At dawn, sunlight slipped through the window and caught the curtains, adding a faint glow to the once-dark room.
With the light, the scene became clearer—one word described it best: chaos.
Clothes were scattered on the floor. Three people were sprawled on the bed, yet it didn't even look crowded. The two girls on either side of the man were so small that there'd have been room for two more.
Just as Shichen had predicted, partway through the night, Natsumi got too overwhelmed and—without meaning to—released her Angel's effect. She and Yoshino returned to normal.
Yoshino was… okay, relatively speaking. She'd already gone through most of it, so once she changed back, the worst she faced was the usual soreness and clumsy movement.
But Natsumi was different. For her, it was unforgettable in the worst way—like heaven turned into hell in an instant. She cried until she was hoarse.
Shichen had anticipated that possibility. And once he'd brought them into his room, he'd let himself go—completely. With Yoshino and Natsumi right there, his restraint, his guilt, his "morals"… everything got swallowed by raw instinct.
Still, reality didn't care about bold thoughts. Yoshino was tiny—she couldn't keep up, no matter how brave she tried to be. The only difference was that she didn't burst into loud sobs like Natsumi; she just bit her lip and endured it.
How intense that night really was… only Shichen knew. Yoshino and Natsumi didn't have the strength afterward to savor anything.
Shichen opened his eyes and stared at the familiar ceiling. His mind was crystal-clear, and the memories of the night replayed vividly. He tugged the corner of his mouth, shame flickering through him.
Afterward, his conscience always woke up.
He turned his head and looked at Yoshino sleeping peacefully. Her small face still had that baby-soft roundness—so adorable it hurt.
What did I do…? he thought. I was a beast.
And yet the smug satisfaction refused to leave him.
He reached out and gently ran his fingers through Yoshino's soft blue hair. Even after all the sweat, it was still silky and faintly fragrant—though the room itself was heavy with lingering warmth and mixed scents. Shichen didn't want to overthink it. He just knew she was safe, and that mattered most.
Yoshino slept deeply. She must've been exhausted, but her face wasn't pained—there was even a hint of happiness, like she was dreaming something sweet.
Shichen shook his head and turned to the other side.
Natsumi's green hair was a mess, as always, but it couldn't hide her cute face. Her hair never seemed to lie flat no matter how often she washed it—like it was "set" that way unless she changed the style entirely. Shichen didn't mind. The messy look suited her—chaotic and cute.
And honestly, she was the reason last night happened at all. Shichen couldn't blame her. If not for Natsumi, he didn't know when he would've crossed that line with Yoshino.
But Natsumi also suffered the most.
The more she cried, the more Shichen had lost his mercy. It was a terrible cycle—one he wasn't proud of. If Yoshino hadn't insisted on helping, Natsumi might've been left with a real scar in her heart.
Now, even in sleep, Natsumi looked troubled—brows tightly drawn, tear tracks still visible on her cheeks. Real tears.
Shichen felt a pang of guilt. He reached out and gently smoothed her hair, then tried to ease the crease between her brows.
He barely touched her before she startled awake.
"Mm…"
Her pale eyelids fluttered open, revealing emerald-green eyes. She blinked sluggishly, unfocused, until her gaze finally landed on him.
"…Shi…chen?" Her voice was rough and hoarse.
"Did I wake you?" Shichen asked softly.
"…I don't know…" Natsumi mumbled, shaking her head as if still half asleep.
"Then go back to sleep," he said gently.
"I…" She tried to move—then froze, sucking in a sharp breath. Pain shot through her so suddenly she couldn't even sit up.
"Don't move," Shichen said quickly. "You remember what happened last night."
"Last night…!" Natsumi's eyes widened as the memories crashed back. Her face turned bright red in a heartbeat.
And with that, she was herself again—shy, mortified, desperate to disappear into a hole in the floor.
That… was me?
And with Yoshino too…?
She almost felt like she'd been possessed.
Shichen chuckled softly. "So you remembered."
Natsumi curled in on herself and buried her face, refusing to let him see her expression.
"You weren't this shy last night."
"I—I…" She couldn't even finish the sentence.
"Let me heal you," Shichen said.
He helped soothe her throat first, then moved to treat the rest.
"Wait—!" Natsumi tried to stop him, but it was too late. She stiffened, powerless to do anything, and the moment only dragged more memories back to the surface.
When he finished, he pulled away without lingering. He'd already pushed things too far.
"Does it still hurt?" he asked.
"…Not really," she admitted in a small voice.
"Good."
Then, as soon as she could move again, Natsumi started weakly punching his chest. It had no force, but the indignation was real.
"How could you bully me like that last night?!"
"Aren't you the one who started it?" Shichen said innocently.
"I-I changed back!"
"That just made you even more…" Shichen paused, choosing his words.
Natsumi looked up, confused.
"Yes," Shichen said, meeting her eyes. "Even more."
"You—!" Natsumi hit him again, flustered and furious.
Shichen caught her wrist. "I just… like you."
"Stop making excuses!"
"How is it an excuse?" Shichen asked quietly. "Can't you feel that I mean it?"
Natsumi's heart thumped hard.
She was defenseless when he spoke like that.
Shichen smiled and, to give her a way out, changed the subject. "Natsumi… why did you want to do that last night?"
"W-What's wrong with it?" she stammered.
"It doesn't feel like you," he said. "I want to know what you really felt."
Natsumi stole a glance at him, then looked away again. After a long pause, she whispered, "I… wanted to thank you."
"Thank me?"
Natsumi forced herself to look up, face burning red, and said it clearly—like she was afraid she'd lose courage if she hesitated:
"Thank you for giving me a home. Thank you for liking me. Thank you… for making me happy."
Shichen's expression softened. He pulled her into his arms.
"Silly girl," he murmured. "You don't have to thank me like that."
Natsumi stayed in his embrace, then asked in a small, stubborn voice:
"Just answer me. Did you like it?"
Shichen went quiet for a beat… then sighed.
"…Yeah," he admitted. "I did."