Chapter 233: Night Raid

A pervert couldn’t like anyone.

This was obvious.

Himekoji’s heart felt like being pricked by needles all of a sudden. Cold wind blew in through the window, whistling straight into his chest, as if a hole had been torn open.

He shivered abruptly, snapping back to reality, and hurriedly looked away.

“Since you’ve put your clothes on, let’s go out next.”

The next moment, having fixed his expression, he whispered casually with a light laugh.

…

The celebration went on until late into the night.

Hotpot, grilled meat, fried chicken…

They bought enormous amounts but managed less than half.

It was also because the Newcomer Award prize money was substantial, so Himekoji—seen as the “young and rich bestselling author”—could finally splurge without worry.

Confetti, colorful streamers, and cake fights left the living room a complete mess.

The four of them fooled around until dawn, only breaking up when sleepiness overwhelmed them.

Too lazy to clean, each retreated to their own corners to sleep.

Only Nanami stayed in the living room to handle the aftermath.

…

“Aoyama, you worked a day job today too—must be tired. We can clean this up tomorrow,” Himekoji said through a yawn.

“It’s fine. Go ahead and sleep. I’ll finish cleaning quickly,” Nanami replied, ever meticulous.

Himekoji was too sleepy to argue. He stayed to help briefly before stumbling back to his study.

Ever since giving his bedroom to his Imouto, Himekoji had set up a small bed in the study. While not as spacious as the master bedroom, it was cozy and smelled sweetly of books…

Though the shelves were filled only with light novels and manga.

As soon as his head touched the pillow, sleep claimed him, dragging Himekoji into dreams.

He didn’t know how long he slept.

At some point, footsteps entering the room slowly pulled half his consciousness from dreams to reality.

Himekoji kept his door open so his cat could come and go freely.

Probably Hikari coming to snuggle again?

Drowsily thinking this, he didn’t pay much mind, stretched with a yawn, and began drifting back to sleep.

Just then, the “cat” climbed onto his bed.

Seriously, why would the cat cuddle up like this as the weather warmed?

Himekoji reached out to shove it away.

But what he touched… felt nothing like expected.

Softer and larger than a cat. Pushing met resistance.

His palm felt no fur—just smoothness, closer to clothing fabric than kitten fur.

Something felt wrong. Slowly, Himekoji opened his eyes.

Right before him—

was Mashiro’s sleeping face.

And his outstretched hand… was kneading Mashiro’s chest.

Huh?

Himekoji froze momentarily, blinking hard in disbelief.

Still dreaming? Not awake yet?

Crap! Now he was dreaming about Mashiro too?

And Mashiro in his dream… was shockingly full-chested, clashing with her usual slim figure.

Wait—hold up!

In this dream, he’d imagined Mashiro as seemingly flat but delightful to touch?

What?! And why grab someone’s chest even in a dream?!

His face flushed red; he jerked his hand away instantly.

Then, after one second… two… three…

He suddenly realized something.

This dream felt way too real.

His hand still tingled with the warmth from Mashiro’s chest.

Could it be…?

To confirm this truly was a dream, Himekoji pinched his thigh hard.

Ouch.

Holy—this wasn’t a dream!

Terrified, Himekoji tumbled off the bed, staggering backward.

“Well then, Mashiro’s chest…”

Mesmerized, he stared blankly at his hand.

Maybe his eyes had deceived him all along.

Mashiro’s chest wasn’t like Yukinoshita’s—flat to both sight and touch.

Her petite frame created a false impression.

Mashiro’s chest just usually… didn’t show much.

There was another possibility, though: she’d developed rapidly in a short time.

Like learning a forbidden secret, guilt and nervousness parched Himekoji’s throat.

“Hey, Shiina.”

He sensed disaster if she stayed until morning. He nudged her instinctively.

“…Mm? What?”

Mashiro opened drowsy, half-lidded eyes.

“What am I even asking? What are you doing here?”

“Sleeping,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Go sleep in your own room.”

“…Can’t. Nanami will come at seven a.m.”

To help Mashiro maintain a regular routine, Nanami always woke her up at seven o’clock every day, even on weekends.

Was Mashiro trying to get some extra sleep by escaping here?

“Even if you give what seems like a perfectly good reason, crawling into my bed is absolutely out of the question!”

Though the feeling of being relied on by Mashiro was unexpectedly nice, her climbing onto his bed so boldly made Himekoji feel all mixed up inside. It was as if it proved he lacked any value as a man.

Besides, wasn’t ‘night raiding’ more like something Akiko would do?

“Drawing the rough draft…”

Mashiro said this and closed her eyes again.

“You’ll be the death of me if you fall asleep!”

“…Akito.”

“What?”

“Just call me Mashiro when it’s only us.”

“I-I know…”

Why bring that up now?

“Mmm… good.”

Looking satisfied, Mashiro snuggled down, ready to slip back into sleep.

“Hey! Wait! No sleeping! Oh, right! Your next goal is getting a manga serialization, right? That would really make you a mangaka.” Himekoji quickly grabbed for any topic that might wake Mashiro up.

“I will be a mangaka…”

Though her words were firm, Mashiro was already practically asleep. Seeing her so exhausted made him really want to just let her sleep comfortably. But if he did that, the outcome would surely be terrifying.

Wouldn’t Nanami and Akiko tear him apart? His only option was to keep talking.

“Have you started on the rough draft?”

Mashiro shook her head.

“Not going well?”

“Mmm.”

An image flashed into Himekoji’s mind: Mashiro working late into the night at her desk, drawing the manuscript even after the celebration was over. When inspiration struck, it was fine, but when she struggled with storyblocks, it just seemed too forced. It pained him to think she pushed herself like this every night until she collapsed.

Once she decided to do something, she pursued it relentlessly and thoroughly. Mashiro’s straight-forward, uncompromising style was so intense it took your breath away.

“Akito, I need to ask a favor.”

“Huh? What?”

Mashiro lifted her head, blinking in the darkness.

“When the magazine comes out, come with me to the bookstore.”

“The magazine featuring Shiina… I mean, Mashiro’s work, isn’t it? When is it?”

Was it already decided? No wonder Mashiro was pushing herself so hard again. For ordinary people, after achieving a big milestone like that, wouldn’t the next few days be for relaxing and celebrating?

“The 20th next month.”

“Okay, got it.”

Though it was still early, Himekoji made a mental note to remember.

“Will you still come with me? Even though you don’t have to look after me anymore?”

The responsibility for taking care of Mashiro had been handed over to Nanami after she moved in. Now, Nanami was the one accompanying Mashiro for meals, shopping, and going to and from school.

“Of course I will.”

Himekoji felt embarrassed and turned his face away slightly.

Then, Mashiro lifted her pinky finger.

“Promise.”

In the darkness, the girl gazed steadily at him.

Himekoji was silent for a moment. He pressed his lips together, then finally linked his pinky finger with hers.

“Let’s sleep.”

Himekoji gave up on the idea of sending Mashiro back to her own room.

“Akito.”

“What?”

“…I’m glad I could tell you about this.”

Almost as soon as their fingers separated, Mashiro fell asleep. Her sleeping face looked peaceful and content.

“Honestly…”

Himekoji carefully slipped out of bed, trying not to make a sound. He stood alone for a while, staring quietly at Mashiro’s sleeping face, then sighed softly.

“Well…”

It hadn’t even been a week since he’d handed over the responsibility for Mashiro to Nanami. Yet, Himekoji felt like it had been ages since he’d seen the sight of Mashiro peacefully asleep like this.

But still… so cute.

……