Chapter 192: Wanting to Always Stay by Her Side
Sasuko had indeed considered Yu's earlier question when she'd come.
The initial plan was simple and direct: use Flying Thunder God to arrive silently, speak a few words with Yu, then leave just as silently.
But now, lying in his warm embrace, Sasuko no longer wanted to follow the original plan.
Yu's body warmth transmitted through thin sleeping clothes, his steady heartbeat close by her ear, the arm encircling her waist pressed against her skin—all of this made her original intentions begin wavering.
"I..." She opened her mouth but ultimately couldn't speak that anticipated answer.
Words that should have been perfectly justified now inexplicably made her feel guilty.
Yu didn't rush her, only idly curling strands of her hair, quietly waiting.
"Originally I planned to leave..." She finally admitted quietly, voice growing softer. "But now... I don't want to leave."
The moment her words fell, she felt low vibrations from his chest.
Yu laughed softly.
"So willful?" His tone carried no reproach, instead containing indulgence.
Sasuko buried her burning face in the hollow of his neck, responding with a muffled "mm."
She knew this was very willful—her parents were home. If discovered leaving Yu's room tomorrow morning, who knew what complications would arise.
But...
"I want to stay with Yu a bit longer." She looked up, eyes gleaming faintly in the night. "Let me stay, okay? I promise I'll return before dawn."
Speaking these words, her heart jumped erratically.
Yu always emphasized propriety. Though especially tolerant toward her, he very likely wouldn't agree to such an outrageous request.
However, unexpectedly, Yu only watched her quietly for a moment before drawing her closer into his embrace.
"Sleep." He said in a low voice, tone carrying her familiar gentleness.
Sasuko froze, then understood this was tacit permission. She smiled with curved eyes, nuzzling further into his embrace to find the most comfortable position.
"Then... tomorrow morning..." She remained somewhat anxious.
"I'll wake you early." Yu gently stroked her back.
This promise completely reassured Sasuko.
She relaxed, nestling against him. Listening to his steady breathing, Sasuko suddenly felt this moment precious enough to bring tears. From her innocent girlhood, she'd fantasized about lying beside him as his lover. Now her dream had finally come true.
"Yu." She called softly.
"Mm?"
"Nothing..." She closed her eyes contentedly. "Just wanted to call your name."
Yu didn't speak further, only gently caressing her back.
This subtle gesture made Sasuko's heart feel sweet.
She knew she should sleep—tomorrow required early rising—yet was reluctant to fall asleep like this.
She quietly counted his heartbeats, feeling his chest's rise and fall.
"Actually..." She suddenly spoke. "Flying Thunder God is very convenient. Even returning now would work."
Yu remained silent a moment, asking in a low voice: "Do you want to return?"
Sasuko immediately shook her head. "Don't want to."
"Then stop thinking about it." His voice carried drowsiness. "Sleep quickly."
Sasuko finally stopped agonizing.
She relaxed, letting sleepiness gradually invade. In the moment before falling into deep sleep, she thought hazily: just be willful this once.
As for tomorrow's matters, leave them for tomorrow's Sasuko to face.
When Sasuko's breathing gradually became light and prolonged, Yu slowly opened his eyes.
Sasuko curled entirely defenseless in his embrace, body softly nestled against him.
The silk nightgown's shoulder straps had slipped down to her elbows, exposing large expanses of luminous skin.
Yu reached out to tuck a stray lock of long hair behind her ear.
The girl unconsciously nuzzled against his chest in her sleep, releasing a vague murmur, warm breath transmitting through thin sleeping clothes.
Her pink lips parted and closed slightly in sleep, carrying a moist luster.
Yu's gaze lingered on her serene sleeping face for quite a while. He adjusted her slipped sleeping clothes, then gathered her into his embrace.
I want to always stay by her side.
——————
The next morning, Sasuko gradually awakened in the morning light filtering through curtains.
She instinctively reached toward her side, touching only cold sheets.
Opening drowsy eyes, familiar bedroom furnishings came into view—this was clearly her own room.
After a dazed moment, she suddenly realized: Yu had sent her back while she slept.
"Liar..."
Sasuko hugged her pillow, puffing her cheeks in dissatisfaction.
He'd clearly promised to wake her, yet while she slept soundly he'd quietly returned her.
She rolled half a turn on the bed, burying her face in the pillow to inhale deeply.
"Mm."
After dawdling quite a while, she reluctantly sat up. The silk nightgown's shoulder straps slipped down to her elbows, morning light coating her exposed shoulders with a soft glow.
She stepped barefoot onto the cool floor, slowly walking to the wardrobe.
Scanning a row of dresses, she finally selected a light purple loungewear set.
Walking into the bathroom, cool water splashing on her face finally brought complete wakefulness.
Looking at herself in the mirror, eyes still carrying traces of languor, she couldn't help leaning close for careful examination—she seemed no different from yesterday's self, yet somewhere inside felt soft and fulfilled.
"Next time I must make him keep his word..."
She muttered quietly, yet the corners of her mouth lifted in a sweet smile.
After finishing her morning routine, Sasuko came to the living room with light steps.
Since Mother's awakening, all three daily meals were entirely handled by Mikoto. Occasionally Sasuko would help out, but more often times were like now—sitting at the table waiting for the meal.
She rested her fragrant cheek on her palm, gaze unconsciously drifting toward that tightly closed door at the corridor's end—that was Yu's room.
At this hour, if he wasn't in the living room or courtyard, he was most likely still resting in his bedroom.
Come to think of it, these recent days Yu seemed to have become somewhat fond of sleeping in.
According to Yu, when people had nothing to do, they became lazy.
"Should I go call him..." Sasuko muttered quietly, fingertip curling around her hair.
The moment this thought emerged, the embarrassing scene of Mother catching her leaving Yu's room last time surfaced in her mind.
Though Mother hadn't said much then, that meaningful gaze still made her ears burn remembering it.
She sighed softly, ultimately suppressing this impulse.
Though she desperately wanted to see him first thing, right now avoiding being examined by Mother with that "young ladies should show restraint" look was more important.
Sasuko listlessly fiddled with the teacup on the table, feeling so bored, missing him so much.