After Lucy began to feel better, we walked back to the dorm together, bathed in the soft, golden light of sunset.
When we reached the gate, just before we said goodbye, I smiled at her.
She looked at me, silent for a moment, then quietly returned a small, gentle smile.
Without saying anything more, I reached out and gently patted her head.
Lucy didn't pull away.
She only lowered her head slightly… as if quietly accepting it—an unspoken answer.
After returning to the dormitory, I opened the door and stepped into the room, hearing the sound of running water. Alice was in the shower.
I climbed up to my top bunk, lay on my back, and stared at the ceiling, my thoughts still lingering on Lucy.
The original novel painted her as strong and cold, but it didn't come close to capturing how adorable she was in real life.
That smile she gave me before we parted… for some reason, it just wouldn't leave my mind.
I really… liked that smile.
The water stopped running. Not long after, Alice stepped out of the bathroom, her hair still damp and tied neatly behind her neck.
"Your turn," she said briefly, then climbed into her bed and opened a book.
I nodded, grabbed my things, and headed into the shower. The warm water helped me relax, but my mind kept circling back to that smile beneath the sunset.
Strangely enough… it made my heart feel warm in a way I couldn't explain.
When I came out, Arisu was still reading under the soft, yellow light of the lamp.
I hung up my towel and asked casually, almost out of habit,
"Do you want some tea?"
She didn't look up but glanced sideways at me. Her golden eyes flickered with a hint of surprise, then softened.
"It's already late," she replied in a calm, measured tone.
I shrugged. "This tea is good for sleep".
She went quiet for a few seconds, as if weighing something in her mind, then gave a slight nod.
"...If you're making it, I'll drink."
I smiled. "No worries, it's the Yuto special."
She gave a rare, gentle smile. Clear and warm.
"You always say that."
I walked over to the small coffee setup, my heart feeling unexpectedly lighter.
It felt like there was something quietly warm growing between us,between two people who were supposedly just roommates.
After a bit of coffee and light conversation, we both got ready for bed. Alice climbed into the lower bunk, while I settled into the top. The room gradually fell into silence, lit only by the pale moonlight spilling in through the window.
"Good night, Arisu," I said.
She was quiet for a moment before replying softly,
"...Good night."
Her voice was quieter than usual, light as a passing breeze.
I turned to face the wall but didn't fall asleep right away.
Lucy's smile kept playing in my head, and then my thoughts drifted to Alice—the calm yet distant roommate. Living in the same room with her, I had started to notice little things no one else probably could.
At some point, I drifted off.
In the middle of the night, I was woken by a faint voice. Soft, like a whisper in the wind. It came from the bed below.
"No… I don't want to do homework… I'll practice tomorrow… please, don't make me…"
Her voice trembled, fragmented. Alice was talking in her sleep, murmuring like she was trapped in a memory. I could hear the rustling of blankets, the tiny, broken sobs. She was struggling, caught in a dream heavy with pressure.
Quietly, I climbed down without making a sound, kneeling beside her bed. Alice had curled into herself, gripping the edge of the blanket tightly, her whole body trembling.
Without a word, I reached out and gently held her hand.
She flinched slightly, but didn't pull away. I could feel the chill through her slender fingers.
"...It's okay now," I whispered, brushing aside a few strands of hair from her forehead. With my other hand, I gently stroked her head.
Almost instantly, her body relaxed. Her breathing slowed, and the tension in her face eased until she looked peaceful again.
I stared at her quietly and let out a small breath.
How long had she been dealing with all this… all on her own?
The next morning.
When I opened my eyes, sunlight poured through the window, softly illuminating the room. The first thing I saw was "Arisu" looking at me with a complicated expression.
"...That was you last night, wasn't it?"
Her voice was hesitant.
I froze. So she noticed?
"Uh… I…"
Before I could finish, she quickly continued, her voice trembling slightly.
"U-Um… could you… pat my head again… just once more…?"
Her voice grew quieter, filled with shyness. Then, as if remembering she was supposed to be a boy, she hastily added,
"I mean… I know it sounds strange since we're both guys, but… would you still do it…?"
I let out a small laugh, trying to keep my tone light to ease her embarrassment.
"It's okay. I don't think too much about that kind of stuff."
Then, I reached out and gently patted "his" head.
After a while, I started to pull my hand away, but Arisu grabbed it, gently placing it back on "his" head.
"...Just a little longer, please."
I chuckled softly and nodded.
Five quiet minutes passed. I kept stroking her head, feeling the calm in her breath. When Arisu finally smiled—soft and content—it was a smile that spoke of peace.
But then, as if realizing something, her expression changed. She quickly pulled back into her usual cool self.
I saw it all. And I couldn't help but think :
She's really, really adorable.