Shiina Mahiru frowned, but after a moment, curiosity got the better of her, and she quietly cracked open the door.
The instant her eyes met his blazing gaze, she gasped and slammed the door shut.
"W-what are you still doing here? Why are you standing outside my door?"
She leaned against it, exasperated.
Itsuki Hayashi shrugged casually.
"Can't sleep… thought I'd check out the moon. The view's nice tonight. Should be sunny tomorrow."
Mahiru huffed. "Go look at it from your own door, don't block mine!"
"But I still want to sleep with you… what should I do?"
"I'm really calling the cops! If you keep harassing me, there'll be consequences…"
"Go ahead, call them. I can't sleep tonight without holding you!"
"Ah! Shut up! Lower your voice!" Mahiru dashed out, covering his mouth with her hand, glancing frantically around.
This idiot… he's yelling so loudly—is he trying to let others, like the girl next door, Aoyama Nanami, know about us?
Itsuki felt her delicate hand over his lips and, without hesitation, wrapped his arms around her slim waist. Amid her shocked cries, he scooped her up and carried her straight into her room.
Realizing what was happening, Mahiru began to struggle violently, hammering her tiny fists against his chest.
"Pervert! Scoundrel! I told you no… let me go… get out of here!"
Itsuki calmly endured all her thrashing, letting her punch him as he stepped inside. Once in her room, he claimed her soft, inviting bed, pulling the covers over them.
"Ugh… what do you even want? Not satisfied with tormenting me enough?"
Mahiru's teary gaze shone like crystal, tears streaming down her cheeks.
Itsuki, however, held her earnestly and spoke in a low voice.
"I'm not trying to torment you. I just… I didn't want you to do anything rash, so I wanted to watch over you."
"And honestly… I can't sleep tonight without holding you."
"You… you rogue!"
Mahiru, exasperated and annoyed that he'd taken over her space, bit down hard on his arm.
The metallic-sweet taste filled her mouth, but she didn't let go. Tears mingled with her stubborn bite.
Itsuki winced at the pain but didn't pull away. Instead, he stroked her golden hair gently.
Just like last night, he enveloped her in a warm embrace.
Mahiru eventually released his arm, suddenly letting out a wail as she buried her face in his chest.
"You jerk! You jerk! We just met, why are you bullying me?"
Itsuki didn't answer.
He merely leaned closer, pressing a soft kiss to her lips, then continued running his fingers through her hair.
Mahiru went silent, letting herself cry into his chest, letting out her emotions. Holding them in would only make things worse; releasing them brought some relief.
Half an hour later, Mahiru pushed him gently.
"Let me go."
Seeing he had no intention of releasing her, she blushed, speaking reluctantly.
"I'll patch you up."
Itsuki finally let her go, though grudgingly.
Mahiru hurriedly wiped her tears, as if embarrassed to let him see her so disheveled.
Yet, thinking that he'd already seen her crying—and worse, more shameful moments—she felt a strange sense of relief. She gave up trying to hold herself together.
Kneeling on the bed in her clean white pajamas, she carefully dipped a cotton swab in alcohol and cleaned the bite mark on his arm.
Seeing the bleeding tooth marks made her heart race, and she couldn't help but murmur in slight resentment:
"Why didn't you move? Doesn't it hurt?"
Itsuki gave a faint smile. "I made you cry… so a little pain is deserved. Besides… I made you hurt yesterday, didn't I?"
"Shut up! Don't say another word!"
Mahiru snapped, glaring at him with her flushed face.
"I already made you forget it, I don't need you to take responsibility! What else do you want?"
Itsuki lazily claimed her fragrant pillow, looking perfectly content.
"I just want to sleep here. You've slept in my bed, so I want to sleep in yours—that's only fair."
"Fair? You're such a pervert, thick-skinned jerk!"
Though her words were sharp, her hands worked carefully, cleaning the wound.
Once she applied a bandage, she finally exhaled in relief.
Mahiru was gentle and kind-hearted. Even after biting him, she felt guilty. Perhaps sensing that he was comforting her, she felt her heart soften.
Still, her pride and dignity prevented her from initiating closeness.
So, Itsuki had to take the lead.
"You patched it up nicely. Now… it's time to sleep, Mahiru. Come here."
Mahiru clenched her teeth, glaring at him, saying nothing.
Itsuki didn't insist. He simply scooped her into his arms, lay down, and pulled the covers over them.
He couldn't tolerate cold wars or being ignored by a beautiful girl—so he acted.
Even though she'd bitten him, the result seemed promising.
Nestled in his arms again, Mahiru shivered slightly, her tiny hands gripping his shirt nervously.
She had no idea what to do. She should reject him, call the cops, and kick him out.
But being stroked, feeling his warmth… she sniffled, eyes slightly misting.
This damn idiot.
Why did he have to be so gentle?
Couldn't he just be a jerk, a pervert? That way, she could hate him, ignore him, and gradually forget. He had said it himself: time would heal all.
Just as she fretted over what to do, Itsuki pressed a soft kiss to her forehead.
"Sleep now. I won't bother you anymore."
Biting her lip, she peeked at him, then relaxed into his embrace.
Maybe… she could trust him a little.
After all, he was genuinely gentle now.
Drowsily, Shiina Mahiru nestled into Itsuki's arms and drifted off into a deep sleep.
…
The flowers bloom…~