The warm bathroom was filled with rising steam. Utaha leaned against the edge of the bathtub, her eyes gently closed, long lashes trembling like the flutter of butterfly wings. Even without makeup, her face was breathtakingly beautiful. Droplets of moisture—whether from sweat or condensation—slid slowly from her sculpted chin, tracing their way down her neck and ultimately disappearing into the softly rippling bathwater… right where her most alluring curves rose from beneath the surface.
The steam overhead seemed to sketch out the soft lines of youth and hormones.
"You said it was just going to be a back massage, didn't you?"
Her breathing slowed as she opened her eyes, their beauty tinged with feigned accusation.
Haru sat just outside the tub on a small stool, holding a towel in his hands. "I'm just waiting for your cooldown to end."
Just hearing it, she knew it wasn't anything decent.
Utaha shifted positions, resting her slender arms on the edge of the tub and her cheek gently atop them. "Now that I think about it, that whole 'pathetic' line you made me say earlier… that's from a manga, isn't it?"
"Oh? You caught that?"
"It's classic chuunibyou material, isn't it? What, you thought I don't use the internet?"
"Clever as always. So… will you say it again next time?"
Her only response was a long, exasperated eye-roll.
But paired with her flushed cheeks and playful scowl, the whole display was irresistibly charming.
Especially given the fact that she was, at this very moment, sitting stark naked in front of him. Even with the water concealing most of her figure, the scene was still dangerously enticing.
Of course, that whole "back massage" thing had been more of a joke.
Setting down the towel, Haru changed the subject with a bit of concern. "I'll go grab your bathrobe. I'll hang it where I usually do—you can just slip into it after you're done."
But Utaha surprised him. "No need. I brought something else to wear."
Haru blinked. "Something else? Like… pajamas?"
She smiled languidly, her cheek still resting on her arm, her flushed face exuding a sensual calm far beyond her years.
"I brought more than just pajamas."
The look in her eyes, a mix of mischief and shyness, mirrored what he'd seen earlier.
"What kind of clothes did you bring?" he asked, already suspecting something.
Rather than answer directly, she chuckled. "Last time I stayed in the master bedroom with Yukino, I saw something interesting. When she got up to change clothes in the morning, I happened to catch a glimpse of something unusual in her wardrobe."
Haru raised an eyebrow. Ever since Yukino had moved in permanently, he'd cleared a wardrobe space just for her. He'd never once gone through it, though, respecting her privacy.
"You've seen inside her wardrobe?"
"Not deliberately," Utaha replied, eyes glinting with mischief. "But I have very sharp eyes…"
She paused deliberately, then added with a teasing smile, "If I wasn't mistaken, what I saw looked like a pair of cat ears. And underneath that… a cat tail."
Cat girl roleplay… yeah, Yukino had tried that with him once.
But that wasn't the kind of thing you went around telling people.
Utaha's lips parted in a slow, teasing murmur. "So… what do you think I did after discovering Yukinoshita's little secret outfit? Think I might've bought something similar for myself?"
Haru was surprised. "Wait… you bought one too?"
"Not a catgirl outfit," she replied, her voice low and sultry. "But feel free to guess. If you get it right, maybe I won't wear pajamas tonight—maybe I'll wear that instead."
There was no mistaking it—she was definitely playing with fire.
And clearly enjoying herself.
Haru adjusted imaginary glasses in front of his face, adopting a classic detective look. "With your competitive nature, there's no way you'd settle for the same costume as Yukino. But if you went with something too tame, it wouldn't do justice to your figure or charm. Which means... there's only one logical answer—"
He raised his voice. "A bunny girl outfit! On the same level as the catgirl one!"
Utaha's eyes widened. "Wait, are you sure you didn't peek into my bag?"
Haru raised a hand and covered his face with one finger pointed upward like a certain smug anime character. "I would never stoop to such a low-skill tactic. I have standards."
Utaha stared at him, stunned.
Several seconds passed before she let out a few soft breaths, her cheeks flushed with a mix of bashfulness and mischief. "Fine… you got me."
After stepping out of the bathroom, Haru, doing his best to keep calm, helped Utaha blow dry her hair with great care.
Then he went and sat properly on the couch… with the utterly unsubtle look of a man in a hurry.
Utaha shot him an amused glance before bending down and opening her bag.
She was fast, but Haru still caught a glimpse of bunny ears and black stockings.
She had just changed into her pajamas… and now she was switching outfits again?
Well, it was a promise she made herself. And with the mood between them this sweet and intimate, she had no intention of backing out. Hugging the outfit to her chest, she turned and headed into the bedroom.
Five minutes later, Utaha reemerged in full bunny girl glory.
Her usually calm, crystal-clear eyes now shimmered with an unmistakable seductiveness. As Haru's unfiltered gaze landed on her, her long lashes trembled. Her lips parted slightly, teeth grazing her bottom lip.
But she was not Yukino.
Yukino, when wearing the catgirl costume, would feign calm and bite back her embarrassment.
Utaha, in contrast, offered a breathtakingly shy yet dazzling smile. "Well? Like what you see?"
Haru gave her a big thumbs-up.
Long black hair, tall figure, killer curves, sheer black stockings—
God. This was exactly why living was worth it. Sakurajima Mai was real.
When Utaha saw his expression, she looked pleased. Haru figured she'd now go back to the room and change out of the costume… but no.
She sashayed toward him instead, hips swaying ever so slightly.
"What are you doing?" he asked, trying to feign panic, but unable to hide his excitement.
Utaha didn't reply immediately. She reached him, bent down, and gracefully seated herself on his lap. Her arms looped around his neck.
Then she leaned in close and whispered in his ear, teasingly, "So… are you more satisfied now?"
"Yes," Haru admitted helplessly. Her scent—warm and floral from the bath—filled the air around him.
Still, she pressed on. "So when Yukino wore her catgirl outfit… what did you two do?"
Haru shook his head. "Let's not talk about that."
"You don't want to say?"
"What if I let you set the conditions now?" she offered, her gaze full of heat yet touched with vulnerability.
Looking into her eyes, Haru gently wrapped an arm around her slim waist, voice steady. "If you meow right now… I think that'll be it for me."
Utaha bit her lip. She hesitated.
It was funny, in a way. She'd already been bold enough to strut out in a bunny suit, putting her beauty on full display… yet now, faced with making a single cat sound, she was hesitating.
It wasn't that she didn't want to do it.
She just wasn't sure if she should.
So she asked, "Knowing Yukino's personality… I doubt she was generous enough to actually meow for you."
Haru sighed. "You're starting a competition again, aren't you?"
Utaha suddenly leaned forward, her flushed cheek brushing his. Then, right by his ear, she whispered softly:
Haru's mind went blank.
Yep. Health bar: zero. He needed backup.
Meanwhile, the fat cat lying nearby suddenly lifted its head, glancing around as if to say:
Who just meowed? Wait, that wasn't me, right?
"Happy now?" Utaha asked, having caught the look of stunned delight on Haru's face. Her own cheeks were burning, a mix of pride and embarrassment swirling in her chest.
A clear sign that her charm had hit its mark.
"Very. Very happy," Haru said again and again, dazed.
Just as Utaha was about to continue her assault, the phone on the coffee table rang.
Haru picked it up instinctively. The caller ID read: Yukino.
"Answer it," Utaha said, a sparkle in her eye.
Haru narrowed his eyes. "You're not… planning something, are you?"
She gave him a sweet smile. "I'm just a bunny girl who knows how to meow. What could I possibly be planning?"
No. No no no. That look on her face definitely said she was planning something!
Haru could swear it on his life.