Chapter 392: 151. Miss Yukino and Snow Treasure’s First Meeting_3
Two seconds later, Yukino Ritsuko let out a soft "ah," forgetting to suck on her popsicle as the melted ice dripped down, choking her.
"If you get choked to death by a popsicle, that would be really embarrassing if word got out..."
"Cough, cough, Fujiwara... ha, cough, cough..."
"Don’t rush, catch your breath first." Fujiwara Reya extended a hand, gently patting her back and teased, "When we first met, you rode your bike into a river. Now, you’re choked by a popsicle. Aren’t you the clumsiest Snow Woman in the Snow Woman Clan?"
For an instant, Yukino Ru’s coughing got even worse.
She trembled, blushing and struggling to ask, "You... cough cough, how did you know..."
As the words came out, the voice lowered, realizing that a mere popsicle couldn’t possibly choke a Snow Woman. Even if she panicked for a moment, a few coughs would settle it. After the initial panic passed, embarrassment took over, and she shuffled slightly aside, trying to put some distance.
Fujiwara Reya released his hand and moved a bit to the side as well.
Half a meter apart, Yukino Ritsuko hugged her arms, biting her lip in confusion.
"I’m not stupid." Fujiwara Reya smiled and said, "I knew about your part-time work at the Furukawa Conference Hall long ago. Now, I must confess. I’ve been secretly protecting you to avoid dragging you into trouble, and as a result, I found out some things about you."
Yukino Ritsuko, realizing something, pulled a face as if she was in big trouble.
After quite a while, she asked softly, barely audible, "...Is it that fat and black, kind of cutely ugly crow?"
Before Fujiwara Reya could answer, a sharp "caw-caw" sounded from outside the window.
Looking out, the crow they saw every day sat alone on a tree, getting drenched in the rain. The young master was inside with a girl, while it stayed outside alertly, looking rather pitiful.
"That’s him, called Dark Crow." Fujiwara Reya said, "If you ever run into trouble and I’m not there, just go to him directly."
"But how did you know I’m a Snow Woman?"
"I guessed."
"Do you believe yourself?" Yukino Ritsuko’s voice came with a hint of laughter.
"I always believe myself." Fujiwara Reya nodded with a smile.
This evasive answer annoyed Yukino Ritsuko a bit, her eyes widened in displeasure.
"You sit for a while, I’ll make some sandwiches for breakfast." Fujiwara Reya left the living room and headed to the kitchen.
"...Be honest, Mr. Fujiwara—" Yukino Ritsuko accused, hugging her legs on the sofa, staying still like a well-behaved little girl.
Her secret was suddenly exposed, leaving her a bit at a loss. But more so, she felt a sense of relief, even a bit of delight knowing he wasn’t repulsed by her supernatural identity.
As for her identity, she’d kept it secret from everyone. Now, her only friend knew and accepted it fully, nothing could be more joyful.
Perhaps it was a subjective feeling, but to Yukino Ritsuko, the Fujiwara Reya returning after summer vacation seemed more approachable than before. The shadow of the handsome youth from the past was clearer, and his enthusiastic nature was evident in his conversations, displaying a slightly different demeanor towards her.
Yukino Ritsuko, being a bit slow-witted, couldn’t figure out what those feelings were.
Not long after, Fujiwara Reya returned with two simple sandwiches to the sofa.
Yukino Ritsuko, at some point, lay on the sofa, slightly curled with her hands wrapped around her black-stockinged legs. Her tall and graceful figure in that curled-up posture had a unique allure. Her face slightly blushed, but her gaze towards Fujiwara Reya carried a defiant force.
"You haven’t answered me yet!"
"I did answer, it was a guess."
"Mr. Fujiwara is not honest!"
"It’s dishonest people who think others aren’t honest; one of my top virtues is honesty."
"Cheater."
"Why don’t you ask what my number one virtue is?"
"What’s your number one virtue?"
Fujiwara Reya proudly puffed out his chest, "Good looks!"
The boastful look was endearing and handsome, and Yukino Ritsuko gazed at him, graceful and lively, saying each word slowly: "Mr. Fujiwara is not honest, he’s a cheater, and also narcissistic!"
"If you’re going to refute me, at least have some evidence."
"Mr. Fujiwara is the most shameless." Yukino Ritsuko’s stubborn look was completely unlike a powerful youkai.
"I won’t argue with you."
"Not telling the truth, not being honest."
"Okay, then I have no choice but to use my ultimate move." Fujiwara Reya sighed, then crouched down, leaning closer to her with a wink, "Why on earth did you just catch the popsicle with your mouth without thinking?"
As soon as he asked, Yukino Ritsuko’s eyes widened.
Her slightly pink face turned visibly red quickly, leaving no part of her face, neck, or ears unflushed. She pursed her lips, trying to explain, but with her wits, she couldn’t figure out a reason.
"Silly woman, adorable." Fujiwara Reya took the sandwiches and stood up.
On the table were some washed grapes and strawberries, which he picked up and headed to his room.
Yukino Ritsuko, with a red face, hugged her arms and watched his retreating figure, thinking he was definitely laughing at her. With this thought in mind, she pursed her lips and grumbled, "He’s really too bad, I should have kicked him out..."