Chapter 68: Sleep?
{TL: By Creed}
"Wow, this is a really nice room, isn't it?"
"Yeah, it sure is."
Sofia didn't seem to notice or be disturbed by anything, or perhaps she just didn't care.
But I was definitely feeling flustered.
My heart was pounding so hard that my speech was starting to sound suspicious.
I've shared a room with Sofia before, like in inns...
But we've never shared a bed.
"There's a simple water facility here."
"Oh, really?"
"And not only is the room spacious, but it seems to have a bathroom attached."
"Is that so?"
"I've sweated a little, so I'm going to take a bath."
"I see."
...
"Huh!?"
I understood the meaning of her words belatedly, but by then, Sofia was already on the other side of the door.
The door closed with a thud...
After a moment, there was the sound of fabric sliding.
"..."
"Is Fate actually a pervert?"
"W-Well, I can't help it. When a girl you like goes into the bath so defenselessly..."
"Well, I can't say I don't understand your feelings. I'm a woman who can appreciate that kind of thing, after all."
Licorice's smug face was a bit annoying.
"How about you, Fate? Want to join in the bath?"
"Huh!?"
"Barge in and wash her body with your hands, hehehe, like that?"
"Is that how you see me, Licorice...?"
"Not really. It's just that I read about a guy like that in a book I read the other day."
Is that book really appropriate?
Even though she's a girl, I think it's better not to read those kinds of books...
"Fate."
"Huh?"
The door leading to the bathroom suddenly opened, and Sofia stuck her head out.
Although the important parts were covered by the door...
But her wet hair and white shoulders were still visible.
"S-Sofia!? Wh-What are you doing...!?"
"Do you have a bath towel over there? I couldn't find one here..."
"Uh, um, yeah! A bath towel, right!? Just a moment, okay?"
Awkwardly, I searched for a bath towel.
"Um, so... the bath was quick, huh?"
"Was it? I personally thought I enjoyed it as usual."
Apparently, due to nervousness, my perception of time had slowed down.
Fumbling around, I continued to search for the bath towel.
Then Licorice whispered softly in my ear.
"...Fate, Fate."
"W-What?"
"Act like you're handing her the bath towel, then just push her down?"
"T-That's impossible!?"
"Fate? Is something wrong?"
"N-No, it's nothing!?"
My face was burning.
I hope Sofia doesn't think strangely of me?
Feeling a strange sense of crisis, I managed to find the bath towel and handed it to Sofia.
――――――――――
Later, I took a bath, Licorice took a bath too...
And then, it was time to sleep.
"Um..."
There's only one bed.
It's big enough for two people to sleep comfortably, but... but that's...
"Well then, shall we go to bed soon? We can't afford to stay up late and wake up before noon, it wouldn't look good to show that to Doctor."
"Huh? Uh, well..."
"Fate? Do you still have some reason you need to be awake?"
"N-No, it's not that but..."
"What's wrong?"
"...Well, Sofia just assumes we'll sleep together like it's nothing, but isn't that... weird?"
"What are you talking about? There's no way that would be weird, is there?"
She looked genuinely puzzled.
Then, her cheeks turned slightly red.
"Actually, I'm rather happy about it."
"Huh?"
"Do you remember? When we were little, we often stayed over at each other's houses. We slept in the same bed, stayed up late chatting..."
"Oh... yeah, that's right. Sometimes we'd get caught by our parents and scolded to go to bed quickly."
"We even talked under the covers so we wouldn't get caught next time."
"We did a lot of things... yeah, it was fun."
"Yes. So, thinking back on those days... if possible, I'd like to sleep with you, Fate. Is that okay?"
"Um... uh, yeah, of course it is. Let's sleep together."
If she asked like that, I couldn't refuse...
And besides, I also want to sleep with Sofia.
I want to feel her warmth.
Not in a lewd way, though.
"..."
"..."
We turned off the lights and lay down on the bed together.
Sofia seemed calm, but whether it was a show or not, she didn't say anything.
Of course, I didn't say anything either.
There was no way I could be calm, I was just nervous.
We used to sleep together a lot when we were kids, but a lot has changed since then.
Sofia has changed from a dear childhood friend to a beloved childhood friend...
Thinking about sleeping with her brings up feelings other than just happiness.
"Um... I'm a bit troubled."
"What's wrong?"
"When you actually do it... it's even more nerve-wracking than I thought. I can't stop thinking about you, Fate, and I'm not sure if I can sleep properly."
"I feel the same way. I'm so hot just because Sofia is so close."
"Hehe, I feel the same."
"Yeah."
With a slight tilt of my head, Sofia's face is right in front of me.
Even in the dark, I can see her face clearly.
It's a very beautiful and gentle face.
"Hey, Fate."
"Yeah?"
"Um, can I hold your hand? I thought if I could share your warmth, it might help."
"As much as you want. Here, go ahead."
I offered my hand, and Sofia gently took it.
It's warm.
It feels like it's not just my body, but even my heart is warming up.
"I think I can sleep soundly now."
"Yeah, me too."
"Goodnight, Fate."
"Goodnight, Sofia."
We closed our eyes slowly...
"...Seriously, just explode already."
From somewhere, a voice like that could be heard.
TL Note: Readership should be good for this chapter.........go explode-by Licorice.
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