Accompanied by the annoying chirping of cicadas outside the window, the cold air blowing from the air conditioner—which had restarted at some point after the power came back—made Yukinoshita Shizuku roll over comfortably.
However, when she felt as though she was pressing against someone, her eyes snapped open. She saw Hiratsuka Shizuka sleeping soundly beside her.
Suddenly realizing something, she hurriedly sat up and looked around, discovering that Tsushima Kagami was not in the room.
Looking at the candles that had been cleared from the floor, leaving only residual wax traces, Yukinoshita Shizuku recalled the scene from last night when the three of them had gathered to play Hyakumonogatari.
Both she and Hiratsuka Shizuka had been given goosebumps all over by that story about "Kisaragi Station" that Tsushima Kagami had told.
You could say it wasn't that terrifying, but Kagami's expression, tone, and the special atmosphere he created at the time meant that neither she nor Hiratsuka Shizuka dared to let go of him last night.
By the time Tsushima Kagami finished and it was their turn to speak, the two of them were already exhausted from his intermittent jump-scares. They didn't care about the heat anymore; adding to their fatigue, they simply lay down on Tsushima Kagami's bed and fell asleep immediately.
Yukinoshita Shizuku threw off the blanket that had been covered over them at some unknown time, walked out of the room, and went down to the living room on the first floor.
Inside the living room, Tsushima Kagami was at the kitchen counter making breakfast. Seeing that Yukinoshita Shizuku was already up, he smiled and asked, "Did you sleep well last night?"
Yukinoshita Shizuku nodded, then looked at the sofa nearby. Next to it lay a cushion and the round fans they had brought in last night. It was obvious that Tsushima Kagami had slept there.
"I'm sorry. We should have gone back to our room to sleep last night."
"Don't mention it."
"Good morning, everyone."
Just as Tsushima Kagami finished speaking, Hiratsuka Shizuka also walked down from the second floor, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
"Good, you're awake too. Go wash up quickly and eat breakfast."
"Okay~"
After speaking, Hiratsuka Shizuka naturally accompanied Yukinoshita Shizuku to the bathroom to begin washing up.
...
"? Kagami, did you really sleep in the living room all night?"
While eating breakfast, Hiratsuka Shizuka heard Yukinoshita Shizuku mention that they had forced Tsushima Kagami to sleep on the sofa, and she spoke guiltily.
"Sorry about that. I was just too tired and sleepy last night. The effect of your Kisaragi Station story was simply too strong."
"Oh well, it's just that your bed is a bit small. If it were bigger and could fit three people, you wouldn't have had to sleep on the sofa."
Hiratsuka Shizuka laughed carelessly, and Yukinoshita Shizuku beside her nodded in agreement.
Tsushima Kagami looked at the two of them, who were still wearing the tight camisoles and short athletic shorts from last night.
No, seriously, is it appropriate for you to say that? It's one thing for Hiratsuka Shizuka, but why is Shizuku nodding along over there?
You two are acting so open and aboveboard, making it seem like I'm the petty man who's... slightly aroused? No, no—'always anxious'.
Fine, fine, fine. Next time I'll just sleep in the middle of you two!
Just as Tsushima Kagami was about to say something, the sound of a key inserting into the lock came from the entryway, and the door opened.
Once the newcomer entered the living room, both Tsushima Kagami and Yukinoshita Shizuku stood up.
"Mother, you're back."
Mrs. Yukinoshita, wearing a weary expression, smiled and nodded at the two of them. Then, seeing Hiratsuka Shizuka standing to the side, she paused. Hiratsuka Shizuka immediately stood up and bowed.
"Hello, Auntie. I am Hiratsuka Shizuka, a classmate of Kagami and Shizuku."
Mrs. Yukinoshita thought for a moment before smiling and saying, "Ah, the young lady of the Hiratsuka family, I presume."
"Welcome to our home. However, given the current situation, I cannot host you properly. Please forgive me."
After speaking, Mrs. Yukinoshita returned the bow.
"No, no, I had a great time having a sleepover with Shizuku and Kagami."
"That is good."
Subsequently, Mrs. Yukinoshita looked at Tsushima Kagami and Yukinoshita Shizuku.
"I'm going to sleep for a while first. You children enjoy yourselves."
"Mother, would you like to eat something before sleeping?" Tsushima Kagami asked.
Mrs. Yukinoshita waved her hand. She was too sleepy; she would eat when she woke up.
"Then, thank you for your hard work."
Mrs. Yukinoshita nodded and went upstairs alone to rest.
At this moment, Hiratsuka Shizuka walked over and asked, "Is that your mother?"
"My god, she's so majestic!"
Tsushima Kagami and Yukinoshita Shizuku smiled faintly in unison.
...
At noon, after Mrs. Yukinoshita woke up, she personally prepared a lavish lunch. It served as a formal reception for Hiratsuka Shizuka's first visit to their home, and also as a celebration for Tsushima Kagami and Yukinoshita Shizuku's return.
After the four of them finished this relatively harmonious lunch, Hiratsuka Shizuka changed her clothes and was picked up by her family's butler.
After seeing Hiratsuka Shizuka off, Mrs. Yukinoshita finally looked at Tsushima Kagami and Shizuku.
"How did you get to know the Hiratsuka family's daughter?"
Yukinoshita Shizuku glanced at Tsushima Kagami, then said, "She and I are in the same class, but we haven't really spoken much."
"Kagami is the one who is close to her. Yesterday, it was Shizuka-chan who saw Kagami and offered to drive us back."
Mrs. Yukinoshita nodded after listening, looked at Tsushima Kagami again, but ultimately didn't ask anything further.
"In any case, maintaining a friendly relationship with the Hiratsuka family's daughter isn't a bad thing."
Just as she was about to stand up and start clearing the dishes, Tsushima Kagami smiled and stopped her.
"Leave this to me. Mother, you should go rest a bit more."
Mrs. Yukinoshita smiled and nodded.
"Then I'll trouble you, Kagami. I do indeed want to sleep a little longer."
After Tsushima Kagami finished washing the dishes and prepared to go back upstairs to continue drawing his manuscript, Yukinoshita Shizuku, having nothing else to do, followed behind him.
"Why are you following me?"
Tsushima Kagami looked puzzledly at Yukinoshita Shizuku, who had followed him all the way into his room.
"Well, I don't really have anything to do."
"Mother is resting in her room too, so I can only come to your room."
Yukinoshita Shizuku revealed a rare expression of embarrassment.
Tsushima Kagami then remembered that without her part-time job, Yukinoshita Shizuku was now free.
"Alright then, you sit there and read some manga."
Tsushima Kagami handed a manga to Yukinoshita Shizuku, letting her sit aside on her own. He then sat at his desk and resumed drawing his manuscript.
At some point, Yukinoshita Shizuku, who should have been reading the manga, came up to Tsushima Kagami's side.
"Is there any work I can help with?" Yukinoshita Shizuku asked curiously, looking at Tsushima Kagami's manuscript.
Tsushima Kagami turned to look at her.
"You really can't stay idle, can you?"
"Fine then. Help me apply the screentones."
After speaking, Tsushima Kagami took out a page of the manuscript without screentones. He taught Yukinoshita Shizuku step-by-step how to apply them, then took out some previous scrap pages for her to practice on slowly.
Once Yukinoshita Shizuku gradually became proficient, whenever she had free time in the following days, she would sit beside Tsushima Kagami. She became his manga assistant, helping him apply screentones and significantly reducing his workload.
The days flew by in this blissful and mundane manner, and soon, the release date for the latest issue of Comic Kairakuten arrived.
____
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