When Yaeno Muteki was called for a meeting by Tojo Hana, she was initially a bit puzzled.
However, upon hearing Tojo's request, her heart skipped a beat.
"I want you to supervise Myriad Dreams' routine. By whatever means necessary, ensure she is asleep by 10:00 PM to guaranteed she gets enough rest."
'Whatever... means necessary?'
'Supervise her routine... make her sleep on time...'
'Didn't that mean... I could legitimately interfere with Myriad Dreams' nighttime activities? Or even... force her to sync her rest with my own?'
The thought that had been circling in her mind for so long— of being able to hold her to sleep out in the open— had actually been granted an opportunity in this way.
An indescribable joy and a secret excitement instantly surged into her heart, but on the surface, Yaeno Muteki maintained her usual composure.
She accepted the task almost without hesitation, her attitude bordering on solemn.
"I understand, Trainer Tojo. Please leave it to me. I will certainly ensure that Myriad Dreams-chan maintains a regular routine."
That night, just after nine o'clock.
Myriad Dreams was sitting cross-legged on her bed, game console in hand, ready to start her nighttime "Hyperbolic Time Chamber" session.
Just as she enthusiastically pressed the start button, a shadow loomed over her.
Yaeno Muteki had approached the bedside at some unknown moment, her expression calm yet carrying an unquestionable resolve.
She leaned down and, amidst Myriad Dreams' soft cry of surprise, reached out her arms.
With a practiced and firm princess-carry, she effortlessly "detached" the bewildered Myriad Dreams from her console and placed her steadily on the inner side of Muteki's bed.
"W-Wait! Muteki?! What are you doing?!"
Myriad Dreams was both shocked and embarrassed, flailing her arms and legs in a struggle, her face a mask of panic and confusion.
Yaeno Muteki ignored the weak resistance. She briskly tucked her in and immediately lay down beside her.
Turning on her side, she naturally draped her arm over Myriad Dreams' waist, locking her firmly into her embrace.
"This is to ensure you have a normal routine, Myriad Dreams-chan," Yaeno Muteki's voice was exceptionally clear in the darkness, carrying a hint of finality.
"Trainer Tojo has entrusted me to supervise you. Now, close your eyes and sleep."
With a click, Yaeno Muteki reached out and turned off the bedside lamp.
The room plunged into darkness, with only the hazy moonlight from the window outlining the furniture.
Myriad Dreams froze in Yaeno Muteki's warm and steady embrace, the faint, reassuring scent of the other girl lingering at the tip of her nose.
She tried to protest, but found that struggling was futile, Yaeno's arms were like a gentle set of shackles.
"How could you do this..." Myriad Dreams finally gave up her resistance, letting out a helpless, somewhat aggrieved sigh, and closed her eyes in resignation.
Feeling the body in her arms gradually relax and the breathing become steady, Yaeno Muteki's lips curved upward in a satisfied smile in the dark.
This "supervision" task was one she performed willingly, even... joyfully.
Myriad Dreams tried to struggle a bit more, as the other was holding her far too tightly.
Every time she managed to slip away from those hands, Yaeno Muteki would immediately pull her back.
Myriad Dreams had no choice but to accept her fate.
The Next Day
Myriad Dreams woke up in a daze.
Was the feeling of being held all night a good one?
Well, because Yaeno Muteki held her so tightly last night, Myriad Dreams had spent the entire night being "smothered" against her chest.
Myriad Dreams felt a bit flushed.
She pushed the other's hand away, wanting to return to her own bed.