Utaha could hardly put her current emotions into words.
Her original reason for sneaking over to Haru in the middle of the night had been simple enough: she was curious about the grappling technique he'd used during the day.
It looked useful. And since he was good at teaching, she thought maybe she could pick it up quickly. If she mastered it, she'd finally have a way to counter Yukino's holds.
Because Shizuka had been monopolizing both her and Yukino with questions all evening, Utaha hadn't had the chance to come until now.
But once she really came over, once she found herself sitting beside Haru under the same blanket in the quiet of the night... something inside her began to stir.
I want him.
The thought was crystal clear.
The last time had been Valentine's Day. So long ago. Now, surrounded by this faintly intimate atmosphere, the longing rose naturally.
Part of it came from exhaustion too. She had been buried in work these past weeks. The longer she stayed busy, the deeper the fatigue set in.
More than once, on lonely nights, she had found herself unable to hold out... her body restless, her heart empty... forced to settle for using her fingers instead of running to Haru's place.
Yukino's sharp verdict once rang in her ears: Senpai's true nature is just as lewd as anyone else's.
Utaha never wanted to admit that. She still didn't. She told herself that occasional desires were simply normal.
Once you've tasted it, you crave it again.
And it wasn't just her... she knew Yukino also found joy in those moments.
So when Utaha lifted her head again, her sultry eyes shimmered faintly with moisture.
"What's with that look in your eyes?" Haru noticed instantly.
A blush bloomed on her cheeks. She brushed her hair back with feigned nonchalance. "When are you planning to sleep?"
"Not for a while. I've built up a lot of stamina these past few days without logging into my game," Haru said frankly.
She knew exactly which games he meant and chuckled. "Want me to keep you company?"
"You mean download the game too? Or something else?" Haru asked with suspicion.
"Whichever you like."
Her smile widened, deliberately evasive.
But Haru could see the heat burning in her eyes. He understood.
He lowered his voice. "Is Hiratsuka-sensei asleep?"
"She's out cold," Utaha said with confidence.
Still, Haru activated his [Perception] skill just in case. The guest room was silent, Shizuka's breathing calm and steady. Relieved, he nodded. "Then the living room isn't the best place."
Utaha teased, "What, can't hold back anymore?"
"You're the one who can't."
"…"
She tried to sound casual. "It's not like I can put on those black stockings you like right now."
"That's fine. You know my tastes. Even if you wore office wear, I'd like it." Haru's tone was pointed.
Her face reddened further, and she turned away, clicking her tongue. "Don't you think your fetishes are a little excessive?"
"Not really. Office wear usually comes with stockings anyway."
"Ha. Don't tell me what you really want is to see me in a pencil skirt?"
"I'll admit it... I'd love that." Haru didn't hesitate for a second.
And it wasn't an exaggeration. Aside from Shizuka, only Utaha could truly bring out the allure of an OL outfit... her mature features, her flawless figure, her curves.
"Then another time."
Utaha refused to linger on such embarrassing talk. She flipped back the blanket, stood, and walked toward the bathroom.
Haru followed her lead.
By the time they reached the bathroom, she hadn't even shut the door before he pulled her into his arms.
Her heart raced, her cheeks burned, but she still tried to keep up a cool front. "So your calm act was just that... an act. I barely stepped in here, and you've already dropped the pretense?"
"That's not fair. You're the one who dragged me in here," Haru countered, breathing in her enticing scent.
Utaha tilted her head back, her pale neck catching the light like porcelain. "If that's how you see it, I can break free anytime I want."
Her gaze flicked deliberately to his arm locked around her waist.
Haru backtracked instantly. "But really… if I didn't want you, I wouldn't have come so quickly."
At last, Utaha's lips curled into a satisfied smile.
Her eyes shimmered with a mix of shame and allure, lashes trembling, a soft pink flooding her cheeks. "Then what are you waiting for?"
No more words were needed.
Senpai really is the best, Haru thought.
…
Back in the guest room, Shizuka lay with her eyes closed, pretending to sleep. She had been patient long enough, but at last she sat up in the darkness.
The bed beside her was empty. Utaha's phone lay on the pillow. That ruled out the bathroom... these days, no one went without their phone.
"Did she go for a shower? Or maybe couldn't sleep and stepped out to admire the night view?"
Puzzled, Shizuka slipped into her slippers. Out of habit, she softened her steps. She knew Haru was in the living room and didn't want her curiosity to disturb his rest.
At the door, she carefully turned the handle, minimizing the sound.
But the moment the door opened halfway, she heard something unusual.
A voice.
Like a fairy singing in some drama she'd once seen.... pure, beautiful. Yet woven through that beauty was another note, something raw, something unrestrained.
Who's singing?
She froze.
Then her face turned red.
Because she recognized that voice.
All too well.
Once, Haru had even overheard her own singing by accident.
No way… Utaha snuck out in the middle of the night because she was too… lonely?
Shizuka, cheeks flushed, tiptoed out of the guest room.
It didn't take her long to pinpoint the sound... it was coming from the bathroom.
But knowing and acting were two different things. Standing there at the threshold, she suddenly hesitated.
She was older, yes. She and Utaha had a good relationship. But stumbling upon that sort of thing? Utaha would be mortified. She'd probably die of shame on the spot.
Maybe I should just pretend I didn't see anything. Go back to bed.
Shizuka quickly made up her mind.
But then, by chance, her eyes drifted toward the sofa.
And froze.
The sofa was empty.
You've got to be kidding me.
In that instant, a bold, outrageous possibility flashed through her mind.
Her earlier resolve to turn a blind eye crumbled.
This time, she slipped off her slippers entirely, padding barefoot across the floor to silence her steps.
Carefully, cautiously, she crossed the living room. The glow of the bathroom light drew closer with every step, her heartbeat thudding faster, louder—thump, thump, thump.
She even found herself holding her breath.
Two more steps.
And then she saw the scene at the bathroom door.
Her mind went blank.
Who am I?
Where am I?
What on earth did I just see?
…
At that same moment, Haru... who had long since switched off his [Perception] skill suddenly stiffened.
Even without it, his senses were sharp. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a shadow in the darkness beyond.
The figure stood frozen in shock. Then, as if belatedly realizing, it slowly crouched down.
Apparently still not satisfied, it went further... flattening itself against the floor like a soldier crawling through enemy lines.
The figure lingered no more than ten seconds before retreating, inching away on hands and knees.
"What's wrong?" Utaha asked, her cheeks flushed, her gaze hazy.
"…Nothing."
Of course Haru couldn't tell her what he'd just seen.
But inside, he couldn't help wondering what tomorrow would bring.
Or rather, what would happen next.
One thing was certain: Shizuka wasn't going to get a wink of sleep tonight.
Do I need to check her mental state tomorrow?
~~~~~~~~~~
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