MHA Dungeon Master

The next day was a school holiday. That morning, despite feeling extraordinarily groggy, I was awakened by Emilia. My eyes were still glued shut with sleep, and every muscle in my body ached from staying up late to battle Guy Crimson.

The previous night's fight had utterly depleted my mental energy, leaving behind a profound weariness. Though my body had been fully restored upon exiting the dungeon, my mental exhaustion hadn't followed suit. All I craved in that moment was to resume my interrupted slumber.

The sun had barely crested the eastern horizon, casting a gentle golden light. My only desire was to remain cocooned in my blankets and continue my abruptly halted dream. However, my adoptive sister, Emilia, had distinctly different plans. Bursting with unstoppable enthusiasm, she stormed into the room with swift strides and her characteristic cheerful voice, a sound like a bright morning bell, banishing the lingering vestiges of sleep.

"Himaru, wake up! It's morning!" Emilia announced loudly, shaking my shoulder with considerable force. The jolt was sufficient to disrupt my deep sleep, coaxing my consciousness back to the surface, however reluctantly. I groaned softly, a meager protest against this unwelcome interruption.

I could only mumble indistinctly, feebly attempting to pull the blanket back over my head. "Let me sleep a little longer, Emilia," I mumbled, half-asleep, my voice weak and hoarse. I tried to sink back into the comforting warmth of the covers, hoping to escape the insistent call of morning.

"No way! You have to get up now! It's breakfast time," Emilia insisted, her voice even louder and more resolute than before. Her determination to drag me out of bed seemed to burn even brighter. With a decisive tug, she snatched the blanket away, sending a shiver of cold through me.

Reluctantly, I yielded to Emilia's relentless assault. She effectively shepherded me to the dining room for breakfast. I could only stumble along in her wake, eyes half-closed, steps sluggish and reluctant.

The enticing aroma of food wafting from the kitchen was, in truth, quite appetizing, but the overwhelming drowsiness made it difficult for me to fully appreciate breakfast. I merely chewed at my food listlessly, my mind still adrift in the realm of dreams.

After the breakfast that felt more like a dreary obligation, I succumbed once more to the lure of the mattress. I retreated to the living room sofa, collapsing onto its welcoming cushions. The lingering fatigue and persistent sleepiness rendered me utterly powerless to resist the urge to lie down again.

Emilia, witnessing my zombie-like state, made another valiant attempt to rouse me, hoping to coax me into wakefulness and activity. She tried tickling me, suggesting games, even threatening me with a feather duster attack.

But in my semi-conscious state, I simply shifted my head to rest in Emilia's lap, and promptly drifted back to sleep. The warmth and comfort of that position instantly lulled me back into slumber.

The dream world beckoned, and I eagerly plunged back into its embrace. Emilia, taken aback by my sudden behavior, felt a surge of confusion and slight panic. A blush crept onto her cheeks as she felt my head resting on her thigh.

"Himaru, wake up!" Emilia cried out, her voice laced with worry, trying to recapture my attention. However, I was already sound asleep on her lap, her voice fading into a distant, muffled background in my deep slumber.

(Emilia's POV)

Emilia felt a pang of panic at her brother's unexpected behavior. Anger flickered momentarily - Himaru was being so stubborn, as usual - but then, her gaze softened as she observed Himaru's peacefully sleeping face resting in her lap. Her intended reprimand dissolved into indecision.

Her anger simply evaporated, replaced by a complex mix of emotions she struggled to decipher. She bit her lip, attempting to compose herself despite her heart racing erratically in her chest. Her thoughts whirled, trying to make sense of the strange feelings that had suddenly overwhelmed her.

"Oh Himaru, what are you doing?" Emilia whispered, her voice trembling slightly, her hand hovering hesitantly as she reached to touch Himaru's shoulder. The touch felt awkward, uncertain, as if she was afraid of both waking him and confronting her own emotions.

She could only fixate on Himaru's serene sleeping face cradled in her lap. A blush deepened on her cheeks as she felt the warm puff of his breath against her stomach. The gentle warmth emanating from his breath made her feel both awkward and strangely ticklish. This unfamiliar sensation sent a jolt through her, heightening her confusion.

Emilia's heart pounded in her chest, and she couldn't pinpoint when these feelings had begun to bloom. It felt as though she had fallen in love with Himaru. The sensation had arrived so suddenly, flowing like a torrent, filling her heart with a profound tenderness intertwined with an equally powerful trepidation. This love was sweet, yet also laced with bitterness; beautiful, yet tinged with pain.

She recognized these symptoms from the internet and the romantic novels she had devoured - the telltale signs of someone in love. Each symptom mentioned resonated with her current emotional state. The quickening heartbeat, the flushed cheeks, the indescribable warmth… Emilia realized with a jolt that she was truly falling for Himaru.

And nearly all these signs manifested whenever she was near Himaru. Every time he smiled at her, or greeted her with gentle warmth, Emilia felt her heart flutter and her cheeks flush. Every small touch, every glance exchanged, seemed imbued with a new significance.

This burgeoning love became a secret she guarded fiercely within her heart, afraid to reveal it, yet finding it increasingly difficult to conceal. She feared disrupting their sibling bond, yet couldn't deny the truth of her feelings.

At that moment, they were alone at home; their parents, as usual, were busy running the restaurant. The quiet solitude of the house amplified Emilia's heightened emotions.

This opportunity felt both precious and fraught with danger. The stillness of the house magnified every breath, every heartbeat, making them sound clearer and more pronounced. In this quietude, Emilia's feelings intensified, a battle raging within her between the urge to confess and the fear of rejection.

