Episode 39: Sleepover (1)

Once I’d finished tidying up, I was told I could have a bath, so I took one and put on the pyjamas I’d brought with me. They were a navy blue pyjama set, nothing particularly cute about them.

It was hot, so I undid the top button and flapped the fabric to create a breeze, just spacing out, when Endo-san came out of the bath.

　Endo-san was wearing plain, pale pink pyjamas, and as she’d buttoned them all the way up, she looked terribly hot.

When I went to Endo-san’s room, she suggested we do something, whether it was playing games, talking about love, or anything else.

I didn’t really have anything in mind, so I replied that anything was fine, and Endo-san asked me to help her with her studies.

　I don’t know if she’s just serious enough to want to study even at a time like this, or if she’s just going along with me, but when she says she wants to study, she really concentrates.

We studied for about two hours, and the clock was striking eleven.

‘That’s it for studying today! What shall we do now?’

Endo-san said with a delighted look on her face.

She knows I’m going to make her do something she hates — so why does she look so happy about it? There are moments when I’m convinced that Endo-san really is just a weirdo.

Lately, Endo’s expressions have become more varied, and I feel she’s showing more natural reactions. My goal of breaking through Endo’s fake smile is starting to be achieved.

There isn’t much left that I want to do.

I don’t really need anything.

I’d teach Endo even if I wasn’t given anything in return, but Endo says that’s not good enough.

　She says she wants to do something for me.

I don’t understand why she feels the need to do something for me to that extent. Just as I was thinking about that, there was a loud bang outside.

It’s thunder.

There had been a thunderstorm forecast for today.

Thinking it would settle down eventually, I looked at Endo-san, only to see her body, which is bigger than mine, shaking violently.

‘Endo-san, are you perhaps the type who’s afraid of thunder?’

‘I’m not afraid…’

　It was surprising that Endo-san, who was so perfect at everything, had such a weakness.

The sound of thunder could be heard quite frequently.

Each time, Endo-san’s face would pale and she would cover her ears.

There had been plenty of thunderstorms before, but had she been trembling like this on her own every single time?

My futon had been laid out next to the bed in Endo-san’s room.

It was time to sleep.

“Let’s go to sleep. I don’t need my reward for helping with your studies tonight.”

When I said that, Endo-san silently turned off the light and got into bed. I slipped into the futon that had been laid out for me.

It was raining, but as it was summer, the air conditioning was on. It felt so pleasant that I thought I’d fall asleep straight away, but when I looked over at her, I realised that wouldn’t be the case. Wrapped up in her duvet, a large lump was trembling so violently that I could make it out even in the darkness.

　I’m not exactly the most honest person myself, but I reckon Endo-san is also pretty far from honest.

If she’s scared, she should just say so.

Then perhaps there might be something I could do to help…

“Endo-san, you still haven’t thanked me for helping you with your studies earlier.”

“Eh… you said you didn’t need it just now.”

Bang!

It sounded as though lightning had struck again.

　Endo-san curled up in the duvet and stopped looking at me. I pulled the duvet away and stared at her.

‘Don’t argue about what we’re going to do now. That’s your punishment for today.’

I slipped into Endo-san’s bed, which wasn’t very wide, and lay down facing her.
My eyes had adjusted to the darkness quite a bit, so I could see her face; her eyes were glistening.

To be honest, I was surprised that she was so terrified of thunder.

　As if to say she didn’t want me to see her face, Endo-san tried to turn away, so I pulled her closer to me before she could.

When I stroked her back, I felt her trembling stop just a little. Just as I thought, ‘That’s good,’ I realised how embarrassing my current behaviour was, and my hand stopped.

The parts of my body touching Endo-san’s felt hot.

Her pyjamas were thin, so it felt as though I was touching her skin directly, which made me feel strange. Perhaps my hand had stopped moving, Endo-san lifted her face and looked at me.

‘Takizawa…?’

　She looked better than before, but still seemed somewhat anxious. For some reason, meeting Endo-san’s gaze made me feel even more embarrassed, so I decided to move my mouth to cover it up.

‘Don’t look at me, it’s embarrassing.’

‘No.’

　It was unusual for Endo-san to say something like that. Fine — if she won’t look away, I’ll just have to make sure she can’t see.

　I brought my face close to Endo’s and pressed my lips against the softest part of her face. Endo seemed a little startled, but she soon closed her eyes obediently.

She’s so obedient.

It’s almost scary.

She doesn’t have to listen to a word I say, yet Endo always does. Why does she listen to me?

　Just how much will Endo-san put up with me?

At what point will she start to hate me…

　I pried open Endo-san’s closed mouth with my tongue. My tongue touched that soft, hot spot of her. As if answering me, Endo-san gently pushed back against me, and our heat mingled.

　I didn’t quite know how to breathe.
　But it felt so good that I couldn’t stop.

　I don’t know how much time had passed, but Endo-san pushed me away by my shoulder.

Endo-san was breathing heavily, as if in pain, trying to catch her breath. Even in the darkness, I could see that her cheeks and ears were bright red.

‘You idiot, Takizawa.’

Saying only that, Endo-san curled up against my chest. I don’t even know why I did this to Endo-san.

　I don’t know, but thinking that it was good if it had calmed her down even a little, I stroked Endo’s head.

Seeing how scared she’d been just a moment ago, I found her a little endearing and my body moved without me realising it.

Before I knew it, the thunder had stopped, and I could hear Endo breathing softly in her sleep. My own feelings were gradually calming down too, thinking that it was good if she’d managed to settle down and sleep.

Once I felt at ease, drowsiness suddenly overcame me and my vision grew dark.