I Will Do Everything In My Power To Bring Happiness To The Enchanting Beauty Who Can No Longer Smile. - Chapter 18: Memories With Her.

Memories With Her.

I had a nostalgic dream.

In it, a younger version of myself and Tsubame were napping together, tightly embracing each other as if we were one.

Tsubame slept soundly beside me. Since I usually woke up before her, I would often just watch her face.

She had been beautiful ever since those days.

Her long eyelashes, her round, expressive eyes—though they were closed now. Her soft, plump cheeks, and the way her expressions would change so easily.

She loved animals. On our way to and from school, whenever she spotted a stray cat, she couldn’t help but chase after it. I loved that about her. And I loved watching her sleep.

But I never wanted her to find out. So whenever Tsubame stirred in her sleep, just like she was doing now, I would hurriedly pretend to be asleep.

Taking exaggerated, steady breaths, I waited. After a moment, she woke up.

“Shigure-kun, are you still asleep?”

I didn’t respond to her small whisper. Instead, I felt something soft press against my palm.

“Ehehe.”

Tsubame was rubbing her cheek against my hand. Her warm, cushiony skin pressed against my palm, a gentle and comforting sensation.

I had no idea how long it went on. Long enough for my drowsiness to completely fade.

“…You’re still not waking up, huh?”

That was always the signal that the cheek-rubbing session was about to end. The warmth left my palm, only to be replaced by another—our hands intertwining.

Then, after a brief pause—something warm touched my cheek.

That was always my cue to wake up.

When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was her radiant, adorable smile—

***

“Good morning, Shigure-kun.”

The warmth from my dream still lingered on my cheek. And when I opened my eyes, I was met with an exceptionally beautiful face—so stunning that “handsome” didn’t even begin to cover it.

“T-Tsubame…?”

For a moment, I was disoriented, the line between dream and reality blurred. But then, the memories returned.

I had helped Tsubame fall asleep—using an aromatherapy candle, herbal tea, and a massage. And then, we had ended up sleeping together.

And now, in this very moment, I was still holding her in my arms.

“I-I’m sor—”

“Don’t let go.”

As I hurried to release her, she tightened her arms around mine, locking me in place.

“Just a little longer… like this.”

“…Alright.”

Giving in to her request, I held her close again. She responded by wrapping her legs around me, holding on even tighter.

“I had a dream,” she murmured.

“What kind of dream?”

“A dream about napping with you when we were little.”

She buried her face in the crook of my neck as she spoke, her warm breath tickling my skin.

“It’s been a long time since I dreamed of the past,” she said softly.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. Probably because I got to sleep next to you.”

She lifted her face slightly, just enough to look at me. Every little movement of hers sent a sharp pang through my chest—yet, I couldn’t look away.

“It’s also been a long time since I slept so soundly.”

“That’s good to hear.”

She looked more refreshed than usual. Her skin had a natural glow, her features relaxed. Maybe the massage had helped.

My goal had been achieved.

Of course, the real problem still remained. This was just a temporary fix—her insomnia hadn’t been cured.

The candles and tea could be arranged with the help of her mother, but I couldn’t give her a massage every night. Maybe I should talk to her mother about it when she visits today.

“Shigure-kun?”

“Hm? Ah, sorry. I was just thinking.”

Hearing her call my name brought me back to reality. When I looked at her again, she was staring at me intently.

“I’ve always liked it when you hold me like this,” she said.

“T-Tsubame…?”

“I also like it when you stroke my head. And when you touch my cheeks.”

“Where is this coming from all of a sudden…?”

I couldn’t help but voice my confusion. But she didn’t look away—not for a second.

“If I don’t say it out loud, you won’t know.”

“That’s…”

“And if I do say it, I think you’ll actually do it. I can say these things to you, right?”

Her words caught in my throat.

I closed my eyes for a moment, searching for an answer. But no matter how much I thought about it, the answer wouldn’t change. I didn’t want to lie to her.

“…Of course.”

“Then, if I tell you I want something, will you do it?”

“…Alright.”

“And if you ever want something from me, make sure you tell me too, okay?”

I nodded, though, in all honesty, I hoped that day wouldn’t come. If it did, it would probably mean my self-control was hanging by a thread.

As I tried to calm myself down, Tsubame suddenly tapped my back with her fingers.

“I need to use the restroom.”

“Ah—okay.”

I let go of her, and she got up from the bed, stretching before heading to the door.

Just as she was about to leave, she turned back to me.

“Oh, by the way, Shigure-kun.”

“What is it?”

“You woke up later than usual today.”

And with that, she walked out.

For a moment, I didn’t understand what she meant.

…But then it hit me.

“…She knew?”

What came to mind was my childhood—those moments when I would pretend to be asleep while Tsubame did all sorts of things to me as I lay beside her.

Could it be that she had known all along—wait.

Could it be that, just now, she had done the same things she used to back then?

…No, no, no, no. That’s just my imagination running wild. At most, she might have rubbed her cheek against my hand like before.

Kissing my cheek… no, that’s impossible. Probably. She wouldn’t… right?

I asked myself, but of course, no answer came.

Until Tsubame returned—until she spoke to me again—I couldn’t stop thinking about it