"I'm here, Suzune~"
In the darkness, Horikita suddenly felt something soft smushed against her face. The scent of orange-scented shower gel filled her nostrils.
Seemed like a child's preference.
Horikita quickly snapped back to reality.
How could her mind still wander to such trivial things at a time like this?
She just hoped Amane wouldn't go too far. But after waiting for what felt like ages, Amane still hadn't moved an inch.
"Amane?"
Horikita tentatively gave her a little push.
Amane was clinging tightly to Horikita, but the girl herself was already cold—
…Or rather, she'd fallen asleep.
"Did she really fall asleep that fast?"
Horikita cautiously moved her hand under Amane's nose.
There was still breathing—she really was asleep. Amane always dropped off like this, out of nowhere.
It always made Horikita worry she'd actually kicked the bucket.
Feeling that familiar warmth, Horikita felt like laughing.
But no matter how hard she tried, her face just couldn't return to the way it looked when she could genuinely smile.
"Will you stay with me like this forever?" Horikita poked Amane's soft cheek.
The latter let out a sound like "Mmm…"
Gently, Horikita hugged Amane back.
That warm feeling.
It had been so long since she'd felt this at ease. Ever since Amane moved out of her dorm, sleeping alone had felt… empty.
Maybe it was because her body pillow had run off.
Of course it felt strange without it.
Or maybe… it was because there was no one anymore who'd act like a child, always pestering her for a bedtime story.
Had it only been half a month?
Was she already unable to live without Amane?
Horikita didn't know the answer.
But if she had to say…she probably couldn't.
Just as Horikita was lost in these melancholy thoughts, a face nuzzled against hers, rubbing against her cheek again and again.
"Can't you be still when you sleep?" Horikita complained, yet she let Amane nuzzle for a long while, until finally Amane slumped onto Horikita's chest and drifted back to sleep.
In the dim light, Horikita studied Amane's adorable sleeping face.
She was just like a koala.
And that made Horikita the tree that couldn't fight back, held tightly in Amane's koala grip, unable to even roll over.
To be honest, it was a little uncomfortable.
But…
Still better than Amane doing… weird things to her.
The night passed without further words.
Early the next morning, Horikita was jolted awake, feeling stifled.
It was hard to breathe.
She looked down.
Amane was sleeping soundly right on top of her.
It looked just like…
Horikita's face flushed for a moment.
She tried to move Amane aside, but just as she held her and turned over, gently setting her down on the bed—
Amane's eyes fluttered open.
"Suzune… Good morning… Wh-what are you doing?"
Amane stared at Horikita, who was still holding her in close contact.
Her eyes went wide.
Her drowsy mind snapped awake in an instant.
"If I said I was just trying to get you off of me, would you believe me?"
Horikita looked calmly at Amane.
But her hands were in a somewhat awkward position—after all, to sit up, she'd needed something to push against for support.
"What do you think? I can't believe you'd take advantage of me while I was asleep, boo hoo—"
"Your crying is so fake. There's never even a single tear—I've seen through it long ago." Horikita mercilessly called out Amane's acting.
"Tch, you saw through me. Suzune, you bad woman, already trying to enjoy my body first thing in the morning?"
Amane's words made Horikita blush bright red. "What kind of nonsense are you saying! A girl shouldn't say… things like that…"
Horikita stammered, her face growing hotter.
"So cute."
"What did you say, Amane?"
"A flustered Suzune is the cutest."
"You just like saying sweet things to charm girls." Horikita turned her head away, refusing to meet Amane's eyes.
She was afraid if this went on, she'd blush so hard she'd never recover. But what she didn't realize was that her entire face was already flushed.
"I'm telling the truth. If you don't believe me, look into my eyes."
Horikita gazed seriously into Amane's eyes.
"Have you been eating too much spicy food lately?"
"Dummy, dummy!!! Look again, right here, here!" Amane pointed at her own eyes like she was showing off a treasure.
Puzzled, Horikita leaned in for a closer look.
There was nothing strange there.
Wait…
Horikita saw her own reflection in Amane's pupils.
Really?
Pulling this old trick again, Amane?
This is one trick that Horikita Suzune won't fall for, you know~
Chu—
Something pecked her. "Good morning~ That was a good morning ki—ow ow ow, don't pull my face, it hurts!"
Horikita had pinched Amane's cheek.
"You actually sneaked a kiss."
"Sneak a kiss? What are you talking about, Suzune? Ow, ow, ow, it hurts!" Amane's eyes welled up with tears from the pain.
Only then did Horikita let go. "If you do that again, I'll be angry."
"You're already angry!" Amane rubbed her cheek pitifully.
"Amane, what did you just say?"
"I said you look really pretty today, Suzune."
"Hmph."
"Ehehe~"
Amane giggled, then gave a slight smirk.
"Suzune, when are you going to let go? It's a little uncomfortable." Amane pointed at Horikita's other hand, which was still in a rather awkward position.
Only then did Horikita realize she'd never let go.
She quickly pulled her hand back.
"Whew, now I can breathe properly again. Hey, you didn't… press them smaller, did you?"
"Don't say such indecent things!"
"But you clearly…"
Stare——.
"Ahem, small is great too~ Especially yours, Suzune. Though it could use a little more, it still suits you~"
"Ha? Sorry if I don't meet your expectations, Miyako Amane." Horikita reached out her hand.
"Wait! You're not going to… We just made up! If you do this, I might get so scared I'll run away!" Amane scurried fearfully into the corner, trembling as Horikita drew closer.
"Welcome back, Amane."
"I'm back, Suz—poof—!!!"
"Twenty-seventh punishment, for my dearest friend. Stop pretending and get up—it couldn't have hurt that much."
"Oww, this time I'm not faking! Save me, QAQ"
--+--
On a weekend afternoon.
After a wonderfully comfortable nap, Matsushita Chiaki remembered she still had to do a major cleaning—and felt a headache coming on.
If only she hadn't gone shopping with Sato and the others yesterday.
The consequence of using up yesterday…was having to make up for lost time today.
But today was special for her.
It was her birthday.
Her first birthday in this unfamiliar environment.
But she hadn't told anyone.
Because if she made a point of telling others, it would seem like she was saying, "Hey, it's my birthday soon—don't forget to bring a gift."
By the end of the month, most people's points were running low.
There was no need to waste points on something like this. That's what the rational part of Matsushita Chiyuki told herself.
But still, she hoped someone would "accidentally" find out it was her birthday and surprise her—even if they came empty-handed, just wishing her well would be enough.
Just as Matsushita was lost in these thoughts, her door rattled with a knock.
"One moment, please."
Matsushita went to the door and peeked through the peephole.
It looked like… Miyako-san?
What could she be here for?
Usually, Amane wasn't in her social circle—they'd barely even spoken. So Matsushita found her visit a little strange.
Matsushita opened the door.
"Matsushita-san, happy birthday."
--+--
T/N: Wow, 10/10 mc is lowkey a top tier casanova. Also Matsushita is so fuckin pretty i feel like shes soooooo underutilized.
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T/N: Honkai: Star Rail fanfic up!
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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.