Usagi's POV:
Ah… "Snacks and juice, they said…" I mutter, voice small, eyes glued to the floor like it's the most interesting thing in the room.
Okami-kun doesn't respond right away. He just nods once, silent… and then looks away.
The air suddenly feels thick, like there's a balloon of tension floating between us, waiting to pop. I fidget with the hem of my dress, stealing a glance at him from the corner of my eye.
His lips press together in a tight line, brows slightly furrowed, like he's thinking too much and trying not to show it.
So… now what?
"Okami-kun, about the present we talked about... we happened to hug yesterday, but it was a different kind of hug. So, do you want to try it again?"
His head jerks toward me, eyes wide. "A-again? You mean that kind of hug?"
My face heats up instantly. "N-not that kind! I mean—ugh—you know, the kind where…" I fumble with my words, fingers twisting the hem of my dress. "…where it feels like you're finally safe. That kind."
Okami-kun goes quiet, the tips of his ears turning pink. Slowly, he stands up, walks over, and kneels a little so we're closer in height.
"I-I want that too," he says quietly. "But only if… if it's okay with you."
I give the tiniest nod, my heart thumping in my chest like crazy.
He opens his arms carefully, not rushing, waiting for me.
I step forward and wrap my arms around his waist, my cheek pressing lightly against his chest. His arms fold around me gently—warmer, firmer than yesterday. And quieter too. No words. Just a heartbeat.
This… this kind of hug is different.
It feels like we're telling each other everything without saying a word.
"Okami-kun, is the convenience store closer from here?" I ask hesitantly.
"It'll take about 10 minutes to walk, if they know what they're doing. 30 minutes max, we've got," he says, glancing at the wall clock.
Okami-kun hums softly, his voice muffled against my hair. "Yeah… there's a convenience store nearby. Ten minutes if they're quick."
I pull back just a little, blinking up at him. "So… we have like, thirty minutes?"
He looks down at me, that small smile curling on his lips again. "Thirty minutes of suspiciously arranged alone time."
I puff my cheeks. "Hina's way too smooth for her own good."
He chuckles. "Rentarou too. Traitor."
The room falls quiet for a beat, the soft hum of the refrigerator the only sound between us. Thirty minutes feels like a lot and not enough, all at once.
"Um… what do we do now?" I ask, my voice a whisper even though no one else is here.
Okami-kun looks at me, and I can tell he's waiting for me to say something first.
So I lean a little closer, just enough for my shoulder to brush against his.
"You know," I say, pretending to be all casual, "you still haven't said what kind of gift you were planning to give me."
He blinks. "Huh?"
I grin, tilting my head playfully. "I mean, it is your birthday… but I did plan the surprise, brought the cake, made cupcakes, and dressed up super cute."
His ears flush pink, and I can see him start to panic slightly.
"So," I say slowly, drawing out each word as I tap a finger against my chin, "shouldn't I get… something? Maybe a kiss? Or are you planning to make me beg for it, birthday boy?"
He practically chokes on air.
"You—Usagi!"
I giggle. "Yes~?"
He turns completely red, avoiding my eyes. "Y-you're dangerous…"
I lean closer, eyes twinkling. "And yet… you're not running."
"Y… You look cute," he says, eyes flicking toward me hesitantly. "Sorry I didn't say it earlier."
"Tsk tsk tsk, no no no. That's not how it works," I say, crossing my arms. "You said it after I said it. You get a punishment."
His eyes widen. "P-Punishment?! Wait, hold on—Usagi!"
I smirk, leaning in with a mischievous glint in my eye. "Yup. You don't get to call me cute after I teased you. That's cheating, Okami-kun."
He shifts back slightly, flustered but clearly curious. "W-what kind of punishment are we talking about…?"
I lean forward until there's barely an inch between our faces, watching the panic flicker in his eyes.
"You don't get to know," I whisper, lips curling into a slow, wicked smile. "You'll just have to take it like a good boy."
He goes red from the tips of his ears to his neck, frozen in place like I just short-circuited his brain.
I giggle. "Don't worry~ I'll go easy on you… maybe."
"Time for your punishment," I say sweetly, lacing my fingers behind my back and taking a slow, deliberate step closer.
Okami freezes like I just whispered a spell. "U-Usagi…?"
I tilt my head, letting my voice drop to a hushed whisper, eyes locking onto his. "Don't move, okay?"
He swallows hard, nodding slowly, eyes wide and locked on me like he's afraid to even blink.
I rise onto my toes, one hand gently brushing his chest for balance—just enough to make him even more nervous. His breath catches. His whole body stiffens. I can see it—he thinks I'm going to kiss him.
Right when our faces are barely an inch apart… I tilt sideways and plant a quick kiss on his cheek.
