Yukino Fumiyuki gave the door a light knock, and to her surprise, it swung open.
She hesitated for a split second, then stepped inside anyway.
There on the sofa lay two figures, tangled up in each other's arms.
"S-Sorry! Looks like I showed up at a bad time!"
Yukino froze at the sight, then blurted it out.
Rai Hikaru and Shino Miyako Natsuka both blanked out at the sudden intruder, their movements grinding to a halt.
But Rai snapped back to reality fast. He reached out to the woman turning to leave. "No! Miss Yukino, your timing's perfect."
Huh?!
Purple Palace Natsuka—still nestled in Rai's arms—and Yukino, already pivoting for the door, both short-circuited at his words.
They just stared at him, dumbfounded.
Yukino had been fuming with rage and jealousy when she knocked. But the moment the door cracked open, clarity hit her like a splash of cold water.
Then she saw Rai's handsome face, and all her reason flooded back.
After everything he'd done for her, how could she lash out over some petty envy?
She'd been ready to slink back to her room and bawl under the covers.
But his words left her brain-dead, staring blankly as he extended his hand, beckoning her over.
After a moment's hesitation, Yukino walked toward him.
"Rai-kun, Miss Shino Miyako... sorry for interrupting."
"Um... Rai-kun, what did you need me for?"
Yukino glanced sheepishly at Rai and the freshly disentangled Natsuka—who was looking away, cheeks flushed—and mumbled it out.
Rai sat up straight in the middle of the sofa, nudging Natsuka to the right side before inviting Yukino to sit on the left. His face stayed calm as he said, "Yeah, there's something I wanted to discuss with you, Miss Yukino. About the rent—I didn't explain it fully before."
Suddenly plopped right next to Rai, Yukino was still processing when she nodded on instinct. "Oh, right... you didn't make it totally clear before..."
"It's not a big deal anyway..." Rai started chatting casually about random stuff, but his focus stayed locked on Yukino herself.
Truth be told, her bursting in had caught him off guard too—probably Natsuka's fault for not locking the door properly.
The kicker? As the Pure Love God of War, Rai's instincts zeroed in on how off this widow snow woman seemed.
Her usual icy blue eyes had been flashing red earlier, bloodshot veins spiderwebbing around her pupils.
Add the sudden intrusion and that predatory glare—like she wanted to devour him whole—and yeah.
Rai couldn't read every detail, but his Pure Love God of War senses screamed the right call: invite this high-combat, high-risk snow woman inside, soothe her vibes, and get her chilled out first.
After a bit of small talk, Rai sensed Yukino's mood easing up, though she still squirmed uncomfortably.
He turned to Natsuka, who'd been dead silent since Yukino arrived, and gave her perky little ass a light smack. "Natsuka, why don't you go take a shower first?"
"Miss Yukino's here to keep me company now. She can fill in for you."
The usually obedient Natsuka suddenly planted her hands on her hips, puffing up with tsundere flair. "I don't wanna!"
Rai arched a brow. "Oh? Foot not hurting anymore?"
"I..."
A shiver ran through her at the words.
She flashed back to just before Yukino showed up.
For some reason, Rai seemed extra fired up today. During their knight roleplay, he'd gone even wilder than yesterday.
Natsuka had figured with her experience, she'd hold her own this time—at least last longer.
But nope. When she played the knight and he the warhorse, she crumbled fast.
Tumbled right off, twisted her ankle or something—still throbbed like hell under her JK pleated skirt.
That's when she realized: yesterday, Rai had been holding back big time. Without it, she'd have folded in under an hour.
Post-game, he'd sat with her on the sofa, letting her recover while spilling all his roleplay wisdom.
They'd been chilling, verbally coaching, gearing up for round two—when Yukino barged in, leaving Natsuka in a daze.
Only now, with Rai shooing her off, did jealousy surge like a tidal wave.
Sure, she'd steeled herself to let Rai warm up to her slowly, fall for her for real.
But this? Still stung.
A guy like Rai—she couldn't hog him solo anyway.
And for real stakes? She'd get wrecked in knight play rounds, locked in a dungeon like a defeated princess for total humiliation.
