Myriad Dreams had to rely almost entirely on willpower to struggle into a sitting position on the soft bed.
She rubbed her incredibly sore waist, feeling as if her body had been run over several times by a heavy truck.
Her skin felt damp and sticky. She helplessly propped her head in her hand and couldn't help but mutter in a low voice:
"Honestly... Muteki, you're just too... too persistent..."
At the thought of having barely closed her eyes last night— being turned over and over for "punishment" and "confirmation of ownership"— she felt a wave of dizziness.
To make matters worse, she had already made plans to go fishing with Seiun Sky today.
Beside her, Yaeno Muteki seemed to be stirred awake by her movement.
Letting out a dissatisfied mumble, her arms wound around her like an octopus again.
Muteki's cheek nuzzled affectionately against Myriad's bare waist, clearly still immersed in a satisfied slumber and unwilling to let her leave.
Looking at Muteki's lingering attachment, the slight complaints in Myriad's heart turned into helpless indulgence.
She sighed softly and gently stroked the other girl's back, as if soothing a large canine.
"Be good... I'll be back tonight," she said, her voice still carrying a hint of hoarseness.
After finally managing to soothe the sleeping Muteki, Myriad Dreams got up quietly.
Enduring the intense physical discomfort, she washed up, changed into clean clothes, grabbed her prepared fishing gear, and practically floated out of the dormitory.
By the time she dragged her leaden legs to the stretch of riverbank they frequented, Seiun Sky was already waiting at their old spot, boredly casting her line.
Seeing her, Seiun Sky immediately flashed a bright smile, but then tilted her head:
"Myriad! Why so late today? That's not like you."
Myriad Dreams walked over to her side, set down her gear, and let out a weak, exhausted sigh. Fatigue was written all over her face.
"Sigh... don't ask. There was a bit of a... snag this morning."
She truly didn't have the energy to explain that embarrassing "snag" in detail.
Just then, Seiun Sky suddenly leaned in like a little puppy, her nose twitching slightly.
A sly smile spread across her face. "Hmm~? Myriad, you have... a scent on you. It's Yaeno Muteki's, and it's quite strong~"
"!!!" Myriad Dreams froze instantly, her cheeks exploding into a deep red like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"How... how is your nose so sharp?!"
This was practically police-dog level!
"Hehe~"
Seiun Sky giggled at her predicament but, being considerate, didn't pry further.
She just gave Myriad a playful nudge with her shoulder, skillfully changing the subject to ease the awkward atmosphere.
"Alright, alright, come sit down. The fish are getting impatient!"
Myriad Dreams gave her a grateful look and sat down.
However, the extreme physical exhaustion and the sleepiness from a sleepless night surged over her like a tide.
She forced herself to pick up the fishing rod, but her eyelids felt like they weighed a thousand pounds, constantly drooping.
The bobbing of the float on the river's surface gradually blurred in her vision, and the little tune Seiun Sky was humming sounded like it was coming from far away.
She tried desperately to stay awake, but her head kept sinking lower and lower.
Finally, after one long yawn, her resistance collapsed entirely.
Her eyelids slammed shut, her body tilted, and her head came to rest gently and with total trust on Seiun Sky's shoulder.
She fell into a deep sleep, completely unaware that the fishing rod in her hand had slipped onto the grass.
Seiun Sky felt the weight on her shoulder and turned her head.
Seeing Myriad Dreams sleeping soundly with steady, long breaths (save for the faint dark circles under her eyes showing her exhaustion), Sky was briefly stunned.
Then, a soft and warm smile bloomed on her face.
She didn't move or wake her. Instead, she carefully adjusted her posture so Myriad could lean more comfortably.
Finally, she reached out and gently, protectively, wrapped an arm around Myriad Dreams' shoulder, letting her sleep peacefully in her embrace.
The breeze by the riverbank brushed past them, swaying their hair.
Seiun Sky remained in that position, her gaze tenderly falling on Myriad's sleeping profile.
Feeling the weight and warmth on her shoulder, she felt that even if she didn't catch a single fish today, just sitting here quietly was a matter of immense happiness and satisfaction.