Sleeping Beauty and the Witch’s Holiday. Part 2
After replenishing myself with a generous helping of Shigure-san, I settled at the dining table.
Tomatoes and scrambled eggs were arranged on a white plate, alongside convenience store cut vegetables and thick-cut bacon.
A simple clam chowder, made by warming milk with consommé and seafood mix, steamed gently, its aroma filling the air.
Placing a piece of toast topped with perfectly runny, fluffy scrambled eggs, the yolk exquisitely soft-boiled, into my mouth, the aroma of butter filled my senses.
The taste of happiness.
“Aki-san said she doesn’t need breakfast, but is that really true?”
“It’s true. She’s got low blood pressure and absolutely never gets up in the morning.”
“Oh… right…”
Suddenly, my eyes met Shigure-san’s.
Well, met isn’t quite right—more like I realised she’d been staring intently at my face.
Oh, no.
I’d only just noticed, but I wasn’t wearing any make-up.
Usually I get ready before Shigure-san wakes up in the morning.
And my hair was a mess, and my pyjamas weren’t cute at all. Oh dear.
“Hey, Ibara.”
“No, don’t look!”
I covered my face with both hands.
“Eh? What’s suddenly got into you?”
“I’m not wearing any make-up!”
“Well, obviously. That’s not what I meant.”
“My face… I’ll go wash my face.”
“Hold on a second. Put your hands down.”
“No way, no way, Shigure-san, you’re naughty!”
“Don’t say things that make me sound terrible.”
Reluctantly lowering my hands, Shigure-san’s hand touched my cheek.
Slightly cool, smooth fingertips.
The ticklish sensation of her thumb under my eye.
“I knew it.”
“Wh-what?”
“The dark circles under your eyes. They’ve gotten darker.”
“Ah.”
I’d been sleep-deprived lately, so it was no surprise I had dark circles. If I’d been wearing makeup, I could have covered them up a bit better.
“You haven’t been sleeping again, have you?”
“…Yeah.”
After hesitating whether to pretend I was fine, I nodded honestly.
“I see. I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologising, Shigure-san…”
It’s not your fault at all.
“Instead of just lounging around, shall we have a proper nap?”
“But it feels like a waste to sleep now.”
“No, it isn’t. You need to get some rest, even if it’s just a little.”
“…Ugh…”
Her hand slipped away from my cheek.
Even that sensation felt precious to hold onto. Feeling lonely like this is serious.
Shigure-san’s breakfast is incredibly delicious, yet I always seem to wolf it down in a hurry.
Even while washing the dishes, even while brushing my teeth, my heart felt restless deep down.
Like a dog denied its treat.
By the time I finished rinsing my teeth, brushed with twice the usual care, I’d reached my limit.
I clung to Shigure-san, still brushing her teeth, resting my chin on her shoulder.
“What’s up?”
“Hehehe.”
“It’s hard to breathe like this.”
“Mm.”
“Mm, no… wait…”
When I wrapped my arms around her waist, she scolded me, “Hey!”
But still, she didn’t push me away.
I was happy.
I took Shigure-san’s hand and led her to my room.
“More like a morning nap than an afternoon one, eh?”
Saying that, we sat side by side on the bed.
Gazing at the line from her neck to her jaw, I felt it sink in: this really is Shigure-san.
Her scent, her shape, her voice, her aura – 100% Shigure-san.
I quietly pushed aside the pyjamas hidden under the futon. You’ve served your purpose now. Thanks for your hard work.
“Right then, what shall we do? Lie down for now?”
Thud. Shigure-san lay down on the bed.
The sight of Shigure-san lying on my bed made my heart flutter. Ah, that’s a euphemism.
But Shigure-san was in her own clothes.
“Won’t your clothes get creased?”
“I was thinking it was about time for the dry cleaners anyway.”
That’s good.
Well then, I can relax and play around.
I pounce on Shigure-san with such force it practically demands a “thud” sound effect.
Clutching her, I inhale the scent at her nape to my heart’s content, and my brain tingles with a sharp, electric sensation.
There’s definitely something addictive in there, I’m sure of it.
“Ibara. Is there anything you want me to do?”
What’s that? Isn’t Shigure-san being a bit too generous today?
Hmm. If I go too extreme suddenly, she might pull away, so maybe start with some light physical contact.
Despite that rational thought, my gaze couldn’t tear itself away from her lips.
“I want to kiss you.”
Shigure-san looked away.
“…Er. I was thinking more along the lines of a massage or something like that…”
she mumbled awkwardly.
Yeah. This is it. If I push, I can get it.
Good on me for sneaking on lip balm after brushing my teeth.
“Is it alright if I do?”
I pressed my forehead against hers and begged.
Her beautifully fanned lashes were so close I could almost count them.
“…Just a little, then.”
Right. Got her to say it.
The moment our lips touched, a breath brushed mine. The scent of toothpaste. Probably mine too.
I inhaled her minty breath and pressed my lips against hers.
“Mm.”
Changing angles, three times, like carving.
A kiss that bit at her lips. A wet sound. My head felt fuzzy, everything except the sensation of our touch blurring away.
Even so, I held back from using my tongue.
I felt I might lose control.
Three times wasn’t enough; I kept kissing her, savouring the sensation.
“Honestly…”
She lowered her eyebrows in a troubled expression, but Shigure-san still didn’t pull away.
Wanting to press closer, I slid my hands round her back. Lying down, I pressed my body tightly against hers.
“Ow!”
“Is the position uncomfortable?”
“No, it’s just… I wore a bra with underwire, so it’s digging into my sides.”
“Why not take it off?”
“Ah…”
Shigure-san sat up briefly and slipped her hand into the back of her top.
The hem rode up, revealing her slender waist and navel.
As I stared, she quickly covered her stomach.
“Why are you staring?”
“Your tummy’s lovely, Shigure-san.”
“That sort of thing… just stop…”
“And I want to see you take it off.”
“Listen. It’s not like you should just blurt out everything honestly, you know.”
She undid the hook inside her clothes and slipped the straps off her shoulders through the sleeves.
Somehow, this felt incredibly lewd. Maybe I shouldn’t be watching.
I might lose control.
But I’m definitely going to look anyway.
“…Seriously, I’m telling you, you’re staring too much…”
A pale purple bra emerged from the hem, making my heart race faster.
Desire and fantasies swirled in my head, converging into one.
I want to touch her.
Both Shigure-san’s heart and body.