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With the barrier's protection, there was nothing to worry about. The rest of the time basically turned into a classic girls' tea party.
Despite Bokue Keikain's male presence, neither La Folia nor Sayaka Kirasaka—both girls wearing nothing but towels—seemed to object. In fact, they chatted quite happily.
As for Bokue himself... he wasn't particularly interested in those girl-exclusive topics, so he simply didn't interject.
Time quickly reached ten o'clock at night. Usually at this hour, if they were at the Lion King Organization without special arrangements or missions, it would basically be lights out and bedtime.
La Folia was the same. As the First Princess of Aldegyr royalty, she'd been raised with excellent living habits from childhood. Things like staying up all night were virtually impossible for her.
"It's about time. I'll head back to my room to sleep."
At the tea table by the window, La Folia covered her mouth with a light yawn, set down her teacup, and rose from her chair. She smiled at the War Dancer girl across from her as if making a final confirmation.
"So Miss Sayaka will be resting here tonight?"
"Uh... yeah, y-yes..."
As if completely unprepared for this sudden question, Sayaka clearly froze for a moment before nodding somewhat caught off guard.
The silver-haired princess made an acknowledging sound: "But is that really okay? Though these rooms seem designed for single occupancy, we girls are naturally smaller than males. With a little squeezing, it should work... Besides, I recall hearing that Miss Sayaka strongly dislikes men. Is this really alright?"
At the end, La Folia tilted her head, frowning slightly as if worried about a certain War Dancer girl's sleep quality tonight.
"No prob— It should be fine."
Having her androphobia mentioned again, Sayaka's gaze became somewhat evasive.
"A-anyway, it's fine. I'll rest here tonight, and I can also... um... supervise this guy. Princess La Folia, you just rest well in the room next door. Don't worry about me..."
"Is that so?"
After a brief pause, La Folia suddenly smiled again.
"Alright then, that's decided. Good night, Miss Sayaka and Bokue-kun. See you tomorrow."
"S-see you tomorrow..."
"Mm, good night."
After simple goodnights, La Folia left the bedroom and returned to the adjacent room across the hall.
Now only Bokue Keikain and Sayaka Kirasaka remained in the bedroom.
Without a certain silver-haired princess's presence, the already well-soundproofed bedroom instantly fell silent.
Bokue, who'd been planning to use the bathroom, noticed Sayaka had risen from the tea table by the window but remained silent. He couldn't help but glance at her.
"What's wrong? Do you need the bathroom too? Want to go first?"
"No, I don't need—!"
Like a timid rabbit suddenly called by name, Sayaka answered reflexively, her chestnut high ponytail bouncing slightly behind her.
"...I see."
Bokue said nothing more at this, directly entering the bathroom, leaving the War Dancer girl standing frozen outside, feeling her cheeks rapidly heating up.
W-w-what was this feeling?!
Taking advantage of being alone in the bedroom, Sayaka unceremoniously grabbed her burning cheeks with both hands, turning to face the window with her back to the door.
Through the glass window's reflection, she could clearly see her own flustered appearance.
Something like "do you need the bathroom"—why did that sound so much like the shameless conversations between cohabiting couples?!
But... maybe not. After all, there was only one bathroom in the room. Since she'd already decided to rest here tonight, it seemed normal for Bokue to ask if she needed the toilet. Yes, that was it...
Forcibly concocting an explanation to calm herself down, Sayaka closed her eyes, placed her hand on her chest, and took a deep breath with a lighter voice.
Mm, the burning temperature on her face seemed to have decreased a bit.
"...What are you doing?"
Just then, the youth's puzzled voice suddenly came from behind.
!!
Like being caught doing something bad, Sayaka startled awake, spinning around in one fluid motion.
Then locked eyes with Bokue emerging from the bathroom.
"N-nothing, just checking if the barrier outside is still secure. After all, it would be dangerous if those demons chasing Princess La Folia charged over in the middle of the night..."
"Don't worry, they won't."
Bokue spread his hands.
"I'm from an Onmyoji family, after all. Barrier techniques are basic skills—absolutely won't fail (unless intentional). Besides, even if a Demon Lord came, they'd have to wait outside obediently for the door to open with the barrier I've set up."
"..."
So now you're an Onmyoji again?!
Never seen an Onmyoji who could throw nukes barehanded!
Under normal circumstances, Sayaka would probably have retorted like this, but currently her brain was completely overloaded. Coming up with the "observing the barrier" excuse was already overachieving—she had neither the heart nor energy for relaxed banter afterward.
"Alright, let's get to bed."
Bokue yawned, rubbing his eyes.
"Oh right, forgot to ask—Sayaka, do you prefer the inside or outside?"
"I... inside."
Sayaka answered almost without thinking.
For someone who'd often suffered her father's domestic violence in childhood, only solid corners and tightly wrapped blankets could bring her even a tiny sense of security.
"Then I'll take the outside."
Bokue was completely indifferent.
"Alright, you get in first."
"...Mm."
Like a shy little wife on her wedding night, Sayaka blushed as she pressed the towel knot at her chest, step by step approaching the bedside to sit down first, then lifting her snow-white long legs onto the bed.
After all, she currently had only this towel for coverage. The massive amount of exercise in the forest this afternoon had soaked her underwear with sweat—it was still hanging in the bathroom after being washed.
In other words, if she moved too vigorously... well, no need to elaborate.
"I'm turning off the lights."
Only after the War Dancer girl had settled under the covers did Bokue flip onto the bed, one hand on the bedside light switch.
"...Mm."
Sayaka, with only her nose and above exposed from under the covers, nodded with a blush spreading across her cheeks. 'Really... never imagined I'd be sleeping with this guy tonight.'
However, just as the War Dancer girl was filled with both nervousness and inexplicable joy, a gentle knock suddenly came from the door.
Knock, knock, knock.
Then the door handle pressed down. La Folia, who'd left earlier, actually poked her head in, tilting it to look at the bed inside.
"Oh? Good, good, Bokue-kun, you haven't slept yet."
"What is it?" Bokue asked.
"Mm~ Actually, I have a small personal request."
The silver-haired princess smiled slightly.
"Though this might be a bit embarrassing to say... um... could we move the bed from my room over here? I'd like to sleep together with you tonight?"
...Eh?
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