CH 8

When I was lying on the sofa in the living room while taking a nap, I was tapped on the shoulder and jumped up. There was Sawa chan, in her dark blue pajamas with white lines.

She looked as frightening as her cute figure and said in a husky voice.

‘….Either you lose your memory or your existence. Which do you prefer? I’ll let you choose.”

“Stop abusing me with your stick ! You’re not beating a drum, you’re beating my head.”

“But, but……”

Her last words seemed like a spoiled child, I felt it. Even I would be embarrassed to think that Sawa chan saw me in my panties.

“…..I’m totally at fault this time, so it can’t be helped, but what I’m trying to say is that we only have one bed, so what are we going to do?”

“Then we’ll have to sleep together.”

“Like I said…..we’re all grown up now.”

“Eh? Didn’t you say that ‘Sho is like a little brother so it’s fine’?”

“Well, that’s….”

That was when we had our first sleepover.

♣

“Sorry ! It was too sudden, so I could only prepare one futon.”

Sawa chan’s mother is coming. Sho was in the fifth grade and was old enough to feel embarrassed.

But Sawa chan didn’t care about that.

“Well, let’s go to bed together. Sho.”

“Eh, but….”

“O wanted to try sleeping with my brother once. If we’re family, wouldn’t we at least sleep together?”

“Well, I don’t know about that….”

Sho is persuaded to sleep by Sawa chan, who said that it was normal. It’s a little narrow for the two of them to sleep together, so they huddle up against each other.

“It’s warm….”

“It is.”

We fell asleep while talking like that. Until I fell asleep, I couldn’t remember what we talked about, but all I could remember was that we had a good time.

♣

Her cheeks turned a little red, as if she was remembering something from the past. Then her little mouth twitched a little and she said.

“That was a long time ago.”

Sawa chan said that and looked away. If she showed me that, I had no choice but to go on the offensive. I mean, clearly, you’re inviting me !

“So you’re saying you can’t see me as a brother now?”

“It’s not like that…..I guess. But you know what? Let’s be moderate. Okay? Okay !”

“I’ll sleep on the couch then.”

I have no choice but to back down. But what is clear is that she saw me as a man, even if only a little. This is a progression.

“Tomorrow is the entrance ceremony, after it’s over, let’s buy a futon.”

“Yeah, then it’s a date.”

“…..Idiot. Good night.”

“Good night, Sawa chan.”

I said that and shook her hand. It seems to be a rule at Sawa chan’s house to shake hands when we go to bed. I didn’t have time to enjoy Sawa chan’s soft, white-skinned hands as she quickly pulled them away.

“…..Good night.”

With that said, I headed toward the Japanese-style room. I wonder if the Japanese-style room had the bed on the other side, but oh well.

I guess I was tired from too many things and went to sleep right away.