Ever since New Year's Eve, Utaha's attitude toward him had undergone a complete one-hundred-and-eighty-degree turn.
It was probably that single sentence—"I was already attracted to the girl named Kasumigaoka Utaha"—that made her realize his feelings and attitude toward her, prompting her to launch an even more aggressive advance.
"You can come. I won't do anything."
Whoever uses a girl's intimate underwear—aren't they all perverts?
He was not a pervert.
Haizaki suddenly recalled the first day he entered the "Solitary Apocalypse," when he had picked up Yukinoshita's and Iroha's underwear.
Thinking about it now was a bit embarrassing.
Even if there had been a valid reason, it still didn't sound good.
"I won't think you're a pervert, Haizaki-kun."
That's mind reading, isn't it?!
"I don't know how to read minds either."
Looks like she'd guessed right again. Utaha's mood became even better.
The feeling of controlling the pace and taking the initiative was incredibly satisfying. In their interactions, occupying the dominant position made it easier to conquer Haizaki.
At least, that was how Utaha saw it.
At this stage, it needed to be this way. Once their relationship was officially confirmed, she could show her softer, cuter side and satisfy Haizaki's male pride.
She understood men's psychology, and for Haizaki, this way of interacting should be the most suitable.
"So, do you need me to check in tonight?" Utaha asked again, the smile on her face full of meaning.
"Come if you want. I don't mind."
"So Haizaki-kun is actually looking forward to my visit?"
Everything was going according to plan, and Haizaki's helpless reaction right now was far too interesting.
She really wanted to take a photo and preserve it forever.
"Just fulfilling the agreement."
"Then Haizaki-kun, make sure you sleep… well! Don't let anything unexpected happen again."
Haizaki understood what Utaha was referring to. That kind of thing—how could it possibly be controlled by willpower?
If it could, then he would be way too impressive.
So for now, he decided to retreat and avoid a direct confrontation.
A female driver at the wheel terrified him; a goddess who could flip even a 99A tank—how could he dare compete?
"That's not something you need to worry about, Utaha. I'll head back to my room."
After saying goodbye, Haizaki prepared to go upstairs.
"Go on. I'm heading back to my room too. Tonight I'll be checking in. If you dare lock the door, you really don't want to know what will happen."
She clenched her fist and waved it as a threat.
Haizaki waved back, unconcerned.
There was no need to lock the door. With a clear conscience, he had nothing to fear. He wasn't going to do anything shady.
…
Back in his room, Haizaki stretched a little. Eating together normally was more of a warm, homely enjoyment, but once Utaha started "firing," it became a different kind of torment for him.
Every sentence had to be carefully considered, for fear of saying something wrong and provoking the girl.
There were just over two months left.
But before that, he needed to make thorough preparations for the matter the day after tomorrow.
Tomorrow, he would check everything again to make sure nothing was amiss.
After brushing his teeth, washing his face, and showering, Haizaki read for a while, then chose to get into bed and rest.
As for the girl's check-in—whatever. Who knew when Utaha would come over? It was already ten o'clock, and there hadn't been any movement. Haizaki didn't plan to stay up waiting.
However—
Once under the covers, Haizaki's gaze lingered on the girl's intimate clothing on the bedside table.
Originally, he had planned to put it at the foot of the bed and just sleep.
But now Utaha had added a requirement about whether it met the standard, so he could only change its position.
Haizaki picked up the clothing and placed it to the right of his pillow, at a suitable distance. Then he turned off the bedside lamp, lay down, and closed his eyes.
It was because he cared that he fell into Utaha's trap.
It was just ordinary fabric—nothing special.
Still, there was a faintly pleasant scent.
Haizaki's consciousness gradually sank into deep sleep.
Vaguely, in his drowsiness, he heard the sound of the door opening.
Utaha, filled with unease, opened Haizaki's door.
The dim room was silent, and she could faintly hear Haizaki's breathing.
He… was asleep.
Utaha froze for a moment, then couldn't help feeling a wave of irritation.
She had clearly said she would come to check in, yet Haizaki could sleep so peacefully. He really trusted her that much! She could totally launch a night raid!
Utaha adjusted her mindset and carefully closed the door. With the hallway light cut off, Haizaki's bedroom became even darker.
Remembering the room's layout, she tiptoed forward.
Once her eyes adapted to the dim light, she could finally see Haizaki clearly.
"He really is asleep."
Haizaki lay flat on the bed, eyes tightly shut, breathing steady and even.
She noticed her intimate clothing placed on the other side of the bed near the headboard.
That barely counted as passing, she supposed.
If Haizaki had thrown it to the foot of the bed, she would have definitely judged it as failing.
Because Haizaki was asleep, her preparations lost their purpose.
Wake him up? She really couldn't bring herself to do that.
"Kind of cute."
Comparing his sleeping face in photos to the real thing, Utaha felt the real one was cuter, even more tempting to touch.
Crouching beside the bed, she reached out and gently stroked Haizaki's face.
Watching him like this for a lifetime would also be a kind of happiness.
"Good night…"
Utaha leaned down and kissed Haizaki's forehead.
Then she carefully stood up.
Let him rest properly. She wouldn't disturb him tonight.
After that, Utaha moved to the other side, gently lifted the blanket, and slipped in. The bed was only one and a half meters wide, but it was enough for two people.
Checking in… meant checking in for the whole night.
And compared to her clothes, wasn't she better herself? If she could reach the point where Haizaki couldn't sleep without holding her, wouldn't that mean he'd already gotten used to her presence?
Nighttime was something that needed to be fully utilized.
In the future, she would need to think up all kinds of reasonable excuses to come here.
As for having no reason—that wouldn't do. At least before she and Haizaki established an official romantic relationship, she still couldn't fully overcome the psychological barrier.
She still cared about her reputation.
She didn't want Haizaki to think she was a casual girl, even though she knew he wouldn't see her that way.
And Haizaki, who had already regained awareness and was pretending to sleep the moment Utaha entered, let out a silent sigh.
This was fine too, he supposed.
They'd already slept together once; one or two more times didn't really matter.
He just hoped nothing like New Year's Eve would happen again.
The soft, elastic body drew close, and he felt his right arm being hugged, sinking into a gentle, delicate warmth.
This night, once again, was a peaceful one.
…