The Beautiful Senpai from the Archery Club Is Sleeping in My Room with Her Stomach Exposed. - Chapter 15: (Falling in Your Room)

(Falling in Your Room)

Special Relaxation Course After a Listening Session.

As before, Watanuki-senpai sat in my room, quietly eating cookies while tears trickled down her cheeks.

“In such a peaceful environment… eating sweets like this… is it really okay?”

“You asked yourself the same question last week. Here, have some tea.”

Still recovering from another tumultuous week, Watanuki-senpai took the cup with slightly trembling shoulders. She gently blew on the tea before taking a careful sip.

“Wow…”

Watching the long, looping fireplace video projected onto the wall, she finally seemed at ease.

“This is so soothing… so warm… Thank you for setting this up again.”

“No… this is about all I can do.”

Thinking I could actually solve her problems was nothing but arrogance.

I couldn’t tell her to lower her standards or adjust her goals.

If I could say that, maybe I’d be closer to finding a real solution.

But how could someone like me—who had already given up on striving—tell someone like her, who continued to push herself at the highest level, to stop?

All I could do was listen, provide a space where she could relax.

Honestly, I felt helpless. It was frustrating.

Meanwhile, Watanuki-senpai let out another deeply satisfied sigh.

“This warmth… it reaches the core… Hey, Amemoto-kun, if I were to request a refill, would that be too much to ask…?”

“Of course not. I’ll get it right away.”

“Hehe, yay…”

She raised her arms weakly in a half-hearted victory pose.

Seeing her this relaxed, I couldn’t afford to show any signs of my own discouragement.

“This helps so much… so much that I might cry again… If you ever need anything other than my soul, just let me know.”

“Sure. I’ll think about it. It might take some time, though, so please be patient.”

“I can wait… Take your time…”

She waved a limp hand at me, her fingers swaying back and forth like a mouse cursor being moved idly. Her face was stretched into a lazy, contented grin. Was she a baby or what?

But this was fine.

The Special Relaxation Course was meant to be a time of healing.

Somehow, I felt like Watanuki-senpai had just reminded me of that.

Alright, I needed to shake off my own frustration outside and reset my mind.

Leaving my room, I set off to brew another cup of tea.

***

Ten minutes later, I returned to a surprising sight.

“…Zzz…”

In that short time, Watanuki-senpai had completely dozed off, using a cushion as a pillow.

And worse—her skirt had shifted.

I could see it. Just a bit. White fabric.

What was the point of my efforts last time to avoid looking? Why wasn’t she wearing sheer black tights today? Why knee-high socks instead?!

If she woke up now, she might misunderstand and think I was peeking.

To avoid any accusations, I carefully draped a thin blanket over her lower half.

“…Mmh…”

“S-Sorry! My apologies!”

Her small, displeased murmur made me reflexively apologize.

Wait… was she awake?

I checked her face.

She was frowning, eyebrows knitted together like she was having a bad dream.

—Just a while ago, she looked so at peace.

“Oh…”

I finally understood.

I had been completely mistaken.

Watanuki-senpai was nearing her limit.

Twice now, she had sat in my room eating cookies, only to end up in tears. That wasn’t something to brush off.

Even when I had been at my lowest, struggling with my own slump, I never cried while eating my favorite food.

She was overloading herself with responsibilities, without taking enough time to breathe.

She wasn’t getting enough healing.

Not enough relaxation.

And maybe, since she wasn’t the type to rely on others, I was the only one who could provide that for her.

“…Huh? Did I fall asleep? I need to study…”

“No, you don’t. This isn’t your room, Senpai.”

She rubbed her eyes, and as I looked at her, she let out a startled squeak and jumped.

“W-Why are you so close?! Turn around! Don’t look at my sleepy face!”

She held up both hands like a shield, hiding her face.

But that wasn’t what mattered right now.

What mattered was what she had just said.

Hearing her first waking thought be, “I need to study” in this kind of environment—it was disheartening.

“Senpai… I don’t think you’re relaxed enough yet.”

“Wha—?! I am! I am totally fine! I can’t possibly ask any more of you!”

“Then let me ask for more, instead.”

“From… you?”

“Yes. I want you to relax even more. I want you to let yourself be at ease here, without holding back. I’d love to see your sleepy face anytime.”

I meant it.

“Let me see your face, just as you are.”

“…No way.”

“Please. I insist.”

“Why are you pushing this so much?”

“I want you to look into my eyes. Because I mean it.”

I needed her to understand that I was serious.

Gently, like brushing away fresh snow from a bench, I reached out and moved her hands aside.

And there she was—her teary, unfocused eyes staring up at me, waiting for my next words.

So I gathered my resolve and said it.

“Please, Senpai. Even when club activities aren’t on break—after archery practice—come to my room.”

“…O-Okay. After school… I’ll come every day… okay?”

And just like that, it was decided.