Translator: RaidenTL
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Splash.
Miyuki ladled the hot water over her shoulders, a languid expression on her face as she soaked in the steaming bath.
This is the first time I've seen a house with an indoor open-air bath... I don't know whether to call it amazing or...
It was a shame the small sliding window only offered a view of the fence, but it was a nice bath nonetheless.
Matsuda had said he rarely used it, but she couldn't understand why he'd let such a wonderful space go to waste.
"Hah..."
Letting out a drowsy sigh, Miyuki thought back to what had happened earlier.
When Matsuda had kissed her while stroking her hips and waist, she'd been so surprised she almost bit his tongue, just like she had at the cafe.
After that, a ticklish sensation had washed over her, followed by a strange excitement as her body flushed with heat.
It was an unfamiliar feeling, but it felt quite...
Good, I think...
And when Matsuda had asked her to stay the night, saying he was lonely, and then hugged her, saying how warm she was... her heart had pounded like crazy, fluttering in her chest.
Of course, that fluttery feeling had shattered the moment Matsuda's hand moved toward her butt.
[Matsuda-kun...! What are you doing...?!]
[Sorry, sorry.]
When she'd raised her voice to question him, Matsuda had apologized in a tone that was half-playful, half-sincere.
Miyuki shook her head, replaying the scene in her mind.
Isn't he nervous at all...?
When they kissed, her whole body would tense up, yet Matsuda couldn't keep his hands still, his hands roaming all over her body... groping her.
Last time, it seemed like he was holding back his temptations. Was he finally starting to make his move?
She wasn't sure if all guys were like this, or if Matsuda was just particularly forward.
In a way, it was almost funny.
The fact that she could remain so calm even though it was the first time a man's hand had touched her butt.
It was probably proof of how much she trusted him.
And it seemed her own mindset was gradually opening up... but she couldn't tell if that was a good sign or not.
Pitter. Patter.
As she soaked in the tub, lost in thought, Miyuki gazed at the firmly shut window.
It's still coming down hard...
The pattering sound of the rain against the wall was like white noise.
It was naturally calming.
But whenever she thought of Matsuda, her heart went wild.
She liked that he, a former delinquent, was changing by following her advice.
She liked that even though he had a stubborn streak, she could clearly see he cared for her.
She enjoyed how she was slowly opening her eyes to the world of relationships with the opposite sex, something that had once been completely foreign.
Simply put, she was happy when she was with Matsuda.
Lost in these thoughts, Miyuki unknowingly murmured a single phrase that encapsulated all her feelings.
"This is driving me crazy..."
Bzzzz—!
"Gasp!"
She jumped in surprise as the phone in the holder attached to the wall of the tub began to vibrate.
A call was coming in. The caller ID read 'Mom.'
She was probably worried since Miyuki hadn't come home so late.
Miyuki hurriedly got out of the tub, dried her hands with a towel, and picked up the phone.
"Hello...?"
—It's almost eight-thirty. Why haven't you called?
"S-Sorry... I was hanging out with a friend... But Mom, it's raining so hard. Is our house okay?"
—Yes. Of course it's fine.
"You closed the windows, right?"
—Of course. Come home soon. They say the rain will get heavier starting at ten.
The unique gloominess of a rainy day had its charm, but it also brought a sense of loneliness.
And Matsuda's house wasn't very soundproof, even with the door-like windows closed.
He'd already said he was lonely and asked her to stay...
She imagined he'd have a very hard time lying alone late at night when the rain got even heavier.
Should I stay the night...?
When he'd made the suggestion, hugging her tightly, his voice had been filled with happiness and contentment.
And in that voice, there had been no trace of sexual desire.
Of course, he had tried to grope her butt afterward, but at the very least, he had been sincere when he said she felt warm.
What should I do...
She trusted Matsuda.
But the offer had come so suddenly that she hesitated.
—Miyuki? Are you listening?
"Ah, yes... Um..."
Her voice trailing off, Miyuki tried to figure out what she was feeling right now.