"Punishment complete," I say, stepping back with a smug grin.
His brain doesn't catch up for a full five seconds. Then—
"Wha—?!"
His hand flies up to his cheek like he just got zapped by lightning. His face is on fire.
"Hah?! W-why there?!"
I laugh, shameless and proud. "Aww, look at you! That red face~ I should've recorded that expression! You're so cute when you're caught off guard, Okami-kun."
He groans and hides his face in his hands. "You're evil…"
I lean forward, grinning wider. "Only to you~"
He drops his hands, still red but now there's this glint in his eyes—one I haven't seen before. "Don't tease me like that… You're taking me for granted, Usagi."
Oh?
I blink, taken aback for just a second, before smirking and leaning in slightly. "Oh ho~ Is that so? You gonna do something about it, Okami-kun? Hm hm?"
He steps closer, just a little—enough that I have to tilt my head up to keep looking at him. "Maybe I should," he murmurs, voice low.
Oh no. Wait. Since when does he get the upper hand?
But I don't back down. I cross my arms and grin wider. "Is that a threat or a promise, birthday boy?"
He grins back—nervous, shy, but still holding his ground. "Guess you'll have to find out."
He's learning too fast.
"It's my birthday, right?" he murmurs, voice low and dangerous in the most unfair way. "Then maybe… I can take whatever I want as my present."
Before I can react, his arms slip around my waist, pulling me flush against him. My breath catches. His face is so close, I can feel the warmth of it brush my cheeks.
Oh no. He's not supposed to be the bold one!
"You're playing with fire, Okami-kun," I whisper, my voice shakier than I'd like.
He just smiles, all boyish charm and newfound boldness. "Then don't tempt me, Usagi."
He gulps hard—his Adam's apple bobs visibly as his eyes lock onto mine. There's something wild flickering in his gaze now, something I hadn't seen before. Not just affection.
Desire.
A quiet, burning kind that hums under his skin. His eyes flicker between my eyes and lips, again and again, like he's holding himself back by a thread.
This—this isn't the same soft, gentle Okami-kun from yesterday. This is something deeper, rawer. A side of him I didn't know existed.
And all of it… is focused entirely on me.
He inches even closer, the heat of his breath brushing against my lips. My heart thunders in my chest.
But just as he's about to close the gap, I press both hands against his chest and push him back slightly—my palms trembling.
"O-Okami-kun… stop," I whisper, cheeks burning. "You're not allowed yet…"
He freezes, eyes wide with surprise, and a faint flush creeps up his neck. His lips part, like he wants to say something, but no words come out. Only the sound of his breath—heavy, needy—fills the tiny space between us.
"…Y-you're cruel, Usagi-chan," he mutters finally, voice low and hoarse.
I bite my lip, glancing away. "Blame your dangerous eyes. You're the one who started it."
He still glances at my lips—like he's not quite ready to give up the idea.
I press a shaky palm to his chest and push him back again, firmer this time. "S-stop being like this… I-I don't even know this side of you."
Something snaps in his eyes. That wild glint vanishes like smoke. His arms fall to his sides, and he takes a step back, suddenly looking like a scolded puppy.
"A-ah… sorry," he stammers, rubbing the back of his neck. "I… I didn't mean to. It just—happened. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, Usagi."
His voice is small now. Guilty. Like he's afraid he just ruined everything.
I cross my arms, heart still racing, but I keep my tone steady.
"It's fine," I say, though my cheeks are still burning. "But next time you try something like that… ask for permission first."
His eyes snap up to meet mine, wide and a little panicked.
I narrow mine slightly, tapping a finger against his chest. "It's barely been twenty-four hours since we got together, Okami-kun. And you're already trying to melt me into a puddle? Hm?"
He opens his mouth, probably to defend himself, but I cut him off with a sigh.
"Look… I'm not mad. Just… surprised. You gotta slow your roll, birthday boy."
He nods quickly, like a chastised golden retriever. "R-right. Got it. Permission first. Totally. Absolutely. 100%."
I let out a softer sigh this time, the corners of my lips twitching up just a little.
"Just so you know," I murmur, eyes flicking up to meet his again, "I don't mind."
His head tilts slightly, hopeful.
"But," I add, poking his chest with one finger, "don't go doing that without any warning. You nearly gave me a heart attack, idiot. My heart skipped like five beats."
He blinks, then grins—sheepish and smug all at once. "So… it did have an effect."
I squint at him. "Careful. You're on thin ice again."
He holds up both hands like I'm holding him at gunpoint. "Right! No sneaky bold moves. Got it. But uh… noted for the future."
I roll my eyes, but I'm smiling now. "You're hopeless."
He grins. "Hopelessly into you."