shita Hiyori's earlier caution and unease vanished completely, her expression calm, her eyes meeting his from ten centimeters away with icy indifference.
Even at this distance where they could faintly feel each other's body temperature, neither of them felt a shred of warmth in their hearts.
After a long silence, she opened her soft, pink lips first, her voice cold. "What do you mean by this?"
"The literal meaning, but we can start by discussing it from other angles."
He softened the expression on his face, and seeing that she had no objections, he continued, "Miss Haruno, which do you think is better, the truth or a lie?"
Yukino Shita Hiyori and remained silent for a moment, her expression gradually becoming unreal. "... If they were elementary school students, they would probably all choose the former, right?"
"And what about you now?"
"... have no idea."
"Really? That's a good answer too; at least it's true. Thank you."
He tilted his head slightly, a hint of reminiscence in his eyes. "For me, whether it's the truth or a lie, it's all part of my reality."
"The important thing is whether you follow your heart. As long as you don't deviate from that point, I think everything else is trivial."
"... It's easier said than done."
Her fists clenched tighter and tighter.
"Yes, it might be easy for me, but it's definitely not an easy thing for Miss Haruno or Ms. Yukino Shita."
"..."
He caught a glimpse of her tightly clenched hands, hesitated for a moment, and, to guard against a sudden attack, decided to change his position.
He Kabe-don her arm, grabbed her two soft hands, one in each hand, pried them open, intertwined their fingers, and then pressed them against the wall again.
"!!!"
Yukino Shita Hiyori stared at him in disbelief, her pretty face flushed red.
The warmth emanating from her hands made her feel hot from head to toe, from her wrists to her shoulders, and then to her chest... little by little.
This was the first time she'd ever seen a couple hold hands like this...!
"It's just to prevent you from hitting me, don't misunderstand."
Sakurakoji Talent let out an embarrassed sigh.
Yukino Shita Hiyori gritted her teeth, not intending to surrender so easily. She raised her leg and kicked him in the groin.
Unfortunately, just as she used her wrist to gain leverage, Sakurakoji Talent sensed something was wrong and nimbly clamped her right Black Stockings- stockinged leg, cleverly neutralizing the attack.
Her jade-like legs lifted, revealing more of her body beneath her short skirt, making the otherwise dimly lit room even brighter.
"That was dangerous! That area is very vulnerable, Miss Haruno, you're too ruthless!"
He looked down at her with a resentful expression.
Yukino Shita Hiyori silent, only squeezing his knuckles tightly with her fingers, but it was still to no avail.
"They're so enthusiastic!"
"..."
After a long while, with one sentence from him, she completely gave up resisting. Her snow-white skin flushed red as he pressed her against the wall in a somewhat humiliating position.
"Then Let's Continue,"
He maintained the facade without a care, and returned to the original topic, "Miss Haruno, what is it that you really want to do?"
"..."
"So what do you like? Ah, besides Guatemala coffee!"
"..."
"Interest?"
"..."
No matter what he asked, Yukino Shita Hiyori glared at him angrily and refused to answer a single question.
"This is really difficult. If you don't answer soon, I'm going to get revenge on you for taking advantage of me last time. I have no idea what I might do!"
He brought his lips close to her ear and gently breathed on it.
Ah~! Her sensitive ears were suddenly attacked, Yukino Shita Hiyori tensed up, her body heaving.
"... Even if I said it, it would be pointless."
It must be said that such threats are very effective.
You see, most people in the world actually prefer being tortured to soft words.
"Why is it meaningless? Because you can't change it anymore?"
Watching her transform from her previous aloofness and composure to her current fragile and adorable (real) appearance, Sakurakoji Talent felt a great sense of accomplishment—and even wanted to tease her a little more.
What was she really like beneath that seemingly strong and perfect armor mask? He now knew.
As the eldest daughter, she unwillingly took on various social engagements and political and business responsibilities within the family. Even her choice of university was based on her mother's wishes, as she opted for a school closer to home.
While constantly deceiving others, I am also constantly deceiving my own heart. I really am like a fool.
In his eyes, Yukino Shita Hiyori and the others were such beings.
Whether you call it helplessness or reality, in his and his loved ones' aesthetics of life, there is absolutely no question of distorting one's dreams or even one's philosophy of life for these insignificant things.
A family's foundation is its people, and the continuation of history also depends on people. What is the point of forging an empty reputation by abandoning one's own life?
If he were to choose, the inheritance of the Sakurakoji Family would be utterly insignificant compared to his own desires.
Of course, this statement was indeed self-serving and irresponsible. The reason he could make such a decision so easily was because his parents didn't care much about these things.
Enjoying the benefits of family ties also means taking on responsibilities, unless one is completely severing ties and is prepared to give up everything.
Although he can be considered quite lucky now, with an open-minded family and not disliking those things himself... he would probably do it if the necessity really came up.
However, no matter how many times he looked at it, it still seemed absurd. Were they really sisters? His gaze drifted away from a certain spot.
"...VI(2)"
She remained silent, seemingly pondering her answer or finding it difficult to articulate.
In short, all he could hear was her soft breathing and the gentle, normal movements in front of him.
Since she wouldn't speak, he could only push forward for her. "I think you also know that this indecisiveness won't completely put an end to reality..."
Her profile, a complex tapestry of emotions, hardened slightly as she turned back, glaring at him with a hint of anger.
"Of course I know! Because that's how I've lived for the past twenty years! Constantly deceiving others, leaving problems unresolved, so nothing ever ends! So I understand very well what it feels like to live such a fake life!"
Her monologue was filled with regret, ethereal and fragile; her unfocused eyes were moist and filled with tears, making her look even younger than Yamada Ryo and the others.
His slender, jade-like fingers tightened their grip, and he gently squeezed back. "There's always a way, it just depends on whether you want to."
"... What method?"
Yukino Shita Hiyori, each word deliberate and forced.
Chapter 359: Objectives and Two Counterattacks
Even though she knew the chances were slim, a glimmer of hope still ignited in her heart.
Perhaps it was because the boy in front of her was too mysterious, too capable, and too composed... that she developed such distant, unrealistic, and inappropriate thoughts.
He looked away, considering whether his answer would anger her, "There are several solutions, but the most suitable one for you right now is..."
He leaned close to her ear again and whispered, "I heard that Yukino Shita's dream is to go into politics."
After saying that, he looked away and waited quietly for her reply.
The small room fell silent, with only the sound of a band playing outside, weaving in through the walls, continuing unabated.
A long time.
"You want me to use Little Yukino a sacrifice to pursue my own happiness?"
Yukino's voice, quiet as the silence before a volcanic eruption, came from beneath the snow.
Your comprehension skills are really worrying!
He sighed, tightening his grip on her limbs to prevent her from suddenly lashing out and hurting someone.
"She did it willingly, so how can it be considered a sacrifice? Don't you think maintaining the status quo is the stupidest thing to do?"
"If you continue to deceive yourself like this, you will not only continue to stifle your sense of self, but also thwart Yukino Shita's dreams, won't you?"
Yukino Shita Hiyori listened in silence, her mind in turmoil, a mix of emotions swirling within her.
The answer, though simple, was one she had never thought about in detail.
Rather, it was her pride as the older sister that prevented her from considering passing the burden onto her younger sister...
Sakurakoji Talent continued to persuade her: