Chapter 24

When I woke up, it was morning.

My usual room. My usual bed.

And yet, something felt off.

"...?"

What was it? I felt strangely refreshed.

Like I’d had a wonderfully happy dream or something.

Hmm, what happened again?

My sleep-addled brain struggled to recall yesterday’s events.

Right, yesterday… we ended up drinking.

We decided to have drinks after dinner. I’d been a little annoyed about that.

I wanted Shin to open up more, and alcohol would just dull his thoughts—wasn’t that counterproductive?

But I couldn’t convince him, so we started drinking anyway… and then…

...And then?

The moment I wondered, yesterday’s memories flooded back.

"Heh… hehehe… hehehehehehe!"
"Oh my gooosh—"

"………………ah."

I felt blood rush to my face.

My heart lurched violently.

"Oh yeah! I had something I wanted to ask Shin!"
"...I forgot! Kehehehehe!"

"...ah…………ah."

My vision blurred.

My heart pounded loud enough to drown out everything else.

"...Then, praise me."
"Pat my head."

"...ahhh."

I looked down and saw the pillow I’d just been using.

On impulse, I buried my face in it.

"Do this for me every day."

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

It was a dream. This was a dream.

The dream I just had. Right? This wasn’t real, was it?

"It’s a dream… This can’t be real."

Hugging my knees, I glared at the pillow, trying to ground myself in reality.

That had to be a dream. Absolutely.

The clock in the corner of my vision told me I was way past my usual waking time, but I didn’t care.

I wasn’t feeling well today. So it couldn’t be helped.

"Ugh…"

My face was burning.

Like I had a fever.

Yeah, that was it—I must’ve had a fever, which caused that dream.

That’s all it was. It had to be.

The fact that I hadn’t bathed yesterday and felt kinda gross, or that my clothes were the same as in the dream—none of that mattered. It was all in my head.

"...Aaaahhhh."

I shoved my face back into the pillow.

Then—knocking at the door.

"Eep—"

"Yuu, you awake?"

Shin.

I almost answered instinctively… but hesitated.

Wait, if I replied, wouldn’t that mean I’d have to see him?

"...uuugh."

My face was on fire. There was no way I could face him.

How could I possibly look Shin in the eye after… that?

"Pat my head. Praise me."
"Ah… okay."

After something like that happened.

"...uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!"

An inexplicable impulse shot through my entire body, making me squirm.

No—I definitely couldn’t do this. Today, I just wanted to be left alone.

"Yuu? ...Still asleep?"

Shin’s voice came from beyond the door.

Yes. Perfect. Just like that—don’t worry about me right now.

"But it’s already this late... You okay?"

He sounded genuinely concerned.

...Guilt twisted in my chest.

The clock read 11 AM. An unthinkable hour for someone like me. No wonder Shin was worried.

...What do I do?

I agonized over whether to respond. It was mortifying, but I hated making him fret. After an internal battle—

"Yuu?"

"...Yeah, I’m awake."

—I finally answered.

After what I’d done yesterday, burdening him further felt unforgivable.

"Can I come in?"

"...Okay."

The door creaked open the moment I replied. I immediately rolled over in bed, turning my back to him.

"Yuu? You feeling alright? I brought stuff in case you’re hungover—"

"...I’m fine."

His voice reached me from behind, accompanied by the rustle of a plastic bag. He’d gone out of his way to get supplies.

"Can you get up?"

"...Not really."

I wasn’t hungover, and physically, I felt fine.

But emotionally? Absolutely not. My willpower had been spent just replying. If I saw Shin’s face now, I’d combust.

"Ughh..."

"I’ll leave water and hangover meds here. Take them if you can."

The sound of items being set down rustled behind me—probably on the bedside table.

...So close. The proximity made my heart pound violently.

Having him near like this only dragged yesterday’s memories to the surface.

...Especially the part where he’d patted my head.

"Mmmmph—!"

I clamped a hand over my mouth to stifle a scream. Had he noticed how weird I was acting? The thought tormented me.

And he was ridiculously close. If I reached out, I could almost touch him.

Close enough to... have my head patted again.

Then, the words I’d uttered yesterday resurfaced:

"Do this for me every day."

...Wait. Was he about to pat my head right now?!

He was near enough to do it. Had he come this close specifically to—?

My scalp tingled with heat. The memory of his touch blurred my vision.

I sensed Shin take another step toward me.

No way. Seriously—

"I’ll check on you later. And... sorry about yesterday.
I should’ve been more responsible."

"...Huh?"

With that, he walked straight out.

I bolted upright just in time to see the door click shut.

"..."

Slumping back down, I buried my face in my pillow.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

What the hell is wrong with me?!

Anticipating—no, hoping—he’d pat my head like some desperate—

"Aaaahhhh..."

In the end, I didn’t leave my room until well into the afternoon.