After settling Kato Megumi into her room, Yukima Azuma returned to the living room.
The other two were still fast asleep. With a sigh, he approached Eriri first.
Gently, he supported her head and carefully lifted it off Kasumigaoka Utaha's lap. Despite being asleep, Eriri didn't look especially peaceful—her brows were faintly furrowed, and yes, Yukima hadn't been mistaken earlier…
She had drooled.
There was an obvious wet patch on Kasumigaoka's black tights.
He wiped the corner of Eriri's mouth with a tissue and moved her to the side, then turned his attention to Kasumigaoka.
With one arm under her knees and the other behind her neck, he carried her upstairs in a princess carry.
Her brows twitched slightly at the motion, but when her head tilted and rested against his chest, she visibly relaxed.
Yukima Azuma brought her to her room and gently laid her on the bed.
As he reached for the blanket, he noticed the wet stain Eriri had left behind on her tights. He paused.
After a moment of reflection, he made a judgment call.
Knowing Kasumigaoka-senpai, she'd probably be more horrified at being left with someone else's drool than by him seeing her bare legs.
With that thought in mind, he reached toward her waist—
Kasumigaoka Utaha: !!!
Truth was, she'd already woken up halfway up the stairs.
Though not a light sleeper, she'd felt the shift in movement—and the scent told her instantly it was Yukima carrying her.
She decided to keep her eyes closed, letting him carry her like this, maybe as a little "gift."
Since their reunion, Yukima had been nothing but gentle. Sweet. Tender.
Sure, girls in light novels often fall for cold and aloof types. But when you're really treated with kindness—it does something to your heart.
So she stayed still, letting the moment stretch.
That is—until she felt him reaching for her tights.
Wait—wait—wait, what!?
Her heart pounded like a jackhammer.
Now she wasn't sure if she should spring up and yell at him, or just… let it happen?
Emotionally, she could accept it. But this wasn't how she'd imagined their first time going. No romantic buildup, no emotional climax—just a rogue removal of tights?!
They hadn't gone all the way yet, even after everything. They'd always held back. And now—?
Kasumigaoka Utaha clenched her eyes tighter.
Fine. But after this, I'm giving him a serious lecture. And we're redoing everything properly. Start to finish. In order.
She braced herself.
The tights slowly slid past her ankles.
She waited.
…And then…
Warmth.
A blanket.
Then the faint click of the door closing.
Kasumigaoka lay there, stunned.
Several seconds passed.
She flung off the blanket.
Smooth, bare, perfectly shaped legs.
Admittedly beautiful—"legs that could star in a calendar all year round."
And yet…
Kasumigaoka clenched her fist.
He took off my tights… and just tucked me in? That's it?
That felt worse somehow. As if she'd been dismissed as a non-threat.
A flush of frustration bloomed on her cheeks.
Tomorrow morning, she decided, Yukima Azuma was going to pay.
Meanwhile, Yukima Azuma descended the stairs, Kasumigaoka's tights folded neatly in hand.
He entered the bathroom, dropped them into the laundry basket, and nodded to himself.
Better to let her wash them herself. It just… wouldn't feel right if he did.
After leaving the bathroom, he turned back to the living room.
One more to go.
The Aho - Baka - Tsundere - Queen of Arrogance herself: Eriri.
He hoisted her up in a horizontal carry and headed upstairs, dropping her unceremoniously onto the bed in a vacant room.
He grabbed a blanket from the closet and returned to cover her.
But just as he was about to drape it over her—
"Mm…"
Eriri's eyes fluttered open.
Yukima froze.
He was ready to explain the situation—he knew how she could get. If he didn't speak first, she might jump to conclusions and explode.
But to his surprise—
Eriri didn't freak out.
Didn't yell.
Didn't slap him.
Instead, with dazed eyes, she slowly pushed herself upright.
Then, without a word, she reached out and grabbed his arm.
And yanked him onto the bed.
"Whoa—wait, Eriri—"
"Don't talk."
Her voice was soft but firm. "Just sleep."
Like an octopus, she wrapped herself around him. Arms locked around his neck, her long legs—still in white socks—entwined around his thigh.
Her soft breath tickled his cheek.
Then—
A light kiss.
Right on his cheek.
Yukima's eyes snapped open, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling.
Where am I?
Who is this?
Who just kissed me?
Eriri!?
No way!
He tried to move.
Big mistake.
Her legs immediately tightened around him, locking him in place like a pro wrestler applying a thigh chokehold.
He tried to think.
Failed.
Tried again.
Failed harder.
Eventually, he gave up.
Eriri's warmth pressed against him. Her hand under his head, her scent in his lungs.
Yukima Azuma let out a breath.
And closed his eyes.
Just for tonight, he thought.
Just this once… I'll enjoy it.