“…………”
Had it really been since Sara-san first kissed me that I’d felt a shock this intense?
It was enough to leave me momentarily speechless, but as the initial impact subsided, I felt a rush of heat pool in my cheeks.
Even though Sara-san was doing this with such earnest sincerity, I was…
If I’m being honest, though… it was wonderful.
“There. I shall do the other side now, so please face toward me.”
I was currently lying with my back to her, but doing the other ear meant I’d naturally have to turn around.
In other words, I would have to show her exactly what kind of face I was making right now.
Perhaps finding it strange that I wasn't moving, Sara-san leaned closer to peer at me.
“? Is something the matter…?”
I wondered what I looked like.
Was I embarrassed?
Overjoyed?
Grinning like an idiot from sheer bliss?
To be honest, I didn't even know myself.
However, the fact that the sharp-witted Sara-san stopped mid-sentence the moment she saw me meant she must have picked up on something.
“Kazunari-san, please show me your face.”
Sara-san made her unreasonable request in an incredibly gentle tone.
With those words, I knew for certain she’d grasped the situation. If that was the case, there was no longer any point in hiding it.
Hardening my resolve, I turned to look straight up so I could face her. But then, hands reached around from both sides and lightly lifted my head. She cradled my head in a way that made it impossible to even look away.
Facing each other head-on, our expressions fully visible to one another, Sara-san gazed at me and smiled happily.
“I am glad… It seems you found it to your liking.”
I hadn't said a word, but she had read me perfectly.
“Sa—Sara-san…”
When she pointed it out so clearly while looking me in the eye, the embarrassment became overwhelming.
“My apologies, it just slipped out. Oh, then to help you calm down, Kazunari-san, I shall hide your face for you. Now, please face this way.”
Hide it?
I didn't quite understand what she meant, but I tried to turn my body toward her as instructed. Matching my movement, Sara-san guided my head toward herself.
When I did, her stomach loomed right in front of my eyes.
Softly
My face ended up buried right against Sara-san's stomach.
“Uh…?”
“There. Now Kazunari-san’s face is hidden.”
It was certainly hidden, all right.
But, to be honest, this was difficult—intense, even—for a guy to handle.
Since Sara-san had just gotten out of the bath, she radiated a gentle, distinct warmth.
With my face pressed so close to her, I felt that warmth directly through the thin fabric of her pajamas. On top of that, she smelled incredible… even though we were supposed to be using the same body soap.
Realizing I was in a very dangerous position, I tried to shift my body to at least put a little distance between us.
Sara-san had been stroking my head, but my squirming seemed to tickle her.
“Fufu… Kazunari-san, no mischief allowed, okay? Please stay still.”
“I-I’m sorry!”
“Hyan! Ka—Kazunari-san…?”
Because I’d spoken with such vigor, the sound had vibrated right against her stomach.
W-What was I supposed to do?!
I couldn't move or speak… Wait, I just had to speak softly.
“Sara-san, I’m okay now.”
“Eh… are you quite sure? Since we are already like this, you could stay a while longer…”
“N-No, it’ll be a burden for you.”
“If you are seeking affection from me, Kazunari-san, nothing is a burden at all. Oh, let us finish the Ear Cleaning first then. Once we are done, you can squeeze me tight again.”
Sara-san released her hold on my head, finally allowing me to pull back from her stomach.
Phew… that was a close call.
“Now then, I shall resume the Ear Cleaning, so please be a good boy and stay still.”
Soft
Sara-san leaned forward to use the Ear Pick. Since she had been working on the back of my head last time, this side was the front. I should have known from the start that my face was headed for a blissful situation.
First the stomach, and now… no, stick to the plan. Don't think about anything else. This is purely…
Unaware of my internal struggle, Sara-san hummed a tune as she worked, clearly in high spirits.
“Kazunari-san, how have you been cleaning your ears until now?”
“I just used a cotton swab whenever I noticed they needed it. Sorry, are they really that bad?”
“Fufu… please don't worry about that. From now on, you can leave all your Ear Cleaning to me.”
Honestly, there was no way I could turn down something so wonderful. I wanted her to do it by all means.
“…Please. I’d much rather have you do it, Sara-san.”
