Chapter 535: What? Different Person in This Dream?!!

Chapter 535: What? Different Person in This Dream?!!

They stayed like that, holding each other, for nearly half a minute.

Himekoji thought that hugging was a very strange thing. Even though they were so close together, their faces were actually too close to see each other properly.

He really wanted to know what expression Yukinoshita had right now.

He was starting to regret saying such rash things. How would Yukinoshita see him?

Would she be happy? Or shy?

He hoped she wouldn’t find it disgusting instead.

Thinking this, Himekoji unconsciously held the girl in his arms a little tighter. He only snapped out of it when Yukinoshita, a moment too late, asked in a flustered voice, “What are you doing?” Then, awkwardly and slowly, he let go.

Himekoji stepped back, putting the right amount of distance between them so they could look each other in the eye.

But as soon as their eyes met, they both looked away immediately.

In that moment, both their minds were working slowly. Yukinoshita wiped her tears and turned her back to him. Feeling a little uneasy, she smoothed out her hair.

Her mind was a mess. Her heart was even more of a mess—

What… what kind of embarrassing thing was that pervert talking about?!

However, compared to the shock and sadness she’d felt earlier when he misunderstood her, Yukinoshita now felt undeniably relieved and untroubled. There was even a tiny spark of happiness inside her that she herself was too embarrassed to admit.

“I have something to say…”

“Don’t say it! Don’t say anything right now!”

The instant she heard Himekoji’s voice, Yukinoshita immediately covered her ears in a panic.

Okay, this was definitely one of her cute, contrastingly moe traits. Himekoji obediently did as he was told and closed his mouth.

He could save what he needed to say for tonight.

He thought to himself.

Since this whole thing was so unbelievable, maybe it would be better explained when they were inside that absurdly unbelievable dream.

Actions speak louder than words. Talking clearly and acting decisively, doing both things at once, would definitely be much stronger than just flapping his lips now. Strong enough… to just power through it.

Besides, now that he knew it was Yukinoshita in the dream, Himekoji felt that familiar warming excitement bubbling up inside him again, impatient for more. Somehow, he felt even more determined now than before.

If only he’d known it was Yukinoshita earlier!

Every time that thought crossed his mind, he couldn’t help but feel overjoyed. He was eager to get home quickly to prepare everything properly and give Yukinoshita a huge surprise.

So—

“Well… I’ll head back first.”

“Well… you should probably go back first.”

They spoke at the same time, then paused in unison—

“So eager to see me gone?”

“So eager to get home?”

Was this a continuation of their rare moment of understanding?

After a brief, shared silence, Himekoji gave a light cough and changed his wording.

“Then… shall I come upstairs with you?”

“No! Forget it!”

“…Alright then. I’ll get going. See you tonight.”

Himekoji, who’d been expecting this, chuckled and waved goodbye at Yukinoshita, even though she was still facing away from him and couldn’t see it.

“What do you mean, ‘see you tonight’?”

Yukinoshita turned around, puzzled, only to see Himekoji already skipping cheerfully away, leaving behind only the sight of his receding back, his head shaking with ridiculously silly joy.

…..

The first thing Himekoji did when he got home was clean up his room.

Because the place where the dream always happened was always his.

First, he found a book to prop up a leg of his bed. This was actually the bed his parents had used back in the day. Naturally, all the nicer beds went to the three young ladies in the house first. Himekoji hadn’t been bothered to buy a new one either, and he wasn’t picky, so he’d just made do with this old family heirloom.

For sleeping alone, it was okay. But for two people getting up to activities…

On those previous nights in the dream, during the intense bits, the bed always squeaked like crazy. Himekoji lived in constant fear that it might just collapse and die someday when they weren’t careful.

After propping the leg steadily with the book, Himekoji jumped onto the bed and bounced a few times hard to test it. Discovering the effect was good – with this little upgrade, it didn’t shake or wobble at all! It felt like it could last another ten years!

Himekoji got off, satisfied, stroking his chin as he thought things over carefully. But then, crouching down, he pulled the book right back out.

We won’t prop it anymore!

He thought. The bed needed that swaying to really feel good!

More excitement, plus it would make him look even more impressive in battle.

If he actually managed to break the bed… that would be a big accomplishment!

