Early morning was noisy outside—constant footsteps, nonstop laughter and chatter.
All of it was bright, cheerful girls' voices.
Takina was already used to that kind of sound. Sometimes she was one of the people making it; sometimes she got woken up by it just like this.
She didn't hate it.
Those laughs were familiar. She and the others had grown close—closer than she'd ever been to anyone before.
She liked being around people. No loneliness. Company. A simple kind of happiness.
And she'd only gotten that happiness because of one person's "greed"—because he'd noticed her, wanted her, and wouldn't let her stay invisible.
Takina had never thought she was especially pretty. Her personality was cold. Her face didn't look friendly. She couldn't smile like the others—bright and open.
And yet… he'd been interested in her anyway.
That made her happy.
She was a girl too, and she was at that age. Being liked by someone you like back—of course it makes you happy.
Before, she might not have had time to think about any of this. But now she did.
She finally had the freedom to live like a normal girl—do what she wanted, move at her own pace, wake up slowly without fear.
Ordinary things. But for someone like her, it felt extraordinary.
With that thought, Takina's mind fully woke up. Like usual, she opened her eyes and tried to stretch—
"—Ow."
The second she moved, soreness hit everywhere. She froze.
What… happened?
The question had barely formed when a gentle voice reached her.
"You're awake."
Takina tilted her head toward the voice—and there he was, right beside her, smiling brightly.
"Shi-Shichen… Shichen-nii?" she blinked, then her eyes widened.
Why was Shichen-nii in her bed?!
"Does it hurt? I'll heal you," Shichen said indulgently. "You really pushed yourself last night."
Last night?
Before she could sort out her thoughts, he was already moving closer, starting to treat her carefully.
Takina stiffened, utterly confused.
"S-Shichen-nii…" Her voice came out small—half disbelief, half panic.
"It's swollen. Hold still. Heal." Shichen spoke gently as he worked.
"It's not that—" Takina tried to protest, but her words fell apart.
"Treatment requires contact. Just endure it a bit."
Takina went silent.
Shichen kept fussing at her with a mix of scolding and tenderness. "You went way too hard. You chased the fun in the moment, and now you know what it feels like after. Really… it's not like there won't be other chances."
As he talked, memories started to surface.
Bit by bit, the night replayed in her head in vivid flashes—so unreal it didn't even feel like her. And yet she remembered it perfectly, from her own eyes.
Because it was her.
Her mind stalled.
Last night… she was that bold?
That was really her?
"Okay. You're done," Shichen said at last. "Try moving now."
His words snapped her back to the present.
Takina's focus sharpened—and she caught what his fingers were doing. Instantly, her cool expression collapsed into a blazing red blush.
"Shichen-nii!" she blurted, half scolding, half flustered.
"Hm? What?" Shichen looked innocent.
"W-What are you doing?" she demanded, voice muffled with embarrassment.
"I'm not doing anything."
Takina's ears turned red. "You… pervert."
Shichen sighed, amused. "You weren't saying that last night."
"Last night is last night! This is now. It's different!"
Shichen shook his head, helplessly fond.
So Takina was the same as most girls, huh—bold in the moment, then the next morning acting like it never happened.
Only a rare few stayed fearless even after waking up.
Shichen was used to it.
"Alright, alright," he said softly. "If you say it's different, it's different. You're the boss today."
"What do you mean 'I'm the boss'…?"
"It's the truth," Shichen said with a smile. "Today you can order me around. Anything."
Takina didn't resist when he pulled her into his arms.
Warmth. Comfort. Smooth skin against his chest.
She rested there quietly, listening to the steady heartbeat beneath her cheek.
Strong. Reliable.
It wasn't even a decision anymore—her body had already learned that she couldn't refuse him.
"Anything you want me to do?" Shichen asked quietly, chin resting against her hair.
Takina didn't refuse. She thought for a moment.
"Take your time," Shichen murmured. "Today, I'm yours."
Takina couldn't help smiling.
"What are you smiling about?" Shichen asked, releasing her slightly so he could see her face.
Takina met his gaze and said, almost smugly, "Chisato was right. You only become 'active' after."
Shichen groaned. "Not this again. I'm always active. You just saw it last night."
"Stop…" Takina mumbled, embarrassed.
"So you're admitting it now?" Shichen teased. "Last night wasn't just Chisato forcing you?"
"It wasn't like that." Takina shook her head, eyes steady. "I wanted to break through that wall between us myself."
Shichen sighed. "So it was my fault."
"Obviously," Takina said, almost laughing. "I moved in with you. Do I really need to spell out what I feel?"
Shichen nodded, accepting it. "Yeah. My fault."
Then Takina's expression sharpened.
"I've decided my order for today."
"Oh?" Shichen raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"A date."
"A date?"
"You said you wanted to take me on one. Today, we do it," Takina said, smiling.
"That doesn't even need to be an 'order.'"
"Doesn't matter. Today's the perfect chance."
Takina knew they didn't get much true alone time. Now that she was officially "his," she wanted to get closer—really learn him, not just exist in the same space.
"Alright," Shichen said warmly. "Today I'll be with you properly."
Takina nodded, happy.
"Hmm~ A date. Takina's gotten bold." A teasing voice came from the doorway.
The door swung open and Chisato bounced in.
"Chisato!" Takina yelped, instantly yanking the blanket up to cover herself.
"What are you embarrassed for?" Chisato grinned. "Weren't you… pretty vocal last night?"
Takina froze.
Then her brain finally caught up. "Wait—Chisato. You were listening?!"
"So what?" Chisato said shamelessly, hands on hips. "Shouldn't you be thanking me? I'm the MVP here!"
"I didn't need your help!" Takina snapped.
"Oh yeah?" Chisato leaned closer. "Then everything I told you was useless?"
Takina faltered.
Shichen, watching their exchange, finally cut in: "What exactly happened last night between you two?"
Chisato waved it off with a bright smile. "Don't worry about it, Shichen-nii. Just know this: it was a fair bet, and Takina accepted the outcome."
"A bet?"
"Yep. And I already did what I promised," Chisato said proudly. "So don't forget my reward."
"You can just tell me what you want. Why make it a 'reward'?" Shichen asked.
"It's different." Chisato's grin turned mischievous. "This is something I earned. It should put me ahead of the others—priority treatment."
Takina's instincts screamed. "Chisato… you're not going to—"
Chisato laughed. "Relax. I'm not claiming it yet. And I'm not going to interrupt your date."
Takina felt a stab of guilt for a second.
Chisato stepped to the bedside and clapped her hands. "Okay, if you're going on a date, get up already. Eat, dress up, and go make it a proper date."
Then she reached down and—without warning—snatched the blanket away.
Takina squeaked and tried to cover herself.
Chisato stared critically for a beat, then pouted. "Huh. Your skin's even paler than mine."
"Chisato!" Takina hissed, mortified.
Chisato only laughed. "What's the big deal? We're family. Who knows—maybe someday you'll all be shameless together."
"Never!" Takina shot back instantly.