Chapter 537: Caught in Bed

Chapter 537: Caught in Bed

It hadn’t been a dream…

Lying back on the bed, Himekoji’s mind was tangled over how to handle this situation.

Go for it… or not go for it?

That was the question.

But as Mashiro, fresh from her bath with a soft fragrance, curled softly into Himekoji’s arms, his brain finally made a loud DUANG sound and completely lost the ability to think.

All reason evaporated…

The next day, and no spring dream either.

…

When he opened his eyes upon waking, the first thing he saw was Mashiro’s cute, peaceful sleeping face.

Sound asleep, Mashiro let out tiny, soft, quiet breaths. Curled up, her hands clasped around Himekoji’s neck, she had her head buried against the side of his shoulder, almost like she was clinging to him.

Because of this, her soft, round parts were pressed extremely close; so close that if Himekoji lowered his head just a bit, his face would end up buried in them.

This wouldn’t do…

Getting all stirred up this early in the morning…

Trying not to wake Mashiro, Himekoji carefully unwound her arms from around his neck. But maybe she still noticed, even though he was being utterly silent.

“Mmph…”

Letting out a little whine of displeasure, Mashiro’s cute face tightened slightly, her eyebrows knitting together in a pout.

Her pushed-away hands stretched back towards Himekoji as if seeking warmth.

“… So cold.”

Mashiro murmured sleepily.

“Well, whose fault is it that you slept like that…?”

Himekoji thought for a moment and finally decided to wake Mashiro up. He gently pushed her face away as it tried to nuzzle closer, because no matter what, he needed to get up quickly.

He had classes today.

“Hmm…?”

Mashiro finally blinked her heavy eyelids open. Watching Himekoji’s face come into clearer focus before her, she blinked several times in a row, as if she couldn’t believe it.

“Akito?”

“Yeah, it’s me.”

“Why aren’t you wearing any clothes?”

“So I’m just about to put them on? Besides, aren’t you the same?”

Himekoji sat up. He retrieved the T-shirt that had been flung to the floor during the night’s commotion and pulled it over his head.

Mashiro blankly dropped her gaze downward. Sure enough, completely naked. It seemed to take a full several moments before she finally recalled what had happened the previous night. She opened her mouth.

“I’m cold… No wonder…”

Himekoji, now fully dressed, got out of bed. He stretched his arms and legs, feeling refreshed and clear-headed. When he glanced back at the bed, he saw Mashiro was still lying there… in her completely naked, natural state.

“Why are you still totally naked?”

The impact was too strong! If this continued, he’d lose control!

“Akito’s fault.”

At his words, Mashiro seemed to have found the culprit. She fixed her accusing gaze directly on Himekoji.

“Wha…? How is it my fault?”

“Because Akito took them off!”

“Cough! Cough!”

He choked violently, utterly unable to refute Mashiro’s statement.

“Akito, caught a cold?”

“That’s not it at all!”

Himekoji’s face burned crimson. He subconsciously remembered the wild scenes from the previous night. His thoughts began to wander, his resolve wavering again. No, no! Last night was Mashiro’s first time. She needed rest. Plus, they had morning classes! He quickly spoke loudly to distract his stirring foolish thoughts.

“It’s not a cold! It’s because Mashiro said something weird!”

“I told the truth.”

“Hah, hah… Well, yeah, it’s true. But didn’t I tell you before bed to put your pajamas on properly?”

“That… happened.”

“Then why does it look like you just got born?”

“Because Akito just got born.”

This one remark left Himekoji speechless and choking again. Indeed, he remembered they’d fallen asleep holding each other right after finishing last night. Neither had had the spare time or energy to clean up or get dressed afterwards.

“Also, couldn’t find underwear.”

“How could that happen?”

“Akito took it off.”

“Ah… ri-right. Yeah, definitely. The last one who touched your underwear was definitely me… Let’s see… maybe over there?”

Himekoji pointed towards the foot of the bed, thinking it might be hidden under the covers.

He lifted the blankets searching. First, he found the top half of Mashiro’s pajamas. Next, he pulled out her pants and tank top. But the underwear was nowhere to be found, no matter how long he looked.

“Akito, where’s underwear?”

“Currently… status unknown…”

“So mean!”

“So I’m still looking for it! Could Mashiro please just put her pajamas on for now?”

“It was my favorite one.”

Mashiro continued muttering on, a look of deep grievance on her face.

“Looking! I am still looking! I’ll definitely find it for you! Anyway, just put your pajamas on first, okay?”

Himekoji handed her the items he’d found so far.

“Need to get dressed. You turn around.”

“Huh? Why are you getting shy now of all times?”

Last night… you know… she did way more outrageous things.

Plus, she’d been walking around stark naked in front of him until just now, right?

“Akito is a pervert!”

Hearing his mutter, Mashiro suddenly puffed out her cheeks and glared at him.

“Fine, fine, fine.”

Maybe after doing that, she’d finally grasped the idea of men and women being different and learned to feel shy about herself. If that’s the case, then actually… it’s a good thing.

