Part Four: Epilogue
We made do with a late lunch of station bento boxes in the train before setting off for home.
Our only detour was to buy dinner and breakfast for the next day at a convenience store, but by the time we reached the front door, the sun had already set.
I took off my shoes and stepped onto the hallway.
Only then did I notice Ibara standing still before the heavy metal door.
“What is it?”
“Say ‘welcome home’, Shigure-san.”
My heart clenched.
This girl really is… just like this.
“…Welcome home, Ibara.”
“Yeah, I’m home.”
Those casual words cut deep.
Ibara was in my room.
It felt like I’d finally found the puzzle piece I’d carelessly lost.
“Want the sandwiches I bought? Shall we eat them now?”
“Nah, I’m not hungry yet.”
“Right.”
So, what to do then?
Watch Netflix? Or change and have a shower? Just as I sat down on the bed, Ibara leapt at me from the front.
“Shigure-san, Shigure-san, Shigure-san…”
She sat straddling my thigh, rubbing her round forehead against my blouse.
Oh dear. Adorable. I couldn’t resist and ended up stroking her head.
Ibara’s hair was fine and smooth; I could touch it forever and never tire of it.
“You don’t need to call me so much. I’m not going anywhere. See?”
“I know that.”
“Then move away a bit—”
“No.”
Her tongue flicked against my lips.
Like a kitten seeking affection, her tiny tongue tickled me.
Unable to hold back, her lips pressed against mine.
A deep kiss that allowed no space between us.
She shifted angles in quick succession, sucking noisily again and again.
“Mm, mmm—phut!”
Breathless, I pushed her shoulders back.
Even so, Ibara wouldn’t let go.
She wrapped her arms around the back of my neck, clinging to me with her whole body.
No good, I couldn’t escape.
“No, Ibara, mmm—”
“Fuu, …mm, can’t.”
Deep inside my head, the sound of water echoed.
Her hips pressed against my thighs, rocking back and forth in slow, deliberate motions.
Warm liquid trickled down my throat, flowing through our entwined tongues.
My throat made a soft gulp sound.
“Mmm…”
Immediately after, Ibara shuddered violently.
Her thighs tensed, hard and taut, then spasmed before slackening, melting limp.
Ah, fu… haa…
Her cheeks flushed, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
Her tear-glistened eyes were droopy, as if she’d caught a cold.
“…Suit.”
“Eh?”
“I’m sorry if I’ve dirtied it.”
Once more, lips met.
A small tongue tip sought out mine.
The tiny organ moved incessantly, still desperate and earnest, yet slightly different from before.
The taut, urgent impatience felt when our skin touched on that trip had vanished.
Keeping our lips locked, I slipped my hand behind her ear.
“…Mmm…?”
As I stroked her hair, her tongue flicked happily inside my mouth.
The deep kiss continued, gradually making breathing difficult.
Lacking oxygen, my head grew hazy.
Thoughts and reason were driven away, and pure, unadulterated pleasure filled my entire body.
“Phew.”
Finally, our lips parted.
Ibara wiped the silver thread trailing from the corner of her mouth with her hand.
That casual gesture held a chillingly sensual allure.
“Shigure-san, more…”
“W-wait.”
I pressed her approaching face away with my hand.
“I can’t, it’s over.”
“Why?”
“Because… the kiss is too long. I’m getting tired…”
If this continued any longer, I feared I might lose control.
“So, you see, that’s enough for today.”
“…Is that alright? Just stopping like this?”
“Eh?”
“Shigure-san, you look incredibly lewd. All flushed, teary-eyed, and utterly melted.”
When her fingertips touched my cheek, the heated skin reacted sensitively.
“Yaaah!”
“You’re so cute. You looked so cool just a moment ago.”
“…That’s… because Ibara keeps kissing me so much…”
When I managed to protest, Ibara’s eyes sparkled brightly.
“You really are naughty, aren’t you, Shigure-san?”
“Idiot.”
“I want more. Let’s do it. Please?”
“No.”
“Please?”
“I said no.”
“Please, please, please!”
She gazed up at me with teary, glistening eyes.
“Really, no?”
“………………Just one more time, then.”
Of course, it didn’t end at just one time.
Until Ibara was satisfied, my mouth was thoroughly licked, rubbed, and sucked. By the time I was finally released, night had completely fallen.
†
“Your lips might be sore.”
“Ugh.”
“And the suit… I’ll have to hand-wash it and send it to the cleaners…”
“I’m sorry…”
“I’m not angry.”
Curled up together in one futon, I stroked the back of Ibara’s head nestled against my chest.
Somehow, it felt like I’d been stroking her head all day today.
“But… you didn’t mind, did you?”
“…I suppose I didn’t mind…”
“So… you liked it?”
“Hey!”
“Well, I mean…”
She chuckled softly, like the rustling of leaves on a treetop.
“I liked it.”
“…Don’t say things like that.”
“Shigure-san, you’re so cute.”
“Now then. Don’t tease an adult—”
I stopped myself from saying “Don’t tease me.”
Ibara isn’t a child anymore. Little by little, she’s truly becoming an adult.
I have to accept that too.
“Shigure-san?”
“…It was nice.”
“What?”
“Okay fine, being kissed a lot by Ibara… that… feeling… was nice.”
Oh no, I’d said it.
My face burned like it was on fire. My heart felt like it would burst from embarrassment.
But I didn’t want to lie anymore. Not about this sort of thing either.
“Really?”
“…Really.”
“Then, shall we do it some more⁉︎”
“My lips are tingling, so no.”
“No, just a peck.”
“We won’t. That’s enough for today.”
“Ah”
Ibara’s face landed on my chest through my pyjamas.
“Right then, I’ll hold back…”
“Eh?”
“What?”
“…No, just a bit surprised. Thought you’d put up more of a fight”
Usually she’d throw a tantrum, whine and moan, even try to cry me into submission just to touch me.
Ibara slowly lifted her face.
“Because we’ll be together forever, won’t we?”
Her eyes softened, melting with complete reassurance.
Ibara drew her face closer.
Our foreheads touched. Like kittens, we rubbed our noses together. Close enough that even our eyelashes brushed.
“So I figured there’s no need to rush anymore.”
“…I see.”
“Ah, of course I still want to, though.”
“Ah, yes.”
“If you think it’s better after I graduate, Shigure-san, then I suppose that’s fine too.”
“Mm. Thank you.”
“But let me have a kiss, alright?”
“…Alright.”
“And let me touch all sorts of places too.”
“Mm.”
“If, if… If I absolutely can’t hold back, and I want to touch you so badly that I end up attacking you… even then, you won’t hate me, will you?”
“──…Well, I suppose I have no choice.”
I gently embraced Ibara.
“It’s alright. I’ll forgive you then.”
Ibara shivered violently in my arms.
Her ears were flushed red, whatever she’d imagined.
“But let’s sleep now, alright?”
“…My heart’s racing. I might not be able to sleep.”
“No. You’re sleep-deprived. You must sleep properly.”
“Alrighty.”
“Goodnight, Ibara.”
“Mm, goodnight.”
Beneath the futon, Ibara’s hand found mine.
Our fingertips touched. Night’s curtain fell, enveloping us.
“Today.. no, always. Thank you so, so much.”
In the gentle darkness, a sweet whisper vibrated against my eardrum.
“Please continue to take care of me. My little witch.”