Chapter : 11
The lunchtime bell rang gently through the school building. It was a few days after the opening ceremony.
Hayashi-sensei called out to Yu, wearing a calm smile. “Yu-kun… I’m sorry to ask, but could you return this book to the library for me? I’m tied up with a faculty meeting… Phew, you’re a lifesaver…”
What was placed in his hands was an old history book, its leather cover feeling supple and familiar against his fingertips. “Understood, Sensei.” The boy bowed slightly and left the classroom.
The hallway was filled with the bustle of lunchtime, as students passed by in groups, lingering on the remnants of their bento boxes. As he walked, people called out to him one after another.
“Yu-kun, let’s eat lunch together!” “Tell me the answer to that math problem from earlier!” “Prince, you’re cute today too!”
The boy responded to each one. “Thank you, but I have an errand right now… maybe later!” “Yes, I understand. I’ll lend you my notes.” “Haha, thank you.”
His cheeks grew slightly warm in between the greetings. Perhaps it was the result of his special training, but even though his heart raced at the gazes, he didn’t turn into a rabbit. He kept a gentle smile on his face as he walked down the corridor.
He descended the stairs and headed toward the back of the school building, where the library door came into view. The path to the library was gradually moving away from the noise of the school. The door was wooden, and the brass handle felt cold against his palm. The sensation of slowly turning it felt like flipping the pages of a book, and with a soft creak, the door opened.
Cool air caressed his cheeks, and the scent of books greeted him. The nostalgic fragrance of old paper and ink tickled his nose, and the silence seeped into his ears. Inside, wooden shelves filled the walls, and sunlight streamed in like rays through the gaps between the high shelves, casting pale shadows on the carpeted floor. On the central reading table, several opened books sat quietly. In the distance, by the window, dust motes danced in the light like spirits of a story—somehow, it felt comforting…
Sitting in the corner of the reception counter was a girl, her book spread open on her knees, quietly turning the pages. It was Takahashi Yui, a third-year student and member of the library committee. Her fluffy, chestnut-colored long hair covered her shoulders, and a loose summer sweater spread out as if to wrap around her soft silhouette. In her seated position, with the book spread on her lap, she possessed a calm stability, as if weaving a small lullaby, appearing to protect the surrounding silence even more deeply and warmly. The sweater’s fabric sank as it clung to her body, and the rich curves from her waist down seemed to accept the chair like a gentle embrace—she radiated the presence of a quiet harbor where anyone would want to lean against.
The boy placed the book quietly on the counter. “Um… I came to return this book.”
When he called out, she slowly raised her face. Her large eyes caught him. “Oh, thank you. But the teacher in charge just stepped out… I’m sure they’ll be back if you wait a little longer. Sorry, why don’t you sit down for a moment?” “Understood.” The boy nodded and sat on the edge of the counter. The wooden chair creaked slightly.
Silence returned. Yui dropped her gaze back to her book. Time flowed lazily. Suddenly, she stopped, tucked in a bookmark, and closed the book. She slowly let her gaze drift to the boy… and stared at him intently.
Her gaze was deep and warm, as if wrapping around his entire body—it seeped into the gaps of the defenseless boy’s heart like a quiet wave, filled with a maternal capacity for acceptance. Their gazes entangled, capturing the boy’s eyes—the gentle curiosity dwelling deep within them tickled his breath, making him tremble hotly to his very core.
—Ah… these eyes, they’re too kind… I can’t escape… The boy’s heart gave a leap—Calm down, calm down… She continued to watch him, her gaze filled with calm curiosity.
“Um… did you need something?” His voice was slightly strained. Yui snapped back to reality and flashed a flower-like smile. “I’m sorry, I felt like I had met you somewhere… I just got lost in thought.” “Eh, somewhere? …Um, I’m sorry… I can’t remember.”
She raised a finger and chuckled. “Ah, that little rabbit. Was it the exchange student at the opening ceremony? You went ‘hop’ on the podium… it was so cute.” The boy’s cheeks turned the color of a sunset. “Yes… I’m sorry about that time. For causing such a stir.”
Yui smiled again and stood up. “It’s fine. But you look a bit tired. I’ll make you some tea.” At that moment, the graceful, undulating, and charming contours pressing against the fabric under her sweater swayed softly, naturally drawing the boy’s gaze—it radiated a natural and warm presence, like ripples on a calm lake. He was startled for a moment, hurriedly looked away, and blushed—Ah, no… I mustn’t look. Stay calm…
He took another deep breath, suppressed the beating of his heart, and stole a glance at Yui as she took a teapot from the shelf. Her unhurried movements brought a sense of peace. When she poured hot water into the pot to brew rooibos tea, the fragrance spread softly through the room. Mingling with the scent of books, it wrapped around the boy like a gentle mist.
