Chapter 425: 157. Mountain God Festival: The Melted-From-Shyness Miss Yukino_7
By the riverbank under the night sky, the festive and lively atmosphere continues to escalate as the night deepens... Yet within this terrace surrounded by six folding screens, it’s extraordinarily tranquil and cozy.
Snow Treasure chilled the wine and poured a cup for his master.
Cherry blossoms drifted down, pink petals floating on the surface of the wine, and Fujiwara Reya brought the cup to Yukino Ritsuko’s lips along with the blossoms.
Yukino Ritsuko slightly parted her lips.
Between her red lips and white teeth, the petals floated in like little boats.
At the moment she drank the wine, Yukino Ritsuko suddenly realized she was no different from ordinary women. No matter how ethereal and aloof she appeared, no matter how enchanting, she was essentially just a female yokai yearning to blend into human society.
"Ah~"
The Snow Woman leaned in, staring intently at her.
Her expression seemed to question why she drank the wine Snow Treasure poured for the master.
"It’s not like I wanted to drink it..." Yukino Ritsuko grumbled somewhat irritably.
Fujiwara Reya grabbed her wrist, pulling her close, and teased, "Silly woman, you’re destined to be entangled with me."
Yukino Ritsuko bit her lip and snorted coldly, turning her head to gaze at the cherry blossoms in the courtyard.
On the rough black branches, vibrant cherry blossoms bloomed, the evening breeze billowed the curtains, and the branches swayed in the wind, the cherry blossoms trembling as if whispering secretly. The petals were pure white, like her skin. But the buds were a charming cherry pink, like her heart.
Fujiwara Reya once again took her hand.
Due to the evening wind and frost, her palm was very cold.
"Look at me." Fujiwara Reya’s fingers lightly caressed her delicate face.
Yukino Ritsuko slightly turned her head, unable to say harsh words, merely complaining, "...You’re cheating!"
"I’m not even holding you, am I?" Fujiwara Reya felt a strong itch to scratch his heart out, suppressing his excitement as he spoke to her, "Turn your head, I’ll feed you something."
Yukino Ritsuko blushed, slowly turning her head like a shy newlywed wife.
"The Mountain God Festival lasts for three days, I’ll take you to have a good time." Fujiwara Reya placed a piece of white deer meat into her mouth, "Also, you know the rear courtyard of the Mountain God’s Sleeping Palace is off-limits, right?"
"I know." Yukino Ritsuko chewed the deer meat.
The white deer meat was soft and melted in her mouth, leaving a soothing warmth that lingered in her stomach after swallowing.
"I know someone who can sneak you in."
"Won’t it be bad if the Mountain God finds out?"
"No worries, I have a good relationship with him, even if I stole his woman, he wouldn’t be angry."
"..." Yukino Ritsuko tucked a strand of windblown hair behind her ear, glaring at him with a mix of anger and shyness, "Don’t say such vulgar things."
"I’m sorry!" Fujiwara Reya immediately apologized, "Pure and faultless Snow Woman, please forgive me."
Yukino Ritsuko hummed pleasantly.
At this time, she wasn’t as nervous, and in her eyes, a light seemed to dance like flowing fireflies, making her appear even more enchanting.
"Besides, I won’t accompany you to meet Mrs. Furukawa." Fujiwara Reya picked up a piece of white rhinoceros meat for her.
"Why?" Yukino Ritsuko didn’t eat the meat.
"Silly woman, I can protect myself." Fujiwara Reya explained to her, "Forcing an unwarranted meeting with Mrs. Furukawa would mean owing a favor. How would we repay it later?"
After staring at him for a moment, Yukino Ritsuko murmured an "Oh" and opened her mouth to eat the white rhinoceros meat.
After silently chewing for a while, she ambiguously asked, "Then am I useless?"
"Silly woman." Fujiwara Reya laughed and scolded, "Even if you turned into the cold and heartless Snow Woman, you’re still as silly."
Yukino Ritsuko’s cheeks puffed up like little buns.
