A dense day from Cerecia’s return — that night.
I (Boku) revisited the afternoon’s events. Our fight muddied things, but I understood Cerecia’s point.
“Cerecia’s challenge was fair.”
We make him happy.
What could it be. Ouga is kind; he’d be happy at anything.
But that’s meaningless.
I don’t want to lean on his kindness — I want to give him something I can be proud of.
“Let me reframe. Not what Ouga likes specifically — what a man his age would enjoy……”
Come to think, I have no experience with boys.
Before academy, I was excluded for being magical; after, only Ouga……
Aah, dead end.
Thinking now won’t bring ideas.
“Break time……”
Stretching out the stiff shoulder muscles.
”…… Ah.”
In view — my two grown fatty masses.
Ouga loves these. Today’s tea party fight was even partly because of these.
“Heard all men love these.”
Grabbing my chest, I squished it.
For me — just stiff shoulders, lewd stares from disinterest. But men love.
Mom said it: Mama caught Papa with boobs.
But just boobs is weak.
Karen-san and Alice-san have them too.
Only-mine…… happiness only I can give to Ouga.
I released my chest, looked downward——
“——Virginity?”
…… No. Even I can’t go there!
Embarrassment and regret swirled; a voiceless cry escaped.
I buried my face in the pillow, pounded the bed.
”…… Tomorrow Ouga reports the marriage.”
I’d heard this. When Father-in-law returns from the capital, Ouga reports our engagements.
Ouga conveyed love; we accepted.
But only Karen is officially engaged.
A floaty state——
“Mufu. Wife…… mufufu……!”
He’d said it in front of family proudly — that made me so happy.
My anxiety vanished.
New worries appeared…… but they’re luxurious worries.
Worries only we — about to be wives — can have.
Still stuck in the dead end, ehehe.
”…… Right, act.”
Use my strengths.
My love for Ouga is number one. So night raid is easy!
“All right.”
Checking my underwear was presentable, I walked quietly but eagerly.
"""——Ah."""
I bumped into Reina-san right at Ouga’s door.
A startled moment; the absurdity made us both laugh.
“We’re similar.”
“Same person we love.”
“Indeed.”
“Didn’t expect you to night-raid too.”
“Yes, I wanted to talk with Ouga— wait, Mashiro-san? I sense a serious misunderstanding.”
“Leave it to me. I’ll lead the way.”
“Mashiro-san? Listen before opening the door. Mashiro-san?”
Despite the wholesome scene, our intent is night-raiding the man we love — no youth, just thick desire.
“Excuse us~”
I entered first.
Lights off; I waited for eyes to adjust.
Knowing the layout, I crept toward the bed.
Near it, I noticed something off.
…… Two sleeping breaths?
Has Cerecia gone bro-con-level and is sleeping with him? In that case, I’d yield. Reina would agree.
I checked the face — Karen-san. My motion froze.
Eh? Why two of them?
S-surely Karen-san finally went full fiancée mode……!
“Calm, Mashiro-san.”
”…… Reina-san.”
Reina patted my shoulder, finger to her lips, passed me and gently lifted the blanket.
“Reina-san!? That’s——!”
“Quietly.”
”……! Y-yes……”
I covered my mouth. The earlier gesture for this.
She inspected, signaled to U-turn.
We left the room.
I awaited the verdict.
”…… Relax, Mashiro-san. Both are fully dressed.”
“Th-thank goodness……”
“Breathing was normal. Neither noticed us. Truly sound asleep.”
“Uu…… your calm I want to emulate……”
“Fufu. I had similar experience; that’s all.”
Right — Reina had snuck into his bed for a while after taking the Veret name.
…… Maybe Karen had anxiety too.
She’d handled Cerecia firmly, but it had stung.
I came here because of Cerecia talk too. Can’t talk about others.
”…… What do we do? Join in bed?”
Not a reason to step back though.
”…… Mashiro, your forward energy I always admire.”
“Ehehe. I can only do magic and convey I love you.”
“That honesty is enviable. I always overthink and lag. ……So today, I’ll ride your wave.”
“Me?”
“Yes. What’s your plan?”
“Normally I’d wake Ouga…… ”
I recalled Cerecia’s words.
He’d forgive me with a smile, but that’s a one-sided emotional dump leaning on kindness.
Find a point where his happiness and mine coexist.
His = uninterrupted sleep, no fatigue carried over.
Ours = feeling his warmth.
A perfect example was before us.
“Reina-san. Let’s join them in bed. Don’t wake them; enjoy this state.”
“True. Everyone happy.”
After that big brawl, no rematch energy.
I gestured go ahead — Reina chose not the side beside Ouga but beside Karen.
Are you sure? — she winked.
Then I’ll indulge.
The bed had space.
I lifted the puffy blanket, snuggled against Ouga, wrapped my arm around his bony waist.
Nfufu…… Ouga, warm~
I want to enter smell-mode. Bad?
Just the tip. Just the tip……
…… Ha! No, no.
I didn’t come for that.
”…………”
Holding Ouga like this fills my heart.
His love spills from my heart-vessel; flows through my whole body filling me.
…… I hope it’s the same for him.
If full-body love-conveying makes him happy, nothing surpasses it.
…… For Ouga’s happiness, this is all I can think of.
“Fuwah……”
My body asks for sleep.
Up early too, sleepiness early.
Wanting to feel Ouga more, but training matters tomorrow.
Tonight sleep…… tomorrow…… consult everyone……
I surrendered to comfortable sleepiness, face buried in his back.