"Junior," Utaha's gaze was piercing, her eyes unblinking as they locked onto Kanade's. "You're staying awake... because you're expecting something to happen, aren't you?"
"…" Kanade tugged at the corner of his mouth, then turned his face toward the unfamiliar ceiling, trying to empty his thoughts. "Don't accuse me of things, Senpai. I just fall asleep a little slower than the average person."
"Oh? Is that so? I thought…" Utaha's voice dipped playfully, "...maybe you're just nervous about sharing a bed with a girl for the first time."
"…" Kanade stayed silent.
She wasn't entirely wrong. He was nervous—but mostly because he knew exactly how much Utaha loved stirring up trouble.
"Or maybe…" Her tone turned teasing, "you're unsure when it would be appropriate to make a move on a girl because you've never done this before."
"That's absolutely not true!" Kanade's sharp denial echoed through the room.
But Utaha, unbothered by his protest, tilted her head slightly and added lightly, "Then why did you bring… that sort of thing with you?"
"…" Kanade's mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air. After a moment, he sighed in defeat. "I have no defense."
Utaha blinked, then broke into a soft chuckle. "My, my… it turns out my junior is even more innocent than I thought."
Her earlier irritation—borne from suspicion that he might've had experience with someone else—faded away. His flustered reaction told her everything she needed to know. He was still the same inexperienced, straightforward Kanade she'd always known.
He's never done this before. He's just overly cautious…
The thought made her heart flutter. It wasn't disappointment she felt—far from it. It was a strange sense of relief and pride.
Her junior still had those feelings for her, even if they hadn't been voiced aloud.
But Utaha wasn't one to let an opportunity slip by. She leaned closer, wrapping an arm around his and pulling it into her embrace. Her head nestled lightly against his shoulder.
"…"
Kanade's entire body tensed as if struck by lightning. His brain buzzed with chaotic thoughts:
Close your eyes. Don't move. If I don't respond, it doesn't count, right?
No, wait, that's just being a coward. Just because I don't react doesn't mean I'm innocent. That logic doesn't fly anywhere.
But… but it's Senpai! She's beautiful, charming… and—no! Stop that! Her personality is the issue here, not her looks!
Besides, does she even like me? If this isn't mutual, then there's no way I can allow this. I'd just be taking advantage of her… even if she's the one being forward right now.
But… what if she does like me? What if this is her way of showing it? What if tonight…
Kanade groaned internally, his mind a battlefield of conflicting thoughts and emotions.
While Kanade was lost in his turmoil, Utaha let out a small sigh of contentment.
For her, this closeness brought a sense of peace she hadn't felt in a long time.
Her sleep schedule was notoriously bad. Nights were often restless—her mind preoccupied with worries about work, school, and… him.
She'd wake up in the middle of the night, haunted by fears of him slipping away from her. Even the thought of him finding someone else made her chest tighten.
It wasn't that she doubted her ability to win him back if that ever happened. Utaha had always been confident in her charm and wit. But she'd come to realize something unsettling during their time apart:
If Kanade starts seeing someone else, I might lose my chance entirely.
Kanade wasn't the type to juggle feelings or lead people on. When he liked someone, he gave them his full attention, to the exclusion of everyone else.
And so, Utaha had started paying more attention to his personal life. Whenever rumors of him dating someone cropped up, she'd "coincidentally" find herself nearby, ready to comfort him if things didn't work out.
But that didn't mean she was satisfied with their current dynamic. She hated how formal he was with her, how distant. He treated her like a polite stranger, even though they'd once been so close.
Why does he act so warmly toward Eriri? she fumed silently. That mangy little golden retriever doesn't deserve it.
Her irritation often bubbled over during their interactions, leading her to tease him mercilessly.
But tonight was different. Tonight, as they lay side by side, she felt something shift. His willingness to stay close, to let her hold onto him without pulling away, spoke volumes.
He's here, she thought. He's really here.
For once, the fears that kept her awake at night seemed distant and unimportant.
Utaha fought the urge to push further. Every fiber of her being wanted to pin him down and make him promise—promise that he'd always stay by her side, that he'd never leave. But she held herself back.
This wasn't the right time.
Rushed love wasn't what she wanted. What she wanted was something genuine, something lasting.
So, she settled for something small. Something that wouldn't push him too far.
"Hey, junior…"
"…"
"Let's just stay like this, okay?" she murmured softly, her voice laced with vulnerability. "Just for tonight… let me hold you like this."
"…"