After being subjected to a certain someone's pitiful gaze, Horikita Suzune reluctantly let Amane into the room.
Even now, she couldn't understand why things had turned out this way.
Fortunately, Horikita Suzune had bought a brand new set of bedding.
The white beginner's set provided by the school was given to Amane.
"Good night."
After a cold good night, Horikita sat at the table reading, while Amane was making a bed on the floor.
She just slept directly on the floor.
Although Horikita didn't explicitly say whether she could sleep on the bed, anyone with a shred of dignity wouldn't borrow someone else's home on the first day of meeting them, let alone want to sleep in their bed and use their new blankets.
So, Amane chose to sleep on the floor, but her big eyes were fixed on Horikita, full of longing for the bed.
Horikita sat opposite Amane, her head down, flipping through the pages of a book, ignoring Amane's suggestive glances.
Letting her stay for a night was already a favor, considering they were neighbors and she had treated her to a meal.
She still wanted to sleep on the bed?
Go to sleep early; you can still have a bed in your dreams.
Horikita couldn't help but smile when she realized she finally had the upper hand.
Horikita suddenly touched the corner of her mouth.
She seemed to have… smiled just now?
Th-that's impossible?
"Suzune looks so beautiful when she smiles."
Amane, with only her head peeking out, praised her with a giggle.
"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking; even if you praise me, it's impossible."
"The floor is cold."
"Dream on."
Amane could only tuck half of her face into the blanket, looking aggrieved.
Honestly.
The indoor temperature was actually fine.
Putting on such a pitiful display made it seem like Horikita was bullying her.
By the way.
Was it really okay to make a guest sleep on the floor?
Horikita also had a bit of a headache.
Worst case, she would move Amane to the bed after she fell asleep.
After making up her mind, Horikita stopped paying attention to Amane.
Horikita read for about half an hour, then checked the time.
It was almost ten o'clock, but she was still very energetic, probably because she had slept too much today.
Just as she was about to drink water, she realized the kettle was empty.
She then remembered that she had been drinking bottled water today and had forgotten to boil water.
She had originally intended to boil some water for tea, but she had fallen asleep.
Just as Horikita was about to get up and boil water, a small white paw quickly took the kettle and walked towards the kitchen.
Horikita was about to call out, but seeing that Amane had already started filling it with water, she didn't say anything.
Honestly, offering unsolicited favors.
She just wanted to sleep on the bed, didn't she?
Squeezing in should be fine.
Sigh.
Horikita sighed.
The water boiled quickly.
Horikita then watched Amane as if she were in her own home.
I found tea bags and coffee in Horikita's locker.
After a moment of hesitation, I grabbed a bag of instant coffee.
Then, I poured the instant coffee into a cup and added hot water.
The aroma of coffee immediately filled the air.
"Although I appreciate Miyako... Amane-san, for helping boil the water, I still prefer drinking tea when I read at night."
The bittersweet aftertaste of tea is perfect for reading.
Coffee is usually better enjoyed during afternoon tea to combat post-lunch drowsiness.
Although drinking coffee for afternoon tea felt strange, for Horikita, it was a perfect combination.
Amane-san, your attempt to curry favor missed the mark.
Horikita felt inexplicably happy.
"But I like coffee,"
Amane blinked.
Then she picked up the cup and took a sip.
???
Miyako Amane!!!!!
So you only boiled water because you were thirsty?
It turns out it was just my wishful thinking.
This neighbor is unbearable.
How about just letting her sleep on a futon outside the door?
After all, Horikita Suzune isn't a demon.
Perhaps sensing Horikita's malice,
Amane quickly ran to grab a tea bag and brewed a cup of tea for Horikita.
Hmph.
Horikita Suzune picked it up and took a small sip.
The water temperature was acceptable.
The flavor of the tea bag had already infused into the water.
"Go."
Horikita Suzune only said a seemingly nonsensical phrase.
"I knew Suzune was the best!"
Amane picked up her coffee.
Just as Horikita expected her to gulp it all down,
Amane was taking small sips.
Her movements were quite elegant.
But wouldn't it be simpler to just drink it directly?
After quickly finishing her coffee,
Amane swiftly burrowed into Horikita's bed.
That 'swiftly' was truly swift.
It was as if something just instantly dove into the covers.
The speed surprised even Horikita.
However, she looked at the futon on the floor.
Wait, her meaning was that she could bring her blanket and sleep on the bed!
Not sleep with her!!!
Never mind.
I actually tried to apply common sense to Amane.
After a while longer,
Horikita felt a bit cold, so she also returned to bed.
The moment the warm sensation enveloped her body,
Horikita's expression softened considerably.
At least the warm bed was satisfactory.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?"
Horikita noticed Amane was still looking at her with open eyes.
She must have been tired all day today.
Horikita had taken a nap in the afternoon.
A little extra sleep tonight would ensure she could wake up tomorrow.
Could this person really wake up tomorrow?
She wouldn't just lie in bed... "I like listening to bedtime stories at night, and I forgot my phone in the dorm, so I can't fall asleep without a bedtime story."
"Bedtime stories? Are you still in kindergarten?"
In Horikita's memory, only kindergarten children listened to bedtime stories.
The next second after speaking,
Horikita regretted it.
Amane's previously bright eyes suddenly became watery.
"Sigh, I can't stand you. How will you live on your own?"
Horikita didn't know how many times she had sighed today.
Horikita picked up her phone and found bedtime stories online.
There was even a note saying 'Kindergarten Edition' next to it.
"Once upon a time, there was a rabbit..."
"Put some emotion into your voice; it's too cold."
"Ahem, once upon a time, there was a rabbit..."
"Be gentler. When I close my eyes, that rabbit looks like the Hulk."
"Are you going to listen or not? If you bother me again, go sleep outside."
"Wuwuwu, I understand."
...How did I suddenly become a heinous person?
How did this strange sense of guilt arise?
Horikita read one story after another.
Thinking, surely Amane must be asleep by now?
But when she looked down,
Amane was wide awake.
Blinking.
How was she even more energetic than before?
"Amane-san, you asked me to tell you bedtime stories to help you fall asleep, right?"
Horikita's tone was as gentle as a mature, intellectual older sister.
"Mhm, Suzune is the best."
"Then... go to sleep!!! My mouth hurts from talking, why are you looking at me if you're not sleeping?"
Seeing Horikita get angry, Amane was startled.
"Sleeping now, sleeping now."
Then Amane closed her eyes.
Tilted her head.
And fell asleep.
Could it be... she passed out?