Let's do it again, Yukino.

Not long after, Kasuga, who was standing with Asakura and Nagato, silently watched as the footsteps of the old Shanghainese disappeared into the distance.

These two must have something to discuss in secret.

Indeed, many things are different from those in my previous life.

The courtyard was dyed in beautiful colors by the red leaves, and many people were stopping to admire it.

……

Not long after,

Yumiko, hands on her hips, approached Haruhi.

She directly avoided Nagato and Asakura, pulling Kasuga aside.

Yumiko looked at the boy in Haruhi as if questioning him, her eyes slightly upturned.

"Your woman just approached my Hina. Don't think I didn't see it. As a man, don't you know how to control your woman?"

"...Huh? Yumiko, what did you say?"

Haruhi seemed unable to process Yumiko's words for a moment.

However, Yumiko looked at the direction where Yuki and Ebina had just disappeared, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Isn't it a man's duty to discipline his woman? Since you're dating Yukinoshita, shouldn't everything be done your way? Am I wrong?"

"..."

In the spring, beads of sweat gently slid down his forehead.

Hearing Yumiko say this,

Could it be that I was an abnormal being all along?

"What's wrong? Why the sudden, strangely disgusted expression?"

Yumiko looked on in surprise at the boy whose expression changed countless times in just five seconds.

"No, no, it's nothing, Yumiko. Please continue. I think I just grasped a key point. You said that when men and women are together, men usually take the lead, while women just have to obey? Well, if I did that, wouldn't you women be covered in cold sweat and have ice-cold hands and feet even in this hot weather?"

Although it's a little embarrassing to say this in a feminist society, for some reason, Kasuga really appreciated what Yumiko had just said.

"Who told you that? Or do you think girls really like guys who are subservient? Or are you a complete masochist?"

"..."

I see……

In a moment of spring, under the guidance of the kind-hearted Yumiko, he had a profound realization.

"I understand... I know how to deal with Yuki when she's like that. Thank you, Yumiko!!"

The boy rubbed his hands together excitedly.

He seemed to have truly understood something.

Chapter 75 Youth Has Its Own Strength

"Xiaoxue, come with me for a moment."

On the trail in Arashiyama, Haruhi watched Yukino finally return from her chat with Ebina. Suddenly enlightened by Yumiko's words, Haruhi's heart was surging with excitement, and he had a bold idea. Without saying a word, he dragged Yukino to a secluded spot.

The wind rustled through the air on both sides.

The green bamboo is lush and verdant, its leaves rustling softly.

"Is there anything I can do for you, young master Kasuga?"

Seeing that Chunri clearly had something she wanted to say, Xiaoxue couldn't help but frown and ask.

The scenery on both sides seemed to be filled with countless bamboo branches.

The bamboo tunnels, slender and shoulder to shoulder, stretch out to who knows where.

The bamboo path, where only the two of them were present, was now filled with an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.

"Please confess your feelings to me this time too, Xiaoxue!"

With Yumiko's words still echoing in his mind, Haruhi spoke his heart out to the girl in front of him without hesitation.

The soft sunlight filtering through the gaps and the cool sounds shone on Chunri's rather handsome face.

"what?"

Yukinoshita seemed not to have clearly heard what the boy in front of her had just said, or perhaps she was incredulous.

"In every previous interaction, it was me who confessed to you. This time, just like Hobe to Ebina, I also hope that you, Yuki, will confess to me properly this time! This isn't a request, it's my command as a man of Haruhi Kasuga!!!"

Sniffing, and emboldened by a moment of momentum, Haruhi continued to say things that he thought he would never say in the past.

But Yumiko's words just now were like a ray of sunshine clearing away the clouds, making him suddenly understand.

Why is it that I've always been the passive one? Every time the two of us argue, I'm either the one who brings up reconciliation or the one who finds a way to satisfy both sides. Xiaoxue has never taken the initiative to make up with him.

Perhaps Chunri had a slight inferiority complex back then, but the current him is completely different from the one in his past life. What's wrong with having a bit of a manly, assertive spirit?

Moreover, from the very beginning of his relationship with Xiaoxue, Chunri was always at a disadvantage. In other people's eyes, if they had to categorize themselves as weak and strong between him and Xiaoxue, perhaps everyone would choose the stronger Xiaoxue without hesitation.

