Their Little Secret

Mahiru sat alone in the bathtub, her knees drawn close to her chest. Alone with her thoughts, she fought desperately to resist the urge to scream, overwhelmed by the vivid scenarios playing out in her mind about what was soon to happen.

Even though I proposed the idea myself, I'm like this.

"…Tonight, is it okay if I don't go home…?" After mustering up her courage, Mahiru had uttered these words on the final night of the cultural festival. Amane, despite his significant hesitation, agreed to her request nonetheless.

Unlike their time at Amane's family home, she had made up her mind to spend the night together as lovers—a sentiment Amane appeared to grasp. In the early days of their relationship, he would have adamantly declined, his face flushing red with embarrassment. Now, however, he accepted her request, albeit with great reluctance. This showed that his feelings for Mahiru had deepened to a point where he could no longer turn a blind eye to his love and desire for her.

While Mahiru knew that she wasn't exactly well-versed about such matters, being more on the ignorant side for a girl of her age, by no means was she completely clueless. She understood the desires that a man like Amane could have and how desperately he tried to suppress them, accepting it as a matter of course. He pushed his urges to the wayside out of his love for her, but he was holding on by a thread. Mahiru was aware that the possibility of intimacy would skyrocket once they decided to spend the night together. She was aware that, should something happen to snap that thread, she would soon become dessert.

Still, that possibility was one she was prepared for, and thus, she pleaded to spend time with Amane.

…It's not as if I want to go on the offensive or anything.

Just remembering what she had said made her so embarrassed that she submerged her mouth in the bath and bubbled out her shame with her breath. Yet, as the realization of her outrageous statement and the current situation gradually sunk in, her embarrassment only grew further.

Mahiru had stayed in the bath to take care of her body after Amane got out first. It was just her usual routine, but from Amane's perspective, it might seem like she was putting in extra effort. While it may sound like an unnecessary excuse, she hadn't asked to stay over because she wanted to engage in love-making activities. She wanted to be by his side and feel his warmth, to make up for the lack of Amanium she felt during the cultural festival. She wasn't necessarily seeking out that specific act. Understanding that there was a high chance of being loved both physically and emotionally as a result of their intimacy, she was willing to accept things as they came.

"…Uuu," she groaned, her voice muffled and echoing in the bathroom. Despite her resolve, the embarrassment rising inside her was uncontrollable. Mahiru was just like any other girl her age. It wasn't as if she never had such fantasies of her own. She guessed why Amane sometimes uncomfortably moved away during moments of close contact. When that happened, she would occasionally notice the presence of a certain something. Due to this, or perhaps thanks to it, she faintly imagined Amane proving his love for her physically.

Mahiru's knowledge didn't extend to information about that something. Her understanding was limited to health textbooks and shoujo manga borrowed from her friend Chitose. While she understood the mechanics of sexual intercourse, she failed to visualize it in her mind. Her scarce knowledge led her to imagine only being touched, hugging naked, or wrapped in sheets. Even so, for Mahiru, it was quite stimulating, enough to overload her mind. The thought that something even more intense could happen to her made her heart race uncontrollably.

She instinctively held her chest. Beyond the soft plumpness, she felt a mighty pulse coming from her heart. She was aware that the strain on her heart was half due to tension and half due to anticipation, her embarrassment still burning within.

…I do want to respond to him. I do, but…

She understood very well that Amane was extremely reserved and cautious, respecting her to the point of not making a move. His hidden desires were not just physical urges but stemmed from his genuine love for her. That's why Mahiru wanted to respond to him, to entrust herself to him completely, to be loved in body and soul, to become Amane's. Still, even then, she couldn't say for certain that she had no resistance to it at all.

…Oh, right, I must leave the bath soon. I know that Amane-kun might feel awkward otherwise.

While Mahiru agonized and squirmed about in the bath, Amane would be waiting in the living room. She didn't want to keep him waiting. Her heart still unsettled, she convinced herself to let things happen as they would and stepped out of the bathtub.

Whatever happens, happens.

After letting the droplets clinging to her body be gently absorbed by the towel, Mahiru applied body milk to her skin and proceeded with her facial skincare routine. She had to be careful not to be too enthusiastic in her preparations, so as not to make it obvious, but she couldn't help but be thorough in checking her body. While confirming the super soft, glossy texture of her skin after the bath, she glanced at the change of clothes in the basket. She had brought two types of nightwear.

