[OreGaIru : New Me!]

….

[-Continuation-]

.

[-Third Person View-]

The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, tugging Yukino from her sleep.

She blinked a few times, adjusting to the muted brightness, her mind sluggish as she began to register her surroundings.

Something felt... off. A strange sensation weighed on her, a hand draped over her midsection. And a leg pressed against her from the opposite side.

She glanced down and blinked, still trying to fully wake up. Yui lay beside her, peaceful in sleep, her hand resting lazily on Yukino's stomach.

On her other side, Komachi was curled up, her legs tangled up in an odd, cat-like position.

Yukino stared at them, trying to recall the events that led to this arrangement.

It was hazy, fragments of conversations and laughter blending together.

She remembered talking, no, mostly listening, and at some point, she had simply …drifted off.

Judging by the faint glow of early morning, she estimated it must have been well past 1:30 AM when she fell asleep.

Technically, she hadn't slept last night but rather today.

With a soft sigh, she began the delicate task of extricating herself.

First, she carefully lifted Yui's hand, setting it gently to the side. Then, she shifted Komachi's leg, ensuring she didn't stir.

Both girls remained blissfully unaware, their even breaths the only sound in the quiet room.

Finally free, Yukino moved up from the futons, her feet landing silently on the floor.

She adjusted her sleepwear, smoothing out the faint wrinkles, before tying her hair loosely with a band she found on the nightstand.

With a quick flick, she gathered her hair into a loose ponytail, then glanced back at the sleeping girls to make sure they were still asleep.

Satisfied, she stepped carefully into the hallway, closing the bedroom door as quietly as she could behind her.

The hall was quiet, save for the faint hum of the morning outside.

Yukino stretched her arms lightly, a quiet yawn escaping her.

She turned, only to find herself greeted by the sight of her boyfriend sprawled on the sofa.

His posture, as always, defied logic.

His back rested against the cushions, but his face was turned sideways, one arm draped comfortably across his body while the other hung precariously off the edge of the sofa, fingers nearly brushing the floor.

Yukino frowned slightly, her first thought being.

He won't fall, will he?

But it was too late for that now. If he were going to fall, it would have happened last night.

He seemed stable enough, though his sleep habits were a mystery she'd never fully understand.

She padded quietly over to him, her steps barely audible on the floor.

Reaching his side, she crouched down, gently lifting the arm hanging in the air.

It was heavier than expected, but she managed to settle it across his chest, as if he might somehow lose his balance even in sleep.

She paused for a moment, watching the steady rise and fall of his chest, his expression surprisingly peaceful.

At that moment, he looked… calm. Unbothered.

It was strange, considering how chaotic he always seemed when he was awake.

Satisfied with her small act of adjustment, Yukino straightened up, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face, glancing toward the kitchen.

A warm cup of tea sounded nice.

But first, she grabbed a blanket from the armchair and draped it over Hachiman, making sure he wouldn't get cold.

Yukino had just turned to leave when she felt a gentle tug on her wrist.

Startled, she glanced back, only to see her hand held loosely in Hachiman's.

His fingers had wrapped around hers, though his eyes remained closed, his breathing steady and undisturbed.

She blinked in surprise.

Even in his sleep, he is bothersome, she thought, though her lips betrayed a tiny, affectionate curve.

She carefully pulled her hand away, his grip loosening easily. She stood there for a moment, watching him sleep, wondering what he was dreaming about, or if he even was.

Yukino's fingers lightly traced over her wrist, where the warmth of his touch lingered, a faint reminder of what had just happened.

A thought crossed her mind, quick and unbidden.

It was silly, embarrassing even, but before she could reason herself out of it, she crouched beside him once more.

With hesitant movements, Yukino leaned closer.

Her heart thudded in anticipation as she pressed a feather-light kiss to his cheek. His skin was warm beneath her lips, and the moment passed as quickly as it came.

As soon as she pulled back, she felt her cheeks flush.

Flustered, she stood abruptly, smoothing her hair and straightening her posture as if that would somehow undo what she had just done.

Without another glance, she turned and hurried toward the kitchen, her feet moving faster than they needed to.

"Okay, that was totally unnecessary…" She murmured under her breath, letting the words spill out as she reached the counter.

But even as she said it, her curiosity betrayed her.

She couldn't resist glancing back from the corner of her eye, peeking at him from the kitchen doorway.

Hachiman was still asleep.

His breathing was steady, his face relaxed, and despite her embarrassment, something about the sight made her feel oddly at ease.

Not unnecessary at all.

Of course, when Yukino said 'unnecessary', she wasn't referring to the kiss itself.

No, that was perfectly fine - acceptable, even.

It was the part where she practically bolted afterward, as if fleeing the scene of a crime.

Shaking her head, she reached for the tea set, deciding that a warm drink would help her regain her composure.

As she measured out the leaves, the faint scent of the blend wafted upward.

She poured the hot water, watching the steam curl and rise.

Her thoughts drifted.

Yesterday was fun.

A soft, almost imperceptible smile touched her lips.

It wasn't just fun, it was the best birthday she had ever had.

…though, admittedly, the bar wasn't set particularly high to begin with.

She sighed quietly, the sound barely audible over the soft clink of the teapot as she set it down.

Foregoing tea, she opted for coffee instead.

The warm, bitter aroma filled the air as she poured herself a cup.

With the steaming mug cradled in her hands, she wandered back to the hall.

Her steps, unhurried, brought her to her room.

There, to the side, sat the oversized plush doll on the floor.

Without much thought, she settled herself against it, letting her back sink into the plush and fluffy fur.

It supported her like an oversized chair, enveloping her in a cozy embrace.

The warmth of the coffee seeped through the ceramic cup, grounding her as she let her mind drift.

"Caught you… Miss Yukitty." A teasing voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her abruptly back to the present.

Her first thought flitted to something else entirely, triggered by the word caught.

The faintest trace of heat rose to her cheeks as her mind flickered to a certain moment from earlier.

But that wasn't the reference being made.

Her gaze shifted, and there he was, Hachiman, still lounging on the sofa.

A mischievous grin played across his face, even as half his body remained tucked under the blanket in a lazy sprawl.

So, he is awake after all…

Without fully emerging from his cocoon of warmth, he sat up with an exaggerated yawn, the blanket still draped over his shoulders like a makeshift cloak.

His messy hair stuck up in places, and his eyes, though half-lidded with sleep, sparkled with a distinct amusement.

She turned her gaze away, opting to take a measured sip of her coffee instead of replying.

For a moment, the room settled into a quiet stillness, broken only by the soft sound of the coffee cup being placed back on its saucer.

"You know." Hachiman continued, his voice low and amused. "If you are going to sneak kisses, maybe try not to run off like you just committed a crime… I mean just like yesterday."

.

….

[To be continued…]

★─────⇌•★•⇋─────★

[Author Reminder : 2+chapters advance in Patreon]