"Shiwa… I'll be heading off first. You… are really okay?"
Minamoto Senya, already dressed, stood at the bedside, his gaze still tinged with concern.
"I'm really fine, don't worry. It's just… my legs are a bit sore, so I won't come downstairs to see you out."
Hearing his words, Shiwa lifted her dull eyes and forced a smile. Even so, she appeared fragile, almost like a candle flickering in the wind.
Her voice was weak, lacking strength—like a salaryman enduring a grueling "996" schedule for a whole month—so fragile that it seemed plausible she could collapse and die on the spot without it feeling unnatural.
Seeing her like this made Senya feel guilty and a little heartbroken.
After all, he was the one responsible for almost three hours of relentless indulgence, transforming her from that initially excitable, lively state to her current, utterly exhausted condition.
Guilt rising, Senya found himself unable to leave just like that.
He crouched slightly at the bedside, grasping Shiwa's limp hand as if checking on a patient, his expression full of concern.
"How about this… I carry you to the bathroom for a shower before I leave?"
Shiwa felt a chill run down her spine and quickly shook her head.
"No need. I can manage by myself. Besides, it's already late. If my parents come home and find you here, how would you explain it? This isn't the time to confess anything to them."
Her words were reasonable, yet her mind was still preoccupied with the person she loved most.
She was genuinely afraid—if he carried her to the bathroom again, and during the shower he became excited once more… she might not be able to endure even a single repetition in her current exhausted state.
"Alright then… I'll head back. Before I go, is there anything I can do for you?"
"Um… just… help me with this."
Shiwa turned her head slightly toward the trash bin beside the bed.
It was full of used tissues, faintly emitting a lingering scent.
Senya understood immediately. He emptied the bin, replaced it with a fresh liner, reminded her of a few things, and left a gentle kiss on her forehead before finally departing from the Kasumino house.
On the way home, Senya felt light and carefree, almost floating, utterly content.
Though he had already crossed that line with Saeko long ago, shedding his virginity maintained for over a decade, nothing had ever made him feel so completely fired up as today.
The freedom to fully express love without hesitation was a completely different experience.
Shiwa's responses were irresistibly charming—not just her voice, soft and melodic, filled with sweet murmurs, but her entire body reacting in adorable ways.
Her eyes glistened with tears of joy, her little feet twitching incessantly, like a pre-set alarm clock vibrating every few minutes, reminding him of her delight.
Shiwa really was amazing…
Today had been a nightdress scenario. Next time, with her permission, he thought about trying her regular outfits—the school uniform paired with black tights…
He found himself looking forward to it even more.
While Senya reveled in his mood, Shiwa's condition was a cause for concern.
Today had far exceeded her expectations.
She lay on the bed, immobile—not because she didn't want to move, but because she truly had no strength.
Her entire body felt drained, limp and soft, as if all her bones had been hollowed out, as though she had been mercilessly beaten.
Yet, in some twisted way, she could see this as her enduring Senya's merciless "assault" alone.
Shiwa couldn't tell if she was overwhelmed by happiness or pain. Lying there for over twenty minutes, she finally gripped the bed edge and forced herself to stand.
It was necessary—her parents would likely be home soon.
Though Senya had taken away the most obvious "evidence," some matters still needed attention.
She slowly stood, feeling cautiously.
Fortunately, compared to the pain that had nearly split her in two the first time, this was just mild soreness in her legs. Walking was manageable.
She switched the air conditioning to maximum, opened the windows wide for ventilation, and fetched the hairdryer from downstairs.
Plugging it in, she switched it on.
The pillowcase bore traces of her tears, and some… other remnants she did not want to recall, likely the aftermath of losing control when her expression had faltered, back turned to Senya.
She never imagined that the lewd, "fallen angel" illustrations by that blond idiot could manifest so literally in her own life.
And it wasn't just the pillowcase—the bedsheet below was the real disaster zone.
There was no time to change them. Putting them in the washing machine now would be impossible to explain if her parents saw it, so she simply used the hairdryer for temporary damage control, planning to replace the sheets casually tomorrow.
After finishing this, Shiwa dragged her exhausted, light-as-air body back to the bed, collapsing onto it.
Later, when Mrs. Kasumino returned late at night and opened the fridge:
"What… dinner untouched? What are they even eating?"
She headed upstairs, knocked on her daughter's door, but received no response.
