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Chapter 171 - - Sorasaki Hina

I had been thinking of it as a normal pajama party with Hina, but I soon realized a critical flaw in my plan.

"...Come to think of it, I didn't bring any pajamas.".

The only things I had brought with me were my swimsuit and the Tea Party uniform, along with a portable hairdryer, shampoo, some assorted cosmetics, and a towel. I hadn't even stopped by Trinity; there was no way I would have had a chance to pack pajamas.

I could buy underwear and sanitary pads at a convenience store, and at worst, I could get a spare toothbrush from Hina.

But pajamas, which I'd need to change at least a couple of times during my week in Gehenna, weren't sold at convenience stores, and I couldn't borrow Hina's because of the size difference. And I couldn't very well sleep in the SRT uniform I'd been through so much in the other day, so it was quite the predicament.

"...In that case, would you like to borrow one of mine?".

"Oh, is that okay?".

It was Ako who offered a clear solution. After telling me to wait a moment, Ako quickly returned and presented me with a set of pajamas.

It was a soft, silk negligee. Ako is a little taller than me, but the difference wasn't significant enough to be a problem.

"I bought it but haven't worn it once, so please be careful with it!. I suppose it's a relief that since you're from Trinity, I don't have to worry too much.".

"Ahaha, thanks, Ako-chan. Mmm, but I feel a little bad taking it for free, so… . right. How about the three of us go shopping together sometime, you, me, and Hina-chan?".

"Does that mean you'll be footing the bill…?".

Ako asked, half-convinced. She didn't need to be so cautious; even if she asked me to buy her some luxury brand, it wouldn't put much of a dent in my account.

"Of course. What else do people from Trinity have besides money?. Mmm, I can buy you as many clothes as you want.".

"...Alright. Let's make time on the weekend. The thought of having a Trinity lady as a friend doesn't seem so bad after all.".

"Wait. Ako, I haven't agreed yet.".

"Pardon?. You're not going to participate, Chief?. Even though Mika-san is the one who suggested the shopping trip?".

"...No, it's not that, but.".

The sight of Ako openly contradicting Hina was quite a rare one.

She was obviously focused on the opportunity to dress Hina up in whatever she wanted, but honestly, I felt the same way.

Our eyes met, and Ako and I gave each other a subtle nod, unseen by Hina. It was the moment we transcended the walls of our academies and united with a single purpose: to make Hina our model for the day.

My first impression of the inside of Hina's home was that it was lonely.

For people like Hina and me, who are so busy we barely have holidays, a home is just a place to wash up, sleep, and stay until we have to go out again.

Even so, Hina's home felt so devoid of human warmth that I probably spend much more time at my own place than she does at hers.

Her room was a little better, but it still didn't look like the room of a high school girl this age.

And that's not even comparing it to my room.

…Honestly, compared to my room, most students couldn't even hold a candle.

"Sorry. It's not much to look at, is it?".

"You know, Hina-chan, sometimes you have low self-esteem in the strangest ways."

"...I do?".

"Yeah, in my opinion. Just look at the fact that there's not a single thing out of place. It means that even as busy as you are, you never forget to clean your room, right?. I won't deny that it feels a little empty… but, yes. At least to me, it just shows how hard you're living, without even a moment to catch your breath.".

People who lack emotional余裕 (yoyuu - room in one's heart/mind) tend to neglect the little things around them.

In that sense, it was hard to say Hina had much of that.

"Mika. I feel this every time, but your mouth is the problem. If you keep going around saying things like that to people, one day something big is going to happen…. Hmm, but I guess it probably won't be a problem for you. Maybe that's the real problem.".

"Wa-oh… but you're not 'people' to me, are you, Hina-chan?".

"You were the same when we were…. No, never mind. If Nagisa has given up, there's no way my words will change anything.".

"Ahaha…".

"I wasn't trying to be funny.".

Hina glared at me as she said it, but… well. It was a shame that it was so obvious she was trying to act angry and failing.

"You know, Hina-chan. You're being a little cold today☆. Are you nervous about sleeping together?".

"…Hmph. Be quiet and go wash up. It's already late, and if we keep this up, we won't get any sleep at all.".

"Ahaha, you're so cute☆".

Neither of us mentioned the option of 'showering together' because neither of us was ready for it. As lovers, we had to be even more cautious than if we were just normal friends.

