Horikita's Dorm Room.
Horikita, an apron tied around her waist, was preparing dinner for the two of them. Originally, she had planned to just grab a meal at the cafeteria or pick up a bread roll to tide her over.
But Amane had stubbornly insisted, pestering Horikita to cook something delicious for her.
Left with no other choice, Horikita brought Amane back to her room.
After all, she was the one who'd caused all that unpleasantness earlier today.
Consider this a way to make it up to her.
Sigh.
It really seemed like ever since she met Amane…her life had turned completely upside down.
She glanced over at Amane, who was sprawled across her bed. Her small hands rapidly tapped away at her phone, a bright smile on her face as if she were chatting with someone.
Horikita couldn't help but feel a little exasperated.
"Dinner's almost ready. Don't forget to wash your hands."
"That fast? I'm going now!"
Amane hopped off the bed and dashed to the bathroom to wash up.
Meanwhile, Horikita brought out the grand feast she had carefully prepared.
Once Amane returned, she plopped down in the seat opposite Horikita. But the moment she saw the food on the table, she froze, her expression blank.
"Let's eat."
Horikita picked up her spoon, ready to begin her meal.
But then she noticed Amane's pained, almost stomach-ache-like expression.
"Aren't you going to eat?"
"Suzune… is this what you called a 'grand feast'?"
"It's plenty lavish by my standards."
Horikita said this despite her own conscience.
These days, Horikita could spout nonsense so brazenly even a ghost would tip its hat in disbelief—all without batting an eye.
"No way! You lied! You lied to me!! How is this a 'grand feast' when it's just vegetarian curry rice?!"
Amane rolled around on the floor, trying to protest Horikita's dinner choice. She had really thought Horikita was finally going to show off her cooking skills.
Who would've guessed she'd just heat up two packs of ready-made vegetarian curry?
No wonder it was done so quickly.
Let's be clear—It was vegetarian curry rice.
Not instant curry rice!
Feeling utterly wronged, Amane threw a full-blown tantrum. Horikita knew she was in the wrong, but she just wasn't in the mood to cook today.
There was no way she could fulfill Amane's request.
Still, she also knew that if she didn't offer some kind of alternative, this girl would probably keep rolling around on her floor until bedtime.
What a nuisance.
Wait.
Bedtime…?
"Well, I was thinking we could eat quickly and turn in early together, but since you're not satisfied, Amane, I'm afraid you'll have to go back and fix your own meal."
Having said that, Horikita stood up and picked up Amane's jacket.
It looked like she was preparing to kick her out.
But when she turned back—Amane was sitting perfectly upright in her chair.
"Suzune, what are you doing? Come and eat! The curry actually smells pretty good."
Horikita's lips twitched slightly. Did Amane just change faces that fast?
Anyone who hadn't seen it would never connect the image of the unruly girl throwing a fit moments ago with this well-behaved, angelic version of Amane right in front of her.
The moment she finished eating, Amane zoomed straight under the covers.
Then she patted the space beside her with a little hand, signaling for Horikita to join her.
Why did it feel like Amane was treating this place like her own home?
No—It was more like this girl really did see Horikita's room as her own personal space.
After changing into her pajamas, Horikita slipped into bed.
Immediately, Amane latched onto her like a koala.
"I'm going to read for a while. If you want to play on your phone, keep the volume down so you don't disturb me."
Horikita had little interest in games and such herself, but she didn't mind if others played them.
However, if anyone disturbed her reading, they would face her wrath.
"Suzune, can I take a picture of you?"
Amane asked, her cheeks slightly flushed as she held up her phone, gazing timidly at Horikita.
She even batted her big, adorable eyes.
For a moment, Horikita felt her heart flutter.
"Of course."
"Yay!"
Amane immediately pressed her cheek against Horikita's and flashed a peace sign.
Click.
As the camera shutter sound echoed, Horikita's body stiffened instantly.
This was probably…the first time she had ever taken a photo with a friend.
Friend…?
"Suzune, your expression is way too stiff! But you're so pretty—even as an ice queen, you've got charm. Here, take a look!"
Amane held out her phone like she was presenting a treasure.
Horikita took it and glanced at the screen.
In the photo, a completely expressionless Horikita stood beside a beaming, radiant girl.
It felt a little… mismatched.
Suddenly, she sensed something.
Was Amane trying to make her feel the joy of the moment, to help her open up? If that were the case, it might explain why Amane sometimes did things that were so hard to understand.
Does she care about me that much?
A warm feeling spread through Horikita's chest.
This was the first time a friend had shown her such genuine concern.
Her eyes grew slightly moist.
Then, her finger accidentally swiped the screen.
The image changed to the previous one.
It was a photo of her changing into her pajamas.
Swipe again.
A photo of her changing her underwear.
Another swipe—changing into her uniform.
And another—changing into a short skirt.
The angles were so sneaky, Horikita almost wondered if Amane had crawled under her skirt to take them.
Friend?
Bond?
Give me back my emotional moment!!!
"Amane… when exactly did you take this photo?"
Horikita held up the phone for Amane to see.
Amane thought for a moment. "Oh, that was when you were changing! I just set the camera on a timer, slid the phone across the floor toward you at the right moment, and snapped the picture as it passed by. Hehe, pretty clever, huh?"
Amane even puffed out her chest proudly and nudged Horikita.
"Very clever indeed, Amane."
"Eh… S-Suzune? Wh-what are you doing? Wait! Stop! No! Noooo! I'm a girl! No!!"
Some unknown amount of time later, Amane lay on the bed, drenched in sweat.
Her eyes were dull and lifeless.
A sickly smile lingered on her face.
Every now and then, she let out a weak, pitiful chuckle.
"I've been defiled…"
"What are you talking about? All I did was tickle you. No need to make such weird noises and comments."
Horikita sat beside Amane and pinched her cheek.
But the girl was too weak from laughter to resist, completely paralyzed.
At this point, even if someone tried to take advantage of her, she probably couldn't put up a fight.
But Horikita considered herself a principled person, so she wouldn't bully Amane in this state.
She opened Amane's phone gallery.
They had only known each other for two days, yet Amane had already taken over three hundred photos of her.
Some were taken from such bizarre angles that Horikita couldn't help but shudder.
Is this girl some kind of pervert?
She glanced at Amane, who was still letting out an occasional dazed giggle.
Hmm.
Maybe she was overthinking it.
Horikita began deleting the photos.
If these embarrassing pictures ever got out, her reputation would be ruined. What annoyed her most was that sprinkled among them were photos of other girls, too.
And they were actually shot really cutely!
Horikita tapped to select them, hesitated for a moment, then lifted her finger.
After all, it had nothing to do with her, and this was Amane's private business.
She gave Amane's cheek another light pinch to calm herself down.
When she reached the last photo of herself—the one they had just taken together—she paused.
She selected it, but her finger hovered, unwilling to press delete. If she left no trace of herself in Amane's phone, maybe one day Amane would forget she ever had a friend named Horikita Suzune.
So maybe it was better to let this one stay.
To justify it to herself, she crafted a flimsy excuse.
But the real reason was: Amane's smile in that photo was really, truly adorable.
--+--
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.