"Cough, cough!" Sumire almost choked on her soup. Her cheeks instantly flushed red as she asked back in embarrassment, "Who... who said you could hold me?!"
"Oh?"
Reze narrowed her emerald-green eyes slightly, leaned forward toward Sumire, and a mischievous smile played on her lips.
"Is someone trying to back out so soon? Was it not the promise you made yourself just now when you asked me to go downstairs and take out the trash? You said—as long as you take out the trash, I'll be your body pillow tonight."
Sumire's memory immediately came flooding back.
That was a few hours ago. To escape the chore of taking out the trash, she had... indeed... let that slip.
The encounter with Natasha that followed had made her almost forget the promise.
"Did... did that happen?" Sumire's eyes darted around as she tried to play dumb. "How come I don't remember? Did you remember it wrong?"
"Is that so?" Reze wasn't annoyed. She just watched her quietly, those eyes seemingly able to see through all lies, her face written with—
"I'll just quietly watch you make things up."
Under that teasing gaze, Sumire lasted less than three seconds before surrendering.
"Fi... fine! Honestly..." Sumire buried her head in her rice in resignation, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz. "I'll honor the bet, alright..."
"Hehe, that's a good girl." Reze reached out contentedly and stroked Sumire's head like she was smoothing fur.
Sumire batted her hand away. "Do you really think I'm a pet?! You've got some nerve!"
Reze giggled as she watched Sumire bristle.
Beside them, Perona watched this scene, the fork in her hand nearly bending under her grip.
"Dammit! This unfaithful woman... actually monopolizing the main body right in front of me..."
She was extremely displeased. Her chewing grew faster, and she even intentionally made loud noises to protest, but those two had clearly entered their own World, completely blocking out external noise... Late at night, in the bedroom.
After washing up, Sumire and Reze lay down early.
Only a dim, warm bedside lamp was left on in the room.
Reze turned on her side, her arm naturally sliding under the back of Sumire's neck while her other hand gently circled her slender waist. She buried her head in the crook of Sumire's neck and let out a satisfied sigh.
Sumire's body stiffened for a moment, but feeling the body heat and steady breathing coming from behind, she slowly relaxed and let the other hold her.
Meanwhile, in the air of the bedroom.
Perona was floating beneath the ceiling, watching the two sleeping in each other's arms, her eyes filled with envy, jealousy, and hate.
"Hmph, what's so great about it..."
she muttered, but her voice betrayed an unmistakable sense of loss.
This feeling of being an outsider made her heart feel sour.
Perona took one last look at the two on the bed, then floated out of the bedroom in a huff, entering the dark living room.
In the corner, the zombie doll Kumashi was standing blankly.
Seeing Perona float out, Kumashi quickly turned around.
"Pe... Perona-sama? Do you have any orders?"
Perona instinctively wanted to scold it for making such an unpleasant sound, but the words died in her throat.
"Nothing."
She waved her hand listlessly, looking exceptionally dejected.
Kumashi stood there, not knowing what to do.
Perona stared at Kumashi's massive body for a while. Suddenly, as if she had thought of something, her previously dull eyes lit up again.
She didn't speak, but floated directly toward Kumashi—and then, she passed straight into Kumashi's body!
*Zzzzt—*
That was the sound of a zipper being opened.
It sounded exceptionally clear in the silent living room.
The zipper on Kumashi's back slowly slid open, and a pair of legs wearing black and white striped stockings stepped out first.
Then came the red skirt, and finally, that petite figure with pink twin tails.
Yes, except for certain necessary times, Perona's main body had always been hidden inside Kumashi's body.
Perona climbed out of Kumashi, stretched, and moved her somewhat stiff joints.
"Hmph, who says only that violent woman can hold her?"
She lifted her chin, and that signature tsundere smile appeared on her face. Her previous dejection vanished instantly.
Perona walked barefoot on the floor, quietly making her way back to the bedroom.
By the faint light, she looked at the two sleeping soundly on the bed. Sumire's back was to Reze, held tightly in her arms, while Sumire's front—the other side of the bed—still had a large empty space.
"We're all the same person anyway. If you, Reze, have a body pillow, then why can't I, Perona, have one too?"
With that thought, Perona crawled in.
It was warm under the covers.
She turned on her side to face Sumire, reached out both hands, and like an octopus, possessively and clingily hugged Sumire.
Perona became happy. She nuzzled against Sumire's chest, found a comfortable position, and closed her eyes contentedly.
In her sleep, Sumire only felt a bit of difficulty breathing.
Sandwiched in the middle, although it was a bit cramped, it was unexpectedly filled with a sense of security.
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