Legs Worth a Lifetime

"Didn't you say you were going to win me over?"

Fushimi Makoto turned and started walking back, saying, "Some things you believe in may not be as unshakable as you think."

挑ying her again?

Yukino composed herself, lifted her chin with confidence, and replied with a smile, "I stand by what I believe."

Fushimi Makoto waved and walked away without looking back.

That night, Yukino didn't read in her room as usual. Instead, she stood on the balcony, feeling the breeze.

The night wind brushed past her, stirring her hair and plucking at something deep inside her heart.

His voice echoed in her mind: "Yukino."

The girl felt a warmth rise in her heart. Since she was alone, she didn't bother hiding it, and embarrassment slowly spread across her eyes.

Just admit it. You do feel something.

The thought surfaced in her mind.

But her self-control was excellent, and she quickly pushed the thought back down.

The phone in her pocket suddenly vibrated. She took it out and saw that Fushimi Makoto had sent her a photo of himself at the cat café.

It looked like he'd touched it up a little. It had more of a vibe than before.

Below it, Fushimi Makoto had added a message: [I have to admit, in terms of looks, you're just a tiny bit better than me.]

Yukino: [Idiot.]

Her words were dismissive, but she was smiling, and she saved the photo.

"The only pity is that I'll forget all of this tomorrow."

She stared at the photo of herself, lost in thought.

When it was time to rest, she sent Fushimi Makoto a good-night message as usual.

Besides wishing him good night, she added one more line: [Sweet dreams.]

With a feeling of regret, she closed her eyes.

Meanwhile, Fushimi Makoto took the initiative to start a reset.

[The host may choose to preserve the memories of any target. Do you have a preference?]

"Preserve Yukinoshita Yukino's memories of today."

Chapter 39: Legs Worth a Lifetime

As dawn gradually broke, Yukino, whose sleep schedule was exceptionally healthy, opened her eyes.

The curtains were drawn tightly, keeping out every trace of light from outside.

Yukino gazed silently at the dark ceiling, thinking that yesterday's experience had been wonderful. What a pity...

Wait.

Yesterday?

Just like last time, Yukino abruptly sat up in bed.

Her sudden movement made one strap of her nightgown slip off her shoulder, revealing a smooth, rounded shoulder and a wide expanse of pale skin.

But she had no time to care.

"Why do I still remember what happened yesterday?"

Yukino hurriedly reached for her phone.

The instant she unlocked the screen, Fushimi Makoto sent her a message: [Good morning.]

Just as Yukino began typing a reply, Fushimi Makoto sent another message: [I figured memories must be precious to you. So I hope this good-morning gift shows I mean it.]

She froze completely.

The resolve she'd made just last night, the defenses she'd only just built up inside herself, were as if someone had smashed them open.

It was like landing the most important critical hit in a game, turning it into an instant kill!

"Some things you believe in may not be as unshakable as you think."

His voice echoed through Yukino's mind once more.

She still remembered the happy experience of "yesterday," proving that he'd been right: some things really weren't as unshakable as she'd thought.

Could one of those things she wasn't so sure about include her certainty that she would never date him?

Yukino held her phone, unable to decide what to say.

She realized her cheeks were burning again.

Just admit it. You do feel something.

After sitting on the bed for ten minutes or so, she pulled her nightgown strap back up and typed a reply, her feelings tangled: [Good morning. Thank you.]

Only he could enter the Time Loop, so it was obvious that he was the one who'd preserved the memory she wanted to keep.

"Is this the final step in your combo?"

The girl murmured softly.

She realized that whenever she thought of Fushimi Makoto, she no longer felt so confident.

Yesterday, when she'd elegantly and calmly told him she would never date him, he'd looked so composed that it had left her baffled.

Now Yukino could understand more easily. He'd still had one trump card in reserve back then.

A trump card powerful enough to open her heart!

"This is a problem."

She said it in a way only she could understand.

