Chapter 49: Us, Submerged Up to Our Chins
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 49: Us, Submerged Up to Our Chins
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Thump.
A soft sound echoed in the room.
It was so faint she normally wouldn't have heard it, but her senses, now on high alert, caught it instantly.
Miyuki, who had been dozing in Matsuda's arms, opened her eyes.
Careful not to wake him, she peeked her head out and looked toward the wide-open window.
The darkness was thick. She couldn't make anything out at first, but as she blinked and her eyes adjusted, shapes slowly began to emerge.
It was raining, though not heavily.
A drizzle? It might be a little humid when we go to the movies.
“...”
Normally, she had no particular feelings about rainy days.
In fact, she leaned toward disliking them. The splashing water would get her shoes and clothes wet.
But since meeting Matsuda, she had started to like the rain.
To be precise, it started the day they’d held each other and slept through a downpour.
Being held in Matsuda's warm embrace in the chilly weather calmed the heated excitement from before, bringing a sense of stability.
When that stability harmonized with the sound of the falling rain, the day felt cozy.
A soft smile on her face, Miyuki quickly buried her face back into Matsuda's arms.
“Mmm...”
Matsuda mumbled in his sleep, shifting slightly.
The deep, low voice that escaped him unconsciously tickled her eardrums.
It was so nice to listen to. She wanted to hear more.
And the fact that she was the only one awake felt somehow unfair.
Miyuki placed her index finger on Matsuda's abdomen and pressed gently.
She watched for his reaction, and when he remained asleep, she began poking him lightly here and there.
Waking someone up with a prank like this was a mean thing to do.
She knew that perfectly well, but the temptation was hard to resist.
Losing her self-control, she continued to poke Matsuda until—
“What are you doing...?”
Woken from his sleep, Matsuda asked in a drowsy, chiding voice. She immediately apologized.
“Sorry...”
Of course, that was a lie.
Inside, she was thrilled that he was awake, and her heart even began to race at the thought that he would hold her tight.
“What time is it?”
“I don’t know... Maybe around two...?”
“Why are you up already...”
“Because it’s raining...”
“I can’t hear any rain.”
“I heard it...”
“You did...?”
Matsuda pulled Miyuki in by the waist.
Pressing her body against his, he said,
“You’re so little, and so lewd...”
She couldn't tell if it was a compliment or a complaint, but he then slipped his hand under her t-shirt.
As Matsuda’s hand touched her waist, Miyuki felt the fine hairs on her body stand on end and swallowed hard.
Unlike a few hours ago, he wasn't just stroking her; he was touching her.
Matsuda's hand was kneading the side of her waist.
The problem was, she was meekly accepting his touch.
She tensed her stomach, afraid he might comment on her gaining weight, and even shifted her body slightly away to give him easier access.
She was nervous.
But it was an excited nervousness, not one born of fear.
She would have frowned in the past, but now she was so docile. It was absurd.
As Miyuki seriously wondered whether she was going crazy, she replayed what Matsuda had just said.
【So lewd...】
Lewd.
It sounded a bit vulgar, but the thought that Matsuda was satisfied made her feel strangely good.
The way she had been the first to slip her tongue into his mouth...
And the way she was now, quietly feeling his touch...
She had thought about it before, but this version of herself, slowly awakening to her own sexuality, felt unfamiliar but enjoyable.
Moreover, her heart pounded in a good way with the anticipation of sharing even sweeter, hotter moments with Matsuda.
Miyuki’s eyes darted over to glance at him, and she feigned a pout.
“Don’t touch me...”
“Yeah, right...”
Matsuda completely ignored her complaint with a voice thick with sleep and continued to touch her waist.
Was it just her imagination, or did his touch feel full of affection?
“Are you cold?”
Matsuda’s question brought Miyuki, who had been lost in thought, back to reality.
Feeling the cool breeze coming through the open window, she was about to say no but changed her mind.
“Yeah... I’m cold...”
At that, Matsuda stopped touching her waist and pulled her even closer.
Miyuki's lips stretched into a smile so wide it couldn't get any wider.
Instead of just pulling up the blanket, he had understood what she wanted and held her. She loved that about him.
Smiling to herself, she said,
“Want to wake up early and go to the supermarket? Let’s get stuff for breakfast...”
“What...? Can’t hear you.”
“I said, let’s get stuff for breakfast...”
“Let’s just get hot dogs or something at the theater...”
“Still, isn’t it better to eat at home?”
“Quiet, and go to sleep.”
“We have to think about our health... Something with vegetables...”
“Hot dogs have vegetables. Onions and tomatoes...”
“Tomatoes...? You don’t mean ketchup, do you...?”
“Yeah...”
Matsuda’s ridiculous comment was funny.
She was also grateful that he was answering her every word even though he must be sleepy and annoyed, and it made her want to tease him more.
“How is ketchup a vegetable...”
“It’s made from tomatoes... so I’m not wrong.”
“But, Matsuda-kun, tomorrow at the movies, are you going to... to the person next to us like last time...”
“Hey.”
“Yeah?”
“You wanna get in trouble?”
“No. I’ll go to sleep now...”
Deciding she should stop there, Miyuki was about to say she was going to sleep when her body jolted.