“Yes! Just let me know whenever you're concerned about them.”
Sara-san sounded delighted by my request.
As we talked, her hands moved with practiced ease. Scritch-scratch, dab-dab… The cleaning proceeded efficiently.
“This side is finished as well. Now, please bear with it for a moment.”
Dab, dab… tickle, tickle.
The sensation of the Down Puff against my ear was so ticklish that I couldn't help but shiver.
“Fweh!”
“Ufufufu, is it ticklish? Be a good boy for just a little longer~”
Sara-san seemed to enjoy herself the entire time, but the blissful Ear Pick Time eventually reached its end.
“There. Now for the finish and we’re done.”
It was coming. As I braced myself, Sara-san leaned in even further, bringing her lips close to my ear.
And then I realized that it wasn't just her face that was approaching.
An incredibly soft sensation pressed against me. Startled by the feeling—which was different from her usual hugs—my focus shifted entirely, and my guard crumbled.
“Fuu～～～～～”
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If there was ever a definition for being "de-boned," this was it. I didn't think I'd be able to stand for a while.
Once again, I felt the heat rushing to my face. I decided to take advantage of the situation and hide against Sara-san’s stomach again, just like before. I wasn't just doing it because I wanted to be an Affection-seeker. Really.
“Nn… Kazunari-san, you’ve turned into quite the Affection-seeker.”
Since I was already embarrassed, I pressed my face a little firmer against her as a silent answer. She rested her hand on the back of my head and began to stroke it slowly.
“Do you like my… that much, Kazunari-san…?”
Sara-san’s mumble reached my ears. I missed the most important word, but I heard the gist of it.
“Eh!?”
“Hah?! I—It was nothing!”
Judging by her reaction, it seemed she’d spoken without thinking.
…No, she was talking about her stomach. Right.
Somehow, I managed to survive another round.
I was pushing myself to the limit just lying here, so direct words like that were a lot to handle…
The Ear Cleaning was over, but between being turned to jelly and the sheer comfort of the Lap Pillow, I couldn't find the will to get up.
Sara-san seemed happy to let me stay, stroking my hair with a constant, radiant smile.
“They were so excited, I thought they might actually try to swim then and there…”
Currently, I was resting on her lap and listening to her travel stories from the School Trip.
Hearing how much fun she’d had made me genuinely happy; she had kept her promise to enjoy herself.
“…The view was truly beautiful. It reminded me of the Night View at the place where you gave me your Confession, Kazunari-san.”
If I closed my eyes, I could still see that Night View vividly.
And my own actions… even though I’d acted on impulse, not only had my friends been there, but Sara-san's Mother had been there, too.
But now, every bit of it was a precious memory. I would never forget that place for as long as I lived.
“Let’s go back there again someday.”
“Yes, I would love that. That place is our Starting Point… I shall never forget it. It is the precious place of my memories, where you confessed your love to me, Kazunari-san.”
The blissful time continued as I listened to more travel stories.
It was probably inevitable that she’d mention how much she’d missed me at every opportunity.
After all, I’d been feeling exactly the same way.
“Kazunari-san?”
“………Ah, yes.”
I must have drifted off for a second; my response was a bit slow.
Between the comfort of the Lap Pillow and the rhythmic stroking of my hair, the sheer pleasantness had pulled me toward sleep.
“Fufu… are you a Sleepyhead? Then let us go to sleep properly.”
“I’m sorry…”
“We can talk every day from now on, so please don't worry. Now, let’s get into the Futon. Can you stand up for a moment?”
I slowly sat up and moved off the bed. Sara-san stood up as well and moved over to the Futon. As we lay down, she spread her arms and pulled me toward her, embracing me tightly. I didn't resist, letting myself be held. The room went dark as Sara-san clicked the remote.
As she resumed stroking my head, my drowsiness returned instantly.
“Good night, Kazunari-san. Sweet dreams…”
“Yeah… Good night, Sara-san.”
Thump… thump…
With the steady rhythm of Sara-san’s heartbeat acting as a Lullaby, I felt my consciousness being pulled into a deep sleep.
Chu…
Wrapped in the soft sensation of a kiss on my forehead, surrounded by warmth and happiness… our first night back together in a week drew to a peaceful close.