NOVPUB
Chapter 293 - Exclusivity
"H-Hey, say something!"
Tobe was so surprised by the words that came from Yukinoshita's lips, as he had never expected that she would give him a chance to hug her.
"...you don't mind if we hug each other?"
'We're just about to hold each other's hands for 30 minutes, so a moment of a hug is nothing, right? Even the foreigners embrace and kiss each other's cheeks to greet."
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
However, if the customs of the foreigner aren't suitable for us, then there is no need to force ourselves, especially when we don't plan to live in the foreign land forever.
Moreover, humans also had started to respect each other's culture and differences, despite how weird sometimes it was, so even if one culture was different, no one would judge them.
"Or... you don't want to?"
"...."
Unfair, Tobe thought.
How could he refuse when Yukinoshita showed him such a lonely and nervous kitty expression?
Her heart was beating so fast, and so quickly, she regretted her decision, especially when everything was moved by her feelings, and she just blurted out what she felt, yet when she thought all of this calmly, wasn't it weird?
How could she just ask someone whom she had just met yesterday to hug?
Wasn't she so shameless?
Who was she?
How would she appear in his mind after all of this?
A slut?!
When she thought so, her mind became even more panicky, and her face became colder and colder as she tried to mask her worry. Inwardly, she knew well that Tobe was different, and he wasn't like those young men, who just couldn't stop looking at her, made an approach on her, then when they were rejected, they would become resentful, angry, and even hate her, trying to take her down and satisfy their ego by telling everyone that she was a selfish, arrogant bitch.
Previously, she didn't understand why they did all of that, but now, she understood that if they didn't do that, it would be hard for them to feel better since the pain of the rejection was... too much, she thought.
Thinking of their conversation yesterday, she started to think that Tobe might have someone that he loved, and that was why he wanted to improve and become better.
Was that person Yumiko?
That haughty person, and someone who had isolated her in the past?
Unexpectedly, when she thought about all of that, this feeling became even more painful.
Yet, when she was about to tell him that it was better to forget about everything, Tobe said, "Okay."
"..."
"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"
"...I thought you would refuse."
"I am not."
"Really? Don't you have someone you like?"
"I don't have anyone like that."
As for Hiratsuka, Tobe decided to put her aside since the beginning was just a prank, but somehow, everything became quite so deep that it made him little helpless.
"...really?"
"Do you want me to have a feeling for someone?"
Yukinoshita blinked her eyes as his gaze was on her. Unlike before, his gaze was kind, gentle, like sunlight in the early morning. It was comfortable, yet also made her shy as his words meant something that made her excited, too.
"...isn't it too fast?"
"That's true. It's too fast. There is no need to be so hasty since I will stay by your side for a long time."
Yukinoshita didn't know why those words made her heart beat so fast.
Staying by her side.
Was there someone who would do that for her?
It was her first time to feel this way, so she couldn't describe this emotion, and she even wondered whether she was just desperate for the warmth when she was just used to the coldness of being alone, yet for now, strangely enough, while it made her different from her character, she wanted to jump into him, and clung to him tightly.
"Do you want to hug now?"
"O-Oh..."
The two stood up from their seats, then stepped forward slightly.
He was tall and she was shorter, yet her height was on the high side, especially among females.
Yet as they stood so close like this, they could see each other's features in detail and many parts of each other that they hadn't had a chance to observe.
His face was sharp, manly, yet it was still soft, and his body was more rugged than she thought it would be. Somehow, she was pretty curious about what was inside his body; was it muscular?
No, she wanted to touch it!
'Ugh...'
Why was she like this?
Why did her mind become so much of a mess because of him like this?
Yet, similarly, Tobe could see how beautiful Yukinoshita was. Her body might not be the best, yet somehow, despite how her chest was on the small side, she reminded him of Kaho, but unlike Kaho, she was so awkward, delicate, and gentle like a firstborn kitty that couldn't do well without its mother or the owner of the kitty.
If he had to be honest, he felt a bit guilty, especially when he thought of his experience, and also how he couldn't be confident that he could firm with his heart, but he couldn't refuse, especially since despite her shyness, he could see the slight eagerness and expectation.
