Too Close in the Crate
Author's note: Corrected the last part of the previous chapter from wall crevice to box!!!!!!!! No other changes!!!!!
“Mmph?!”
Just as Aria was about to scream, I clamped my hand over her mouth.
And I crammed my body into the narrow box with her.
Click.
The lid shut, plunging us into darkness cut off from the world.
Narrow.
Way narrower than I'd thought.
This wasn't space for two people. It was a wooden crate meant for junk.
Yet here we were, two grown women tangled up inside.
We were pressed so tight we could feel every inch of each other.
“Mmmph, mmph…!”
Aria mumbled under my palm.
Her hot breath tickled my skin.
Heavy footsteps echoed right outside.
“Shh. Stay quiet.”
I whispered right in her ear, lips brushing close.
Her body shivered violently.
Probably imagining what would happen if the guidance committee caught us—pure terror.
“Just stay still and quiet. They'll pass soon.”
I whispered softer to reassure her.
But instead of calming, her trembling intensified.
I could even hear her heartbeat pounding through our pressed bodies.
What's wrong with her.
Calm down already.
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
It'd just be demerits if we got caught—why freak out this much?
But I couldn't just leave her shaking like a scared puppy.
To soothe her, I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
Slide.
“Hah!”
Aria sucked in a breath.
The space was so tight we ended up facing each other, practically embracing.
Her legs wedged between mine, our chests mashed together without a gap.
Just a thin undershirt between us, body heat transferring raw and direct.
Hot.
Hot and humid.
Sealed space—air heated up fast.
Her warmth seeped into me.
Mixed with faint shampoo scent and something sweet teasing my nose.
“Hnn…”
A thin whine leaked from her nose.
Her lashes brushed my cheek.
“Nothing here, huh?”
“Check that alley too!”
Guidance committee voices right outside the crate.
They hadn't gone yet.
I held my breath, tension high.
But the position was awkward. Crammed like this, my legs cramped up.
“Hold on… lemme shift a bit.”
I murmured softly, twisting carefully to avoid noise.
Just shifting weight from left leg to right.
Slide.
In the process, my thigh dug deep into the inner softness of hers, rubbing up.
“Eek?!”
Aria let out a stifled yelp.
Her body jerked reflexively.
“Stay still.”
I hugged her waist tighter to pin her.
To ease my cramped leg, I nudged my knee between hers a little.
Rub rub.
Rough uniform skirt texture mixed with the soft give of hidden thigh flesh.
“N, nn… L-Lady… not there…”
Aria rubbed her lips against my palm, mumbling.
Her voice was way huskier than usual.
Eyes flushed red.
“Hah… hah…”
Her breathing grew ragged.
She gripped my shoulder hard—nails digging in.
Darkness blocked sight, sharpening other senses.
Her soft skin grazing my inner thigh.
Her breasts rhythmically pressing and receding against mine.
Hot, erratic breaths on my nape.
She must be really scared.
How terrifying were those guidance jerks to her?
To comfort her more, I slowly stroked her back.
Stroke, stroke.
Each touch made her flinch and jolt.
“Stay put. They'll go soon.”
I whispered soothingly in her ear.
My lips grazed her earlobe—she jerked her head back.
“Hnn…”
A slender moan slipped between my fingers.
That pained whimper made me frown slightly.
Is she hurt somewhere?
Her body burned like fever—sweat soaking her shirt, dampening mine too.
“Aria. You okay? You feel feverish.”
Worried, I started to pull my hand to check her forehead.
But she grabbed my wrist desperately.
“D-don’t… don’t let go…”
“Huh?”
“Hand… don’t remove it… I might… scream…”
Her eyes were glazed over.
Fear? Afraid a scream would give us away, so keep the hand?
Good girl.
Even now, trying not to get caught.
“Got it. Hang in there a bit.”
I resealed my hand over her mouth firmly.
For her sake, I patted her back gentler.
Slow, from top to bottom.
Slooow stroke.
“Hic, mmph…!”
Each time, she panted harshly and clung tighter.
Then—
“Hey! Checked over there?”
A voice right in front.
My heart dropped.
Aria's body went rigid as stone.
“Nah, not yet.”
Thud, thud.
Footsteps approaching.
I felt her squeeze her eyes shut.
I hugged her protectively tighter and held my breath.
A shadow fell over the crate cracks.
Caught?
If so, I'd jump out first.
I was already under discipline—nothing more to lose.
Ready to burst out and let her escape, I clenched my fist.
“Nothing here. Clear.”
“Guess no delinquents tonight. Check elsewhere.”
Luckily, they didn't think to open the crate.
Footsteps faded.
We stayed silent till they were gone.
“Phew…”
I finally exhaled in relief.
Strength drained from my body.
“They're gone. Safe now.”
I peeled my hand from her mouth.
But no reply.
Still in my arms, just ragged breaths.
“Aria?”
“Hah… hah… L-Lady…”
Her voice was hoarse.
“So… hot…”
“Tight space. C'mon, out.”
I pushed the lid up.
But she grabbed my arm.
Weak, clinging grip.
“Wait a sec…”
“Why?”
“Legs… no strength…”
Aria whimpered, leaning on me.
Her soft breasts squished against my arm.
“Can we… stay like this a bit…?”
She nuzzled my neck, murmuring.
But I shook my head.
“No way. We'll bake in here.”
I flung the lid open firmly.
Creeeak.
Blinding sunlight and cool breeze poured in.
“Ahh!”
Fresh air felt like life.
I climbed out first, offering my hand.
“Here.”
“…”
Aria stared at my face with some choked emotion, then took it.
In the light, she looked off.
Face beet red, eyes misty.
Hair messy, stuck to cheeks; shirt sweat-soaked, see-through.
“What the hell happened to you.”
I chuckled, peeling hair from her face—she flinched back.
“N-nothing!”
She hurriedly fixed her clothes.
“It's… your fault, Lady!”
She glared resentfully.
“My fault? How?”
“Y-you know… in the box…”
Aria bit her lip, unable to continue.
Her gaze flicked between my thigh and her legs.
Eyes brimming with grievance and shame.
She started to protest, then clamped her lips.
“Forget it… you're an idiot.”
“Idiot? I saved you.”
“Hurry. Before they come back.”
She huffed ahead.
But her gait was weird—wobbly, like weak legs.
“Hey, wait up.”
I followed, thinking.
She was really spooked.
Won't scare her like that again.
The heat from moments ago still lingered on my palm.