Episode 48: Sleep Deprived
Everything felt like it was slipping past understanding, and I pressed lightly at my forehead.
Watching that gesture, Shiori’s expression shifted, just slightly.
“…Hey, has Yuna-chan not been sleeping much lately?”
“…What?”
The unexpected observation made me stare at her.
“Your eyes look a little red, and you seem kind of out of it… and there are shadows under them too.”
Hearing that, I brought a hand to under my eyes without thinking.
It was true — I hadn’t really been sleeping properly lately.
Every night, Honoka had wanted me.
As if confirming I was really there, again and again.
Each time, I responded — and before I knew it, it would be late into the night.
The moment I remembered it, something indescribable pressed up against my chest.
“…I guess I’m a little sleep deprived, maybe.”
I answered evasively, and Shiori let out an exasperated sigh.
“That’s more than ‘a little,’ isn’t it.”
The sound of her cup being set down, and then Shiori peered closely at my face.
Her look seemed to say do you even know what time it is, and I took out my phone to check the screen.
It was still only just past ten in the morning.
“It’s morning, and you already look this exhausted. Is it always like this for you?”
“…Lately, I guess.”
When I fell silent, Shiori frowned, exasperated.
“If you don’t sleep properly, your head won’t work right, and worrying more won’t get you any answers.”
Shiori’s point was reasonable.
My body felt heavy from the lack of sleep, and my head was foggy.
Even when I tried to think things through, the same thoughts just kept circling, without resolving into anything.
“Why don’t you rest for a bit, for now?”
“But…”
“It’s fine.”
Shiori gave my shoulder a light push.
“You don’t have to hold back here. Sleep on the sofa, or the bed, wherever you like.”
“…Do you think I can even fall asleep that easily?”
“Then try closing your eyes. You’ll be out in no time.”
At that, I let my body sink back against the sofa.
Half doubting her, I closed my eyes — and immediately my eyelids felt heavy.
“…Huh.”
“See?”
I heard Shiori give a small, quiet laugh.
“Here, I’ll put a blanket over you. If you haven’t had breakfast, I’ll make something for lunch, so you should sleep a little until then.”
Saying that, Shiori draped a blanket gently over me.
It was warm, and comfortable —
“…Like a mother.”
The words slipped out before I meant them to, and Shiori laughed softly.
“Then you should listen properly to what your mother says, shouldn’t you?”
At those words, I let out a small breath and quietly closed my eyes.
A pleasant drowsiness wrapped around my whole body.
—Just for now, let me sleep, without thinking about anything.
With that thought, I quietly let go of consciousness.