Chapter 196 - 196: Those Flowers

The spacious, brightly lit bathroom echoed faintly with scuffling sounds. On the pristine white tiles, four slender legs tangled in a heated scuffle—one girl pinned to the floor, her slipper kicked off, her legs still squirming slightly in resistance. As she struggled, her thighs pressed tightly against the cold tiles, rising and falling with every breath, their graceful curves fully exposed. Thankfully, Utaha was wearing thick black stocking, which offered some protection from the chill of the tiles. Her skin wasn't directly touching the icy floor, or she might've cried out in pain. Still, she refused to yield. Gritting her teeth in frustration from beneath Yukino, she growled, "Yukinoshita, let me go!" Yukino gazed down at her, unfazed. "Senpai, I think you've forgotten—you were the one who started this by acting up." Utaha remained composed, her voice level despite her growing annoyance. "So what, you're just going to keep pinning me here? We've been in here a while. Don't you think he'll get suspicious and come looking?" Yukino gave a serene smile. "Even if Haru comes in, it's fine. I've already changed. The question is—aren't you feeling uncomfortable right now, Senpai?" Utaha's tiny fists clenched in silent fury. Uncomfortable? Of course she was! She had come in specifically to change, but thanks to this ridiculous scuffle, she hadn't even gotten her tights off. Now she was stuck, wearing something that felt impossibly tight and all-around awful. At that moment, Yukino gracefully got off her, standing up slowly. "I was actually considering helping you retrieve your clothes... if you'd shown a little humility. But now?" Yukino said coolly as she reached for the doorknob. "Now I don't need to consider it anymore." With a slight sway of her hips, she turned to leave. Before stepping out, she looked back over her shoulder and added in a tone like frozen steel,"If you so much as touch my underwear, I won't hesitate to handle things right in front of Haru. In the living room." The door closed with a decisive click. Utaha stared blankly at the door, her expression unreadable. Then she muttered under her breath, "You think I'm too scared to walk out bare-legged?" Back in the living room, Yukino returned with her usual poise. Haru was lounging in front of the kotatsu, his head resting on folded arms. She sat down beside him. "You were eavesdropping outside the door, weren't you?" Utaha's earlier warning echoed in her mind—Haru would get suspicious if they stayed in the bathroom too long. And knowing him, he'd definitely come check. "I wasn't eavesdropping," Haru replied flatly. "Your voices were just so loud, it was impossible not to hear." Yukino narrowed her eyes. "How much did you hear?" Haru's tone remained calm. "I heard you might've roughhoused with Senpai a bit… sounds like she lost again." "That's all?" "That's all." Yukino's lips curled up slightly at his answer. She gave a quiet, satisfied laugh. "You're right. She lost again." Just as Haru was about to reply, a noise came from the bathroom. The door opened. Utaha stepped out. Both Haru and Yukino immediately turned toward her legs in perfect synch. The black tights—gone. All that remained was a half-length skirt paired with her sweater. The hem just barely reached her knees. Yukino's eyes widened with surprise. Then she gave Utaha a slow, meaningful smile. "As expected of Senpai. When it comes to shamelessness and sheer stubbornness, I suppose I can acknowledge your talent." Utaha pretended not to hear. Not only had she lost her signature black tights—she wasn't even wearing underwear anymore. She kept her expression stoic, casually walked over, picked up her bag, and turned around to retrieve a fresh change of clothes, ignoring both of their stares. Yukino was still riding the high of victory—until she noticed Haru gaping with a look of complete disbelief, as if he'd just witnessed something apocalyptic. She blinked, amused. "What's with that face?" Haru's eyes remained glued to her in stunned horror."You two were fighting so hard… you knocked each other's clothes off?" Yukino: "…" All her triumph evaporated. When Utaha returned—now properly dressed and re-equipped with a new pair of black tights—none of them were in the mood to continue watching the movie. Understandably, neither of the two girls was eager to make another trip to the bathroom anytime soon. What was more surprising was that Utaha had actually prepared a spare pair of tights in advance. Now, with her long legs wrapped once again in sleek black stockings, she looked like a picture-perfect black-stocking beauty, her legs tucked neatly beneath the kotatsu. Even Yukino hadn't expected that. When she caught Utaha throwing her a smug, sideways glance of victory, her fist clenched automatically beneath the table. And so the three of them passed the rest of the evening in the living room, watching TV and playing with the cat—while Haru dutifully played the role of peacekeeper, ensuring the two elegant ladies didn't go at it again on his living room floor. To his surprise, neither Yukino nor Utaha resumed their usual quarrels. Not even their signature "bickering duo" act showed up this time. Occasionally, he glanced at them suspiciously. Both girls seemed distracted, their usually sharp eyes flickering with hidden thoughts. Something was clearly weighing on their minds. He thought back to when Utaha had suggested watching a movie—how both girls had clearly been hiding something from him then, too. Trying to probe again, he cautiously asked, "You two—" "You should go take a shower," Yukino cut him off before he could finish. Haru blinked. "There's no need to rush. I'm not even sleepy yet." Yukino replied calmly, "Don't sleep in the living room tonight. Use the bedroom." Haru almost thought he'd misheard. It wasn't so strange for Yukino to let him sleep in the master bedroom. What was strange was that she said it out loud, right in front of Utaha. His