In the darkness of night. In the end, it was Amane who moved closer to Horikita first.
"Suzune, are you asleep?" Amane's voice was soft, like fine gauze brushing against a cool stream. Yet in the deathly quiet room, it didn't seem to stir a single ripple.
As if she was afraid of waking the other.
After confirming Horikita hadn't responded.
Amane cautiously brought her fingertips closer to Horikita.
Horikita, who had her back to Amane. Felt the warmth of Amane's slightly quickened breath against her back.
A smile crept onto Horikita's lips.
So Amane could be this careful now.
During the day, she'd shamelessly cling on without a second thought. But at night, she became a different person.
Amane propped herself up on an elbow.
Her slender fingers slowly drifted towards Horikita's cheek.
A light tap with her fingertip.
Then immediately snatched back as if shocked.
Seeing Horikita still showed no reaction.
Amane grew bolder and poked Horikita's cheek with her finger.
Then she smiled. She wouldn't dare do this in the daytime.
Amane shifted a little closer.
Her fingers hovered over Horikita's arm. Seeming hesitant. Horikita immediately saw right through Amane's little game.
She knew what Amane was thinking.
That urge to touch her.
Horikita had sensed it long ago.
But she had no intention of calling Amane out on it.
Horikita's body reacted involuntarily. A warm current surged in her chest.
Yet she couldn't just turn around and hug this fool who was still testing the waters.
Being teased like this while pretending to sleep… something like that. Just thinking about it made Horikita feel a little embarrassed.
So it was better to just play dumb.
"May I?" Amane whispered again.
Horikita hurriedly shut her eyes tight.
Had she realized Horikita was faking sleep?
Or was this just another probe?
"No answer means yes~" Amane's hand slipped under Horikita's arm.
But stopped short again, just before pulling Horikita into an embrace.
And then…
Amane retracted her hand once more.
Horikita's eyes snapped open.
Was she really this spineless?
If you want to hug me, just do it. All this hesitation. Really… it's so frustrating.
Horikita felt her face growing warm.
She knew what Amane desired. And she had no intention of refusing or stopping her. Because Horikita wanted it too.
She also wanted Amane to boldly hold her.
And say "I won't leave you."
But this idiot Amane had chickened out at the critical moment.
After waiting for what felt like ages.
Seeing Amane still hadn't made a move, Horikita simply flipped over and pulled Amane into her arms.
"Wah!" Amane, who'd been counting her fingers to decide whether to hug or not, was startled.
"S-Suzune… you're awake?" Amane let out an awkward laugh.
"If I waited for you to make up your mind, dawn would break. How could I sleep then? So hesitant. I really don't see what's so scary about it."
"Suzune, I…"
"Be quiet. From now on, you're my body pillow. Go to sleep." Having announced Amane's fate. Horikita pressed her entire body against Amane's, holding her tightly.
Amane became as docile as a real body pillow.
Not moving a muscle. Even when occasionally pinched a couple of times, she didn't make any strange noises.
Quite satisfied, Horikita gave a light peck on Amane's cheek.
Then, holding Amane, she drifted off to sleep.
It was only after judging from Horikita's general heart rate that she was truly asleep.
That the dazed look in Amane's eyes finally became lively again. An irrepressible smile spread across her face.
Playing hard to get worked pretty well.
--+--
Morning.
When Horikita opened her eyes.
She found herself face-to-face with a brown teddy bear pillow in her arms.
"Amane, how did you turn into this?"
"Suzune, you're so mean! I'm over here!"
Rubbing her eyes, Horikita looked towards the source of the voice.
Amane, holding a plate with sandwiches and fried eggs, was pouting at Horikita.
"Sorry, I thought you'd really turned into a body pillow… What time is it now?"
Horikita picked up her phone.
7:20 AM.
Horikita was instantly wide awake.
"Didn't I set the alarm for six? Amane—!" She looked up.
Amane was gazing up at the ceiling.
"Lovely weather today."
"Hmph, yes, lovely weather." Horikita smiled and walked over to Amane.
She took the tray from her hands and placed it on the table.
And then.
Smack.
"Ah!!! Why are you spanking me! Suzune, you're a bit of a pervert, ehehehe."
Horikita's face was full of exasperation.
How can you laugh so happily?
The two began to eat their breakfast.
"I have a study session to attend tonight. Should I make you dinner, or will you grab something yourself?"
"I want whatever Suzune makes for me." An instant reply.
Horikita shot a look at Amane.
"Then I'll just make something simple."
"Mhm, mhm, I'll like anything Suzune makes… Wait, did you just say you're going to a study session?"
Only then did Amane process the crucial piece of information in Horikita's words.
"Yes. Too many students in the class are failing. I plan to tutor them a bit. If you're interested, you can join too." Horikita took the opportunity to invite Amane.
"A study session organized by you, Suzune…" Amane found it hard to imagine what a study session led by Horikita would be like.
Would anyone even show up?
If not, Horikita might be disheartened.
"Will it be troublesome?"
"Probably. Teaching struggling students isn't easy, after all." Horikita was mentally prepared for it.
"Then I'll pass. I hate trouble the most." Amane decisively refused.
She was here to enjoy life.
Not to be a nanny.
No need to go that far for others.
Of course, if it was a cute girl who needed tutoring…
"Are you thinking about something weird again?"
Having lived with Amane for over a month, Horikita saw right through her mischievous thoughts.
"My heart only has room for Suzune!!!"
"Hmph."
Horikita snorted coldly but didn't press further.
--+--
After school in the evening.
Horikita returned to the dorm first to prepare materials for the study session, and to prepare rations for Amane.
Amane, meanwhile, wandered around the campus.
Kushida had vanished right after school.
Ruri was at club activities.
Meiyu was busy with the study group around Hirata.
For a moment, only Amane seemed to have nothing to do.
So she ended up strolling alone through the campus.
Before she knew it, she found herself at the bakery.
Seeing the somewhat quiet scene inside, Amane recalled her first time here with Kushida and the others.
"Welcome! Eh! It's Miyako-san! You haven't been here in a while. What would you like today?" After the greeting, Manager Fujiwara, seeing it was Amane, warmly welcomed her.
"Strawberry mousse cake and a barley tea with lemon juice."
Amane's order made Manager Fujiwara's eyes light up.
"Trying to diet while eating sweets? You're really something, Miyako-san. Rock sugar or honey?"
"Honey. And I want the barley tea chilled, please."
Amane rested her chin in her hands, gazing at the dazzling shelves.
Something felt like it was missing.
Hmm, I see.
What's missing is…
--+--
T/N: Amane really using masterclass acting just to seduce girls, shes so real
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.