Pushing the door open, she found Shiwa sleeping unusually early and soundly.
Even nudging her cheek did not stir a reaction.
The next day, Soubu High School.
During the last class of the morning, the teacher announced the summer break schedule and safety precautions for outings.
The students cheered, buzzing with excitement. Conservative ones whispered to friends, while others messaged acquaintances, already planning their free time.
Everyone seemed lively—except for one.
Shiwa lazily yawned.
Exhausted from the previous day, she had arrived late to school and, still fatigued, had remained slumped over until the noise of her classmates finally roused her. She felt no special excitement for summer—only irritation at the noise around her.
Fatigue still lingered, heavily.
Resting her chin in her hands, she stared at the notes on the blackboard, then, bored, turned to the sky outside, eyes glazing over.
Her deep red eyes, glassy and absent-minded, remained fixed there… until a hand lightly touched her shoulder.
Snapping out of her daze, she turned her head.
It was Saeko.
From glimpses of scattered classmates in the room and the flow of students in the hallway, it was already the end of class.
"Shiwa, what's wrong? I called for you at the classroom door several times but you didn't respond. Are you feeling unwell?" Saeko asked, concerned.
"No, I'm fine. Just… thinking." Shiwa propped herself up and stood. "Let's go to the cafeteria."
Saeko matched her pace, pretending not to notice her slightly unsteady steps.
They bought lunch together.
Shiwa, still recovering from the previous night, had little appetite and chose only the smallest Swiss roll snack.
Sitting down, she quietly opened it and began eating.
After a moment, Saeko spoke.
"Shiwa."
"Hmm?"
"Senya contacted me—he tried to reach you but got no reply. I was a bit worried. Did you two have a fight?"
"Senya contacted me?"
Shiwa, surprised, dropped her cake and pulled out her phone.
Sure enough, Senya had sent seven or eight unread messages, all expressing concern.
"Ah… I didn't even notice…"
She murmured while replying. Watching her, Saeko saw a reflection of her former, distracted self and gave a faint, knowing smile while eating fried rice.
After sending her replies and receiving Senya's reassuring responses, Shiwa relaxed slightly.
During this time, Saeko pulled two tickets from her pocket and handed them over.
"What's this?"
"Tickets for a mountain creek rafting experience, including one night at a nearby hotel with dinner. Our senior in the kendo club tried it and recommended it. I thought it was great, so I bought two tickets—perfect for you to go with Senya this weekend."
"…For us? What about you?"
"Our kendo club has a joint event with another school, and as the club president, I can't miss it. But don't worry about me—just enjoy it with Senya. By the way, I checked, he's free this weekend too. You looked tired just now, probably from writing the novel and keeping up with studies. This is a perfect chance to relax."
Shiwa silently took the tickets, inspecting them.
They depicted clear mountain streams, cool and inviting—a perfect summer getaway.
Saeko's proposal was thoughtful, yet Shiwa couldn't shake a vague sense of unease.
Looking up at Saeko's slightly tilted, puzzled smile—pure, gentle, sincere—Shiwa felt embarrassed for even suspecting anything. Saeko was flawless as a friend.
Unfortunately, they were rivals for the same person's affection.
"Just me and Senya, alone?" Shiwa confirmed.
"Yes." Saeko nodded gently.
"We'll have a great time," Shiwa emphasized, staring into Saeko's eyes.
Saeko chuckled softly: "Of course—that's why I gave you the tickets. Just keep it secret from Eri and Rikka, or they might get mad that I didn't get them tickets."
Shiwa understood—there was no need to broadcast this, potentially ruining her time with Senya.
"Saeko… you're really not coming?"
"Do you want me there?" Saeko thought for a moment. "The kendo event is during the day. I could come by the hotel after it ends, in the evening. But do you want me to?"
Shiwa shook her head.
"See? You already have your answer. Just enjoy your time with Senya. Don't worry about me. I promised I wouldn't overstep without your consent."
Once again, Saeko reaffirmed her promise. Shiwa had nothing more to say.
The weekend came quickly.
The mountain air was cool, and the creek rafting was exhilarating. Drifting from the mountaintop, they admired the scenery, hand in hand, taking many photos.
It was a truly magical day for Shiwa.
But by evening, after the previous experience at home, her recovered body faced another intense ordeal.
In the hotel room, lights off, Shiwa endured Senya's relentless affection. Amidst a dizzying haze of pleasure, she suddenly realized something…