Yui placed the cup in front of him. “Keep it a secret from the others.” She took a small cookie from her pocket and slipped it into the boy’s hand. The scent of butter soaked into his fingertips. She sat back down in her chair, and for a moment, the sweater swayed lightly, carrying a gentle weight.
—This person, I feel so calm when I’m with her…
Yui smiled, holding her cup. “I’m Takahashi Yui, a third-year. I’m on the library committee. You are… Yu-kun, right?” Her voice filled the room. The boy nodded. “Yes, I’m Uzaki Yu. I came from the moon… nice to meet you.” He bowed his head slightly.
Yui’s eyes narrowed. “I had read in books about turning into a rabbit… but I was surprised to see it for the first time. It was cute, but it makes me a little worried.” She chuckled, took a sip of the rooibos tea, and the fragrance spread through the room again.
The boy relaxed his cheeks. “It’s true. Whenever I get nervous, I just…” He started to say, reaching for the cup, but his fingertip hit the hot rim, and his body jerked in surprise. Some tea spilled, and warm droplets soaked into the inner thigh of his trousers—right around a sensitive area.
“Ouch…!” Yui gasped, let out a small “Oh no!”, and quickly pulled a handkerchief from her pocket. The white fabric reached for the boy’s knee. The sensation of the handkerchief glided as if tracing the fabric of his trousers, carefully wiping away the warm droplets. The friction indirectly conveyed to the boy’s skin created a quiet, intimate rhythm, like the wind caressing his skin.
Yui’s fingertips were by no means rough; they were mixed with a delicate thoughtfulness, and each wiping motion seemed to gently unravel his tense nerves. A warm breath soaked into the boy’s body through the fabric, calling forth both a sense of safety and a restless stir. He hurriedly reached out, trying to lightly hold Yui’s arm. “I can do it myself…!” His voice was strained, and as he said this, he looked down. His view was filled with the soft spread of her sweater, and he felt a sensation as if the shadow lurking beneath it was leaning against his knee. Yui’s gentle curves lightly touched his knee, and the weight transmitted through the fabric applied a warm but modest pressure to his skin. Each of her breaths resonated through the boy’s body as a faint vibration.
The interplay between the sensation of being wiped and the warm weight of Yui on his knee made his heart beat violently—Ah, no… this warmth…! With a small poof, the boy turned into a rabbit. His ears twitched and stood upright, and he hurriedly huddled up under Yui’s hand. His silvery fur lightly brushed against her handkerchief, and his small body curled up instinctively, leaning into the warmth.
“Oh my, what should I do…!” Yui’s eyes went wide. She hurriedly picked him up and cradled him in her palms. A look of worry appeared in her eyes. “Yu-kun, are you okay?”
He flattened his ears. “If you could just call the teacher… my maid will come.” Yui shook her head. “No, I’m worried! …Is there no way to change back?” A gentle impatience mixed in her voice. The boy’s gaze wavered shyly. “There is… a way.” He faltered, moving the rabbit’s front paws slightly.
Yui held the boy on her lap and stared at him. “What should I do? Tell me, Yu-kun.” He took a deep breath. “If you kiss me… I’ll change back.”
Yui blinked in surprise. “Is that so…?” She drew him closer. Her chest softly touched his silvery fur, and the fabric of her sweater supported him with a warm weight. Yui’s hand supported his back as if petting him, and while stabilizing his body, she slowly brought her face closer.
Her lips were pressed heavily and deeply onto his mouth. Yui’s lips were thicker and warmer than he had imagined, spreading to envelop the boy’s mouth. Their breaths melted together quietly; her exhales tickled his ears, and the sweet, flower-like fragrance filled his nasal cavity. It was not just a kiss, but a sensation of deep acceptance—Yui’s lips sealed over his small mouth, pouring in a warmth that seemed to gently melt his entire body.
It’s okay, Yu-kun… a silent whisper traveled from the edge of her lips and soaked into the boy’s heart. Yui’s tongue moved slightly as if tracing his lips, stimulating the rabbit’s sensitive senses, and his body gave a jolt. The warmth of the kiss numbed his body, and it felt as if time itself had stopped.
The boy’s body returned to its human form. Panting on Yui’s lap, the two slowly parted their lips. Her gaze reflected the boy, and she widened her eyes slightly. “It really does change back… I was so surprised.” But she lowered her gaze slightly. “Oh, it’s so swollen here… this is a problem.” She hurriedly pressed the handkerchief to him.
The boy’s cheeks turned bright red; he pushed his body up from Yui’s lap, his breathing ragged. “This is fine… really, it’s fine!” He hurriedly adjusted his clothes, stood up, and straightened his hair. “Excuse me… thank you very much, Takahashi-senpai.” Saying that, he opened the library door and left.
“Come back again, Yu-kun,” Yui’s voice echoed behind him, leaving a lingering trail. As he melted into the bustle of the hallway, the boy’s heart was still beating uncontrollably. The sound of the library door closing quietly sealed away his new encounter.
