The click of a phone camera echoed in the room. I jolted.
"Ara ara, of course I have to capture such a youthful moment~," Miyu's mother said cheerfully.
I whipped my head around, only to realize Miyu was still clinging tightly to my arm, her legs wrapped around me like she was afraid I'd disappear. Her hair was a tangled mess, her hospital gown disheveled… and I was lying there entirely in her embrace.
Just then, a deep male voice cut through the air, each word heavy like a hammer strike:
"What… exactly… are you two doing here?"
My heart nearly stopped. I turned my head and—just as I feared—it was Miyu's father standing at the doorway. His face was dark as a brewing storm, while her mother kept snapping photos with a playful grin.
"Miyu-chan looks so adorable! It's the first time I've seen my daughter sleeping so peacefully in someone's arms~," her mother sang sweetly.
I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. This… this was the true final boss I had never wished to face in my entire life.
Panic surged as I shook Miyu gently."Miyu, wake up, wake up!"
Half-asleep, she mumbled, rubbing her eyes:"...Five more minutes, Akira… just five minutes…"
The moment my name slipped from her lips, my heart soared—only to be crushed instantly by the icy glare of her father.
This was bad. Really bad. The classic "caught red-handed in bed" situation!
I shook her harder, frantic."Miyu! Get up, this is an emergency!!"
Finally, she opened her eyes. The sight before her turned her stiff as a statue, cheeks blazing scarlet, while I was already drenched in cold sweat.
At the door, her father let out a low, thunderous growl:"Hrrrrmmm…"
I gulped hard, forcing a crooked smile."U-uncle, I can explain! Really, it's not what it looks like!"
Her mother, however, remained delighted, scrolling through her gallery."Oh my, young love is beautiful… even Akira-kun looks so cute when he's asleep~."
The only thought pounding through my head was: I'm done for. They won't even find a body to bury.
"Captured memories of youth, isn't it wonderful~," Miyu's mother teased again.
Her father snarled, eyes blazing."My precious daughter… seduced like this? Unforgivable!"
Sweat poured down my back, alarms blaring in my head. This gaze… that's real killing intent!!
But just as things reached critical danger—snap!—Miyu's mother tugged sharply on her husband's ear, dragging him back. Her smile was gentle, but her words carried the weight of steel:"Now, now. Don't scare the kids. Ara ara… youth truly is fleeting. But you two must take care of yourselves. Especially you, Akira."
All I could do was nod and mumble "Y-yes ma'am," while my heart hammered wildly. Miyu, fully awake now, instantly hid behind me, her face red as a tomato.
"We'll leave you two alone for now. Here's some breakfast. Make sure to finish it," her mother said, placing a bento box on the table before pulling her husband out.
"W-wait! I'm not finished—" Miyu's father growled, but fell silent the moment she glared at him.
The door shut. Silence returned. Only the awkward air between us lingered.
I nudged Miyu's shoulder with a teasing smile."They're gone. You can move now."
She lifted her gaze, cheeks still crimson, and without warning—bonk!—her tiny fist landed on my head.
"Ow ow ow! What was that for?!" I yelped, clutching my skull. She ignored me, hastily scrambling out of bed.
But her rush led to disaster.
The hem of her gown snagged on the bedframe. A faint rip filled the air. My entire body froze. Bit by bit, the fabric rose, revealing her pale, slender legs in the morning light.
My heartbeat thundered. My eyes locked, unwilling—no, unable—to look away. No, stop, don't look… but…!!
And then—
Her pink bunny-patterned underwear flashed in full view. Worse, from clinging to me all night, the fabric had shifted askew, exposing the soft curve of her lower stomach.
Time slowed to a crawl. Each heartbeat was a drumbeat in my ears, heat flooding my face, ears burning.
Is this… a dream? No… it's reality! Damn it, this is dangerous!!
Thud!
Realizing, Miyu yanked her gown down, her cheeks blazing crimson. Without a word, she bolted out of the room as though fleeing a ghost.
I sat frozen, the image seared into my brain. My lower body… responded violently. Panicked, I pulled the blanket over myself, muttering like a monk:"C-calm down… calm down… don't think about it…"
Ten minutes later, the door creaked open again.
Miyu stepped back in—different this time. Her hair was neatly tied into a high ponytail, glossy strands swaying behind her. Her gown was smoothed out, her every step carrying a proud grace as if hiding her earlier fluster.
I blurted out without thinking:"It's been a while since you wore a ponytail. You look… really pretty."
She froze for a second, cheeks tinting pink, before narrowing her eyes dangerously."You saw it, didn't you? Youuuuu saw it, didn't youuuuu??" she drawled, drawing closer.
