The last day of the month.
Kushida Kikyou called to ask if he wanted to join the mixer she was organizing for their class and the other classes. He turned her down flat.
"I have to spend time with Horikita, so I'm busy."
"You're too much! You spend all day stuck to Horikita, and you won't even accept this little invitation of mine."
"I'll do what I want. It's none of your business."
"Hmph! You'll be begging me someday!" she snapped, then angrily hung up.
He set his phone facedown on the desk and looked at the textbook in his hands.
Horikita had said she would help him study one last time.
Hearing the words "one last time" made him feel uneasy, as though he were about to lose something.
He shook his head, trying to clear those thoughts away.
At six in the evening, Horikita arrived at his dorm right on time.
After entering, the girl took off her coat and hung it on the rack, then came over to him.
Seeing that he was already studying, she said, "Let's get started, then. It shouldn't take long anyway."
"Mm."
As he spoke, he spread his arms and smiled.
Horikita's gaze turned slightly awkward. She pressed her lips together, but still sat sideways on his lap.
He took the opportunity to wrap his arms around her soft body.
Horikita's voice was cool.
"Do we really have to sit like this? Are you sure you're studying?"
"Of course. There's an old saying in China: 'Men and women working together makes the work feel easier.' It means that when you get to work with someone you like, everything gets done twice as fast."
"...Fine. Just keep your hands to yourself."
Horikita opened the textbook, wondering where they should start.
He rested his chin on her fragrant shoulder and said softly,
"Can I call you Suzune from now on?"
"Call me whatever you like."
"Suzune?"
"...Mm."
"Baby Suzune?"
"..."
After waiting a while without getting a response, he had no choice but to go back to calling her by her usual name.
"Suzune, is there anything you want to do after this? Or are you just going to graduate like this?"
"...What do you want me to do?" Horikita tossed the question back to him. When he didn't answer, she continued, "Your family must be pretty influential. My family is in business too, so I have some experience in that area. I could help you in the future..."
"You're not going to try to move up a class?"
Horikita was silent for a long while before saying, "What would it change if I did? My brother has already sold me to you, anyway. Do I even have a choice?"
"Hey, are you really going to listen to everything he says? You're making me jealous."
Bai Ye grumbled and kissed her cheek.
Horikita shot him an exasperated look and said,
"Of course not. I'm doing this because I know he has my best interests at heart. He's always been right about these things, and besides... you're the most likable guy I've ever met. I wouldn't have agreed to date you otherwise."
"When you say likable, what do you mean? My face?"
"That's only a small part of it. What matters is that you're different from everyone else in one important way." Horikita suddenly looked him in the eyes.
"I can see your heart."
"Huh—"
Bai Ye met her cool gaze and felt something stir in his chest.
"My heart... That's a hard thing to understand."
He shifted his gaze away.
He understood what Horikita meant at once.
After all, he had said before that he and Horikita were alike. So when he let her see his unguarded heart, she knew.
And it was true: he had never let his guard down around anyone but Horikita.
That was why he had acted so embarrassingly.
Thinking about it now still made him cringe a little.
"What, you can get embarrassed too?" Horikita's lips curved slightly.
"Of course... Hey, stop looking at me. You might make me fall in love with you."
"Wouldn't that be perfect? Then I wouldn't have to work on building a relationship with you anymore."
"Yeah, yeah..."
Horikita turned her attention back to the book.
Her calm eyes, still as water, occasionally blinked. In contrast, the lines of her brows and eyes were somewhat alluring, like a fox's.
Two completely different temperaments showed in her at once. They seemed incompatible, yet blended together beautifully.
No wonder Bai Ye thought she was the prettiest girl in class.
If it weren't for her personality, and she tried to flirt just a little, there probably wouldn't be many guys who could resist her.
But this was fine, too.
For now, Horikita only showed her gentle side to him. She stayed cold toward everyone else.
Although the others disliked Horikita, he was lucky enough to be the only one who could see her vulnerable side.
There couldn't be many men who would turn down a wife who only got bashful around them.
"What are you thinking about? Look over here."
"Oh, right."
By the time they finished studying, it was already eight. Horikita was about to pack up and head back when he took her hand.
"Let's go for a walk."
"Where?"
"To look at the moon."
Holding Horikita's cool little hand, Bai Ye led her to a deserted patch of grass.
The school was fairly large, and there weren't many students—only 160 in each year. With the month drawing to a close, most people were at gatherings, so no one would bother them.
Seeing him lie down on the grass, Horikita took off her coat and spread it out as a cushion, then sat beside him.
"I really don't understand what's so great about the moon. Do young couples these days all like doing this?"
"What they really want isn't to look at the moon. They just want to be alone together in this moonlit atmosphere."
"Why can't they do that in a room? Why come all the way out here?"
"Suzune, you really don't get it." Bai Ye sat up and explained, "When someone says 'room,' what comes to mind?"
"Sleeping?" Horikita blinked.
"Don't pretend."
"Oh, I get it now." Horikita finally understood. "You mean naughty stuff?"
"Yeah. But out here, it's different. The night sky can make people forget their desires for a while and feel their hearts through the reality around them. Only here can you see your truest thoughts."
"And what are your thoughts?" Horikita looked up at him.
He tilted his head toward her as well.
Her dark, graceful figure looked even more serene in the moonlight. Her eyes were like stars, shining with a faint, gentle light.
The words slipped out before he could stop them:
"Suzune, the moon is beautiful."
"Do you think I've never read that book?"
"Mm. But I think... you're even more beautiful."
"Oh..."
The girl suddenly froze, then awkwardly turned her gaze away, her pretty face turning pink.
Taking the chance, he said, "With this kind of atmosphere, shouldn't you be touched enough to come kiss me?"
"Drop dead. Only a ghost would kiss you."
Horikita rolled her eyes at him, then added,
"...It's not completely out of the question. Come closer."
"Sure."
He moved closer, putting his face within easy reach.
Horikita hesitantly placed a hand on his face and gently stroked it.
"Don't move, and don't look at me."
"It's just a kiss. Why is it so hard?"
"You don't understand. If I make the first move, that would mean..."
"Mean what?" Bai Ye turned his head to look at her. "That you like me?"
"Mm..." Horikita pressed her lips together and gave a small nod.
"This is too much trouble. I'll do it."
Bai Ye took her hand and kissed her firmly on the lips.
The moonlight had grown cool, and on the open patch of grass, the pair stood out.
Neither of them made any big movements. Their lips simply touched, yet the faint warmth lingering around them made the scene extraordinarily beautiful, almost dreamlike.
After a long while, Bai Ye pulled away from her lips and rested his forehead against hers. His voice was gentle.
"Suzune, I love you."
"...Mm, I love you too." The girl nodded shyly, her face flushed bright red.
He smiled and stood up, taking a deep breath as he gazed at the night sky. He felt refreshed.
Then he bent down and offered Horikita his hand.
"Let's go back, my lady wife."
"Mm."
Horikita placed her delicate hand in his. He gave it a tug, pulling her into his arms.
She steadied herself and picked up her coat from the ground.
She seemed a little reluctant...
She looked at the bright night sky, her eyes hazy.
Only then did she follow him away.
Before you continue