On the night of graduation, Ichinose stared nervously around her dorm room. It was obviously spotless, yet she still worried—did it look cluttered? Should she tidy up one more time?
Because Yukio would be coming over soon. The reason for a late-night visit was simple: Ichinose wanted to talk—just talk—a little longer.
Yes, just that. They'd officially become a couple the day before yesterday, and after the year-end special exam, Ichinose especially wanted to lean on Yukio and chat for a while.
It wasn't something messaging could satisfy. At her small, spoiled request, Yukio had gladly agreed, and the two set a time.
He'd been here once before, but back then her past had just been exposed—who could think about housekeeping then?
This time was different. They were boyfriend and girlfriend now. If he was coming to her place, she couldn't let it be messy.
She was usually attentive to cleanliness anyway—her room was very neat—but like a girl picking an outfit before going out, she kept feeling it wasn't neat enough, that something was missing.
Too late to fuss more: a knock sounded. Ichinose had no choice but to scamper to the door, a little fluttery, and open it.
As Yukio stepped in and changed shoes, a citrusy air-freshener scent greeted him. "Did you just finish a deep clean?" he asked.
"Mhm." A blush rose on Ichinose's cheeks; she answered honestly, without trying to hide it. "I thought—since you were coming over—then… before I knew it, I'd cleaned twice."
That warmed Yukio's heart. She'd done that because she cared about him. What guy wouldn't be happy?
After slipping on the men's slippers Ichinose had prepared, Yukio went inside and sat down, glancing up at her—why was she still standing there so stiffly? This was her dorm; why was she acting more formal than him?
Maybe sensing his puzzlement, Ichinose pinched the hem of her uniform with both hands, her pretty face glowing like red agate. "Yukio, you keep your promises, right?"
"Ah?" Yukio blinked, then nodded without hesitation, giving her a sense of security.
She loosened her grip on her wrinkled hem a little. "Then… then what you said before… that I can always rely on you."
With that, flustered and flushed, she shyly scooted over, sat in front of him, and leaned back so the back of her head could rest over his heart.
The little gesture was too cute; Yukio smiled, understanding: so this is what she meant by "rely." He wrapped his arms around her slim waist. Lowering his head, his chin came to rest lightly upon her pink-gold hair.
A different scent from the freshener reached him—soap with a vanilla warmth—her own, a fragrance that soothed the soul.
Ichinose's eyes narrowed contentedly; she clearly relished being held. This feeling of relying on him filled her with an immense sense of safety.
The girl who, like a little sun, led her class with cheerful strength just wanted to lean on someone tonight.
They basked in the quiet warmth of the moment. Even without words there was no awkwardness—only the calm of time standing still, two people nestled together.
They had agreed to talk, but that no longer mattered. Sometimes what people want is simple—not wild topics or verbal sparring—just someone's company.
Ichinose felt so happy, so at peace, it seemed she could fall asleep in Yukio's arms and not worry about a thing.
Sleep? Wait—her almost-drowsy eyes flew open as she remembered something important. "I—I bought new pajamas!"
"?" Yukio arched a brow. Moving that fast? That didn't seem like Ichinose…
You couldn't really blame him—when a girl mentions "new pajamas," what else are you supposed to think?
Feeling her shift to get up, Yukio instinctively loosened his arms, and watched her trot to the closet, returning with two very ordinary sets of pajamas. Only then did he realize he'd thought wrong.
Yes—very ordinary pajamas. Not "business."
Pure cotton, long sleeves, long pants, white base with dark-stitched buttons, both men's and women's with a notched collar. Not stylish—pajamas aren't—but comfy for resting… absolutely.
They're not about looks; comfort is king. And seeing the matching couple set, Yukio's expression softened.
So plain, and yet a sweet warmth quietly welled up inside him. Maybe that's part of why couple sets sell so well.
"H-how are they?" Ichinose asked, a little anxious. "On White Day, at night, I happened to see them and thought they'd suit you, so I bought them."
"I washed and tumble-dried them—they didn't warp. The fabric's nice."
"They're great." Yukio's high praise made her tension vanish; her eyes lit up at once.
"Then… want to try them?"
At her suggestion, she scampered to the bathroom to change, while Yukio simply changed where he was. As she'd said, the material felt silky-smooth.
Soon Ichinose came out changed—and it was a sight. There wasn't much to say about the pajamas themselves; it wasn't some exquisite, unique design.
But paired with her formidable chest, the effect was devastating. Just the second button straining at the limit, looking ready to ping off at any moment, made Yukio feel the capillaries in his nose groan under pressure—a nosebleed risk level.
"Mmm, Yukio looks really good in them, just as I thought~" Ichinose's eyes brightened too; in the pajamas, Yukio carried a gentler, homier vibe.
She secretly thought: good purchase.
Yukio returned the compliment, and Ichinose, shy and pleased, sat back down—this time not in his arms but leaning against his shoulder.
Their fingers intertwined.
They didn't need to do anything more. Just this—leaning together—was reassurance enough, like two people in a little white swan boat drifting on a still lake.
The farther they floated, the calmer they felt; and even if the swan boat were to slowly sink, they would bob there on the surface, drifting into sleep—warm and beautiful.
....
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