CH 35

After I informed Saito that I had no particular plans for the New Year holiday, I spent time at her house as usual.　

As I was reading my book, I noticed her yawning unusually.　

[You look very sleepy]

[Yeah, I’m a little sleep-deprived]

[What’s wrong?]

It’s unusual for her to have trouble sleeping, as she always warned me about my bad sleeping habits.　

I hadn’t really asked about her routines, but I figured she would have a normal one, given her personality.　

[I was reading the best part of the series, and before I knew it, it was late]

As she explained this, she yawned again, while hiding it with her hand.　

The way she rubbed the tears from her eyes was adorable, like a little pet.

Maybe it was because of her drowsiness, but it was less thorny in the air, and her voice was languid.

[I see. Well, don’t take it too hard like I did]

[I won’t overdo it like you do]

As I shrugged my shoulders and worried, she gave me a small chuckle and I let out a chuckle as well.　

Then the conversation stopped and the sounds of pages being turned echoed through the room.　

The time we spent in silence was comfy, and it somewhat made my heart warm.

♦︎♦︎♦︎

How much time had passed?

The book was so interesting and I lost track of time reading it.　

As I finished my book, I looked up.　

[EH?!]

I gulped at the sight in front of me. Saito was sleeping peacefully. She was lying face down on the desk using her arm as a pillow.　

Her sleeping face, which I could see from there, was somewhat gentle.　

The sight of her sleeping peacefully and breathing softly, made my heart race as she looked as beautiful and as innocent as ever in her sleep.　

I guess she was really tired as she slept soundly and showed no signs of waking up.

I’m sure she was able to sleep near me because she trusted me. However I couldn’t help but sigh, the fact that she fell asleep when she was alone with a man was slowly cutting off my reasoning.

Of course it’s nice that she trusts me, but I’m still a guy. I’m sure she sees me as a harmless person, but I wanted her to remember that.

I looked at her with a bit of resentment as she showed me her cute, defenseless, sleeping face and didn’t seem to show any signs of waking up at all.

I’m not sure if I should wake her up, but she looked so sleepy earlier so I’ll let her continue sleeping like this.　

The room is warm, but her body might get cold, so I’m worried if she’ll catch a cold.　

I took a lap blanket from the couch and put it over her shoulders, just to comfort her and to keep her from getting sick.

[…Nnn]

As I put the blanket on her shoulders gently, a sweet little breath came out.　

My heart skipped a beat when she let out a slightly sensual voice, and I quickly turned away from her. As I felt heat begin to build up in my face, I glanced again at her sleeping face, which I rarely got to see.

Her hair was as beautiful as ever. Today, she didn’t tie her hair up, and her shimmering hair was flowing straight down her back.　

Her hair looked so pretty, I couldn’t help but adore it.I thought it would feel so good if I stroked it.　

If it had been the previous me, I would have just put the blanket on her and be done with it. However, when I remembered what Hiiragi-san told me, I couldn’t shake off the evil feeling within me.

(It’s okay to pet her a little… right?)

I had been trying so hard keeping my mind in one place that I had become mentally exhausted.　

I’d like to get back at her, at least for sleeping so soundly and unprotected, completely oblivious to my feelings.

It wouldn’t hurt to get some of my mental fatigue back, I told myself, and slowly reached for her head.

I gently touched her with my fingertips so that she wouldn’t notice me, and I could feel slight warmth from where I touched her.　

As I continued to slowly and lightly place my entire palm on her head, I could smell her soft floral scent, the feel of her warmth, and the smoothness of her hair all at once.　

[Ah…!]

When I moved my hand to stroke her hair, I let out a small squeal as it felt better than I imagined.

Her hair slipped through my fingers easily without getting caught up at all. Her hair, being moved around by my hand, swayed and sparkled under the light and felt both silky and soft. 

Her beautifully changing hair was a sight to behold, and no matter how many times I stroked it, I never got tired of it.

At first I thought it would only be a little bit, but it felt so good that I kept stroking, just a bit more, just… a bit… more… 　

As I kept stroking and stroking her hair, I was unaware that her ears were turning red.