Chapter 39 – Himeka-san’s Getting Worse

Friday night.

Moriyama-kun and I talked about the Saturday study session to be held the next day.

“It’s about tomorrow, can I visit you in the morning?”

“Morning is fine, but at what time?”

“Around nine o’clock…”

“That’s too early! What is it that drives you so much,Urushibara-san!?”

“It’s just before the exams… I wanted to start studying as soon as possible…”

“I-I understand. Then 9 it is. I’ll be ready. Oh, and please don’t bring anything. I’m sorry every time.”

After finishing the call, I remember Moriyama-kun at school today.

Moriyama-kun is trying to change now.

I felt that he was a little closer to me than ever before.

Maybe…tomorrow’s study group is a chance to get even closer?

Yesterday, Haruko-chan sent me a message saying, “I won’t be interrupting the next study session, so you two take your time.”

The only time we’ve ever been in a situation where we were alone in a place where no one could see us was when we were in my room. That time we succeeded in holding hands, even without Dozle-kun being there.

This time it could be another chance.

What should I do…

We could be doing this and that…

◇◆◇

And the next morning, in front of the Moriyama residence.

“It was supposed to be at 9, but I came before 8.”

Precisely, it is now 7:45.

Looking up at Moriyama-kun’s room on the second floor, the curtains are still closed.

It’s Saturday, I think he’s still in bed…

Then Dozle-kun in the garden noticed me.

Woof! Woof!

“Good morning, Dozle-kun~”

As I was saying hello to Dozle-kun, the living room window facing the garden opened and Moriyama-kun’s mother came out.

“Oh my! Himeka-chan, you’re here already???”

“Good morning. Sorry… I came too early.”

“Good morning♪ I think Ichiro is still sleeping, so please come in! That’s right, you can wake Ichiro up!”

“EH!?”

But this…this is a chance to see Moriyama-kun’s sleeping face! Gulps

“T-Then, I’ll accept your offer and come in.”

“Fufufu, Ichiro will be so surprised♪”

Auntie, you’re full of energy as usual.

Auntie opened the front door and I said in a low voice, “Sorry for intruding,” and let myself in.

Auntie also told me in a quiet voice to go upstairs quietly, so I did as she told me and went up the stairs without making a sound until I reached Moriyama-kun’s room.

I’m getting nervous.

I put my hand on the door and opened it slowly.

The room is quiet and peaceful.

Like last week, the place is filled with the smell of Moriyama-kun.

I gently stepped into the room and approached the bed, trying not to make a single sound…

Moriyama-kun, he’s sleeping…

His sleeping face, it’s super cute…

Ah, that’s right!

I should take a photo!

I took my phone out of her bag so as not to make a sound, and took pictures of Moriyama-kun’s sleeping face from various angles.

Click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click.

Shutter sound of the smartphone echoed in the room.

Hah…hah…

My breathing started getting really rough.

I was photographing Moriyama-kun’s sleeping face and before I knew it, I got excited.

Hah…hah…

This is bad.

If Moriyama-kun wakes up at a time like this, he’ll think I’m weird.

I’m a Moriyama-kun addict, but I’m not a pervert… Am I?

Let’s calm down for now.

I got off the bed and took off my jacket.

Take deep breaths.

Ha… Hu… Ha… Hu…

Aaah! I inhaled Moriyama-kun’s scent all the way through!

I’m done for…

My brain is going to melt… I’m getting lightheaded.

My nose is breathing even harder and I can feel my face getting hotter.

I don’t think I can take it anymore.

With unsteady steps, I approached the bed again and hugged Moriyama-kun over the futon.

When I felt Moriyama-kun’s warmth, my previous excitement subsided like a wave receding. Instead, I was enveloped in a sense of security and happiness, and my consciousness then faded away…

◇◆◇

10 minutes later.

“Onii-chan, wake up! Himeka-san’s already here, you know! Come and eat breakfast quickly!”

Haruko had come to wake Ichiro up at her mother’s request.

Of course, her mother told Haruko that Himeka had already arrived and was waking Ichiro up.

But there was no result.

“I’m coming in!”

How strange… That’s what Haruko thought, but without any doubts, she shouted and opened the door anyway.

Then, Haruko froze as she looked inside the room.