After finishing my shower at a speed I doubt I've ever achieved since coming to this body, I put on the panties I'd bought at the convenience store and slipped on the negligee Ako had lent me.

The silk was incredibly soft, clearly brand new.

I took a new toothbrush from where Hina had told me, squeezed some toothpaste on it, and went out.

"Hina-chan, I'm done!".

There was no immediate reply, but as I was brushing my teeth at the kitchen sink, I soon heard the sound of the bathroom door closing.

The sound of running water that followed gave me a strange feeling. As I poured myself a glass of water and returned to Hina's room to dry my hair, the faint sound of the shower made me conscious of that one word: 'lovers.' What was it about that word?. No matter how much I pondered it, no answer came.

After I had more or less dried my hair, I looked around Hina's empty room.

A few picture frames… or maybe stringing up some photos on the wall would liven up the atmosphere.

If I put up pictures of her with me and Ako, I'm sure Hina would like it. Or maybe with Himuro Sena from Gehenna's Emergency Medical Club.

If my memory serves me right, those two got along surprisingly well.

The sound of water from beyond the wall stopped. I glanced at the time; it was a little after 1:30.

At this rate… by the time Hina dries her hair and gets into bed, it'll be almost 2:00.

I don't know how early her day starts, but by my standards, that's barely five hours of sleep.

I guess the only comfort is that she can sleep in a little here.

I quietly got up and headed for the bathroom. I knocked lightly on the door and called her name.

"…Mika?. If it's urgent, I'll be out in a second.".

"Hmm?. No, no. It's not that. I can dry your hair for you, so you can just put on your clothes and come out.".

"That would be too much of an imposition…".

"Hey, I guarantee it'll be faster if I do it. If you want to get to sleep even a little bit sooner, don't argue and just leave it to me☆".

"…Alright. I'll be in your care, just this once.".

It doesn't have to be just this once. Personally, I wish Hina would let herself be pampered a little more. Maybe about 0.5 Hiyori's worth?.

After a brief silence, the door opened. And Hina, in a bathrobe with a towel wrapped around her hair, who appeared….

"Mika, what's with that expression… Hmph?!".

"So cute…".

After coming to Kivotos, I had gotten used to most levels of cuteness, but this was something that far transcended that. I found myself hugging her before I could even think, just starting to gush.

"Hina-chan, will you go out with me?".

"…We're already going out.".

"I don't care about that. Answer me.".

"That's enough nonsense. Didn't you say you'd dry my hair?".

"Ah, right.".

I wanted to stay like this forever, but it was getting late. Hina wasn't on vacation tomorrow, so I needed to keep the joking to a minimum.

We moved, and I sat Hina down in front of me. As I leisurely dried her hair, I became aware of the fact that we now smelled the same.

I felt like someone with no dating experience, attaching meaning to every little thing.

"Um, Mika. Can you turn around for a second?. It'll just be a moment.".

After I had thoroughly dried her hair, Hina took some underwear and pajamas from her closet and said that. It seemed she was just as conscious of me as I was of her.

Rustle. Rustle.

"You can… you can look now…".

Hina, who had come up beside me, shyly tugged on the hem of my clothes. I wasn't so dense as to not understand that it was her way of asking me to look at her, to tell her what I thought.

The first thing that caught my eye was the familiar design of her polka-dot pajamas. It was a memorable outfit, one she had worn in a symbolic scene that revealed the strong Prefect Team leader was actually more vulnerable on the inside.

However, I could see more anticipation than anxiety on Hina's face.

She had heard what I thought of her several times, so it was probably about time her insecurities started to fade.

"You're so lovely. I want to hug you tight and never let you go. Is that okay?".

"Mika, never letting go is a bit much.".

"Ahaha, but what can I do when you're this lovely?. This is your crime for being too cute.".

"Pfft… it makes me happy when you say that.".

The chattering between us as we got ready for bed fell silent after we awkwardly lay down side-by-side in the bed. The tension I had managed to push away rushed back in all at once, and we didn't know what to do.

"Ahaha, what should I do, Hina-chan?. The sound of my heart pounding is echoing in my head, I think I'm going to go crazy. Can you feel it?".

I turned toward Hina, took her hand, and placed it right over my heart.

