About the Cool Beauty in My Class Declaring She Won’t Eat Anything Except My Bento - 25

Chapter 25: Squeeze

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

Suddenly, I woke up because the sensation I felt throughout my body was different than usual.

What entered my field of vision was black fabric. The bright room and the comforting scent reminded me that I had fallen asleep on Kirihara-san’s lap. When I raised only my gaze, I saw that Kirihara-san had also fallen asleep, occasionally letting out a rhythmic “suuu…” breath.

“Cu… cute…………”

Kirihara-san wasn’t really the type to show emotions on his face, so usually, he was nothing but cool. And yet, he could cook., His housework skills were incredibly high, he was kind, and that sulky look he showed once in a while was just unfair.

Kirihara-san, sleeping with a somewhat melting expression, looked childish and very cute. As I stared at him as if being drawn in, my hair fell over my eyes. When I lifted it to move it out of the way, I brushed against Kirihara-san’s hand, which had been resting on my head.

Did he keep stroking my head the whole time while I was sleeping and even after he fell asleep himself…?

『Do you like Sota-kun?』

“Ngh…”

At the worst possible timing, I remembered Aoi-san’s words.

(I love it when Kirihara-san strokes my hair or touches me. It’s very calming, makes me feel safe, and I like it. But still…)

Ever since Aoi-san said that to me, I had been consciously thinking about it several times during the sports festival. However, every time I did, memories of middle school would cross my mind. No… even things from before that.

(I love Kirihara-san as a person.)

If I didn’t, I wouldn’t act so spoiled like this and I wouldn’t think about wanting to tease him a little or acting “unfairly” as a girl… Right?

(Maybe I’m afraid of that changing into “liking him as a member of the opposite sex.” That’s why… The current relationship is comfortable.)

“But, if… maybe…”

(…If someday, I could truly “like him as a member of the opposite sex” …)

I reached out my hand to Kirihara-san’s cheek and rested it there. I traced from the top to the bottom… and finally, just for a moment, I softly touched his lips.

“When that time comes, I’ll be sure to make a proper appeal to you, okay?”

I added, “Be prepared,” and let go of my hand. I carefully lowered Kirihara-san’s hand from my head so as not to wake him and sat up. The time was nearly midnight. 

(Perhaps I should go back home soon.)

Thinking that, I looked back and forth between the clock on my smartphone and the adorably sleeping Kirihara-san.

(…………I still want to be with him.)

“…Yeah, it’s not good to just leave without permission when the owner of the house is sleeping, right?”

I told myself that and sat down right next to Kirihara-san. Falling in love with someone. It was still scary, but my life had been one where I could never act spoiled with anyone for a long, long time, so it should okay to be a bit more selfish, right?

“Hehe… it’s your fault for sleeping, Kirihara-san.”

I snuggled up so closely that there was no gap at all and rested my head on Kirihara-san’s shoulder. Kirihara-san’s scent, and the milky fragrance of his body care. And… Was this hair oil? I wanted to be enveloped in this forever.

I took Kirihara-san’s hand, which had lost its place after I moved, entwined our fingers, and placed it on his lap.

(It’s warm… and also, it’s really big. A man’s hand, more rugged than mine. Just that makes my heart race a little.)

His body was a size or two larger than mine. Even when I tried to rest my head on his shoulder, my ear hit around his upper arm. That, too, made me truly feel Kirihara-san’s presence, and I couldn’t help but grin.

“I wonder if this is… what people call ‘love’.”

I struggled with the question I hadn’t been able to find an answer to yet and laughed at myself for it. Even though I had the confidence that I cherished him more than anyone else, I was struck by the thought that I was seeking even more than that. While I was savoring Kirihara-san’s presence like that…

“Ayano…?”

Kirihara-san’s voice was deeper than usual, and his speech was more slurred than usual.

He seems to be talking in his sleep.

“What is it?”

“Nnh…, I just called your name.”

“So, cu…”

(Isn’t he just too cute…?!)

Managing not to let the voice out, I raised my arm to poke Kirihara-san’s cheek, but then… Kirihara-san wrapped his arms around my back and under my knees, and I was easily lifted up.

“…………Heh!? Um… Kirihara-san…!”

My movement of reaching out my arm might have been mistaken for “wanting a hug” by Kirihara-san, who was still in the middle of his slumber.

(…That might be the case, but! It’s troubling to have someone do that so suddenly…!)

Ignoring my resistance, Kirihara-san sat me right on his lap. I sat straddling Kirihara-san. My eyes met his at a distance where even a single ruler couldn’t fit. Due to our original height difference, we stared at each other with our eyes at the same level. Our noses looked like they would touch in the next moment. And then Kirihara-san wrapped his arms around my back and waist and hugged me tight.

“Kirihara-sa-… ngh.”

This time, I was properly buried against Kirihara-san’s shoulder. And Kirihara-san…. Just like that, began to let out his sleeping breaths again.

(I-It’s unfair to hug me so suddenly…! And he won’t let me go at all… we-we’re sticking so close together…)

The sound of my heartbeat grew louder and louder. It was getting faster too. My whole body felt hot. My heart was pounding so much. But, I had been seeking this warmth for a long time. Again, I was the only one who had received a reward.

“He’s sleeping, right…?”

His chest expanded in a steady rhythm. After confirming that he wasn’t faking sleep, I hugged him back.

Ah…………

The warmth I felt with my whole body. I hugged him tightly, wanting to feel Kirihara-san even more. The sense of security that he would protect me… I pressed my face into his shoulder and let myself be enveloped by Kirihara-san. The large body that accepted me. Even though I felt fear when anyone else got close to me, now I felt more at peace than when I was spending time alone.

The comfort of him being by my side….

“…I love you. Kirihara-san.”

It was a voice so quiet it seemed it would fade away. But that was fine. Even if he was sleeping now. Even if he didn’t intend for this situation. As long as I could make it so only Kirihara-san could hear… 

“Maybe I love you more than anyone else.”

I hugged him once more, as if I would never give him to anyone. I finally understood my own feelings.

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー