When I reunited with my arrogant childhood friend, she had become a talented and beautiful girl – Even though she has probably forgotten about me and I don’t want to be toyed with, for some reason she keeps getting involved with me!?

[Fumiko POV]

***

“…Hmm.”

Suddenly, I wake up. It’s still dark outside.

When I check the time on my smartphone, it’s only 3 AM.

…Hmm?

I feel a strange sensation from the unfamiliar pillow, blanket, and bed.

Ah, right. I’m staying at my senior’s house tonight.

He wanted me to use the bed, but one of my conditions for staying was that I got to use his bed, so he let me.

…It smells like him. Somehow, it’s calming and I like it.

…Hmm

………

…………Ah!! This makes me seem like a pervert.

Anyway, I should drink something to calm down.

I manage to resist the mounting temptation and somehow get out of the bed.

When I reach the living room, I see that he is asleep.

Oh, such a cute sleeping face.

I sit down near him and peek at his sleeping face.

“………”

I admired my senior, worked hard, helped those in need… and before I knew it, I was surrounded by many people.

Everyone calls me the “Saint of Aobane Academy”. I guess I’m what you’d call a popular person.

That’s why I feel something strongly.

That is, it’s impossible to be liked by everyone.

There are people who call me a people-pleaser, and people who are not amused by my appearance or position. Such people often reject me even if I try to approach them.

But, Kanto-senpai is different.

There are people who find him uninteresting. However, even such people tend to open up to him when they interact with him.

Being next to him is very comforting.

He approaches people with a comfortable distance that adjusts to them. I seriously thought that his calling might be a host.

Well, he tends to be indifferent and insensitive to emotions (especially affection) directed at him.

…But still, this is the first time I’ve seen him so defenseless. Well, he’s asleep, so it’s only natural.

I can’t help but reach out to his soft-looking cheek and touch it.

…It’s more squishy than I thought.

Even if I poke him harder, he shows no signs of waking up.

…Next, let’s gently stroke his forehead.

I gently stroke his forehead so as not to wake him up.

“…Hi, Hiyori…”

!!

I inadvertently speed up the stroking.

“Hi, Hiyori~…”

Oh, oh.

Something… like… a thrill of illicit feelings wells up in me.

“What’s wrong? What happened? Senpai…”

Even in his sleep, he’s calling my name… when in reality he only calls me by my last name.

Really, it’s not fair, Senpai.

So, I’m going to shut that mouth…

I gradually bring my face closer to his sleeping face. The distance between my lips and his gets closer.

It’s not my fault. It’s his fault. He’s defenseless, calling my name in his sleep, there’s no way I can endure…

“…Hiyori?”

Just before, he wakes up.

“………”

“………”

A silence ensues.

Wha, what should I do. This atmosphere.

“I was, um, bothered by your eye boogers… I was trying to clean them off.”

Th, that’s too forced…!!

“Ah, I see. Okay, okay.”

Perhaps due to his drowsiness from just waking up, he seemed to accept my explanation.

I, I managed to get out of it…!!

He sat up and rubbed his eyes to remove the non-existent eye boogers.

“Did you get it…?”

“Ah, yes. I got it. I, I’m going back to bed now. Good night.”

“Oh… okay.”

I was so close…!

With that thought strongly in my mind, I headed back to his bed.