Startled, Hina looked up at me with wide, rabbit-like eyes.

"…You're right.".

Hina muttered blankly and lowered her head. Her small hand fidgeted over my heart, sending a strange sensation through me.

"This is a problem… It'll be trouble if it's like this from now on.".

"Um, hey. Good night, Hina-chan…?".

"…You too, Mika.".

When I let go of her hand, Hina quickly pulled hers back. Mmm, so cute.

Besides that, since it's more comfortable for me to sleep on my side because of my wings, I had to choose between facing Hina or turning my back to her.

The problem was, unlike with Nagisa, turning my back on Hina right now was not a good option.

So, I lay facing Hina and squeezed my eyes shut. But I felt like I wouldn't be able to sleep like this, so I cautiously opened my eyes. Hina was also awake, looking at me.

I was glad I hadn't turned my back on her, but at the same time, I felt a little pathetic for being so nervous when I'm not a child.

Right, I'm the older one here. As such, I have to show the余裕 (yoyuu) of an elder.

"Sweet dreams, Hina-chan☆".

I considered adding "dream of me," but I felt that was going too far, so I swallowed the words.

Instead, I gently brushed her bangs aside and placed a small kiss on her forehead.

"Hmph, Mikaa…".

Now that I've said my piece, I'm starting to feel sleepy. What kind of dream would be better than this situation?. A difficult question.

My heart was pounding relentlessly, filling my head with a dull roar. It all started after Mika had stolen my hand. My heart had been beating faster and faster even before that, but after that brief touch, my heart began to race with a speed and intensity that rivaled hers.

It would have been fine if it had stopped there, but to kiss my forehead while saying good night—what was that supposed to mean?.

Thanks to her, even now, a long time later, my mind was clearer than it had ever been.

There was no way sleep would come in this state.

When I was working, just having Mika by my side seemed to increase my efficiency, but having her next to me when I needed to sleep seemed to have the opposite effect.

But it was too awkward to take back my words now, and the problem was, I didn't dislike this time together.

It was all, all Mika's fault, but the cause of it all was just too lovely.

After a moment's hesitation, I reached out my hand. That sly girl, creating a sleepless night for me alone while she drifted off to dreamland. I gently caressed her cheek.

The expression "an angelic face" wasn't just for show. Only someone who has seen the face of a peacefully sleeping angel right before their eyes, as I have, could understand its meaning.

"…That's unfair, Mika.".

To play with my heart as you please, only to fall asleep so easily yourself.

I found myself childishly thinking that Mika might not be as conscious of me as I was of her.

…Though the heartbeat I had felt through her hand directly contradicted that, I decided to brazenly ignore it.

My body, unlike my age, looks no different from a child's.

I know that what Mika likes about me is more about my inner self than my appearance.

I don't know how it is with Nagisa, but as the person in question, I knew there was not a shred of lust in her gaze when she looked at me.

I felt a little frustrated. Why, why does my body show no signs of growing?.

The hand that was caressing her cheek moved. The soft feel of Mika's lips under my fingertips captivated me.

"..."

Gulp..

My gaze flickered up to where her halo would be and back. Grateful for the absence of a halo, which proved she was still sound asleep, I slowly brought my face closer to hers.

Peck..

Once. In contrast to my now-quicker breaths, Mika's breathing was frustratingly steady.

Peck. Smooch.

Twice. Three times. Hoping that she might wake up and notice my desperate heart, I kissed her a little longer.

But even as the kisses continued, up to the seventh one, Mika's halo showed no signs of appearing.

"Hnng…".

Just as I was about to get a little greedier, Mika let out a soft sound, and I was about to check above her head again when—.

"…?!".

Mika's arm wrapped around me. For a moment, I felt a wave of embarrassment at the feeling of having become her stuffed doll.

The scent of our shared body wash filled my senses. Held in Mika's warm embrace, I felt my heart strangely calm.

My heart should have been rioting in this situation….

My eyes started to feel heavy. I managed to move my arm and pull the pillow from above my head down.

The thought of being a little more greedy tomorrow raised its head. The mere thought of it sent a dizzying sense of guilty pleasure through me, making my toes curl.

"I really, really like you, Mika.".

…For the week I've been given, I decided to be a little greedy.

In a place she doesn't know, without her knowing.

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