Chapter 64: Keeping You Company for a While
After finishing his bath, Yu casually dried himself off.
When he reached his bedroom door, he suddenly stopped—there was a familiar presence inside the room.
He gently pulled open the door.
Moonlight leaked through the window frame, clearly illuminating an unnatural bulge on the bed. The blanket was bunched up in a lump, with a few familiar strands of black hair peeking out at the edges.
"Sasuko..."
The blanket wriggled slightly, but no one responded.
Yu walked to the bedside and saw a small, cute ear exposed at the pillow's edge.
He helplessly lifted the corner of the blanket, and Sasuko immediately buried her entire face in the pillow, leaving only the back of her head facing him.
Yu said nothing more, simply tucked in the blanket corner and turned to leave.
Just then, Sasuko suddenly reached out a small hand, grabbing Yu's clothes: "Don't go."
Yu knew she wasn't asleep and was about to lecture her when she interrupted him before he could speak.
Sasuko's muffled voice came from the pillow: "Tomorrow's Saturday, it's a holiday. I promise I won't move around, won't kick off the blanket, will sleep and wake up early..." She secretly turned half her face, her eyes glistening in the moonlight. "Just for today, okay..."
Yu looked at that small hand clutching his clothes, his expression somewhat helpless.
This wasn't the first time—since their parents left, Sasuko's spoiled behavior had become increasingly unbridled.
He should have been stricter. Indulging her like this, who knew what kind of person his sister would become.
But when he met those bright dark eyes, all his lecturing words stuck in his throat.
His principles melted like sugar cubes in hot water, dissolving bit by bit in those soft, gentle waves.
Yu indulgently pinched Sasuko's nose tip: "Being this spoiled, I should tell Naruko so she can laugh at you."
Sasuko only gripped his clothes tighter: "I don't care." Her black hair was messy from rubbing against the pillow. "Yu can tell anyone."
By now she was too lazy to pretend to be aloof. There were only the two of them here anyway—tomorrow's problems could wait until tomorrow.
Deep down, she even vaguely hoped that annoying little blonde would find out—
It would be best if she got so angry she jumped up and down. That way she'd know more clearly who was most important in Yu's heart.
Seeing his sister's resigned attitude, Yu suddenly chuckled softly: "You've learned to be naughty."
Sasuko buried her burning face in the pillow, her voice muffled: "...So what if I have."
Outside the window, wind rustled through the bushes with a soft whisper, moonlight pouring down like water, casting fragmented shadows.
Yu suddenly felt his heart relax as he sat on the bedside.
Through the thin blanket, he could feel Sasuko's warm body temperature. His palm gently stroked her back, one stroke at a time, with gentle movements.
"Then I'll sit with you for a while."
Yu said softly.
The person under the blanket moved slightly, quietly pressing her forehead against his leg.
Yu continued gently patting her back, feeling her shoulder blades gradually relax.
Yu leaned against the headboard, his fingertips curling around Sasuko's hair ends.
The black hair slipped through his fingers like silk, only to be gently scooped up again.
Sasuko's breathing gradually became long and deep, and the fingers clutching his clothes had loosened at some point.
But Yu didn't get up. He simply gazed at the swaying tree shadows outside the window, his palm maintaining its soothing rhythm.
Night wind brushed past the window frame, carrying the fresh scent of cherry blossoms.
The next morning, Sasuko rarely woke up before her alarm clock.
Sunlight filtered through the curtain gaps onto the floor. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, feeling she had slept particularly soundly last night.
Though Yu hadn't ended up sleeping with her, the memory of that gentle palm warmth stroking her back made the corners of her mouth unconsciously curl up.
She hugged her pillow and daydreamed for a while, remembering how in her half-awake state last night, Yu had sat by the bedside keeping her company. Every time she stirred restlessly, that warm hand would gently pat her back again until she drifted back into dreams.
Sasuko buried her burning face in the pillow that still carried Yu's scent, secretly kicking at the blanket with her legs.
Though she hadn't gotten her wish, that feeling of being cherished made her happier than anything.
Clear bird songs came from outside the window.
Sasuko jumped out of bed and pulled open the curtains, morning light instantly flooding the room.
While combing her long hair, she perked up her ears to listen for sounds from next door.
Had Yu woken up yet? Should she go wake him?
This thought made her smile as she pressed her lips together, the motion of the comb through her black hair becoming lighter.
If Yu wasn't awake yet, she could surprise him, or maybe pretend to have had a nightmare and snuggle in bed for a while longer?
Sasuko finished arranging her long straight black hair in front of the mirror, put on that curved magatama pendant, and spun around. The girl in the mirror had bright, sparkling eyes.
Light footsteps carried her through the corridor, stopping at Yu's door.
Sasuko took a deep breath, preparing to implement her "good morning surprise attack plan."
Sasuko gently pulled open the door, trying not to make the slightest sound.
Morning light filtered through the curtain gaps, falling perfectly on Yu's sleeping face.
She was delighted to discover Yu was indeed still asleep, so she tiptoed closer to the bed.
Yu's features looked particularly peaceful in the soft light, his eyelashes casting delicate shadows beneath his eyes.
Sasuko crouched beside the bed, watching his chest rise and fall gently with his breathing, suddenly reluctant to wake him.
She quietly reached out her hand, hovering in mid-air as she hesitated whether to touch his cheek.
Sunlight slowly climbed up Yu's nose bridge, dyeing his scattered black hair a warm brown.
Just as her fingertip was about to make contact, Yu suddenly moved.
Sasuko was startled and immediately pulled back her hand, but saw he had only turned on his side and continued sleeping peacefully.
She quietly sighed in relief, then couldn't help but giggle silently—so even the omnipotent Yu had such defenseless moments.
Sasuko quietly kicked off her slippers, stepping barefoot on the cool floor as she lightly climbed onto the bed.
She carefully moved to Yu's back, slowly leaning against his broad spine.
Her nose caught that familiar soapberry fragrance mixed with Yu's unique warm scent.
She contentedly took a deep breath, gently burying her face in his scattered black hair.
Yu unconsciously shifted in his sleep, his arm happening to drape across her waist.
Sasuko held her breath until she was sure he hadn't awakened, then relaxed and curled up in that warm embrace.
Half an hour later, Yu gradually woke up.
He unconsciously moved his body and discovered there was a warm little person in his arms.
"Sasuko?" he asked softly in his just-awakened husky voice.
Having learned from previous experiences, Sasuko no longer panicked like she had initially.
She boldly lifted her small face, showing a sweet smile: "Yu, I came to wake you up."
Morning light reflected in her smiling eyes, with a few disobedient strands of black hair sticking up at her forehead.
Yu looked gently at this little one who had so righteously snuck into his bed, reaching out to smooth down her messy hair: "This is how you wake people up?"
Sasuko took the opportunity to nuzzle his palm: "Because you were sleeping too deeply."
"Next time, knock properly."
"I know~"
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