Episode 41: Sleepover ⑶

We finished our shopping at the convenience store and arrived home.

‘That was good exercise, wasn’t it? Morning walks aren’t half bad, are they?’
‘I’m knackered.’

As soon as we got home, Takizawa headed for the washbasin to wash her hands.

‘Endo-san, is there anything you need doing?’

She’s not usually the type who’s good at that sort of thing, yet whenever she’s at my place, she’s always looking out for me.

‘Well then, could you spread some butter on some bread and toast it for me?’

When I asked her, Takizawa spread the butter and stood in front of the oven, watching it toast the whole time.

So cute…

Perhaps I’ve caught some sort of illness where everything Takizawa does looks adorable. I’m at a loss with this feeling, whether it’s maternal instinct or something else, I don’t know.

　I topped the toast Takizawa had made with bacon and a fried egg. I poured the consommé soup I’d made yesterday and some milk into a glass and set them on the table.

‘Let’s eat.’ ‘—Let’s eat.’
We exchanged greetings and began breakfast.

I regret having had her stay over. I’m so happy right now that it’s a bit painful to think I’ll be back to living alone from tomorrow.

‘The bread Takizawa baked is delicious.’
‘I didn’t do anything.’

She looks at me with a slightly sulky expression.
I feel like reaching out to that face, but as I’m afraid she might get angry, I decide to rest my hand on my lap instead.

‘Takizawa, thank you for teaching me so much during the summer holidays.’
‘I haven’t done anything that deserves thanks.’

When Takizawa says that and starts eating the consommé soup, she looks quite surprised.

“This is delicious, even though it’s full of vegetables.”

Hehehe, that’s just what consommé soup is like, I thought to myself, and found myself smiling broadly as I gazed at Takizawa.

“Why is it that when you’re with your friends, Endo-san, you’re always just smiling politely, but when you’re with me, you’re not like that at all?”

I answered, thinking to myself how unusual it was for Takizawa to ask me a question.

‘That’s just how it works best with my friends. I just want to get through my student life peacefully. As for why it’s different with you, Takizawa… well, you’ve made me do all sorts of embarrassing things, so I don’t think there’s any need to be so careful now.’

Even though she asked the question herself, Takizawa didn’t say a word in reply, which I thought was rather cheeky.

I couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking.

I’ve got club activities this afternoon.
This blissful time will be over by midday.

‘I’ve got nothing planned until this afternoon. Shall we have lunch before I head home?’
‘No, thanks. I’ll be heading home in a bit.’

Takizawa simply started clearing away the breakfast dishes. Once she’d finished, she stayed in my room, looking rather restless.

‘To thank you for letting me stay over, I’ll do whatever you say, Endo-san.’

Takizawa spoke with a heavy heart.

I suppose she doesn’t like the idea of me taking advantage of her.

　I think it’s typical of Takizawa that, unable to think of what to do herself, she ended up deciding to do just one thing I asked.

“Right then, I want you to answer a question. Why did you kiss me like that yesterday?”

I want to know.
I thought I’d never get a chance like this.
It’s rare for Takizawa to do anything for me.

“I don’t know…”

I’d expected her not to answer, but I felt a little disappointed by that response.

“Right, then, close your eyes.”

When I said that, Takizawa looked startled, but she closed her eyes straight away.

I brought my face close to Takizawa’s beautiful face, which was positioned slightly lower than mine. I could hear the sound of my own heartbeat all too clearly.

　I gently pressed my lips against her. Then, just as Takizawa had done to me yesterday, I slipped my tongue between her lips.

Takizawa accepted it without resistance.

My cheeks felt hot.

It was hard to breathe.

But I didn’t want to pull away from Takizawa.

I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer to me so she couldn’t escape.

“Mmm…”

Takizawa let out a pained moan and tried to push my shoulder away, but her strength was weak, so I decided she didn’t really want to leave me and continued to feel her heat.

My mouth tastes sweet.

If I were to push Takizawa down onto the bed like this, would she let me go further…? No, I feel ashamed of myself for even thinking such things.

　Takizawa is the person who tutors me; nothing more, nothing less.

So, what are these feelings overflowing from my chest?

No, surely it’s just a delusion caused by doing things that only lovers would do.

As I was thinking that, Takizawa pushed me hard.

Takizawa looked as though she was in pain.

I, for my part, steadied my breathing and stared at Takizawa.

‘You pervert, Endo-san. You lecher.’

The word ‘lecher‘ — being called that for the first time — feels somehow fresh, and I let out a laugh before I can stop myself. Takizawa wore a face that said she found it deeply unpleasant.

‘I’m going home now.’
‘Why don’t you stay a little longer?’
‘I’m going home.’

Saying that, she began rushing about getting ready to leave, so I hurried after her and decided to see her off at the front door.

“Takizawa, come back again.”
“No way. Endo-san’s a pervert, so I’m not coming back.”

Takizawa looked at me with a menacing expression. However, the tension had eased slightly from her face, and she had returned to her usual deadpan expression.

“But the food was delicious and the futon was warm. Thank you—”

With that, she ran out.

　There were so many things that happened this summer holiday.
They weren’t unpleasant memories, but very happy ones.

Things I couldn’t have experienced on my own.

Things I was able to do because Takizawa was there.

With my heart still throbbing with warmth, I was left alone at home.