Chapter 568: Love That Feels Like Forever New

Chapter 568: Love That Feels Like Forever New

Kasumigaoka Utaha didn’t open the door.

“I don’t want your promise. Prove it to me.”

When facing a confession, she was unbelievably calm. Truly befitting the Evil God-sama!

Himekoji Akito wanted to say something more, but the intercom clicked off first.

Strangely, this turn of events made Himekoji sigh with relief.

Because he knew too—a simple “I like you” held no weight.

……

On one side of the wall, Himekoji racked his brains outside, trying to prove it.

On the other, Kasumigaoka Utaha hummed a tune, spinning and swaying to her dance steps. Her background music? His recorded “I promise, I like you” through the intercom.

Kasumigaoka felt her time had come. Now, it was her turn to act spoiled!

Himekoji Akito left waiting? Served him right!

He needed to taste the bitterness of liking someone with all your soul.

That is, if his feelings were real—not born from guilt or duty.

She never planned to tell him about the pregnancy after one night together. Yukinoshita simply stumbled upon her at the hospital.

……

Kasumigaoka decided to ignore Himekoji. He stubbornly waited outside her door.

This lasted until sunset.

Peeking through the peephole, Kasumigaoka giggled behind her hand at Himekoji pacing anxiously outside.

She’d never felt so satisfied.

This treatment she was getting? She should call Eriri here to see it!

This was weathering the storm until the moon shines clear!

Every effort paid off in the end.

At least Himekoji had some conscience.

“Senpai, are you hungry? Want to grab dinner?”

“No. I ordered takeout.”

She mustn’t give him any opening!

Otherwise, Kasumigaoka couldn’t promise her resolve would hold.

Just seeing his face might make her dizzy, her defenses crumbling like sand.

Couldn’t let that happen!

She had to last at least tonight.

Or else wouldn’t she seem… too easy?

Feelings gotten too lightly wouldn’t be cherished.

As Kasumigaoka wrestled with these thoughts, brain bustling with warring ideas, the delivery guy met Himekoji halfway up the stairs.

Bribed with cash, the package changed hands.

Money worked wonders. Resigned, Himekoji became what he despised most.

Once upon a time, he scorned wealth, looked down on those who threw money at problems.

Now, he was one of them!

Himekoji grabbed the food, dashed to the convenience store downstairs, and bought a black marker. Scribbling all over the cola bottle, he raced back upstairs.

Flowers and candles crossed his mind—TV romances pulled that—but no. Time was the enemy. Cold food? Unthinkable.

He’d never let his woman eat cold takeout!

……

“Senpai, your delivery’s here.” Himekoji pressed the bell and knocked simultaneously.

Kasumigaoka peered through the peephole. “Why are you delivering it?”

“Because I’m also your order! Please open the door… and devour me.”

“No. I didn’t order Kikikun.”

Though she kinda wanted to swallow him whole.

“It’s a bonus!”

“Sounds cheap…”

“It is! Before Senpai, I am dirt cheap! Love humbles me!” Faking tears, Himekoji played pitiful after his afternoon vigil.

“Gross. Where’d you learn that?” Kasumigaoka seemed immune.

“Was it really that gross?”

Frustration gnawed at Himekoji. Swallowing pride took guts!

“Yes, super gross! But… keep going. Maybe I actually like a gross Kikikun.”

“Well, that makes you pretty gross too…”

Himekoji’s loose tongue sealed his fate. Kasumigaoka, hand on the knob, changed her mind instantly.

“Leave it. Step back to the stairs. Then I’ll open the door.”

His probation period got extended.

Himekoji regretted it deeply, wanting to slap himself. But obeyed meekly.

Oddly, he wasn’t impatient. Maybe some M-dust lurked in him… He even savored this tension.

Like perfect ambiguous air—one paper-thin barrier away.

He’d already pierced the physical one though…

“Okay, Senpai. Food’s down. Eat it hot.”

Pretending to give up, Himekoji trudged towards the stairs, ears straining. Waiting for the door.

CLICK!

Now!

Himekoji spun, hoping to catch her off guard. Kasumigaoka was ready. Open → Grab → Slam! Flawless. Zero chance.

Hitting only air, laughter from behind the door mocked him.

“Keep trying, Kikikun.”

“I will!”

Defeated, Himekoji plopped down cross-legged outside her door. Hungry, he ordered his own takeout.

Recharge and rematch!

Inside, Kasumigaoka leisurely unpacked food, sipping cola slowly.

Just a freebie, she thought.

Unaware of Himekoji’s vandalism.

So when black words surfaced on the bottle as she drank, shock was real.

His marker masterpiece appeared:

“When all’s sincere… I want to marry you.”

Kasumigaoka paused. Then, in a flash, poured out the cola. More revealed itself:

An entire cartoon sketch —

Groom twirling bride in a wedding hall.

Her heart skipped. Sudden, indescribable emotion surged, threatening tears.

Resistance shattered. Clutching the bottle, she rushed to the genkan.

No peephole needed. She knew he was out there. Waiting.

Up on tiptoes, Kasumigaoka spun. Skirt and hair flew, like a Ferris Wheel’s beauty.

Through the door, she asked him:

“Slowly spinning things… or slowly spinning me? Which do you like?”

“You!” Instantly, flung against the door, he answered. “You! I like you! Not the spin! But you! I— I like Kasumigaoka Utaha!”

“It’s not spinning-Kasumigaoka I like! I like Kasumigaoka-spinning! Static Kasumigaoka? Love her too! Spinning? Doesn’t matter! Twirling with Kasumigaoka? Spinning around her? Only because it’s her does any spin have meaning!”

“…Kikikun.”

She stopped spinning. Opened the door.

Outside, Himekoji spun.

Round and round. Confessing again and again.

Spinning meant… never stopping.

So this feeling?

It was love that felt like forever new.

Need proof?

A lifetime?

All his time.

He’ll prove it.

…

…