And so, for the first time in her life, Yukino skipped class that day.

She stayed home all morning. She'd meant to read and learn something, but she couldn't focus at all.

She turned to practicing piano instead, but as she played, another thought crept into her mind: Since that guy had studied all kinds of things, could he play the piano too?

No.

Why was he all she could think about?

Yukino's slender fingers pressed firmly against the keys. She knew her state of mind was completely off.

I can't read this book!

I can't play this piano!

At ten in the morning, she picked up her phone again and opened Fushimi Makoto's social media profile.

Yukino: [Would you like to come over for lunch? I'll cook, as a thank-you for helping me unwind yesterday.]

Fushimi Makoto: [What a coincidence. I'm just buying groceries.]

Yukino paused when she saw his reply.

Was it really a coincidence, or had he done it on purpose?

She didn't have the nerve to ask.

But when she turned off her phone, she clearly saw her reflection on the screen.

Her expression was nothing like usual.

"I really have gone crazy."

She thought the same thing again.

At almost eleven, Fushimi Makoto arrived at Yukino's house.

Yukino took the bag from him. "Thanks. How much do I owe you? I'll pay you now."

Fushimi Makoto was about to answer, but she added, "I know you're going to say that in the Time Loop, we don't need to worry about money, but I insist."

Oh, she'd learned to anticipate his answers.

Looks like you came prepared today, brother.

But your preparations probably still weren't nearly enough.

Fushimi Makoto smiled. "All right."

After paying him, Yukino opened the bag and glanced at the ingredients. Then she paused.

They were all fresh.

But the problem was, they were all foods she liked.

She gave Fushimi Makoto a peculiar look, and he anticipated her question too. "We've eaten together several times, haven't we? I paid a little attention to what you like."

Yukino was silent for a few seconds, then sighed as if resigned. "Why do you always pay attention to the little details?"

"What do you think?" Fushimi Makoto countered.

Yukino didn't answer.

And what do I think?

I think you're just lusting after my body.

Yukino set the groceries down, invited Fushimi Makoto to sit, and took the initiative to make tea and bring out some sweets.

"I don't know if you like these. My older sister gave them to me last time," Yukino said.

Fushimi Makoto looked at the cookies on the table, and then...

"Are these cream puffs?" He picked one up.

Yukino said, "Yes. They're cream puffs. My older sister bought several boxes."

Fushimi Makoto was just about to pop it into his mouth, but he froze when he heard that. "Cream puffs?"

Yukino asked, puzzled, "You don't like them?"

"No, I like them."

Fushimi Makoto didn't explain.

After all, this really was hard to explain. Yukino might elbow him!

Thinking about it, Yukino giving me cream puffs... No matter how you looked at it, it seemed weird.

Fushimi Makoto had eaten a little when he saw Yukino preparing to handle the ingredients. He asked, "Want me to help you with the prep?"

"No, you're a guest."

"My cooking's pretty good too. Maybe we could take this opportunity to see who's better?"

Yukino looked back at him. "Are you serious?"

Her expression was like she was concerned for a fool.

Fushimi Makoto said, "There's not much for me to do sitting here by myself."

This time, Yukino didn't refuse. "Then just help me prep the ingredients. I still insist on being the head chef."

"No problem."

Fushimi Makoto stood and walked over.

How could a sly guy like him really be doing this to compare cooking skills or help with the prep?

For instance, he grabbed the apron first. Under Yukino's surprised gaze, he held it up and said, "Turn around and hold your arms out."

Yukino grew wary. "I can do it myself."

Fushimi Makoto imitated her tone from earlier. "I insist."

Yukino turned around with a straight face.

Girls tended to wear whatever made them most comfortable at home.

As she turned, the hem of her pale blue house dress swayed gently. Her crystal-clear legs were straight and shapely, stretching upward and making it hard not to follow them with one's eyes—to admire her full thighs hidden beneath her skirt and the lovely curves of her waist and hips.