Humans are social creatures. We all have the need to care for others and to be cared for in return.
It's only by understanding each other more deeply, helping one another, and being open and honest that people can truly grow.
That was Amane's reasoning when she suggested taking a bath with Horikita.
Horikita agreed with Amane's perspective and insight.
Then she told her to get lost.
Still, since the tension between them had eased, Amane shamelessly moved her little nest back into Horikita's room.
Horikita made a face but didn't object. A kind of strange, unspoken understanding seemed to have formed between them.
It was just after dinner, Horikita decided to do some light cleaning.
She changed into a comfortable white fitted t-shirt and shorts, then got started on her tasks.
First objective: Remove the large clutter.
Her eyes immediately fell on Amane, sprawled on the floor reading manga, kicking her legs idly now and then.
Wasn't that position uncomfortable?
Horikita shifted her gaze.
Amane, chin propped in her hands, was completely absorbed in the manga, occasionally letting out a soft, dorky chuckle.
Her chest was squashed into a shape that would make anyone blush, though she seemed totally unaware.
Horikita walked over, scooped Amane up by the waist, and unceremoniously dumped her onto the bed.
Hmm.
Large clutter cleared.
Horikita went on with the general cleaning.
Worried that dust on the floor might dirty Amane's clothes when she lay down again, she mopped the floor over and over.
When she glanced back, Amane was staring intently at her phone, hugging a brown bear pillow she'd bought from who-knows-where.
Honestly.
She's basically a living body pillow herself—why does she need another one?
Wiping sweat from her brow, Horikita prepared to continue cleaning.
Just then—
Click.
A sound like a camera shutter.
Horikita, still in the middle of wiping her forehead, turned her eyes toward Amane. Amane, phone held up, stiffly raised her head and met Horikita's gaze.
"I was just… adding to my collection…"
"Amane, are you that free right now?"
Horikita's voice was gentle, but it carried no warmth.
"I just remembered—I left my laundry out! I'll go bring it in."
"All your clothes are in my closet."
"Eh?! Uh… well, I just remembered I have some homemade teddy bear cookies left! I'll go get them so we can share!" Amane tried to make a run for it, but a bag of cookies landed in front of her.
"These, right? I brought all your snacks over." Horikita crossed her arms, as if waiting to see what excuse Amane would try next.
"My toiletries…"
"They're in the bathroom."
"…"
While Amane was still racking her brain for an escape plan, Horikita crooked a finger, gesturing her over.
Amane shuffled forward, step by tiny step.
"Since you have nothing better to do, help me clean."
As expected, there was no getting out of it.
Amane reluctantly took the mop.
"What's with that face? You're acting like I'm forcing you."
"Not at all! I'm doing this willingly!!"
"Mhm."
Horikita nodded at Amane's overly enthusiastic expression.
Free labor? Well… this girl ate a lot, so maybe not exactly free.
Still, if there's someone to boss around, might as well use her.
Horikita lay on the bed and picked up a book from the nightstand.
Amane, looking pitiful, started mopping the floor.
Maybe because she lacked motivation, her mopping pace was painfully slow, almost like she was deliberately stalling.
Horikita didn't comment.
But…
Was that really all there was to it?
Every time Amane bent over to mop, her eyes drifted to Horikita's thighs beneath those shorts.
And after Horikita crossed her legs while reading, Amane's work pace slowed even more.
A satisfied smile played on her lips, and the ahoge on her head—her little lookout—swayed happily.
She didn't look the least bit like someone being punished.
'Well, if Horikita doesn't mind, I'll just keep looking. Worst case, I get punished.'
But Amane's "sneaky" glances didn't go unnoticed. Horikita appeared to be reading, but from the corner of her eye, she was watching Amane.
Noticing Amane's eyes glued to her legs, she felt a flicker of satisfaction.
She'd known Amane had a thing for this kind of outfit, which was why she'd deliberately chosen it—though it hadn't come in handy until now.
It seemed to be working as intended.
"Amane, aren't you done yet? Once you finish, give me a shoulder rub. My shoulders have been sore lately—probably because you keep using them as a pillow." Horikita rubbed her shoulder gently.
Amane's eyes lit up.
"Hey now! I bet it's because you sleep in weird positions!" Even as she protested, Amane sped up.
In under a minute, she'd finished cleaning and launched herself onto the bed, wrapping her arms around Horikita's exposed waist and nuzzling into her.
"I'm the one who sleeps weird? You've got some nerve."
Every night, Amane would pretend to be asleep first, then try all sorts of things…
Hmph.
And now she had the gall to turn it around?
Next time she got handsy, Horikita would smack those paws till they swelled!
"I don't care, I don't care! It's your fault, Suzune! Nyeh!" Amane stuck out her tongue and made a face.
The next second—"Ow, ow, ow! Stop pulling! I was wrong, okay? Let go! My ear's gonna fall off!"
Only when Amane begged for mercy did Horikita release her.
But Horikita knew—no matter how many times she taught her a lesson, that girl would still do it again.
Honestly, what a handful. Horikita didn't have a perfect solution; she could only take it one day at a time.
"So, Suzune… do you still want that massage?" Amane leaned in, blinking up at Horikita, her expression practically screaming 'I'm up to no good.'
"Mhm." Horikita sat on the edge of the bed.
Amane quickly knelt on the mattress and started kneading Horikita's shoulders.
At first, she was fairly well-behaved.
But soon, her hands began to wander. She grew bold, even slipping her hands under Horikita's arms.
The strange, soft sensation reminded her of the time she'd tried making bread.
The dough had looked soft, but felt both firm and yielding. And even though dough shouldn't be wet, handling it was like kneading something moist and alive.
Now it was time to "work the dough."
Amane reminisced about kneading techniques as she "practiced."
"Enjoying yourself?"
"It's pretty nice, hehe… Wait, I mean—a good massage can help them grow, you know? Hehe—thud!!"
"Seems like punishment works instantly. Amane, do you realize what you were doing? You left fingerprints on my clothes. What if I reported you to the school…" Horikita stroked Amane's cheek, smiling.
"You might even get expelled."
"No way! I don't wanna be expelled! Suzune, you're the best—you wouldn't do that, right?" Amane clutched her stomach, gazing hopefully at Horikita.
For a moment, Horikita almost wavered. But for the sake of that goal… Sorry, Amane.
"You're wrong. I only asked for a massage, and you took it too far. You wouldn't want everyone to know how perverted sweet little Amane can be, would you?"
Amane froze.
Crap.
Suzune set her up!!!
If she'd known… she would've…kept going a little longer!!!
"So what are you going to do, Suzune?"
Amane asked, putting on her most pitiful look.
"Don't worry, I can forgive you. But could you do one thing for me? Help me lead this class to Class A."
Finally, Horikita revealed her true intention.
--+--
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.