Sleepless Night and Dana's Jealous Embrace
I didn't get a wink of sleep, so it was truly a tumultuous day. Tormented by Risha all night long, I slipped out of the hotel at dawn like I was escaping. "Ba, if you touch my belly any more, it'll get all, weird, ah..." It hurts, it stings, it feels so strange—fuck it. Dazed from exhaustion and mumbling to myself, Risha saunters out after me, all leisurely, and hugs me from behind. I tremble in terror.
"A, ah, ah, ah..."
"Shhh..."
I'm not the only one who didn't sleep a wink. How the hell is she so full of energy? Like a snake coiling around its prey, her arms trap my whole body, and soon I can't move an inch. Risha rests her chin on my shoulder from behind, soothing me in that embrace, then turns her head to whisper right in my ear.
"Don't climb on top."
"..."
That's too much. Do you have to put it like that? Pouncing on me while I was asleep, pinning me down with your weight, staring at me like you were figuring out how to cook this lewd little thing—is that "climbing on top"? And my smooth skin felt so good against me that I couldn't help fiddling with it—is that such a crime? Shit. Defiance surges up to the tip of my tongue in an instant, and I'm about to give Risha a piece of my mind.
But before I can, her words come just a fraction faster.
"You make me have to torment you."
"..."
"Answer me, Lily."
"Y-yes...!"
This isn't the time to stand on pride. If I don't obediently agree here, she'll drag me back to the hotel for who knows what else. It's pure instinct turning into certainty—my throat tightens, and I can only whimper my response. As I nod frantically, Risha chuckles in satisfaction.
"Hee hee hee."
"..."
Defeat tastes bitter. But I tell myself there's a reason I lost. Right before, Dana had punched me in the gut. With the bruise swollen and sensitive, she targeted my weak spot—there was no countering that. Dirty move. So I'll bide my time for revenge. There's that saying about enduring humiliation for the greater cause. I'll let you win for now. But once my belly heals, I'll pay you back. Someday I'll pin down that pale, pretty body of yours. Look forward to it. Just like what you've done to me these past couple days, I'll knead that belly until you're moaning "Lily, I'm sorry!" nonstop...
"Heh, heh, heh heh heh..."
"That laugh of yours is creepy as hell, Lily."
"Ah, no it's not..."
"Really?"
I'm scared shitless...
"Shall we head back then?"
"Yeah..."
As we start walking toward the dorms, I instinctively glance back. It's the direction of the aquarium we visited yesterday. Risha notices and speaks up.
"I said I'd take care of it, right?"
"Yeah..."
"Just wait a few days. Finding one or two people is no big deal. Oh, tell me their names and a basic description."
I do as Risha says. Afterward, the weight on my chest lightens like a boulder has been lifted. Why do I suddenly feel like everything will work out? Maybe it's that confident look on her face, like she can handle anything.
I glance at Risha. She looks back at me.
"..."
"..."
Our eyes meet, our gazes tangle. We stay like that for a while. Frozen in place like statues, as if moving would shatter everything. Time passes quietly. Or rather, it doesn't. From the moment we lock eyes, the wind dies down, the insects fall silent—no proof that time is moving, so the world must have stopped.
...We can't stay like that forever. A tickle blooms in my chest, racing through my veins, making me move in this halted world. I smile faintly. I just want to.
And I say it.
"Thank you."
As I express my gratitude, Risha stares at me blankly. Her eyelids flutter wildly, like she's just coming out of anesthesia. She doesn't move for a long time.
...
......
......
We part ways there, and I head back to the dorm. With a slightly lighter heart, I open the door to our room—and sure enough, Dana's there. Her sharp, cat-like eyes flick over me once before returning to her spot. At the end of that gaze, as always, is a book. Jeez, lost in reading again. How badly does she want to be some big shot that she never puts it down?
"You're back late."
"Yeah, just got back."
"..."
What? This awkward silence. Looking closer, Dana's expression is off. Pouting? Sulking? I plop down next to her. The vibe screams she needs soothing. Like she's got some grudge against me. As someone who's done nothing wrong, I feel a bit wronged. Was it the overnight stay?
"I said I might not come back last night, didn't I...?"
"I didn't think you'd actually sleep over."
What the hell? Why did I even say that then? You were the one grumbling but nodding in the end. This is a problem. Don't give permission then flip the script.
"Don't worry about it."
"Aww, how could I not?"
"It's fine."
What's with her? Acting all out of character.
"You mad?"
"No."
What did I do wrong? Pure curiosity makes me ask.
"Then why are you acting like a sulky girlfriend?"
"Girlfriend?"
Oh, her expression softens. The corners of her mouth twitch upward.
"No, not that you're my girlfriend or anything. Just saying."
"..."
"We're friends, right? Besties."
Oh, face hardens again. Those upturned lips droop right back down. I start playing with her like I've found a fun new toy.
"Girlfriend."
"..."
"Friend."
"..."
"Girlfriend friend girlfriend friend..."
"Cut it out."
Dana shoves me away, clearly pissed. I'd finally found something fun to tease after so long, but the backlash starts scaring me, so I shut up. Dana mutters to herself.
"I don't get jealous or anything. I let you go, didn't I?"
Suddenly? What the hell does that mean? But one thing's clear—her mood's sour. Ugh, she really seems mad. No clue how to cheer her up. Flash my belly and tempt her? Here’s the target, soft tummy—hit it as hard as you want, Lily loves it, go wild... Something like that? Great idea, but after Risha toyed with me all night, my swollen red belly screams don't you dare show it.
Damn. What now?
...Sorry, Dana, but I don't have the bandwidth to fuss over her. My exhausted body is screaming at me.
"Dana. I'm beat..."
"Why."
"Why am I beat? 'Cause I am."
"There must be a reason."
"...Didn't sleep a wink last night?"
Exhaustion hits hard—my eyes droop. Being in this safe space makes it worse. I'm already half in dreamland.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why didn't you sleep?"
Her tone's a bit sharp. Nah, must be my sleepy brain.
"Just, uh..."
I mumble vaguely. Then Dana slams her book shut with a loud thwack. Startled, I look over. Her face is all weird. Dana stands with that strange expression, scoops me up—hands under my knees and shoulders, princess carry. She grunts and strains under my chubby weight but manages it eventually. It's so funny I giggle even half-asleep. She tosses me onto the bed like a sack, and I keep laughing.
Ah, that's it. She's telling me to crash since I look wiped. What a friend. She was worried about me. Dana climbs on top, straddling my waist like riding a horse, legs spread. She stares down with this resolved look—so serious I burst out laughing again.
Ugh, not like this. If you want me to sleep, just hold me. That's all it takes. Looks like Dana's got the wrong idea, so I reach up, grab her waist.
"Eep..."
Her surprised face mixes with a hint of expectation. But I pull her down sideways with both hands. Ignoring her confused look, I close my eyes and hug that slender body tight. I've always thought this, but how does she smell this good? How did I ever sleep without it? Can't remember. I bury my nose in her nape, inhaling deeply over and over.
And without thinking, I murmur.
"I couldn't sleep without you."
"........."
The wriggling that started when I put my hands on her waist stops dead. At the same time, the body in my arms warms up. A lot. Perfect temperature for drifting off—and I can't fight the sleep anymore.