Calm as a Cucumber on the Surface

Yukino's gaze fell on the first book.

"This is---?!"

A chill ran through her body, and she shuddered.

His face turned pale instantly.

The first book, its title written in English, was strikingly different—

On the Feasibility of Human Transmutation

Human Transformation!

Yukino gritted her teeth and kept quiet, her heart filled with turmoil.

She held her breath and looked at the second book.

True Resurrection of the Dead

The third one!

A Brief Explanation of Forbidden Art of Life and Death from Ancient and Modern Times, East and West

The fourth book!

<Exploring the Existence of the Underworld Through Ancient Secret Manuscripts>

The fifth book!

<Characteristics of the Soul>

The sixth book...

As she read this, a figure slowly appeared at the door.

The figure's indifferent gaze fell upon Yukino's beautiful back, which was trembling slightly.

He walked closer and extended his hand to her.

Yukino, and her Power of Will went into overdrive.

But it was too late.

Two hands had already wrapped around her waist from behind, and a head was close to hers.

Shuya's affectionate voice rang out:

"You... saw it?"

Yukino slowly turned her head and saw Shuya's stiff, strange smile, which carried a chill.

His voice was so full of emotion, yet his pupils were so inorganic.

It's like it's broken...

P. S. 1: I added an extra thousand words just to end it here. That's the pride of a writer who likes to cut chapters short!

P. S. 2: This chapter is not clickbait at all.

Ps3: Speaking of human transmutation, we have to mention that, right?

Big Brother

Section 369, Chapter 351: Seemingly Steadfast

"...!"

Shocked, Yukino instinctively launched a counterattack, a ring of frozen energy emanating from her body, with various attacks to follow.

However, Shuya unleashed an even stronger power, instantly invading her body and sealing away all her power.

Her transformation into a demon was immediately suppressed.

Yukino's body has been nourished by the power of the Snow Woman for many years, making her much stronger than the average person. Unfortunately, when Shuya got close, no matter how she resisted, it was useless.

Shuya said with a laugh, "You actually want to resist. Even if I'm not at my peak, suppressing you is still easy, you know that, right?"

"So... you're scared? Panicked?"

Shuya casually tossed Yukino onto the bed, then immediately pressed his body against hers, placing his hands unceremoniously on either side of her head.

In the dark room, Yukino pressed her pink lips together, staring stubbornly at Shuya.

Shuya's voice was flat. "You're really bothering me. Of all places to go, why did you have to come to my room? Now things have gotten worse."

"Those ones..."

Yukino opened her mouth, she was surprised to find that her voice was so dry.

She continued, "Those books... what are you thinking about?"

"I collect banned books, what do you think I'm trying to do?"

Shuya said softly, his empty eyes like a whirlpool, threatening to suck Yukino into them.

"Let me ask you this: can you pretend you didn't see anything?"

Yukino replied without hesitation, "No."

"Then it seems that's the only way...?"

Shuya blinked, his gaze lingering on Yukino.

What do you want to do?

"To seduce you."

"Are you an idiot?"

Yukino's breath caught in her throat.

Shuya didn't seem to be joking; he slowly lowered his head, bringing it closer and closer to Yukino's lips.

However, even as Shuya was about to kiss her, Yukino remained unmoved; her stiff body softened instead.

Because she saw through it.

"Have you had enough of acting?"

Yukino's sweet breath landed on Shuya's face.

Upon hearing this, Shuya stopped what he was doing and kept a dangerous distance from her.

What are you saying?

"I mean, you're acting right now."

What is the basis for this statement?

"I know you very well, better than you think."

Yukino replied without hesitation, "If you really wanted to deal with me, you wouldn't be taking this long. You would immediately seal me away and lock me up, or you would simply kill me. Given our relationship, you would definitely choose the former."

"In short, you will never play as slowly as you are now."

"You give the impression of being a kind person who hesitates, but in reality, you are frighteningly decisive."

"That's the Inoue Shuya I know."

Yukino concluded, "I admit I was initially intimidated by you, but your slow, deliberate movements afterwards proved that you were simply playing around—enjoying my reaction."

"Hmph, what a man with a twisted sense of humor."

"As expected of Yukino- chan, my smart and adorable childhood friend."

Shuya's expression softened instantly, and his inorganic, icy demeanor warmed.

"But since you know me so well, you should also know something else."

"... What?"

Do you think I'm the kind of protagonist who's incompetent and has no omega role?

Yukino sensed something was wrong; her mouth had already been gagged.

Her mind went blank as she felt a soft tongue slip into her mouth.

Several minutes later, Yukino finally realized what was happening.

However, before she could hit him, Shuya pulled away from her lips in time.

Shuya rolled off her onto the bed, pulled Yukino, who was trying to resist violently, into his arms, and pressed her head against his chest.

Yukino was completely under his control.

Shuya wrapped his left arm around her waist and ran his right hand down her black hair.

He didn't give Yukino a chance to speak, speaking first:

"Just as you know me, I know you very well too. I'm not the slow-witted male lead type, it's just... I lack the motivation to take the initiative to do anything."

If Shuya were willing to take the initiative, he would have had a harem long ago.

Shuya laughed and said, "Yukino- chan, you don't need to pretend anymore. Although you're sarcastic towards me, it's just because you're disappointed. You've always had a high opinion of me, so why don't you take this opportunity to date me?"

Yukino's resistance weakened, leaving only her rapid breathing.

For a few seconds, her eyes became moist, as if melting.

Let me go.

The next moment, her voice turned cold again.

The Snow Woman Gem, which she never parted with, shone brightly, helping her break through the restriction that Shuya used his full strength for.

Yukino broke free from Shuya's embrace.

Shuya let go of her and lay on the bed watching her.

Yukino sat up, turned to the side and lowered her head, her long, waterfall-like hair cascading down the bed.

Her gaze towards Shuya was filled with unwavering determination:

"You're right. If I had to choose between liking or disliking you, without a doubt I would choose liking you."

"However."

"If you're pursuing me just to vent, out of indifference, or because you find it amusing, I will absolutely not agree to anything with you."

"Don't think of me as one of those shameless female Monster. I'm not that depraved."

Her pupils held a chilling calm.

I don't spoil you like my sister does. Your attitude... just makes me want to vomit.

"Hehe, you're really strict, but that's exactly how Yukino- chan should be."

Shuya smiled.

Thank you, I like myself just the way I am.

Yukino smiled, then raised her hand and delivered a crisp slap to Shuya.

"... What are you doing?"

Shuya covered his face, which didn't actually hurt.

That was my first kiss. It's not too much to slap you, is it?

Yukino matter-of-factly.

Shuya felt very wronged. "That was my first kiss today too, so aren't we even?"

Stop talking nonsense.

Yukino said with a straight face, "Let's get back to the point. What's the deal with those books?"

"Tsk, can't you fool me?"

Shuya put his hands behind his head and said casually, "It's nothing, just some extracurricular reading. I'm not stupid; I'll know after reading it that those books are all nonsense, and it's impossible to succeed according to those theories."

"Besides... those books were all read a while ago. I haven't read them at all in the last few years, so I hid them away. Don't worry."