Vol. 2 Chapter 17 – First Night (2)

The shampoo and other items in the bathroom, the cup and toothbrush in the washroom, and the bath towels.

If it were just one item, I might think she forgot to pack it up, but with three, I can only assume she placed them there intentionally.

‘…So, yeah, I’m gonna start getting way more aggressive from now on, so be ready!!’ (Hikaru)

I feel like I’ve finally understood, in this very moment, the true essence hidden within those words.

This is a major invasion on par with the Germanic peoples who destroyed the Western Roman Empire.

I trembled in fear while drying myself with a bath towel.

Moreover, it’s hard to believe this major offensive ends here.

There’s a good chance that further attacks await me when I return to the room.

For example… two pillows lined up side-by-side, or her sleeping in the bed with space deliberately left open…

“No, no, no, no, no… That’s definitely overthinking it…” (Reiya)

In terms of physical contact level, we haven’t even held hands yet.

If anything, there was only a confession-like thing from my side; we’re not even officially dating.

No matter how forward Hikaru might be, she wouldn’t jump straight to demanding something like that.

Surely not… I thought, yet found myself brushing my teeth meticulously.

After drying my hair even more thoroughly, I stepped out of the bathroom, filled with anxiety and anticipation—

“Ah, welcome back~… Huh? Is that the right thing to say to someone who just got out of the bath…? Welcome back… Welcome out…?” (Hikaru)
“Whatever’s fine, but… what are you doing?” (Reiya)

The situation I had anticipated didn’t happen; Hikaru was looking into a mirror placed on the table and doing something to her face.

“Hm? Just my nightly skincare.” (Hikaru)
“Ah, ahh… I see.” (Reiya)

While relieved, I felt a part of me was disappointed.

“Yep, gotta do it properly~. I am a model, after all.” (Hikaru)

Hikaru laughed while applying a liquid from her palm onto her face.

“Being a girl involves a lot of work, huh?” (Reiya)
“Some guys do it too, don’t they? If you want, I can do it for you?” (Hikaru)
“No, if I get any more handsome, someone somewhere might get mad at me again, so I’ll pass.” (Reiya)

Perhaps because the tension had eased, I managed to reply smoothly and naturally.

“That’s a wise decision.” (Hikaru)

I waited for Hikaru to finish her skincare, watching her blankly.

Come to think of it, she shouldn’t have any makeup on now, but she looks almost the same as usual…

From a guy’s perspective, that’s about the extent of my thoughts, but perhaps from a girl’s perspective, it might seem like she’s using some kind of cheat.

“Alright! Done! Perfect!” (Hikaru)

Hikaru lightly patted both her cheeks and put away her tools.

“Okay, I’m going to lay out the futon, so I’ll move the table.” (Reiya)
“Futon…” (Hikaru)

She muttered softly, looking at me with meaningful eyes.

Is she thinking about who sleeps where…?

No, that’s not it.

This is the ‘We wouldn’t need this if we slept in the bed together…’ look.

It’s not that I don’t want to, but I feel a silent pressure that seems like it could overwhelm me.

Pretending not to notice, I moved the table aside and laid out the futon.

I could still feel her gaze on my back, but I continued to feign ignorance.

If she were to look at me intently with those big eyes and sweetly say ‘I want to sleep together,’ I would absolutely be unable to refuse.

“Right, let’s get some sleep then.” (Reiya)

Having prepared for bed, I turned off the lights without looking towards Hikaru.

“Goodnight.” (Reiya)

I lay down on the futon in the darkened room, still feeling the silent pressure.

After a short while, perhaps she gave up—

“…Goodnight~” (Hikaru)

She said, sounding slightly reluctant, followed by the sound of her collapsing onto the bed with a thump.

I’ve weathered the immediate crisis… but I can’t relax just yet.

There’s still a good chance she might make a move while I’m asleep, or even right this instant.

Whether I could reject her saying ‘It’s still too early’ if that happened is questionable.

After all, I’m just an ordinary high school boy.

I have normal sexual desires, and if I’m spending the night with a girl I like, I naturally have expectations and fantasies.

That maybe, just maybe, something like that might happen…

In the darkness, I continued to pay close attention to the presence behind me.

To every rustle, every breath.

My heart pounded fiercely, circulating blood throughout my entire body.

If she were to approach me in this state, I definitely wouldn’t be able to refu—

“Suu… suu…” (Hikaru)

…Wait, she’s already asleep!?

I was surprised by the comfortable, rhythmic breathing coming from behind me.

However, thinking about it carefully, she should have had tennis practice before coming here today.

Playing games for that long after that would naturally lead to exhaustion.

Maybe it’s not strange for her to fall asleep immediately after lying down.

I let out a breath mixed with disappointment and relief, and was about to close my own eyes, but—

“Reiya-kun… love you… love you lots…” (Hikaru)

Sl-Sleep-talking…!? Or is she actually awake after all…!?

“I… might not be able… to hold back… anymore…” (Hikaru)

In-Inversion…!? And hold back what…!?

“I’m gonna… do it… now…” (Hikaru)

She’s gonna do it to me…!?

I squeezed my eyes shut tightly, waiting for it to happen, but—

“Suu… suu…” (Hikaru)

She’s still asleep!? Wh-What about the continuation!?

——————

———

—

…And then, I realized it was morning.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the room.

I sat up and glanced towards the bed—

“Suu… suu…” (Hikaru)

Hikaru was sleeping soundly, breathing with the same steady rhythm as last night.

Seeing her like that, a wave of embarrassment washed over me for getting worked up all by myself.

What an idiot, getting all hot and bothered with my own wild imagination, and ultimately barely sleeping at all.

In this state, the ‘real thing’ is still a long way off…

Chastising myself, I got up quietly so as not to wake Hikaru and headed to the washroom.

When I returned after washing my face, Hikaru was just waking up too.

“Morning.” (Reiya)
“Nnnh… Mornin’…” (Hikaru)

Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she stretched her arms upwards.

“Want breakfast? All I have is toast, though.” (Reiya)
“Yeah… But first, I’m gonna wash my face… And fix my bedhead…” (Hikaru)
“Okay, I’ll toast it then.” (Reiya)
“Mm… Thanks…” (Hikaru)

Contrary to her name (Hikaru means light), she seems weak in the mornings, slowly getting up and shuffling away.

Listening to the sound of the hairdryer coming from beyond the door, I prepared breakfast.

I popped the frozen bread slices into the toaster oven and boiled water in the electric kettle.

I placed the finished toast on plates and brewed some drip coffee.

Just as everything was ready, Hikaru returned, looking like her usual self.

“Morning again~!” (Hikaru)
“Morning. Jam or margarine?” (Reiya)
“Hmm~… Feeling like jam today.” (Hikaru)
“Got it. Milk in your coffee?” (Reiya)
“Yes, please!” (Hikaru)

I took the jam and milk out of the fridge and placed them on the table.

Hikaru sat down on the bed as usual, and we started eating breakfast together.

“Thanks for the food~! Nom… Munch munch… Mmm, perfectly toasted! Delicious!” (Hikaru)
“You’re welcome. So… are we just going to spend the day like usual again?” (Reiya)
“Hmm~… About that, I was actually thinking about something.” (Hikaru)

Hikaru put down the slice of toast she’d taken two bites of and looked at me as she spoke.
“Thinking about something?” (Reiya)
“Yeah, I was thinking maybe it’s about time I bought my own computer.” (Hikaru)