The Morning Before the Holiday / The Classroom on the Day Before the Holiday

Seeing Karuizawa Kei deep in thought, yet still with her brows furrowed, Tanaka Yukishin gently squeezed her palm.

"This has nothing to do with rationality, nor with coldness. It's simply the most honest behavior reflecting one's true inner state. Hui, true liking and love cannot be suppressed for long. Like lava, it will eventually find a way out. Silence itself is an answer."

Karuizawa Kei stared blankly into Tanaka Yukishin's eyes, which were so close to hers.

It contained the familiar deep affection and focus, but also a kind of almost stubborn clarity and principle that she only now truly saw.

Those words about "actions speak louder than words" left her speechless for a moment.

She seemed to understand Tanaka Yukishin's persistence, yet she felt heartache for her friend Sakura Airi's heavy, unspoken unrequited love.

Complex emotions swirled within her, ultimately transforming into a soft sigh that dissipated into the warm afternoon air.

She gently rested her head on Tanaka Yukishin's shoulder, feeling his steady presence, and chose to remain silent for the time being.

At least, Xuexin is not...

He was just... too clear-headed.

He waited patiently for a response worthy of his courage to arrive.

Chapter 128 127 The morning before the holiday

The morning sunlight streamed into the room through the gaps in the beige curtains, casting dappled shadows on the wooden floor.

A faint scent of lavender wafts through the air.

Tanaka Yukishin woke up on time thanks to her biological clock. Before she had even fully opened her eyes, she felt a warm and soft touch on her lips.

Was this a good morning kiss?

Good morning, Hui.

He instinctively reached out and wrapped his arms around his lover who was lying on top of him.

Karuizawa Kei's long hair fell on both sides of his face, the ends brushing against his skin and causing a slight tickle.

She responded with a soft "Mmm," but instead of ending the kiss, she deepened it.

He only reluctantly let go when he was already a little out of breath.

Karuizawa Kei's cheeks were flushed with a faint blush, as beautiful as cherry blossoms blooming in early spring.

She nestled her face into her lover's neck and nuzzled him affectionately.

Good morning, Xuexin.

Her voice carried the languid quality unique to early morning, with a slight upward inflection at the end, like a satiated cat.

Tanaka Yukishin gently ruffled her long hair, her fingertips running through the soft strands, which shimmered with a honey-like luster in the morning light.

"Time to get up, you sleepyhead."

"Just five more minutes, please."

Karuizawa Kei tightened her arms around him playfully, clinging to him like an octopus.

Tanaka Yukishin smiled helplessly, but still indulged her.

The sunlight gradually brightened, and the dust particles floating in the room danced in the beams of light.

Twenty minutes later, the two finally got up and washed up.

Karuizawa Kei strolled into the bathroom wearing a white shirt by Tanaka Yukishin, the hem barely covering her thighs, revealing a pair of long, shapely legs.

While brushing her teeth, she stole glances in the mirror at her lover who was scrubbing his face, completely unaware that foam was getting on the corners of his mouth.

"What are you looking at?" Tanaka Yukishin caught her gaze in the mirror, and a gentle smile curved her lips.

"Look at you!" Karuizawa Kei spat out her mouthwash, turned around, and threw herself into his arms. "My Yukiko is beautiful no matter how you look at her."

After washing up, Karuizawa Kei skipped and hopped into the dining room, the sound of her bare feet on the wooden floor crisp and pleasant.

She sat casually on a high stool, her two fair feet swinging gently in the air, her toenails still bearing traces of the light pink nail polish she had applied yesterday.

In the kitchen, Tanaka Yukishin, wearing a dark blue apron, was preparing breakfast.

The morning light gilded his tall, straight features, and from Karuizawa Kei's angle, one could see his focused profile and slender fingers.

The fried eggs sizzled in the pan, and the aroma gradually filled the air.

"Same as usual today, multigrain porridge with side dishes," Tanaka Yukishin said without looking back, her voice tinged with amusement. "If you don't like that, there's also a fried egg and miso soup noodles."

Karuizawa Kei rested her chin on her hands, her eyes fixed on his retreating figure.

"It smells so good," she deliberately dragged out the word, "But there's no morning exercise today, so... you know that, right?"

Tanaka Yukishin paused, turned around, and raised an eyebrow at her.

"I know, I know."

He placed the prepared breakfast on a tray and brought it over, but Karuizawa Kei suddenly reached out and grabbed his sleeve, tilting her head up with a sly smile.

"Then... I want to sit on your lap to eat."

"Here we go again..."

Tanaka Yukishin sighed softly, but still obediently sat down.

Karuizawa Kei immediately jumped into his arms like a happy little bird.

"That's right!"

However, the next second, she felt the arm around her waist suddenly tighten.

Tanaka Yukishin leaned close to her ear, her warm breath brushing against her sensitive earlobe.

"No mischief allowed."

Karuizawa Kei felt a tingling sensation in her ear, but she still stubbornly raised her chin.

"No way! I'm going to cause trouble!"

She deliberately snuggled closer to him, feeling his breathing quicken noticeably. A smug smile played on her lips. "I want to eat Xuexin's 'Love Medicine Age 17 Qia Jiu Si Jiu' (I want to eat Xuexin herself too, only then will life be perfect)."