One was a knee-length negligee with a lace cardigan, chosen with the anticipation of Amane's preferences. The negligee left her décolletage exposed, but the fabric was not see-through and nicely accentuated her body line—not too much, not too little. The cardigan, worn over it, moderated the level of exposure. It was evident from Amane's usual demeanor that he preferred such clothing, favoring modest attire that maintained a sense of elegance over those that blatantly emphasized sexuality. In other words, he liked things that were tidy and chaste.

Considering that, I should probably seal this one away.

She glanced briefly at the other set she'd prepared, hidden underneath as if to conceal it, and fabricated excuses in her mind. She had—just in case—prepared something for when one thing led to another. It truly was just in case. Mahiru had bought it encouraged by Chitose's insistence that "it wouldn't hurt to have one just in case he initiated things." The other negligee—or rather, lingerie—was incomparably more sensual than the first. It was something Mahiru would never wear in her right mind. The fabric, being sheer, was transparent and its design would easily reveal what should be hidden with a slight shift. It seemed far too unreliable.

In her mind, appearing in front of Amane wearing that would be coming on too strong—it would scream eagerness and likely repel him. Besides, wearing such an embarrassing garment was unthinkable. While it had been Chitose's idea, and Mahiru still felt foolish for even buying it, she feared the part of herself that might actually wear it to please Amane.

L-Let's go with the cardigan today…

The fact that I even purchased something like this…does that not make me incredibly naughty? Steering away from that line of thought, she reached for the more modest negligee.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

In the end, choosing the regular negligee was probably the right decision. Amane had been watching TV on the sofa as usual, but when Mahiru approached and he looked up, his cheeks were too flushed to be excused simply as being post-bath warmth. Catching sight of Mahiru, he visibly relaxed, likely relieved that she hadn't been influenced by any of Chitose's ideas.

She did encourage me, however.

Mahiru was glad she hadn't worn that other outfit. Had she done so, Amane surely wouldn't have been able to look her in the eye. She didn't even have the confidence to appear in front of him dressed like that. His gaze, a mixture of relief and slight excitement, wasn't unpleasant to her, but it still felt awkward to be seen in her nightwear in such a bright place. She had been seen in her pajamas at Amane's family home, but those were just her regular clothes with intentionally minimal exposure. That had certainly been embarrassing in its own way, but this attire was on a whole different level.

Feeling Amane's gaze tracing the contours of her negligee, she shrunk a bit, but didn't hide away, considering she had worn it for him to see.

"D-Does it look strange?" she asked, even though she knew from his reaction that it wasn't the case.

Misinterpreting that as anxiety, Amane gently shook his head and said, "Not one bit. It's cute and suits you rather well. I was just thinking that they're different from the ones you wore back at my parents' house." Saying that, he continued observing her, albeit modestly.

"O-Of course I wouldn't wear such clothes at your parents' house. But, erm, only you can see me right now, Amane-kun, so I…kind of tried a bit harder."

To say that she had worn it for Amane wouldn't be entirely correct. She did acknowledge that part of her wanted to please him, to stir his feelings with such an outfit. The thought itself made her fidget embarrassingly, but Amane averted his eyes shyly at her words.

They were both aware of their mutual embarrassment, but nothing would progress at this rate, so Mahiru hesitantly moved closer to sit down next to him.

While Amane appeared somewhat tense, she wanted to be closer to him, to touch him, so she cautiously leaned against his body.

Under normal circumstances, this distance would have felt more natural, but the mix of uncertainty and anticipation regarding what might happen next rendered them both tense. Amane, clearly rigid, appeared to be making an effort to behave normally, accepting Mahiru's closeness without pulling away, which brought her a sense of reassurance.

"…Honestly, I was worried about what I'd do if you came in wearing some really daring nightwear."

His sudden confession sent an involuntary shiver through her body.

Naturally, it was an unavoidable reaction.

"I had considered it, actually." She hadn't just considered it—she had actually purchased one and brought it with her. Of course, admitting that was something she found herself unable to do.

"Mahiru…"

"But, erm… I-I thought that if I was too…aggressive in what I wore, it might weird you out."

