Compared to before, when they had only ever skimmed the surface and never truly crossed any lines,
Saeko Dosjima now could clearly feel Senya's heat and desire directed at her more intensely than ever.
She felt like soft clay, being molded freely in his hands, shaped into any form he willed.
"Are you scared?"
Seeing her eyes half-lidded, her face flushed in an adorable blush, Senya couldn't resist leaning down, brushing his cheek against hers.
His gaze was locked solely on her, as if under a spell, completely captivated.
"No… will you always be like this with me?" she asked.
"I will."
"Say… that you love me."
"I love you, Saeko."
"I love you too… so much, Senya…"
A shiver rose in Senya's throat. From his perspective, Saeko's upturned, glistening eyes, so innocent yet subtly seductive, felt like an invitation laced with mischief.
It was barely past seven o'clock, and the night still stretched long ahead.
Senya had long defined his own life in his mind.
In broad strokes, each phase had its milestones, some small, some momentous enough to open entirely new chapters of his life.
Meeting Yukino Yukinoshita in kindergarten. His father remarrying, bringing Takanashi Touka into his life. That fateful day after school, when curiosity pushed him to quietly follow a girl renowned as a model student in kendo, only to discover her wild, almost bloodthirsty side—marking the beginning of their acquaintance.
Whether the innocent days of childhood friendship or the stirrings of adolescent emotion, none of those past crucial moments compared to the intensity of the present.
Those fleeting fantasies of love that once existed only in the hidden recesses of his subconscious were now vivid, tangible, and fully under his control.
Crossing that line, he had stepped into a new, beautiful world.
Some things, a man simply learns instinctively.
Saeko's initially hesitant moans had quickly transformed into the gentle, alluring voice of pleasure, enticing him onward like a clarion call.
Initiative and submission, exploration and surrender, intrusion and absorption…
Through the night, they rode a tumultuous wave of passion, reaching the peak of emotion together.
"...chirp chirp chirp~"
Outside, sparrows chattered on the power lines.
A shaft of strong sunlight filtered through the gap in the curtains, landing on the bed.
Over time, it slowly shifted, finally illuminating the eyelids of the one sleeping below.
"Mm~"
Saeko murmured, somewhere between laziness and exhaustion.
She blinked open her eyes, squinting against the bright light, raising an arm to shield her face.
Her deep blue eyes were vacant for a few moments before gradually regaining focus.
First, she tilted her head toward the side of the bed—empty. No one was there.
Senya…
A sudden pang of unease struck her, causing her to push herself up on the bed.
The thin blanket slipped from her shoulders, revealing the curve of her body.
The abrupt movement made her wince slightly.
"Ugh…"
Her lower abdomen… but not just that.
Shoulders, thighs, and deep inside—an indescribable ache, swollen and tense, assaulted her all at once.
Had she stayed lying still, the sensation would have been muted, but now, even a small movement brought waves of uncontrollable shivers.
Yet this very pain, mixed with lingering drowsiness, snapped her back to reality.
The earlier anxiety from realizing Senya wasn't beside her disappeared immediately.
She lay back down against the headboard, exhaling in relief.
She remembered.
Earlier, half-asleep, she had heard Senya whisper near her ear, saying he needed to go to the pharmacy but would return to make breakfast.
He had told her to keep resting, that if she woke, he would come immediately so she wouldn't need to worry.
In her half-dreaming state, she'd only murmured "Mm," or nodded lightly—uncertain if she had really responded.
Still, knowing he hadn't left entirely reassured her.
It was a special day, their first night together in such an intimate way, and she had wanted him nearby, even briefly.
Saeko's gaze fell, noticing new details—small, dark red marks scattered from her collarbone downward.
The evidence of their fervent night together.
Blushing, she tugged the blanket back over herself, feeling a warm sweetness.
She didn't understand why Senya had suddenly taken control of their plan the night before, but the sensation of finally crossing that line together felt wonderful.
Pure happiness threatened to overflow.
According to textbooks, a girl's first experience is usually the most painful, yet Saeko had endured it with little trouble.
Perhaps it was her high tolerance, or Senya's gentle care—whatever the reason, last night had been entirely bearable.
If the hardest part was over, the rest should only feel better…
Thinking such blush-inducing thoughts, she shook her head.
