episode_0039

“What, are you trying to pounce on me?”

A short phrase, but one that makes my heart plummet all the more because of it.

It’s the first time I’ve ever been asked something like this, so I don’t know how to respond.

My head is spinning.

“Hey, you. You shouldn’t throw around words like that so carelessly.”

Without a word, Karen stares at me for a long moment.

Naturally, I stop in my tracks toward the bathroom and stare back at her.

A strange tension begins to simmer silently between us.

“Well, it was a joke.”

Then, shrugging, Karen stretches her arms wide before flopping back onto the bed.

“Didn’t you just say a moment ago that you don’t joke around?”

“Did I? Who knows—my head’s all over the place after digging up painful memories thanks to someone today.”

Answering like a sly fox, Karen waves her hand dismissively and continues.

“Go shower already. I don’t have the energy to talk anymore.”

With those final words, she closes her eyes and slowly breathes in and out.

After watching her for a beat, I let out a small sigh and step into the bathroom.

-Ssshhhaaa.

As the warm water soaks my body, a pleasant sensation spreads through me, as if all the fatigue accumulated throughout the day is melting away.

Normally, I’d let out a satisfied Ahhh~ feels amazing, but right now, I don’t feel like doing that.

Just in case Karen hears me.

She must be able to hear everything, even the sound of the water. I don’t want to come off like some creep.

So, finishing up my shower quietly, I dry off, change, and step out of the bathroom.

I’d love to wear fresh clothes, but since staying over wasn’t planned, I didn’t bring a spare set.

Next time, I should keep some in my subspace pocket just in case.

“……”

Glancing at the bed, I see Karen already lying down, her breathing steady as she drifts off.

I wasn’t even in there that long—she really fell asleep fast.

Guess today must have been exhausting for her.

A yawn escapes me as drowsiness sets in, and I shuffle toward the bed.

Well—correction: I stop just as I’m about to walk over.

“…Hm.”

Is it really okay for us to share a bed?

Not that I mind, but I’m worried Karen might wake up and blow a fuse.

Scanning the room, I spot a small couch near the bed.

It might be a little uncomfortable, but maybe I should just sleep there tonight.

Nodding to myself, I move quietly toward the couch, careful not to make a sound—right up until…

“…What’re you doing?”

Karen’s half-lidded eyes are open, her voice thick with sleep.

What the—?

You were definitely asleep just now!

“Uh, weren’t you sleeping a second ago?”

“I woke up when I heard you moving.”

I deliberately walked softly to avoid waking her…

Honestly, at this point, I’m starting to think the problem isn’t me—it’s that her hearing is too sharp.

“You’ve got good ears. I tried to walk as quietly as possible.”

“I’m just… a little sensitive.”

A little is an understatement.

Did growing up in the gutter give her some kind of sixth sense for detecting movement even in her sleep?

Wait, that actually makes sense.

“So, what are you doing?”

“I was about to sleep too.”

“Yeah, that much I get. Why were you sneaking off toward the corner?”

“I was gonna take the couch. Didn’t want to make you uncomfortable by crowding the bed.”

Karen clicks her tongue at my answer.

“You’re the one who paid for this room—why are you making yourself uncomfortable over it? I don’t care, so stop being an idiot and just sleep here. The bed’s stupidly big anyway.”

Huh.

She’s not as bothered as I expected.

Actually, at this point, I’m starting to suspect I’m the one overreacting to the situation.

I mean, shouldn’t the teenager here be her, not me?

Why am I the flustered one?

Something’s not right here.

“You’re really… Ugh, whatever.”

I was about to tell her to at least be a little cautious, but I gave up midway, knowing Karen would just ignore me anyway.

So, without protest, I plop down beside her on the bed.

It’s really comfortable.

…Nice.

“……”

“……”

Silence falls again.

I hate awkward atmospheres like this.

Restless, I fidget with the edge of the blanket until—

“…I get what you’re trying to say. I know it too.”

Karen’s quiet voice suddenly cuts through the stillness.

“Sharing a room—let alone a bed—with someone of the opposite sex at our age is dangerous in more ways than one.”