He understood her feeling well, the feeling when one was used to being alone, somehow gained a single light, which made one addicted, and the joy that came from it, making one unable to stop seeking after it, wishing to see it, get close to it, and embrace it tightly so one wouldn't lose it.
Yet, this was still too early, and he also wasn't confident that he could take care of her, firmly had her on his heart, especially with his usual act.
What if he hurts and disappoints her?
While everything was moving in a good direction in the world of Hyouka, Tobe also knew well how hurt Kaho was before, but—
A gentle tightness wrapped around his body.
The scent, softness, and everything were just too much to be described by mere words.
Similarly, Yukinoshita also reacted the same way, and she also felt that just hugging him was so wonderful that it made her heart beat so fast, so hot, yet also so happy that she didn't want to let him go. Yet, despite this peace, contentment, and thrill that came from hugging him, as he did nothing, it made her nervous, wondering whether she hated his embrace until she felt his arms wrapped around her body gently, yet tightly.
Her body was delicate, almost frail, which made him feel a little afraid to hug her too strongly.
Yet, he had to say, despite her slim figure, her womanly charm couldn't be denied and her body was so soft, and frankly, as her ears reddened due to his hug, he had to admit that she was so damn cute!
"...what do you think?"
"I... I don't hate it."
"That's good, then."
"....."
However, his calm answer made Yukinoshita look at him as she pouted.
"What are you pouting for?"
"...it's unfair that you seem used to this."
Unlike her, who took all of her courage to do this, Yukinoshita could see that Tobe was so calm despite the intimate exchange between them.
"That's not the case."
Shaking his head softly, Tobe said, "I just don't want you to see me as pathetic, so I try my best to keep my expression calm."
"There is no need to..."
"But I want to."
"...you are so stubborn."
"Aren't you the same?"
The two somehow giggled at each other's words.
Yet, as the warmth of their bodies became stronger, almost scorching, they also became even greedier as they stared at each other's lips.
Her lips were thin, yet beautifully pink.
If he put his lips onto hers, it would feel great, he thought. Still, it was too early, and he didn't want to startle her.
Only as they hugged like this, Yukinoshita, who felt comforted, couldn't help but think about his relationship with many girls. Despite him telling her that they were all friends, it made her uncomfortable when she thought that he would be so close and somehow might be dating.
"...say, why do people date?"
"Why do people date?"
"Yes."
"...why did you ask?"
"I just wonder whether you know the answer..."
As she stuck her face against his chest in peace, Yukinoshita asked softly.
"Why do people date? If I give an answer, then it is because they want exclusivity."
"Exclusivity?"
"To make the one that you love into yours. That's why people date or marry."
"Isn't that selfish?"
"It might be, but so long as they are happy, why not, right?"
"...happy, huh? I thought that you would answer me, so they could do a physical intimacy."
"...I never expected that you would tease me like that."
As she giggled, her smile was so beautiful. "There are many things that you don't know."
"What a coincidence, there are many parts of me that you don't know either."
"Such as?"
"Such as the truth, I am a genius who can take over your 1st rank in the grade."
"...if you dream, do it when you sleep, okay?"
"Well, that's true." Hugging her tighter, and moved even closer so that her soft, black hair was close to his nose, her scent bringing him peace. "I wonder whether this is a dream, too."
"This isn't a dream."
Yukinoshita also clung to him tightly, feeling his embrace, body, and everything. It wasn't a dream despite how strange this situation was.
"If so, then let me hug you strongly now, as I am afraid that I can't hug you again."
"...you want to hug me again?"
"You hate to hug me?"
"No... I..." While embarrassed, she said, "I like it." Only she felt her face was hot and a little angry when she heard him laughing. "Why did you laugh?"
"Yukinoshita-san is a pervert~!"
"You bastard!"
It was so fun, so fun that she felt desperate that she didn't want to lose it.
His smile, his body, and even the way he made her a little angry from time to time; she didn't want to share it with anyone; it was exclusive to her, so while she was nervous, his hug gave her a little courage.
"By the way, Tobe."
"Hmm?"
"Do you want to date?"
"..."
Blinking his eyes for a moment, Tobe nodded. "Okay."
Thus, he got his first girlfriend.