While she had refrained due to aforementioned reasons, Mahiru pondered whether Amane might have been hoping for her to wear something more provocative. Yet, she felt too embarrassed to don such a flashy and suggestive outfit on what could be their first time together. She murmured, "I'm sure of it," while recalling the negligee—no, lingerie—still no, the thing that barely kept anything hidden which she had stashed away under her change of clothes.

Amane, imagining what she might have been referring to, blushed deeper. "…I wouldn't be weirded out by that. I'd be happy knowing you wore it just for me, Mahiru."

"I-I won't wear it, okay?" "You won't?"

"Would you like me to?" Hearing a hint of disappointment in his voice, she felt compelled to ask.

…I think it might be too stimulating for Amane-kun.

Beyond just the minimal amount of fabric, what was most striking was its design, which seemed to intentionally display areas that are usually covered up. It was the kind of item that could make someone faint the moment they laid eyes on it. Amane might be imagining something sheer and frilly, and while Mahiru also considered such items to be risqué, what she had brought was even more daring—it was specifically designed to easily expose the skin if one chose to. It was likely even more radical than what Amane was imagining.

"No, well, someday…I would like to see it. When you feel like the time is right, Mahiru, go ahead and show it to me," he replied.

"Then…someday, okay?"

"Yeah, someday… We don't need to rush things for now."

While relieved that Amane had a desire to see it yet backed off so easily, Mahiru also felt conflicted. She appreciated his attitude of respecting her wishes, but couldn't help but send him a look questioning whether that was really okay for a gentleman. When he tilted his head in response, she simply replied, "It's nothing."

Amane then smiled gently, taking Mahiru's hand into his large palm. Despite knowing this was his way of calming her, given the situation, she still momentarily tensed up. However, the soft warmth soon melted her stiffness. His gesture was a silent message telling her not to worry about it too much, warming her heart and bringing a soft smile to her lips.

Her heart continued to race, but it was no longer painful. It was a gentle sensation that, while slightly constricting, led to a mix of wistful sweetness and happiness. Strangely, despite having a clear state of mind, there was a feeling contradicting that. She was lost in euphoria, her mind beginning to melt. But more than anything, she deeply felt Amane's care for her, and with those happy feelings, she leaned her head against him.

Her gaze rested on the television, which continued to deliver news in a monotone voice. The screen displayed a clear and distinct presentation of current events happening around them. Yet, none of it truly sank in, likely due to the presence beside her. Ever so gently, Amane also shifted closer to Mahiru, not so much leaning as it was a subtle, almost affectionate snuggle. They listened to the news anchor's steady voice, spending the time quietly.

Their once restless hearts found a calming rhythm, comfortably lulling each other into a soothing state. Feeling her heartbeat return to a familiar pace, Mahiru was reassured by Amane's body heat and the touch of his fingers. Then, she noticed a subtle change in the way his fingers had been touching her. What was once a comforting, enveloping touch, now subtly shifted into something different. He wasn't just containing her hand in his—his fingers slid between hers as if seeking her, capturing her hand. This gesture seemed less about not letting go and more about not wanting to be apart. Mahiru silently squeezed his hand back in response.

"…It's about time. Let's get some sleep."

Moved by the gentle tone of his softly spoken words, Mahiru quietly gripped Amane's hand once more.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

Without being urged nor led by Amane, Mahiru held his hand and entered his bedroom, guided by her own will. Despite her resolve, she could only feel a rising tension and embarrassment, so to distract herself, she looked around his room, which she normally didn't scrutinize too much.

Since getting to know Mahiru, Amane had made it a point to clean properly. Perhaps due to the lack of many belongings, the room was remarkably tidy and neat. His personality seemed to reflect in the minimalistic décor. The only notable items were a plushie placed on his study/work desk and something that had caught Mahiru's attention back in spring: an 'evil' cushion so incredibly comfortable that it spoiled whoever sat on it. The plushie was a trophy of effort, won by Mahiru after multiple attempts during their Golden Week date. Amidst the room's simple ambiance, the plushie stood out charmingly—it was impeccably clean and carefully maintained.

"…I notice you have been taking great care of your plushie."

"Yeah, just enough that it doesn't get dusty, though. I don't sleep with it wrapped in my arms like you do, Mahiru."

"A-Are you making fun of me?"

