The next morning, as Shichen's awareness returned, his chin felt itchy.
He opened his eyes and looked down—Date A Live's Tohka Yatogami was teasing his chin with one of his strands of hair, her eyes full of playful mischief.
"What are you doing?" Shichen asked.
"Ah—Shichen, you're awake!" Tohka smiled brightly, then happily hugged half of his body.
A soft, springy warmth pressed against him.
Shichen wrapped an arm around her back. Her skin was smooth and pale like fine jade, and he couldn't help resting his palm there.
"How are you awake this early?" he asked.
"I don't know… I just couldn't sleep," Tohka replied, looking up at him with clear, shining eyes.
"Couldn't sleep? You went to bed so late—aren't you tired?" Shichen teased.
"Mm…"
Last night's memories rushed back. Tohka turned shy, her cheeks turning pink. There were still faint tear marks on her face.
"When I woke up… I didn't feel tired anymore…"
"Really? Then I guess I was too soft on you last night," Shichen said jokingly.
"Soft? Last night's Shichen was scary," Tohka pouted, acting spoiled.
"Scary? Then… did you like it?" Shichen cupped her face with his free hand.
"I liked it…" Tohka answered with a pure, honest smile.
"I liked how you were last night too," Shichen said.
Last night, Tohka had shown a fragile side for the first time—so pitiful and vulnerable it made him want to both tease her and protect her. The contrast to her usual lively cuteness had been intense… and he'd gotten a little carried away. Thankfully, she was tough.
"Why… 'how I was last night'?" Tohka asked curiously.
"Because last night's Tohka was… really captivating."
"Mm…"
She blushed again, then after a short pause, asked, "So… was what we did last night the same thing you did with Tenka?"
Shichen hesitated. He wasn't sure whether to tell her the truth.
Tenka had told him not to say anything.
"You won't tell me?" Tohka asked.
"You can ask Tenka. I promised her I wouldn't say," Shichen replied honestly.
"Why won't Tenka let you say it?" Tohka asked.
"Maybe she's embarrassed," Shichen said.
"Embarrassed?"
"Go talk to her and clear it up. You two should really discuss it—otherwise she'll stay stuck in her head," Shichen guided.
The idea of Tohka earnestly asking Tenka about it made Shichen imagine Tenka's awkward reaction… and he couldn't help finding it funny.
"Stuck in her head? Stuck about what?"
"Mentally. She really cares about you—she feels like she owes you," Shichen said.
"I see. Got it. I'll talk to her," Tohka said seriously.
"Good. You're getting more and more dependable," Shichen praised, ruffling her long purple hair.
"I've always been dependable," Tohka said earnestly.
"Sure, sure. Then… will you help me again tonight?" Shichen asked, smiling.
"Help with what?"
"With… last night," he said.
"Last night…" Tohka's voice dropped to a shy whisper. "Shichen… you weren't satisfied?"
"Yeah. I was holding back to take care of you. You cried, remember?"
"I don't know why… it hurt at first…"
"That's normal. Everyone's like that. And later you felt better, didn't you?"
"Th-that…" Tohka couldn't answer, too embarrassed.
"So… will you help me tonight?" Shichen pressed gently.
"But I'm not fully okay yet… I still feel sore. I might not even be able to walk properly," Tohka said, clearly struggling to refuse.
Seeing how badly she wanted to say yes, Shichen felt a twinge of guilt.
…But he still really wanted to tease her again.
"That's easy. I'll take care of you," Shichen said.
"Take care of—wait, Shichen?" Tohka froze.
Because Shichen had already reached over to help her feel better.
"Heal."
Green light filled Tohka's vision, and her mind went blank.
She'd been through this kind of thing before, but this time she couldn't help thinking: Does it really have to be like this?
"Shichen…" Tohka's voice softened.
Shichen looked at her and realized her eyes were already watery.
"Does it still hurt?" he asked.
"No… it doesn't," Tohka shook her head.
"Good. Then as a reward for being brave… morning kiss," Shichen said, leaning down to kiss her.
Tohka loved kissing him—she immediately hugged him back.
When they separated, she was breathing unevenly, cheeks flushed.
Shichen looked at her and felt his appetite rise again.
"So… what about tonight?" he asked.
"Mm… I'll listen to you," Tohka answered softly.
"Good." Shichen patted her head and smiled.
They stayed close for a while, then got up. They didn't leave together—Tohka was too shy to be seen and slipped out first.
Shichen stayed behind to tidy up the room. He changed the sheets and cleaned up, then left as if nothing had happened.
Downstairs, to his surprise, Eriri Spencer Sawamura was already there.
"Good morning, Prince Onii-chan," Eriri greeted him the moment she saw him, her twin-tails bouncing.
"Morning, Eriri. Why are you here?" Shichen asked.
"Mm… I woke up early, so I figured I'd come eat breakfast with everyone… and go to school with Tohka and the others," Eriri said.
"If you want to come over, just tell me—I'll pick you up," Shichen said.
"Really?" Eriri's eyes lit up.
"Of course. Why would you be polite with me?" Shichen said, rubbing her head gently.
"I got it!" Eriri nodded happily.
Ever since Shichen went back seven years and settled things with Eriri, they'd been getting closer. She visited often, and he doted on her—but there was also a secret between them no one else knew.
"How's your progress?" Shichen leaned in and whispered.
"Mm… almost there," Eriri said, shrinking her neck a little at his breath against her ear.
"How much is 'almost'? Want me to help?"
"R-really?" Eriri looked up at him with hope.
"Of course. It's us. And I want to see it sooner too, Kashiwagi Eri-sensei," Shichen teased.
"Ugh… Prince Onii-chan, don't tease me," Eriri said, embarrassed.
Shichen chuckled. "Alright. Tomorrow night I'll help."
"Okay… why tomorrow night?" Eriri asked, puzzled.
"Because I already promised tonight," Shichen said.
"?"
He didn't explain further—he wasn't about to break a promise to Tohka. He really hadn't had enough last night.
Eriri's other identity, "Kashiwagi Eri," was her pen name as an artist. Thanks to her parents' influence, she'd gotten into that world early. She couldn't sell work under her real identity, but she could draw while her parents handled distribution.
"Kashiwagi Eri" was already famous in that scene, but she'd been stuck for inspiration lately. Shichen had volunteered to help as a plot editor.
Eriri's art was genuinely incredible—beautiful, polished, and professional. Shichen wanted to adapt some classic ideas from his memory into her style. Great story plus top-tier art was an unbeatable combo.
He also helped Nia Honjō with story ideas sometimes; she wasn't suited for normal school life, so drawing manga kept her busy. The two of them could even collaborate—though they still weren't close yet.