Matsuda had started gently patting her butt.
Not subtly trying to touch her like before, but openly.
For a moment, Miyuki was so surprised she nearly fainted.
“Go to sleep...”
Hearing Matsuda’s voice, her heart calmed, and she relaxed her stiffening body.
As Matsuda patted her butt with a steady rhythm, as if lulling a child to sleep, Miyuki said coyly,
“I-I was just about to sleep...”
“I know...”
It was strange.
Even though Matsuda’s hand was on her butt, a sensitive area, she felt no resistance at all.
And that she could be this calm.
I don’t know anymore...
Deciding to just go with the flow, Miyuki closed her eyes, feeling Matsuda’s continuous patting.
Her face must be... flushed bright red, like it was about to explode.
Her body felt hot, too. Would Matsuda get too warm?
Tomorrow... no, today, couldn't she sleep over at his place again?
But wouldn't it seem too cheap if she suggested it first?
Her mind filled with such thoughts, Miyuki soon drifted off.
With a peaceful heart, she fell into a very deep sleep.
* * *
The first thing I saw when I woke up was Miyuki, sleeping soundly.
I watched her for a moment, her expression peaceful and her breathing soft and rhythmic, then checked the clock on the wall.
9:20 AM.
It would be a tight squeeze even if we got ready and left now.
Let’s just give up on the early show. We slept for a long time.
It was surprising that Miyuki hadn't woken up yet; she was always the one to wake me.
For someone who was so fussy in the middle of the night... she was sleeping like a log.
She was clutching my arm tightly between her breasts, like a body pillow.
As I quietly enjoyed the sensation of her chest, I let out a chuckle when she smacked her lips.
Is she dreaming of eating something delicious?
She looks happy.
Lifting my head, I checked her neck. The hickey had settled in nicely.
A mark that showed she was mine. I wanted to show it off to everyone, but Miyuki would definitely put a bandage over it.
I tried to carefully pull my arm away, but when Miyuki’s brow furrowed, I couldn't help but laugh.
Just as I had in the early morning, I turned onto my side and patted her butt with my other hand.
“Wake up.”
At that, Miyuki’s eyes slowly opened.
She blinked a few times, staring at me, then said,
“...Sleepy...”
She closed her eyes again with a warm smile.
And for good measure, she pulled my arm even closer.
Chuckling, I brought my lips to her ear and whispered softly,
“I said, wake up. My arm’s falling asleep.”
Miyuki’s shoulders shot up, and her body trembled.
“Hngh...”
She let out a nasal sound, a little less lewd than yesterday.
Her eyes were still closed.
This unguarded side of her, usually so sharp and put-together... wasn't bad at all.
“Want some water?”
“Don’t wanna...”
Her voice, laced with aegyo, was starting to turn me on.
Ah, I was already turned on.
Down there, Miyuki would be relaxed and soft right now... The temptation was overwhelming.
But I had to hold back. I just needed to let things simmer a little longer; I couldn't let all my hard work go to waste now.
“Matsuda-kun... your hand... leave it still...”
Miyuki chided me, her voice thick with sleep.
Ignoring her completely, I placed my curled fingertips on her thigh and slowly unfurled them.
“Heek...!”
Letting out a delicate giggle, Miyuki finally released my arm and sat up.
Her shoulders slumped, she stared blankly ahead. When I patted her back a few times, she rubbed her eyes with her four fingers, leaving her thumb out.
Everything she does is so damn cute.
She should just live with me and go to school from here.
And cut ties with guys like Tetsuya.
“What time is it...?”
“Nine twenty.”
“What...? Then we have to hurry and get ready...”
“Do we really need to be obsessed with the early show? Take your time.”
“...I guess so... B-but, I’m going to the bathroom first...”
Miyuki got up with a groan and trudged into the bathroom.
A moment after the sound of running water started,
Click.
The bathroom door opened.
“Matsuda-kun...! This is what you did yesterday, isn’t it!?”
Miyuki walked up to me and pointed at the hickey on her neck.
I looked at her, her face flushed as she questioned me, then let out a long yawn to shake off the sleepiness before answering.
“Yeah.”
“What is this...? It looks like an insect bite...!”
“Am I an insect?”
“That’s not what I meant...! Haaah...”
She sighed, looking at me as if I were a lost cause. She seemed about to argue further but stopped and gave a faint smile.
“Never mind... you idiot...”
She knew I’d marked her because I liked her, so she seemed to be trying not to treat it as a serious issue.
So she’s not angry.
I flopped down on my back, and as Miyuki sat primly beside me, I teased her.
“A minute ago you were whining, ‘Don’t wanna!’ so why are you so proper now?”
Miyuki answered by resting her head on my stomach.
As I smoothed down her messy hair, I felt that we had become closer than ever.
The way she just let it go when I blatantly touched her butt today...
And the way she was approaching me now without any guard up...
Miyuki was sinking deeper and deeper into the swamp I had laid out for her.
“I can hear your stomach growling...”
Miyuki said, pressing her ear to my stomach.
I smiled faintly and massaged the back of her neck.
“It’s because I’m hungry.”
But Miyuki wasn't sinking alone.
I was right there beside her. Holding each other tight, together, we were submerged up to our chins.