349: We’ve Made Peace Right? (3)

Chisato immediately deduced Youko's situation.

This was probably that thing… the so-called hangover. 

The brain and stomach were both suffering from the aftereffects of alcohol, leading to this miserable, half-dead state.

He knocked again and asked, and this time, Youko's voice came from inside. "Come in."

"Ah—huh? Chisato? What are you doing here?"

Youko, sitting inside, quickly pulled her robe closed when she saw him enter.

Chisato took a moment to process her words before realizing what she was actually asking.

Clearly, she assumed he had gone home last night and had come over early in the morning.

"Forget coming in—I never left last night."

He explained.

"So that means you stayed over last night… which means… huh? Eh? Ehh?!"

Youko's expression shifted as if she had realized something outrageous. Suddenly, a knowing and amused smile appeared on her face.

Chisato, however, had no interest in discussing this topic with her and instead brought up the reason he had come.

"Youko-san, are you alright? You sounded like you were in a lot of pain."

"Ah… right, ugh…"

Prompted by his reminder, Youko was pulled back to reality. Her body, still at odds with her, made her press her right hand against her forehead, massaging it.

"I had something to celebrate last night, so I indulged a bit more than usual. And, well, as expected, I'm paying the price now. My head is killing me."

"No matter how happy you are, you should still know your limits."

Chisato asked with concern, "Should I get you a glass of warm water? Drinking more water helps break down the alcohol in your system—it might ease the symptoms a bit."

"Ah, that would be a huge help… Oh, and if it's not too much trouble, could you also make me some oatmeal?" 

"Add a small spoonful of honey and some dried fruit—it should be in the kitchen cabinet. You should be able to find it easily."

"Got it, I understand."

Chisato agreed without hesitation. It was just a small favor, and besides, this was Kazusa's mother—his future mother, too.

He left the room and went downstairs to the kitchen to get to work.

After he was gone, Youko got out of bed and walked over to her daughter's room.

As soon as she stepped inside, her eyes landed on the futon spread out on the floor. She blinked, unsure whether she felt disappointed or relieved.

Approaching the bed, she saw her daughter's lips slightly pursed, her eyes tightly shut—she seemed to be asleep.

But… with her boyfriend in the same room, could her daughter really be sleeping this peacefully?

…

Kazusa could hear Chisato returning. She heard the bedroom door open again and the sound of footsteps gradually approaching.

He stopped at the bedside. Now, he seemed to be standing still, just looking at her.

That's fine. Take your time and look. I'm not opening my eyes.

If you want to do something, now's your chance. Make the most of it—because in a little while, I'll be "waking up." 

This is your last opportunity.

…Mm.

Her fingertip was pinched… What is he trying to do?

Come to think of it, he once told her that he thought her hands were beautiful.

But right now, I'm supposed to be completely asleep. I have no awareness of anything happening around me.

So, theoretically, no matter what you do, I won't stop you.

So… so could you stop just pinching my fingers? 

Can't you do something else? 

Have a little more guts, you idiot!

It was as if Chisato had heard Kazusa's inner thoughts. He soon stopped lightly pinching her fingers and shifted his focus elsewhere.

With her eyes closed, Kazusa felt her delicate earlobe being gently grasped.

She fought back the embarrassment rising in her chest, staying silent as his fingertips brushed past her cheek, traced along her jawline, and reached her neck, where they teased her skin with soft, pendulum-like strokes.

A faint ticklish sensation stirred her nerves.

Damn it… Could this bastard have already figured out that I'm awake? 

Otherwise, why would he just keep teasing me like this, as if he were playing a joke? 

Last night, he was like a complete pervert, biting me relentlessly and groping me all over.

The movements at her neck came to a halt. The next moment, Kazusa felt her face being gently cupped, and she sensed him lowering his head, drawing closer.

This familiar opening move… There was no doubt about it.

Her heartbeat quickened. 

The moment she had been secretly anticipating had finally arrived. She slightly relaxed the tension in her lips, making it easier for him to slip in when the time came.

Ah—

She could feel it. That bastard was getting closer… His scent…

Wait, hold on… A scent?!

No…

It wasn't just his scent… There was also the smell of alcohol…

Alcohol?!

Kazusa's eyes snapped open in an instant.

What met her gaze was Youko's mischievous grin, as if she had just pulled off a successful prank.

"Mom?!"

Kazusa instinctively leaned back, putting some distance between them. With a voice filled with frustration, she demanded,

"Why did you come into my room without knocking?!"

Youko looked completely unconcerned.

"Oh, come on. Since when have I ever knocked before entering your room?"

That was true… but today was different!

"Oh, right. As for Chisato, he's downstairs making oatmeal for me. He's such a considerate boy. You're in for a good life—you'll be well taken care of."

"Who needs to be taken care of by him?!"

"But you two slept together."

"Don't get the wrong idea! He slept on the floor last night!"

"Is that so?"

Youko kicked off her slippers, walked over, and nudged the futon on the floor with her bare foot, carefully feeling it with her sole.

"If Chisato had really slept here, how come there's not even a trace of warmth left? It's pretty obvious you two shared the bed."

"..."

Kazusa was speechless.

This was exactly what she hated about her mother sometimes. Did she really need to be this sharp in moments like these?

Smack!

Out of nowhere, Youko suddenly reached out and gave her daughter's butt a quick slap.

"What the hell?!"

Kazusa flinched in pain, springing up with lightning-fast reflexes, her expression completely unfazed.

"Oh, nothing. Go back to pretending to sleep. Chisato will be back soon."

Youko shrugged and turned to leave.

She had only been speculating before, but after seeing her daughter's reaction just now, she was completely certain.

Well, since they've already made up, it's probably only a matter of time before that happens.

_______

50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta

_______

If any of you noticed an error, please point it out in comments!