Although, to be fair, they didn't make the wrong choice.

but! !

This time, Haruhi chooses to personally break free from his former cowardly self, and from this moment on, a man's dignity will be officially established.

That's right. I didn't do anything wrong, so why does he always have to apologize?

Springtime secretly made up her mind.

This time, taking advantage of Ebina's affair with the Ministry of Revenue, Kasuga also wanted Koyuki to take the initiative to confess her feelings to him.

Even just saying it would be fine...

However, looking at Chunri's serious demeanor, Xiaoxue breathed a slight sigh of relief. She looked at the boy who seemed to have "rebellious" thoughts and suddenly said softly, "Can you repeat what you just said? I don't think I heard you very clearly."

Kasuga: "..."

An awkward smile froze on the boy's lips.

"Well, that's it, that's it, that's it."

Springtime turned its face into the shade of the bamboo forest.

"Speak louder, I can't hear you."

Xiaoxue sighed. Although she vaguely heard the boy mention something important, Chunri's voice was now extremely faint, and she couldn't hear it clearly for a moment.

On the bamboo path, seeing the displeasure in Xiaoxue's eyes, Chunri raised his head again and looked at her.

"Um, before the Ministry of Revenue is about to confess to Ebina, Xiaoxue, could you confess to me?"

"..."

"Confess? Aren't we already dating? Why do I need to confess again?"

"Whether it was before or not long ago, every interaction we had was based on my confession to you, Xiaoxue. Um, if possible, I would also like to hear Xiaoxue's confession to me in spring. Um, is that okay?"

Perhaps it was the romantic environment of the bamboo forest that inspired courage, or perhaps the stifling life of the past few years gave Chunri an outlet to confide in the girl in front of her.

"..."

Looking at the girl lost in thought, Chunri disregarded what might happen that night and tightly grasped Xiaoxue's hand on the bamboo path.

“This is not a request, it is an order to you, Xiaoxue. So, Xiaoxue, no matter what, this time, you can’t refuse me.”

"No way, it's too embarrassing. Let me go, A-Qing, don't go too far. Can't we talk about this when we get back to Chiba? I already told you that, didn't I?"

Xiaoxue blushed and looked angrily at Chunri, who was stubbornly holding onto her.

However, this time, Kasuga also showed his tough side, and faced with the reluctant Koyuki, he forcefully pulled her back from leaving.

Forced melons aren't sweet, but they'll quench your thirst.

"This is a man's backbone! If you don't confess to me today, I won't let you leave, Xiaoxue. If the Ministry of Revenue and Ebina don't end up with a good outcome, don't blame me. It's because of your hesitation that their commission will fail."

"No way! Let me go! If you don't let me go, I'm going to scream for help."

Her fair cheeks turned as red as autumn apples. At this moment, the girl was held tightly in Chunri's arms. No matter how fiercely she resisted and twisted, all she got in return was the shameless boy's excited expression.

"It's not the first time. Xiaoxue, go ahead and scream if you dare. Even if you scream until you're hoarse, no one will come to save you. Of course, unless you call the police, Xiaoxue!"

Faced with this scene, Xiaoxue finally laughed in anger: "Let me go! Otherwise, I won't be polite to you."

"I won't let go! Unless you agree to what I said, if you dare to lay a hand on me, I, Kasuga Gian, will start yelling like you!!"

Xiaoxue remained silent, speechless.

Having spent so much time together, this was the first time she had ever seen the boy so resistant to her orders.

……

I don't know how much time passed.

The two stood there in the middle of the bamboo path, locked in a stalemate.

Tranquil and serene, desolate yet lush

Suddenly

"……like……"

A barely perceptible murmur came from Chunri's arms, almost catching Chunri's absent-mindedness.

"Huh? Xiaoxue, what are you saying?"

Chunri lowered his head as if in disbelief, looking at the girl who was only up to his chest, and softly replied.

"...I...like it, is that alright now?!"

Her face was flushed, almost dripping with moisture, and the girl pressed her shy face tightly against his chest.

In just a moment, the girl shoved the boy away by half a meter with both hands.

Xiaoxue covered her pretty face with one hand, and only after the blush on her face gradually faded did she slowly put her hand down, covering her chest, her brown eyes gazing at the boy standing opposite her.