The next morning.
I woke up about an hour earlier than usual, quickly got ready, and made my way to Satou’s house by train and on foot.
This is my second visit.
And even though only a day has passed since the last time, I strangely feel nervous today.
「It’s completely just because I want to see her.」
Whether it was the train, the bus, or school, there was always some kind of necessity for being with Satou, regardless of my will. Even when we went out on Sunday, there was a reason because Miu wanted to invite Satou.
But in the current situation, there’s no such pretext… no necessity.
It’s simply because I want to see Satou.
Because Satou wanted to see me, I woke up early and came to meet her.
Thinking it might disturb the other residents, I call Satou instead of using the intercom.
Then, I heard bustling sounds, and the front door opened.
「Good morning, Satou.」
「Good morning, Hinata-kun.」
It seems she had already changed, as Satou in her uniform bowed slightly.
Her beautiful black hair sways gently.
She wasn’t wearing her glasses, showing her bare face.
「You’re cute even in the morning…」
「…Eh?」
「Ah, sorry, I said that out loud.」
Seriously unconscious.
Satou’s face slowly turns red.
「Geez… please come in.」
She didn’t seem flustered, but still, as if holding something back, Satou pulled me inside her house for the first time.
The front door closes with a bang, and the space for just the two of us suddenly feels smaller.
「…Satou?」
「…Do you remember when I said next time let’s meet in a place where we can truly be alone?」
As she speaks, Satou takes my bag away.
「We’re alone… right now.」
After placing my bag in a safe spot, Satou steps closer. In the already not-so-large space, it didn’t take long for me to be cornered against the wall.
「…But what about Maaya-san?」
「She’s not here. It’s just the two of us, I made sure of it.」
In other words, it was premeditated.
She says this while looking up at me shyly, her chest almost touching mine.
Too defenseless.
Her body language seems to say, “Please hug me anytime.”
「…We’re really alone?」
「…Yes.」
After confirming one more time just to be sure, I pulled her into an embrace.
I’ve wanted to do this since around the time we talked on the phone yesterday.
As I thought, she’s soft. And small.
As our entire bodies, which hadn’t been touching, suddenly came into contact, Satou wrapped her arms around my back.
「……」
「……」
Neither of us speaks.
The happiness is so overwhelming that words aren’t necessary.
As I squeeze her tightly, Satou responds by applying pressure as well.
──Light Novels──
──Read Here──
「…I want to stay like this forever.」
「…Me too.」
A sensation of all worries melting away in happiness.
Wrapped in Satou’s warm body even in the morning, I held her for over five minutes.
There was some time to spare before the train, so I was then led to Satou’s room.
「Then, I’ll go make some tea. …Ah, um, you can touch anything in the room, but please, the closet drawers… um, my u-underwear is in there…」
「Don’t worry. I won’t touch those for sure.」
「P-Please do…」
Satou leaves the room, fidgeting.
I think it’s actually better not to mention such things for security reasons, but well, I’m used to seeing Miu’s anyway, so it doesn’t matter to me.
If it were the ones Satou is currently wearing, that would be a different story, but if they’re stored in the closet, they’re just colored fabric to me.
So don’t look at the closet, you idiot.
「…Haa. Now then.」
I take a deep breath to cool down and decide to take another look around Satou’s room.
The bed and desk are neatly organized.
The closet, the full-length mirror next to it, and even the bookshelf that would quickly gather dust if left unattended, all give the impression of being thoroughly cleaned.
There’s a slight sheen on the hardwood floor.
「She’s too good at housekeeping…」
I knew she could cook, but I didn’t realize she was so meticulous about cleaning too. Even if she had hurriedly tidied up after our call yesterday, that alone wouldn’t create this room.
…Or rather, there’s a body pillow on the bed.
No wonder she liked hugging.
「…Nnn? This is…」
Then, on the bottom shelf of the bookshelf that had caught my attention, I discovered an unfamiliar book.
The spine has the school name and year written on it.
「A yearbook…?」
This look of a simple yet high-quality item.
There’s no doubt from its appearance.
Since I was told I could touch anything in the room, I cautiously pick it up.
It feels hard to the touch.
When I randomly opened it, it made a crackling sound.
Proof that it hasn’t been opened much since it was received.
I turn the pages, looking for the name Satou Ayane.
「…Found it. Uwa, even as an elementary school student…」
Black hair about semi-long length, well-defined features even in youth. Soft-looking white skin and a slightly shy smile.
Honestly, she stands out even among the other kids.
I’m definitely not into young girls, but even I could fall for such a cute girl.
「She must have been super popular, no doubt.」
Even elementary school students have the sensibility to like cute girls.
It’s almost an instinct, regardless of emotional maturity.
With this level of cuteness, it wouldn’t be surprising if she had always been considered a flower on a high peak, attracting attention…?
「Hmm…?」
No…
Something feels off.
An indescribable fear wells up from the bottom of my heart, and I reflexively closed the yearbook.
「What is this…?」
An album of the beautiful girl Satou Ayane.
There’s something fundamentally wrong with that phrase.