He was likely referring to the teddy bear that he'd gifted for her birthday. Indeed, she slept soundly hugging it every night and took great care of it, but having that fact pointed out like this was embarrassing. It felt as if she was being childish despite being a highschool girl.

"Why would I? It's too cute to make fun of you. I'm happy that you're cherishing it." Having been replied to so seriously, Mahiru found herself unable to object.

"…I always treasure what I receive from you, Amane-kun."

"Thanks…you didn't bring it with you today, did you? Kuma-san, I mean." "Erm, that's because…I have you with me tonight, Amane-kun." "…Yeah."

Today, her usual sleeping companion, her teddy bear, was left to hold down the fort. For tonight, Amane would take on that role. Whether Mahiru wanted to use him as a body pillow or to become a body pillow remained uncertain, but either way, they had every intention to caress each other, to share their warmth with each other.

Her chest beginning to ache slightly upon realizing she was actually in Amane's room, she shrank a little. Then, for some reason, he silently covered the cat plushie with a blanket. Mahiru knew where the blanket came from as it had been draped over a chair, but his action left her puzzled, and her nervousness momentarily dissipated.

"…Is something wrong?"

"W-Well, I feel like I can't relax right while it's watching me… That's all." Mahiru giggled. "So you care about it too, don't you, Amane-kun?" "Quiet, you."

"I find it to be rather cute, though?"

"You're one to talk, always hugging Kuma-san to sleep." "We already finished talking about that earlier, geez!"

Perhaps amused by Mahiru's pouting expression, Amane chuckled. In response, she lightly slapped his side with her free hand, but he didn't seem perturbed. Instead, he looked at her with amusement and affection, making her feel ticklish under his warm gaze. Being seen through like this was the most embarrassing part for Mahiru. It was yet another way he fawned over her.

Amane appeared ready to take whatever she threw at him. A little frustrated, Mahiru narrowed her eyes and looked at Amane, who, unfazed by her glare, wore a gentle smile on his lips. Then, he softly intercepted Mahiru's small fist, her means of 'attack,' capturing it with his large palm. There was no strength in his hold. There was simply the intertwining of fingers, as if joining hands. Just this simple gesture drained Mahiru of all her strength. Now resigned to her fate, she was naturally led to the bed by Amane. Though she did not resist, sitting on the bed made her heart race all the more, as she thought about what was soon to come.

…What would you like to do, Amane-kun? She looked up, feeling him let go of her hand, only to find herself embraced in Amane's arms before she could fully glimpse his face.

"…Is it okay if we, uh…pick up where we left off earlier…in the bathroom?"

Raising her head from his chest and looking up, Mahiru found herself gazing into Amane's deep, obsidian-like eyes. Although they appeared calm, there was a tinge of urgency colored in them, almost as if he was impatient. Nearly mesmerized by his gaze, she managed a faltering "Y-Yes," while her thoughts raced with panic. Her somewhat flustered reply was a reaction to the unexpected shift in his demeanor.

Amane, whether aware or unaware of her inner turmoil, smiled softly. The warmth in his smile gave Mahiru a spell of dizziness, and at that very moment, his rugged fingertips lifted her chin, and he leaned in to kiss her.

Ah… She was given no time to react.

His lips, slightly firmer than her own, touched hers gently. He seemed to have been taking care of his lips recently too, as they were full and smooth—not at all dry or chapped. They managed to soothe Mahiru's with a comforting caress. The warmth she felt transfer from him was much more intense than her own. Amane, understanding that Mahiru was just getting used to being kissed, pressed his lips to hers gently, rubbing them together slowly to ease her tension. She felt an emotion that wasn't exactly embarrassment but carried an indescribable restlessness, devoid of any trace of discomfort. The longer they kissed, the more her strength ebbed away, as if being drawn out of her, causing her to lean more and more against Amane's body. She might have suddenly fallen backward had he not been supporting her.

The slight roughness of his lips as he kissed her was tantalizing in an indescribable way, and she giggled unintentionally. Amane, who had initiated the kiss, also chuckled at her reaction. Then, gently and tenderly, he deepened the kiss, savoring Mahiru. His warm, slightly rough tongue slipped inside, cautiously yet eagerly exploring what resided within. Though she had some experience, this kind of kiss was one she was not yet accustomed to. Still, she wanted to accept Amane's warmth and found everything he did so comfortable that Mahiru, in turn, began to seek him out more and more as if responding to his advances. Their warmth melded through their lips, realizing even their breaths had become equally heated. Intertwining their breaths and tongues, they continued to indulge endlessly in each other's warmth.