Himekoji obediently listened and turned to face the wall. While doing so, he couldn’t help but reminisce about the passionate moments of the previous night.

From behind him came the faint rustle, rustle sound of fabric brushing against skin.

Himekoji thought for a moment, then carefully began again with concern:

“That, um, Mashiro…”

“What?”

“Well… um, are you okay?”

“What?”

Himekoji could tell Mashiro was unusually puzzled even without looking back.

Sure enough, she hadn’t understood something so vague!

“I mean your body, your body…”

“My body?”

“Any strange feelings, or.. or pain… Ahem! Cough!”

Himekoji started coughing awkwardly, as if trying to hide his embarrassment.

“Is Akito catching a cold?”

“No! I mean your body!”

“Mine?”

“Yes, yes. So, how is it?”

Himekoji tensed his spine intently, his ears straining as he waited to hear her answer.

Though he’d gained plenty of experience recently, that was all in dreams.

Truly, this was his first real experience in reality.

“Somehow…”

Her voice trailed off abruptly, as if lost in thought.

After waiting patiently for about ten seconds—

“I feel tricked.”

“Huh?!”

What kind of answer was that…

That really hurt him!

“Mashiro, you agreed to it! And I’ll take responsibility…”

He grumbled resentfully, sounding like a put-upon wife as he reluctantly turned around.

“Huh?! Wait, wait! Why haven’t you…”

To his surprise, Mashiro was still undressed, sitting on the bed in a cute duck-like pose.

“No looking.”

The instant her eyes met Himekoji’s, Mashiro shyly pulled the blanket up to her chest. Morning light slipped through the curtain gap, falling across her clear, pale face and turning it a provocative, sweet cherry blossom pink.

“Wh-why haven’t you gotten dressed yet?!”

Himekoji thought he’d waited long enough, not expecting Mashiro’s efficiency to be this terrifyingly low. With no choice, he reluctantly turned away, facing the plain wall again.

Perhaps displeased at his “peeking,” Mashiro tossed something soft and light that landed on Himekoji’s forehead then slid down his cheek.

He caught it instinctively—it was Mashiro’s little undershirt.

He almost couldn’t stop himself from covering his face with it for a sniff…

“I thought you’d be dressed by now.”

“Must put on underwear first.”

Mashiro seemed oddly stubborn about this.

“Wouldn’t throwing on pajamas be fine too? Better than being bare…?”

Himekoji turned to reason with her but was immediately bombarded with various thrown things from Mashiro.

Both top and bottom pajamas were tossed at him, leaving her truly nothing to wear. Mashiro clutched the blanket tightly now, shielding herself.

“I said no peeking back.”

“Okay, okay.”

Himekoji surrendered.

“I’ll go to your room and get you underwear.”

“Wear red today.”

“I know.”

In just the short time it took Himekoji to head out, Mashiro had already yawned and tumbled back onto the bed, drowsy again.

He felt that if he didn’t hurry, Mashiro would fall back asleep.

He couldn’t allow that.

Even if Mashiro skipped class today, she couldn’t just keep sleeping in his bed once morning came. If she wanted to sleep, it had to be in her own room.

Otherwise, if either Akiko or Rikka saw her here, it’d be a huge problem.

Thinking this, Himekoji quickened his steps slightly.

Feeling rushed, he still took a deep, steady breath before gripping the door handle.

Needed to act carefully!

Grab the underwear, help Mashiro get up, escort her back to her room.

He quickly planned his strategy.

Himekoji knew the most crucial part was avoiding his Imouto and Rikka.

Click.

Maturely and carefully, he opened the door only wide enough to poke his head through the gap, spying on the living room situation.

Clear!

Just as he thought this, a gaze pierced straight toward him.

Their eyes met—

“Onii-chan!”

It was Akiko, emerging precisely from the bedroom opposite…

What rotten luck!

Himekoji froze in shock!

Akiko seemed to have just woken up and was heading to wash up. Without her contact lenses, she wore her glasses for now. This moment, she spotted something unusual like a cat catching a scent—her cold stare struck him through the lenses.

“Onii-chan, why so quiet?”

Akiko narrowed her eyes slowly. This intimidating side of his Imouto was one Himekoji hadn’t seen in a long time—or perhaps the feeling just came from his own overwhelming guilt.

The frostiness radiating from behind his sister’s glasses deepened, feeling ready to crystallize.

“Ah, ah, good morning, Akiko…”

Himekoji tried greeting her naturally, but his voice came out tangled!

“Onii-chan, tell me what you’re doing?”

To any observer, Himekoji peeking through the door crack looked undeniably suspicious.

“N-no, nothing at all, ha, haha…”

Himekoji forced a dry laugh, yet the huge sweat bead on his forehead completely betrayed him.

He looked exactly like a guilty man trying to hide.

“Oh?”

Akiko seemed to realize something. She glanced toward Mashiro’s room and then asked directly, as if having grasped everything.

“Is Mashiro… in your room?”

How could she tell?!

She’d seen through it!?

……

……