Fushimi Makoto looked up from the sofa: "What's wrong?"
Yukino made no effort to hide the suspicion in her eyes: "You wouldn't peek, would you?"
Fushimi Makoto countered: "Why would I peek?"
Yukino reasoned logically: "Because this is a time loop, you don't have to care about rules or morality at all. As long as you want to, you can do anything."
Fushimi Makoto sighed as if in admiration: "As expected of you. When I first entered the time loop, you said something similar to me. You always manage to grasp the main point in the shortest amount of time; being second in the grade really is impressive."
Yukino kept a straight face: "Are you sure you want to brag about being first in the grade to me first thing in the morning?"
"It's not bragging, just a simple observation. Alright, go change your clothes. Big brother won't peek at his bro."
Yukino didn't say anything else and went into the bedroom.
After taking off her nightgown, she reached into the closet for clean undergarments, feeling a strange sensation in her heart.
This was the first time a person of the opposite sex had ever entered her apartment.
And here she was, changing clothes inside while that boy waited outside.
This feeling was truly strange.
As Yukino thought about this, her arm instinctively reached for her school uniform, but Fushimi Makoto's voice came from outside: "Oh, right, Yukinoshita. Since we aren't going to school, don't wear your uniform. It's best to change into long pants so you don't have to worry about flashing anyone."
What does he mean by flashing?
Are you planning to lift my skirt during the time loop?
Yukino withdrew her hand from the school uniform and chose a long skirt instead.
She simply refused to listen to Fushimi Makoto's suggestion.
She didn't want to give him the satisfaction; it was that simple.
As for the flashing, she didn't believe he would actually dare to lift her skirt.
After changing into the long skirt and coming out, she asked Fushimi Makoto directly: "You haven't had breakfast yet?"
Fushimi Makoto: "I've eaten. If you're willing to make me breakfast, I could probably eat a little more."
Yukino ignored his joke and took out her phone to ask for leave.
Once she was finished, Fushimi Makoto stood up and walked toward the door: "Time to go."
Yukino followed along, her beautiful hair swaying gently with her steps, carrying a trail of charming fragrance.
Then, Yukino froze downstairs at the apartment building.
"Is this motorcycle yours?"
She looked at the Harley in front of her with uncertainty.
Fushimi Makoto handed her a helmet: "I borrowed it from a friend."
Well, after the guy had been kicked away by her so many times in the time loop, he had at least managed to kick up some kind of friendship.
Although, those two punks would likely turn red with rage and start cursing when they woke up to find their motorcycle stolen.
Yukino looked at the helmet in his hand with extreme reluctance: "I don't want to ride a motorcycle."
Fushimi Makoto asked deliberately: "Is it that you don't want to wrap your arms around my waist, or do you just not want to ride in the same vehicle as a boy?"
Yukino covered her forehead, her gaze looking as if she were staring at an idiot: "Who invites a high school girl to ride a motorcycle first thing in the morning? Don't you think this behavior is very strange?"
"I thought you were worried that if we got too close, you'd be taken advantage of by me."
"Heh, it seems I need to remind you that I practice aikido, and I'm quite good at it."
"That impressive? Can you beat God Huang Zhong then?"
"..."
Yukino found that it was always difficult to defeat him with words.
In the end, she went back upstairs to change into pants.
A pair of slim-fit jeans.
She swung those perfectly curved long legs over and sat steadily on the back of the motorcycle.
Because she was wearing a helmet, her voice sounded a little muffled: "You're a safe driver, right?"
"Don't worry, I've..."
"Studied it. Alright, you don't need to say it."
Yukino interrupted him, indicating she understood.
Fushimi Makoto glanced at the girl behind him unintentionally.
Although her figure was on the slender side, her thighs still felt supple, not so thin that they were just skin and bone.
These thighs were just right.
They felt good to touch, and even better to hoist up.
As the motorcycle started, Yukino grabbed Fushimi Makoto's clothes and asked: "Where are you planning to take me?"
"Most places aren't open at this hour, so let's go for a ride first," Fushimi Makoto said.
"So, where are you taking me?" she repeated.
"A zoo, an aquarium, or a water park—take your pick."
"Why are they all crowded entertainment venues?"
"Because for the places that aren't crowded, we aren't old enough to get in even if you wanted to go."
Yukino's voice carried a murderous edge: "What kind of places are you referring to?"
Fushimi Makoto replied calmly: "I'm talking about pachinko parlors. What did you think I meant?"
You better have been talking about pachinko!
Yukino had reason to suspect that he was definitely prepared to say something like a love hotel.
Then, Yukino suddenly realized something.
Why were all the places he mentioned suitable for playing and relaxing?
