In the darkness, it was Amane who first moved closer to Horikita.
"Suzune, are you asleep?"
Amane's voice was as soft as fine silk gliding over a cool stream, not even causing a ripple in the utterly silent room, as if she was afraid of waking the other person.
After making sure Horikita didn't respond, Amane cautiously moved her fingertips close to Horikita.
Horikita, whose back was to Amane, felt the warmth from Amane's slightly accelerated breathing behind her.
Horikita smiled.
Amane had actually become so cautious at this moment.
During the day, she would shamelessly cling to her.
But at night, she had changed completely.
Amane propped herself up on her elbow.
Her slender fingers slowly moved towards Horikita's cheek.
Her fingertip lightly touched, then immediately recoiled as if shocked.
Seeing that Horikita still had no reaction, Amane, emboldened, poked Horikita's cheek with her finger, then smiled.
She wouldn't dare to do this during the day.
Amane moved another inch closer to Horikita, her fingers hovering over Horikita's arm, seemingly hesitating.
Horikita immediately saw through Amane's little thoughts.
She knew Amane's desire to touch her, and Horikita had long since noticed it.
However, she had no intention of exposing Amane.
Horikita's body reacted involuntarily, a warm current surging in her chest.
But she couldn't just turn around and hug this idiot who was still testing her.
Being teased while pretending to sleep... Horikita felt a little embarrassed just thinking about it.
So she simply pretended not to know.
"Is it okay?"
Amane asked softly again.
Horikita quickly closed her eyes.
Had she discovered that she was pretending to sleep? Or was it another test?
"Not speaking means you're agreeing, you know."
Amane's hand passed under Horikita's arm, but stopped again just as she was about to pull Horikita into her embrace.
Then... Amane pulled her hand back again.
Horikita's eyes immediately flew open.
This was too spineless, wasn't it?
If she wanted to hug, she should just hug, instead of hesitating.
It was... truly frustrating.
Horikita felt her face burning.
She knew Amane's desire.
She also had no intention of refusing or interrupting Amane's thoughts.
Because Horikita also wanted it.
She also wanted Amane to boldly hug her and then say, 'I won't leave you.'
But this idiot, Amane, backed down at the last critical moment.
After waiting for a long time, Horikita saw that Amane still hadn't moved, so she simply rolled over and pulled Amane into her arms.
"Whoa!"
Amane, who was counting her fingers to decide whether to hug or not, was startled.
"Suzune, you... you weren't asleep?"
Amane let out an awkward laugh.
"By the time you make up your mind, it'll be dawn. How am I supposed to sleep? So much hesitation, I didn't realize it was this scary, you know?"
"Suzune, I..."
"Shut up. From now on, you're my pillow. Go to sleep."
After Horikita declared Amane's fate, her entire body pressed against Amane, holding her tightly.
Amane was as obedient as a real pillow, not moving at all, even when occasionally squeezed a couple of times, she wouldn't make any strange sounds.
Horikita was very satisfied as she lightly kissed Amane's cheek, then hugged Amane and drifted off to sleep.
It wasn't until she judged from Amane's approximate heart rate that Horikita was truly asleep that Amane's dull gaze became lively, her face brimming with an uncontrollable smile.
Playing hard to get was quite effective.
In the early morning, when Horikita opened her eyes, she met the gaze of the brown bear pillow in her arms.
"Amane, why did you turn into this?"
"Suzune, that's so mean! I'm right here!"
Horikita rubbed her eyes and looked in the direction of the voice.
Amane, holding a plate with a sandwich and a fried egg, was pouting and looking at Horikita.
"Sorry, I thought you really turned into a pillow... What time is it now?"
Horikita picked up her phone.
7:20.
Horikita instantly sobered up.
"Didn't I set the alarm for six? Amane—!"
Horikita looked up.
Amane was looking up at the sky.
"The weather's nice today."
"Hmph, yes, the weather's nice."
Horikita smiled and walked over to Amane, placing the plate from her hand onto the table.
Then, *smack*.
"Ah!!! Why are you still hitting my butt! Suzune is a bit perverted, ehehehe."
Horikita had a line of black marks on her forehead.
How could she be smiling so happily?
The two began to enjoy their breakfast.
"I'm going to a book club tonight. Should I make you dinner, or will you just grab something to eat?"
"I want Suzune to make it for me."
A quick reply.
Horikita rolled her eyes at Amane.
"Then I'll just make something simple, okay?"
"Mhm, mhm, I'll like anything Suzune makes... Wait, did you just say you're going to a study group?"
Amane only then realized that Horikita's words contained extremely important information.
"Yes, there are too many failing students in class, so I plan to tutor them. If you're interested, you can come along."
Horikita took this opportunity to invite Amane.
"A study group organized by Suzune..."
Amane found it hard to imagine what a study group organized by Horikita would be like.
There wouldn't be no one there, would there?
If that were the case, Horikita might be disheartened.
"Will it be too much trouble?"
"Probably, after all, teaching struggling students isn't an easy task."
Horikita was already mentally prepared.
"Then forget it, I hate trouble the most."
Amane decisively refused.
She came here to enjoy life.
Not to be a nanny.
There was no need to go to such lengths for others.
Of course, if a cute girl needed tutoring...
"Are you thinking something weird?"
Horikita, who had spent over a month with Amane, immediately saw through Amane's mischievous thoughts.
"My heart only has Suzune!!!"
"Hmph."
Horikita snorted but didn't press further.
After school in the evening.
Horikita returned to the dorm first to prepare the materials needed for the study group.
And to prepare food for Amane.
Amane, on the other hand, wandered around the campus.
Kushida was nowhere to be found after school.
Ruri was also participating in club activities.
Xiaoyu was currently circling around Hirata's study group.
For a moment, only Amane seemed to have nothing to do.
So she could only stroll around campus alone.
Before she knew it, she arrived at the bakery.
Seeing the somewhat deserted scene inside, Amane recalled the first time she and Kushida came here.
"Welcome! Oh! It's Miyako-san! You haven't been here in a while. What would you like to eat today?"
After greeting her, Manager Fujiwara warmly welcomed Amane upon recognizing her.
"Strawberry mousse cake with a large barley tea with lemon juice."
Amane's order made Manager Fujiwara's eyes light up.
"Wanting to lose weight while eating dessert, Miyako-san's calculations are quite clever. Rock sugar or honey?"
"Honey, and I'd like the barley tea iced."
Amane propped her chin on her hand, looking at the dazzling array of shelves.
She felt like something was missing... Hmm, I get it.
It turned out to be missing...
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