While her mind was in the clouds, her body was acutely sensitive to every stimulus. The mere caress of Amane's hand on her back, meant to support her, sent unknown sensations coursing through her body like electricity. Had Amane gotten used to doing this? Or had he been holding back until now? To Mahiru, the answer was unclear. As their kisses grew more intense, so did her responses—not just breaths but also soft moans began to spill from her lips.

High-pitched. Slightly hoarse. Something between a voice and a breath. Mahiru herself couldn't fathom where such sounds were coming from. Her voice wasn't the only thing that seemed to melt; her entire body felt as if it was dissolving, wholly yielding to Amane.

As Mahiru responded to the kiss with a voice so sweet she could hardly believe it was her own, Amane gently moved his hand. Tracing the line of her waist hidden beneath the negligee made her body shiver for a moment, but she had no intention of stopping him. The feeling of his palm slowly sliding upwards sent shivers up her spine, but as they kissed, it was swiftly overlaid by a different sensation.

――If things continue like this, we…

If she let Amane have his way, she didn't even have to think about it—the destination they would be heading toward was clear as day. She had no intention of refusing. But reflexively, her body shook violently, and he quickly withdrew his hand from her body. Not only that, his lips also parted from hers as he wore an expression tinged with both lust and guilt. Seeing this, Mahiru instinctively buried her face in Amane's chest, capturing the hand that was always trying to prioritize her over himself.

"…Erm, I do not intend to retract what I said before…when I asked to stay the night," Mahiru cleared up, as Amane must have mistaken her shiver as fear or rejection.

No, that's not it.

To say she wasn't scared at all would be a lie. Letting someone touch her for the first time, experiencing unknown sensations, accepting another's desires…these were things that would naturally frighten most people on the receiving end. And rightly so. Entrusting one's body to another is to make oneself vulnerable to anything that might happen. Nevertheless, Mahiru had decided to accept Amane. Looking up at him from within his arms, she saw surprise mingled with his earlier expression. In the end, he had been about to withdraw on his own. No matter how aroused he was, how much he desired Mahiru, he respected her and was willing to wait until she was ready.

How could she possibly refuse Amane, who was endlessly kind and incapable of putting himself first? His warmth, his heart, his appearance, his everything. She wanted to accept him in his entirety and make him hers. She wanted him to understand that the desire to possess the other wasn't his alone. Amid her shyness, yet with unwavering resolve, she gazed at Amane through eyes slightly moistened by the intensity of their kiss. He ushered a sigh, causing her body to tremble in worry that she had angered him. But then he ruffled her hair, took several deep breaths as if to compose himself, and looked back at her. In his obsidian eyes, a fire burned too fiercely to mask, mixed with a cool, iron-like glint. "Um, well I…" "Y-Yes?"

"As for how I feel, I want to make you mine, Mahiru." "…Yes."

That must be how he truly felt. While it felt unseemly, shifting her gaze slightly downward revealed something that spoke more eloquently than words.

"…But, you know, erm…I'm not old enough to take responsibility just yet, and if something happened, you would be the one affected the most. Well, I would of course take responsibility if something did happen, but it's not like I can promise a legally definite relationship immediately." Mahiru wasn't so obtuse or foolish as to not understand his words. "I love you, Mahiru, and that's precisely why I want to put you first. Once you find things that you want to do or study in the future, I don't want to interfere with those goals. We will spend a lot of time together from now on, and considering that, I don't think that your life should be dictated by the emotions and desires of a single moment right now."

"…I understand."

"I am fully prepared to spend the rest of my life with you, Mahiru. It's just that, I…"

"You don't need to say anything else," Mahiru cut in. She understood even without him continuing.

