Chapter 92

Umi yawned and stretched. "So, how are we sleeping tonight, Natsuki? You're not planning to be like those dumb characters in horror movies who sleep alone, right?"

Natsuki shrugged. "Well, I was thinking you could take the guest room next to mine."

"No way," Umi said firmly, shaking her head. "That's still too risky. We should stick together."

"Alright then, what do you suggest?" Natsuki asked, raising an eyebrow.

Umi thought for a moment, then snapped her fingers. "I've got it! We'll both sleep in the living room. That way, we can keep an eye on all the entrances."

Natsuki nodded slowly. "That... actually makes sense. Good thinking, Umi."

"Of course it does," Umi grinned. "Now, let's grab some blankets and pillows. We'll make a cozy little fort right here."

As they started arranging their makeshift beds, Natsuki paused. "Hey, Umi? Thanks for staying with me through all this craziness."

Umi's expression softened. "Don't mention it. That's what friends are for, right? Now come on, help me with this blanket fort. I want it to be impenetrable!"

They laughed together, the tension of the evening momentarily forgotten as they focused on their pillow fortress construction project.

Umi tapped her chin thoughtfully, then a mischievous grin spread across her face. She winked at Natsuki. "Hey, how about we sleep together?"

"Okay," Natsuki agreed without hesitation.

"Wait, what?" Umi's eyes widened, and she quickly covered her chest with her hands, her cheeks flushing. "I-I meant sleeping on the floor together! You know, on futons!"

Natsuki chuckled as he walked to the closet and pulled out a blanket. "That's exactly what I meant too. What did you think I was talking about?"

"Oh, you!" Umi pouted. "You're teasing me, Natsuki!"

"Turnabout is fair play," Natsuki said with a smirk. "You dish it out often enough, it's only fair you can take it too."

As they set up their futons on the floor, Natsuki turned off the lights. They settled down, the room falling into comfortable darkness.

"Don't worry about keeping watch," a soft voice whispered. "I'll handle that."

It was Ms.Kaguya, taking on the role of night guardian. As a ghost, she had no need for sleep, making her the perfect sentry.

Natsuki rolled over to face Umi. "Hey, you don't toss and turn in your sleep, do you?"

"Hmm," Umi mused. "I used to when I was little, but I think I've grown out of it."

"Good, then we shouldn't have any problems," Natsuki replied.

......…

Meanwhile, across town at the Shinomiya villa, Ai returned home. After a relaxing bath to calm her nerves, she headed to her room wrapped in a bathrobe. Sitting at her computer, she typed away, bringing up a live feed from Natsuki's house on her screen.

Ai stared at her computer screen, muttering to herself. "Well, this isn't exactly the steamy sleepover I was expecting. No cuddling, no kissing, not even a hint of romance. Just... friends sleeping in the same room?"

She leaned in closer, her eyes narrowing as she noticed something odd. "Wait a second... is that phone floating?"

Ai rubbed her eyes, convinced she must be seeing things. But no, there it was - a phone hovering above the sofa, its screen changing as if controlled by an invisible hand.

"This is... impossible," she whispered, her scientific mind struggling to process what she was seeing. Despite her confusion, she couldn't look away, her curiosity getting the better of her.

The night passed uneventfully, with Ai glued to her screen until dawn broke.

The next morning, Kaguya woke up right on time, as always. Ai was there, ready with breakfast.

"Good morning, my lady," Ai said, trying to stifle a yawn. "I've prepared French bread and milk for your breakfast."

Kaguya tied her hair with her signature red ribbon, then looked at Ai closely. "Hayasaka, are those dark circles under your eyes?"

"Oh, um..." Ai hesitated, then quickly covered, "I got caught up in a really interesting manga last night. Lost track of time, you know how it is."

It was a lie, of course. She'd been up all night watching that bizarre surveillance feed. But she couldn't tell Kaguya that - not yet, anyway. She needed to test something first.

Pulling out the boxer shorts she'd swiped the night before, Ai held them up. "My lady, do you know what these are?"

Kaguya peered at them curiously. "They look like some kind of shorts... What an odd style."

Ai watched Kaguya's reaction carefully. No recognition, no embarrassment - nothing to suggest she knew anything about these or who they belonged to.

"Just as I thought," Ai mused to herself. "The young lady's innocence is still intact. But that still doesn't explain what I saw last night..."

Ai tucked the boxer shorts away, acting nonchalant. "Just something I found in the garden this morning. Not yours, obviously. I'll dispose of it later." She quickly changed the subject. "Say, I have a question for you."

"Oh?" Kaguya looked intrigued.

"In physics, when an object is stretched, it usually becomes longer and thinner. Can you think of a special case where this doesn't happen?"

Kaguya furrowed her brow, thinking hard. After a moment, she shook her head. "I can't think of any. What's the answer?"

Ai yawned. "I don't know either."

"Then why ask?" Kaguya huffed, a bit annoyed.

Ai smiled to herself. "It means a lot, actually." It proved that Kaguya was still her innocent self, untainted by worldly knowledge. Now, all Ai had to do was figure out who this mysterious boy was...

......

Meanwhile, across town, Natsuki woke to his alarm. As he came to, he noticed Umi curled up beside him, sleeping peacefully like a cat.

"Good morning, Natsuki," a sweet voice greeted him.

Ms.Kaguya sat on the sofa, smiling warmly, her form slightly transparent.

Natsuki, used to this by now, sat up. "Any sign of the sickle spirit last night?"

"None," Kaguya shook her head. "I'd have woken you if there was trouble."

Just then, Umi stirred, sitting up with a sleepy yawn. "Morning, Natsuki..."

As she stretched, the strap of her pajama top slipped off her shoulder. Natsuki couldn't help but notice, an old saying popping into his head: "Shoulders are indeed slippery... the ancients weren't lying."

He admired the smooth, pale skin of Umi's shoulder for a moment before realizing she hadn't noticed.

"Uh, Umi? Your pajama strap," he pointed out, trying to keep his voice neutral.

"Huh?" Umi looked at him, still not quite awake.