Due in part to the mishap in the bathroom, a thick, stifling air of awkwardness followed me back to my room. I collapsed onto the bed, staring at the ceiling.
So much had happened today. Between the date and that final incident in the bath, I was mentally drained. I expected to fall into a deep, dreamless sleep the moment my head hit the pillow. Alice would probably be back to her usual self by morning—I trusted her that much. All I had to do was rest.
With those wandering thoughts, I turned off the light and closed my eyes.
...Two hours later, I was still wide awake.
I couldn't sleep at all. Why? It was already one in the morning, well past my usual bedtime. I’d spent the entire day walking, so my body should have been heavy with fatigue. Yet, sleep felt miles away.
No, that wasn't true. I knew exactly why I couldn't sleep.
The moment I closed my eyes and tried to clear my mind, the image returned. The scene was burned into the back of my eyelids—Alice, without a single thread of clothing on her body. It made my heart race with a restless heat.
Was I... pent up? I couldn't exactly deny it.
That kind of talk had come up several times during our date. Perhaps I’d been brooding over it more than I realized. When I’d jokingly taken her hand and tried to lead her toward the Inn District earlier that afternoon, Alice’s resistance had been incredibly faint. If I’d been more forceful back then, would we have...
The moment that thought took shape, Alice’s naked silhouette flashed in my mind again. I stayed flat on my back and punched myself in the cheek.
What the hell am I thinking!? I don't care how little she resisted; she told me herself that she wasn't ready. Prioritizing my own urges over her feelings would be the lowest of the low. It would be an insult to Alice!
That’s right. This is just adrenaline. The date was so much fun that my brain is just flooded with dopamine, making it hard to settle down.
Empty your mind. Just be still... clear everything out and go to sleep.
I pulled the duvet over my head, desperately trying to force myself into unconsciousness. Reality, however, proved to be merciless. A soft, hesitant knock at the door made my heart nearly leap out of my throat.
“...Kaito-san, are you awake?”
“A-Alice? Yeah, I’m up, but...”
“...May I come in?”
“Eh? Oh, sure...”
What was happening? Why was she here now? I told myself to stay calm; surely there was a logical reason. It had to be an emergency. Yes, an urgent matter that couldn't wait until morning...
My chest was thumping so loudly it was almost painful. I sat up, clicked the light back on, and unlocked the door.
“...G-Good evening...”
“......”
The moment I saw her, I lost the ability to speak.
Alice was wearing loose, light blue pajamas—an oversized shirt and matching pants covered in a polka-dot pattern. She even had a pointed nightcap on her head. In more ways than one, she had hit me right in my strike zone.
Wait a second, Alice? Are you trying to kill me? This is way too much. She was quite literally too cute for words.
The sleepwear complemented her wavy blonde hair perfectly. Through the wide collar of the oversized shirt, I could see the delicate line of her collarbone. It was dangerously adorable.
“...Kaito-san?”
“...Hah!? Oh, sorry. What’s up?”
I had been completely mesmerized. Every time she took that mask off, I was reminded that with her blue eyes and flowing gold hair, she was a classic, top-tier beauty. She called herself a "beautiful girl" as a joke, but it wasn't an exaggeration in the slightest.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts. Alice was about to tell me why she was here. Some kind of crisis, no doubt.
“...Um... ‘May I sleep with you?’”
“...Eh? Sorry, what was that?”
May I sleep with you? Was that a spell? Unfortunately, my limited knowledge of magic didn't cover whatever incantation she’d just whispered.
“I... I said, I want to sleep with you, Kaito-san.”
“......”
So it wasn't magic. She was literally asking to share my bed.
Wait, this was bad. This was actually a disaster. Was I really supposed to lie under the same covers with Alice while she looked this lethally cute? It was impossible. I had to refuse, or my composure would...
“...I’m just... a little ‘lonely’... Is that... not okay?”
“No, it’s fine. I was just about to go to sleep myself.”
...Refusal was impossible. Looking at that lonely, vulnerable expression, there was no way I could say no.
Guh. It was fine. I could handle this. My composure wasn't dead yet.
The room was bathed in the dim, silver light of the moon filtering through the curtains. The bed was large for one person but felt a bit cramped for two. I was now under the covers, lying face-to-face with Alice.
“...I’m sorry. For being selfish.”
“No, it’s fine. But what brought this on?”