“Then why’d you let me stay?”

“Because you’re not the type to do anything like that.”

Without hesitation, she answers.

Her short, firm reply catches me off guard, and I turn my head slightly toward her—

“If you really wanted to take advantage of me, you could’ve done it long ago. Hell, you’ve had every opportunity. You could’ve used our debt arrangement against me, or exploited my weaknesses. If it were you… you definitely could’ve pulled it off.”

—only to lock eyes instantly.

Despite the darkness, her pink irises shine unmistakably in my vision.

“But you didn’t. So, at least for tonight… I can trust you.”

“…”

She… trusts me.

Hearing that from Karen, of all people, makes my chest tighten.

It feels like all my efforts so far have been rewarded in this single moment.

“And hey, even if you did try something, you think I’d just lie there and take it?”

“…No. You’d beat the crap out of me.”

At her question, I chuckle dryly.

“Damn right. I’d kick your ass until you stopped moving. So if you had any funny ideas—wake up.”

“Yeah, yeah. Got it.”

“Good. Now, sleep or don’t. Whatever.”

Closing her eyes slowly, Karen settles back in.

I follow suit, shutting my own tired eyes as I try to push down the warmth swelling in my chest.

Inhaling. Exhaling. Gradually, deliberately.

But just as I’m drifting off—

Rustle.

A faint shuffling pulls me back to full awareness.

Curious, I crack an eye open and tilt my head slightly—

“….”

—only to see Karen curling in on herself, subtly tugging at the sheets with an uncomfortable expression.

Why is she…? Oh.

I remember now.

Karen has a habit of hugging a stuffed animal when she sleeps.

But there’s no plushie here.

No wonder she’s restless.

Watching her squirm, a teasing impulse bubbles up in me.

“What’s with the wiggling? You’re not a little kid who lost their teddy bear…”

“A—a plushie? Don’t be ridiculous. Stop talking nonsense and go to sleep.”

After snapping, she turns away from me sharply.

-…Rustle.

Within moments, she’s hugging the blanket to her chest.

Guess she does need something to hold.

Lately, I’ve been seeing more of Karen’s cute side—not that I mind.

“…Yeah. Sleep well.”

Suppressing the smile tugging at my lips, I finally close my eyes for real.

It doesn’t take long before my consciousness dissolves into the abyss.

Bright light filters through my eyelids, forcing me awake.

“…….”

Ah. What a refreshing morning.

No lingering urge to snooze—just pure, wakeful clarity.

Stretching, I rise from the bed—

“Nghh……. Huh?”

—or at least, I try to.

Turns out, I can’t even stretch.

I can’t move at all.

Now that I think about it, I feel oddly… constricted.

Sleep paralysis?

“…?”

I glance down slowly.

Something is clinging to me.

A pink something.

Karen.

Still sound asleep, she’s hugging me tightly.

Wait, hold on.

What exactly is happening here?

Did I do something?

Frowning, I rifle through my memories, but nothing comes to mind.

“…In her sleep?”

Seems like Karen mistook me for a plushie and latched on unconsciously.

Not that I mind, but this is… intensely awkward.

Her sweet scent tickling my nose, the soft warmth pressed against my arm—it’s overwhelming.

This must be what they call “blissful torment.”

Just stay still, whispers the devil in my ear, but I shake my head.

It’s not my fault, but letting this slide feels… wrong.

“Haaah……”

Taking a deep breath, I carefully attempt to slip out of her grasp without waking her.

But—

“Why the hell are you so strong…?”

No luck.

Her grip is ironclad.

Guess her earlier threat about “beating me to death” wasn’t just bluster.

With strength like this, I wouldn’t stand a chance.

So… what now?

At this point, maybe I should just pretend to be asleep.

It’s not like I did anything wrong anyway.

“Mmmn….”

A soft murmur brushes my ear—

—followed by a chilling wave creeping down my spine.

“Nn…?”

Karen’s eyes flutter open.

Meeting her gaze, I force a strained smile.

“M—morning.”

Ah, well. Not my fault.