Multiverse: Invasion of the 2D Heroines

"Ah"

A sharp, flustered cry slipped from Yukinoshita Yukino's lips as Yoru Moonshadow suddenly squatted down right next to her and grabbed her ankle in one smooth, practiced motion.

No warning. No permission.

Yoru already knew her type she absolutely hated asking for help. Even if he offered, she'd refuse out of sheer pride. So he didn't bother with the formalities.

"You perv... ah!!"

Before she could finish cursing him, she tried to yank her foot away in a panic, but Yoru's grip was solid. Her futile struggle sent a jolt of pain through her sprained ankle, making her wince in frustration.

"Let me go, you creep!"

Her words were sharp, but Yoru remained perfectly calm. He focused on her swollen ankle, quickly evaluating the injury.

With efficient movements, he checked the pressure points, gently massaging the inflamed area with just enough force to relieve the swelling.

Yukinoshita glared at him like she wanted to stab him. Fortunately, the station plaza was fairly quiet if someone else had walked by, they would've immediately misread the scene.

"Ah… mmm"

When his thumb hit a pressure point, an involuntary sound slipped from her lips a soft, ambiguous sound that she immediately regretted. She bit her lip, suppressing any further reaction.

She stole a glance at Yoru. He looked completely unfazed, as if he hadn't heard anything at all.

That made it even worse.

"Alright, that should do it. Try walking now."

Yoru pulled his hand away and calmly stood up.

Yukinoshita snatched her sock back in silence and quickly put it on, her cheeks still faintly red. She slipped her foot back into her shoe and gingerly tested it sure enough, the pain had eased considerably.

Just as she was about to offer a formal, if grudging, thank-you

"Let me make something clear."

Her voice turned cold and sharp.

"There is absolutely no chance I would ever fall for someone like you."

Her words cut straight through the air like a blade.

"Disappointed? I bet you thought I'd act all tsundere, give you a shy little thank-you, maybe even blush and swap phone numbers. Then we'd awkwardly start dating, right? Sorry, that kind of third-rate romcom development doesn't exist in my life."

Her delicate fingers brushed her glossy black hair behind her ear, her expression as frosty as ever. It was the textbook response of someone convinced she was the heroine rejecting a flag.

Yoru blinked slowly and sighed.

"Don't worry. I'm not interested in the flat-chest faction."

The words were delivered with surgical precision, his expression dead serious.

Yukinoshita froze, completely unprepared for that counterattack.

Her lips parted in disbelief, and the twitch at the corner of her brow betrayed just how perfectly that landed.

In that instant, Yoru had undoubtedly become the mortal enemy she'd despise for life.

Without another word, she spun on her heel and stormed toward the station like being near him was physically nauseating.

Why was Yukinoshita even here today? She had come to this part of town to chase down the latest, limited-edition Mr. Panda merchandise. It was already sold out elsewhere, and she hadn't expected to run into such an irritating guy here.

Yoru checked his transportation card at the automatic gate and found it bent completely broken. Probably crushed during their earlier scuffle. Guess he'd have to buy a ticket the old-fashioned way.

Just as he turned to head for the staffed booth

"Hurry up."

Her cold voice called out behind him.

He turned to see Yukinoshita standing on the other side of the gate, waiting. The gate was still open. She had obviously paid for his fare.

"Oh? Thanks~"

He passed through the gate without hesitation and casually tossed her a thank-you. She didn't reply. Instead, she immediately widened the distance between them, making it painfully clear she didn't want anyone to think they were walking together.

While waiting for the train, Yoru noticed her behavior again. She had originally sat at the far end of the bench, but as time passed, she was inching closer and closer to him, almost sliding right next to him without realizing it.

Her tightly folded arms and anxious glances gave her away she was visibly nervous, her entire posture rigid as if something was terrifying her.

Yoru followed her line of sight and immediately understood.

"Woof~"

A soft bark echoed from a white dog, nudging a small bag toward Yukinoshita with its front paw.

"Relax. This one won't bite. Looks like you dropped something."

Yoru stood up and patted the dog's head.

The dog hesitated at first, cautiously sniffing him. After a moment, its tail wagged and it rubbed against Yoru's palm with a low, contented growl.

"Long time no see."

"Woof~"

"Made a new friend recently?"

"Woof woof."

"They give you melon bread, huh?"

"Woof woof."

"Nice life you've got going."

"Woof woof."

"Alright then. See you next time."

Yoru waved as the dog happily trotted away, giving a parting glance before disappearing into the distance.

When Yoru turned around, Yukinoshita was staring at him like he was some kind of cryptid, her blue eyes brimming with confusion and disbelief.

Her gaze seemed to ask: "You… can actually talk to animals?"

Yoru simply smirked. "What? Never seen a real demon lord before?"