She soon came to a conclusion.
The desire to be with him was greater than any awkwardness.
Isn't that all that mattered?
She doubted if she was truly Hanazawa Miyuki for coming to such a radical conclusion, but she felt it was right to follow her heart over her head right now.
Having sorted out her thoughts in a short time, Miyuki spoke.
"Mom... I'm going to sleep over at a friend's house tonight."
—A friend? Who?
For a moment, Miyuki couldn't answer.
She had made up her mind, but telling her mother was another matter entirely.
She was afraid of how her mother would react if she said she was staying at Matsuda's house.
She had stayed over at friends' houses many times before.
But they were always female friends; she had never once slept over at a guy's house.
Not even at Tetsuya's, whom she had known the longest.
She had always gone home before it got too late.
What parent wouldn't worry about their daughter sleeping over with a boy, even if they were old enough to make rational decisions?
But she couldn't just name one of her actual friends, either.
Her mother knew most of them.
Even if she lied, her mother probably wouldn't call to check, but it was better to avoid any lingering guilt.
Thinking quickly, Miyuki answered.
"A new friend I made at the academy."
—A new friend? You've only known them for one semester. Isn't that rude?
"We got super close... and she was the one who asked me to stay over..."
It was true they'd gotten close, and it was true he'd been the one to ask.
So it wasn't a lie.
Having salvaged that tiny bit of her conscience, Miyuki prayed to the gods, 'Please don't let Mom ask to speak to my friend...' and waited for her mother's response.
—Really? So you're at your friend's house now? Are you going straight to the academy tomorrow?
It sounded like she was going to approve.
Miyuki let out a silent sigh of relief.
"I'll wake up early and stop by home. I have to change into my uniform..."
—Right... Okay. Behave yourself, then. Don't you girls stay up talking all night and oversleep.
It was a comment that showed she didn't even consider the possibility that Miyuki was at a boy's house.
My long-preserved chastity is finally paying off...! Miyuki thought, cringing at her own dramatic thought.
"Okay, I will."
—Make sure to greet your friend's parents, and tell them I said thank you.
"No way."
The tension suddenly gone, Miyuki's playful tone made Midori chuckle.
Miyuki let out a light laugh and continued.
"Just kidding, I'll be sure to tell them."
—Okay. Oh, by the way, is Matsuda-kun doing well?
Flinch.
Miyuki winced as if she'd just shot herself in the foot.
She swallowed hard before answering.
"He's fine... But why do you suddenly ask about Matsuda-kun...?"
—I just remembered he said he'd come over for dinner after the cultural festival. Should we have nabe this time? Does he like nabe?
For some reason, it felt like her mom was more excited to see Matsuda than she was.
"He has a big appetite, so he eats everything..."
—Still, ask him just in case.
"Okay... I'm hanging up now."
—Okay.
After ending the call, Miyuki considered getting back in the tub, but she shook her head and took a shower instead.
Afterward, she opened the bathroom door slightly to grab her uniform, but paused. On the shelf right next to the door, a t-shirt and a pair of comfortable training shorts were neatly folded.
Matsuda must have left them there.
He must have been considerate, thinking I'd feel gross putting my damp uniform back on.
A smile touched Miyuki's lips as she unfolded the t-shirt.
It was huge. It looked like it would come down to her knees.
It was a big size even for the current Matsuda. Was he perhaps heavier in the past?
Suddenly, she felt the urge to see an old photo of him.
The t-shirt carried the faint citrus scent that she often smelled on Matsuda.
Feeling at ease, Miyuki felt the soft texture of the shirt for a moment, then...
Huh?
She tilted her head, spotting a small plastic box next to the shorts.
Her jaw dropped when she identified what was inside.
It was a camisole and a pair of hem-line panties.
The kind of women's underwear you could easily find at a convenience store.
What...? What is this...?
Was this also part of his consideration?
Or did it have some other meaning?
She wanted to believe it was the former, and she was grateful, but...
Since it was from Matsuda, who couldn't exactly be called innocent, she couldn't be sure of his intentions.