Honestly, he's always so…

Amane always acted with her best interests at heart, in every way. Still, Mahiru wasn't oblivious to it all either. She knew that the act love led to could result in a new life, and no contraception was truly foolproof. Even with utmost care, there was always a chance of conception, and should it happen, Mahiru would be nurturing a life while still a student. This could lead to some form of punishment from the school, or even if not, she might be the subject of criticism for being so irresponsible. Moreover, it wasn't a done deal once the child was born—it still had to be raised. The idea of bringing another child like Mahiru into the world, and being the ones at fault for it, was something she absolutely wanted no part of.

Truly, I am such a lucky woman.

Amane had taken everything into consideration, and despite being faced with the opportunity and temptation to unleash his long-suppressed desires, he still decided to choose her future. Ever so grateful for his decision, Mahiru gently reached her hand out to his cheek.

"Amane-kun, I understand just how much you respect me, and that you love me very deeply. To be valued this much by you…I'm so, so happy."

Her chest stirred with warmth.

Feeling so deeply loved, respected, and cherished, Mahiru realized the extent of his feelings. Although she had been filled with happiness since they started dating, there had always been a small, unfillable gap inside her heart. Now, at last, Amane's presence had completely filled that empty space. Her heart, once hollow, was now wholly filled by Amane. She felt this immense happiness with her heart and body, so much so that she felt like she might cry tears of joy. Not trying to contain this surge of happiness, Mahiru let all her emotions flow into a smile and pressed her lips against Amane's in a tender kiss.

"…I love you, Amane-kun…from the bottom of my heart!"

Mahiru was confident that at this moment, she was the happiest and most fulfilled person in the world. As she felt so overwhelmed with emotion that she was on the verge of tears, Amane bestowed a gentle kiss upon her. His kiss, like a soft ray of sunlight illuminating both body and soul, was calm and soothing.

He then tenderly enveloped Mahiru in his embrace.

"Could you please wait until I'm ready to take responsibility?"

Just what did that imply? Amane, his voice slightly trembling, was setting constraints on himself for their future together. The way he looked at her with a love-filled gaze, imbued with slight impatience and a trace of frustration, made it easy for Mahiru to guess how much he was holding back. The biggest proof of that was felt in their close contact. The very embodiment of his restrained impulses was almost pressed up against her, as if to communicate his resolve.

Mahiru cast a brief glance downward and blushed as a certain something entered her field of vision. However, with Amane's resolve crystal clear, the sight was by no means unpleasant. With a bashful nod of acknowledgement to herself, Mahiru nestled closer toward the ever-enduring and steadfast Amane once more. As she touched his solid chest, she sensed his racing heartbeat, which made her own pulse quicken as if in a kind of sympathetic resonance.

"Then, I shall let myself be cherished until the time comes."

I'm so, so happy. Mahiru smiled at Amane with a satisfied look, and he nodded back at her with a satisfied expression of his own before softly bringing her into a gentle embrace.

"I'll make sure to cherish you."

Hearing his whisper, Mahiru closed her eyes, full with a sweet and gentle anticipation. They held each other in silence, their heartbeats merging into a synchronized rhythm. This calming sensation made her feel as if they were melting into one another.

"…Hey."

As Mahiru teetered on the brink of sleep, comforted by what felt like gentle sunlight, she faintly heard a voice calling out to her. "Yes?" she responded softly.

"Is it okay if I ask something embarrassing?"

Seeing Amane mumbling his words as if he found them difficult to say, Mahiru couldn't help but giggle, wondering why he was hesitating now of all times.

"Please go ahead. As the one that I love, I shall accept your cool side, your embarrassing side, and your every request."

Mahiru was ready to face anything and love everything about him.

…I wonder what this 'embarrassing' thing he wants to ask is. She tilted her head in her mind as she wondered, prepared to accept whatever it happened to be. Then, despite his clear hesitation, Amane moved his lips and brought them close to Mahiru's neck. Although she trembled slightly at the sudden contact, there was no pain, only the warmth of his breath. Mahiru then relaxed her momentarily tensed body.

"…Well, um… May I touch you? …Just a little," Amane asked tentatively.

Mahiru blinked in surprise. His voice was quiet and raspy, but there was no mistaking the passion in his request. Amane seemed to have realized that she might have been reluctant to fully accept him with all of her body. Considering that, what his question really meant was… Her face immediately flushed a deep crimson upon realizing the implication of his words. Her embarrassment not yet fading, she peered up at him briefly, then lowered her gaze again. "…P-Please, be gentle with me."

