Ever since I confessed, she has been acting strange. - CHAPTER 3: THE LADY WHO COMMUNICATES AND THE SONG ARC

Episode 17: Reward (Part 3) and a mischievous heart

The young lady in my arms was as quiet as a borrowed cat. She remained completely still, without a word, until she was placed on the bed. For a moment I was even afraid that her body was frozen like a stone.

“W-Was I heavy…?”

“Not at all. You were light as a feather.”

“There you go again, saying things like that.”

“I’m just telling the truth.”

The young lady, perhaps embarrassed, turned her face away in a pout and showed me her back.

But even as she turned away, she muttered softly:

“Hey. Won’t you sleep with me?”

It seemed that the young lady was feeling particularly clingy today. Lately, I’d only seen her cheerful and carefree side, so seeing her like this again made me feel nostalgic.

“It’s okay. I’m not going anywhere.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

I let out a small chuckle at her slightly dissatisfied expression and hesitantly put my knee on the bed.

“Well then, excuse me.”

As I sat down, the crisp white sheets crinkled slightly and the faint creaking of the duvet filled the dimly lit room. Lying down next to the young lady, I let myself relax.

“……”

Staring at the ceiling, I closed my eyes. I wasn’t so weak that a simple sports tournament would completely exhaust me, but it had been just enough of a workout. At this rate, I could probably fall asleep again in no time.

“Eito. Are you still awake?”

“I’m awake.”

With my eyes closed, I couldn’t see what the young lady was doing, but I could hear the slight rustling of movement. Then suddenly, something warm and soft pressed against my body.

“Ojō?”

“……You’re my substitute for a hug pillow. That was supposed to be my reward, wasn’t it?”

Surprised, I opened my eyes, and the source of that warmth and softness was revealed to me.

The young lady, dressed in an elegant yet adorable pale pink nightgown, was clinging to me.

“That’s right.”

“Mhm… So let me sleep like this tonight.”

“Of course. Please, sleep as you wish.”

She buried her face in my chest and closed her eyes.

Maybe it was because of how close we were, but the sweet, floral scent of her freshly bathed skin gently filled the air. As I watched her nestle into me so trustingly, a deep warmth welled up in my chest-an overwhelming sense of affection.

When she was young, the young lady often felt lonely because her beloved parents were always busy working.

But she never let them know. She kept her sadness and loneliness bottled up, often crying alone in secret. (Of course, I would rush to her side every time this happened).

Perhaps as a result, she became somewhat incapable of expressing her true feelings or relying on others. She could carry on polite, formal conversations and respond appropriately when spoken to, but she had very few people she could call true friends. Aside from myself and the staff at the estate, perhaps only a handful – including Kazami – could truly see her for who she was.

For her, this was a huge step forward, and I wanted to celebrate it.

If I had permission, I would hug her right now and let that overflowing joy and affection guide me.

“You can hug me if you want.”

“-Huh?”

Her words, as if she had read my thoughts, surprised me so much that I could not react properly.

“W-Well… It was the sports tournament today, right? You must be tired too.”

Ah, so that’s what she meant. She was just worried about my tiredness.

That startled me… Of course, the young lady had a keen intuition. She inherited it from her mother, who was said to have such keen insight that people whispered that she could see the future.

But still – to read my thoughts? That was impossible… right?

“No need to worry. I may have gotten a little carried away today, but I’m not so weak that a simple sports tournament would completely exhaust me.”

“You are tired, aren’t you?”

“Ojō, please, you don’t need to worry about me…”

“Eito. You are very tired today.”

Her words were firm, leaving no room for argument.

What is this? I feel an overwhelming pressure.

“Um… okay. Yes, I’m tired.”

“Good. Then hug me and let your tiredness melt away.”

“Wait, what?”

“What? Am I not good enough to be a hug pillow?”

“That’s not it at all! If anything, that’s the height of luxury-ah, no, that’s not what I mean-”

That was close. I was almost completely caught up in her words.

“Um… Ojō, are you really okay with this? If anything, you’re the one who’s more exhausted today.”

“It’s okay. I’ll feel more rested that way.”

“I understand. Then, as you wish.”

She had worked so hard today. If this was her reward, then granting her this small indulgence was the least I could do.

“Excuse me then.”

I wrapped my arms around her carefully, as if handling delicate glass.

Her body was slender, fragile, soft and warm… something precious that I wanted to protect.

“Ah-”

“I’m sorry. If this is uncomfortable, I’ll let go right now-”

“N-No, it’s not!”

The moment I hugged her; she flinched with a sudden jolt.

For a second, I was worried – maybe it was uncomfortable for her to be held by someone like me, an abandoned stray.

But she dismissed my concerns immediately.

“Um… It’s just that being like this, holding each other under the covers… it made my heart race. But it’s never because I don’t like you, Eito. Never.”

“I see. That’s a relief.”

And it really was. From the depths of my heart, I felt a wave of relief wash over me.

For more than being hated by the entire world, the thought of being hated by her was what truly terrified me.