"I-I didn't! I didn't see anything!" I stammered, looking away.
"Akira!" she snapped, grabbing my cheeks and forcing me to meet her gaze. "Say it again. Did you see it or not?!"
But cruel fate struck—my mind betrayed me, replaying the earlier sight: her gown rising, pink fabric, fair skin… and now her face inches from mine, breath brushing my lips.
The inevitable result—under the blanket, a suspicious bulge rose.
Both of us froze.
Miyu's face flushed crimson. Instead of screaming, she bit my hand—hard.
"Ow ow ow!!" I hissed, seeing neat little teeth marks left behind. But then, gently, she rubbed the spot, puffing her cheeks like an angry child.
"T-that… was just a natural reflex," I mumbled, voice barely audible.
Eventually, she let me off. Opening the bento her mother had left, the scent of omelet and stir-fried beef filled the room. Though still sulking, she patiently fed me each bite.
The sweetness of the moment nearly made me want to nibble on her puffed cheek.
…
After breakfast, the doctor came for a check."You've recovered quickly. You'll be able to leave tonight."
Miyu looked both relieved and a little disappointed. Before leaving for school, she firmly reminded me to rest. Watching her figure vanish beyond the door, an odd emptiness washed over me.
The hospital room grew unusually quiet. I lay back, sunlight spilling through the window, painting pale gold across the tiles. Miyu's flushed face, her ponytail swaying, her sparkling eyes—and that dangerous sight—kept looping in my mind.
"Haah… just thinking about it makes my heart race," I muttered, covering my face.
To distract myself, I pulled out my phone and opened a chess app. I liked chess—it taught me to think several moves ahead, unlike shogi with its intricate close-quarters plays. To me, chess was like a grand painting, where each move was a strategic brushstroke.
I became absorbed in the game. But before the match ended, the door clicked open again.
A small figure entered, carrying a basket of fruit. Big round eyes, a timid but joyful expression.
"A-Akira-sempai! How are you feeling?" she asked, voice soft with worry and a hint of guilt.
It was the underclassman girl from before—the one who had been bullied in the courtyard.
I sat up, smiling gently."I'm fine. The injury wasn't too bad, I just need a little more time. Don't worry."
Her expression eased slightly, though the silence between us lingered.
"You came just to visit?" I asked, breaking the awkwardness.
"N-not just that…" She lowered her head, clutching the basket tighter. "I wanted to thank you… for saving me that day. And… I brought you fruit."
Her shy tone, reddened cheeks—it was almost cute.
"I can't peel these with one hand." I raised my bandaged arm meaningfully. "Can you help me?"
"Yes!" she replied brightly, pulling a chair close. Her small hands carefully worked at peeling an apple.
Sunlight bathed her delicate skin, making it glow like glass. I leaned back, accepting bite after bite she offered, all while idly moving chess pieces on my phone.
"Tastes good. You picked well," I praised.
"I… I usually go shopping with my mom. And… apples are my favorite too," she murmured, voice fading, eyes glancing away.
The room filled with a warm, innocent air.
I observed her: petite frame, youthful face, sparkling eyes, flushed cheeks. A single word surfaced in my mind—loli. Someone you just wanted to protect.
Silence lingered until I spoke casually:"Miyu leaves for school, and right after… you show up. Quite the coincidence, isn't it?"
She flinched. Her shoulders trembled, cheeks blazing. Her hands shook, the knife slipping against the apple.
"I-I… it's just…" she stammered, eyes darting nervously.
She bit into a slice to cover her fluster—but choked. Coughs erupted, and then—pffft!—apple juice sprayed all over my face.
"Ugh! Hey—!" I sputtered, wiping off.
"I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to!!" she panicked, frantically dabbing my face with her handkerchief. Her clumsy motions slipped—and the cloth brushed somewhere… very sensitive under the blanket.
The room froze.
I stiffened. She recoiled like shocked by lightning, head bowed low, cheeks burning crimson."I-I'm sorry… I didn't mean to…"
I forced a weak smile, waving it off."It's fine. Just an accident."
To ease the tension, I shifted the topic:"Those bullies… what happened to them?"
She bit her lip, then answered softly:"They were expelled. The others involved were suspended for a year. Now… no one dares to bully me anymore."
Her eyes shone with relief.
I studied her silently. Then smirked faintly, lowering my voice:"I knew it. You… weren't just a victim. The one who orchestrated everything… was you, wasn't it?"
The words hung heavy in the air.
The apple slipped from her hand, rolling across the floor. Her eyes widened in shock, body frozen.
Sunlight poured through the window, lighting my face as I tilted my head with a half-smile.
"I'm right… aren't I, Airi?"
The room turned still. Our gazes locked—tension sharp enough to cut.