◆Riran◆
“O-Okay, I’m dooooone...!”
“Hehe, good work.”
As expected of Akito’s little sister. She’s sharp and absorbs everything as soon as I teach it, so she’s worth tutoring.
I stroke Kotono-chan’s head as she collapses onto the desk and check the clock.
It’s already 10 o'clock. Shops and department stores are starting to open, so it’s probably about time to get moving.
“Kotono-chan. Sorry, I know you’re tired, but could you go get Akito for me...?”
“Ah, in that case, Riran-chan, you can go!”
“...Eh?”
“Riran-chan, you’ve never been to Big Bro’s room, right? Go on. You might even see a rare side of him.”
“A rare side?”
“For, ex, am, ple.”
She jumps up and puts her mouth close to my ear.
“Big Bro while he’s changing.”
“!”
“Big Bro sweaty from working out.”
“!!”
“Maybe even—Big Bro while he’s ‘BEEP’-ing.”
“!!?”
What! Eh... Whaaaat!?
“I-I-I-I won't look! I don't want to see that!”
“Really? It’s Big Bro in his private space. It’s rare, you know?”
Kotono-chan teases me with a grin.
Akito’s private side... I want to see it. I don't. But, u-uh... ngggh...!
“Is that okay? You don’t know if this will ever happen again. It’s different if you live together, but who knows how many years away that is... Are you sure you’re okay with this~?”
Uuugh...! Just like Akito’s sister, she’s got a pretty face, so her teasing expression is a bit annoying...!
U-Uugh... Uuuuuuuuu!
The scene changes to the second floor.
In front of me is a single wooden door. According to Kotono-chan, this is Akito’s room.
The red thread on my left hand also extends through the door into the room.
Beyond this is Akito’s private room...
...*Gulp*.
N-No, it’s not like I specifically want to see Akito’s private side or anything.
I am Akito’s girlfriend, so I should at least see my boyfriend’s room once, shouldn’t I?
Besides, Akito has been in my room many times, so it’s unfair if I haven't been in his, right?
Yes, that’s really all it is. ...That’s all!
...Who am I making excuses to?
I take a few deep breaths... Okay, let’s do this.
I timidly knock on the door.
“A-Akito? Are you there?”
Uugh! My voice is trembling!
But... Oh, there’s no answer...?
I knock again.
“Akito? Hey, Akito?”
............Huh?
Is he not there? But he said he’d be in his room earlier.
I turn the doorknob... Oh, it’s open.
“I-I’m coming in...”
For now, I just peek my head in... Ah, there he is.
He’s lying on the bed. And... is he sleeping?
“Suu... guu...”
Yeah, he’s sleeping.
I enter the room quietly so as not to wake him and close the door.
The next moment, an even more concentrated “Akito scent” than I’ve ever smelled before pierced my nose.
Eh, is this... all Akito’s smell...!?
Well, it’s Akito’s room, so that’s natural.
“Suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu... haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa... haaaaaaaaaaaann...!”
Akito’s scent envelops my whole body and fills my lungs.
I know I’m doing something crazy. But I can’t stop. The brain juices are overflowing.
Still... it’s a surprisingly simple room.
A bookshelf lined with light novels and manga. A study desk, a chair. And a bed.
There are surprisingly few things. I thought he'd have workout equipment or something.
I look around the room and finally approach Akito, who is sleeping on the bed.
“Guu... suu...”
“............”
*Click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click...*
Hah!? I-I was taking photos without even realizing it...!
No. This isn't my fault. It’s Akito’s fault for being too cute while he sleeps. In other words, Akito is the one at fault. I am not to blame. Proof complete.
...Even so, he’s sleeping soundly.
Maybe he was mentally exhausted after all... In these past few months, so many things have come rushing in like a torrent.
...Come to think of it, I’ve always been relying on Akito.
“Sorry, Akito. ...And thanks for everything.”
I stroke his hair, which is unexpectedly silky.
Even though he doesn't seem to do any special maintenance, my fingers run through it smoothly.
Muu. I put a lot of effort into my hair care... I feel a bit frustrated.
“Nnh...”
Oops, that’s not good. I almost woke him up.
Well, I did come here to wake him.
But it feels like a sin to wake him up when he’s sleeping so comfortably. What should I do?
I crouch down beside Akito. Then, he rolls over and faces the wall.
Because of that, a space large enough for one person to lie down opens up.
T-This is... *gulp*.
...H-He won't wake up, right...?
“E-Excuse me for the intrusion...”
Slowly, so as not to wake him.
I lie down right against Akito’s back.
...Ah............ Good.
It’s so good my vocabulary is melting...
It’s the same feeling as when Akito stayed at my place. My heart is throbbing.
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa...!
And... somehow, I feel at ease.
Just having Akito nearby makes me feel this secure.
I am at the peak of happiness right now.
If it’s like this, I wonder what will happen when we get married and start living together. Just imagining it is crazy. I probably won't be able to leave Akito’s side when I’m at home.
Ah... I’m getting sleepy.
It was an early morning, and smelling Akito’s warmth and scent... the sleepiness is...
Good... night... *shupii*.