Touching Chiya, Shirayuki felt his heart go thump.
At the same time, a damp warmth spread through her own body. A sweet, salty taste lingered on her lips, like the faint trace of sweat after a long run.
She completely let go of her control over Chiya's body and focused everything on this side.
Brushing aside the hair that had fallen across her cheek, Shirayuki gently closed her eyes.
"Chu~"
She kissed him.
So comfortable…
The feeling of kissing him.
The feeling of being kissed.
The warmth of his lips.
All three melted together perfectly.
She might have been the only person in the world who knew what her own kiss tasted like.
Opening her mouth slightly, Shirayuki lightly bit Chiya's neck. She slowly pressed down, just enough for a tiny sting to bloom, then let go.
Looking at the faint tooth mark left on his neck, Shirayuki felt wonderfully satisfied.
That was her mark.
A mark that belonged only to her.
Left on this man's body, and even deeper, carved into her own heart.
The sense of peace she had once felt had changed before she realized it.
She wanted to be closer to Chiya.
Not only in soul.
Her soft tail brushed gently against his skin, and a ticklish sensation rippled through both of them at the same time, sharp enough to make their heads go pleasantly numb.
The comfortable feeling made both their hearts pound endlessly.
Even so, that change continued to deepen.
Deeper.
And deeper still.
As long as she wanted to, she could do this.
It was a privilege that belonged only to her.
No one could stop her.
So wonderful…
Tail, hair, palm.
Several sensations layered together, forming an indescribably sweet taste.
Soft.
Sweet.
Endlessly lingering.
Enjoying that warm touch, Shirayuki narrowed her eyes.
Their bodies were so close now that she could clearly feel that captivating rhythm between them.
She wrapped both arms around his neck and lightly nibbled Chiya's ear.
It was the gesture he liked most.
Once gentle.
Once a little firmer.
A warm rhythm pulsed between lips and teeth, and both of their minds went hazy, their awareness drifting somewhere far away.
It was a perfect feast beyond words.
The greatest gift the world had given her.
An unmatched banquet of the senses, and Shirayuki slowly sank into it.
Their heartbeats grew louder and louder.
In the quiet room, their breathing overlapped.
Moonlight shone down.
Those beautiful sky-blue eyes gazed at Fujiwara Chiya, and Shirayuki curved her lips into a smile.
I really am hopeless, aren't I…
My head is full of nothing but things like this.
Absolutely awful.
But…
When it came to herself, it did not matter.
Shirayuki would never hate herself.
She could accept every part of herself.
So no matter what kind of Chiya he was, Shirayuki loved him all the same.
Reaching out, Chiya stroked Shirayuki's cheek.
Her pure-white face was dyed completely red.
Tears blurred their vision, and the two of them could barely see each other's faces anymore.
Who was who?
The boundary between them had completely disappeared.
She was Chiya.
She was Shirayuki.
Either one was fine.
Both were herself.
There was no need to tell them apart.
All that remained was the soft warmth beneath her palm.
Slowly, Shirayuki's mind cleared just a little.
She lay down beside Fujiwara Chiya and looked at the man's handsome face.
After letting out a soft breath, Shirayuki lifted her leg and gently rested it over him.
…
"Bright!"
Mejiro Dober was about to lose her mind.
"Didn't you say we were coming here as fast as possible?! Then why did we take the long way around?!"
"Ara~ It seems the driver isn't very familiar with the roads around here," Mejiro Bright said with a smile.
Her face carried the same soft, leisurely smile as always, forming a brutal contrast with Mejiro Dober, who looked like she was moments away from going insane beside her.
"I-I'm terribly sorry, miss! The roads here are quite remote, and the navigation said the place where cars could pass each other was a one-way street…"
"Anyway, please drive faster!"
"Yes!"
Mejiro Dober sat anxiously in her seat.
Originally, if she had taken the train by herself, it would have taken an hour and a half at most. When Bright said she would give her a ride, Dober had thought they could arrive thirty minutes earlier.
In the end, who knew what ancient relic of a navigation system this driver had been using?
Not only had they taken a massive detour, they had also gotten stuck facing another car on a one-way road for an entire hour!
By the time they finally got out, it was already nearly ten at night!
With that much time, I could've run there myself!
Even though the driver had gone full throttle for the second half of the trip, it would still take a while to reach the inn.
Right now, Mejiro Dober could only place her hopes on one thing.
That Shirayuki and her trainer had not gotten into the main event that easily.
That they needed some time to prepare.
Wait, do those two really need preparation?
What is there even to prepare?
Whether mentally or physically, they've both been ready for each other for ages!
It's over.
I don't even want to go anymore…
Mejiro Dober was terrified that when she arrived, she would see something she should absolutely not see.
Trainer, that place is a hot spring inn!
Not a love hotel!
At least show a little restraint!
At last, they arrived.
Mejiro Dober shot out of the car and rushed inside.
"Dober really is impatient, isn't she?" Mejiro Bright stepped out of the car at an unhurried pace.
"Miss…"
"You may leave first. Dober and I will be staying here tonight."
"Yes, miss."
The driver drove away.
"I'm looking for someone!"
Mejiro Dober rushed to the front desk and called out to the inn's proprietress.
"I'm sorry, but business hours have already ended."
"I'm the one who called a few hours ago! I already made a reservation!"
"Ah, you must be Miss Mejiro Dober, correct? Your room is number 302. However, the hot spring is currently being cleaned and cannot be used. If you do not mind…"
"That doesn't matter! What I want to ask is, which room is Trainer in?!"
"Mr. Fujiwara Chiya? He is across from your room."
Mejiro Dober immediately stormed upstairs.
The proprietress stared blankly at her disappearing back.
"I'm sorry for the trouble," Mejiro Bright said, bowing politely.
"No, it's all right. May I ask who you are?"
"I'm Dober's sister."
"Are you accompanying her? Then please sign here."
Meanwhile, Mejiro Dober had already charged upstairs and was pounding on the door.
"Trainer! Trainer!"
At this point, she did not even have the leisure to worry about disturbing other guests.
Mejiro Dober was terrified that even a single second of delay would be fatal.
No response.
"It's me, Dober! Trainer!"
Mejiro Dober knocked twice more.
This time, there was finally a response from inside.
Fujiwara Chiya, dressed in pajamas, opened the door. When he saw Mejiro Dober standing outside, he said in surprise, "Dober? Why are you here?"
"I'm the one who wants to ask that! Trainer, why did you come out with Shirayuki without telling me?"
"Didn't I leave you a note?"
"You're supposed to tell me while I'm awake! Where's Shirayuki? Where is she?"
Mejiro Dober leaned forward and peeked into the room.
Then she saw Shirayuki lying on the futon, also wearing pajamas.
For some reason, her clothes looked a little messy.
"Dober, I'm here." Shirayuki waved at her.
Mejiro Dober narrowed her eyes.
On the surface, nothing seemed particularly strange.
But what was with this scent?
An alluring floral fragrance filled the entire room.
"Come in first," Fujiwara Chiya said.
He invited Mejiro Dober into the room.
At the same time, Shirayuki quietly stuffed the towel she had been using to wipe her leg under the blanket.