Tanaka Yukishin gasped, then revealed a dangerous smile.

He leaned down close to Karuizawa Kei's neck, his warm breath brushing against her sensitive skin, then tilted his head to nibble on her left earlobe, gently rubbing it with his teeth.

He had done this movement countless times and had long since mastered the optimal amount of force.

"Ugh...!"

Karuizawa Kei shuddered, instantly going limp like a cat being pinched by the scruff of its neck, almost sliding to the ground.

Tanaka Yukishin quickly caught her, pulled her closer to her, and chuckled, "Still causing trouble?"

Karuizawa Kei's cheeks flushed, and her watery eyes shimmered with embarrassment and annoyance.

"Damn it... you cheated!"

After several months of intimate interaction, Tanaka Yukishin already knew her body inside and out.

He knew exactly where to make her itch, where to make her weak, and even what adorable sounds she would make from which angle of touch.

Tanaka Yukishin raised an eyebrow smugly.

"Who told you to cause trouble? A good child eats their food properly."

He picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful of mixed grain porridge, and carefully blew on it to cool it down.

I took a small bite to make sure it wasn't too hot before handing it over.

"No, no~"

Karuizawa Kei pouted helplessly, like a little girl who hadn't gotten her candy, but couldn't help stealing glances at the spoonful of porridge.

"Then I'll feed you, okay?"

Tanaka Yukishin's voice was so gentle it could melt hearts, and her eyes were full of doting affection.

Karuizawa Kei's eyes lit up, but she turned her face away, feigning modesty.

"Well... okay."

She snuggled closer to her lover, finding a more comfortable position.

"Mmm!" Karuizawa Kei squinted her eyes contentedly, like a cat being petted. "Lying in Xuexin's arms, eating the porridge Xuexin fed me, I'm surrounded by Xuexin's warmth inside and out... So blissful."

"Then behave yourself." He pinched her slender waist.

"No way!" she pouted defiantly. "I'm not that weakling who gets dehydrated in the middle of the night anymore!"

"Oh?" Tanaka Yukishin couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, her tone clearly teasing. "Upgrading from combat power 1 to 2 is indeed a qualitative leap."

"You—!" Karuizawa Kei bristled like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, punching his chest in embarrassment and anger. "Once Sakura Airi joins, I'll make you pay!"

When Sakura Airi was mentioned, Tanaka Yukishin's smile deepened.

"Speaking of Sakura Airi, it's already Monday."

Karuizawa Kei was taken aback for a moment, then realized what she meant.

Three days have passed since Sakura Airi "revealed" herself, but the shy girl has yet to make a move.

"That idiot..."

She muttered to herself, feeling both disappointed and inexplicably hot in her cheeks.

To cover up her embarrassment, she changed the subject.

"By the way, tomorrow's the start of the holiday, but you're leaving school that very day to participate in the Gyokuryuki!"

Her tone was tinged with obvious resentment, and her pink lips unconsciously pouted.

She had meticulously planned her perfect vacation, from a sweet breakfast in the morning to a date under the stars at night, scrutinizing every detail repeatedly.

As a result, things were disrupted right from the start, and it wasn't perfect at all!

Tanaka Yukiko couldn't help but laugh when she saw her puffed-up face.

He gently ruffled her soft hair, his voice tender.

"Don't be sad, my dear. We can plan things out slowly. I'll be back in a little over a week."

Chapter 129 The classroom the day before the holiday

Outside the window, the blazing July sun blazed down relentlessly.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's gaze swept across the windowsill and landed on two figures in the front row of the classroom.

Kushida Kikyo was facing Horikita Suzune sideways, her fingertips lightly tapping the open textbook, seemingly discussing a certain issue.

Sunlight sparsely pierced through gaps in the thick clouds, casting only a few rays.

It perfectly outlines Horikita Suzune's profile as she slightly furrows her brow and listens attentively.

And Kushida Kikyo's smile, which always seemed genuine and infectious.

This scene involuntarily brought Ayanokoji Kiyotaka's thoughts back to this morning.

The visitor who was completely different from usual— Ken Sudō.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka had just opened his eyes when the knocking sounded.

The voice was very soft, with a rare restraint.

The three taps were performed rhythmically and clearly, as if they had been precisely calculated.

This was completely different from the Ken Sudo I remembered, who was always accompanied by loud "bang! bang! bang!" noises and a frantic voice shouting, "Hey! Ayanokoji Kiyotaka Ken Sudō! Open the door!"

Upon opening the door, it was indeed Ken Sudō standing there.

Ayanokoji Kiyotaka recognized his footsteps very well.

But the man before him at this moment made Ayanokōji Kiyotaka almost instantly realize a certain change.

That iconic, flamboyant red hair, seemingly ready to soar into the sky at any moment, is still there.

But those eyes, which once burned with impatience and anger, now held a great deal of calm.

They resemble lava buried deep underground, their scorching core still intact, but covered by a thick, cooled shell, giving them an almost subdued texture.

His posture had also changed; he was no longer tense.

His shoulders were slightly relaxed, yet they exuded a robust strength honed through hard work.

Three weeks of leave from school did not extinguish the primal passion and impulse within him.