“In short, before providing services to anyone in the future, you need to verify their identity. Don’t serve alcohol to students anymore!”
Unable to vent her anger at Yukino, Shiya ended up unleashing all of it on Jack.
Knowing he was in the wrong, Jack couldn’t argue. He just kept nodding and promising, “You’re right, I won’t do it again next time.”
After receiving his assurance, Shiya’s anger eased a bit. She glanced over at the Ghouls and saw that the group had finally pinned down the Ghoul with the surname Zhao. Its body had shrunk by several sizes, looking as thin as a wild monkey.
A crowd of people surrounded it in a flurry, slapping its back and doing CPR. It was hard to tell whether they were saving it or finishing it off.
Actually, Shiya knew a way to help a Ghoul recover quickly, but due to personal feelings, she didn’t want to say it. So, she withdrew her gaze, gently patted Yukino on the shoulder, and said, “Let’s go.”
With that, she was about to turn and leave.
Seeing the black-haired girl’s profile, Yukino lowered her eyes. Her pure white hair slipped down from her forehead. She raised her hand and lightly grasped the corner of Shiya’s uniform.
Yukino didn’t know why she did that.
Maybe it was because the surge of youki earlier made her absorb the alcohol even faster? So now she was even more drunk…
She couldn’t help but think.
Since I’m drunk anyway, being a little willful… shouldn’t matter, right?
Feeling her hem being tugged, Shiya turned back slightly, her crimson eyes filled with doubt: “Yukino-san?”
Yukino bit her lip, gripping the hem even tighter. Then she let go, reached out both hands to Shiya, looked up, and whispered, “…Hug.”
“…!”
Shiya’s pupils widened a little. She never expected Yukino to say such a thing.
Her hands gradually clenched.
Just like that time…
“Hug me~!”
In the brightly lit living room, the projector was playing their favorite movie, Interstellar. On the coffee table sat half-eaten barbecue and a few bottles of cheap convenience store cocktails.
Silver-white hair, like flowing moonlight, was scattered across the sofa. The girl curled up beside her, cheeks tinted a lovely blush, and her sparkling pale blue eyes looked like a pool of clear water, glistening.
Ye Xi hugged her girlfriend, helplessly ruffling her hair.
She was the one who wanted to try it, but she got drunk after just two bottles.
“Hey? Xiaoye-chan?”
Yukino put her hand by her ear, thumb and pinky sticking out like a phone, pouting with a look of mock anger: “Are you there? If you don’t answer, I’ll get mad, you know?”
“I’m here, I’m here, Xiaoxue-chan. May I ask what you need?” Ye Xi lowered her head, their noses touching.
“Hehe~ Hug!”
The white-haired girl reached out both arms, rubbing her forehead against his.
Her every breath carried an intoxicating fruity scent.
Up close, those beautiful eyes looked like melted peppermint candy.
“Of course…” Ye Xi leaned in.
“…No, I don’t think so.” Shiya took half a step back. “It’s not appropriate for a teacher and student to do that. If someone sees us, it could affect you, Yukino-san.”
Her tightly clenched fists slowly relaxed, the palms bearing red marks as if blood might seep out.
She lowered her head, avoiding Yukino’s eyes. If she saw those eyes, she would definitely soften.
In her vision, those hands gripping her hem trembled gently. Then, she felt a weight press against her stomach.
—Puff.
Yukino gently rested her forehead on Shiya’s abdomen.
“…Hold me.” The girl’s muffled voice came from below.
A warm sensation spread through her lower belly, and Shiya’s heart pounded like a drum.
“I…”
“Right now, immediately, hold her.” Instinct issued its highest command.
This time, reason didn’t respond for a long while, as if it had fallen asleep.
Shiya’s mind went blank. Her hands, as if not her own, slowly lifted and gently rested on the girl’s shoulders.
Is this really okay? You’re not her girlfriend—you’re her teacher.
She leaned down, her hand slowly sliding downward, downward…
If it’s just for a little while…
Until her arms encircled Yukino’s slender waist.
So thin, so soft…
It should be fine, right?
The person in her arms felt like fluffy snow—hug a bit tighter and she might melt away. So Shiya carefully used every part of her body to savor that beloved softness.
Just this once, the last time.
She wanted to etch this feeling into her body.
A drunken Yukino would surely forget everything that happened tonight. That was perfect—the night would forget them, and only she would remember this feeling.
After all, she was a selfish person…
A heavy sensation pressed on her shoulder—Yukino had rested her chin there, and the scent of malt and mint lingered at her nose.
Shiya still thought the fruit wine smelled better.
She gazed at the girl’s swan-like, slender, snowy-white neck, closed her eyes slightly, gently patted her back, and whispered, “Yukino-san, it’s very late. Let’s go, okay?”
“Tell me…” Warm breath tickled her ear.
“Hmm?”
“Tell me…are you him?”
Thump thump!
That soft whisper exploded in Shiya’s ears like thunder, making her heart race wildly.
Why suddenly ask that?
Who exactly was the “him” she meant? Ah…who else could it be but me!
She tried to keep every movement subtle, even her breathing light, so as not to let the girl in her arms notice anything strange.
But…
Her heart was pounding so fast, she couldn’t control it!
If she could, she really wanted to reach into her chest and slow it down.
Just a few seconds passed, but to Shiya, it felt like a lifetime.
She replied as calmly as possible: “Yukino-san, what are you asking? I don’t quite understand…who is ‘him’?”
As a former legendary investigator, she felt this answer was flawless.
After speaking, she nervously waited for Yukino’s response, her fingers crossing and relaxing, but her eyes never daring to meet hers.
After a long time—it could have been a minute, or five—the anxious girl waited for no reply. Instead, she heard even, steady breathing by her ear.
“Yukino…san?”
Shiya carefully straightened up and looked down, finding that Yukino had already fallen asleep. Her snow-white lashes trembled now and then, and her lips curled in a faint smile. She must be lost in a sweet dream.
She admired her sleeping face for a while. Then Shiya slowly supported her waist, laid her head on her own large pillow, reached her arms under her knees, and picked Yukino up in a princess carry.
“Boss, when did she fall asleep?”
Before leaving, Shiya couldn’t help but ask out of curiosity.
“Oh?”
Jack, who was propping up his chin and enjoying the sight of two beautiful girls cuddling, looked up and thought for a moment before answering, “Right after she finished talking?”
“Guh…!”
So, I’d been having a psychological duel with the air for five minutes…
What on earth was I strategizing for, you dummy!
Annoyed with herself, Shiya carried Yukino out of the bar under the gaze of everyone.