Nozomi had just finished speaking when Yukinoshita Yukino's delicate fingers pinched his waist with surprising precision.

"I don't care about that sort of thing!" she snapped, her voice laced with flustered defiance.

Nozomi let out a soft chuckle and gently took her hand in his. "But Yukino, you're already beautiful. I don't think you need to worry about those differences."

She puffed her cheeks and looked away with a pout, clearly unconvinced. "Liar."

"Eh? Where did I lie?" he asked, feigning innocence.

"Hmph. That class rep, Suou Yuki, told me you liked her figure. A lot."

Nozomi scratched the back of his head, helpless but amused. Despite the complaint, his heart brimmed with warmth. The mere fact that she brought this up meant one thing—his relationship with Yukino had reached a level where she could express such vulnerable jealousy.

He leaned closer, his gaze softening as he pressed his lips to her slender neck.

"D-Don't do that!" Yukino gasped, pulling his head back with a crimson face. "You're so bad. I won't come next time if you keep this up... mm—"

Nozomi exhaled slowly and pulled away just enough to meet her gaze. "Sorry, Yukino. You're just too cute. I got carried away."

He held her close again, his voice tinged with remorse. "You finally agreed to stay over, so I... I hoped we could take one step forward. Maybe that makes me greedy."

Yukino sighed, her expression softening. Her hands gripped his collar nervously as she leaned against his chest. The warmth radiating from him made her feel both nervous and safe.

"I don't blame you if you misunderstood..." she murmured, cheeks aglow. "I... I don't even understand myself, why I agreed to stay the night."

But deep down, she did know. It wasn't by accident. She wanted him to make a move—wanted to give him the opportunity to reach for her, to see her. Unlike Yuki Suou and Sanshokuin Sumireko, who acted boldly and confidently, Yukino couldn't take such initiative. All she could do was quietly offer hints and hope he understood.

That realization only made her heart burn with deeper embarrassment.

Was it the pressure of watching others progress that pushed her to this point? The quiet rivalry of emotions?

Nozomi caught the soft scent of her hair and felt his heart stir. He gently stroked her silky strands as he spoke.

"Yukino... if you don't know why, then don't think too hard about it. What matters is, you're here now. And I'm not letting this moment pass."

He tilted his head with a teasing smile. "Does that make me a bad guy?"

"I don't know," Yukino mumbled, snuggling deeper into his embrace. "Don't ask me such unfair questions..."

She hadn't even locked the door.

Wasn't that a silent invitation?

Nozomi gazed at her flushed, bashful face and felt a surge of happiness. He leaned in close, whispering into her ear.

"Yukino... let me help you. Just a little. I promise I'll be gentle."

Her body stiffened slightly, but she didn't pull away.

"You don't want to lose to Yuki or the others, do you?" he added, his voice low and almost wickedly playful.

Yukino trembled as his words hit their mark. Her hands clutched his collar tighter, lips quivering. Those eyes—embarrassed and shy—met his, and in them, he saw the quiet truth.

She didn't want to lose.

Not when it came to him.

Nozomi swallowed, his gaze drifting across her delicate features and porcelain skin. Her heartbeat was nearly loud enough to fill the room.

"Yukino... is it okay?"

There was a pause.

Her face turned scarlet, but she didn't look away.

"It's... not impossible," she whispered.

Time seemed to stop.

Nozomi's eyes widened slightly. Did she really just say that?

His heart roared with surprise and disbelief. The Yukinoshita Yukino, composed and cool, had just given him permission.

He took a deep breath to compose himself, then gently guided her to lie down.

His palm traced the smooth line of her waist, gliding slowly as if to reassure her.

Then his hand moved to the buttons of her top.

Her slender fingers instinctively caught his wrist. Her eyes looked up at him, pleading.

"Maybe... we shouldn't..."

Her voice was tiny.

Even now, modesty and shame made her hesitate. Was she being too forward? Would he think she was easy?

The atmosphere, once light with teasing, was now heavy with tension. Her cheeks burned crimson, eyes averting his gaze. This kind of closeness—was it too fast? Would he think less of her? Would he misunderstand and believe she was that kind of girl?

But even as her rational mind tried to retreat, her heart betrayed her hesitation. And Nozomi… didn't waver.

With quiet resolve, he moved her hand gently aside and lowered his lips to her snow-white neck, his warm breath dancing on her skin like a forbidden breeze. "Yukino," he murmured, "just be good."

Her back stiffened. W-What did he mean by that? She's not a child!

But those eyes… those burning eyes of his… the heat behind them surged through her like an electric shock. He was dangerous. But why did that make her heart race faster?

He leaned in again, and without resistance, her hand was captured and gently pressed to the side. One by one, her buttons came undone under his practiced fingers.

Yukinoshita Yukino bit her lip, half from shyness and half in frustration. Why was he so skilled?! Had he practiced this on other girls?

But there was no time for such thoughts. Nozomi's attention had already fallen fully upon her, lips brushing across the soft, delicate curves he'd just revealed, tasting her warmth like it was the rarest treasure.

"Ah… mm…"

She gasped softly, arms instinctively wrapping around his head, eyes wide with panic—only to lock with his and snap shut again, her face burning.

… …

Nozomi's movements were slow, almost reverent, yet somehow mischievous—leaving her breathless and a little dizzy. Her previously cool and composed demeanor melted in his embrace.

"I-Is this… okay?" she whispered faintly, her head resting on his chest.

Nozomi chuckled quietly, running his fingers along her hand with surprising tenderness. "Of course. You'll see—it might not show right away, but if we do this a few more times…" His voice trailed off teasingly, thick with implication.

Yukino's heart jumped. He wanted to touch her again? Multiple times?

She turned her head and glared at him sharply, though her face remained pink. "…You're not allowed to tell Suou-san what happened tonight! Or Sanshokuin either!"

"I won't say a word," Nozomi replied smoothly, pulling her close again. He looked utterly content.

He hadn't crossed that line—at least, not yet. All he'd done… was help ease her worries. With his hands. And a little bit of magic.

Yes, magic. The dragon magic flowing through Nozomi's body was real. Taught to him by the mysterious Frieren, it helped improve circulation and body growth—perfect for someone like Yukino, who was always slightly on the colder, fragile side.

The next morning…

Yukinoshita Yukino stirred slowly, body sore and numb in strange places. As she glanced down at herself, her face turned a bright crimson.

Nozomi's hand was still there.

"…Pervert…"

But truth be told, she felt warmer. Stronger. It had worked.

At breakfast, the girls' stares nearly burned holes through her. Sayu and Mahiru wore sly, knowing smiles.

On the way to school, Suou Yuki leaned in with a grin. "So, Yukinoshita… how far did you two go last night?"

Yukino turned red again, face twitching with frustration—until she finally shot back, "He… just touched me for a bit, okay?!"

Yuki lit up. "How long? And how did he touch you? Spill it!"

Yukino covered her face. Why did she even say anything in the first place?!