Chapter 154: Overnight Stay

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

---

As Ginji stepped out of the bath, Sora entered in his place. When he returned to the living room, he found chilled barley tea prepared and the air conditioning keeping the room at a comfortable temperature.

The rack that had held their yukatas was nowhere to be seen—tucked away who knows where. As Ginji recalled the feeling of Sora washing his back, he squirmed slightly with a ticklish awkwardness, then drank the tea in one gulp and plopped onto the sofa.

“Phew…”

On a whim, he turned on the TV and browsed their streaming subscriptions.

Meanwhile, Sora was thoroughly washing herself and soaking for a bit longer than usual in the hot water.

“Ugh… maybe I overdid it…”

Knowing Ginji had used the bath before her, she had wanted to stay in just a little longer than usual. Not that she was expecting something to happen tonight—but since Ginji (in her eyes) was popular with girls, she wanted to take the next step sooner rather than later. Honestly, if something did happen, she'd be fine with that.

“I've studied a lot, too…”

She had been reading romance manga recommended by Suzu as e-books. Compared to her own relationship, the characters were already pretty far along. Even though Ginji treated her with care, she wanted to go a bit further. Just in case, Sora had also come prepared for anything.

Bubbling sounds…

As she exhaled in the bath, she recalled how many of those stories said first loves rarely worked out.

She hated that idea. She could say with certainty she would never fall for anyone but Ginji. Even if Aika laughed at her for it, she could still hold her head high and say it proudly—I want to be with Ginji.

Maybe it was a common belief that first loves don't last, but that was just people talking. We weren't going to end up like that. Working for that future, even if it was hard, was part of the joy.

Yes, there was anxiety and fear. But more than that, being with Ginji warmed her heart and made her excited for what lay ahead.

“It's a sleepover after all. I'll spoil him… and let him spoil me, too.”

With her emotions sorted, Sora stood up.

Ginji, watching TV, turned at the sound of the door. Sora entered in a T-shirt and shorts—an outfit one could easily call “defenseless.” Her hair was still slightly damp.

“Sorry for the long bath. Did I keep you waiting?”

“Nah, perfect timing. I was just looking for a movie to watch. You must be thirsty—I'll get you some tea.”

“Thanks. And… could you dry my hair?”

“Huh?”

Sora handed him a fancy-looking hair dryer—clearly a step up from what they used at the Momoi house. After finishing her tea, she leaned into Ginji. She smelled like the same shampoo he had used.

“…I don't know how to dry a girl's hair.”

“It's not hard. Mine's short, so it's easy. I'll guide you.”

“Alright, got it.”

He agreed casually, but as he looked down at Sora nestled comfortably in his arms, the loose neckline of her oversized T-shirt caught his eyes.

Normally, he didn't think much of it—but Sora actually had something there. Whether she realized it or not, she looked up at him sweetly.

“I've already used treatment, so just keep the dryer a little distant and use the high setting.”

“Okay. Let me know if I mess up.”

He moved her in front of the sofa and began drying her hair with some distance between the dryer and her scalp.

“Ooh, that feels nice… I wouldn't mind if you got a little rough with me, Ginji.”

“You do know what you're saying, right!? And cover up—your bra's showing!”

“Who knows what you mean~ Whoa!”

Sora tried to play innocent, and Ginji playfully ruffled her hair roughly as requested. After a bit of back-and-forth, he switched to the cool setting and neatened her hair. Despite the treatment, it didn't feel sticky—just smooth and silky.

“…You really take care of your hair, huh.”

“Yeah. I used to only do the basics, but now I try harder. Gotta keep it ready in case you feel like patting my head.”

“I see.”

To anyone, Sora now looked like an adorable girl. But behind the scenes, she had clearly been putting in real effort—and for Ginji, no doubt. The thought made him want to hug her on the spot.

As he gently stroked her hair with the dryer off, Sora narrowed her eyes like a content cat.

“That felt good. Maybe I'll have you dry my hair from now on. I'll do yours, too, Ginji.”

“Already planning for next time?”

“Of course. So, what movie were you looking at?”

“I've got a few options, but live-action and foreign films are totally different vibes.”

They sat side-by-side on the sofa, browsing together.

“I'm in the mood for a foreign film. Something dumb and fun.”

“Same here.”

“I like imagining how they do the special effects and makeup in these kinds of movies.”

“You've got a weird way of enjoying stuff.”

Ginji had been nervous too—but now, with Sora being her usual self, he relaxed. He was still hyper-aware of her, sure, but she probably already knew that. So instead, he chose to enjoy the moment. They dimmed the room and started watching a movie about a shark with octopus legs.

“…This isn't horror at all. Why is a shark breathing on land?”

“Ahaha, it's still fun, though.”

Sora leaned on him, clinging close. After the movie, they played various mini-games on the TV, and before long, it was deep into the night. Ginji let out a huge yawn.

“Man… I'm sleepy.”

“Let's go to bed. I'll bring the futons.”

“Just to be clear…”

He was about to say “we're not sharing one futon,” when Sora gently placed a finger on his lips.

“I brought two sets. But I want to hold hands.”

“O-okay…”

They moved the table aside and laid out two futons—just a mattress and a towel blanket each.

Lights off, hands clasped. He had said he was sleepy, but with things like this, sleep wasn't coming easy.

After a while, Sora whispered.

“Hey, you awake?”

“Yeah.”

“Turn this way.”

When Ginji rolled over, Sora's face was right in front of his. She let go of his hand and cupped his cheeks.

“I love you, Ginji.”

“I love you too.”

“I know.”

They giggled, tickled by the sweetness.

“Honestly… I seriously thought about jumping you. But we agreed not to do that tonight.”

Sora said this with a slightly serious look, her hazel eyes wavering.

“…Sora, I want to be someone who can take responsibility. I'm still a kid—I can barely manage myself.”

“I know. But I want to be even closer to you. I want to kiss you, and yeah… I think about that stuff too.”

“Sora…”

“And just so you know—saying this is probably the most embarrassing moment of my life.”

Her face was bright red. Ginji cupped her cheeks and pressed his forehead to hers.

“Thanks. I never thought someone would say stuff like that to me. I think about it too. Honestly, I've been aware of it all day.”

Sora lifted her face.

“T-then, uh… next time we're here… wanna do it?”

“Next time? Can it wait until we decide on our future plans at least?”

“…Wimp.”

“…Sorry.”

Sora puffed out her cheeks and hugged Ginji tightly.

“That's fine. I'll just have to make you make the first move.”

“I'm already at my limit.”

“Maybe we can level up gradually. So, uh… wanna start with… touching these?”

“!!!!!!!!!”

Sora guided his hand to her chest. Even through the fabric, the soft shape responded to his touch.

Gradual progress had become a rocket launch. Ginji was overwhelmed.

“…Whoa. It really does make a difference…”

Watching Ginji struggle between temptation and restraint, Sora smirked teasingly. Ginji quickly pulled back and rolled to face the other way. Sora felt a strange switch flip inside her at seeing her usually dependable boyfriend so flustered.

“Taking it slow is good too. Heh… you're so cute, Ginji.”

“…You little…”

He wanted to fight back, but knew she'd counter anything he tried. Sora then turned him back toward her and hugged him again. In the end, the two futons had no meaning.

“We'll stop here for tonight. But I'm not waiting forever.”

“I know.”

“Good. Night-night, Ginji.”

“…Night, Sora.”

Though he said it, Ginji didn't feel like he'd be sleeping anytime soon.

Sora, on the other hand, fell asleep in no time, drooling happily.