Who Can Resist Nakano Nino? [179]

The bedroom was quiet, the drawn curtains swaying softly in the breeze, their shadows gliding lazily across the walls.

Two young figures held each other close, warmth mingling until even their breaths and heartbeats blended into one steady rhythm.

Nakano Nino’s cheeks glowed pink, that shy, honeyed blush deepening as her body melted against his.

When they finally parted, she murmured, barely above a whisper, “Shirase…”

Her voice came out soft and languid, like a kitten waking from a nap—fragile, sweet, irresistibly tender.

“Hm?” Shirase replied automatically.

“...Nothing.”

Her lashes trembled like butterfly wings, eyes glistening with the shimmer of tears—or maybe something warmer. The tension in her legs had vanished completely.

She’d wanted to say, I feel like I’m breaking apart.

But at the last second, she stopped herself. Because if she said that, Shirase would definitely smirk, make fun of her, and laugh that maddening laugh of his.

Yet deep down, she already knew—she wasn’t just “breaking apart.” She was willingly sinking, deeper and deeper, into something she could no longer resist.

Cheeks flushed, she looked up at him again. Before he could react, she leaned forward and pressed her lips boldly against his.

If I’m breaking… then let me break.

Because I like him. That’s all there is to it.

She told herself this silently, stubbornly, even as her heart thudded against his chest.

Neither of them noticed the faint click of a key turning in the front door.

The door opened.

Kojima Kana stepped inside, still in her work suit. “Shirase?” she called, getting no answer.

She crouched to change her shoes, muttering, “That brat’s not back yet? Still training, maybe?”

Her eyes skimmed past the empty slipper rack—but she didn’t notice one pair missing.

She shrugged off her jacket as she walked into the living room, revealing the soft lines of her blouse and her curves underneath. She poured herself some water, but as she lifted the glass, she caught sight of Shirase’s closed bedroom door.

“Hmm? He usually leaves it open unless he’s studying…”

Kana finished her drink, suspicion rising. So he’s home after all?

“If he’s back, why didn’t he answer earlier?” she muttered, already kicking off her slippers and padding barefoot across the floor in sheer black stockings.

With no guests around, she never bothered pretending to be formal. After all, Shirase had already seen her flustered plenty of times—there was nothing left to hide.

And so, just as Shirase and Nino sat together in a lingering daze, a knock came sharply at the door.

“Shirase? You in there?”

Nino froze, jerking her head up. Her face went white, then pink, panic flashing in her eyes.

Shirase gave her a quick, reassuring glance. “Relax, I’ll get Kana-nee to leave. She usually listens to—wait, what the hell—”

Before he could finish, the door handle turned with two crisp clicks.

The door swung open.

“Hey, about those massage techniques you mentioned—Mafuyu-chan called and—eh?”

Kana walked right in mid-sentence, stopping dead when she saw Nakano Nino.

Nino froze, too. Didn’t you say she listens to you? Then why’d she just barge in?!

Her wide eyes turned to Shirase accusingly.

Shirase himself was speechless. He hadn’t expected Kana to charge in so fast—but at least she wasn’t here to haul him off somewhere.

The room fell into thick, awkward silence.

Three whole seconds passed before Kana finally spoke, glancing between them. “What were you two doing?”

Nino clamped her mouth shut.

Shirase kept a straight face. “Tutoring.”

“Tutoring?” Kana arched a brow. Her expression clearly said, Do you think I’m stupid?

She pointed toward Nino. “Then why’s her face so red? Did you bully her?”

Nino ducked her head, mortified. Being caught like this by an adult—there was no hole deep enough to crawl into.

Shirase coughed lightly. “We were studying very passionately. She got excited. That’s why her face turned red.”

Kana laughed dryly. “Oh? Then care to explain why her collar’s undone? And why the strap of her dress is sliding off her shoulder?”

Nino yelped, fumbling to pull her strap back into place, face crimson. It’s all his fault!

Shirase didn’t miss a beat. “As I said—she got overexcited while studying and jumped around. Perfectly logical explanation.”

Kana’s eyes dropped, unimpressed. “Then why are her legs shaking like that?”

Startled, Nino yanked her hand from Shirase’s support and immediately straightened up, forcing herself into a rigid, soldier-like stance.

Kana blinked, momentarily thrown off by the abrupt posture change.

Shirase, calm as ever, said, “Kana-nee, you of all people know how tiring excitement can be. Nino’s stamina isn’t the best, so her legs just got weak. Totally reasonable.”

Kana squinted at him, her look screaming Keep spinning that story, see where it gets you.

Then she sighed and gestured. “Nino, come sit in the living room for a bit.”

“Ah… okay.”

What Nino really wanted was to sprint home. But Kana didn’t give her the chance. She gently took the girl’s hand and led her out.

Shirase followed, resigned.

Once they sat down, Kana pushed the cake on the coffee table toward Nino, her tone suddenly softer.

“Actually, I came back because I wanted to ask Shirase to go out with me. Mafuyu-chan—” she coughed, correcting herself, “Kirisu-sensei’s waist is still sore, so I thought I’d bring him along.”

Her eyes flicked subtly toward Nino.

The meaning behind her gaze was clear as day:
So, Nino-chan—want to come with us?

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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!