So why not recruit some allies?
With that, Natsuka finally stood.
She wiggled her fingers at Yukino. "You two chat. I'm hitting the shower—whole body's sweaty and sticky. Gross."
As she left, she shook out her thin JK uniform, still hot from their fun. A waft of fragrant sweat mixed with her scent drifted out.
Yukino caught a whiff, her pretty face blazing red. She clamped her thighs together politely, hands clasped tight on her lap.
No way! Not in someone else's house—can't activate my powers, can't mess up their place!
Natsuka, oblivious to the chaos her casual move caused, wobbled out on unsteady feet.
With Natsuka gone, Yukino finally unwound.
She took the initiative. "Rai-kun, oh yeah—after the rent stuff, there's something I wanna ask."
"Like, how do you know the apartment owner, Ooro Rokuka? For you, she waived my rent and handed you proxy manager duties. You two must be close. Wild."
Rai explained, "Not complicated. I only met Principal Ooro Rokuka today."
"I picked up some, uh... important side gig at her academy."
"Chatted about Showa Apartments offhand, and she hooked me up with staff perks. That's it."
Rai gave the broad strokes of his day with Ooro Rokuka.
The classified deets on his gig? Confidentiality agreement—he skipped those, sticking to the safe bits.
Yukino's gorgeous eyes lit up brighter with every word.
She suddenly grabbed his hand, gushing with emotion. "Rai-kun, you took that job to cover my rent, right? And you're just a high schooler!"
"You chased off that Takahashi creep multiple times, got me a full year rent-free."
"Waaah... I don't even know how to thank you, Rai-kun!"
Yukino knew Rai was downplaying it—waiving rent and swapping managers? No way it was simple.
The more she thought, the more it hit her. Tears welled up as she spoke.
Rai patted her back quick. "No worries, Miss Yukino. Pay me back once you're working steady. Small stuff."
Under his soothing, her sobs tapered off.
But she snapped her head up, eyes dead serious on his.
The intense stare made even Rai's heart skip.
"Rai-kun, after all you've done—loans, trust—I can't keep hiding from you anymore!"
"There's a secret I've never told anyone. Not even my late fiancé knew!"
"The truth is... I'm not human!"
With that, Yukino raised her hand. In the next instant, snowflakes coalesced in her palm.
She flung them into the air, staring at Rai tensely. "I'm a snow woman!"
Rai had known forever, but a pro actor plays the part. He couldn't just blank.
Channeling Sichuan face-changing opera, he nailed it: curiosity, surprise, shock, stun, disbelief—then ecstatic acceptance.
Yukino watched him the whole time, nerves frayed.
She dreaded rejection. She'd fallen for him hard—couldn't bear a tragic end.
As her body quivered in anxiety—
Rai grinned.
"Actually, I knew you weren't human, Miss Yukino." He chuckled.
"Eh?!"
His response blindsided her. Her face paled.
Had Rai known she was a youkai all along... and hated her for it?
Seeing her drain of color, Rai smiled. "First time I saw you, no human could be that stunning. Only a legendary snow woman could pull off beauty like yours."
His cheesy compliment hooked her lips upward anyway. She giggled, then clapped a hand over her mouth. "Rai-kun, I'm not joking! I really am a snow woman!"
"I'll show you more powers if you don't believe me."
Rai caught her wrist mid-lift, stopping the snow summon, and grinned. "Didn't say you're joking. I believe you're the real-deal legendary snow woman."
"But that doesn't clash with thinking you're drop-dead gorgeous. More fairy than snow woman, honestly."
Yukino's face bloomed with joy. "For real?!"
After baring her snow woman self, his view of her unchanged? Felt like a dream.
Rai nodded with a smile. "Dead serious. Think back to our first meeting."
Yukino did—Takahashi's rent collection day.
She'd opened the door, and Rai's very first words? Called her a snow woman straight-up.
She laughed. "Oh yeah! When you said it, I thought you'd clocked my true identity. Scared me half to death."
Rai chuckled. "Did you wanna silence me back then?"
Yukino shook her head. "No way! I'm no bloodthirsty monster. Never killed a soul."
