Shiina Mahiru stewed in annoyance for a bit, then couldn't help but quietly crack the door open again.
When her eyes met his burning gaze, she let out a startled yelp and slammed it shut.
"You—you haven't gone back to your room? What are you doing loitering at my door?"
Shiina Mahiru leaned against the door, asking somewhat speechlessly.
Lin Mu shrugged and replied casually.
"Can't sleep, so I'm just admiring the moon. The moonlight's nice tonight—should be sunny tomorrow."
Shiina Mahiru: "Go admire it from your own door. Don't block mine and get in the way."
Lin Mu: "But I still want to sleep with you. What should I do?"
Shiina Mahiru: "I'm really calling the cops! If you keep harassing me, the consequences..."
Lin Mu: "Then call them. I won't be able to sleep tonight without holding you!"
"Ah! Shut up, keep your voice down!" Shiina Mahiru hurriedly stepped out and covered his mouth, looking around in panic.
This jerk—yelling so loud, did he want others, like Aoyama Nanami next door, to hear about our relationship?
Feeling the soft little hand over his lips, Lin Mu swiftly wrapped his arm around her slender waist. Amid her startled cry, he scooped her up and carried her straight into her room.
Shiina Mahiru snapped to her senses and immediately struggled fiercely, pounding his chest with her small fists.
"Pervert! Rogue! I said no... Let me go... Get out!"
Lin Mu took in all her struggles, letting her hammer away at his chest.
Once inside her room, he directly claimed her soft, fragrant bed and pulled up the covers.
"Mmph... What exactly do you want? Haven't you bullied me enough already?"
Shiina Mahiru looked at him sadly, crystal-clear tears sliding uncontrollably down her cheeks.
But Lin Mu hugged her tightly with a serious expression, saying in a deep voice, "I'm not trying to bully you. I'm just afraid you'll do something rash, so I want to keep an eye on you."
"Besides, I really can't sleep without holding you tonight."
"You... you're shameless!"
Shiina Mahiru was at a loss with him. Annoyed that he'd invaded her space, she grabbed his arm and bit down hard.
The metallic tang of blood filled her mouth, but she didn't let go.
Tears streaming, she kept biting.
Lin Mu winced in pain but didn't struggle, just gently stroked her silky golden hair.
Just like the night before, he gave her a warm embrace.
Shiina Mahiru released his arm and suddenly burst into loud sobs, burying her face in his chest.
"Jerk! You're a total jerk! We've only just met—why are you bullying me?"
Lin Mu didn't answer the question.
He simply leaned in slowly, kissed her soft lips lightly, then continued stroking her hair.
Shiina Mahiru fell silent.
She just buried her face in his chest, sobbing nonstop, venting her emotions.
Bottling it up would only make it worse; letting it out would feel better.
Half an hour later, Shiina Mahiru pushed at him.
"Let me go."
Seeing he had no intention of loosening his hold, she flushed and said helplessly,
"I'll bandage you up."
Only then did Lin Mu reluctantly release her.
Shiina Mahiru hurriedly wiped her tears, not wanting him to see her in such a mess.
But remembering that he'd already seen her crying and even more embarrassing sides, she relaxed a bit.
She'd given up resisting.
She fetched the first-aid kit. Kneeling on the bed in her pure white pajamas, Shiina Mahiru carefully dabbed alcohol on a cotton swab and cleaned the bite mark she'd left on his arm.
Looking at the bloody tooth print, her heart raced, and she couldn't help but grumble resentfully.
"Why didn't you dodge? Doesn't it hurt?"
Lin Mu smiled faintly. "I made you cry, so a little pain is only fair. And... I've made Mahiru hurt too, haven't I?"
"Shut up! Don't say it!"
Shiina Mahiru cut him off, her face red as she glared at him fiercely.
"I told you to forget it. You don't owe me anything—what more do you want?"
Lin Mu naturally claimed her sweet-smelling pillow, looking utterly relaxed.
"I just want to sleep here. You've slept in my bed, so I should sleep in yours. It's only fair."
"Fair my foot! Who does that? Pervert! Thick-skinned jerk!"
The girl didn't hold back with her words, but her hands kept working, carefully cleaning the wound on his arm.
Only after applying an OK bandage did she let out a breath of relief.
Shiina Mahiru was just that kind of gentle, kind-hearted girl. She'd bitten him, yet now she felt guilty instead.
Maybe sensing that he was there to comfort and care for her had touched the soft spot in her heart.
But a girl's pride and self-respect kept her from initiating closeness with him.
So, it had to be Lin Mu taking the lead.
"Nice bandaging job. Well then... time for bed, Mahiru. Come here."
Faced with his demand, Shiina Mahiru gritted her teeth and stared daggers at him, saying nothing.
Lin Mu didn't push further; he just pulled her into his arms, lay down, and covered them with the blanket.
He didn't like cold wars with beautiful girls and couldn't stand being ignored, so he had to take the initiative.
Though she'd bitten his arm, the outcome seemed pretty good.
Back in his embrace, Shiina Mahiru's body trembled slightly, her small hands nervously clutching his collar.
Thinking of what might happen next, she had no idea what to do.
She should refuse, call the cops, kick him out of her room.
But as he stroked her hair, her nose stung, and her eyes grew misty.
This jerk.
Why did he have to be so gentle?
Why couldn't he just be a straightforward pervert, a proper bad guy?
That way, she could keep hating him, ignoring him, and gradually forget it all.
He'd even said time would fade everything away.
Tensing up, unsure how to face his closeness, Lin Mu kissed her forehead.
"Be good, sleep. I won't bully you anymore."
She bit her lip, sneaking a glance at him before her body softened.
Maybe... she could trust him a little?
After all, he was being really gentle right now.
In a daze, Shiina Mahiru nestled in Lin Mu's arms and drifted off to a deep sleep.
...