Chapter 44: Mahiru's Thoughts

Half an hour passed before I finally decided to get up. Mahiru had long since fallen asleep on top of me, her head resting against my chest like a pillow. Now fully relaxed, her body slumped against mine, no longer propped up as before.

I scooped her up in my arms, her bare skin warm against mine, and carried her to my room. Carefully, I laid her beside the passed-out Ruby. Their faces were the picture of bliss—Mahiru, serene like an angel, and Ruby, lost in a dream of pure contentment.

'If Sawako were here, this sight would be a treasure worth ten lifetimes!' The thought made me chuckle.

Leaving the two sleeping beauties, I headed for another shower, my mind drifting back to something that had caught my attention earlier.

'System?'

[Yes?]

'Can you explain the updates?'

[Go to bed. Your health and mental state require it.]

'The way you talk... it's changed!'

[Yeah, I'll explain later.]

'Alright then.'

The system seemed more intuitive than before—less rigid, more like an actual AI assistant. Whatever the update had done, it was making it feel eerily real, and I couldn't wait to learn more. But for now, I heeded its advice.

After drying off, I grabbed a fresh pair of pajama pants, still with the tag on them. Setting my alarm, I returned to bed, slipping in between the two girls. They instinctively snuggled up close, their warmth wrapping around me.

'This really is better than my last life.'

With that last thought, my mind began to drift, the comfort of their bodies lulling me into the deepest, most effortless sleep I'd ever known.

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{Mahiru's POV}

Ring~ Ring~! 

"Mhg?"

The annoying sound of an alarm woke me up. I turned over to shut it off, and even the phone felt a little different from mine.

I opened my eyes groggily, and as I sat up, my left hand grabbed something warm and sturdy. I looked over and my mind shot awake while going blank at the same time!

I-I-I can't believe I actually did that last night!

Last night's memories came rushing back, and the soreness in my body only added to the lingering warmth of that experience.

'He's so cute sleeping like that.'

Laying back on my side, without a care that my body was still exposed, I gently stroked Amane's hair as he slept peacefully. His face held a relaxed smile, and his slow, rhythmic breaths were so calming that I nearly felt like going back to sleep myself. However, we had school today—I couldn't risk us all oversleeping!

'But... it wasn't so urgent that I have to wake them just yet.'

Looking past Amane, I saw Ruby sprawled out like a free bird.

"Pfft~!" I covered my mouth, watching her spread her legs and scratch her stomach.

I liked Ruby because she never treated me differently because of my looks. Most people sang high praises and practically worshiped me, which was really uncomfortable. But these two never did that.

'Or if they did, at least it wasn't in a weird way like everyone else.'

Rustle~

I adjusted the blanket over both of them so they could stay warm and comfortable. My eyes drifted back to Amane, and I could feel it in my chest—that warmth, that feeling of care. I... I didn't want things to progress this fast, but Ruby was quite the pusher.

'I should buy her something as thanks!' Without her, I wouldn't have been able to bring myself to accept this situation. I wanted him to myself, but if I had stayed stubborn, I might not have had him at all.

"I need to tell Shōko..." I whispered.

She didn't like Amane that way, but she thought of him as a friend. That and she was one of my only friends. 

I still can't believe she wants to get together with that guy... I wonder... NO! I shook my head. S-She doesn't deserve a strange relationship like this.

For a moment, I considered adding her to what Ruby had dubbed "the best harem of all time," but no. That wouldn't be fair to her.

She also doesn't deserve that jerk either, even if he is trying to be better. Whatever.

I pushed the thought aside. It wasn't worth getting worked up over, not before breakfast, anyway. Right now, my focus was only on Amane.

"Mhn~Oh?" Amane looked at me with a sleepy smile. 

"Good morning~" I greeted him with the brightest smile I could muster.

Amane woke up—probably because of me—but he didn't seem upset.

"I didn't think the succubus had it in her to be so gentle." My hand was still stroking his hair and he didn't stop it so I didn't stop either!

"Hmph! I think that's better than being called 'Angel' every day!"

We whispered to each other, our bodies still close as we lay there. We didn't care about showing our bodies—why would we? We'd already seen everything.

"Haha~, I'm sure that does get annoying. At least you have me now—and obviously Sawako and Ruby."

His words made me blush. I couldn't believe how lucky I was.

"Speaking of Sawako-san, I—"

"Just call her Sawako, Succubus-ch—Guah?!"

"Like I was saying! I want her number."

"S-Sure, sure."

"Next time, don't interrupt me... what did Ruby do... Bleh?" I stuck my tongue out, trying to imitate her childish act from last night.

Amane stared at me, completely baffled.

My blush deepened. 'N-note to self: NEVER do that again! G-'

"Muah~"

'Eh?!'

I felt something press against my cheek. A kiss.

I froze.

It was obvious who it was, but the sudden act of intimacy caught me completely off guard. I wasn't even used to normal intimate gestures yet!

Before I could react, strong yet gentle arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer. My face now rested against Amane's chest. I tilted my head to look up—but his eyes were closed!

'Did he fall back asleep?!'

The warmth of his body was so comforting that I felt drowsy, too. But if I went back to sleep, we'd all be late for school...

'Screw it! I want to stay like this a little longer!'