When I closed my eyes, I could almost fool myself.
I could imagine this was just my room, and that Hayashi was simply in the middle of a bath. As for me, I had eaten far too much dinner and been overtaken by a wave of exhaustion, trying to drift off while using the sound of the shower as a lullaby.
I could almost mistake it for a scene from our everyday lives.
My eyelids were heavy.
My body was heavy, too.
Hayashi had dragged me in here because she was tired. I realized that perhaps I, too, hadn't fought her on it because I was just as drained.
I’d been cleaning since morning. Cleaning and cleaning.
Then I’d left the house in the afternoon to enjoy a day with just the two of us.
The Rainbow Bridge.
Dinner.
And then, the Stage Play.
I’d been given the chance to experience things I would never have tasted in my normal life.
And on top of all that, she was even trying to provide me with a bed as soft as this.
A moment ago, Hayashi had told me.
She said I didn't understand her feelings at all.
Well, at this point, that didn't really matter.
Actually, maybe it did.
But to me right now, it didn't.
My eyelids were heavy, my body was heavy... and even my consciousness began to slip away.
Until just a moment ago, I’d been as meek as a lamb.
It was only natural, considering I’d walked into a room like this with a Hayashi who wasn't her usual self.
But... in the end, that feeling was only a paper-thin difference away. Once I closed my eyes, this place was no different from my reality.
Ah, I see.
Had Hayashi's presence become that much of a part of my daily life?
...Zzz.
"Wake up."
Following a gentle voice, my cheek was lightly slapped.
I wondered just how long I’d been asleep.
I wondered just how long I’d kept Hayashi waiting.
I jolted awake.
The sight that greeted me when I opened my eyes was... Hayashi, wearing nothing but a bath towel.
Her hair was still damp, as if she hadn't finished drying it, and her skin was slightly flushed.
Before I knew it, my consciousness was completely hijacked by the sight of her.
"...What on earth are you wearing?"
"...You're not getting excited, are you?"
"Huh?"
"Because we're 'family,' after all."
Hayashi said it as a pointed jab.
I had no idea what exactly had upset her. I couldn't even begin to guess.
However, I could at least tell that I had somehow soured her mood, and that I was currently paying the price for it.
What on earth had I done to her?
...What.
What had I...?
My thoughts were a jumbled mess.
My face felt hot.
I wanted to look away...!
And yet, I couldn't.
"...Put some clothes on."
Hayashi said nothing.
"You'll get cold, right?"
She still said nothing.
"Look, I-I'm sorry, okay...!"
Hayashi approached me in silence.
I scrambled backward on the bed. The one cornering me was the provocative woman standing before my eyes.
Hayashi's soft skin...!
During this hot season, I should have been used to it. She usually slept in light clothes like a T-shirt and short pants, after all.
...I was starting to panic.
Like this.
Maybe it would be okay... to just give in.
If I let myself go here, she would probably tease me about it for the rest of my life.
The Hayashi in front of me would likely mock me forever.
But I think I was starting to feel like that might not be such a bad thing.
I finally surrendered as Hayashi refused to stop her advance.
I stopped trying to escape—in fact, little by little... bit by bit...
I snapped back to reality when I heard a voice from the next room. I couldn't possibly describe what kind of voice it was.
Still, I suppose I should be grateful for how thin the walls were.
Or maybe, in a way, I shouldn't be.
Her face turning bright red and trembling, Hayashi recoiled.
It seemed she had also snapped out of it.
"S-Sorry...!"
Hayashi spun around skillfully.
She hunched over as if to hide her skin from view.
One crisis had passed, and I felt relieved... but then the sight burned into my mind from when I’d first woken up resurfaced, making my cheeks burn.
Scratching my cheek, I started by handing her my jacket to wear.
"Sorry. I wasn't in my right mind...!"
"Yeah, no kidding."
I let out a heavy sigh.
"...I won't bother asking what that was about."
"Please don't."
"But... that was a bit of a shock, to say the least."
"...Yeah."
"...S-Sorry."
Feeling a little guilty, I apologized.
Dammit. Even though I usually tried to play the cool character, my voice was shaking.
"I'm going to sleep."
"Ah... Me too."
"Gyaa!"
Hayashi crawled into the bed I was about to sleep in.
Inside the duvet, her soft skin brushed against mine, and I let out a cry.
"W-What are you doing? Why are you sleeping in this bed?"
"It can't be helped! This is the only bed!"
Ah, right.
I fell silent.
"T-That's right...! This can't be helped. There's no other way...!"
"I'll sleep on the floor."
"No!"
"Gueh."
"...Ah. Sorry."
My side hurt because Hayashi had suddenly latched onto me.
Since she was behind me and I couldn't glare at her, I did my best to project a resentful aura her way.
"...Seriously. I've been at your beck and call all day today."
"...Sorry."
As Hayashi apologized, I took a moment to reflect.
Good grief. Truly... today, no, lately, it had been nothing but me being swung around by Hayashi.
When we climbed the Rainbow Bridge, she’d almost burst into tears because she was afraid of heights.
She’d suddenly started sprinting just to catch an earlier train.
Then she’d suddenly dragged me to a place like this.
Going further back, she’d even given me the impossible task of talking to a guy in my department at University.
Honestly.
Lately, I had been completely at the mercy of the girl who used to be called The Queen.
...But, it was a strange thing.
"...Well, I had fun, so I guess it's fine."
"...Eh?"
"...Today was fun. I was able to have some precious experiences."
I thanked Hayashi.
Because she...
For someone like me, she had endured her own terror to climb the Rainbow Bridge.
She’d made arrangements so I could rest early and wouldn't miss the Last Train.
She’d brought me here specifically so I could rest.
To begin with, that impossible task of talking to that guy was only because she had arranged it so that I could finally make friends.
And after experiencing all of that, I’d ended up enjoying myself one way or another.
...In that case, it would be presumptuous of me to even complain.
"Thanks for everything, Hayashi."
"...One more time."
"Huh?"
"One more time. Say it one more time."
"...Uh, no way."
"Just do it!"
Overwhelmed by Hayashi shouting from behind me, I stayed silent for a while.
"Thanks for everything."
"One more time."
"Eeeh?"
"One more time."
"...Thanks for everything."
"Add 'Hayashi' properly."
"Thanks for everything, Hayashi!"
Hayashi stopped responding.
Had she fallen asleep?
No, that wasn't it.
The hands hugging me began to tighten their grip.
Had she finally reached a point of satisfaction?
And had her mind been put at ease as well?
...Seriously, lately, I’ve been completely at this girl's mercy.
I couldn't help but let out a wry smile.
"Yamamoto."
"Yeah?"
"Thanks for everything."
"...Yeah."
My back felt a little itchy.
This, too, was all Hayashi's fault...
End of Chapter Seven