Orihime Inoue didn't understand. They had only just eaten breakfast, so why did Muten Natsu seem as though he were starving...?
No, that wasn't it.
Just as Muten Natsu had said.
He simply wanted to do this.
He wanted to make her happy...
There was no need to use dirty clothes as an excuse like before.
There was no need for any excuse at all.
Muten Natsu was simply being open and gentle... helping her experience a happiness so intense it made her dizzy.
But... why did it have to be right now...?
"Muten..." Orihime Inoue's soft voice carried a trace of panic. "W-Wait... I need to wash my hands..."
"It's okay." Muten Natsu paused for a moment and reassured her softly. "I put a towel down."
"But..." Orihime Inoue had only managed to get two words out before Muten Natsu started again. She could only bite her lower lip, desperately trying to keep any strange sounds from escaping, while holding his head tightly so he wouldn't see what she looked like. "Mmph..."
The fireworks from that day bloomed once more before Orihime Inoue's eyes.
Clusters upon clusters of brilliant color overlapped one another, while countless streams of light danced freely across the sky.
In her daze, Orihime Inoue once again saw that ball of fire from that night, brighter than all the other fireworks. Memories engraved deep within her heart gradually awakened, and it felt as though she had returned to the night when Muten Natsu had carried her through the sky in pursuit of the fireworks.
Together with that ball of fire, they had flown through one burst of fireworks after another, climbing higher and higher. The instant they reached the very top, the fireball exploded within the smoke, sending countless rays of light shooting in every direction and drawing dazzling trails across the sky.
The magnificent display spread across the pitch-black night like a radiant painting. Tiny balls of fire burst like bubbles before fading amid the crisscrossing red streaks of light. Curving trails of flame, crimson streams of light, bubble-like bursts of brilliance... The indescribable beauty filled her vision, the indescribable emotion filled her heart, and an indescribable happiness overflowed from every part of her expression.
All Orihime Inoue could do was hold Muten Natsu tightly, waiting for the brilliant fireworks in her memories to slowly fade and savoring the peaceful calm that followed.
"Don't be scared..." Muten Natsu held Orihime Inoue in his arms and gently stroked her silky hair. "Good girl~"
"Muten..." Orihime Inoue called out weakly, her languid arms wrapping around Muten Natsu's neck. Her moist lips trailed kisses up his neck until their warmth and softness finally found a place against his lips.
Muten Natsu gently returned Orihime Inoue's kiss, pulling the blanket up around her sweat-dampened body so she wouldn't catch a chill.
Once Orihime Inoue came back to her senses, she instinctively curled up, shyly trying to hide herself.
Only after feeling Muten Natsu's considerate, gentle reassurance did her curled body gradually relax. She leaned against him with quiet affection, inching a little closer, then closer still.
Until her exhausted body was pressed fully against his.
Until nothing stood between her and the warmth of his chest.
Until she could hear every breath he took.
What exactly was happiness?
Orihime Inoue still didn't know the answer.
The midday sunlight was just right. Snow that had collected somewhere outside was lifted by the wind, crystalline flakes dancing lightly beyond the window and scattering brilliant reflections.
The temperature inside was comfortable, and beneath the blanket it was pleasantly warm.
If Orihime Inoue lowered her head, she could hear Muten Natsu's heartbeat. If she raised it, she could kiss his lips.
Even without doing anything at all, she could feel his warm breath and touch the heat of his body.
There was nothing they absolutely had to do and no crisis they needed to worry about.
Time seemed to stop in that moment, yet it continued to pass all the same.
Orihime Inoue nuzzled into the crook of Muten Natsu's neck and peacefully closed her eyes.
By the time she woke up, it was already afternoon.
Orihime Inoue opened her eyes groggily. When she saw Muten Natsu's sleeping face right in front of her, she relaxed and closed them again.
She wanted to hold him a little longer.
So she might as well sleep a little longer too...
Gurgle~~~
A faint sound came from Orihime Inoue's stomach.
Muten Natsu had gotten up rather late that morning, so they had eaten breakfast late as well.
As for lunchtime...
Since she hadn't eaten lunch, Orihime Inoue was already getting hungry even though the sky outside hadn't completely darkened yet.
Blushing, Orihime Inoue opened her eyes and found herself looking straight into Muten Natsu's.
"Did I wake you?"
"No. I've been awake for a while." Muten Natsu gently kissed her forehead. "I just wanted to hold you a little longer, so I didn't move."
Realizing that Muten Natsu had been thinking exactly the same thing filled Orihime Inoue with the warmth of being perfectly in sync. Her eyes shimmered as she tilted her head up slightly, her glossy lips curving sweetly while she breathed softly against Muten Natsu's mouth.
That shy, adorable invitation was answered almost immediately. Orihime Inoue closed her eyes as Muten Natsu captured the breath she exhaled.
"Muten..."
"Mm?"
Orihime Inoue's voice was soft and sweet. "There should be something I can do too, right?"
"You mean...?"
"You're always the one making me happy, so there must be something I can do to make you happy too, right?" Orihime Inoue's large, watery eyes were filled with expectation. "What should I do?"
"Making you happy makes me happy too. You don't need to..." Muten Natsu stopped halfway through, his gaze shifting slightly. "You don't need to rush."
He swallowed the words he had originally been about to say and took Orihime Inoue's hand.
"Let's go little by little. If there's anything you don't like, you can stop whenever you want. Don't force yourself."
"Mm..." Orihime Inoue unconsciously held her breath as the pink blush on her cheeks slowly spread all the way to her adorable earlobes. "Then... what do I do next...?"
"That's enough." Muten Natsu gently rubbed Orihime Inoue's soft belly. "It's enough that you know what to do. I heard this little stomach growling just now. Let's eat lunch first... Actually, dinner. How about that?"
Orihime Inoue clearly didn't want to stop yet. "W-Wait until you're happy, then we can eat dinner."
"That would take too long. You'd be starving by then." Muten Natsu stroked Orihime Inoue's head. "And if that happened, I wouldn't be happy anymore."
"Mm... Then what do you want to eat?" Orihime Inoue hugged Muten Natsu. "Want me to make something for you?"
"For dinner..." Muten Natsu thought for a moment. "How about creamy stew? It feels like I haven't had it in ages."
"Then I'll go make it now..." Orihime Inoue sat up, and the blanket slipped down with her movement.
She froze for a moment, then gave him a sweet smile and opened her arms.
"Muten, help me~"