A gentle breeze blew, swaying the lanterns, and on the exquisitely decorated terrace, the candlelight cast flickering shadows across her face.
The Snow Woman stared blankly at this scene, contemplating how Snow Treasure could defeat this unfamiliar Snow Woman to win back the master’s heart. But with her muddled mind, thinking was a fruitless endeavor.
In the dim, flickering firelight, Yukino Ritsuko sat with her knees drawn up, her gaze fixed on her glistening feet. Her soft white silk robe fit snugly, and at some point, her neckline had been pulled down significantly, revealing her delicate collarbone and snowy shoulders.
Yet beneath the loose skirt, her slender waist was tightly bound, making her figure appear even more graceful and elegant.
Fujiwara Reya’s gaze grew increasingly intense.
Yukino Ritsuko watched her toes quietly with eyes like shattered galaxies; behind her were the vivid cherry blossoms.
"Miss Yukino," Fujiwara Reya pinched her chin, lifting her face for inspection, his other hand encircling her waist to pull her closer, "May I admire you?"
Yukino Ritsuko immediately closed her eyes, shaking her silver hair in an attempt to break free.
Yet his fingers seemed glued to her chin, unable to shake off.
Her silver-white hair swung, adorned with a delicate jade hairpin, the red tassel and her soft lips being the bright highlights amidst her pure white ensemble. This touch of red was not garish at all; instead, it perfectly accentuated the beauty’s demeanor.
"Fujiwara...don’t do this, let me go. Otherwise, I feel very uncomfortable."
Her voice was low, clearly very afraid of being seen by prying eyes nearby.
However, Fujiwara Reya wished she could melt under the cherry blossom trees, becoming one heart with him.
With gentle coercion, Yukino Ritsuko, eyes closed, nestled in his embrace. At that moment, she was indescribably captivating. Her delicate oval face and the graceful lines outlining her charming features exuded a cool elegance amidst her dignified composure. Her lips slightly parted, unclear if shyly awaiting or ready to scold with feigned anger. Her ears, hidden beneath her hair, blushing slightly, were exquisitely small and delicate.
Fujiwara Reya wanted to take a clear look.
Perhaps this snow spirit’s heart was hidden within the moist, glossy teeth of her lips?
At that moment, Yukino Ritsuko didn’t want him to see her face like this and quickly leaned her face into him. Yet she was utterly unaware that this posture looked more like asking for a kiss.
A chill came rushing at her.
Yet her body heat was akin to the warmth of a greenhouse flower.
In the candlelight, Fujiwara Reya embraced her waist and kissed her delicate face. Yukino Ritsuko didn’t struggle or scold him, she just stood still as if frightened. Fujiwara Reya lifted her chin, gazing into her eyes for a moment. The power felt, the emotions exchanged at this moment were direct and clear. Her cheeks blushed fiercely, and she subconsciously murmured, "Put out the light..."
In her shyness, she thought that if she couldn’t see, she could accept it.
With a flick of Fujiwara Reya’s finger, the candlelight around the terrace extinguished as commanded.
As the space dimmed, her silvery hair appeared even more otherworldly.
The bright river shared its splendor, reflecting alongside the celestial waters.
"...Mm."
As their lips touched, Yukino Ritsuko couldn’t help but whimper.
The iceberg-like beauty making such a mournful and pitiful sound bore slight emotion within the coolness, remarkably enchanting. When the candlelight reignited, Fujiwara Reya appeared as if drenched and transported into a freezer, his face and hair frostbitten. In his embrace, Yukino Ritsuko’s clothes were already soaked, her white dress tightly clinging to her skin, shrouded in a chilling mist.
"Yukino." Fujiwara Reya gently rubbed her earlobe.
"Ah—"
Suddenly, Yukino Ritsuko exclaimed.
The cold, coquettish voice paired with her icy oval face was indescribably tempting. Overcome with acute embarrassment, she instantly transformed into a pool of ice water, spreading across the terrace.
That pristine white dress drifted to the ground, illuminating softly under the candlelight.