-Sena’s POV-
Why is my heart pounding so hard? Well, it’s only natural when you’re in your favorite person’s house. It feels like my chest might burst.
「Anoo, sorry for making you sleep next to me.」
「Oh, no, no, it’s perfectly fine!」
But… how did it come to this?
Staying temporarily at Dori-chan’s home was a dream come true. I could see my favorite person up close every day, and grandma’s cooking tasted nostalgic and delicious.
The dishes, rich with vegetables, perfectly brought out the ingredients’ natural flavors. My magic power was slowly recovering, and I felt a surge of strength within me.
Then, when I tried to return to my room, Dori-chan stopped me.
「Neenee, slip tugeder!」
I didn’t know a look from my favorite person could be so powerful. I felt like I had just glimpsed heaven, transcending the point of being captivated.
Was this what people called “dying of moe”?
「Okay, I’ll bring your futon over here, Dori-chan.」
「Papa too!」
Dori-chan grabbed papa’s arm and refused to let go.
And so, here we are.
「It’s been a while since I’ve slept in a 川 position like this.」
「This is my first time.」
Ever since I was little, I showed high potential as an explorer.
So, I went through elite training.
Martial arts, mastery of various weapons, and rigorous explorer drills filled my days.
When I returned home, I rarely spoke with my parents. I spent many nights eating alone in a silent room.
I don’t believe they lacked love for me. They gave me elite education for the sake of my future.
But I had no memories of warmth with them.
「Looks like Dori-chan’s asleep.」
「She played hard in the field today.」
Dori-chan slept peacefully, her face serene. My heart raced as I watched my favorite person’s sleeping face right beside me. I couldn’t even turn my head.
I just stared at the ceiling, waiting for time to pass, hoping sleep would come.
「Dori kicked off her blanket again.」
Papa-san got up from the bed and gently pulled the blanket over Dori-chan. This simple, quiet moment felt like the everyday life I had always longed for.
Sharing meals with someone, sleeping in the same room with someone—
All the ordinary happiness I had wanted since I was a child was right here.
「Sena-san, are you having trouble sleeping? It’s hard to relax when the bedding is different from what you’re used to.」
Is this what it would feel like to live together after getting married? That thought brought a different kind of fluttering to my chest.
「Ah, no, I’m fine.」
Feeling a bit embarrassed, I turned onto my side, trying to calm the excitement in my heart.
「That’s good to hear. Goodnight.」
「Goodnight.」
In a small voice, I whispered “goodnight” to someone for the first time in a long while.
♢
「Neenee!」
「Papa!」
I was shaken awake. Though I had trouble falling asleep, I must have dozed off at some point.
Dori-chan was the one who woke me up. Being awakened by my favorite person was like a dream.
When I slowly opened my eyes, Papa-san’s face was right in front of me.
「Huh?」
「Ah, good morning.」
Apparently, I had fallen asleep clinging to him. Papa-san looked a bit flustered, his face tinged with embarrassment.
「Dori pulled me into the futon last night.」
It seemed that when Dori-chan pulled him over, I had latched onto him and refused to let go.
Unable to move, he had patiently waited for me to wake up.
「I’m so sorry!」
I quickly let go and bowed deeply in apology. I never imagined I’d cause such trouble.
Maybe I should just leave right now.
「No, no, you need your rest. You’re starting the dungeon exploration today, and sleep deprivation could be dangerous.」
The heartbeat I thought had settled began pounding wildly again. There couldn’t be a kinder man than this.
For someone like me, an S-Rank explorer, people often said that despite my appearance, I was a terrifying monster on the inside.
「Neenee!」
「Papa!」
Dori-chan held out both her hands.
What should I do? Just as I was hesitating, he took Dori-chan’s hands.
「Please, hold her hand.」
Following his instructions, I grasped Dori-chan’s hand. She smiled, satisfied.
Hand in hand with Dori, Papa-san and I were pulled along through the house.
I wished this moment could last as long as possible.
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