Shichen glanced at Aqua, then called toward the hallway. "...Who is it?"
"It-it's me…" came a whisper barely louder than Aqua's. Yunyun—sounding as if she didn't want anyone to overhear.
"Yunyun? What's wrong? Something urgent?"
"Um… sort of… C-could you open the door first?"
"Sure. Hang on—I need to, uh, put something on."
"P-p-put something on?!"
With a quick sound-proofing barrier, Shichen strode to the bed, grabbed Aqua by the collar, and hoisted her up.
"Hey! What're you doing?"
"Hide under the bed for a minute."
"Why? It's not like we're doing anything shady."
"Just being in my room this late is weird enough."
"So? We can just tell the truth. Unless you're hiding something from Yunyun?"
"I'm not, but if you stay here she'll be too embarrassed to speak."
"Ohhh—so you two need some private time." Aqua nodded sagely.
"Exactly. Please squeeze under there for a bit."
"No problem… but you owe me more sparkling wine."
"…Fine. Deal."
"Hee-hee~"
Aqua crawled under the bed herself. As her skirt slid up Shichen could clearly see the join of thigh and backside—yet, as if an invisible censor existed, nothing higher was visible. From this angle he could confirm she definitely wasn't wearing underwear.
"Remember—total silence. Or no wine."
"Roger!"
He dropped the barrier and opened the door.
Outside stood Yunyun in pale-yellow pajamas, nervously looking around and hugging the shopping bag from earlier.
"Come in."
"O-okay." She slipped inside.
Shichen closed the door. Seeing her eyes dart about his room, he smiled. "So, Yunyun—what brings you here so late?"
"Well… er…"
Face pink, she turned, bowed ninety degrees, and thrust the bag toward him.
"F-for you!"
"For me?" He blinked and accepted it. "May I look?"
"P-please."
Inside was a black shoulder-cape—soft, silky, yet sturdy, like a detective's short cloak. He liked the style.
"You bought this for me?"
"Y-yes… t-to thank you for taking care of me," she stammered.
"I haven't done that much, really."
"That's not true!" She straightened, eyes shining. "You've helped me a lot and I'm grateful! The cape has an anti-magic enchantment. It's not especially expensive, so please accept it."
"Well, now I can't refuse. But it doesn't look cheap…"
"It wasn't that pricey…"
"Silly girl. All right—I'll take it."
"Th-thank you!" She beamed.
"Why are you thanking me? Should be the other way around." He chuckled.
"Heh-heh~" Yunyun giggled.
"Let's see how it looks, then."
"O-okay!"
"Actually—could you put it on me?" He offered it back to her.
"M-me? Put it on?"
"You bought it; better if you fasten it yourself—unless you don't want to."
"I-I do!" She hurried behind him, heart racing, and draped the cape over his shoulders, smoothing it gingerly. "D-done."
"How is it?" He stood, turned left and right.
"It… it looks great. Very dashing." Cheeks rosy.
"Thanks. I really like it." He ruffled her hair.
Yunyun stared, entranced.
"Earth to Yunyun?" He waved a hand in front of her. She dropped her gaze, flustered.
He laughed softly. "It's late—better head back to your room—"
Knock knock knock.
"Shichen, you still up?" Megumin's voice—much louder than Aqua's or Yunyun's whispers.
"Megumin's here! Wh-what do we do?" Yunyun panicked.
"Do what? We aren't doing anything."
"Oh… right."
"Unless… you'd like to?" He suddenly wrapped her in a hug.
"Sh-Shichen?!" She froze, trembling.
"Just a quick hug," he murmured, squeezing gently.
Flustered beyond words, Yunyun stood rigid. Then he let go.
"Eh?"
"Heh—teasing you. Lesson: sneaking into a guy's room alone is risky." He flicked her forehead.
Yunyun, wide-eyed, covered the spot.
"Cat got your tongue?"
"N-no… just—" Oddly, she felt a bit disappointed.
"Hey! Shichen! Open up! Doing anything indecent in there?" Megumin shouted.
"Quit yelling nonsense." He yanked the door open and dragged her in. "You'll ruin my reputation."
"Hmph! You weren't answering. Needed to check." She scanned the room, eyes landing on Yunyun—no suspicious scene.
"Yunyun, you okay? He didn't do anything, right?"
"Eh? N-nothing at all," Yunyun said.
"Strange… He's a boob maniac—why didn't he pounce?"
"Sounds like your butt's itching again," Shichen said darkly.
Megumin clutched her rear and hid behind Yunyun.
"So why are you here?"
"Yunyun's been gone ages—I worried."
"What danger could she be in?"
"Megumin, stop it—Shichen's not that sort of person," Yunyun scolded.
"Hmph. You just don't know how scary men are."
"Is he scary? Shichen doesn't feel scary at all."
"That's only because you haven't seen his true colors!"
"True colors?" Yunyun looked innocently at Shichen.
Veins popped on his forehead. "Keep slandering me and I'll spank you again."
"L-let's go, Yunyun. You delivered the gift, right? Looks good on him." She nodded at the cape.
"Yep—Yunyun's choice. Unlike someone who bought herself an eye-patch."
"Tch."
"Off you go—early start tomorrow." He ushered them out; Yunyun waved good night and closed the door.
"Are they gone?" Aqua's head peeped out.
"Gone. You can come out."
"Whew—almost fell asleep under there." She crawled out and flopped onto the bed.
"Figures."
"Come on, I'm sleepy," she beckoned.
Her pose made him feel like a gigolo. He removed the cape and lay beside her.
"Why so far?" She scooted over, throwing an arm and leg over him. "Mmm, this aura's the best. I'll sleep like a baby."
"What are you doing?"
"Sleeping."
"Why hugging me?"
"Why not?"
"…Forget it." He returned the embrace, pulled her close, and closed his eyes.
"That's better." Aqua smiled contentedly and drifted off.
~~~
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