Just then, Fushimi Makoto's voice rang out amidst the wind: "While I understand that you really want to improve, and I know you've been working hard to do so, sometimes it's okay to stop and take a break. After all, your mother, Mrs. Yukinoshita, already appreciates you quite a bit."
The expression on Yukino's face beneath her helmet turned strange: "Are you concerned about me?"
She had indeed been very tense lately.
Not only was she thinking about surpassing Fushimi Makoto in the next exam, but she was also delving into professional photography knowledge.
Although with her talent and learning efficiency, she could learn anything quickly, the energy expended and the exhaustion that accompanied it during this period were very real.
"Otherwise, why do you think I came to find you? When one person moves forward too fast, they occasionally feel lonely. In times like these, companionship becomes especially important," Fushimi Makoto said.
Yukino had her own perspective: "The companionship I understand isn't necessarily about being together physically, but about spiritual alignment and resonance."
"That makes sense. It seems I need to work harder to align with you sooner," Fushimi Makoto nodded.
Yukino didn't respond.
That beautiful face beneath the helmet was currently brimming with a faint smile.
Alignment, huh?
I really am a bit tired lately.
My relationship with my mother has also improved a lot.
I'm tired because being surpassed by him in grades gave me motivation. But the easing of my family relationship is also something he helped with.
Yukino thought silently, realizing that she had never actually disliked this guy.
On the contrary, whether it was his natural charisma or the time they had spent together, she had a very good impression of him.
Does this guy understand me so well that he prepared to take me out to relax in advance?
Even though I'll forget after the time loop, at least for now, I really should thank him.
After a while, she smoothed her long hair, which had been ruffled by the wind, and said softly: "Let's go to the aquarium later. I suddenly want to see the penguins."
An occasional break is fine, too.
She smiled somewhat gently.
Who knew that Fushimi Makoto would blurt out: "What's so good about penguins? You aren't going to top up your Q-Coins anyway."
Yukino: "?"
She thought: This guy is being improper again; it's such a headache.
And he thought: I'm starting to win you over, Yukinoshita.
Chapter 37: First Time Strange, Second Time Familiar
It was currently school hours, so Fushimi Makoto wasn't driving fast, allowing Yukino, who was sitting behind him, to hold onto the hem of his shirt steadily.
From beginning to end, Yukino maintained a distance between their bodies, avoiding any contact.
This wasn't out of disdain, but rather her reserve and instinct as a girl.
Seeing classmates she recognized from school along the way, Yukino was actually a bit nervous, but she quickly realized that since she had changed her clothes and was wearing a helmet, it was impossible for anyone to recognize her.
Just as she felt at ease, Fushimi Makoto's voice came: "I see a few acquaintances. Do you think we should go over and say hello?"
"No," Yukino refused immediately.
"Then should we leave here quickly?" Fushimi Makoto asked again.
Yukino remained decisive: "Yes."
This fit her thoughts perfectly.
However, she overlooked one thing: Fushimi Makoto was a very crafty guy.
As she agreed, Fushimi Makoto said: "I'm going to accelerate a little, hold on tight."
Yukino was just about to say that she was holding his shirt and would be fine, when suddenly, he slowed down and reached out to grab her slender arm.
"What are you doing?"
Yukino instinctively let go of his jacket, attempting to pull away from his arm.
The girl's actions fell right into Fushimi Makoto's trap.
Fushimi Makoto accelerated slightly and took the opportunity to release Yukino's arm; caught off guard, Yukino lost her balance, and her soft, fragrant body leaned forward involuntarily, pressing against his back.
Furthermore, due to the forward momentum, Yukino's hands subconsciously wrapped around his waist to steady herself.
The distance Yukino had been so careful to maintain was now completely gone.
Their bodies were pressed firmly together, and the pleasant scent she carried enveloped Fushimi Makoto.
In the eyes of the students on their way to school nearby, such an intimate posture and distance made them look like a standard couple.
"You!"
Yukino realized he had done it on purpose, and her face beneath the helmet flushed with anger.
"Hold on tight, buddy."
Fushimi Makoto suppressed a laugh and accelerated, speeding away from the area.
Some students watched their retreating figures with envy, remarking, "As expected, a guy really should have a motorcycle so he can take the girl he loves out for a ride."
Yukino naturally couldn't hear the students' sentiments.
Her heart was in a state of chaos.
She had never been like this before, with her entire body pressed against a boy's back and her arms wrapped around his waist.
It was only because of this sudden moment today that she realized the boy who was always teasing her actually had such a reassuring back.
His waist was firm; even through his clothes, Yukino could clearly feel it with her arms wrapped around him.
This made the face beneath her helmet burn slightly.
She had just managed to control her emotions and leave that area, and was about to let go and give Fushimi Makoto a piece of her mind, when she heard him let out an "Oh?" and say, "Is that Kasumigaoka-senpai?"
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