“Ah... well, today’s date was just so much fun. Because of that... I guess I just wanted to be spoiled by you, Kaito-san.”
“......”
She followed up that direct hit with a shy, bashful smile that carried enough power to shave away a massive chunk of my remaining sanity. My composure was already screaming in the red zone. I forced a stiff, nervous smile back at her.
“Ah, I know! Kaito-san, would you mind... giving me an ‘arm pillow’?”
“...I-It’s no problem. Bring it on.”
“Thank you. Then, if you don't mind...”
Another attack followed.
I felt as if the threads of my composure were being worn down by a saw, but I did as she asked. Alice happily took my hand and rested her head on my arm. Our faces were now closer than they had ever been.
“...Ahaha, this is a little embarrassing. But I’ve always wanted to try this.”
“...You did say you were going to make all your dreams come true, didn't you?”
“Yes. Another one down... I’m so happy.”
“I-I see...”
Was she doing this on purpose? Was she actually trying to break me? This was getting dangerous. I could feel the warmth of her body through my arm, and her soft breaths were fluttering against my skin.
Silence fell between us. In the darkness, we simply stared at each other. Looking into her eyes—so deep and blue I felt I might be swallowed by them—the air between us seemed to grow heavy and hot.
“...Um, Kaito-san... it’s a bit late for this, but... this is a very embarrassing situation, isn't it?”
“Y-Yeah. Extremely late, but you’re right...”
“...If it’s... just a kiss... then... that would be okay.”
“...Eh?”
I reflexively asked for clarification. Alice’s face was beet-red with shame, but she didn't look away.
“...I still don't quite have the courage for... that... but if it’s a kiss... No, I mean... I want you to kiss me.”
“...Alice.”
My head felt hot and dizzy. I couldn't look away from her. We’d already kissed twice before, but the sheer tension of this moment made me feel like it was the first time all over again.
I reached out, my hand trembling slightly as I cupped her cheek. I leaned in, my gaze locked on hers. Alice didn't close her eyes either; she tilted her head just enough to make it easier. A second later, our lips met.
“Mnh...”
Her lips were soft and tasted sweet. I could see myself reflected with startling clarity in her wide blue eyes. We stayed like that for several seconds, but then, guided by the rising heat, my tongue lightly tapped against her sealed lips.
“Mnn!?”
Alice’s eyes went wide with shock. Realizing my mistake, I started to pull away, but Alice’s hand suddenly shot to the back of my neck. She pressed her lips against mine more firmly than before, and at the same time, her mouth parted slightly, inviting me in.
“...Nchu... ah... chu...”
As if being pulled by a vacuum, my tongue entered her mouth, exploring the warm, sweet interior. At first, she simply accepted it, but soon, as if following my lead, her own tongue began to move. They entangled, creating a wet, rhythmic sound in the quiet room.
“Mnh... pua... mnh, chuu... haa... chu...”
I don't know how long we spent exchanging our breath and saliva. When we finally broke the long, deep kiss and pulled apart, a glistening thread of silver connected our mouths.
Alice looked dazed, her eyes dreamy and unfocused. After a moment, as her mind caught up, her face turned a shade of crimson I’d never seen before.
“...Auuuuuu.”
“S-Sorry... I didn't mean to...”
Reflexively, I apologized to her as she buried her burning face in my chest.
“...I-It’s okay... I was just surprised... but it... it felt good.”
“Ugh...”
“U-Um... Kaito-san.”
“Yeah?”
“L-Let’s stop here for today. P-Please forgive me.”
“Of course. It’s okay. I’m not going to force you into anything, Alice.”
I wrapped my arms around her, hugging her gently to reassure her. I was careful to keep the lower half of my body tilted away. Alice looked up at me with watery eyes and whispered.
“...I’m sorry. I won’t make you wait much longer... Just until I can find my courage... please... wait for me.”
“I will. There’s no need to rush.”
“...Yes. Thank you.”
With that, Alice closed her eyes. Before long, she was leaning her full weight against me, her breathing becoming rhythmic and peaceful as she fell asleep.
Looking at that expression of absolute trust, I quietly resigned myself to staying awake for the rest of the night.
Dear Mother, Father—This might be the closest my composure has ever come to its breaking point. In fact, I think it might have actually fractured a little. But Alice asked me to wait. She looked at me with an expression that said she believed in me. If that’s the case, then I have to win this. This battle against the composure-whittling warmth.