Feeling the faint light filtering through the gap in the curtains behind my eyelids, my consciousness rapidly surfaced. I’m actually pretty good at waking up, when it’s time to get up, I can usually do it in one smooth motion.
When I slowly opened my eyes, what jumped into view was Kaori-san’s face, sleeping so peacefully…… h- hmmm…… ah, r- right, that’s what happened!? So I ended up falling asleep like that after all…… I really messed up.
I was startled for a moment, but as I recalled the situation from before we went to sleep, an indescribable sense of guilt welled up inside me. I’d wanted to wait until Kaori-san woke up, if possible, but I’d just gone and fallen asleep so easily…… and what’s more, I’d slept soundly all the way till morning.
Wait, hold on. Isn’t this weird……? The smooth texture of her clothes and a soft warmth were reaching my hand. And this closeness…… aren’t I in a position where I’m hugging Kaori-san!? No, it’s more than that, we’re pletely holding each other, aren’t we!?
Did we unconsciously end up like this while we were asleep? A- Anyway, if Kaori-san wakes up in this state, how am I supposed to explain it…… I need to let go right away……
[……nnn…… ahfuu.]
[ ! ? ]
But reality is cruel like that. Just as I thought that, Kaori-san shifted slightly, then opened her eyes with a sleepy little sound…… and our gazes met perfectly.
[……………………]
[……………………]
Awkward…… unbearably awkward. Kaori-san looked surprised for a split second when she saw me, but soon she seemed to grasp the situation and put on an awkward expression of her own.
The fact that she wasn’t panicking, did that mean she might have woken up at some point during the night……? But since we hadn’t separated…… ah, could it be that by then I was already holding her and she couldn’t pull away, or something like that!?
[……M- Morning.]
[……Good morning.]
[……E- Errr……]
[S- Sorry. I mean, I know this is kind of a strange situation, but…… errr, I just feel bad about it.]
[N- No! It’s probably like this, right? I fell asleep, and then after that I ended up bothering you unconsciously!? If anything, I’m the one who caused you trouble in all sorts of ways, sorry!]
It was like we both didn’t know how to move, so we just exchanged words for the time being. Thankfully, Kaori-san seemed to have grasped the situation pretty accurately, and it didn’t look like she was harboring any weird misunderstandings.
Of course, she was blushing from embarrassment, and I was probably red-faced too, but it was reassuring that the conversation itself seemed to be moving along smoothly.
[From my side too, it probably ended up like this while we were asleep, right?]
[I- I think so. I actually woke up once in the middle of the night, and even then we were already in this position……]
[No, I’m really sorry.]
[No, it’s more my fault, and it’s not something Kaito-kun needs to apologize for. Besides, this is probably going to turn into a never-ending loop, so let’s just stop arguing about who’s at fault for now. Let’s just say we both have things to reflect on……]
[Y- Yeah.]
What was truly fortunate was that Kaori-san was quick to switch gears. If we kept blaming each other and apologizing, the conversation wouldn’t go anywhere, so I appreciated that she shifted to the next topic.
[……M- Maybe it’s about time we let go, both of us……]
[Y- Yeah.]
After taking a breath there, I realized we were still in that embracing position and hastily pulled my body away.
[D- Did I sweat in my sleep? I didn’t smell weird or anything, did I?]
[N- No, if anything you smelled nice…… I mean, in that sense, I’m more worried about whether I made you unfortable……]
[Y- Yeah, no, that’s totally fine. I mean, of course it was super embarrassing, but…… i- it’s not like I hated it or anything…… a- anyway! Let’s just say there’s no problem on either side!!! Yes, this topic is over!!! F- For now, I’ll go back to my room and change. B- Breakfast is fine here, right?]
[Y- Yes, that’s fine.]
[T- Then I’ll e back here after I change. S- So, um, see you later!!!]
Overwhelmed by embarrassment, Kaori-san rattled all that off with a red face and then left the room. I was left with an indescribable sense of awkwardness myself and lightly scratched my cheek.
It wasn’t like things had turned sour, and considering Kaori-san’s personality, she’d probably be back to her usual self by the time she returned.
Still, that aside, the sensation of holding Kaori-san was lingering in my memory pretty vividly…… I feel like I’m going to be quite conscious of it from now on.
But since Kaori-san also said it wasn’t unpleasant for her…… it might just be my own conceit, but I can’t help thinking that she might be looking at me in a somewhat favorable light too.
Man, just thinking about it is pretty embarrassing…… Anyway, I should get changed too.
Pop-senpai : [Guaaaah, so sweet…… K- Kaori, how terrifying…… and on top of that, she’s cleared the part that’s arguably the highest difficulty and takes the most time. She’s pleted the step of making Kaito consciously see her as a romantic interest…… I- In one go, she’s bee the top contender for “next girlfriend”……]
Makina : [With such a perfect flow, even Mama is pletely satisfied. That aside though…… Your name’s actually ing back that half-baked way?]
Pop-senpai : [I feel like the cause is you, if anything……]
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