As Emilia truly registered the intimacy of the situation and gazed at Himaru's peaceful face, she felt an overwhelming wave of curiosity, a desperate urge to bridge the gap between them, and impulsively considered kissing him. Her lips involuntarily parted, moving imperceptibly closer, her eyes fixed on his serene features. She felt a magnetic pull, an undeniable draw towards him.

"Should I…?" Emilia pondered, her thoughts racing, as she lowered her head slowly towards Himaru's face. The desire to touch her lips to his grew exponentially, threatening to overwhelm her carefully constructed self-control. This was a golden opportunity, she reasoned, a moment that might never present itself again.

However, just as she was about to yield to her impulsive desire, a third voice echoed in the room. A familiar, soft, and warm voice that broke the spell. The voice startled her, pulling her back from the brink.

"What are you doing, Emilia?" asked Tatsuma Ryuko, the neighbor who had become a sister figure to both Himaru and herself. Ryuko-nee's sudden appearance made Emilia's heart leap in her chest. Ryuko-nee's gentle yet firm tone snapped her back to reality, breaking through her dangerous reverie.

Emilia recoiled in shock, her cheeks flaming crimson. "E-eh, Ryuko-nee! It's not what you think!" Emilia stammered nervously, desperately attempting to explain the innocent—or at least, not-yet-acted-upon—nature of the situation. Her face burned even hotter, a wave of embarrassment and awkwardness washing over her at being caught in such a compromising position. She felt as though she had been caught red-handed attempting something deeply shameful.

---

I stirred awake when I heard Emilia's panicked voice attempting to offer an explanation. Her anxious tone filled the room, effectively pulling me from the depths of sleep. Emilia's usually cheerful and light voice was now trembling and flustered, making me wonder what in the world had transpired while I was asleep.

Rubbing my still-heavy eyes, I blinked and saw Ryuko-nee standing in the doorway. A gentle, warm smile graced her beautiful face. Her sudden presence took me by surprise, though I also felt a sense of relief. Ryuko-nee's presence always brought a welcome sense of joy and tranquility.

"Ryuko-nee? When did you get here?" I asked, still half-asleep, struggling to gather my fragmented consciousness. My heavy eyelids focused on Ryuko-nee, who offered a soft, reassuring smile from the doorway. I tried to sit upright, although my body still felt weak and reluctant to move.

"Just now, Himaru-kun. Did I disturb your sleep? How are you feeling now?" Ryuko-nee replied in her warm voice, which always possessed a calming effect on me. She stepped into the room, bringing with her an aura of warmth that instantly made the atmosphere more comfortable and relaxed. Her presence was like the morning sunlight, warming a cool room.

I sat up from Emilia's lap, yawning expansively and stretching my stiff limbs. "I feel much better now, thank you. What brings you here so early?" I inquired, curious about the purpose of her unexpected visit. I wondered what had prompted her to come see me on her day off.

"I just wanted to check in on you and make sure you didn't miss breakfast," Ryuko-nee answered, her ever-friendly smile reassuring and kind. She regarded both of us with affectionate eyes, like an elder sister caring for her younger siblings. Her gaze, gentle and attentive, always made me feel cherished and safe.

Seeing that I was fully awake, both Emilia and Ryuko-nee seemed to tacitly agree to drop the earlier awkwardness. The tension-filled air gradually dissipated, replaced by a sense of warmth and lightheartedness. We transitioned into lighthearted chatter, laughter and shared stories filling the room, restoring the comfortable atmosphere between us. Ryuko-nee's presence truly had a way of lifting spirits.

Light conversation flowed effortlessly, and the previously strained atmosphere transformed into one of warmth and happiness, filled with our usual everyday banter. Ryuko-nee, Emilia, and I—we were once again the familiar trio of close and cheerful friends.

Ryuko-nee's presence had a way of making everything feel lighter and more enjoyable. We chatted about plans for the day, funny anecdotes from the past, and trivial things that brought shared laughter. Time slipped by quickly in this pleasant company.

When the clock struck ten, Ryuko-nee rose to her feet, bidding us farewell. "I have to go now; I have some errands to run. See you later, Himaru-kun," she said, her ever-present smile lighting up her face. Her smile was one of the things I admired most about Ryuko-nee—always bright and soothing.

"Of course, Ryuko-nee. Thank you for stopping by," I replied warmly, feeling genuine gratitude for her presence, which always brought happiness. I walked Ryuko-nee to the front door, watching her depart with a sense of warmth filling my heart. Ryuko-nee's visits always injected a dose of cheer and vitality into our lives.

Emilia also waved goodbye with a sweet smile gracing her face. "Take care, Ryuko-nee," Emilia said, sending her farewell sincerely. Emilia's smile seemed more natural and relaxed this time, as if she had completely forgotten the embarrassing incident from moments earlier.

After Ryuko-nee left, it was just Emilia and me once more. The room seemed quieter in her absence, but the warmth of our earlier conversation still lingered. I noticed Emilia's face was subtly flushed, as if she were recalling something slightly embarrassing. I wondered what was going through her mind.

"Emilia, what's wrong? Your face is red; are you feeling unwell?" I asked gently, reaching out to touch her forehead, checking her temperature. Worry flickered through my thoughts; I wanted to ensure my adoptive sister was alright. I didn't want her to be sick.

"I'm fine; I just think I'm not feeling very well, so I'm going to go to sleep now! Don't bother me!" Emilia responded, her voice laced with a hint of nervousness.

She quickly removed my hand from her forehead, then darted towards her room in a hurried flurry, locking the door firmly behind her. I could only stare at her closed bedroom door, a mix of emotions swirling within me, wondering what was truly going on in her mind.