That night, Amane laid on the bed, closed his eyes, and waited for sleep to come. However, he just could not sleep, and laid there.
Usually, he could fall asleep easily, but he just could not on it was this particular day. He was strangely excited, and restless.
He wondered why it was, and felt it was probably due to his encounter with Tojo.
Though Tojo was a former friend, and one of the reasons why Amane suffered, Amane felt that the goosebumps and shivers associated with them were long gone.
He felt relieved after their encounter, and somewhat emotional.
He realized how much support he received from Mahiru after they met, how much he grew, and also, an unspeakable sense of achievement.
However, he probably would be unable to sleep if this kept up. He got up, intending to breathe in some fresh air outside to clear his mood. He put on his slippers, and went to the veranda.
He opened the window, and was met with damp air, causing him some discomfort as he was already in the air conditioned room. The summer temperatures remained high even at night. It had been the case over the past few nights, and it was no wonder that he felt hot.
The air was fresh though. There were no lights from the nearby residential areas, and he could see pretty stars. These were sufficient in killing time, alleviating his boredom before he slept.
He leaned on the railing, enjoying the quiet space and the radiant starlights. Suddenly, he heard a rubbing sound at the window.
It did not come from his room, but from the other room connected to the veranda. He turned around to see Mahiru dressed in a one piece nightgown, poking her upper body out as she looked back at him.
"...You still awake, Mahiru?"
Amane never expected her to be still awake.
It was the middle of the night, and Mahiru had a regular pattern in her lifestyle. As she mentioned before, she would sleep before midnight, so he never expected her to be awake, let alone arrive at the veranda.
"I feel a little sleepless...are you unable to sleep too, Amane-kun?"
"Well yeah...lots of things happened after all."
"...Yes."
*Lots of things happened, *Mahiru went to the veranda, her eyes lowered as a result of those words. "Ah, no, that's not what I mean." Amane noted wryly.
"Look, I'm not thinking about those things, you know? I guess I'm reflecting more on how much I've grown."
Mahiru's momentary concern was excessive.
Amane had no further thoughts about Tojo. He merely felt his own changes, and would never imagine the latter's face again. He was no longer threatened.
Mahiru seemed relieved when Amane said with a chuckle, and she too gave a little smile.
"Fufu...you have become stronger and matured, Amane-kun. You probably grew a lot since middle school."
"Yeah. About 20cm or so."
"You really grew."
"Of course."
AMane had changed, not simply in terms of height, but more importantly, his heart changed over the past year, and the manner he viewed things too changed.
Looking back at the past, he felt he was a really unlikable, nonchalant, and arrogant boy. After all, because of them, he could not deny the part when he was not cute, not sociable.
He felt that he was more poised compared to before.
The reason that was due to the dearest girl next to him.
"As you said, you have grown, Amane-kun. Physically and emotionally."
"...Yeah."
"Do you have confidence?"
"Yep."
"That is good. Even if you do not, I shall support you."
"Thanks for that. Really."
Mahiru showed a warm smile, and put her hands on the railing, looking up at the sky. Amane had an urge to dote on her.
She would smile next to him, just like this. She would stay by his side to support him, to encourage him. She hoped for him to be by her side. Amane was really elated to have such a precious, rare person, next to him.
"...Say, Mahiru."
"Hm?"
"...I want to touch you."
"Eh?"
Mahiru slowly turned towards Amane once she heard these sudden words.
Her expression was filled mostly with shock. Amane was embarrassed by the words he said, and yet he had no intention to correct himself as he stared at Mahiru's perturbed, faltering eyes.
"...I have an urge to touch you. Can I?"
He really wanted to touch her.
"N-not that, I am not prepared...erm, I am embarrassed."
It is our first time,Mahiru muttered, but it sounded differently to Amane's ears, and his heart raced.
"...Is it really your first time, Amane-kun? You seem more capable than I thought."
"How so...erm, I just had the desire to kiss you, and didn't really think about it, so I was a little forceful..."
"I-I do not dislike, it thought...I am fine, as long as we know we are doing it...a little more, if you will."
As a boy, Amane could not possibly stop once Mahiru looked up to him and said so.
Once again, he kissed Mahiru on the lips, but at her pace, only at their lips.
Instead, Amane cupped his palm on the back of her head, not letting go.
Both of them turned their faces around, as though enjoying the moist lips, twirling around. Amane's heart was already pounding loudly at this moment.
"...Fufu."
Mahiru giggled as they kissed, and put her hands on his chest, straightening herself and looking at at him.
"...I do not know the significance of kissing until I liked you. I suppose those who truly love others will feel really happy."
"...Are you happy now?"
"Yes."
"...Same here."
"Fufu. We are the same."
Mahiru looked bashful and yet carefree. Once again, Amane kissed the slightly sweet and fragrant lips, and she shivered.
He felt she was unwilling to go further, so he moved his lips away. "That is not the case." Mahiru giggled shyly, and leaned onto him, muttering, "You are warm, Amane-kun."
"...Are you cold?"
"Yes. I think the air conditioner timer is yet to..."
The room temperature was set to be warmer than it would be in the day, but it still remained cold. Amane did set the timer to switch off after several hours, but she was certainly cold in that thin nightwear of hers.
After all, she was wearing a short-sleeved one-piece dress. Her elbows were exposed, and it was no wonder she was cold.
"Do you want me to warm you up?"
"Oh my, how will you do so?"
Amane asked jokingly, and Mahiru latched on, a rarity from her.
"What do you want me to do?"
"What do you think I want you to do?"
"What do I think you want me to do next, huh?"
"Have a guess."
"...You're getting ridiculous."
"Fufu, I will not lose this time."
"Yes yes. This is what I'll give Mahiru-san."
He embraced Mahiru, and rolled onto the bed.
The flax-colored hair danced in his clutches, and the caramel colored eyes seemingly widened in shock.
Amane kissed Mahiru on the cheek while she was stunned, grabbed the blanket by the side, and laid it over them. Mahiru seemed to have realized what happened, and leaned her face onto his chest.
"Now both of us are warm."
"...Yes."
"And we have an optional service of an arm pillow."
Do you want it?Amane reached his arms out, and Mahiru giggled, courteously putting her head on his arm.
Man is her face close,Amane thought, and smiled. Mahiru's smile turned impish.
"What is the price of the extra service?"
"A huge discount limited to Mahiru. Omelette for tomorrow's breakfast."
"I shall lie on it then."
"You're already doing it."
Both of them smiled at each other, and Amane cupped his other hand onto her back, closing his eyes.
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