Eleven o'clock at night.
Noticing that Mashiro still hadn't shown up, Mio got up and made her way to Mashiro's room.
The moment she stepped through the door, she spotted Mashiro sprawled on her stomach on the bed—in the exact same pose as earlier that evening.
No need to guess. She was reading the study material.
Mio cleared her throat twice, then walked over and sat down beside Mashiro. "Mashiro, still not finished?"
"I finished the earlier one already. This is a new one."
"So—is there anything you don't understand? You can tell me, you know." Having read no small number of these back before she transmigrated, Mio was brimming with confidence. She was sure she could guide Mashiro onto the right path.
Mashiro gave a small shake of her head, then said, "I... can understand all of it. But without practicing, it feels like I still don't quite get it. Mio, could you practice with me?"
Even Mio was caught off guard by that one, and she froze for a beat before saying, a little flustered, "Wh-what are you talking about? That's not the kind of thing you just casually practice!"
"I can't?" A flicker of disappointment crossed Mashiro's eyes.
"Not for now!"
Mio quietly avoided Mashiro's gaze. This wasn't going the way she'd pictured it at all. She'd assumed Mashiro would ask her some questions about the physical basics—how had it jumped straight to hands-on practice? This wasn't playing by the rules whatsoever!
Sure, she was genuinely curious what that sort of thing felt like between two girls—but she really, truly wasn't ready for it yet.
"Heh. The Host doesn't react quite like this when she's the one teasing other people," came the System's mocking voice in Mio's ear.
"Nobody's going to mistake you for a mute just because you keep quiet. Besides, teasing and actual practice are two completely different things, okay?"
"Ah, yes, yes, of course."
Ignoring the insufferable System, Mio steered the conversation elsewhere in a slightly strained voice. "Mashiro, don't you have drawing to do today?"
With anyone else, the stiffness in Mio's tone would have been obvious—but Mashiro seemed to catch none of it, answering softly, "Today's a rest day. And I still have plenty of finished pages saved up."
"I see. Well, it's getting late, so let's turn in early tonight."
"Oh."
Mashiro murmured her assent, then trailed right after Mio out of the room.
Back in her own room, lying in bed, Mio made a point of telling Mashiro seriously before the lights went out, "And no practicing while I'm asleep, either."
"Oh."
Mio had been a little worried, but Mashiro dropped off to sleep even before she did.
That let Mio quietly relax—though she couldn't shake the feeling that sharing a bed with Mashiro these days was starting to get a little dangerous.
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"Yawn~"
Used to rising early as she was, Mio still couldn't help a yawn as she dragged herself out of bed at the crack of dawn.
After a quick wash-up, she didn't start on breakfast like she usually would. Instead she headed out and over to Haruno's door.
Then she took out her key and let herself in.
Haruno's home was quiet—until Mio walked into the bedroom and heard the patter of running water coming from the bathroom.
A short while later, Haruno emerged from the bathroom with nothing but a bath towel wrapped around her.
Flawless, snow-white skin; those striking long legs; delicate collarbones and smooth, rounded shoulders—all of it drew Mio's gaze.
Spotting Mio seated on her bed, Haruno showed not the slightest surprise. She'd heard faint sounds in the room while bathing, so she'd already known it was Mio.
After all, aside from Haruno herself, Mio was the only person who had a key to her home.
"You look like you're all better now, Senpai."
"I am~ All thanks to my kouhai's tender care, I recovered so quickly."
"Even though your fever's broken, you should still take it easy for the next few days, just to be safe."
Hearing the concern in Mio's words, Haruno laughed softly. "Relax. I'm not a child."
"Well, since you're doing fine, Senpai, I'll head back now."
"Wait."
Mio turned, puzzled. "Was there something else, Senpai?"
"To thank my kouhai for taking such good care of me yesterday, I've decided to owe you another favor. Whatever you want me to do—I'll do it. Even that sort of thing is fair game." Haruno's voice was laced with temptation.
"In that case, I'll gladly take you up on it~"
These days Haruno was practically at Mio's beck and call anyway, granting her almost any request. Still, a free favor was a free favor—no sense letting it go to waste. Who knew when it might come in handy down the line?
Before leaving, Mio made a point of earnestly reminding Haruno to look after herself and not go running wild just because her fever had broken.
"I really don't want to have to come back and—mmph?!"
Mio hadn't even finished speaking before Haruno sealed her mouth shut with a kiss.
This kiss was far more intense than the last. By the time Haruno finally let go, Mio—weakling that she was—was nearly limp enough to collapse to the floor.
Mio wiped the corner of her mouth, then huffed indignantly, "Senpai, you ambushed me again!"
"Ambush? Hardly. This is me saying thank you—thank you for looking after me all day yesterday."
Realizing there was no point arguing further, Mio drew a deep breath and said, "Never mind. I'm heading back. Since you're up already, Senpai, come get your breakfast yourself in a bit."
"I'll come over with you right now."
Mio glanced at Haruno, who still had nothing on but a bath towel. "Senpai—you sure you want to go over like that?"
"Oh, I forgot to get dressed. You go on ahead, then—I'll come find you shortly."
If it were only Mio around, Haruno wouldn't much care about being undressed. But with other people in the house, she did have to mind her appearance.
Then again, Mio really was easy to topple. That had only been a simple, brief kiss, yet it had already left her so weak in the knees that a single push could have knocked her over.
Haruno even suspected that if she'd taken the chance to push Mio down just now, Mio might not have put up any resistance at all.
Maybe... she'd give that a try next time.
Whatever it was she'd started imagining, Haruno licked her lips, and a distinctly dangerous glint surfaced in her eyes.
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