mind was full of question marks. But Yukino didn't give him a chance to ask. She simply ushered him toward the bathroom. Once he left, the atmosphere in the living room turned oddly quiet. The two girls exchanged glances, then casually looked away, as if nothing had happened. After Haru finished showering, the two girls also took their clothes and entered the bathroom. Warm steam quickly filled the space, curling around them like a white veil. The scent of shampoo, body wash, and the girls' natural fragrances blended together in the air. Neither of them spoke as they quietly washed. The silence stretched for nearly ten minutes before Utaha, apparently unable to stand it any longer, broke the silence softly."Nervous?" Yukino cast her a sidelong glance. "Rather than saying I'm nervous, I'd say you've been absent-minded for a while now. You've barely said a word since earlier." "I've just been thinking about tonight." "I know. But denying it is pointless. He definitely sensed something." "…" Silence returned. Utaha suddenly said, "In any case, I was the one who brought it up. I've already made up my mind. I won't regret it." Yukino, unusually quiet, turned her head away, her cheeks reddening as she avoided Utaha's eyes."Stop talking nonsense." Utaha couldn't help but laugh. She knew Yukino was nervous too. But she didn't tease her this time—because she felt the same. Even though she'd told herself she was ready, even decided to go through with this, now that the moment was here, she felt completely out of her depth. It was like the confident, composed Utaha had vanished, replaced by a girl experiencing her first love. At least Yukinoshita is just as flustered. It's comforting to know I'm not the only one. Her smile carried a hint of shyness. Both of their pretty faces were tinged with a delicate pink glow. In the Living Room Haru was still racking his brain, trying to figure out what the girls were hiding. But with so few clues, he was going in circles. Cradling his chubby cat, he absentmindedly stroked its head while trying to connect the dots. Then the bathroom door opened. He instinctively looked up—and froze at the sight of two enchanting figures in sleepwear. Their nightgowns weren't particularly short, extending past their thighs. But precisely because of that, the elegant lines of their long legs were accentuated. Utaha was towel-drying her damp hair, her fair legs glistening under the light. From her slender calves to the smooth curve of her mature thighs, the sheer black stockings wrapped her legs like silk, making her pale skin look even more radiant. Yukino, slightly shorter, had a perfectly proportioned figure. Her delicate waist was hugged by her nightgown, not a single trace of excess. Her legs, while not as long as Utaha's, were elegant and shapely—something Haru had confirmed personally many times. Both girls had straight black hair, but each carried her own unique charm. As they stepped closer, the warm lights of the living room lit up their bare faces—eyes glimmering with nervousness, yet laced with something more tender and subtle. Haru stared, stunned. He completely forgot to speak. Because not only had they bathed together, they'd dressed together—and now, they were sitting together, waiting for him to dry their hair. Their synchronized behavior was too much. What on earth were they planning? Haru's heart began to race. He had a feeling, a guess—but it was so bold he didn't dare to say it out loud. "Come dry our hair," Yukino said softly. Haru walked over, picked up the hairdryer, and started with Yukino. As he worked, he shot Utaha a meaningful glance, hoping to glean more clues. But before he could signal anything, Yukino, ever calm, said, "Why are you making weird faces over there?" "It's nothing. My eye feels a little irritated," he said weakly. "Muscle spasm, huh?" she replied coldly. He fell silent. She wasn't angry—just nervous. That made it all the more strange. Utaha covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. Though she didn't say anything, the occasional glance she gave him was filled with sultry mischief. Could this really be what I think it is? Even Haru wasn't sure he believed it. But once he finished drying their hair, the girls got up and, in perfect sync, walked into the bedroom. That was all the confirmation he needed. When did they even come to this agreement? Now that the thought was in his head, it wouldn't leave. How was he supposed to describe this moment? He pondered for a while. Maybe the only word was… intoxicating. More intoxicating than all the twisted stories and fantasies he'd seen online. With that thought, he walked to the bedroom door. Just as he suspected, Yukino and Utaha were sitting on the bed—one on the left, one on the right—with a space left in the middle. When they saw him enter, their faces flushed slightly, but neither shooed him away. Haru swallowed, took a deep breath, and stepped forward. "Have you really made up your minds?" he asked, still standing at the bedside. Yukino stayed silent, her cheeks glowing red, her nervousness showing. Utaha, smiling shyly, said, "Why are you still standing there? Come talk with us." Haru nodded and sat between them. The room was silent for a while, until Yukino finally broke it. "Why aren't you saying anything?" "I was just wondering…" Haru replied sincerely, "Is the universe being too kind to me?" Both girls laughed—soft, shy laughter. Before they could say anything else, they each felt a warm hand wrap around their waist. Their bodies stiffened—then relaxed. "Are you sure?" Haru asked, inhaling their soft fragrance. Yukino, blushing, answered, "Yes." Utaha blinked, her eyes glistening with emotion. "I guess this counts as a… joint sister operation?" As their bashful laughter filled the room, Haru suddenly remembered a lyric: Those smiles remind me of the flowers—quietly blooming in every corner of my life. But no, their bloom was anything but quiet. It was radiant—dazzling and unforgettable.