Chapter 75: Heart-warming

[Revised]

My mind was in utter chaos.

Muddled thoughts were sorted out, only to be severed again.

Sweet air was forced into my lungs, then squeezed out.

A breath invaded the space between my lips and teeth.

Yukina’s clear voice replayed in my mind over and over again; that forceful confession and those soft, fragrant lips threw Ephnel’s thoughts into disarray.

Her breathing fluttered with that sweet voice, her heart saturated with Yukina’s presence.

And yet, not a single trace of disgust arose.

Ephnel was astonished at herself.

The internal struggle was being washed away, eroded, by each deep breath.

For just a moment, a crack appeared in the defensive line of her reason, and Ephnel couldn’t help but part her lips slightly.

But that insignificant crack was like a devil’s promise, snapping the final shackles on the person above her.

Yukina froze for a moment.

Their moist breaths separated slightly, strands of silver and raven hair fell, and the Azure Pendant swayed gently in the darkness.

“I… I love you…”

As if possessed, Ephnel spoke those words.

Yukina paused, then a smile bloomed on her face, like the chime of a wind bell on a summer night, ringing out crisply.

“Onee-chan…”

Gently, slowly, she leaned down once more, leaving behind the clear night sky.

Ephnel did not pull away.

The rustling of fabric disturbed the night’s quiet as the weight Yukina applied began to encroach upon Ephnel, inch by inch.

“Between us… one of us was lying.”

Ephnel said softly.

Before Yukina could react, Ephnel continued, “Saying I only see you as a little sister… that was a lie.”

Her voice was soft but perfectly clear.

Ephnel couldn’t see Yukina’s expression; she simply tilted her chin up, gazing at the silhouette outlined by the cold moonlight.

The person on top of her paused.

“Onee-chan, you mean…”

“Call me Naoko, if you don’t mind…”

As she spoke, Ephnel’s gaze had already drawn within inches of Yukina’s.

The tips of their noses brushed past each other, their breaths intertwining.

“Mmm…”

Yukina responded softly, then gently closed her eyes.

…

The night was especially long.

After an unknown amount of time, Ephnel awoke from a hazy and sensual dream.

In her blurry vision, a bright yellow light spot reflected from the floor was imprinted on the ceiling, and the air was thick with an intoxicating sensuality.

Her eyelids felt as if they were glued shut, and her throat was as dry as if she’d just recovered from a serious illness.

Her waist was incredibly sore too.

Her entire body felt like it had fallen apart, as if it didn’t belong to her anymore.

The slightest movement felt like it would cause her to crumble like a sun-dried clod of earth.

A warm, moist breath pattered against her cheek.

She turned her head.

Yukina was still sleeping soundly beside her, her brow relaxed.

The Azure Pendant lay slanted beside her cheek, and her fine, light hair was slightly tousled, cascading over her face and neck.

Her slip dress was now in a messy state, pulled off one shoulder, revealing a large expanse of snowy white skin, adding a touch of gentle charm to the girl’s quiet and cute appearance.

Ephnel gazed at Yukina for a long time before sitting up.

All the buttons on the front of her nightgown had been undone, exposing a large area of skin to the air.

The Azure Pendant felt faintly cool.

She raised her hand, her gaze falling blankly on her wrist, which was covered in fine yet deep ligature marks that throbbed with a dull pain.

Last night, Yukina had nearly twisted her hand off.

“To think we really… went all the way…”

With Yukina.

Ephnel covered her face forcefully, her heart a tangled mess.

The memories of last night were still vivid.

‘I… I actually didn’t refuse.’

‘I just went along with it and accepted that confession.’

‘I actually did something so outrageous with Yukina.’

How was she supposed to face Yukina from now on?

And how did Yukina see her?

Ultimately, when Yukina made those moves, did she see her as her older brother, her older sister, or as Ephnel?

“Naoko?”

Yukina’s light voice suddenly came from her side.

Ephnel slowly turned her head and was met with a pair of clear eyes and a refreshing smile.

“Naoko, good morning.”

Seeing the disheveled Yukina, Ephnel blushed and averted her gaze.

“Morning…”

…

It was just past seven o’clock.

Ephnel peeked her head out of her room secretively.

Her parents’ room was right next door, and it was still quiet.

So, Ephnel turned back, grabbed several pieces of clothing, and ran straight to the bathroom, with Yukina following close behind.

Yukina still had school today, so there wasn’t much time to waste.

In front of the mirror, Ephnel tried on several high-collared tops with a troubled expression, but the cute little hickey on her neck was impossible to hide.

‘Great.’

‘Now anyone who sees this will let their imagination run wild.’

Ephnel wanted to cry but had no tears.

And to think, she was supposed to be the older one…

Yukina, while washing her face, watched Ephnel with great interest.

“No need to cover it. I chose a spot Naoko couldn’t hide on purpose.”

“You have the nerve to say that…”

Ephnel angrily reached out to pinch Yukina’s cheek, but Yukina met her halfway with a soft, playful smile.

“I love you… so much…”

Ephnel once again lost herself in Yukina’s gaze.

Staring at the affectionate look so close to her, Ephnel gently and naturally closed her eyes.

Although she was the passive one, she had also actively reciprocated.

She leaned against the bathroom door, her eyes slightly squinted, gently holding Yukina’s waist.

Their figures were reflected in the mirror.

The cool sensation from her back made Ephnel keenly aware of her current situation.

‘This is the second time.’

For the second time, she had taken that step, sinking into Yukina’s presence.

She and Yukina were now on a path with no return.

A strong sense of immorality, and a sliver of wishful thinking.

This feeling was the product of fermentation, but it was undoubtedly genuine.

Ephnel couldn’t deceive herself.

When Yukina held her gently, when she savored Yukina’s resolute confession, when she felt the touch of Yukina’s cascading hair, when she felt the scorching heat from Yukina’s palm, she truly felt no resistance.

Instead, a part of her heart was leaping with joy.

Ephnel had never experienced such a flutter before.

Her so-called rationality and composure were crushed to dust by Yukina.

She wasn’t yet sure if her feelings for Yukina contained romantic love, but she understood her own heart.

Her feelings for Yukina, this adopted younger sister…

“Naoko…”

Yukina murmured softly and opened her eyes.

She gazed into Ephnel’s eyes, where an unfamiliar glimmer shone in their moist depths—Ephnel was aroused by her teasing.

She leaned in for another deep kiss.

Ephnel’s lips were soft.

The morning kiss carried the faint fragrance of flower tea and a hint of bitterness.

The morning refreshments were paired with light, low-sugar milk, the slight intoxication of cherry wine, the crispness of peach crisps, the richness of rose pastries, the sweetness of cream cakes, and the softness of egg tarts.

Ephnel liked this taste; it was very pleasant, like sleeping soundly while submerged in cotton.

It was like a dream she never wanted to wake up from, and for Ephnel, that’s exactly what this was.

The fresh morning air brushed against her cheek, carrying the girl’s light, nasal tone.

“Tonight… can I come to your room again?”

Yukina suddenly asked.

“That kind of thing…”

Ephnel panted softly, biting her lower lip, her face flushed as she averted her eyes, not daring to look at Yukina.

After a moment of silence, she gave an imperceptible nod.

“Then…” Yukina asked again, “can Naoko be the one to take me today…?”