“N-no… Arisa. That’s a bit too much…”
Yuzuru said that while desperately holding back the rush of blood threatening to head south.
If they were truly lovers in both name and reality, then perhaps something like this would be fine.
But while they were nominally engaged, in reality they were still just friends.
Of course, in Yuzuru’s mind, it was only a matter of time before that became true in every sense—
But for now, it wasn’t.
He tried to refuse, but—
“…Is it dirty?”
“Hm? No, that’s not—”
“I’m sorry… My sweat must be unpleasant, right?”
Arisa spoke in a small, sorrowful voice, her expression downcast.
“…No, that’s not true.”
The words slipped out before he could stop himself.
Arisa’s face brightened, though she still looked shy.
“Then… will you do it?”
“…Alright. Fine.”
Feeling almost as though he were intoxicated, Yuzuru turned towards her back.
It was damp with sweat…
Yet smooth, beautiful—if anything, the moisture made it seem even more alluring.
Whether from the fever or embarrassment, her pale skin was faintly flushed.
Yuzuru unfolded the damp towel and slowly brought it closer.
His heart pounded, his hands trembling.
“Hyah!”
Arisa let out a soft, almost seductive sound.
Yuzuru’s heart leapt.
“H-hey!”
“S-sorry… I—I was startled…”
He was the one who was startled.
Anyone would be—if the person they liked suddenly made a sound like that, half-dressed like this…
“…I should’ve warned you first. Alright, I’m going to wipe now.”
“Okay… ah… nnh…”
Once again, Yuzuru began wiping her back with the damp towel.
Sweat clung heavily to her skin, and he carefully wiped it away.
Each time the towel moved—
Arisa let out small, breathy sounds.
“Ah… nnh… ahh…”
“…Does it tickle?”
“Y-yes… nnh… I’m sorry…”
Holding her clothes to her front with both hands, Arisa glanced back slightly as she nodded.
Her pale collarbone, her smooth underarm—
And the soft curve leading towards her chest came into view.
Yuzuru felt the blood rush through his entire body.
As she turned forward again, he resumed his task—
But he couldn’t stop thinking about what lay beyond.
Even knowing he shouldn’t—
(Isn’t it her fault for being this defenceless in the first place?)
Making excuses to himself, he leaned in slightly closer.
Then, carefully, he peeked around her shoulder.
He swallowed.
First, her delicate collarbone.
Then below it, a gentle, soft curve.
At the centre of that curve, a faint hollow that tempted him to trace it with his fingers—where beads of sweat had gathered.
Because she was holding her clothes tightly against her chest, the soft fullness was slightly pressed—
But even so, it was unmistakably ample.
The upper and side portions remained visible.
And yet—
The most important part remained hidden.
If only she shifted her hand slightly…
That thought frustrated him more than he cared to admit.
“U-um… Yuzuru-san.”
“Hm? W-what is it?”
Her voice snapped him back to reality.
His heart pounded loudly.
Arisa looked up at him with tearful eyes.
Their faces were very close—
Close enough that he could feel her warm breath.
“When you stare like that… it’s… embarrassing…”
“I—I’m sorry…”
Yuzuru quickly looked away.
It seemed she had noticed what he’d been looking at.
After that, he focused solely on wiping her back—
And somehow managed to finish.
He left the room, waiting outside while she wiped the front herself and changed.
After a while, she gave him permission to come back in.
“I’m sorry for the trouble.”
“N-no… don’t worry about it. I… should apologise too.”
“N-no, it’s fine. Actually… if anything…”
She trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.
Yuzuru was curious what she meant—but he didn’t ask.
In any case, there was nothing more he could do for her now.
It was already late, so he decided it was time to head home.
“For now, I’ll be—”
Just as he was about to say leaving—
“Um… could you stay the night? I feel… a bit uneasy.”
“S-stay the night…?”
“N-no, I don’t mean sleep together! Just… stay nearby…”
“…Is that alright?”
She looked up at him, almost pleading.
There was no way he could refuse.
“…I’ll ask your father for permission. If he agrees, I’ll go home and get a sleeping bag.”
“Okay.”
Not quite sure how to explain it, Yuzuru told Naoki that Arisa’s condition had worsened and that she wanted him nearby.
Though slightly surprised, Naoki agreed.
“Take care of my daughter.”
Yuzuru quickly returned to his flat and brought back a sleeping bag.
“I’m really sorry for the trouble…”
“Don’t worry about it. When you’re sick, you can rely on me as much as you want.”
Arisa bowed her head slightly.
And, perhaps taking his words to heart—
“Um… I can’t sleep… could you hold my hand again?”
“Alright.”
Just like before, Yuzuru gently took her hand.
She closed her eyes, looking at ease.
Yuzuru watched her peaceful sleeping face.
Before long, her soft breathing deepened.
(…She really is beautiful.)
He gazed at her face—
At her soft, glossy lips.
A stray thought crossed his mind.
What if he pressed his lips against hers?
Would she wake up?
(N-no… that’s not right. I shouldn’t betray her trust.)
He reined in his instincts with sheer will.
Then turned to leave the room—
“Yuzuru-san… I love you…”
His heart jolted.
Slowly, he turned back.
Arisa… was still asleep.
“…Just talking in her sleep.”
He let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Carefully, he opened the door so as not to wake her—
And just before leaving, he murmured—
“I love you too, Arisa. Good night.”
With that, he closed the door.
And……—
“Yuzuru-san… you idiot… now I can’t fall asleep…”
Arisa buried her face in her pillow and muttered quietly.
