At Chii's question, An-rin's head shot up, her eyes wide with alarm. "Chizuru! You're, like, insatiable! What do you mean round two?!"
On the other hand, Kushii simply giggled while covering her mouth. "I mean… I wouldn't say no to, like, cuddling or something. But I'm kinda tired, Onoda-shi. You're, like, a lot to handle."
… There she goes again. How should I respond to that? So, if she's not tired, she doesn't mind doing it again?
"Cuddling sounds like a plan. I think we've all had enough excitement for one night. Let's just… chill, yeah? No more perv lord accusations or pillow fights. Just us, relaxing."
An-rin huffed but didn't argue, pulling a blanket over herself and scooting closer, her shoulder brushing against mine. "Fine. But if you try anything sneaky, Onoda-han, I'm, like, totally kicking you off the futon."
"Noted," I said, mimicking her earlier tone, which earned me a playful glare.
Chii yawned, stretching her arms before curling up against me with her head resting on my chest. "Mmm, Kii, you're comfy. Don't let An-rin scare you. She's all bark, no bite."
"Excuse you, Chizuru! I've got plenty of bites!" An-rin shot back, but she was already pulling the blanket tighter around herself. Her eyes drooped slightly.
I guess among all of us, she's the one who was the most exhausted. Mentally. Not physically.
Kushii settled in on my other side, her movements hesitant at first but growing bolder as she rested her head on my shoulder, her hand lightly resting on my arm. "This is… nice, Onoda-shi. Thanks for, like, not making it weird."
I smiled and brushed my fingers gently through her hair before carefully slipping my arm underneath her, "You don't have to. Shouldn't I be the one to thank you? I'm the luckiest guy to be able to sleep in the same room as all of you." First pu.bl-i.s*h*ed# on M-|V|L!+EM-P.YR.@
Chii pinched my side and Kushii silently giggled but neither of the two said anything. They already had their faces buried on my chest and shoulder, respectively.
It was An-rin who had something to say on that, "Hmph. Yeah, seriously, you're like, totally lucky. If you're any other guy, you'd be sleeping downstairs, perv lord Onoda-han."
"Any other guy, huh? Then I'm glad I'm not just 'any other guy'. But An-rin, don't you think it'll be easier to be sneaky if I'm down there?"
"S-shut up. No one's thinking of that. Maybe except for Chizuru!"
"You're right, An-rin. Let's sneak out when they fall asleep, Kii," Chii chimed in, momentarily turning her head to glance at An-rin behind her.
An-rin's eyes widened as she clutched the blanket tighter, her cheeks puffing out in indignation. "Chizuru! You're, like, totally not helping! No sneaking anywhere, you hear me? This is my house, and I'm, like, the boss here!"
Chii put on a mischievous grin before saying, "Don't worry, An-rin. You won't notice us sneaking away. Isn't that better?"
"Y-you…" An-rin stuttered slightly and then looked at me as if saying 'rein in that girl, Onoda-han'.
I chuckled, raising my hands in mock surrender to diffuse the escalating chaos. "Alright, alright, An-rin, you're the boss. No sneaking, I promise. Chii, behave or you'll have the chaotic gremlin unleashing her full wrath on us."
Chii snickered as she buried her face back in my chest, making her voice muffled. "Fine, fine, I'll be good. For now. But don't think I'm done teasing you, Kii. Or you, An-rin."
An-rin groaned as she exaggeratedly flung the blanket over her head. Moments later, she pulled it down slightly, just enough for her head to peek out, "Ugh, you two are impossible. Kushii, help me out here! They're ganging up on me again!"
Kushii, still nestled against my shoulder, only looked at her friend as she was too busy tracing patterns on my arm. "Sorry, An-rin, you're kinda on your own. I'm, like, too comfy to get into taking a side right now."
"Traitor!" An-rin yelped but the amusement laced in her voice was undeniable. Her earlier indignation melted into the warm, playful atmosphere of the room.
She tugged the blanket up to her chin, her eyes darting between me and Chii, as if she were still trying to keep up her guard but failing miserably.
I shifted slightly, making sure both Chii and Kushii were comfortable, my arms draped loosely around them. An-rin, despite her protests, scooted closer. Just enough for her shoulder to touch the back of my hand that's currently holding Chii.
I let it loose and she immediately put her hand on my palm, pulled it inside her blanket and squeezed it.
She then looked at me, conveying how she wanted me to keep quiet. I gave her a subtle nod, allowing her to do what she wanted. Get full chapters from novel fire.net
With this, the room grew quieter, the earlier bickering giving way to a cozy, almost serene vibe. The silent hum of the air conditioner and the soft rustle of blankets were the only sounds breaking the silence.
Chii's breathing slowed as her body gradually relaxed fully against me as she started to drift off again.
Kushii's warmth against my side was steady, her earlier boldness tempered by a quiet contentment that made me feel oddly protective.
As for An-rin, she was still fighting sleep, her eyes half-open as she stared at me, her fingers playing on my hand.
"Onoda-han," She mumbled in an almost hesitant voice. "You're, like, not gonna tell anyone about tonight, right? I mean… not that I'm embarrassed or anything! I'm totally cool with it! Just… y'know, don't want people getting the wrong idea."
I tilted my head, giving her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, An-rin. My lips are sealed. Tonight's our little secret, alright? Just us four."
She huffed, but her expression softened, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Hmph. Good. 'Cause I'd, like, totally have to do something chaotic if you blabbed. Like… I dunno, dye your hair pink while you sleep or something."
Kushii let out a sleepy giggle. "That'd be, like, so funny, An-rin. But you'd probably chicken out halfway through."
"I would not!" An-rin shot back but her voice already lacked its usual fire. Her exhaustion was finally winning out. She yawned as her eyes fluttered closed, "Whatever… you're all the worst… but tonight is… great."
I chuckled softly and looked at Chii who also had a pleasant smile on her face. She's satisfied with this.
"Get some rest, An-rin. You've earned it after all that gremlin energy you burned through tonight."
"D-don't sneak away." That's her last words before the girl let go of my hand and rolled to face the other side.
Meanwhile, Kushii had started snoring on my shoulder, her whole body pressed against me. She's feeling comfortable with this.
Chii and I looked at each other before we both shook our heads. Even without exchanging words, we had already decided to just rest for now and not sneak around. I kissed her forehead and then her lips before whispering, "Goodnight, Chii."
"Un. Goodnight, Kii. I'll wake up earlier than you tomorrow so… you better look forward to it." With one last mischievous smirk, the fake gyaru closed her eyes and let the dreamland take her away.
As for me, I stayed awake for a few minutes, just to make sure none of them were uncomfortable before closing my eyes.
This was one hell of a long night. Wait. Calling it hell isn't apt. It should be 'heaven'.