Hitomi woke up with the first rays of sunlight.
As she stirred, the first thing she noticed was that she was being held tightly.
She turned her head toward the person embracing her and couldn't help but remember the old days, when she was still just a little girl. She didn't remember exactly when it started, but at some point she had ended up sleeping in Derek's arms. Since then, she always slept like this, wrapped in his strong arms that made her feel safe.
'I missed this. Now that we're together again, nothing will separate us,' she thought as she gazed fondly at Derek's face.
"Ah…"
Suddenly, a sharp pain pulled her out of her thoughts, making her remember everything they had done the night before.
Still lost in those memories, she instinctively glanced at the clock and froze.
"Shit, it's late!"
"I need to hurry or I'll be late for school."
// Derek's POV //
I woke up after hearing Hitomi's voice.
"What's all this noise?" I asked as I stretched.
"You're finally awake, Sleeping Beauty," Hitomi said while grabbing a towel.
"Tsk, stop giving me weird nicknames. What's with all the commotion?" I said as I leaned in to kiss her.
"Mph… it's your fault I'm going to be late," she complained, though she still accepted the kiss.
"Huh? How is this my fault?" I asked, confused.
"If you hadn't gone so far last night, I wouldn't be this tired and wouldn't have overslept."
'She was the one asking me not to stop… and now she blames me.'
"I don't see the problem. Just skip school," I said casually. "Why make such a big deal?"
"Shows what you know. Today I have to tell my friends the news," Hitomi said, annoyed.
'I knew it. This has nothing to do with school.'
"What news?" I asked.
"Mph, obviously that I finally found my boyfriend," she said smugly.
"Eh? Seriously?" I replied in disbelief.
"Can't you just text them or tell them later? Why all the drama?"
Honestly, I wasn't sure what surprised me more—that she cared this much, or that she even had friends.
"Karura didn't believe me when I told her my boyfriend was super strong. Now I have to show off and make her jealous," Hitomi said proudly.
'Are those really your friends…?' I thought, sweat trickling down my forehead.
"I have to tell her in person. No time to argue," she said before rushing to the bathroom.
I just shrugged.
I lay back down on the bed for a short nap.
...
"Derek, I'm leaving!" Hitomi called out.
"Alright, don't worry. I'll be waiting at home," I replied with a yawn.
"Wait, I almost forgot," she said, pulling out her phone and snapping a couple of photos.
"What was that for?" I asked.
"Mph, proof. To show Karura."
"I'm still naked!" I realized too late.
Thinking about it, I hadn't worn clothes since reincarnating. I'd always lived as I was born.
"Hehe, even better. That'll make them even more jealous," she said quickly hiding the phone.
"Whatever," I replied, not taking it seriously.
"Oh right, I forgot to give you clothes. There's a suitcase under the bed with different sizes. I didn't know what would fit," she said as she ran out with a slice of bread in her mouth.
On the school rooftop, many students were eating bento or relaxing on benches.
"Hitomi, why do you have that smug look all through class?" Kure Karura asked irritably.
"Hehe, nothing. I'm just in a good mood today," Hitomi replied with a smile.
"Enough already. Just tell us what's making you so happy," Karura snapped.
"Hitomi, stop teasing Karura," Kozue said, trying to calm things down.
"Tsk, why should I tell you my personal business?" Hitomi replied stubbornly.
"Could it be about that boyfriend you were always talking about?" Karura asked after thinking for a moment.
"Mph, that's right. I finally found him," Hitomi said proudly.
"Congratulations! You finally found him!" Kozue said sincerely.
"You really had a boyfriend?" Karura asked in disbelief.
"Even if you do, I doubt he's as strong as you say," Karura added skeptically.
"You'll see how strong he is when you meet him. I even have photos," Hitomi said as she pulled out her phone.
"Wow, your boyfriend is handsome," Karura said as she snatched the phone from Hitomi, while Kozue blushed and looked away.
"Hey, speaking of boyfriends… yours is a strong fighter, right?" Hitomi asked Kozue.
"Well… he is strong, but I don't see the appeal of fighting all the time," Kozue replied.
"Why don't you have them fight and see who's really strong?" Karura suggested casually.
"Why would they fight?" Kozue asked angrily.
"It was just a suggestion," Karura said, knowing very well how strong Kozue's acquaintance was.
"Hey Kozue, are you still hanging out with that Ali guy?" Hitomi asked suddenly.
"We're not dating, we're just friends," Kozue explained.
"Tsk, just say you want two guys at once," Karura teased.
"That's not true!" Kozue protested.
"Mph, friend or not, tell him not to bother me," Hitomi said irritably.
"How did he bother you?" Kozue asked.
"He invited me out to eat," Hitomi replied.
"Maybe he just meant as friends," Kozue said uncertainly.
"Tsk, sounds like he wants two boats at once," Karura joked.
"Why don't you have your boyfriend teach him a lesson?" Karura suggested.
"Well, I'll call him to pick me up and—"
"Ahhh!" Karura suddenly screamed.
"Why are you yelling?" Hitomi and Kozue asked at the same time.
"He's huge…" Karura muttered, staring intensely at the phone screen.
Hitomi smiled smugly, while Kozue quickly covered her eyes.
"How can you even have photos like that?" Kozue asked shyly.
"What's wrong with it? He's my boyfriend," Hitomi replied casually.
"That's not normal!" Kozue shouted.
"Hey, now I kind of want to borrow your boyfriend," Karura said shamelessly.
"If you want, ask him yourself later," Hitomi replied with a shrug.
"How can you say that? He's your boyfriend!" Kozue exclaimed.
"So? If he wants, he can go out with Karura too. I don't mind him seeing other women," Hitomi said calmly.
"Well, I'll wait to meet him later. If he's really that strong, I wouldn't mind sharing," Karura added with a strange smile.
The two continued talking animatedly about Derek, while Kozue watched them in disbelief.