Chapter 7
"I'm not Ichi—"
Yotsuba tried to explain, but before she could finish, Ye Yu pulled her back into his arms.
She felt like she was losing her mind. Does Ichika's boyfriend have some kind of kissing addiction?Can you let me finish a sentence?!
Yotsuba was on the verge of exploding. She pounded frantically on his chest, trying to push him away.
This time, Ye Yu let his strength "vanish." He stumbled backward as if overpowered, crashing lightly against a nearby cabinet.
Under the subtle control of his telekinesis, a book "happened" to fall from the top shelf.
From between its pages slipped a laminated photo, fluttering down to land perfectly at Yotsuba's feet.
She stared at it.
A blond boy and a cute girl with long pink hair.
Memories surged back. The little boy from her past overlapped perfectly with the one in the picture.
This…?
Me, six years ago… with that boy?
Yotsuba looked up at Ye Yu in disbelief.
She vaguely remembered seeing another guy once and thinking he might be the boy from back then. Had she been wrong?
Was the man in front of her the real one?
"It actually fell out. This is my most precious photo," Ye Yu said with a gentle smile. He carefully tucked it back into the book and returned the book to its shelf.
"Is… is the boy in the picture you?" Yotsuba asked, her eyes filled with complicated emotions—hope mixed with disappointment.
Ye Yu smiled and stepped closer.
"What's wrong with you today? Isn't it obviously me and you in the photo?"
Yotsuba froze.
He pulled her into his arms again.
This time, she didn't resist.
Her mind raced with his words.
Why does he say it's me and him?He thinks I'm Ichika, so in his eyes, the photo is of him and Ichika.But it's clearly me and him!
Could it be… Ichika…?
Feeling the warmth of his body, Yotsuba realized she no longer felt the earlier revulsion.
A strange, sweet sensation washed over her. She closed her eyes and slowly began to respond to the kiss.
Ye Yu sensed the shift and inwardly marveled.
He'd never understood these bizarre "fated bonds" in anime, but damn—they were incredibly useful for winning girls over.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
Both of them jolted.
Ye Yu knew only one person would ring his bell right now: Ichika.
If she saw Yotsuba in his apartment, it could ruin everything.
Yotsuba snapped out of the haze too. She immediately assumed it was Ichika and panicked.
If Ichika finds out I was hugging and kissing her boyfriend… I'd never be able to face her again!
"I don't have any friends. Who'd come over? So weird," Ye Yu muttered—just loud enough for Yotsuba to hear.
He turned as if to answer the door.
Yotsuba grabbed his arm desperately.
Ye Yu looked at her with feigned confusion.
Her face was flushed with panic, cold sweat beading on her forehead.
"Ichika, what's wrong?" he prompted softly.
You're still "Ichika" to me—hurry up and explain!
Yotsuba whispered frantically, "I-I'm not Ichika… I'm her sister, Yotsuba…"
Ye Yu's face morphed into perfect shock.
He quickly pulled her into another room.
His apartment wasn't as grand as the quintuplets'—no five bedrooms—but it had two bedrooms and a study.
He ushered her into the study.
"Sorry! I really thought you were Ichika. Hide here for a bit—I'll check if it's her."
He hurried to the door and opened it.
Ichika stood there, arms crossed, cheeks puffed in mock anger.
"Hmph! Took you forever to open the door. What were you doing in there?"
She turned her head dramatically, clearly waiting to be coaxed.
"Baby, don't be mad—I was in the bathroom!"
Ye Yu pulled her inside and, without hesitation, kissed her deeply.
With Ichika's personality, she'd never actually be upset over something so small—she just wanted a little pampering.
Girlfriend sulking? Kiss her. Problem solved.
Ichika had planned to keep up the act until he sweet-talked her, but under his sudden assault, she melted instantly.
Her body went soft as she leaned against his shoulder.
"Big perv!"
Her face was flushed, eyes hazy.
"Can you blame me? My Ichika is just too irresistible."
The two settled onto the living room sofa, flirting shamelessly.
From the study, Yotsuba listened with burning cheeks.
She'd never imagined her big sister had this side!
But then she thought about the boy from her memories—now apparently her sister's boyfriend.
A sour ache filled her heart.
Yet Ye Yu's earlier words sparked another suspicion.
Could Ichika be… pretending to be me to date him?
That's so sneaky, Ichika!
"Ichika, do you remember what I said last time?"
She nodded.
"Ye Yu, are you serious? We can really take the national exam?"
In Ye Yu's memories of this world, there was a prestigious exam open to all university students—similar to the civil service exam back on Blue Star, but far more competitive.
He'd overheard Ichika mention that Miku, Yotsuba, and May were planning to prepare for it and even hire a tutor.
That had set off alarm bells. If someone else "stole" them through tutoring, he'd have to eliminate the threat.
He'd killed plenty in the apocalypse—for survival and gain. He'd even caused innocent deaths indirectly.
But he wasn't a psychopath who enjoyed killing.
As long as you don't provoke me or threaten my interests, you're safe.
That's why he'd dealt with Fuutaro using money instead.
He smiled warmly at Ichika.
"Don't worry—I have a way to make sure all of you pass."
Ichika blushed, happiness radiating from her.
"Great! I'll go tell my sisters right now. Tonight, I'll bring you over to meet them properly!"
As Ichika's footsteps faded, Yotsuba slowly emerged from the study.
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