All the Heroines are my Ex-girlfriends

After blowing bubbles in the hot spring for a while—

Once they got used to the situation, the awkwardness began to fade.

Yukino was the first to start a conversation.

"Lately, a lot of people online have been urging you to write more, Azuma."

It had been several months since volume two of the Youth series was released.

As a phenomenon-level work,

It was only natural to be urged for new chapters.

Yukima Azuma's lips twitched.

"Why should I keep writing? Didn't I just finish one?"

Surely, every author must've asked themselves this at some point.

"Didn't I just update? Why are they already asking for more?"

(¬`‸´¬)

Seeing Azuma's utterly aggrieved expression,

Yukino couldn't help but laugh softly.

"Those readers, huh? They probably wish you'd write a hundred thousand words every day."

Yukima Azuma leaned his head back, looking as if he might sink right into the hot spring.

Actually, in Japan, releasing a volume every few months is a fairly standard pace for light novels.

Many light novels, even if the manuscript is done, still have to wait for a printing slot.

The reason the Youth series was now being so heavily demanded—

Was mainly because Azuma had finished volume two way too fast.

But then, volume three had no updates whatsoever.

It was frustrating for the readers.

The anticipation had reached its peak—only to be met with complete silence.

After all, the quick release of volume two had been a fluke.

If that incident with Mommy Guardian hadn't happened…

Yukima Azuma might've delayed things indefinitely.

After all, the whole reason Yukima Azuma started writing—

Was simply to show off his "Super Adorable Saint Megumi-chan-sama" to the world.

Super Adorable Saint Megumi-chan-sama: (*ᴗ͈ˬᴗ͈)ꕤ*.ﾟ

He'd already won over Kato Megumi—how about you guys, otaku-san?

Azuma to otaku readers: (≖⩊≖)

And now he was being hounded for more chapters.

A taste of karma, perhaps.

Seeing Yukima Azuma like that, Yukino laughed softly again.

But then, as if she suddenly remembered something, her smile slowly faded.

The truth was, Yukino hadn't brought up light novels just to urge him to write more.

The reason she steered the conversation that way—

Was because she wanted to talk about Kato Megumi.

Or rather, she wanted to know more about the girls surrounding Yukima Azuma.

That 600-page love letter addressed to the real-life heroine—of course Yukino had already seen through it long ago.

She'd never brought it up before…

Because of her state back then.

After leaving the Yukinoshita household, she'd been like a drifting leaf, lost with nowhere to belong.

Meeting Yukima Azuma—was already an indescribable joy for her.

Later, once the aftermath from the Yukinoshita family had been settled, and after hearing Yukima Azuma confess his feelings to her multiple times—

Naturally, Yukino had been moved.

However, back then, Laplace Corporation had just been founded and was still weathering storms.

To her, it was Yukima Azuma's labor of love.

Yukino threw herself into work, hoping to build Laplace into something strong—to repay his kindness.

It wasn't until now—

That Laplace had reached its first true moment of stability.

And Yukima Azuma had pulled her out of the hustle and bustle, bringing her to this secluded hot spring retreat—

That Yukino gradually came to realize her feelings, and the growing desire within her.

Unconsciously, she began to harbor a little "scheme."

She wanted to know—how far things had progressed between Yukima Azuma and those other girls.

Or perhaps, what Yukino truly cared about more—

Was what Yukima Azuma was thinking.

Even though, not even Yukino herself knew—

If she really found out the truth, what would she do then?

Had that boy already chosen someone?

If so… should she convince him to open a harem?

Or maybe, no one had truly stepped into his heart yet.

Should she be the one to step forward?

But if she did—

Would she have to drive the others away?

Yukino's thoughts were in a bit of disarray.

By principle, Yukino was a person of integrity, with a strong sense of possession—she could never accept something like a harem, a structure that defied order and reason.

But now, in this very moment, it was Yukima Azuma who was her principle.

That's why, halfway through the conversation, Yukino stopped. She didn't press further.

Yet even without her asking, Yukima Azuma was sharp enough to sense the shift in her emotions.

Though she was now a mature female CEO—

Yukino's ability to manage her facial expressions still wasn't perfect.

At least, not in front of Yukima Azuma.

Happy or upset—it was always written plainly on her face.

After thinking for a bit, Yukima Azuma's eyes shifted.

"I think I just got an idea for volume three."

Hearing that, Yukino couldn't help but be stunned.

Then she realized—Yukima Azuma was staring directly at her.

And in that moment, she understood exactly where his "inspiration" was coming from.

Her heart began to race.

(づ>/////<)づ♡

"Let's not talk about that now," Yukima Azuma said. "This is a rare vacation. How about we think about dinner instead?"

"Let's leave all that until after the break."

"After all… we've still got plenty of time, don't we?"

(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧

Yukima Azuma shifted the topic with a wink.

Yukino nodded seriously.

Indeed, time was still on their side.

At this point, Yukima Azuma was still a student.

And she herself was only in her second year post-graduation.

The bond between them wasn't something that would suddenly be severed anytime soon.

The pressure from the Yukinoshita household had been easily swept away by this young man.

His feelings were crystal clear.

And her feelings had already taken on his shape.

The future—there was plenty of time to sort it all out.

And right now, it was the long-awaited vacation trip she had been dreaming of, her heart brimming with quiet joy.

She ran her hand lightly through the crystal-clear jade-colored water.

Yukino swam gently toward Yukima Azuma.

Then, scooping a handful of hot spring water, she flicked it into his face.

Even if things could wait for later, being deflected by Yukima Azuma like that still made her a little annoyed.

Just moments ago, he had been admiring his mermaid Yukino—when suddenly, splashed straight in the face.

Caught off guard, he quickly retaliated.

"Take this—my Water Release technique: 'Who the hell rebuilt this dam?!'"

(づ￣ ³￣)づ♒︎♒︎♒︎ Σ(°ロ°)

In the middle of their play—

The golden hue of sunset descended upon them.

And then, they suddenly stopped.

Not because the surroundings had gone dim—

But because just then, soft white snowflakes began to fall from above.

As he watched the snowflakes melt in the palm of his hand,

Yukima Azuma suddenly grabbed hold of Yukino.

She blinked in surprise.

"Truth is, snow that doesn't melt… is way more enchanting."

(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧

Yukima 'Rizz' Azuma flirt smoothly.

"Snow that doesn't melt" pouted bashfully.

(≧ᴗ≦✿)