“……”

Before I even realized it, my hand had begun to gently stroke her hair.

“Hyan!”

“Ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… It was unconscious.”

“I-It’s okay. If it’s you, Eito… as much as you want.”

Damn it. What was I doing?

Even if it was unintentional, I had gotten carried away.

Just lying in the same bed and holding her like that was outrageous enough – what was I thinking?

“So? Don’t you want to continue?”

“C-Continue…?”

“You won’t pet me anymore?”

She looked up at me from my arms, her eyes full of expectation.

Something mischievous stirred inside me.

“Do you want me to?”

“Yes.”

“Then you have to ask properly.”

“Wha-?”

I wasn’t even sure what I was saying.

But seeing the usually self-confident, vivacious young lady cuddle into my arms like this awakened something unfamiliar deep inside me – something I didn’t quite recognize.

“If you don’t ask properly, I won’t hug you.”

“Uuuh…”

My hand moved on its own, cupping her cheek gently.

…Ah. This is bad.

Looking into her wet, pleading eyes, I felt my restraint slipping away.

I knew I had to stop. I really did.

And yet I couldn’t.

Had I always been this weak-willed?

“…te.”

“Your voice is as sweet as a bird’s song, but I’m afraid I couldn’t quite hear you.”

“Eito, you’re being a little mean tonight.”

“It seems so. Apparently, I’m quite a tease right now.”

Normally, she would have given me a sharp, protesting look.

But tonight she didn’t have her usual fire.

And that only made it harder for me to hold back.

“Tell me, Ojō – what do you want me to do?”

“I want you to.”

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

But when my fingers caressed her cheek, her face flushed bright red and she forced herself to speak again.

“…Eito, I want you to pat my head.”

“Well done.”

“Mmh…”

The smile that slipped from my lips – what kind of expression was that, exactly?

I chose not to dwell on it too deeply as I gently ran my fingers through her hair.

Nestled in my arms, she looked confused, but made no move to resist.

“Good night, Ojō. May you have sweet dreams.”

If this went on any longer, something inside me would surely break.

With the last of my willpower, I let myself fall asleep.

☆

Bathed in the soft morning light streaming through the window, I was overcome by a strange feeling of defeat.

“……………………”

Last night I gave it my all. I really did.

If anything, I was ready to settle things once and for all – I had mustered up that much courage.

But when I opened my eyes this morning…

“I was completely defeated again…”

Defeated. A crushing loss.

There was no other way to say it.

When I woke up, Eito was no longer in bed.

The seat next to me was empty.

For the record, I was still wearing my combat outfit – my negligee.

Although, at some point in my sleep, it had shifted slightly, leaving a shoulder strap slipping down my arm…

And yet it seemed completely untouched.

“Am I really so lacking in charm…?”

I mean, I’m well aware of my own… development.

Which is why I trying to use it to my advantage.

I was fully prepared to use everything at my disposal.

And yet, even after seeing me in such a disheveled state, Eito apparently did nothing.

It’s admirable how much of a gentleman he is, of course…

But considering that I went in expecting to win, it’s a bit disheartening.

…Well.

Last night, Eito wasn’t exactly a gentleman.

But that was kind of… nice, in a way.

“Ugh… That was totally unfair.”

Just remembering how I ended up begging makes me want to curl up in a ball and disappear.

And yet, I can’t deny that a part of me was thrilled by Eito’s teasing.

No, actually.

I might even like this side of him.

“I wonder if he’d tease me again if I asked.”

The mere thought sent a fresh wave of embarrassment over me.

☆

Bathed in the soft morning light streaming through the window, I found myself struggling with a deep sense of self-reproach.

“……………………”

Of all people… I ended up doing this to the very person I serve – my Ojō.

“Nn…”

The person in question was still sleeping beside me, breathing softly, completely at ease.

At some point during the night, her clothes must have shifted.

One of her shoulder straps had slipped down, exposing her smooth, porcelain-like shoulder in a way that felt almost indecent.

“Honestly. You’re way too defenseless.”

As I gently ran my fingers through her hair, Ojō made a small, adorable sound – even though she was fast asleep.

Yes. From now on, even if she orders me to be her body pillow, I should find an excuse to refuse. I really shouldn’t let things turn out like last night.

I twirled a few golden strands between my fingers, feeling the silky smoothness as they slipped through.

Bathed in the soft glow of the morning light, her hair shimmered like threads of pure gold.

Unable to resist, I planted a soft kiss on those radiant locks and murmured:

“You make it far too tempting to tease you… so please, no more rewards like this, Ojō.”

With a final kiss on her hair, I pushed the mischievous impulse that had surfaced back into the depths of my heart.

…But now that I’m aware of it, it might be a bit of a challenge to suppress it from now on.

————————————

Happy New Year!

(I had planned to update a little earlier, but I didn’t make it in time…)

I am looking forward to another great year together!

I originally planned to limit each chapter to five episodes, but that completely fell apart right away.

The next update will start a new chapter!