Then her face tensed again, eyes locked on his. "Um, Rai-kun..."
"You don't... mind me not being human? That I'm a snow woman youkai?"
Rai shook his head, grinning. "Mind? Nah."
"You're superpowered like everyone's dreams, gorgeous beyond words—and otherwise just like us humans."
"You cry, you laugh, you eat when hungry, drink when thirsty. Right?"
Yukino fell silent at his words.
Rai pressed. "Living in human society as a snow woman... must be exhausting, huh?"
She paused longer, then nodded hard, tears brimming, voice quaking. "Yeah!"
"As a snow woman youkai, human world life's full of hassles."
"Before you, Rai-kun, I saw zero hope. Hadn't felt joy in forever."
"You're the one who brought me happiness I never knew... and hope I never dared dream!"
A wave of sweet fragrance hit Rai.
Suddenly, a soft body—chilly yet faintly warm—leaned into his shoulder.
He glanced down. Yukino had nestled against him, silver hair cascading over his chest.
She tilted her face up, stunning features flushed pink, blue eyes misty and pleading, looking utterly vulnerable.
Those aquamarine depths shimmered with raw need for warmth.
Rai saw it, wrapped an arm around her gently.
Patting her back softly, he murmured, "It's okay, Miss Yukino. I'll have your back from now on."
Her face buried in his chest, tears erupting.
Sobbing through hiccups, "Thank you, Rai-kun. You're the best person I've ever met. Really, thank you. And..."
"I like you, Rai-kun!"
"I can't hold back these feelings anymore! I like you so much."
Her confession soaked his collar through. Rai gave a wry smile—yep, snow woman tears hit different.
[Ding! Detected Yukino Fumiyuki's affection for host hitting max threshold—with confession! Human-youkai barriers? Obliterated! This pure love triumph screams Pure Love System ideals, peak Pure Love God of War move!]
[Ding! Congrats, host! Reward: 'Pure Love Points +1000'!]
Holy shit, straight 1000 points?!
Thrilled but ignoring the mood-ruining popup, Rai patted her silky back. "Got it, Miss Yukino. No more crying, okay?"
Under his comfort, Yukino calmed.
Blushing, she asked, "Rai-kun, you and Miss Shino Miyako... are you official?"
Rai paused, honest. "Not dating formally yet. But yeah, close friends."
Joy sparked in her eyes.
Would you mind a snow woman wife?!
The words nearly tumbled out, but zero dating XP made her shy. She dialed it back.
Glancing around, "Miss Shino Miyako's place is kinda messy, huh."
"Oh, Rai-kun—eaten yet?"
He shook his head. "Nah."
Yukino slapped her forehead. "Jeez, how's she so careless? Invites you over without dinner ready."
"You must be starving. Come eat at mine—right next door."
"Shower too while you're at it. You... kinda smell."
"Miss Shino Miyako who-knows-when she'll finish. Girls take forever in the bath."
Natsuka would've flipped—you bitch, starting the harem wars already?! Dinner? I can hear that abacus clacking from the tub!
Rai caught a hungry glint in Yukino's heated gaze but missed the full plot. Some blue-balled premonition twitched his eyelid.
Still, her pleading hands-pressed-together look wore him down. He nodded.
"Alright, let's go."
They stepped out of Natsuka's place together.
And into Yukino's.
...
A bit later, after Rai and Yukino left—
Natsuka emerged from the bathroom, towel-wrapped, rubbing her hair. "All done showering, Rai-kun, your tu—huh? Where is everyone?!"
Empty living room. Total blank.
She'd figured leaving them chatting = harmless.
But poached in minutes?!
She'd prepped to share Yukino eventually—but not now, not like this!
"You widow, no honor in battle!"
Natsuka gnashed her teeth.
Washed once and got homewrecked?!
Who swallows that?
Fuming, she dressed, stormed to Yukino's door next door.
Locked tight—unlike her careless ass.
Hand raised, she hesitated... and chickened out on knocking.
Utterly done, she stomped back home.
Planned to wait, see if Rai returned.
But barely sat when weird noises leaked from next door.
