After getting back from the school trip, perhaps due to the fatigue of traveling and not being used to it, I passed out before the sun had even set. By the time I woke up, it was bright outside, meaning it was already morning, despite it feeling as if I’d only slept for two hours tops.
Where’d the night go? In exchange, I felt very clearheaded, but I still felt as if I’d wasted time. It was so early in the morning that when I went down to the living room, none of the rest of the household had woken up yet. When I entered, I saw dinner from last night on the table, wrapped in plastic. I was hungry, so I happily ate it.
We had the day after the school trip off, so since I’d been uncharacteristically active during it, I decided to take things slow today. Thinking that, I sat on the couch and opened a book.
It wasn’t long until our parents got up and went to work. Though we were off due to the school trip, it was still a normal weekday for everyone else. It felt like I’d gained something.
After a bit, around ten, Yume finally appeared.
“Morning...”
“Morning,” I said.
Though she sluggishly entered the room, she’d properly changed out of her pajamas and was now wearing a long-sleeved blouse and a skirt. It was a familiar outfit of hers, but it felt strange to see, especially after spending the last few days being around her in summer clothes.
After finishing the black tea and toast she’d prepared for herself, she went to the bathroom before coming back to the living room. Then, she walked over and plopped down on the couch next to me before tilting over and lying on my thighs.
“You did good,” I said, looking down at her.
“Mm...” Yume practically grumbled.
“You free today?” I asked.
“Yeah, but tomorrow I’m going to meet up with the student council members to give them their souvenirs.”
“Wow, dutiful as always.”
“Not really. This is normal.”
I closed my book and put it on the table before gently stroking Yume’s cheek.
As I did, Yume looked up at me. “They at work?”
“Yeah. It’s a weekday for them.”
“So they won’t be back until later?”
“Yeah, probably.”
“Wanna...do it?”
Well, if our parents aren’t home, it’s only natural that this topic comes up. Just as Isana had so enthusiastically mentioned, Yume had said that we’d do things after getting back home. Even so...
“I dunno, I’m kinda out of it.”
“Ah...” Yume made a sound of understanding. “Yeah, I get that. I kinda wanna take it easy too.”
After being prohibited from engaging in any of these activities for four days straight, I knew that, at the very least, the flesh was willing even if the spirit was weak. Well, I’ll give it two hours or so. If I’m in the mood, I’m sure it won’t be too late to change my mind then.
So, with that, we didn’t kiss or even touch each other’s bodies. We kept a naturally close proximity as friendly siblings and spent the morning that way. When lunchtime came around, we made pasta together, adding a frozen potato salad and an instant soup on the side. I decided to keep things simple and easy.
After eating, I felt like I could rest again, and this time, it was my turn to lay my head on her lap. All the while, we read and sporadically conversed. At one point, Yume’s phone chimed from the table. Yume picked it up, looked at it, and began responding to whatever message she’d gotten.
“Who is it?” I found myself asking.
“Asuhain-san.”
She’s initiating the conversation? I kinda didn’t imagine her to be the type to do that, but I guess it makes sense with how she was acting. If she knew I was using Yume’s lap as my pillow right now, she’d probably explode with anger.
For a time, Yume continued messaging her. Sometimes she’d chuckle or mutter something under her breath, and I watched her the entire time she did it from my position on top of her lap. When I sat up, I repositioned myself so that we were shoulder to shoulder and then wrapped my arm around her waist.
“Hm? Mizuto?” Yume asked, confused.
I positioned myself so that I was able to give her a hug from behind. I gripped her tighter, pulling our bodies closer together, and buried my face into her neck.
She smiled, amused. “Feeling neglected?”
But I didn’t respond. Even after smelling Yume’s scent, I felt as if my lax mood had returned. As I lightly breathed into her, I heard her softly moan and squirm.
Then, in a kind of amused but alluring way, she turned to me. “You wanna go...upstairs?”
Instead of answering her, I playfully nibbled on her earlobe, making her giggle.
“Sorry, Asuhain-san,” Yume said, texting something before putting her phone away in her pocket.
After that, Yume turned towards me and put her lips on mine, unable to hold back anymore. After a few seconds, Yume smiled at me teasingly. “Hard to believe you were so calm just a few seconds ago.”
“There’s a debt to be paid—four days’ worth.”
There were hours until our parents got home. We hadn’t been able to find any time to really be alone during the trip, and it was hard to know when the next time we’d really be able to be alone at home would be. I needed to make sure that I got my four days’ worth of payment today.
As we got more and more into things, we began to leave the living room, meant for our family, to my room—a private space. Suddenly, Yume’s phone dinged again, leading both of us to silently look at her pocket.