Sneaky Figure at Night

Outside the window, beyond the drawn curtains, the moon gleamed in the ink-black sky, peeking out from amidst the murky clouds.

The starry sky, accompanied by the hazy brilliance of the half-moon, filtered through the transparent glass, casting its glow onto the bed.

In the dim light from outside, Sasaki stiffened, his eyes wide as he met the eyes of Rinka, who was looking at him in the same way.

Her soft lips, like wisps of clouds drifting across the moonlit sky, were tender yet cool, sending shivers down the boy's spine and leaving his mouth dry, wanting to ask for more.

But Sasaki didn't make any move.

Because he knew that if he did anything further, their relationship would become awkward afterward.

In the current situation, he could explain away his actions by mistaking her for Otome.

But even after recognizing her, if he still deliberately took advantage of her, then, his image in Rinka's heart would be completely gone.

Of course, if he followed his instincts, Sasaki could do as he pleased after all, this girl wouldn't be able to resist him.

In hindsight, given the current relationship between the two and Rinka's personality, she would most likely pretend that nothing had happened.

But if Sasaki really wanted to eat her, why would he do this one-time deal?

Just for a quick taste...?

If Sasaki were truly that impatient for some action, there would be no need to cultivate the idiot Chifuyu.

He could simply follow Kirisima's example and say, "You don't want Takagi-san's parents to find out about you two being in a relationship, do you?"

It would save time and effort.

But wouldn't this behavior make him just like the person he detests the most?

Then what's the difference between him and the four scums he dealt with earlier.

He was not averse to using substandard means.

However, these methods should only be employed when the emotions between others are already in turmoil.

Although still very despicable, but in Sasaki's opinion, it's better than those guys who use more despicable means to actively destroy other people's feelings.

At least he knew where to draw the line.

He understood how to control his desires with willpower.

So, he wouldn't do anything to harm others just because of his own desires.

As it was now.

As his hot breath sprayed onto Rinka's flawless face, illuminated by the moonlight.

Looking at the girl's stunned and confused expression, along with the pounding heartbeat in his hand, even though Sasaki's whole body was burning with heat, his heart was pounding wildly, and his mind was racing rapidly,

The moment he saw the shock in Rinka's eyes, he figured out why she had come to sneak into his room at night.

It seemed that the shadow left behind from before still made her feel afraid.

And so, being frightened, both physically and mentally, and unable to sleep, she thought of sleeping next to her.

But what she didn't expect was that, even after he had finished bathing hours ago, he still hadn't fallen asleep...

Apart from this, Sasaki couldn't think of any other explanation.

With his thoughts swirling in his mind.

Sasaki moved back a bit, removed his hand from her shoulder, and straightened out her shirt that had slipped off her shoulder.

Then he pulled the dazed and bewildered Rinka into his arms.

He couldn't afford to be awkward now.

If he showed any awkwardness, it would mean twisting the meaning of what had just happened.

As long as he acted normally, showing no signs of anything out of the ordinary, then everything that had just happened would be seen as an accident.

With this thought in mind.

Sasaki gently patted Rinka's back as if coaxing his younger sister to sleep.

"Rinka is scared again, right? It's okay~ I said I will always protect you. Just go to sleep~"

With the warm breath in his ear and the gentle strokes on his back.

The panic and confusion in Okino Rinka's heart gradually dissipated.

Because of what happened this evening.

After eating and returning to her room to rest, she couldn't fall asleep while lying on the bed.

Every time she closed her eyes, she would hear the sound of the dripping rain.

And the coldness that seemed to seep into her bones.

Even when she covered her head and curled up, hoping to drown out the sound of the rain, the relentless 'bang bang' sounds, like a ghost knocking on the door, replaced the rainfall sound, echoing through the room.

Though she knew deep down in her heart that these sounds weren't real, whenever she forced herself to sleep, images from earlier kept resurfacing in her mind.

Those so-called psychological comforts felt as ridiculous and pitiful as the white paper trying to cover the flames.

After tossing and turning for hours, feeling on the brink of madness, Rinka sat up, running her hands through her hair.

Then she noticed the shirt she was wearing and suddenly thought of what Sasaki said before.

'Don't worry~ Brother Fuyumi will always protect you...'

The promise he made in the hospital came flooding back to her.

Like a glimmer of light in endless darkness.

And so, without even thinking about anything else, Rinka got out of bed and headed towards Sasaki's room.

But to prevent Sister Otome from checking on her in the middle of the night, she stuffed some pillows from the cabinet into her bed before leaving.

After ensuring everything was in place, she quietly slipped into Sasaki's room.

.

.

.

Now, at this moment, burying her little face in the boy's chest, Rinka listened to his strong and steady heartbeat, all the noises lingering around her faded away.

Her tired and sore eyelids slowly closed under the gentle comfort of his heartbeat.

After a long time.

Looking at the girl lying in his arms, sleeping peacefully, Sasaki also stopped stroking her back.

'It's already midnight... Otome probably won't come...'

Taking a breath, Sasaki, who was sighing in his heart, was about to adjust his posture and go to sleep when a faint sound of a door opening sounded in the corridor outside, exploding in the boy's ears like thunder.

'Fuck! '

His scalp went numb as he looked down at Rinka, who was sleeping peacefully, while screaming in his heart.

If Otome comes over and sees this...

What's this?

This is my humble opinion in bed.

We must not let Otome come over!

Before she reached the door of the room, Sasaki calmed down his nervous mood and slowly moved out of the bed.

After covering the girl with the quilt, he wore his underwear and secretly turned the doorknob.

Click——

After closing the door.

With Sasaki's eyesight, he easily saw through the darkness and saw the slim figure in pink pajamas not far away from him, walking towards him.

And after he went out, the figure that was slowly moving this way suddenly stopped.

Apparently, she had found him.

Now that she saw it, he stopped hiding.

Tiptoeing, he quickly ran over with a rather weird posture.

Facing the girl's big, surprised eyes, Sasaki bent his knees, put his shoulders on Otome's soft belly, and lifted her on his shoulders.

And then, completely ignoring her attempts to resist and welcome the beating, he quickly carried her back to her room and closed the door.