Mahiru enjoyed being touched by Amane. Even though it might bring her sensations she had never experienced before, she had no intention of refusing his touch. So long as Amane was the one teaching her, she was sure it wouldn't lead to anything bad. Besides, they had made a promise—to experience their first time together. There was no way she would refuse the first time Amane would offer her.

That soft reply was all she could muster through her embarrassment, eliciting a delighted chuckle from Amane. Next, he pulled her by her hand, and collapsed onto the bed, hovering over her body. With the lamp illuminating his figure from behind, he gazed at Mahiru fervently. His look was tender, loving, yearning, and imploring. In the depths of his obsidian eyes, an undeniable, boiling heat flickered, and merely being under his gaze made her feel inexplicably hot to her core, like her body was engulfed in flames. Her heartbeat was significantly faster than usual, almost feeling as if it wasn't her own. His palms, always gentle and hesitant, now traced her body with a hesitant yet clear intent. Still, she was not afraid.

"…Um, if you don't like it, or if it hurts, please tell me. I'll stop right away," Amane declared.

Perhaps worried about the momentary shiver of tension in her body, Amane had gazed intently into Mahiru's eyes before touching her bare skin. He had made that declaration with utmost seriousness. The contrast between his earlier sexiness and his now earnest, considerate gaze was so stark that Mahiru couldn't help but notice it.

"…Don't you think that, as a woman, I'd be happier if you just did as you pleased?"

"Th-That might be true, yeah. But I don't want to force you into anything."

Touched by his words that showed constant concern for her, Mahiru quietly smiled and reached out to Amane. As she placed her hand on his flushed cheek, perhaps due to a mix of nervousness and excitement, the redness in his cheeks deepened and his eyes widened, as if fueled with more emotion.

"Everything you give and do to me, makes me happy… So, Amane-kun, please let me accept all of your feelings."

Even if it hurt a little, if it was something given to her by Amane, she was willing to accept it.

Amane would never deliberately make her suffer. She knew that if any pain occurred, it would be an unavoidable part of the process. This mindset was just one example of her mental preparation.

As Mahiru gazed at him firmly with a smile, Amane's mouth twitched awkwardly, as though he was struggling with something. Then, after swallowing what seemed to be his effort to endure, he placed his palm on Mahiru's chin, lifting it up. Though Mahiru had an inkling of what was to come, as her vision blurred like a curtain being drawn, she felt as if she could see Amane on the other side, tense yet unable to fully suppress a smile born of both restraint and inability to hold back.

"…To the best of my ability, I'll try to make it feel good for you too," he then said.

After a gentle kiss that was merely a touch, followed by his softly spoken words, Mahiru quietly lowered her hand that had been touching Amane. She was certain, both in body and soul, that she could entrust everything to Amane.

…It will all be okay.

With this person, now and for the rest of her life, that would hold true. Filled with a deep sense of relief and euphoria, Mahiru accepted the hand gently exploring a place she had never before allowed anyone to touch.

✧ ₊ ✦ ₊ ✧

When Mahiru awoke the next morning, she quickly realized where she was sleeping and instantly pressed her lips together. She did so to avoid startling Amane, who was sleeping soundly beside her, hugging her tightly. Barely suppressing a scream that almost escaped her tightened lips, Mahiru then switched to calming her racing heart, freshly exhausted from the morning's commotion, and glanced up at her beloved, whose eyes were still closed.

The room was dim, partly due to the curtains being drawn, indicating it was still early morning and that the sun was just beginning to make its daily debut. The light from the side lamp, forgotten to be turned off, seemed unusually bright to the point of dazzling.

In the gentle light, Amane slept with a look of complete peace on his face. He appeared even more innocent and endearing than usual, radiating a sense of deep satisfaction, and just seeing him like this brought a smile to Mahiru's face. He held Mahiru in his embrace with an expression of absolute contentment, reminiscent of a child holding a teddy bear in their sleep. This childlike innocence sharply contrasted with the events of the previous night.

He's so cute, she thought. Yet, this image made her mind wander back to last night, and once again, Mahiru found herself pursing her lips tightly. That…could have been dangerous.

