"You… did you kill Awashima and the others?"
Yukinoshita Haruno's voice trembled slightly, but on the surface, she remained composed. There was no sign of panic.
Kuzeha couldn't help but feel a bit impressed.
As expected of the Yukinoshita family's future heir—her mental fortitude was leagues above the average person.
"They're just unconscious," Kuzeha said calmly.
These people, after all, were his future... well, subordinates.
Especially Awashima Seri—with her strong body and decent strength—he hadn't even put her to good use yet, so how could he just kill her?
"What do you want?"
Kuzeha chuckled softly at Haruno's question.
"Don't make it sound like I'm robbing you on the road... I'm here out of goodwill to propose a deal. That's why I waited for you all to arrive."
"A deal…"
Haruno's gaze sharpened. When her eyes shifted toward Yukino, she suddenly realized something.
"You can dispel the aberration possessing Yukino?!"
Her voice rose with urgency.
It was clear—she was a sister who truly cared for her sibling.
"What do you want in return?"
She pressed on.
Kuzeha casually brushed his finger under Black Yukino's chin. She closed her eyes with pleasure and stretched out her slender neck, like a swan offering herself to be pampered.
"I want… the entire Yukinoshita Conglomerate."
His calm words struck Haruno like thunder.
"The entire Yukinoshita Conglomerate?"
She froze, stunned by the absurdity of it all.
Her first instinct was to reject him outright.
But seeing the way he toyed with Black Yukino so casually, and the unconscious Awashima and others behind him, she suddenly realized—This wasn't a deal.
She was in no position to bargain, let alone refuse.
She was on the weaker side, and she needed him.
Haruno bit her lip hard.
"Even if I agreed, it wouldn't matter… My mother has complete control of the conglomerate right now."
Kuzeha simply tilted his head and replied gently,
"You're the first in line for succession, right? Don't worry, I don't need you to seize power immediately."
"As long as you can carry out what I ask of you, I can make your mother step down peacefully."
"There won't be any rift between you and her either."
Probably.
Haruno's red lips parted slightly. Her thoughts were in turmoil.
As the Yukinoshita family's eldest daughter, was she really going to become a mole and hand the family over?
Kuzeha didn't rush her.
He gently patted Black Yukino on the head and said,
"Miss Haruno, judging by Yukino's current condition, you have three days to think it over."
"I hope you'll make a choice you won't regret."
As he finished, he lightly struck the back of Black Yukino's neck with a knife hand chop, knocking her unconscious.
"Three days? What do you mean—what will happen to Yukino in three days?!"
Haruno's urgent question was met with silence.
Kuzeha had already vanished into the night as a shadow.
Haruno quickly ran to Yukino's side.
She held her now-human sister in her arms and looked at the unconscious people around them. Her expression was incredibly complicated.
"Three days…"
She held Yukino's hand.
Her decision had already been made.
....
The next day.
Yukinoshita Yukino awoke from her sleep.
"Nn…"
She touched her thigh and felt a lingering soreness.
"Last night…"
Vague memories floated in her mind—She was nestled against a boy like a cat, letting him stroke her and acting like some shameless, submissive creature.
Even performing lewd, humiliating acts without any shame.
"It… it must've been a dream…"
Even Yukino couldn't help but blush.
The worst part was—she could still clearly remember the pleasure.
The boy's fingers brushing across her body… that overwhelming sense of indulgence…
Yukino touched her fair skin—it flushed slightly beneath her fingers.
"I can't believe I'd even have that kind of dream…"
Like usual, Yukino got up and washed.
When she stepped out of her room, she noticed two new maids.
She asked casually,
"Where are Miss Kumi and Miss Heichikawa?"
"Miss Yukino, they weren't feeling well today and took the day off."
"I see…"
A hint of gloom flashed through her eyes.
She shook her head.
As always, she ate breakfast alone, then left for school by car.
Once she was outside, she could feel her emotions lighten a little.
Even though she had no friends to talk or hang out with at school, the peaceful atmosphere of studying quietly and reading alone suited her perfectly.
Walking through campus, she was keenly aware of the subtle glances thrown her way by the other students.
She was long used to it.
She knew she was often the subject of gossip.
The boys called her the "flower on the distant peak"—beautiful but untouchable.
But Yukino was firm in how she conducted herself.
By treating everyone with equal coldness, she avoided being frequently confessed to.
High school relationships, in her opinion, were nothing but hormone-fueled fantasies based on looks.
Pointless and dull.
Yukino entered the classroom.
A boy brushed past her.
In that instant, her body froze halfway.
His scent—fresh and light—swept past her.
And then, in a flash, the fragments of last night's "dream" rushed back into her mind.
An unfamiliar flutter stirred in her chest.
On instinct, she wanted to follow him.
But as he walked away, her rationality stopped her.
Yukino whipped around to look.
"That was… Kuzeha, right? From my class."
She placed her hand over her chest.
Her heartbeat had begun to quicken for no apparent reason.
"What's… happening to me?"
Yukino stood in place, dazed for a moment, before turning again to look at Kuzeha's retreating figure.
Her long legs beneath her pleated skirt stepped forward—
Following him.
Yukinoshita Yukino, who had always acted with calm precision, was—once again—decisively taking action.
Advance chapters available on: patre on.com/Bored_Mortal