No, she couldn't indulge in this so soon after waking.
She inhaled deeply to calm herself, realizing something.
Senya had said that if she woke, he would come immediately.
But thinking rationally, coincidences this perfect didn't exist.
Was he still out? Or already back?
She decided to call him first.
Because her thighs ached, she crawled to the nightstand using her hands.
Just as her fingertips brushed the phone, the door opened.
Senya entered, still wearing an apron, water dripping from his hands, smiling warmly.
"You're awake, Saeko."
She froze, staring at him as he sat by the bed.
Looking down at the phone, then back up at him—she hadn't even called, had she?
Senya seemed to read her thoughts. He tossed the apron aside, wiped his hands, and held her in his arms.
"Since we've officially crossed that line, I think some kind of mental link has awakened between us. I was chopping vegetables and suddenly felt that you'd woken up—and sure enough, here you are."
"Is that so…" Saeko, now fully in the role of his doted-upon partner, believed him completely.
Senya chuckled, "Don't believe so easily. Say something teasing instead."
She ignored him, pressing against his chest with a smile.
Gently stroking her head, he asked, "Want to sleep a little longer?"
"No, I'm rested."
"How's your body?"
"Mm… it's hard to say. Kind of a mess."
"Sorry…"
"Senya, you don't need to apologize. Even if it's messy, I like it. You were gentle last night, and I'm very satisfied with our first time."
Watching her, still tenderly touching her stomach despite their intense night, Senya felt himself stirred again.
"Cough," he suppressed the urge.
Although Saeko was stronger than the average girl, last night's exertion had left her slightly fatigued.
Even so, her allure was heightened, though it wasn't a reason for him to give in to desire.
They had more pressing matters.
At the pharmacy, the clerk had glanced at him with something unreadable and said, "Emergency medicine—best taken as soon as possible."
Yes, last night, Senya had truly gone all the way with Saeko.
Literally.
Yet the situation had arisen largely because of Saeko's own initiative.
After refusing to hang up on Touka, he had exercised some restraint, aware of the importance of safety measures.
He knew a pharmacy near her home, reachable in just a few minutes even at full sprint.
They had a whole night to themselves, so a brief trip was inconsequential.
But Saeko had refused to let him leave, insisting she wanted nothing to interrupt their first experience.
He hesitated. It was risky, far from textbook-safe—but with Saeko pressed against him, rationality vanished like drifting petals.
Yet the events that followed had gone far beyond his expectation.
In a later game, as he prepared to hold back, Saeko unexpectedly clung to him, forcing him to continue.
He could still vividly recall her legs locking around his waist.
Even as a skilled athlete, holding back in mid-air while about to dunk was nearly impossible.
He had scored, hard, the ball slamming through the net with a wet, absurd sound.
Her sudden insistence changed everything.
Senya had felt both satisfaction and concern.
She cared only about pleasure, disregarding her own limits, but he couldn't.
Medicine wasn't ideal—better avoided if possible.
"Time to get up?"
"Yes~"
Saeko reached for him, seeking an embrace.
Senya happily obliged, lifting her in his arms and walking out of the room.
"Let's shower together. Last night was intense, and I haven't had a chance to wash yet. Afterwards, we can eat breakfast."
"Okay~"
"But first, take this."
"Mm~"
Senya handed her the medicine with water. She obediently drank it.
In the bathroom, the tub half-filled, they both sank into the warm water.
Saeko leaned against him, her aching body soothed by the heat.
"You can't do that again, understand?"
"Mm…" she murmured, dragging out her words, finger on her chin.
"Are you thinking it over… or agreeing?"
"Mm… a bit of both… hehe… stop it, Senya, that tickles."
Senya lightly tickled her underarms, and after her laughter, she finally consented.
They spent a warm, intimate time together… until Saeko noticed Senya growing visibly alert again.
"Senya…"
"Hm~?"
"I just took the medicine. It hasn't kicked in yet."
"You mean?"
She didn't need words—her actions spoke clearly, thighs gently pressing.
Senya smiled, teasing, "Nope."
"Eh~"
"Eh isn't allowed either."
"Cheeky… you won't let me!"
"This has nothing to do with being cheeky."
They lingered there, wrapped in playful intimacy, a quiet morning of closeness stretching before them.