Of course, by that, she was referring to Amane's behavior last night. They had uncovered many facets of each other that were previously unknown, teaching one another in the process. As a result, Mahiru had acquired a deeper understanding of such activities, and had managed to discover new sides of Amane that she hadn't seen before. For example, he was far more skilled and perceptive than she had imagined, yet his caution during crucial moments still remained. But that wasn't all. She also realized that the extent of the desires he had consistently restrained was far greater than she had thought. Just recalling the events of the night—how his gaze, his fingers, and his lips had explored her with a blend of gentleness and thoroughness—caused her cheeks to redden once again.

Glancing under the sheets hiding her body, Mahiru lifted the fabric to see that the clothes she'd been wearing had returned to where they were originally. More accurately, they had been deliberately moved back to their rightful places. However, the delicate fabric now had wrinkles, and the new marks that weren't there before her stay, had been lovingly planted on her pristine skin. These marks were easily visible through the gaps in her negligee—both a clear testament to Amane's impulses and possessiveness and a vivid reminder of their intimacy the night before. While recognizing that fact again was embarrassing for Mahiru, she couldn't bring herself to blame him, as it signified just how much Amane desired her.

Honestly…

Letting out a warm sigh, Mahiru buried her face in Amane's chest, covering herself in his embrace. Until now, her touches had been over his clothes, so she hadn't realized it, but she discovered yesterday his body was more toned and robust than it appeared. She felt it firsthand through their physical contact. The muscles she traced, surprisingly firm, added a strange allure to his sweaty, flushed skin, and were strikingly masculine, enough to stir her heart. That's why her current position was quite embarrassing, but the happiness it brought overshadowed that embarrassment, leading her to snuggle up close like this.

He was so…manly.

Though she had always known this, Amane's gentlemanly behavior had somewhat masked this fact. As a result, she was thoroughly taught, both physically and emotionally, that Amane had only been desperately concealing his true desires. Now, feeling the hand that was wrapped around her back, which had touched her without reserve, her body began to feel strangely hot.

With her thoughts returning to the present, Mahiru realized she was caught between overwhelming embarrassment that urged her to run away and a desire to stay wrapped in the arms of her beloved, savoring the blissful moments. If Amane had been awake, they might have cuddled for a while, enjoying their time together. However, he was unfortunately still sleeping soundly. Moreover, the light seeping through the curtain gaps was growing brighter, signaling that it was likely time to begin their morning routine.

Even on her day off, Mahiru didn't want to break her routine. Since their activities the previous night hadn't been too taxing on her body, she felt it was alright to start her day. After spending some time lost in thought, wrapped in the scent and warmth of the one she loved, Mahiru gently decided to slip out of Amane's relaxed hold.

After I get dressed, let's prepare breakfast, Mahiru decided. She certainly hadn't made that decision because being reminded of last night caused her to groan in embarrassment, nearly writhing on the bed. Absolutely not.

Mahiru carefully got out of bed, trying not to wake him. While attempting to smooth out the wrinkles that had formed in her negligee without damaging the fabric, she looked around the room for a clock. Then, spotting the mountain of blankets on the desk, she couldn't help but giggle for a moment.

Slipping into her slippers quietly, Mahiru approached the desk and freed the cat plushie that had been cozily ensnared in blankets all night. The plushie's round, innocent eyes seemed oblivious to the events of the night before.

Gently, Mahiru lifted the poor cat that had been deprived of its master's presence all night. She placed it beside Amane, who was oblivious to it all as he remained sound asleep, breathing peacefully. Mahiru had done so to ensure that he wouldn't feel lonely or confused upon waking up to find her gone. The sight of him sleeping in tranquility next to the plushie was incredibly an endearing one.

Any remnants of the intense, sharp expression and the unconcealable heat in his gaze from last night were nowhere to be found. Now, he appeared simply as his usual self, yet, having known Amane from last night, he seemed even more youthful and dearer to her than before. Mahiru thought to herself that she would secretly take a photo later, something Amane would probably gently refuse if he heard. Kneeling by the bed, she lightly kissed the cheek of the still-sleeping Amane before standing up.

Let's prepare breakfast. Amane-kun's favorite—dashimaki tamago.

I wonder, is this how a wife feels, looking forward to her husband waking up? Mahiru then asked herself, a thought she deemed far too early and embarrassing to consider. A spring in her step, Mahiru exited his bedroom, making her way to the bathroom.