You know? That’s what real men are made of!

He just wasn’t sure if the dream could feel that real.

Himekoji placed the book he’d just used to prop the bed onto the desk beside it. It was a famous literary work. He absentmindedly opened it, stuck a bookmark in, and left it out as if he read it often during his leisure time.

Would Yukinoshita see it and think he had a cultured side too?

He ordered a bouquet of roses. When they arrived, he hid them from Akiko, Mashiro, and Rikka, tucked the bouquet underneath his clothes, and smuggled them stealthily into his room.

He thought about it. Then he hid the roses, for the time being, under the bed. Later, when he and Yukinoshita went from the bed to the floor… he could suddenly pull them out and give them to her.

Perfect!

Next came the critical choice: which underwear? He picked a pair with a little cat paw print on the front. Yukinoshita loved cats; she’d definitely love it. She just couldn’t resist! Heh heh heh…

Then there were the pillows. Since he’d always slept alone before, he only had one pillow. From now on, it wouldn’t hurt to have another one ready. Thinking this, he snuck suspiciously into his Imouto’s room and stole a pair of panda-themed ones: one was a pillow, the other was a hugging pillow.

Akiko had tons of these anyway; some she bought herself, some were gifts from Himekoji.

Besides that, he did a whole lot of other things – too many to list them all.

In short, after doing everything he could possibly think of to prepare, Himekoji finally clapped his hands together and looked around at his little “bridal chamber,” feeling deeply satisfied with its new look.

He showered three times!

He stood in front of the mirror and styled his own hair. But after looking left and right, he still wasn’t happy with it. So he washed it out and started over.

He checked the time. Only 8:30. Still too early; not Yukinoshita’s bedtime yet.

So Himekoji decided to do some squats to kill time and get ready for battle.

He did eight sets in one go. He uploaded the data to the app. Mama Shizuka saw it and immediately called him with warmth and pride shining through.

She chatted with him for half an hour, showering him with praise and encouragement. Saying he hadn’t slacked off, saying he was so sensible, hoping he wouldn’t get lazy and would keep up this enthusiasm, etc.…

She also reminded him to remember to take his… preparation medicine on schedule…

Himekoji acted the good boy, putting on a smooth act that had Mama Shizuka on the other end beaming. When he finally hung up himself, he could only laugh bitterly.

He’d worked up a sweat during his exercise. So, he went and took his fourth shower of the night.

After all this bustling about, the time finally crawled towards 10 p.m.

Himekoji, buzzing with anticipation and excitement, rubbed his hands together and climbed eagerly into bed.

Sleep!

He shut his eyes tight. But then he tossed and turned, too excited to actually fall asleep.

He decided to start counting sheep. He struggled until he was finally drifting into murky sleep, he couldn’t even remember what number he’d gotten to, when suddenly, he smelled it – the pleasant fragrance belonging to another person, right beside his pillow.

Himekoji’s heart thumped!

Having mentally prepared himself, he knew he had successfully entered the dream!

He couldn’t wait to open his eyes. And then, he froze—

“Huh? Mashiro?!”

No, no, Himekoji figured he must have opened his eyes wrong. So, he opened them again—

Still Mashiro!

Mashiro nestled comfortably on Himekoji’s arm – actually using the legendary arm-pillow! Both her small, pale hands clung to his pajama top over his chest in an adorable, possessive grip.

What’s going on?!

Did this… dream operate on a rotation system?

As this possibility crossed Himekoji’s mind, he couldn’t help but ask,

“Mashiro, can you tell me what you’re doing?”

“Absorbing essence.”

Mashiro answered without hesitation.

Himekoji reeled back in fright! His body lurched backwards instinctively. His expression transformed dramatically—

“So this isn’t a sweet dream, it’s a nightmare? Mashiro, who are you pretending to be? A fox spirit? Or a vengeful ghost?!”

Mashiro seemed to think for a second and finally recognized the problem with that statement. So she snuggled her whole body cutely in closer to Himekoji instead and corrected herself,

“In that case, currently charging.”

Mashiro’s body heat seeped through his pajamas into him in waves. Her subtle delicate fragrance filled his senses; her warmth and softness filled his arms.

Consequently, naturally, like a real man—

Himekoji… changed color and then… change.

…

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