Shirase was about to crack a joke to lighten the mood, but when he looked down again, he found a flushed, inviting face lit with quiet want.
He paused for a beat, then smiled. “Staring at me like that—are you planning something?”
Nakano Nino pressed her damp lips together, gaze soft and lingering. She didn’t speak.
That look, that expression—every inch a lovestruck girl waiting to be claimed.
Shirase reached out; instead of what she expected, he just hooked a finger under her chin.
Then he leaned in and kissed her.
Nino’s lashes fluttered. She stared at him, dazed, like she’d been caught off guard.
Once.
Twice.
A third time.
“I thought you’d stop me.”
At his murmur, Nino snapped back, eyes bright with something—playful anger, shy annoyance—casting ripples of charm through the air.
“You really are a perverted, bad guy,” she scolded softly, yet she still didn’t push him away.
Go, go, go!
Shirase’s heart pounded like trumpets in his head.
Whether she was indulging him on purpose or just going along with it, her reaction was beyond anything he’d expected.
But since they were here, there was no point retreating.
He’d wanted to kiss her for so long that this time he didn’t hesitate, pressing in again, firmer.
Right then, the girl lifted her arms and wrapped them tight around his neck.
Even if Jesus himself walked in, Shirase thought wildly, I’d tell him to come back later.
Their breath tangled. The room fell quiet but for quickened breathing and racing heartbeats.
They sank into their own little world—
Until the sudden creak of someone trying the door froze them both.
“Eh? Nino, why’d you lock the door?” Yotsuba’s surprised voice came from the hall.
Before Nino could answer, Yotsuba giggled. “Oh—I get it! You’re secretly doing naughty things with Shirase in your bedroom, just like Ichika said, aren’t you?”
Nino’s face went scarlet. She shot Shirase a glare that said: This is all your fault.
Shirase, hands still awkwardly placed, bobbed his head: My fault, my fault.
“Yotsuba, don’t say weird things! Even if they were bold, they wouldn’t try anything with all of us home,” Itsuki chimed in right after.
It sounded like she was defending them, but her voice was clearly tense.
Nino realized she had to answer. Still leaning into Shirase’s arms, she called toward the door, “I was talking soccer club stuff with Shirase. Did you need something?”
It wasn’t technically a lie. They really had been talking about the club a minute ago.
And about Shirase’s dream of nationals.
“We don’t need anything, but Ichika’s got something for Shirase,” Yotsuba replied honestly. “I asked what, but she wouldn’t tell us. She just said it’s work-related.”
Work?
Shirase got it at once. The filming, probably.
But I’m busy right now!
“Got it, we’ll be out in a second,” Nino answered quickly.
“Okay.”
Footsteps faded down the hall.
Once she was sure it was clear, Nino’s shyness drifted back in.
She was just about to say something to Shirase when she caught his gloomy expression and burst out laughing.
Shirase let out a long sigh. “We’re really going out already?”
“What else can we do?” The more Nino looked at his tragic face, the funnier it got. Her eyes curved like little crescents, cheeks rosy and absurdly cute.
“But our story’s only just begun!” he complained dramatically.
“Such a poetic line. You really don’t want to leave, huh?”
“Obviously!”
Nino giggled, then shot him a quick, flirty look and ducked her head, whispering, “Well… we could wait a few minutes.”
Shirase instantly felt deep respect.
…
Ten minutes later.
Shirase and Nino walked into the living room one after the other.
Only Ichika was there. Seeing them, she waved them over. “Hurry up, you two. I’ve been waiting forever.”
Nino sat, still a bit flushed, trying to look calm. “Where are the others?”
“Miku’s in her room. Yotsuba and Itsuki went out to buy a few things,” Ichika said, then flashed a knowing, suggestive smile. “So, what exactly were you two doing in your room?”
Nino stiffened. Ichika’s “I see right through you” look had too much firepower; Nino’s words jammed.
Shirase calmly stepped in. “To be honest, I’ve been learning massage techniques lately.”
Ichika blinked. “And what does that have to do with—oh. You mean you were massaging Nino just now?”
“Exactly.”
“So how was it?”
“To call it ‘spectacularly turbulent’ wouldn’t be an exaggeration.”
“…”
Nakano Ichika froze.
Naturally, there was no way she’d catch the layers in that expression.
Even Yukinoshita Yukino probably couldn’t decode it.
After all, Chinese has depths you don’t just grasp overnight.
While Ichika was momentarily stunned, Nino seized the chance to change the subject. “What did you need him for?”
“Oh, just a small thing.” Ichika’s smile reset—poised and flawless, giving nothing away.
“A small thing?” Nino clearly didn’t buy it, frowning. “You sent Yotsuba to fetch him for something ‘small’?”
“It really is minor… Let’s put it this way: I want to borrow your Shirase for a bit. Don’t worry, I’ll return him.”
“What do you mean ‘my Shirase’…” Nino went bright red again, heart flipping.
Watching this, Shirase sighed inwardly. You’re way too easy for her to fluster. You do realize she’s doing it on purpose, right?
Because the moment Nino panicked, he caught Ichika’s sly little smile.
It flickered and vanished, but he saw it.
Nino, though, missed it completely.
Fresh from getting close with Shirase, then blindsided by Ichika’s teasing, she had no defenses left.
To stop her sister from pushing further—and to keep what she’d done with Shirase under wraps—Nino steadied her face and said, “If you want to borrow him, go ahead. But ask Shirase if he’s willing.”
“Thank you~”
Ichika gave a sweet smile, eyes sparkling as she turned to Shirase.
She was obviously laying it on thick.
Ignoring the performance, Shirase asked, “Is it urgent?”
“Just a tiny bit,” Ichika said, holding her fingers a sliver apart.
—
This is a fan translation of 谁能拒绝中野二乃呢？by 六花吖六花. Rights to the original work belong to the creator. Please support them by exploring their original work or sharing it with others if you can. Thank you for reading and supporting my efforts to bring this story to a wider audience!
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