The group chatted for a while mostly the Yukinoshita sisters, Hiratsuka Shizuka, and Hayama Hayato speaking, while Sosuke Kitahara and the others listened. Only Komachi occasionally chimed in with cheerful remarks, keeping the mood from sinking too low.
Outside, light rain tapped against the window, steady and soft. The moon, thin as a blade, cast its pale glow over the damp world. After sending off Hiratsuka and the rest, Kitahara collapsed into bed and fell asleep almost instantly.
Before leaving, Isshiki Iroha had tugged lightly at his sleeve. Kitahara found it odd, but though she opened her mouth several times, no words came out. He hadn't pressed her. Whatever it was, it wasn't something good. Better not to dig into trouble.
In the cramped bedroom, Kitahara had only removed his jacket before curling up to sleep. He snored faintly, his figure peaceful. Utaha Kasumigaoka lay beside him, curled in his arms like a small cat, her arm draped lazily across his waist.
On his other side, Yukino lay at arm's length, the moonlight filtering through a tattered curtain faintly illuminating his face. Seeing him asleep, none of his usual commanding presence remained.
At first, Yukino hadn't thought the room small, but once Kitahara settled in, she suddenly felt confined. Her sister Haruno slept behind her, and she worried that if she rolled over in her sleep, she would either bump into Haruno or fall into Kitahara's arms. Watching Utaha nestled so comfortably against him, she couldn't help but feel envious.
Solid. Warm. Safe.
That was the memory of his embrace, etched deep into her bones.
Though she had begun to recognize her complicated feelings toward Kitahara, Yukino couldn't bring herself to cheapen them. She already knew of what had transpired between him and Utaha that night she'd heard the bed strike against the wall.
The sound was faint, but in the stillness of night it had been clear.
Painful, yes but undeniable. Everyone pretended not to hear, and no one spoke of it.
He probably doesn't know what to do either…
Yukino turned slightly, gazing at Kitahara's face under the moonlight, thoughts swirling. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't fully define what her feelings for him were. Exhausted, she eventually slipped into sleep.
By dawn, the rain had grown heavier. Yukino awoke to find her head pillowed against Kitahara's chest, her posture unseemly. Utaha was curled against his shoulder like a kitten, while Haruno pressed against her back. The four of them, tangled together in the narrow bed, slept deeply.
Yukino's face flushed as she quietly straightened and adjusted her clothes. Her movement stirred Haruno, who cracked open drowsy eyes before lazily shifting into a more comfortable position. A knock came at the door.
"Yukino, Haruno, are you awake?"
"That sounds like Hiratsuka-sensei."
Kitahara opened his eyes, giving a helpless smile as he gestured to Utaha clinging to him. "Looks like I'll need a little longer. You two should go ahead don't make your teacher worry."
Yukino's cheeks burned hotter he had been awake all along, yet hadn't disturbed her. That kind of quiet consideration was rare. Thankfully, the warmth of his chest had already left her face flushed, hiding her embarrassment.
As the knock came again, Yukino rose, tugging a reluctant Haruno with her. Utaha, still half-asleep, hung limply over Kitahara's shoulder, a sight that drew a pang of envy from Yukino as she left.
Glancing at Utaha's elegant curves beneath the blanket, her disheveled hair veiling her face, Kitahara leaned closer, whispering:
"Utaha… Utaha."
She remained motionless, not even her breathing audible. Tilting his head, Kitahara noticed her lashes trembling ever so slightly. A grin tugged at his lips. Sliding a hand beneath the blanket, he pressed against her soft chest through her thin shirt.
They said a maiden's breasts grew like tender bamboo shoots but Utaha's were nothing like that. Plump, delicate, like ripe peaches.
At first she endured, lips pressed tight, her chest rising and falling with quickened breath, lashes trembling. But when Kitahara focused his touch to a single point, her body shuddered. She arched away in the blanket, shooting him a cold smile.
"No wonder you're so skilled. I suppose you prepared quite a lot of practice beforehand, didn't you?"
"Not at all. Same as you it's my first time," Kitahara said with a laugh, silently adding, at least in this life.
Utaha glanced at the closed door, then spread her arms wide. "I'm in a good mood. I'll reward you pick me up."
She wrapped her arms around his neck as he drew her up from the warmth of the bed. Supporting her effortlessly, Kitahara felt her cool toes teasing along his calf.
Her mischievous look told him exactly what she was thinking.
Chuckling, he relaxed and lay back down, leaning in for a kiss. Utaha covered her mouth, laughing muffledly. "You haven't brushed your teeth."
Like hell I care about that now.
Alone together, Kitahara couldn't resist. He cupped her face and kissed her deeply. At first she resisted, but soon yielded, letting him taste her fully.
When at last their lips parted, Utaha's chest rose and fell rapidly. She pressed her lips together, eyes narrowing on Kitahara's grin.
"Yukino's fallen for you," she said quietly. "Otherwise, with her personality, she'd never have chosen to sleep beside you."
"That's not true you're imagining things," Kitahara denied instantly, though her words struck him with a jolt.
Utaha merely pursed her lips, not pressing further.
Kitahara exhaled in relief until her gaze sharpened again.
"Kitahara… do you love me?" she asked, her voice uncharacteristically earnest.
"Of course I do. You've asked me this before."
He kissed aside the strands of hair at her neck, brushing his nose against her smooth skin.
"Liar. When Pinocchio lies, his nose grows long," Utaha murmured, eyes closed, her ear brushing against his lips.
"Then I suppose mine grew in the wrong place," Kitahara whispered, teeth grazing her ear. "Because lies don't make that grow."
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