"Have you already used them? How many times? After you're done, would it make you even happier if I wore them again?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha fired off her questions like a truck speeding down the highway, running over Yukima Azuma with her words.
What was even scarier was Kato Megumi quietly muttering beside them:
"So, Azuma-san has that kind of preference… Should I start wearing tights too?"
She lowered her head, glancing down at her little white ankle socks. "Or maybe… would these be okay?"
Yukima Azuma's mouth twitched slightly.
"Megumi-san, you're spoiling me too much. I'm happy, but I'm not that kind of pervert."
"Besides, if you ever run into someone who really is that kind of pervert, please call the police immediately. Don't become an accomplice."
Hearing that, Kato Megumi tilted her head thoughtfully.
Then Yukima turned back to Kasumigaoka Utaha.
"Senpai, I swear I didn't do anything. Sure, high school boys get impulsive sometimes…
But my thoughts are still healthy. I'm nowhere near doing something that disgusting."
Kasumigaoka Utaha gave a cold laugh, lightly lifting her white slippers with her toes.
"Oh? Then why did you take off my tights?"
"Because yesterday Eriri drooled all over them. I figured you wouldn't want Eriri's saliva on your comforter."
Kasumigaoka Utaha: ?
Eriri, who was just stepping out of the room: ?
"I have proof," Yukima Azuma said as he pulled out his phone.
"Senpai, take a look."
Kasumigaoka Utaha, Kato Megumi, and Eriri all leaned in to see.
On the screen, they saw yesterday's scene — Kasumigaoka Utaha and Eriri asleep on the sofa… and the unmistakable gleam of drool stains under the light.
"Sawamura Spencer Eriri!!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha lunged at her.
She could no longer hold it in.
"It was an accident! Aaaahhh!!"
Eriri screamed, clutching her head and sprinting around the living room in panic.
Kato Megumi, a little startled, hugged Shiratamaru close and quietly retreated toward the wall, standing next to Yukima Azuma.
"Hey, Azuma-san really doesn't have that kind of… fetish, right?" Megumi asked.
"Why do you sound so unsure?"
"Because sometimes, I feel like Azuma-kun's eyes linger on Senpai's tights or Sawamura-san's socks."
"Look, whether it's black tights, white socks, or even bare legs — I judge fairly. It's just that everyone's legs are so beautiful.
I've stared at your legs too, Megumi-san."
"…You're saying that without even being embarrassed? Truly shameless, Azuma-san.
You shouldn't say things like that to other girls. They'll seriously think you're a pervert."
"I know, I know. But Megumi-san, don't spoil me too much.
If I ever cross the line, just scold me. Or better yet, slap me."
"Slap you… That sounds kinda harsh."
"Then just pinch my waist. A little strength will do. It actually hurts a lot and should wake me up."
"Ohh… Okay, got it."
…
The chaotic morning ended in peace.
After breakfast, Eriri and Kato Megumi left.
After all, even though they'd reported in yesterday, spending the night out was still unusual. It was better to return home early and avoid worrying their families.
(Well… in Sayuri's case, she might actually be relieved Eriri didn't come home.)
Kasumigaoka Utaha headed off to Fujikawa Publishing House.
Her new book would launch next Tuesday, with a signing event on the same day.
Naturally, things had gotten busier for her lately.
Yukima Azuma, on the other hand, had a rare free morning.
He had an appointment with "Little Lonely" around noon.
"Ahh, better send her a reminder.
Wouldn't want her showing up hours early and roasting under the sun."
He muttered as he pulled out his phone.
Azuma:
[Bocchi, remember to be on time at the meeting place.]
Azuma:
[Though I said 'on time,' don't come too early.
If you get sunburned, I'll be heartbroken.]
Azuma:
[If I can't find you, I might seriously cry.]
Bocchi:
[Understood. I'll definitely be on time. I'm sorry for causing you trouble.
I'm so anxious. Please forgive my uselessness.
If I mess up, I'd rather die a thousand times than bother you.]
Yukima Azuma stared at the endless wall of text.
He could only shake his head and chuckle helplessly.
Typical Hitori Bocchi.
He didn't reply — otherwise, she'd probably send three more walls of apology messages, maybe even threaten to jump into a river.
Just as he was closing LINE, another message popped up.
This time, it was from Hayasaka Nao.
Nao:
[The company's officially registered. Just like you asked, it's called "Laplace."]
Nao:
[If you're doing business in Japan, handle it yourself.
