The Moon Is Beautiful Tonight

It was the last day of the month.

Kushida Kikyou called to ask if he wanted to join a mixer she was hosting between their class and others, but he refused her flatly.

"I have to accompany Horikita, so I don't have the time."

"You're being too much! You're stuck to Horikita all day long, and you won't even accept a simple invitation from me."

"I do what I want; it has nothing to do with you."

"Hmph! There will come a day when you'll be begging me for something!" She cursed angrily on the other end and hung up the phone.

Setting his phone face down on the table, Bai Ye looked at the textbook in his hands.

Horikita had said this would be the last time she would tutor him.

Hearing the word "last," he suddenly felt uneasy, as if he were about to lose something.

He shook his head, trying to cast those thoughts aside.

At 6:00 PM, Horikita arrived at his dormitory right on time.

After entering, the girl took off her coat, hung it on the rack, and walked over to his side.

Seeing that he was already studying, she said, "Let's begin then. It won't take long anyway."

"Mm."

As he spoke, he opened his arms and smiled.

Horikita's expression turned slightly unnatural. She pursed her lips, but still sat sideways on his lap.

He took the opportunity to wrap his arms around her soft body.

Horikita's voice was cool and detached:

"Is this position really necessary? Are you sure you're actually studying?"

"Of course. There's an old saying in China: 'Men and women working together makes the work less tiring.' It means that as long as you're working with someone you like, everything you do will be twice as effective."

"...Fine, just don't go touching things you shouldn't."

Horikita opened the textbook, wondering where to start.

He rested his chin on her shoulder and said in a soft voice:

"Can I call you Suzune from now on?"

"Call me whatever you want."

"Suzune?"

"...Mm."

"Baby Suzune?"

"..."

After waiting for a long while with no response, he had no choice but to change the nickname back.

"Suzune, is there anything you want to do next? Are you just going to graduate like this?"

"...What do you want me to do?" Horikita threw the question back at him. Seeing that he didn't answer right away, she added, "Your family background shouldn't be simple, right? My family is in business, so I have experience in that area. I could help you in the future..."

"Are you not planning to aim for Class A anymore?"

Horikita was silent for a long time before saying, "What would it matter if I reached it? My brother already sold me to you anyway; do I even have a choice?"

"Hey, are you really that obedient to him? I'm going to get jealous."

Bai Ye grumbled indignantly and kissed her on the cheek.

Horikita gave him a sidelong glance and said:

"Of course not. I'm doing this because I know he has my best interests at heart. What he does is always correct, and besides... you're the most agreeable boy I've ever met since I was little. Otherwise, I wouldn't have agreed to date you."

"When you say 'agreeable,' which part do you mean? My face?"

"That's only a small part of it. The important thing is the one way you are different from everyone else." Horikita suddenly looked into his eyes.

"I can see your heart."

"Huh—"

Bai Ye met those cool, clear eyes, and felt his heart suddenly skip a beat.

"My heart... that's a really difficult word to understand."

He shifted his gaze slightly.

He understood what Horikita meant in an instant.

After all, he had said before that he and Horikita were similar people. Because of that, when he revealed his inner self to her without any defenses, she knew it.

In reality, it was true; he had never let his guard down around anyone other than Horikita.

That was why he had acted so embarrassingly.

Thinking about it now, it was still a bit awkward.

"What's this? Even you get shy?" Horikita curled her lips slightly.

"Of course... hey, stop looking, or be careful I might fall in love with you."

"Isn't that perfect? It would save me the trouble of having to build a relationship with you."

"Yes, yes..."

Horikita refocused her gaze on her book.

Those eyes, calm as still water, blinked occasionally, yet in contrast, the contours of her brows and eyes held a hint of allure, much like a fox.

Two completely different temperaments manifested in her; while seemingly contradictory, they blended together perfectly.

It was no wonder Bai Ye felt she was the prettiest girl in the class.

If not for her personality, if she were to try and seduce someone, there probably wouldn't be many men who could resist.

But this was fine as it was.

For now, Horikita only showed her gentleness to him, maintaining a cold attitude toward everyone else.

Although others disliked Horikita, he was fortunate, as he was the only one who could make her reveal her inner, vulnerable side.

A wife who only acts shy and sweet toward you—there shouldn't be many men who could refuse that.

"What are you thinking about? Look over here."

"Oh, oh."

By the time the two finished reviewing, it was already 8 o'clock. Just as Horikita was about to pack her things to leave, he grabbed her hand:

"Let's go for a walk."

"Where to?"

"To look at the moon."

Holding Horikita's slightly cool, small hand, Bai Ye pulled her to a deserted patch of grass.

The school was quite large and the student body was small, with only about 160 people per grade. Since it was the end of the month, most people were attending gatherings, so no one would bother them.

Watching him just lie down on the grass, Horikita took off her coat to use as a cushion and sat down beside him:

"I really don't understand what's so great about the moon. Do all men and women nowadays like doing this?"

"What they really want isn't to look at the moon, but to be alone together in an atmosphere surrounded by moonlight."

"Wouldn't a room work? Why come all the way here?"

"Suzune, you really don't get it." Bai Ye sat up to enlighten her, "When you mention a room, what comes to mind?"

"Sleeping?" Horikita blinked.

"Stop pretending."

"Oh, I get it now." Horikita finally understood, "You mean lewd things?"

"Exactly. But it's different here. The night sky allows people to temporarily forget those desires, letting them feel their own hearts through reality. Only here can you see your most genuine thoughts."

"And what are your thoughts?" Horikita looked up at him.

He tilted his head to look at her as well.

That beautiful, dark silhouette appeared even more serene under the moonlight. Her eyes were like stars, shining with a hint of gentle light.

He blurted out:

"Suzune, the moonlight is beautiful tonight."

"Do you think I haven't read that book?"

"Yeah, but I think... you're even more beautiful."

"Oh..."

The young girl was suddenly stunned, looking away uncomfortably, her pretty face slightly flushed.

He took the opportunity to say: "Given the atmosphere, shouldn't you be moved enough to come over and kiss me now?"

"Go to hell, as if I'd kiss you."

Horikita rolled her eyes at him, then added:

"...It's not impossible, though. Lean in."

"Alright."

He stepped forward, placing his face within her reach.

Horikita hesitated before placing her hand on his cheek, gently stroking it:

"Don't move, and don't look at me."

"It's just a kiss, is it really that hard?"

"You don't understand. If I'm the one to initiate, doesn't that mean..."

"What does that represent?" Bai Ye tilted his head to look at her. "Does it represent that you like me?"

"Mm..." Horikita pursed her lips and nodded gently.

"What a hassle, I'll just do it myself."

Bai Ye grabbed her palm and pressed a heavy kiss onto her lips.

The moonlight grew cooler, and on a stretch of empty grass, the silhouettes of the pair were particularly striking.

Although neither of them made any grand movements, merely touching their lips together, the faint warmth lingering around them made the scene exceptionally beautiful, even somewhat dreamlike.

After a long while, Bai Ye released her lips, pressed his forehead against hers, and said softly:

"Suzune, I like you."

"...Mm, me too." The young girl nodded shyly, her face as red as blood.

He smiled as he stood up, took a deep breath while looking at the night sky, and immediately felt refreshed.

He then bent down and held his hand out in front of Horikita:

"Let's go back, my dear wife."

"Mm."

Horikita offered her slender hand, and with a firm tug, he pulled her into his embrace.

She steadied herself and picked up the clothes from the ground.

She seemed somewhat reluctant to leave...

She glanced at the bright night sky, her eyes slightly hazy.

Only then did she follow him as they left together.