I Will Do Everything In My Power To Bring Happiness To The Enchanting Beauty Who Can No Longer Smile. - Chapter 31: What a mischievous little thing.

What a mischievous little thing.

Perhaps it was because I went to bed early, or maybe it was the lingering effect of waking up early the day before. Either way, that morning, I naturally woke up earlier than usual.

“Just past six, huh.”

After being startled by the sight of the beautiful girl sleeping in front of me, I checked the time. If I remember correctly, Tsubame mentioned she’d wake up at six-thirty.

What should I do? It’s an awkward time—not quite enough to do anything, but not too little to go back to sleep either. I could just get up… but maybe a bit more sleep wouldn’t hurt?

I watched Tsubame silently. She was peacefully sleeping, her breathing calm and steady.

So—utterly defenseless. Just like back then.

I felt a mischievous urge bubble up inside me. Not in that way, of course—just a harmless kind of playfulness.
I know, it’s kind of weird to call it “harmless mischief,” but still. Tsubame once told me this kind of thing was okay.

I reached out and poked her cheek.

The softness was unbelievable—like a marshmallow. …Amazing. I didn’t realize someone’s skin could feel this different from mine.

I couldn’t help but prod her again with my finger. Squishy, springy—completely unlike my own skin.

Even now, just like back then, the sight of Tsubame sleeping is incredibly overwhelming in its charm.

So serene. Peaceful. If you didn’t know any better, you’d say she looked like a painting—beautiful in the purest sense.

And yet—

“…Nn.”
“…So cute.”

When I poked her cheek, she let out a small noise. As I moved my hand closer, she instinctively nuzzled toward it.

Just like before. She’s so cute it slipped out of my mouth without thinking.

Then, she gently moved her lips in a sleepy murmur. She used to smile around this point when we were kids—I suppose it’s a leftover habit.

Truly adorable. I could watch her like this forever. No, I have watched her like this forever—sometimes for thirty minutes, even an hour, back when we were young.

It’s strange how you can just keep staring at the face of someone you like—without ever getting bored.

—BZZZZZ!
“!”

A loud sound pierced the silence.
On reflex, I quickly withdrew my hand and shut my eyes.

It wasn’t until after I closed them that I realized it was the alarm. Pretending to be asleep right after that… was an old reflex I hadn’t shaken off.

It’s not like I was doing anything inappropriate… Well, maybe a little questionable? But nothing that would get me in trouble… I think.
It all happened while she was sleeping, so I do intend to apologize.

But once you start pretending to sleep, there’s no going back.

“…Mmm. Morning already.”

I heard Tsubame’s voice. She stretched out her arm and stopped the alarm.

At this point, I had no choice but to keep pretending. She’ll probably leave the room to get ready, and I’ll get up then.

“Shigure-kun’s still asleep.”

But my plan backfired. Tsubame didn’t move away from my arms.

I could feel her gaze fixed on my face. I knew it wasn’t just my imagination—because a soft palm gently brushed my cheek.

“Cute.”

Tsubame whispered.

Just like I did earlier, she poked at my cheek, then gently stroked it with her palm.

“…Nn.”

Then she took my hand and held it tightly—maybe even hugged it to her chest. My arm was wrapped in something soft, and it made me… a little nervous.

She also did things like nuzzle her face against my neck, just like last night, or press her ear to my chest and let out a happy sigh.
And then she clung to me tightly.

“Satisfied.”

It went on for about fifteen minutes. She hasn’t changed a bit from back then.

…Hasn’t changed?

“Then, one last thing.”

Her words reached my ears.

One last thing.

That’s what she said.

What did Tsubame always do when she woke up?

Even before I could consciously answer that, the memory surfaced.

Her presence moved closer to my face. A sweet scent wafted through the air. The smell of her shampoo from last night had faded… but now, something even more pleasant lingered.

What should I do?
What should I do?

By the time I started panicking, it was already too late—

A soft sensation brushed my lips.

“—T-Tsubame, that was…!”

I opened my eyes in shock. I had expected her to touch somewhere else entirely—so the surprise hit me harder.

And there she was—right in front of me, her eyes slightly narrowed, her lips curved in a faint smile.

“Good morning, Shigure-kun.”

Beside her face, she held up her hand—her thumb, middle, and ring finger pressed together in the shape of a fox.

“Kon-kon. You thought I kissed you, didn’t you?”

She let out a soft breath—amused, delighted.

“You’re actually awake today, huh, Shigure-kun.”

Her words triggered a memory.

When she visited my house once, I had given her a massage, and we’d ended up napping together—more like an evening nap, time-wise.

“You woke up late today.”

The moment I recalled that, everything clicked.

She knew.
She had known everything—from back then until now.

“…Then, I’ll go get ready.”
“…Sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing? I was happy.”

Before she got out of bed, Tsubame, still holding the fox-hand gesture, tapped my nose with her fingers.

“Because I was happy. So from now on—make sure you do it whether I’m asleep or awake, okay?”

With that, she stood up and left the bed.

“See you later, Shigure-kun. …You were so cute—it was fun.”

She left those words behind as she walked out.
That faint smile she had from start to finish—it definitely wasn’t my imagination.

And yet, even more than that, what lingered in my mind… was the sensation left on my lips.

There’s no way—I must be imagining it, right?

Were Tsubame’s fingers ever that soft?

She was right in front of my face.
But it didn’t quite feel like her hand. I even heard her breathing.

Then what was it—?

“I’m overthinking this.”

I slapped my cheek a bit harder than necessary.
After everything we talked about last night, there’s no way Tsubame would—

…Wait, but where does a kiss fall in all this?

That thought hit me.

Last night, we agreed—no sexual stuff.

But is a kiss…?

Personally, I don’t think of it as something inherently sexual. To me, it’s more of an expression of affection.

But still… it’s something lovers do, right? What about family? Maybe for small children, sure.

…No. No way.
It had to be just my imagination.
It must have been.

I forcibly redirected my thoughts.
What came to mind was her smile.

“She really does love teasing, doesn’t she?”

She’d always been like this, even back in school—like that time she fed me by hand.

But today—it felt like she enjoyed it even more than before.

Not that I mind.
In fact, it’s a good thing.
It means she’s comfortable being her true self again—like back then.

My heart’s going to race every time, but that’s just a small price to pay. I don’t dislike her teasing… it’s actually fun.

“…Alright, guess I should get changed.”

If I stay lying here, I really will fall back asleep. I should change while Tsubame’s not in the room. Later, when she’s changing, I’ll step out.

Time to get myself together and face the day.
I don’t have much to do, but being by her side as she works—that’s important.