The warm covers imprisoned her limbs, making Belle feel it was impossible to break free—not that she wanted to.
In truth, Belle had been awake for a little while now.
Sunlight playfully peeked past the curtains, slipping into the room from the edges.
Although this wasn't her own room back at the base, the faint sound of Caesar's booming voice from beyond the door, combined with the distinctive Outer Ring decor, told Belle she was staying over in Blazewood.
Besides, with Andrew around, Belle couldn't imagine she'd ever wake up somewhere dangerous.
The thought of Andrew made her silently bury her head back into the covers, unable to stop herself from shyly covering her face with her hands.
What happened last night felt like a dream, and for a moment, she couldn't tell if it had been real.
But the memory—that face drawing closer, their lips meeting, their breathing syncing up from chaotic to one, and that warm sensation on her lips that lingered even with her eyes closed—made Belle gently touch her own lips.
A blush involuntarily crept up her cheeks again, making her face feel hot. Happiness radiated within her heart like the rising sun.
I only took that cup from Burnice because she said it was liquid courage, but was it really that strong?!
She remembered mustering her courage and taking a big gulp. The special mix had a strong, sweet taste to mask it, but the high alcohol content made her feel like she'd been launched into the clouds, and then her consciousness started to fade.
Recalling everything from last night, she found some comfort in the fact that, while many people forget what they did while drunk, Belle remembered everything crystal clear.
However, her memory cut off right after the kiss. That made her sit bolt upright, and she began to frantically check her clothes.
Jacket... gone.
Shoes... gone.
Socks... also gone!
But when she found her hoodie was still on, and her underwear beneath it hadn't been touched, she let out a sigh of relief... though she couldn't help but pout with a tiny hint of disappointment.
But a moment later, she couldn't help but let out a soft chuckle.
After all, if he had taken advantage of her while she was drunk, he wouldn't be the Andrew she knew.
But this way... the next step is just to find a chance to take things further~
"Heehee."
Suddenly, the door opened. Andrew walked in carrying a tray of breakfast. Seeing Belle staring at him, her big eyes wide and bright, he smiled and said:
"You're up this early? I was just about to wake you."
Although the thought of last night made her blush involuntarily, Belle still glanced up at the clock on the wall.
The bright display showing 8:40 AM made it clear that any office worker would have already kissed their perfect attendance bonus goodbye. She immediately grumbled with some dissatisfaction:
"How is this early?! Just what kind of image do you have of me!"
At that, Andrew first placed the breakfast on the bedside table, then started counting off on his fingers for Belle.
"Normally, you wake up at eleven every day. After dawdling through breakfast, the first thing you do is run off to get your free scratch card."
"Then, if there's a commission, you do it. Otherwise, you slack off, dump it on your brother, and run straight to the HIA, the Hollow Investigation Association, in Lumina Square to play VR."
"After that, you come mooch a meal off me, then watch movies at the video store. You go to bed at eleven PM, send a 'good night' text, then lie in bed playing on your phone until four in the morning.
"Oh, right. And sometimes, on a whim, you'll get up in the middle of the night to play the piano in your room."
"?"
Listening to Andrew list her habits one by one, Belle felt a strange sensation, as if a surveillance camera had been secretly installed in her home. She couldn't help but say in astonishment:
"You... How do you know all this so clearly?! Don't tell me you've been..."
Before Belle could finish, Andrew started poking her on the head and said helplessly:
"Your daily routine is practically set in stone. You might as well ask which shop owner on Sixth Street doesn't know it. The only time your schedule changes is if you stayed up all night, and then you'll actually eat breakfast for once."
"No way, besides my brother, nobody knows me that well... He must have sold me out!"
Belle clutched her head where he had poked her, mentally deciding to make her brother pay when she got back.
After muttering her complaint, she immediately protested loudly:
"Andrew, stop copying my brother and poking my head! Be careful, or you'll make me dumb, and then you won't have your exclusive Proxy anymore!"
In response to Belle's protest, Andrew changed the poking to a gentle rub, but he said with a smile:
"It's okay. Even if you can't be a Proxy anymore, it's fine. I'll just take care of you."
"Mmph... Th-That's playing dirty!"
Belle, who had just wanted to trade some banter, was sunk in a single blow. She couldn't help but pull the blanket up to hide her uncontrollably blushing face.
"No wonder you've attracted so many girls in just a few days."
"What?"
Her quiet grumbling didn't reach Andrew. Seeing his clueless expression, Belle decided irritably not to enlighten the man who was as dense as a block of wood most of the time.
After all, if he's like this when he has a rare moment of clarity, who knows how many girls would fall for him if he actually became a smooth-talker!
Looking at the oblivious Andrew, Belle couldn't help but pout resentfully, muttering to herself:
'Forget anyone else, with that kid Anby and the Silver Squad around, you've definitely got your work cut out for you!'
This guy... he's so slow to notice someone's feelings, but once he does, he's surprisingly decisive. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
After her muttering, Belle puffed up her cheeks and said, a little pouty:
"Promise me one thing. No matter what happens later, Andrew, your first time has to be with me!"
"?"
"Wait, where did that come from? Isn't that a bit of a leap?!"
Faced with Belle's sudden demand, Andrew was a bit bewildered but nodded in agreement anyway:
"I'm not sure how the topic suddenly jumped to this..."
He gave a slightly embarrassed cough, and Andrew couldn't help but say shyly:
"Actually... my first kiss was with you. So if you're willing, I'm more than willing."
A girl was being this forward, how could he, as a man, back down!
But what was said yesterday was so subtle... does it really count as officially being in a relationship?
After all, Belle was drunk at the time, her mind a complete haze. Before coming into this room, Andrew was actually quite worried she'd forget everything after sobering up.
But from the looks of it now, thankfully, his worries had been for nothing.
It's just... I can't shake the feeling that her attitude and her thoughts are a little... different?