Sounds familiar—like her own moans earlier.
Natsuka bluescreened.
Face slack, lips trembling, she muttered.
"Just a shower... really getting raided?"
"I'm such an idiot... for real..."
"Why'd I even shower... why..."
...
Back to when Natsuka was still in the bath.
Rai followed Yukino into her place.
He clocked a crushed remote by the sofa instantly. Eyelid twitch.
Yukino smiled sweetly ahead, saying she'd hit the kitchen. Rai beamed back. "Miss Yukino, lemme help prep veggies."
Before she could stop him, he slipped in.
There: cutting board cleaved in half on the table.
Trash bin: shattered plates.
Pristine veggies dumped. Another twitch, cold sweat beading.
Yukino noticed his stare, shoved him out in a panic. "No need, no need! I got dinner, Rai-kun."
Rai wiped his brow, nodded. "Cool, Miss Yukino. Heading to shower then—bathroom that way?"
Watching him go, Yukino fought the urge to pounce and pin him, body quaking.
No! Gotta seize the moment this time! Regretted once today—no more!
Won't blue-ball my life away! Her eyes hardened with resolve.
...
Damn, insulation here sucks.
Did Miss Yukino hear me and Natsuka's roleplay?
Crushed remote by accident, split board accidental, plates and veggies accidental drop—right?
Too scary. Gotta watch every word, every move. Gentle as she is, no sudden freakouts...
Rai mopped sweat, skin prickling cold.
But sinking into the full tub? Instant scorch.
Water's boiling!
Quick realization: snow woman perks. Hot baths hit different for her icy build—hence the lava temp.
Like that scalding tea she'd served before.
Good thing his physique tanked it.
Too lazy to drain, he slid in.
Knock at the door right after.
"Miss Yukino?" Rai called.
"It's me."
She pushed right in.
Her eyes ghosted his chiseled pecs, silent gulp.
Softly, "Bathroom's out of body wash. Brought some for you, Rai-kun."
Rai fished a half-full bottle from the tub edge. "Eh, there's some here though."
Yukino's face stayed cool, smile serene. "Guess I misremembered."
Rai shrugged. "Thanks anyway, Miss Yukino. You're the best."
Figured that'd send her out so he could scrub.
Nope. She lingered.
Rai froze mid-wash, not daring to shift and flash the goods—awkward city.
As he brainstormed an exit line—
"Um, Rai-kun... water too hot?"
He nodded. "Yeah, skin's melting off."
Yukino bowed slightly, apologetic. "Sorry, forgot to mention."
"My custom tub's for my snow woman chills. Needs way hotter water to feel good."
"Yours might burn. Lemme cool it down."
Rai perked. "How?"
He'd checked—no controls. Lowest flow was still scalding. Why he skipped draining.
Thought maybe hidden feature.
Nope.
Yukino hiked her skirt, lifted a leg—and stepped right into the tub.
Sat down slow.
Right across from him.
"I... sit in it to chill the water," she murmured.
Sure enough, frosty aura seeped from her skin. Boiling tub turned comfy warm.
Her body temp legit fixed it.
But... water tint shifting? And a funky seafood whiff?
"Wild trick. But Miss Yukino, your clothes are soaked now."
"Won't you catch cold?"
Across from him: flushed cheeks, eyes half-lidded, sweat beading, dress plastered transparent. Rai worried.
Meant get out, no need.
Yukino blinked—took it different.
Snow women don't catch colds. He's hinting!
She stood quick, exited the tub.
Rai exhaled relief—facing that dripping seductress was torture.
But then—
She slipped off her ring, set it aside. Yanked her dress tie. Soaked fabric pooled at her feet.
"Rai-kun... no cold like this, right?"
Head down, blush raging, voice a mosquito buzz.
Rai gawked, floored by her endowments.
Like the "male shock" he'd given Ooro Rokuka earlier—now Yukino hit him with female shock.
"Achoo! Rai-kun, I'm cold..."
A snow woman sneezed, hugging herself pitifully.
"I—"
Warm, yielding flesh crashed into him.
"Rai-kun, warm me up..." Yukino clung tight.
Rai went speechless.
...