Rent an office. Set up a local branch.]
Nao:
[Start recruiting too, if you want.
Don't expect me to babysit everything — I've got my own mess to deal with here.]
Nao:
[If you have no questions, don't message me back.]
Yukima Azuma didn't reply.
He just shook his head, feeling slightly emotional.
"As expected of Nao-san. Always efficient."
His eyes stopped at the words recruit people.
Right.
To truly establish a presence in Japan, he had to become a boss.
Otherwise, the money sitting in his account would go to waste.
It was time to seriously think about setting up a subsidiary — and hiring a team.
With that thought, Yukima Azuma pulled out his laptop, opened a recruitment platform, and quickly registered.
Company name: Laplace.
Thanks to the hefty registered capital, his application passed review almost instantly.
He scrolled through the applicant list.
Honestly, there were way too many randoms.
Most of the profiles were a waste of time — if someone was truly talented, they wouldn't be buried here.
Still, Yukima Azuma decided to scroll all the way to the very end.
Maybe there'd be a hidden gem?
And there it was — a name caught his eye.
He instinctively clicked.
Yukinoshita Yukino.
The profile opened.
Name: Yukinoshita Yukino
Gender: Female
Age: 22
High School: Toyosaki Private Academy
University: University of Tokyo, majoring in Financial Management, graduated last year.
Below that was a list of awards she had won during her school years.
Despite being a fresh graduate with little internship experience, her academic record alone was impressive.
University of Tokyo, Financial Management — top-tier student.
Someone like her should have been snatched up by a big company before she even graduated.
Why was she… buried at the bottom of this applicant list?
Yukima Azuma drummed his fingers lightly on the desk.
Could it be… intentional?
He shook his head. No point in overthinking it.
For now, he decided — he'd give her a shot.
He needed people anyway.
Meanwhile, at Fujikawa Publishing House—
"Ah! Shi-chan, you're here!"
Machida Sonoko popped up from behind her desk, waving.
"I told you not to call me that," Kasumigaoka Utaha sighed, walking over.
As she passed through the office, she accidentally bumped shoulders with a woman carrying a box of personal belongings.
Out of instinct, Utaha glanced back.
A tall woman with flowing black hair.
Cold beauty.
A presence like untouched snow — distant, admirable.
Familiar.
"Kasumi-sensei, what's wrong?" Sonoko asked, seeing her reaction.
Utaha didn't answer immediately.
She just watched as the woman entered the elevator and disappeared.
"She's a new intern editor," Sonoko added.
"Or was. Got fired already.
I think her name was… Yukinoshita."
"Yukinoshita."
The name clicked immediately.
Toyosaki Private Academy.
A former star in the school's promotional videos — just like Utaha herself.
It had to be Yukinoshita Yukino.
"I see."
Utaha frowned slightly.
"Why was she fired?"
Sonoko's face turned awkward.
"Well… she's incredibly talented, no doubt.
Top-level literary skills."
"But, as an editor, she was too ruthless with authors.
Especially newbies."
"Ruthless?"
"Yeah. She'd point out problems bluntly — brutally, really.
A few rookie authors gave up after getting critiqued by her."
"Even though their work had flaws, it was still decent for newcomers."
Sonoko raised her hands in a helpless shrug.
Utaha frowned deeper.
"It's only natural to criticize a flawed work. They should be grateful."
"Not everyone's a genius like Kasumi-sensei," Sonoko muttered under her breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing, nothing!"
Sonoko quickly waved it off.
Then she glanced around and leaned in to whisper:
"Just between us — rumor has it Yukinoshita-san offended someone important."
"Otherwise, with her ability, she never would've been fired."
"In fact, before Fujikawa, she'd already been dismissed from seven or eight companies."
Utaha instinctively turned toward the elevator again.
It had long since descended to the first floor.
She retracted her gaze.
Though part of her wanted to feel indignant, she knew it was pointless.
Kasumigaoka Utaha wasn't the idealistic type.
She wouldn't throw herself into someone else's tragedy.
Better to focus on her own book launch coming up.
Meanwhile, beneath the Fujikawa building…
The harsh summer sun blazed overhead.
Yukinoshita Yukino stood at the curb, a box of her belongings in hand.
She turned, looking back at Fujikawa Publishing House.
But after a long, reluctant glance…
She lowered her head.
And quietly, helplessly, walked away toward the train station.
The once-proud posture that refused to bow to anyone…
Finally bent under the weight of life.