After staring blankly at the underwear set, she gathered the clothes and went back into the bathroom.
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In the end, Miyuki wore the underwear Matsuda had bought.
It would have been far too uncomfortable not to.
Sleeping with a bra on is uncomfortable... so that's why.
It's definitely not because she was going along with Matsuda's plan.
With that thought, Miyuki put on the t-shirt and shorts and walked out to the living room.
Matsuda, who had been lying on the futon, lifted his head.
"You're out?"
Hearing his casual tone, she figured the underwear was just a kind gesture.
She felt relieved, but for some reason, also a little disappointed.
Almost dragging her feet, Miyuki walked over to Matsuda's side. Noticing his hair was damp, she asked.
"Did you shower...?"
"Yeah."
"When...?"
"While you were showering, I used the other bathroom. You're staying the night, right?"
She was too shy to answer.
Miyuki fidgeted with the hem of her t-shirt and said in a barely audible voice.
"...Yeah... But I have to wake up early... around five... and go home..."
"Then we should get to sleep early. Hurry and lie down."
"Are we... sleeping... together?"
"Isn't that the plan?"
"No, well..."
Honestly, she had expected it, but hearing him say it out loud made her nervous.
As Miyuki stood there, not knowing what to do, Matsuda patted the spot next to him. She dropped the pretense and hesitantly lay down.
Then she looked straight at him and warned.
"D-Don't try to... touch me... like before. Got it?"
"Can't I even hug you while we sleep?"
"You'll hug me and then... do weird things...!"
"What weird things?"
He was playing dumb, and it was starting to get on her nerves.
But she wasn't upset.
Maybe it was because she'd gotten used to seeing this side of him.
"Anyway, you can't..."
"I'm kidding. I won't do anything like that. I'll just hug you."
"...Really?"
"I promise. Wanna pinky swear?"
Matsuda held out his pinky finger in front of her.
He seemed trustworthy, yet also a bit childish.
"I'm still not sure..."
Miyuki's body was already moving closer to Matsuda.
Contrary to her words, her actions showed that she trusted him.
Matsuda let out a low chuckle at her behavior.
"I'm not closing the window, okay? Let's fall asleep listening to the rain."
"Do whatever you want..."
Hearing the slight pout in her voice, Matsuda's eyes curved into crescents.
With a gentle smile, he carefully pulled Miyuki into his arms.
Then, just like before, he rested his chin on the top of her head.
Warm...
Matsuda's embrace was incredibly comforting.
So much so that her eyes began to feel heavy.
"Sleepy?"
His deep voice rumbled against her eardrum, and a faint shiver ran through her body.
Why did she suddenly feel the urge to experience that strange sense of elation from before?
"I don't know..."
Pat. Pat.
Hearing her vague answer, Matsuda began to pat her back in a steady rhythm.
An immense sense of comfort washed over Miyuki, and she squirmed closer, pressing her body fully against his.
"Comfy?"
"Mhm..."
"That's good."
His voice sounded especially soft and kind today. Miyuki's eyes slowly closed, and the corners of her lips crept upward.
At some point, Matsuda's hand had started to gently stroke her back.
Her complicated thoughts emptied out, and all the strength drained from her body, leaving her feeling languid.
Sleep was coming. A soft, gentle sleep.
This is nice...
She felt like she could do this kind of wholesome skinship every single day.
Us...
Who would have thought we'd end up sleeping like this, our bodies pressed together?
She used to think she and Matsuda were like oil and water, completely incompatible. It was amazing how much things had changed.
Someday... we'll also...
The day would come when they would engage in skinship even more intimate than this...
When that time comes, how will I act?
She didn't know. She couldn't even begin to imagine.
Let's just not think about it.
Instead of piling up worries, for now, let's just focus on spending this sweet time with Matsuda... no, with Ken.
"Feels good..."
Quickly growing drowsy, Miyuki drifted off to sleep, completely unaware that she had just spoken her inner thoughts aloud.