After being subjected to someone's pitiful, pleading gaze, Horikita Suzune reluctantly let Amane into her room. Even now, she couldn't quite figure out how things had ended up like this.
Luckily, Horikita had bought a brand-new set of bedding.
The plain white beginner's set provided by the school was handed over to Amane instead.
"Good night."
After delivering that icy farewell, Horikita sat down at her desk with a book.
Amane, meanwhile, was laying out a futon on the floor.
She was going to sleep right there on the ground.
Horikita hadn't explicitly said whether Amane could use the bed or not.
But anyone with a shred of self-respect wouldn't barge into someone else's room on the very first day they met, and then have the nerve to expect their bed and brand-new covers.
So Amane chose the floor.
Only, her big eyes were fixed intently on Horikita, brimming with longing for that comfortable bed.
Horikita sat across from her, head bowed as she turned the pages, completely ignoring Amane's meaningful stares.
Letting her stay the night was already a favor—granted only because she was a neighbor and had treated Horikita to a meal.
And now she wanted the bed, too?
Might as well go to sleep early—maybe she'd find a bed in her dreams.
Once Horikita realized she'd finally regained the upper hand, a faint smile crept onto her lips.
But then Horikita suddenly touched the corner of her mouth.
Had she just… smiled?
That… couldn't be.
"You look really pretty when you smile, Suzune~"
Amane, with only her head poking out from the covers, grinned as she gave the compliment.
"Don't think flattery will get you anywhere. Even if you praise me, it's not happening."
"But the floor is cold~"
"Dream on."
Amane pouted and pulled half her face under the blanket.
Honestly.
The room temperature was perfectly fine. Why did she have to put on such a pitiful act?
Making it seem like Horikita was bullying her.
Come to think of it…
Was it really okay to make a guest sleep on the floor?
Horikita was starting to get a headache.
Fine. Once Amane fell asleep, she'd just carry her to the bed.
Having made up her mind, Horikita paid Amane no further attention.
After reading for about half an hour, she checked the time.
It was almost ten.
But she was still wide awake.
Probably because she'd slept too much earlier.
Just as she reached for some water, she noticed the kettle was empty.
Then she remembered—she'd been drinking bottled water today.
She'd forgotten to boil any.
She'd originally planned to make tea, but then she'd fallen asleep. Just as Horikita stood up to boil water, a pale little hand snatched the kettle away.
Amane headed straight for the kitchen.
Horikita opened her mouth to stop her, but seeing Amane already filling it with water, she decided to say nothing.
Really, being this helpful out of nowhere…
All just for a shot at the bed, huh.
Well… maybe they could squeeze in together.
Ugh.
Horikita sighed.
The water boiled quickly.
Then Horikita watched as Amane, acting as if she were right at home, found the tea bags and coffee from Horikita's cupboard.
After a moment's hesitation, she took a packet of instant coffee, poured it into a cup, added hot water, and the rich aroma of coffee filled the air.
"I appreciate you boiling the water, Miyako… Amane-san, but when I read at night, I prefer tea."
The bitter, then sweet aftertaste of tea was perfect for reading.
Coffee was better suited for the afternoon—to help fight off drowsiness.
Even if having coffee for afternoon tea seemed odd, to Horikita, the pairing was perfect.
You guessed wrong this time, Amane-san, with all your eager helpfulness.
For some reason, Horikita felt a little pleased.
"But I like coffee~"
Amane blinked, then lifted the cup and took a sip.
???
Miyako Amane!!!
So you only boiled the water because you were thirsty?
So it was just me overthinking things again.
This neighbor… is too much.
How about I make her sleep outside on the floor?
It's not like Horikita Suzune was some kind of devil.
Maybe sensing Horikita's sudden hostility, Amane hurriedly fetched a tea bag and brewed a cup of tea for her.
Hmph.
Horikita lifted the cup and took a small sip.
The temperature was just fine.
The tea had steeped well.
"Go ahead."
Horikita said only that, as if it were out of nowhere.
"I knew you were the best, Suzune~"
Amane picked up her coffee.
Horikita expected her to gulp it down in one go, but instead, Amane took small, delicate sips.
Her movements were oddly elegant. But wouldn't it be easier to just drink it normally?
After finishing her coffee quickly, whoosh—Amane slipped right under Horikita's covers.
And that whoosh was a real whoosh. Like something had just dived into the bed.
The speed of it left Horikita a little stunned.
But then she glanced at the futon on the floor.
Wait—she meant Amane could bring her own bedding and sleep on the bed!
Not that they had to share!!!
Whatever.
Trying to apply common sense to Amane was a mistake.
A little while later, Horikita started feeling chilly, so she got into bed too. The moment the warmth enveloped her, her expression softened a little.
At least Amane was good at warming the bed.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?"
Horikita noticed Amane still staring at her, eyes wide open.
Hadn't she had a long, exhausting day?
Horikita had taken a nap in the afternoon, so even with a little less sleep tonight, she could still get up tomorrow.
But would this girl really be able to wake up?
She wouldn't just laze in bed, would she…?
"I like listening to bedtime stories at night. I forgot my phone in my dorm, and without a story, I can't fall asleep~"
"Bedtime stories? Are you in kindergarten?"
In Horikita's experience, only kindergarteners needed bedtime stories.
The moment she said it, she regretted it. Amane's bright, shining eyes instantly grew watery.
"Ugh, I can't believe you. How do you even survive on your own?"
Horikita had lost count of how many times she'd sighed today.
She picked up her phone, searched online for a bedtime story, and found one labeled "Kindergarten Edition."
"Once upon a time, there was a rabbit…"
"Put some feeling into it. You sound too cold~"
"Ahem. Once upon a time, there was a rabbit…"
"A little softer, please. When I close my eyes, that rabbit looks like the Hulk~"
"Are you going to listen or not? One more complaint and you're sleeping outside."
"Wahh… okay, I understand~"
Why did she suddenly feel like some kind of villain?
Where was this strange sense of guilt coming from?
Horikita read one story after another, thinking surely Amane would be asleep by now.
But when she looked down, Amane's eyes were wide open.
Blinking.
She looked even more awake than before.
"Amane-san, you asked me to tell you a bedtime story to help you fall asleep, correct?"
Horikita's tone was as gentle as a mature, understanding older sister's.
"Mhm, Suzune is the best~"
"Then… why aren't you sleeping?! My throat's getting sore, and you're just lying there staring at me—what for?"
Startled by Horikita's outburst, Amane flinched.
"Okay, okay, I'm going to sleep right now~"
Then Amane closed her eyes, let her head tilt to the side, and fell asleep.
Wait—was she… dead?
--+--
T/N: While I am an inexperienced Translator, I have a Patreon! While it may seem empty as of now, webnovel will get 3 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.